Poor analogy
I was aghast to read Francis Marion Platt’s comparison of The Witch to a hypothetical Nazi movie predicated on blood libel of the Jews (“New England Gothic,” 3/17/16). There are many, many reasons why this is not only a poor analogy, but an offensive one. Most simply, it’s merely a reductio ad Hitlerum. Moreover, witches, the horror movie version with supernatural powers in league with Satan, are like a haunted hotel, in that both are scientifically impossible entities: there are no witches, and there never were. Jews are not impossible: there are Jews, and there have been for a long, long time. The Witch, unlike the hypothetical Nazi movie, does not mandate adopting any misplaced, immoral attitude toward a persecuted group, as any reasonable person will understand. The Witch no more besmirches the reputation of Wiccans than does The Shining besmirch the Mohonk Mountain House. I hope that, in the future, Francis Marion Platt will stick to genre fare whose tropes with which she is more familiar.
Henry Pratt
Highland
Bernie and FDR
A letter from Finley Schaef last week makes the statement: “So it’s Trump vs. Bernie, much like Germany in the 1920’s, when fascists and communists fought in the streets.”
I agree that Trump represents fascism, but to suggest or imply, that Bernie represents anything more than democratic socialism is an erroneous, or worse, analogy. Bernie reflects the philosophy and actions of Franklin D. Roosevelt, one of the best presidents ever of the USA.
Ralph Childers
Saugerties
Solarize thanks
A big thank you goes to Ric Orlando and Liz Corrado, the owners of New World Home Cooking on Rt. 212 for generously donating the use of a room at the restaurant and providing appetizers at the second Solarize Saugerties community workshop last Saturday. The room was filled to capacity with home and business owners interested in learning about going solar. The staff at the restaurant were extremely helpful and accommodating. The event was very successful and the Solarize Saugerties team wishes to acknowledge the owners and staff of New World Home Cooking for their contribution to that success. The next Solarize Saugerties community workshop on Monday, April 11 at 5 p.m. at Total Tennis on Old Kings Highway is for commercial property owners anywhere in Ulster County to find out if solar is right for them.
Mary O’Donnell
Solarize Saugerties
Volunteer Coordinator
Why I support Sara Niccoli for State Senate
On Saturday Sara Niccoli announced her campaign to run for Senate in the 46 SD. I can think of no better candidate to run in this meandering district and fully support her efforts. Sara and I first met almost 10 years ago when she bought Jacob sheep from my farm. One of the things we have in common, besides sheep and a strong work ethic, is a deep concern in how we fund public education for rural and small city schools. Without adequate state aid, we cannot lower local property taxes or provide our children with an adequate public education. Local property owners continue to be overburdened and our kids don’t get the education they need to be successful adults.
Sara has been fighting for adequate and fair education funding and against over-testing our kids for years and often came to my press conferences to speak out. And we both know that as long as we have a corrupt pay-to-play system in Albany that is fueled by campaign contributions from wealthy donors, we will never adequately address this issue.
I proved that a Democrat can win in the gerrymandered 46SD district. If folks care about the type of leadership they want to represent them and come out to vote, Sara will win back this district for the people.
Cecilia Tkaczyk
Duanesburg
Editor’s note: Cecilia Tkaczyk is a former State Senator from the 46th District.
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
The problems we face as a society today are so overwhelmingly numerous and exponentially horrific, that I feel impotent to respond. One example is the current insanity of gun violence in our country. No matter my capabilities, I have zero certainty that today someone I love will not become a target in a mass shooting or an individual rampage or the victim of the careless or uneducated handling of a gun.
In an effort to make a difference, I have recently joined the newly formed local arm of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV,) the Ulster County Team seated in Woodstock. NYAGV’s mission is to reduce gun violence through legislative advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion, and lead to policy changes. With its primary focus on New York State, NYAGV advocates at local and national levels for laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents, particularly youth, from gun violence.
While NYAGV accepts financial donations, the organization is primarily looking for people to take action. Involvement can start with going on www.nyagv.org to receive emails about NYAGV actions and campaigns. A person can sign on to a list of volunteers, perhaps acting as a staffer at a NYAGV event or as a host at monthly NYAGV meetings to consider ways to create greater gun safety.
By joining my voice with others I hope to empower the longer-range certainty of making a difference
Cecilia Worth
Saugerties
Join the family! 
