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Letters t
When we say there is a stigma to mental illnesses, aid or abet those who do, whom are we helping except those trained to say it? Curiously, no one. Why, then, do it? — Harold A Maio, retired mental health editor
RIOT AT THE CAPITOL
My father fought in three wars for this country and gave his life due to military service. I fought in one. (That was enough.) That used to be patriotism. “Patriot” used to mean—patriot. In the last few years it became synonymous with “militia thug.” In the last few months it has morphed to mean “terrorist, racist, traitor.” This is tragic beyond imagining. The actions in Congress of our newly sworn representative, Cliff Bentz, have only served to cement this last meaning. Does he not see what’s happening? Does he not understand the danger? Will he do nothing to reverse course? —Greg Byrne
U.S REPRESENTATIVE CLIFF BENTZ
WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR, CLIFF BENTZ? Well, look at you, Mr. Representative. You were sworn in on Sunday to uphold the Constitution, yet three days later, you vote to cast it aside. This is unacceptable. You are not beholden to (the waning days of) President Trump and his unfounded and conspiratorial assertions about the election. He lost. Get over it. The votes and certification processes of each state were legitimate. You know this. You represent my District. I expect you to do so with honor and integrity. Within three days you have failed. You should be ashamed. How can I trust you as my Representative? Find the courage
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to not mindlessly slip-stream behind the likes of your irrational conservative colleagues. Find your soul and begin to listen to all your constituents before you find yourself in two years wondering why you didn’t get re-elected. —Nancy Tyler
CLIFF BENTZ
I am shocked at the events that unfolded in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6. Our Capitol was assaulted by a seditious mob. Five people have died. Pipe bombs were found by the Capitol. Our Constitution and our legal system were damaged by these events. But let’s not forget how this all started. President Trump for months has been spreading lies about the election. Despite losing 59 out of 60 court cases, despite having no evidence of significant voter fraud and despite the fact that his opponent won by more than 7 million votes, Trump continued to promote his false narrative that he won the election. I hold Trump responsible for these deaths, damage to our Capitol, and more importantly the threat to our democracy. He needs to be held accountable. However, I also hold Congressman Bentz responsible for the seditious events. Bentz voted to void the election results. He has repeated many times the same lies about the election as Trump. We should not forget that Bentz was attempting to overthrow a legal election and to disenfranchise American voters. On his website, Bentz says: “America is not just a country; it is an idea. A very successful idea that no one else in the world has been able to duplicate. Under President Trump’s leadership, the possibilities for our country’s future have expanded quickly and dramatically.” At least in one way, Bentz is correct, under Trump the possibility of our country being overthrown by coup are possible. I don’t say this lightly, but Bentz should be removed from office for
violating his oath to protect our country The deep divisions endangering our and our Constitution. country today have been cultivated — George Wuerthner and nurtured for decades. Demagogues broadcasting their vitriol over the airwaves and the internet have done their REMOVE CLIFF BENTZ damnedest to tear this country down Cliff Bentz, Representative from Oreand remake it in their own image. gon, was one of the people supporting The Constitution has been hijacked, the coup by voting to disenfranchise the misinterpreted and replaced with a Cult vote. He needs to be removed from office, of Personality that cannot and never will charged with sedition, and prevented be the equal of Democracy. from ever holding public office again. Democracy. Look it up. Read about it. —Jack Homeyer Educate yourself. Then take a moment from your busy life and participate in YOUR Democracy. PRO TRUMP MOB —Woody Peasas Those who participated in the mayhem at the Capitol last week are not, and never can be, Patriots. To be a patriot you must live in the country of which you profess your love. None of the people belonging to or subscribing to the organizations of the far right and their misWoody: Thanks for writing in guided, paranoid sentiments actually live and encouraging others to particin the USA. Instead, they live in a country ipate in our democracy. From my existing only within the narrow bounds perspective, one part of that particof their feeble, collective mindset. ipation is writing letters to the ediThey pledge allegiance to a fantator to share your thoughts in your sy country which resembles the United own community—so kudos to you States in name only. This fantasy version of for doing so! Come on by for your the USA and its angry, misguided citizenry gift card to Palate. routinely claim to be oppressed for their —Nicole Vulcan righteous and noble cause. What cause is that? The only one I can see is one that seeks to injure, dominate, ridicule, bully and oppress anyone who doesn’t agree with them. That’s not a cause; it’s a petulant, overblown sense of entitlement that comes complete with a pseudo-religious fascist, racist fascination with violence.
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5 VOLUME 25 ISSUE 02 / JANUARY 14, 2021 / THE SOURCE WEEKLY
RE: TELETHERAPY: WILL IT SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC? NEWS, 1/7
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