Archive: Opinions

To the editor:

The recent shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue is yet another reminder that hate crimes have come to feel like the new normal.

Hatred is certainly nothing new in our country, and its aim at minority groups has long been the dark side of our culture. But the worst instincts of our home-grown haters have been encouraged by our bigot-in-chief, Donald Trump, whose rants and tweets have predictably paved the way for acts of violence. True, Trump doesn’t hold the trigger, but his words count for a lot, and his repeated disdain for those “other” people gives the haters among us permission to act out their prejudices in harmful ways.

On Nov. 6 we have an opportunity to unseat one of Trump's most loyal enablers, Tom Reed, who served as vice-chair of Trump’s transition team and has rarely criticized the President since then. (Trump has returned the favor by endorsing Reed for Congress).

A positive alternative to Reed is Tracy Mitrano, who has been tirelessly campaigning throughout the 23rd district, truly listening to the concerns of residents across the political spectrum. Tracy will serve as an honest, intelligent, and fair representative for everyone in this district.

As you head to the polls, please keep in mind the words of Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the Civil War: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Those words are as true today as they were in Lincoln’s time.

Please join me in voting for Tracy Mitrano for Congress.

Sara Schaffzin
Ithaca, NY
v14i42