Maybe Taylor’s cautionary tale explains why all those congressional Republicans are as servile towards Trump as they are. I suspect so and they’re fearful of the base that’s under Trump’s command. Obviously, those people making threats are full of crap. Essentially keyboard kommandos. Still, it can’t be pleasant.
I know Cassidy Hutchinson has a book out too and I can’t imagine the courage it took for her to put up with the abuse. Also, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. There’s a reason Profiles in Courage is a thin book, right?
We certainly don’t get to see it firsthand. It’s hard for me to believe there’s not a Republican in upstate NY who would be qualified to be a representative to Congress who’s not disgusted with what their party has become and is willing to primary Elise Stefanik.
There are commonalities in the story of Miles Taylor and problems at the Rockwell Falls library.
In the local story Kathleen Jones, a former library board member, emerged as something of a hero for due process and the rights of the community as a whole - and she has been defamed for it, probably threatened too.
It is hard not to notice that women in general, but professional women in particular have become the focus of much of the intimidation by a segment of the local library community. The remaining elected board member, a man, a Christian church leader, spent a lot of time at the recent “informational meeting” gaslighting the public, misrepresenting facts and statements of others, and bullying others. Kathleen Jones’ resignation from the board reflected in a way the attempts of Taylor to prevent a destructive personality from doing further damage to the local institution. Fortunately SALS (Southern ADK Library System) and the Board of Regents will step in to appoint new trustees who, it is hoped, will calm the aggressors. But as Ken noted, it will take people with personal fortitude t and bravery to step forward in the interests of the community as a whole.
Actually, I was thinking the same thing and the events of this past week show that is playing out. It did not take long - 7 months - for forces outside the library to shut it down perhaps permanently.
Yes, I suspected they were purposefully positioned.
I found it interesting that Josh Jacquard commented that he wanted to return to the sort of civility of “10 months or a year ago.” And what was different 10 months or a year ago? Was it that he wasn’t on the board?
I understand that people in the community were upset by the idea of a drag queen reading a story to children. I believe they are misguided, but I understand it. Well, they won! They prevented the event from taking place. The proponents of diversity have taken the loss and moved on, but the people who won have not been satisfied. They claim to have the best interests of the library at heart, that they have no interest in book bans or limiting access to varied resources or events, but Jacquard’s own words at his first board meeting seemed to indicate otherwise.
There are those who believe there was financial mismanagement at the library and there is an audit being conducted. That is perfectly proper. What is not proper is for members of the board or the public to make accusations about fraudulent intent without actual findings from the auditor. Those sorts of accusations against professionals are potentially defamation and Jacquard should have shut that sort of talk down.
It was also disturbing to hear Jacquard speak critically about teachers who were voicing concern about the direction of the library’s future, and that he refused to accept criticism or even allow that others may have some legitimate point.
I am confident the library will survive. It is a physical community asset with decades of investment.
Frankly, I believe a lawsuit against the current board would set things straight very quickly.
Thank you for sharing. Those who worked for Trump know that he has egregious deficits in intellect and character. He lies so fluently (much like the so-called “religious leader” that remains on the library board). The sheer gullibility of large swaths of our electorate is disheartening. I do not want others deciding what I and my offspring can read!
What one deeply and sincerely believes is not always the truth (contrary to the teachings of most religions). I believe that we already have an administration (actually both state and federal) that is using government power, including the judiciary, to exact revenge on Trump and others it considers to be enemies, but i realize that may not be, or at least may be an exaggeratioon of, the truth.
I can dismiss everything anyone else has said about Trump and just believe my own eyes and ears. I know what he’s said and done all his life, from watching him operate in NYC long before any kind of political office was in his sights to what he said and did on the campaign trail, as President, and now as a candidate again. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing tells me that he is anything other than an arrogant, thin-skinned, self centered, cruel, ignorant, terrifyingly charismatic showman and charlatan. The government power being brought to bear on him is not out of petty revenge because people don’t like him, or because some deep state cabal is calling the shots (although that is his constant whine), but because he is a clear and present danger to our Constitution and to our democratic (small d) republic. America itself is trying to cleanse his toxic poison from its system before the infection becomes unstoppable.
He lies about things that haven’t gone his way, but he tells the absolute truth about his plans. He wants to go after “vermin” and “root them out.” People who still support him would do well to remember that once he holds all the levers of power and has done away with checks and balances and any meaningful opposition, which is his stated goal, “vermin” is anyone he says is vermin. If he comes after you, who you gonna call?
The best proof there is no deep state is that this man still lives and breathes.
Another insightful FRONT PAGE Ken. My blood boils reading the stuff that happened to Miles Taylor. My overarching question is what is the best way we can influence Republican moderates to band together and speak out against Trump for the good of the country instead of the good of their party??
The Rockwell Falls Library closed because its entire staff, plus three of five trustees QUIT! The reason for the wholesale resignations was the agenda and management style of one remaining trustee. He is imperious, misogynistic, and operates by bullying. He seeks to impose his personal morality on workers and users of the library. Interestingly, all the departed personnel are female. Public institutions are not podiums for one man's theology. Kathleen Jones is a heroine. Lake Luzerne deserves freedom of reading.
The stark truth, this is my childrens and grand children's future.
Thank you for sharing Democrats and Republicans as like minded people. Democracy is precious. In fact it's a circle. There is room for us all to live and be free.
To truly live this American dream.
I'm celebrating Thanksgiving today.
I give thanks to men like you who speak truth. Happy Thanksgiving
Pertinent to some other comments here On The Media this week presented stories that perhaps present a way forward for local news business. Worth a listen.
Great stuff this a.m. Ken. All of it. Thank you.
