By Mary Fahnestock-Thomas, Hamilton
Months ago, when my husband was called for possible jury duty and found himself being interviewed with about 30 other people during jury selection, this was the question that stuck in his mind, because it turned out that almost none of the other people there paid any attention to the news, or if they did, they watched Fox on television.
Reading the responses of Frank Navotny and Helen and Marc Sabin to my letter of April 28th called “Aristocracy or democracy,” I probably feel about the same way: Clearly these people don’t care very much about understanding the issues basic to this country. In this case I think it’s because they are too old and white and male and patriarchal, or they have allowed conspiracy theorists and selective truth-tellers to hi-jack their brains because it’s more comfortable and entertaining than searching out what’s really going on.
I have tried to respond point by point, but it’s an empty exercise because I don’t think anyone is listening, and it takes up too much space for a letter to the editor. Frank would like to go back to the 1950s, when men like him were in charge and there was no internet and life was so much simpler and more straightforward. Helen and Marc pretend to care what I think, but their letter is so full of cloying condescension and misinformation that they are clearly not open to discussion or much else.
So where do YOU stand? Where do YOU get YOUR news? Do YOU care?
The point of my original letter was that we can choose a government that serves the corporations and wealthy people who buy into politicians’ campaigns, or we can choose a government that tries to serve all of us, endeavoring to level the playing-field so that we can all pursue our individual happiness.
Mitch McConnell, leader of the Republicans in the US Senate since 2007, said two days ago that “One-hundred percent of our focus is on stopping this new administration.” The White House, in contrast, replied, “100% of our focus is on delivering relief to the American people, and getting the pandemic under control, and putting people back to work.”
Our Montana is one of the first four states to pass new voter suppression laws. The Republican Party is about power, not people, and our former president is an unprecedented threat to our Constitution and elected government, the basic premise of this country.
If you are able, think about it.
Cindy Eisenman says
I believe you’re right Mary, it’s an empty exercise. Any individual who “believes” in the former president is beyond reasoning with.
Mike Miller says
Wow.
Mary literally wrote “I think it’s because they are too old and white and male…”
Mary is clearly ageist, racist and sexist.
Mary Fahnestock-Thomas says
Which handy, trendy labels mean you don’t have to worry your pretty little head about any thoughts I might have been trying to communicate, right?
Mike Miller says
Now you’re trying to dismiss your ageist, racist, sexist comment as “trendy” by using sexually demeaning and harassing words against me.
I simply pointed out the facts of your actual attacking, hateful words to someone and you attack me for it, too.
Mike Mercer says
I make no apology for being an old, white, patriarchal male and take umbrage when you say I no longer have a place in the Country of my birth because “my kind” has been cancelled. Not happening girl.
If you want to know who actually has the power in our society and who is actually marginalized, ask which ideas get you sponsorships from Google and Pepsi and which get you fired. I would have more respect for those progressives who control the commanding heights of our culture if they had the guts to admit it, but in America, claims of oppression and persecution are the cultural currency.
So cry me a river Mary.
Mary Fahnestock-Thomas says
And you, sir. The point I try to make is that it’s not about power and money and “guts,” but about people helping people. You don’t hear me, thus supporting my point. Time will get the last say.