Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, New Year Resolutions It’s still January and there’s still time for two resolutions for 2021: #1: Let’s improve how we communicate with each other. We need to get beyond the sensationalist “news”  coverage on cable shows like Fox, OAN, NEWSMAX, CNN, MSNBC, etc.  Let’s quiet the noise in our heads and share more civil, and civic, conversation. We don’t have to agree with each other, but we do need to agree to listen to each other and try to find common ground for the common good, where possible.  #2: Let’s stick with facts and not fear. The violence at the Capitol should provide a lesson for all of us. People went to the Capitol because they believed that the election had been stolen. Their belief was created by lies and disinformation. They were set up. Sorry, no other way to say it.   We have to look at this square in the face so it won’t happen again. (This is written prior to the Inauguration and I pray to God that passes peaceably.)  The set-up was like the scam in the movie The Sting. The set-up began early with assertions from the White House that absentee ballots were going to be fraudulent even though Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah (some are Republican-dominated states) have routinely conducted their elections almost exclusively by mail for years.  Because the pandemic guaranteed an historic number of absentee ballots, Democrats in Wisconsin and other states requested that absentee ballots be counted early so those votes could be reported on Election Day. Republicans blocked that.  So, sure enough, on election night, President Donald Trump had the lead in several states from in-person and early voting. “I won” asserted Trump that night.  And when the absentee ballots voting results came in as expected the next day, and the votes tallied for President-Elect Joe Biden, Trump ridiculously stated in the face of reality: “Where did all these ballots come from? It has to be fraud. I won by a landslide.” And Republican leaders climbed on board that wagon.  61 of the 62 lawsuits to overturn the election were thrown out in the courts, many by conservative Republican judges like Wisconsin Supreme Court Judge Stephen Hagedorn who wrote:   We should, we are told, enjoin the Wisconsin Elections Commission from certifying the election so that Wisconsin’s presidential electors can be chosen by the Legislature instead, and then compel the governor to certify those electors.  Such a move would appear to be unprecedented in American history. One might expect that this solemn request would be paired with evidence of serious errors tied to a substantial and demonstrated set of illegal votes.    This petition falls far short of the kind of compelling evidence and legal support we would undoubtedly need to countenance the court-ordered disenfranchisement of every Wisconsin voter.   This is a dangerous path we are being asked to tread. The loss of public trust in our constitutional order resulting from the exercise of this kind of judicial power would be incalculable. Let’s not lose our heads in the future. Too much is at stake. Damian Barta Spring Green   Dear editor, There are many honorable, honest, and rational Republicans. Alas, neither Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), Representative Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) nor many Wisconsin Republicans leaders are amongst them. Their selfish cowardice is surely evident to any objective observer. They know full-well that the recent election was essentially honest, and that President Donald Trump’s claims of widespread fraud have no foundation whatsoever. (We have a well-tested system of thoroughly evaluating such claims: the courts. And over and over again, they have found no evidence to suggest an iota of material fraud.) But millions of voters believe Trump’s ludicrous claims. And as a result, our democracy has been undermined and, on January 6, a terrible mob threatened our legislators and murdered a policeman. The mob believed Trump’s blatant lies. And Trump’s allies, including Marklein and Novak, either echoed the lies or refused to refute them.  Sometimes silence is almost as bad as despicable falsehoods. I have pleaded with both gentlemen to urge their followers to recognize the truth. But neither of them ever responded. Their silence speaks volumes: they have no credible answer. They are guilty as charged. This should not be a partisan issue. To repeat, there are many thoroughly decent and selfless Republicans. But there are also an alarming number of selfish partisans who value their own political interests above the strength of our democracy; that craven selfishness cost a police officer his life.   I believe, passionately, we must remember that when Marklein and Novak next stand for election. David Frank Spring Green cc Senator Howard Marklein, Assemblyman Todd Novak   Dear editor, Wisconsin Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote in response to the President Donald Trump challenge to our election results: “At stake, in some measure, is faith in our system of free and fair elections, a feature central to the enduring strength of our constitutional republic…. The relief being sought by the petitioners (the Trump campaign) is the most dramatic invocation of judicial power I have ever seen. Judicial acquiescence to such entreaties built on so flimsy a foundation would do indelible damage to every future election.” This opinion is to be expected from a conservative justice like Mr. Hagedorn, former legal counsel to Governor Scott Walker. It is a conservative ruling rooted in the constitution--a decision based on law rather than partisan loyalty to one man. And so were all the decisions rendered in the specious lawsuits of the Trump misinformation campaign. Our judicial system stood on the side of truth, even in Wisconsin where the partisan tilt favors Republicans. And yet, millions of us seem to believe the “Big Lie.” It breaks my heart that so many could be led to such violence at the Capitol in the service of such a lie. (Their enthusiastic selfies point to their assumed white privilege bestowed by the president’s urgings.).  But I take heart that the judicial system held strong and rendered judgements based on fact and law and that it will continue to do so and hold the violent insurgents accountable. My hope is that we here in the River Valley can also stand in support of truth and fact rather than the dissembling of conspiracists and fear mongers.   As a small community, we have the chance to know and trust one another in the knowledge that we are all in this together.  The “Post-Truth” culture does not need to overwhelm us, because nothing good ever comes of it.  I was grateful to see a full slate of candidates standing for local office in Spring Green and I have confidence that they will work for the common good.  But we voters owe them our attention, our informed votes and our active participation.   Our democracy needs us all. Barbara Morford Spring Green   Dear editor, For some weeks my wife and I have been trying to receive information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination for people 75 and older.  Our local medical provider has been unable to provide registration information saying only “We’ll let you know when we know.”  In the meantime, medical facilities are sitting on unused doses. The state Department of Health Services (DHS) has prevented their use through bureaucratic directives.  In the meantime, older people are dying at rapid rates.   To: Tony Evers – “Come on man” Get the job done. To: Older Wisconsinites – “Get Active” Contact the DHS to get the job done & protect us.  Regards, Eric Rapp Avoca   Dear editor, We are humbled, in the midst of a pandemic, by the generosity of the blood donors in the River Valley area.  On January 15th we collected 99 units of blood products.  These donations can potentially save the lives of 297 people.    A special thank you to Christ Lutheran Church for generously providing us the use of their facility.  All of our donors received a coupon for a free pint of frozen custard donated by Culver’s of Spring Green.  The Red Cross continues to test all blood units for Covid-19 antibodies.  Donors have the ability to find out if they have previously had the virus. If you were unable to give last Friday, there are many upcoming drives in the River Valley area.  It is strongly recommended that you make an appointment if you wish to donate.    Tuesday, February 2: Lone Rock Tuesday, March 16: Cornerstone Church Monday, April 26: Plain Friday, June 4: Spring Green Community at Christ Lutheran Church     If you have any questions concerning the donation of blood, we encourage you to contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.   Sincerely, Barb Louis, 588-7253, and Barb Baxter, 588-7038 Spring Green Community Blood Drive Coordinators