Don’t Mince Words
Thank you for your article on the riots in D.C., for clearly stating that Trump lost the election, and that he is lying when he claims the election was stolen.
However, you seemed to try to exonerate Trump for the violence that ensued. Even many of Trump’s allies have acknowledged that he encouraged the crowd to attack the Capitol.
Also, you chose to quote a false and baseless claim that Antifa or Black Lives Matter might have been responsible for the violence, without clarifying that such was ridiculous and contradicted by all evidence. There is no need to mince words. The violence was perpetrated by right-wing Trump supporters acting on Trump’s instructions — period.
Karl Wick
Hambden Township
Deserving of Commendation
I am writing to commend Mr. Tom Quade in his role as Geauga County Health Commissioner.
While several prominent Geauga County officials have minimized the seriousness of the impact of Covid-19 in the county or have promoted false narratives as to its seriousness or duration, Mr. Quade has calmly offered fact-based responses and plans to address the pandemic.
Mr. Quade has set up inoculation schedules, communicated with the public in a timely manner, addressed questions from county leaders and citizens, and, most importantly, professionally tamped down the potentially dangerous misunderstandings and unsubstantiated claims regarding the lethality of Covid-19.
Mr. Tom Quade is a public servant by serving the public.
Sheldon Firem
Hambden Township
The Big Lie
The Big Lie has been around for a long time. Demagogues and dictators have used it to create nonexistent issues and increase their power.
The Big Lie usually involves focusing the people’s attention on a pejorative “they” as being to blame for whatever fabricated issue the leader wants his followers to focus on. “They” are less than human. “They” stole your job. “They” aren’t loyal to our country. “They” stole the election. The Big Lie usually starts small, with just a simple statement that gets little notice. “The only way I can lose is if the Democrats rig the election.” Everyone smiles and says, “There he goes again.”
In a democracy, the Big Lie is harder for politicians to use because a free and independent press usually can expose the fallacy with investigation and factual reporting. Social media and slanted radio and TV have changed that. All the demagogue has to do is stop having open press conferences, talk only to one preferred TV network and use a constant barrage of one-way communication on social media. The rest is branded “fake news.”
After election day and a clear Biden victory, promoting the Big Lie becomes more important to the ego that cannot tolerate any other explanation for defeat. Questioning early voting by mail and in person becomes the vehicle to support the Big Lie to the ears and hearts of loyal followers.
After the election is certified, the Lie is the only tool left. Dismissing the facts like paper recounts, judicial hearings and even reports from Republican state election officials all make the lie easier and easier to believe for a following that is, by now, conditioned to accept the Big Lie. Support from ambitious politicians like Ohio’s Jordan and Texas’s Cruz add legitimacy. The Lie grows. Stopping the free and fair election results now seems like the right thing to do.
A Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” event by the Trump team creates a frenzy among the true believers, even as those like Pence try to advise a dignified transition. But it’s too late. Four years of encouraging extremists, plus inflammatory speeches that day result in the march to stop the electoral college count and assault the American democratic process. Smiling selfies with the Capitol in the background are an indelible stain on America and Geauga County politics.
The Big Lie can only be stopped by a belief in our democratic process, and a desire for truth that transcends our partisan political egos. A fragmented media makes finding more objective sources of information a deliberate choice. Rebuilding our democracy starts with you, me and our new president. Be courageous! Check the facts, resist the extremes and make the choice to reach out, understand and work together.
Christopher Black
City of Chardon
