A conspiracy to seize power
“If a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a cause that is right and that is moral, then it is not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power.”
— Dwight D. Eisenhower, March 6, 1956
“I Like Ike” 2 to 3 inch promotional discs were abundantly pinned to coat lapels, cotton collared shirts, shirtwaist dresses as in the 1950s sweats were for athletics and fleece was yet to be.
In the ’50s, Ike warned of a military-industrial complex rising, DNA was discovered, Elvis was rubber legging, and Sputnik threatened the U.S. dominance of science and technology. In the ’50s Americans bought homes, smoked and some attended college on the GI bill — a boom time at the birth of instant news. On the dark side, the ’50s suffered McCarthy until Joseph Welch lashed out “Have you no sense of decency?” McCarthy hearings were dredging for communists, an external, Russian evil threatening the nation’s democracy — part of the Cold War.
In 2021, 61 years later, evils are within as a pandemic took thus far half a million Americans and violent, anti-democratic domestic militia groups stormed, trashed, defecated the Capitol while seeking to hang the VP. In the U.S. Senate chamber and at a COVID super spreader in Florida, some senators describe Jan. 6 as a festive stroll of citizens through Capitol corridors, all participants at CPAC defy mask directives and a would-be president laughed about his trip to Cancun to escape his state being walloped by a winter storm, laughed about wearing masks in a COVID-ridden nation, and condemned a New York politician who raised $5m of aid for Texas — the laughing senator having raised nothing but questions and ire.
Jon Meacham reminds us that current national dark moments are not alone in U.S. history — an assassination attempt on FDR before his inauguration, anti-war demonstrations of the ’70s were dire, civil rights protests and of course Nixon’s lies and scandals. I have never been of conservative persuasion, oft times highly opposed to their principles and policies back when there were discernible conservative principles and policies. I detested Gingrich and Cheney for their stances on policy beyond their manner, arrogance, dirty maneuvers such as McConnell’s repression of Garland’s nomination to SCOTUS.
In today’s U.S. politics, it is difficult to hear conservatives are for anything but a large man with abundant self-regard and endless requirements for “his” — America’s assets and power structure are “his” for the demanding, the taking. From 2016 to 2020, the U.S. was an executive government, legislative and judiciary were minute font in the Constitution — a Constitution?
For the past 39 days the nation has focused on health, beating a pandemic, restoring a living economy. On Feb. 28, I steeled myself for a return of blistering lies, support of fringe military groups, a large man with a mammoth avarice for power and limelight widening animosity without advance of cause, morality, national well-being.
Kathy Herald-Marlowe
Sharon
The heart of the town
I came across an old ad about donating funds to Connecticut Railroad Historical Association, which brought to my mind about what the small town of North Canaan lost in October of 2001: The very same historical building that is up for sale, built in 1872, a beautiful and gracious Victorian gem. Then I thought about the history. For North Canaan, an economic boost at the turn of the century, supplying jobs, moving farming goods from one state or town to another, their milk, vegetables, bringing visitors into town and making access for residents to go by train to their relatives, a mainstay of North Canaan. Survival to the future, back then it was a valuable asset, then the damage arose in Oct. 2001. The fire which destroyed a grand structure and historic building.
Then I thought about the 17 years of long and hard legwork: raffles, dinners, and donations from the town residents themselves, who were distraught, and grants and loans. To bring the union station back, and the pride of the accomplishments was heart-felt by all. So consider what was raised to renovate it now being sold for almost half.
I am sorry but that doesn’t seem that all who pour their hearts, and wallets, out, will prevail. The sentimental values, blood and sweat, it was once said that the station was the history and heart and soul of a small New England town.
It’s sad, very sad.
Michael C. Parmalee
North Canaan
Fortunate to have Abbott in Northwest Corner
Hello, Friends and Neighbors. We are a wide, diverse (thankfully), opinionated (because we care) population, here in Region One (6 towns, enough for my focus/locus). Things can get “hot”, passions and opinions “pointed”, people “objectified” and views heatedly expressed, sometimes to our common detriment. I and some supporters, in the last 2 years, have had quite a dust-up here in Falls Village around some affordable housing we thought was inappropriate. We stood firm and are now working together on a better solution, scaled for “here”. Yes, it got “hot” occasionally. But no bodies were left on the field. Matter of fact, most of us now still (just like always) go about our business, are cordial as we had always been, neighbourly and respectful of our differences. It will evolve. We have faith. And perspective.
