The views and opinions expressed in our letters section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Hudson Valley One. You can submit a letter to the editor here.
What’s bugging you?
Voting Trump out of office is exactly as difficult as ridding your house of bedbugs.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Open your mouth
[I am] wondering about the lack of politicians’ ability to confront obvious untruth and corruption. When I saw Democrat Jon Ossoff, who is running for Georgia senator, debate [Sonny] Perdue, the current senator, I became aware of how incompetent many of our politicians are at expressing or defending truth. I saw Ossoff holding composure, articulating a point of view without hostility, and confronting head-on the obvious issue.These were the skills lacking most in political leadership. Ossoff verbally pinned Perdue to the mat with blatant truths. Perdue stood slack-jawed, looking stunned and lost. Perdue could not defend himself against the outright truth.
This is unlike some in our current leadership, who have become masters of avoiding truth with distraction by any means. They use outrageous behaviors and statements designed to pull attention from the truth. Political liars also use drama to attract media, whose primary goal is to increase audience numbers, rather than having their viewers discover the actual truth, which has to be explained.
The sound bite holds molecules of truth. Facts have become less of a commodity on TV. Drama overtakes truth on every screen from our phones to our TVs. The question then is, can the actual truth hold authentic drama? Can truth be interviewed in such a way that it can compete with the nonfiction we have been fed for the past four years?
If you live in an Internet world, then you can select your friends on screens and can turn them off at any time. If you watch only the TV channels that mirror your own political views and work from home on a computer, then you don’t have to listen to the talk at the drinking fountain or eat lunch with someone you don’t know. Then your communications skills are likely to atrophy. You forget how to tolerate what you don’t want to hear; only you are in charge of turning off what may be difficult to take in.
When you only go to your TV channel and your Facebook friends, you will be swimming in the same pool with the same folks every time. Eventually the homogenization of America becomes segregated into ones and zeroes, our clicks are controlled by those who own the technological gate keepers.
Truth, facts, a square-on look at the realities before us may be the medication unopened in our medicine chest. My folks said when they were kids, they hated the castor-oil that got spooned into their mouths, even though their parents told them it was good for them.
Larry Winters
New Paltz
One-Book schedule change
The One-Book-One-New-Paltz discussion with Rabbi Bill had to be rescheduled to this coming Sunday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m.
The zoom link is the same as his original link, https://zoom.us/j/4903081196. Many other events still remain on the calendar this week, including book discussions on Wednesday at 7 p.m. with Tom Olsen, on Friday at 2 p.m. with Javier Gaston-Greenberg, on Friday at 7 p.m. with Alyssa Toohey and on Sunday at 1 p.m. (the wrap-up/discussion) with Tom Meyer. There is also an academic panel on Thursday at 4 p.m.; and a writing workshop on Saturday at 2 p.m. with Alyssa Toohey.
Please see the calendar of events at www.newpaltz.edu/benjamincenter. All events are remote and free to the public and the links are on the calendar. The book is Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane, only 180 pages, and there is still time to read it.
I hope to see some of you there.
Myra Sorin
One-Book Committee
New Paltz
The (b)end is near
“We’re rounding the turn”… Yeah, it’s deadman’s curve — either for them or for us! Backlash at the ballot box, anyone?
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Thank you from Ben Caswell’s family
I would like to express sincere appreciation to all who reached out to my family after Ben’s passing. Despite the pandemics, a lot of people came to show him a respect at the gathering for his life, and Kai and I received overwhelming supports from our family and our many friends including WSA, WAAM, Kai’s school, neighbors and our support group. Ben must be happy to see all of you at the gathering and knowing that Kai and I are cared for by all friends. Thank you very much.
Mizuyo
Phoenicia
Sure he cares….
The cost of living increase for the many of us who are on Social Security is 1.3 percent, so how, with a clear conscience, can [Woodstock town supervisor Bill] McKenna, our part-time supervisor, accept a 2.25 percent salary increase?
It is not that his almost $60,000 supervisor’s salary is his only source of income. He is the co-owner of a business that currently employs him, on a daily basis, and has supported his family for more than 20 years. A “man of the people?”
Howard Harris
Woodstock
More transparency is needed
No matter who we voted for in the 2020 Presidential election, we should all be curious about why late on election night, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Atlanta never sent in their voting machine tallies after the polls closed. These tallies arrived across the nation and have absolutely nothing to do with absentee/mail-in votes.
For example, Fox News showed a detailed map of all the counties in Michigan. All counties in the state reported their machine tallies except for two northwestern counties on the upper peninsula of Michigan and Detroit. The two northwestern counties finally reported their tallies election night, but Detroit did not. Does it not merely require pressing a button and letting the Board of Elections and the media know the tally? Why was this not done?
