Letters to Editor
‘Hype and Drama’
I’ve had people ask me what my response was to the rebuttal pieces in the Maple Leaf to my letter to the editor dated April 9. To be honest, I’ve remained silent for a few weeks to give the people in the tea party some time to catch their breath.
As I had predicted, without hesitation and in a multitude of voices over several weeks, in print and email and in person, they did everything they could to discredit me. I’d point out when you surround yourself with people that only believe the same things you do and do not allow for debate, you start to believe you are the majority opinion, which is the same thing progressives do. You should look up the political horseshoe theory; it explains a lot.
I started a YouTube channel last week and have started videotaping my comments because I felt it was easier and want to respect the newspapers and not take up all of their time. Yet, there again, I had people online email me and ask, “Rob, why didn’t you respond to the tea party?” So, I gave in and made a short video addressing the following issue that again sum up the issue at hand.
Tom Zawistowski is the president of the Ohio Citizens PAC out of Akron. In a letter to all of the “Liberty Groups” like the tea party, dated May 14, he admonishes them for considering or even allowing Ohio Republican Party operatives time to speak to their groups. In his words, “I strongly suggest that instead of wasting your time being lied to”
Oddly, in his own words, Tom demonstrates the best way to sum up the “liberty” these groups have in mind when they gain power and why I refer to them as the Real Rinos. “We don’t want any viewpoints other than our own” is their mantra, as Tom so eloquently demonstrates.
When you don’t allow for a difference of opinion within the very party you claim to be a part of, then you are expressing an extreme set of values that allows for no dissension or discussion. You’re either with them 100 percent or you’re out.
That also shows a great lack of leadership and understanding of the Fabric of America, but that is a topic for another time.
In his letter, Tom also says one other thing that I found most profound. “Actions are all that count.”
I couldn’t agree more, Tom. Your liberty groups claim a position as the “True Conservatives,” which is to say you have appointed yourselves as the new voice of conservative values. The problem is, the title is a self-appointed one and means nothing unless you buy into the hype and drama that your groups bring with them.
If actions are all that matter, Tom, then why not let people come and speak to your group? Simply put, it’s because it takes the desire to represent everyone once you get into office and let dissenting opinions be heard as well, as Real Republican’s know.
As Tom has already shown us, these liberty groups have no intention of letting that be the case now or in the future.
Rob Allen
Claridon Township
Wonderful Parks
We recently attended the Geauga Park Board Meeting. We want to commend the Board and all the staff of the Geauga Parks on their fine work. It was exciting to hear about all of their new programs and initiatives.
We were especially happy to hear about the restoration of the historic Nassau Astronomical Observing Station at Observatory Park and the donation of another telescope to the Geauga Parks.
The citizens of Geauga County are truly blessed to have these wonderful parks to enjoy and the dedicated staff who serve to protect and maintain the parks, and to educate the park visitors.
Elsie Tarczy
South Russell Village
Christie Hall
Newbury Township