During our “troubles”, we reached out to a fellow we heard about. He did “conservation”. We heard he might be able to offer a potential option in our circumstance. We called. He showed up. We canoodled. Encyclopaedically knowledgable, energetic and engaging, humble and able, this man was willing to give us his time and offer numerous un-compensated consultations, defining a myriad of approaches and helping us understand some good potential outcomes. His willingness was unbounded, his grasp even and pragmatic. Just “another” citizen here in the NW Corner ? If high capability, infinite resourcefulness and passionate engagement are the beginning of your benchmarks.
Lately, we’ve observed another “dust-up” regarding Twin Lakes and an old, historic railroad bed people had strong opinions about. Not getting into specifics, we noticed one Tim Abbott’s name get bandied about. Apparently, he took a consulting job. Conservationists aren’t hedge funders or risk arbitrageurs. Don’t make the big bucks. Gotta do what they gotta do (you know that drill? I do). But I can tell you one thing: no matter what Tim pronounced in the course of his advocacy: it was informed and balanced, sincere and scientific, practical and practicable, scaled and real. His professional opinion. Yea, that’s the “fellow” who showed up for us, too. In our opinion, we are very, very fortunate he chooses to live and work here, since birth.
I like to chuckle with folks when we notice the astounding natural beauty around here and pat each other on the back that we’re smart and fortunate enough to get to live in these magic hills. I say “Yea, wow…kinda like a National Park..with Houses”. If you take stock, we here have all the assets we need and have created (or been the fortunate recipients of) a uniquely separate and balanced world. We have the resources and skills, taken together, from Canaan to Salisbury, Falls Village to Sharon, down to Cornwall and Kent, to make things even better. 13,000 folks. 275 square miles. We are a great amalgam of personas and abilities. I think it is unique, taken together. I marvel at it. “Together” is all we’ve got. Make it work. Then, “play on.”
Colter Rule
Falls Village
The easement has good stewardship
Kudos to The Lakeville Journal (TLJ) for once again handing a bullhorn to Michael Klemens who used the opportunity to write what I see as a self-congratulatory, self-promoting bloviation. Perhaps TLJ will sponsor a book party where Klemens can sign his new book and get a 40th anniversary award for his conservation efforts. I am sure the event would be well attended with Klemens commanding the pulpit while John Harney solicits more petitions.
What I see as ego-driven self-promotion aside, Klemens uses his latest missive to criticize a highly regarded conservationist with a stellar reputation in NW Connecticut. Timothy Abbott wrote conservation and nature focused articles for TLJ for nearly a decade. He is well-known and loved in this community. His academic and career credentials are impeccable, including long tenure with The Nature Conservancy and the Housatonic Valley Association. Those who know or work with Tim hold him in high regard as a man with talent, experience, judgment and integrity. Klemens would do well to watch one the most famous highlights of the McCarthy hearings (June 9, 1954) when Joseph N. Welch asked Senator McCarthy: “Have you no sense of decency sir?”
Klemens calls out Abbott for one simple crime. Abbott agreed to be a consultant for me and had the audacity (according to Klemens) to pursue a study and scientific evaluation of the impact of my manmade railroad causeway on the health of the West Lake. Who is next on the hit list for Klemens? West Lake homeowners also interested in getting the science and facts? We need to ask, does Klemens have the unbiased, fair-minded and balanced temperament that we seek in public officials?
Klemens and his sidekick (John Harney), in preemptory Trump-like fashion, openly criticized TNC’s stewardship of my causeway easement, without any basis or facts to support their criticism. They cannot point to a single act or decision of TNC that would warrant criticism of TNC’s stewardship of my conservation easement. They also wrongly criticized my stewardship of the causeway despite a total rejection of their claims by both the Inland Wetlands Commission and The Nature Conservancy. See the article about The Nature Conservancy (about my stewardship and good faith cooperation) elsewhere in this newspaper.
I believe Klemens cannot resist the urge to rebuke those with the temerity to disagree with him, but he should be reminded of an applicable proverb: “He who digs a revengeful hole for his enemy is best advised to dig two.”