And yet...🤦♂️
Maybe Taylor’s cautionary tale explains why all those congressional Republicans are as servile towards Trump as they are. I suspect so and they’re fearful of the base that’s under Trump’s command. Obviously, those people making threats are full of crap. Essentially keyboard kommandos. Still, it can’t be pleasant.
I know Cassidy Hutchinson has a book out too and I can’t imagine the courage it took for her to put up with the abuse. Also, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. There’s a reason Profiles in Courage is a thin book, right?
We certainly don’t get to see it firsthand. It’s hard for me to believe there’s not a Republican in upstate NY who would be qualified to be a representative to Congress who’s not disgusted with what their party has become and is willing to primary Elise Stefanik.
I’ve read about a third of Taylor’s book and his description about the future with a MAGA II is quite frightening and feasible.
There are commonalities in the story of Miles Taylor and problems at the Rockwell Falls library.
In the local story Kathleen Jones, a former library board member, emerged as something of a hero for due process and the rights of the community as a whole - and she has been defamed for it, probably threatened too.
It is hard not to notice that women in general, but professional women in particular have become the focus of much of the intimidation by a segment of the local library community. The remaining elected board member, a man, a Christian church leader, spent a lot of time at the recent “informational meeting” gaslighting the public, misrepresenting facts and statements of others, and bullying others. Kathleen Jones’ resignation from the board reflected in a way the attempts of Taylor to prevent a destructive personality from doing further damage to the local institution. Fortunately SALS (Southern ADK Library System) and the Board of Regents will step in to appoint new trustees who, it is hoped, will calm the aggressors. But as Ken noted, it will take people with personal fortitude t and bravery to step forward in the interests of the community as a whole.
Actually, I was thinking the same thing and the events of this past week show that is playing out. It did not take long - 7 months - for forces outside the library to shut it down perhaps permanently.
Yes, I suspected they were purposefully positioned.
I found it interesting that Josh Jacquard commented that he wanted to return to the sort of civility of “10 months or a year ago.” And what was different 10 months or a year ago? Was it that he wasn’t on the board?
I understand that people in the community were upset by the idea of a drag queen reading a story to children. I believe they are misguided, but I understand it. Well, they won! They prevented the event from taking place. The proponents of diversity have taken the loss and moved on, but the people who won have not been satisfied. They claim to have the best interests of the library at heart, that they have no interest in book bans or limiting access to varied resources or events, but Jacquard’s own words at his first board meeting seemed to indicate otherwise.
There are those who believe there was financial mismanagement at the library and there is an audit being conducted. That is perfectly proper. What is not proper is for members of the board or the public to make accusations about fraudulent intent without actual findings from the auditor. Those sorts of accusations against professionals are potentially defamation and Jacquard should have shut that sort of talk down.
It was also disturbing to hear Jacquard speak critically about teachers who were voicing concern about the direction of the library’s future, and that he refused to accept criticism or even allow that others may have some legitimate point.
I am confident the library will survive. It is a physical community asset with decades of investment.
Frankly, I believe a lawsuit against the current board would set things straight very quickly.
Thank you for sharing. Those who worked for Trump know that he has egregious deficits in intellect and character. He lies so fluently (much like the so-called “religious leader” that remains on the library board). The sheer gullibility of large swaths of our electorate is disheartening. I do not want others deciding what I and my offspring can read!
Vote and vote BLUE. Republicans are compromised.
What one deeply and sincerely believes is not always the truth (contrary to the teachings of most religions). I believe that we already have an administration (actually both state and federal) that is using government power, including the judiciary, to exact revenge on Trump and others it considers to be enemies, but i realize that may not be, or at least may be an exaggeratioon of, the truth.
I can dismiss everything anyone else has said about Trump and just believe my own eyes and ears. I know what he’s said and done all his life, from watching him operate in NYC long before any kind of political office was in his sights to what he said and did on the campaign trail, as President, and now as a candidate again. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing tells me that he is anything other than an arrogant, thin-skinned, self centered, cruel, ignorant, terrifyingly charismatic showman and charlatan. The government power being brought to bear on him is not out of petty revenge because people don’t like him, or because some deep state cabal is calling the shots (although that is his constant whine), but because he is a clear and present danger to our Constitution and to our democratic (small d) republic. America itself is trying to cleanse his toxic poison from its system before the infection becomes unstoppable.
He lies about things that haven’t gone his way, but he tells the absolute truth about his plans. He wants to go after “vermin” and “root them out.” People who still support him would do well to remember that once he holds all the levers of power and has done away with checks and balances and any meaningful opposition, which is his stated goal, “vermin” is anyone he says is vermin. If he comes after you, who you gonna call?
The best proof there is no deep state is that this man still lives and breathes.
Another insightful FRONT PAGE Ken. My blood boils reading the stuff that happened to Miles Taylor. My overarching question is what is the best way we can influence Republican moderates to band together and speak out against Trump for the good of the country instead of the good of their party??
The Rockwell Falls Library closed because its entire staff, plus three of five trustees QUIT! The reason for the wholesale resignations was the agenda and management style of one remaining trustee. He is imperious, misogynistic, and operates by bullying. He seeks to impose his personal morality on workers and users of the library. Interestingly, all the departed personnel are female. Public institutions are not podiums for one man's theology. Kathleen Jones is a heroine. Lake Luzerne deserves freedom of reading.
Great piece. Throughly enjoy your writing.
The stark truth, this is my childrens and grand children's future.
Thank you for sharing Democrats and Republicans as like minded people. Democracy is precious. In fact it's a circle. There is room for us all to live and be free.
To truly live this American dream.
I'm celebrating Thanksgiving today.
I give thanks to men like you who speak truth. Happy Thanksgiving
Pertinent to some other comments here On The Media this week presented stories that perhaps present a way forward for local news business. Worth a listen.
https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/episodes/on-the-media-is-the-nyt-a-tech-company