This failure to report occurred soon after Donald Trump won Florida, Ohio and Texas. As my eyes saw it, Trump was sweeping the middle part of the country with wins, except for Illinois, when the information coming in was halted. It appeared to be coordinated and gave the optics, all of a sudden, that Trump might not sweep the entire midwest on election night. What happened to count every vote? Where was the tally for us to see? Trump was ahead in these regions.
We all knew that mail-in votes might favor Biden. Perhaps he would win due to this. But that night, election night, information ceased. It is actions such as these that cause those of us who are watching, to question the process. We need transparency in counting votes and in reporting that count.
Lisa Jobson
Woodstock
Congratulations on local law
Congratulations to the New Paltz community on the overwhelming approval of Local Law No. 1, which will provide our community with a sustainable source of funds for protection of clean water, our scenic views, wildlife habitat, historic places, and working farms, now and for future generations. The ballot measure was approved by 72 percent of voters, a three-to-one margin, demonstrating how much our residents value the things that make New Paltz special. You did it!
Thank you to the many volunteers who worked to inform voters about the referendum and its benefits by providing comments and letters and by talking with friends and neighbors.
Thank you, New Paltz voters and volunteers!
Cara Lee, John Gotto , John Orfitelli, Lynn Bowdery, Matt Maley, Susan DeMark
The Vote Yes Committee for Clean Water, Working Farms and Natural Areas
New Paltz
Virus was not man-made
Unfortunately, there is a surfeit of mis- and disinformation circulating in social media and beyond. From our own intelligence services, we know that at least some of it is coming from hostile nations wanting to destabilize our country.
As an example, last week you printed a letter implying that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was man-made. According to every reputable scientific source, this is nonsense. Just Google ‘sars-cov-2 man-made’ and you will find ample evidence of this from credible, non-political sources.
I urge everyone to fact-check everything they hear and read. A society governed by false information is one which will not survive.
Anthony Zackin
New Paltz
Something in the wind
There is a good wind blowing.
I feel empathy in that wind, a soothing kind of breeze.
It is a soft breeze in an autumn morning’s sunshine … on the wings of bright rays of sun from within the persistent dark clouds of recent history
The sun … brighter with each moment that passes since November 3 and with the certainty of gravity, of truth, of law … and, of an American redemption; just barely but valid just the same.
A political experiment and idea that has inspired and created a template for governments around the world and for better angels everywhere has been turned on its head, its back, its face and in ways that sometimes pierced its soul.
Such a darkness has characterized the past years of our nation’s image and policy.
But now … There seems a dawning … the daunting scent of spring sunshine bursting with electoral morning dew.
The American experiment and model seems to be rising to the challenge.
It is horns blowing, fists raised, elbows bumped and eyes tearing at Main Street and Church Street in New Paltz and on streets across America on a magical summer-like Saturday afternoon.
George Harrison: “Now the darkness only stays at night time. In the morning it will fade away. Daylight is good at arriving at the right time … it’s not always going to be this grey
All things must pass, all things must pass away
And now …. now is the time for healing. “The left wing and the right wing belong to the same bird.”
Right now is the time for every American to think about how each of us can find ways to celebrate and build coalitions in order to move forward and take flight in the many, many, many areas where all Americans agree.
And … across America everywhere, it’s just another working day, should we be fortunate enough to be working.
Sending support and deepest gratitude to all who serve and protect us and work the polls and count our votes during this time of hope renewed.
Donald Kerr
New Paltz
I won’t forgive or forget
President-elect Joe Biden now wants us all to work together. Where was he the last four years when the nicest thing Democrats said about Trump supporters was when Hillary called us deplorable? I hope Republican leaders in the Senate, House and nationwide give him the same level of courtesy, civility and cooperation the Democrats gave Trump. Too bad we can’t impeach Biden for his possible China connections like the Democrats did over the phony Russian collusion. What we won’t do is riot and loot like Democrat supporters did in 2016 when Hillary lost. I for one will join any peaceful anti-Biden demonstration. I will neither forgive or forget four years of name-calling.
John Habersberger
New Paltz
Trump’s, Biden’s cosmic signs
Former president and famed leader for ending the Civil War Ulysses S. Grant was born under the astrological sign Taurus. Noted characteristics: determined, persevering, stubborn, strong material instincts. Grant’s slow, steady, plodding moves won the Civil War.
A student for years studying planetary cycles as they affect human life, I followed carefully those of President Trump and president-elect Joe Biden. Biden born (a Scorpio) with a Taurus moon in his natal, cosmic map. He won through those same dogged, determined, steady, unwavering actions like Grant. Positive cosmic cycles formed as the campaigning came closer to election time. His rising sign (Sagittarius) giving the elevated, high-minded, spiritual, positive qualities his speeches revealed.
What is astounding, unimaginable, unfathomable is knowing Trump’s unrelenting foibles, lies, corruption, virus incompetence, anti-wildlife, anti-climate preservation, separating moms from kids, still incurred the many that voted for him.