From the outset, I repeatedly offered to meet with Klemens and Harney to address their concerns. Harney never visited the causeway until long after his petition campaign. Neither accepted my offer for open, honest and direct dialogue. For those interested in the facts and truth about the causeway and my dialogue with The Nature Conservancy (and Inlands Wetlands Commission), please follow this link or contact me directly.
https://bit.ly/rrcauseway
Jeffrey Keenan
Salisbury
Salisbury needs Holley Place housing
I am writing to add my support for Holley Place to the many letters that precede this one. I have lived in Lakeville since 1971 and celebrate my family’s good luck in finding ourselves here in this beautiful, caring community in which concern for its overall well-being is of paramount concern to its residents.
Salisbury Township’s need for more affordable housing is undisputed and of long-standing. The health of our whole community depends on young people, young families, workers in our local businesses and schools, having places in which they can afford to live. Our demographic stats make that need critical: our aging population and the high cost of housing.
Holley Place was the site chosen to develop next at a town meeting a few years ago. Changes have been made to its size and design since then in response to residents’ input. Is it perfect? No, but then what is? If I had young children, I would be thrilled by its proximity to the lake and other great facilities right out the back door. Most important, Planning & Zoning will ensure that it meets all zoning and environmental regulations, which it apparently does.
Holley Place is not an either/or situation. It’s the next project in the continuing effort to develop every possible location for more affordable housing units. I here add my hope that the unsightly but well-located, vacant Chinese restaurant in Lakeville can be bought and also rehabbed for this purpose.
I want to end with a shout out to the two women, Jennifer Kronholm and Jocelyn Ayers, who answered every question with professionalism, knowledge and aplomb on Feb. 23.
Barbara Maltby
Lakeville
Find support online
Most of America and the world gratefully witnessed the highly guarded Inauguration of President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. and Vice President Kamala Harris. Hopefully even more were moved by Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman with words of hope and encouragement.
With the challenge of facing the 500,000 mark of Americans passing due to COVID-19 with 2 million more worldwide in addition to all others who have passed in the last year, we can find more comfort and inspiration from many faiths and views about the human condition. In a program of www.WomensWisdom.com for which women can be guests for the first session online, I heard Lissa Coffey of www.CoffeyTalk.com describe her inspiration for writing her latest book, “Song Divine: A New Lyrical Rendition of the Bhagavad Gita.”
She offers a daily inspiration from that amazing book, which recounts Arjuna being guided in a profound battle by Krishna. Let us all consider the lessons and meaning that Arjuna was seeing his family and friends on a battlefield in which he would face challenges to make life and death decisions. In our modern world, we can “draw words not swords” for living life though our lives and moreover our souls depended on our choices and voices, on how we treat one another and ourselves.
That can be done with care and balance yet requires honesty and willingness to learn and be part of a team at each age and stage of life. Let’s honor the shared journey we are on as well as our “singular paths” with respect on all levels. I offer many ideas and resources along those lines on www.Livfully.org. Let’s explore the ideas together, starting with one from the Daily Sharings from Lissa Coffey as below.
“You are not this body,
This garment that gets shed.
You are what continues
On this infinite thread.”
—Lissa Coffey
Catherine Palmer Paton
Falls Village
Vaccines
Dr. Fauci said get a shot
So I did that’s what I got
Now my arm is achy and sore
It is just such a bore
But now I feel I did my part
Even though the arm does smart
I’ve got an appointment for shot number two
Must make sure I don’t get the flu
So back to normal wearing a mask
Social distance is all I ask
Washing hands all day long
Hoping nothing will go wrong.
Michael Kahler
Lakeville
Pass For the People Act
For generations, we’ve been told that money is power. It’s an axiom that continues to drive our politics. Despite being able to vote for our elected officials, once they reach public office, they’re all too often swayed by lobbyists and big money interests. Instead of representing the people, lawmakers spend the majority of their time fundraising, relying on large donors and holding court with corporations.
That can change, but only if Congress passes the For the People Act.
The For the People Act is a bold anti-corruption and democracy reform bill that would strengthen our democracy by reducing the influence of big money in our politics. It would enact limits on donations from lobbyists and increase the power of campaign contributions from everyday Americans by creating a small-dollar donor matching program.
These changes would open up new opportunities for different kinds of candidates to run for office — candidates that come directly from our communities and understand the problems we face. Instead of being beholden to the donors and lobbyists with the fattest wallets, our elected officials will be working for the people.
Without this type of bold democracy reform, our political system will never be truly democratic or fully representative and our government will continue to work only for the privileged few. It’s past time to build a better system for all Americans — which is why I’m urging Congress to pass the For the People Act.
Susan Carlson
East Canaan
"Cow," by Joelle Sander.Cornwall Library
Lala TamarProvided
