"The price of freedom of religion, or of speech, or of the press, is that we must put up with a good deal of rubbish."

— Robert H. Jackson

Ooops! Many thanks to our reader Steven L. Fornal for pointing out a potentially misleading omission. We stand corrected: the following letters were not sent to us. They were sent to the "non-partisan" Blue Stone Press. We read them in Zali Win's "non-partisan" towncrier. We reproduced them here assuming that the authors' opinions are not publication specific. Being letters, they are mail. If they are threatening towards the addressee, or exceptionally abusive or offensive, then they qualify as hate mail. Make no mistake: the letters below were sent to the Editor, but they were addressed to Alysse Ricks.

America, hate it or leave it?

Letter To The Editor,

"America, love it or leave it", inane phrase then, inane phrase now. Those using it then were wrapping their ignorance in the flag, as soldiers and civilians alike were being slaughtered, maimed and sickened for life in a meaningless and senseless war. Saying it now to someone because they do not say the pledge/prayer of allegiance is not only inane, it's un-American. The true Americans then, as now, are the ones that stand up and make themselves heard when those that are elected to represent us veer off course and start to betray the ideals on which this country was founded. A democracy like ours takes constant vigilance and that is the role of a true patriot. This is what made America great. This is what will make America great again. A true American does not threaten with nails on the driveways of our democratically elected officials. Nor does a true American resort to arson as their means of protest. I applaud, admire and am extremely grateful to our new Rochester Town Government for they have shown the courage, in the face of threats, arrogance and down right greed, to call for the changes our town needs in light of the basic neglect, mismanagement and corruption within the governing bodies of past years. The true American fights with words, ideas and principles while upholding the rule of law and respecting all the rights and privileges that comes with being an American. No true American would mock, under the guise of patriotism, the Constitution or its amendments for the freedoms it protects. If someone chooses not to pledge allegiance to the American Flag, it is their absolute right not to. To challenge that right is un-American! Anyone with any knowledge of the history of the pledge would understand that in 1954, because of the fears brought on by the McCarthy era hysteria, Congress injected religion into the pledge by adding the words "under God". These words made it nothing more than a public prayer which many people find not only objectionable but unconstitutional. I myself do not say the pledge. It has always had a ring of falsity to it, especially these days, as we are now "one nation, under surveillance with liberty and justice for some." When a child witnesses anyone exercising their rights under the Constitution, be it at a Town Planning Board Meeting or anywhere, it is a perfect time to educate them on their own rights under an American democracy. They will certainly be more informed and better citizens for it. The real concern for the next generation should be their exposure to a government that thinks its okay to jail people for years without charge. A government that thinks torture is acceptable. A government that cuts health and education funding, while cutting the taxes of the rich. A government that lies and spies on its citizens. A government that has so little concern for the environment that they ignore the facts and try and silence the scientists when they dare to expose the truths. Let's save the outrage for the present government in the highest office as they continue to trash everything America has stood for. Let's let our local governments, with its long hard road ahead, do its job with the respect that they deserve. Peace,

Anne Katz — Town of Rochester annie@codepinkhudsonvalleycontingent.org

"Annie" The Protest was a heartwarming and entertaining show enjoyed by the whole commune. Nice flag, too...

What's wrong with rabid anti-Communism?

Dear Editor,

As regards Alysse Ricks' letter ("America: Love it or leave it") in which she laments the exercise of First Amendment rights, it never ceases to amaze me that such self-ordained Patriots are often the least knowledgeable of what America truly stands for.

The Pledge of Allegiance was written by a Socialist clergyman back in 1892. It was a pledge that sought to reflect the Socialist Utopian ideal. It essentially remained as written until 1954 when, during the McCarthy era of rabid anti-Communism, the Pledge was altered to provide a de facto "litmus test" for patriotism as well as a prayer to the Almighty.

That's right, Alysse...I totally reject having to "prove" my patriotism by passing an arbitrary litmus test for same. That you are unable to show tolerance for differing views and seek to force people via intimidation to hold the same views as you do reeks of a totalitarianism that any "true" American should shun with a vengeance.

As to the suggestion that had a student have found his/her way to that meeting, he/she would have been witness to a poor example, I agree. Members of the Planning Board actually conspired to remain silent during the pledge in hopes of forcing an American citizen to violate his own Free Speech rights granted to him under the Constitution of the United States (to which I have sworn an oath). Such a display of intolerance would have indeed have been a poor example of true Americanism: The toleration of disparate views while working side by side to do the business of the People in an unbiased, law abiding manner.

I understand the fear and shock some in the community are now experiencing with all the progress (for so long neglected) now being implemented under the Town of Rochester's newly elected Administration. When government has been peopled by people who hate government for so long, it may be difficult to understand what it means to actually operate according to law for the best interests of all residents.

Finally, as for that saying heard too many times back in the 70s, America: Love it or leave it...It remains a simple minded response.

I'll stay right here, thank you. And I will live each moment of my life in accordance with the true American ideals embodied in the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights and The Declaration of Independence.

Steven L. Fornal — Accord, NY

Yeah, right! Now try to reconcile the above with this:

Ramming the Jackass...

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than to insult an O'Halloran? From Ellenvile, Edward M. Ramming (41) sent the above hate message to our Club President, using the e-mail account of Hillary Ramming Johnson (44).

From: Hillary [mailto:hillary.ramming@verizon.net]
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 10:00 AM
To: David@RochesterRepublicans.com
Subject: Your sign on 209

As a democrat in NY I want to thank you for your sign on 209! It's very gratifying to know that people like you are being taxed out of your own town! Why don't you go south? I hear the Carolinas are nice. Thanks again!
Ed Ramming