Not surprising to me. Trump’s cosmic cycles showed an elevation at election time. Not quite as positive, strengthening as Biden’s. After January there is a cosmic shift. Biden’s challenges will be, as he expects, great.
Catherine the Great ruled the Russian Empire 1762-1796. Historians wrote that Russia had needed a mother. President-elect Joe Biden is now the father this country badly needs. All parents know that cleaning up after a self-centered, stubborn, changeable, willful, lying child is not easy.
Early statements by our newly elected president and later by former Mayor Mike Bloomberg of New York City included the main reason for running. For Trump to win a second term would have been disastrous for America and the world. Obviously, millions agreed November 3.
A great day for America and the world
Joyce Benedict
Hyde Park
People, not predators
Your October 25 article “Nest of Vipers” brings attention to unfortunate myths about those who’ve served time for a past sexual offense. Kudos to the New Paltz supervisor for pointing out the obvious: people who have served time are entitled to a fair chance to transition back into society. Indeed, there’s a boatload of research showing that ex-offenders who get a fair shot at housing, jobs and social connections have very low re-offense rates. That goes double for those who’ve served time for a sexual offense.
While risk levels vary by individual, as a group those with a sex crime on their record have among the lowest re-offense rates of any category of ex-offender.
It’s also great that you got input from the county probation department’s expert to offer some facts about what actually prevents sexual abuse and sexual violence.
I wonder if the paper might consider a ban on applying animal monikers to people. When words like “viper” and “predator” have been used for actual humans in the past — black men in the 1800’s, LGBT people in the 1950s, Jewish people forever — it’s led to violence. That’s not theoretical: vigilante attacks on those who’ve served time for a sexual crime and their families happen regularly. (You might even consider a rule against “sex offender” — these people are “ex-offenders,” like anyone else who has a crime in their past.)
Thank you for your reporting. Given how many parts of the country have no local paper, we’re fortunate.
Steve Yoder
Willow
Sweet farewell to Buzzy!
I moved to Woodstock in the early Seventies, and in the late Seventies I started going to Buzzy Tischler, one of the local dentists in town. Buzzy was unique as a dentist, always hugging me before and after he worked on my teeth, and appearing to be really interested in me as a person.
As years passed, I found myself actually looking forward to having my teeth worked on, clearly because of getting another chance to spend some time with Buzzy. He was great, and our relationship grew closer.
In the early Eighties, Buzzy started loaning me tapes of the guru, Rajneesh and he’d tell me stories of times when he went to Pune, India to meet the Guru. Rajneesh, later known as OshO, turned out to be my first Guru-like teacher from the East. I loved receiving those tapes from Buzzy. They helped me grow more conscious about the world.
In the Nineties, I had a local TV show on the Woodstock station where I would interview local Woodstockers who were quietly having a positive effect on the town. I interviewed wonderful people like Sophie Fenton, a well-known ceramicist, and a well-loved chiropractor, Allan Sachs, old Woodstockers who have since passed on.
I got to interview Buzzy for one of the shows, and it was really fun. He was a little shy to be on TV, but I got my chance to thank him publicly for all the years of helping so many Woodstockers. At that time I knew tons of locals who just loved Buzzy and thought the world of him.
Years passed, and I moved to Florida for ten years. But when I came back, Buzzy was still going strong, helping people with his dentistry skills, as well as passing along the latest new healing ideas. He just loved the chance to help people. He was truly a healer and a wonderful man.
Buzzy retired from dentistry a few years ago, and last week I sadly heard of his passing. He was 87 years old and no spring chicken. But still. his death stunned me. A flood of memories came up for me, as tears ran down my cheeks.
He was a good man, and I loved him. I smile when I think of most memories of Buzzy, except for two unfulfilled wishes. I wished that Buzzy would have had a big celebration party when he retired, so hundreds of local Woodstockers could have turned out to thank him for the decades of service he provided. It would have been a very sweet celebration. The other wish is that I had one more chance to give him one last big hug. Good-bye, Buzzy. We’ll miss you.
Marty Klein
Woodstock
Empathy through storytelling
2020 has been a year that has asked us to reflect upon our values and priorities. Many lives have changed in ways that could not have been contemplated a year ago.
To help our community navigate these changes, the Denizen Theatre opened its doors to a world premiere play True Love Will Find You in the end by Tony-nominated playwright Neil LaBute.
The Denizen Theatre is one of the only theatres in the country that figured out how to safely bring our community back in the theatre. We want to thank all our patrons and community for the support they have given this production.
We were honored to extend the show two times (currently closing November 22). Thank you!
Together we can help raise empathy in the world through the art of storytelling.
Harry Lipstein
Founder, Producing Artistic Director
New Paltz
Join the family! 
