Opinion : Letter to the Editor: A cult tragedy in the making

By Vinton Today · April 5, 2023, 9:02 pm

Dear Editor,

Before anyone starts screaming and running for their laptops, I need to remind you once again that I am a fairly new Republican, and I can't wait to plaster my home and lawn with Ron DeSantis flags and stickers. The following opinions and ideas are mine...All mine.

As most of you have been bombarded both on television and online and in conversations with the Donald Trump saga, I have been mulling over things I've viewed, heard, and read. DC got me thinking about some Cult leaders and their power and control over others who have some weaknesses as a flaw. So, here goes...

Many people recall Jim Jones or at least the Jonestown Tragedy in November 1978. Jones started out as a magnificent preacher. Somewhere along the way, he turned into a political activist, dark and brooding. He convinced his blinded followers that in Guyana they could build a paradise, free of restrictions and government interference. IT WAS NOT!! In fact, Jones's treatment became less than humane by humiliation and brainwashing and beatings. The majority of his "faithful" signed over all their possessions. In the end, fewer than 100 of the Temple members survived the Kool Aid massacre.

Another example of a cult leader is David Koresh who brought about the Waco Tragedy in 1993. He was a religious fanatic who believed that he existed to fulfill his destiny. His followers were led to believe that God communicated through him. Each and every one of Koresh's followers was blinded by their loyalty to him. When outsiders gave them chance after chance to leave the compound, they refused. In the resulting chaos, they were either shot or burned to death.

Americans are facing a growing number of serious problems in this country. One of the biggest is that of the upcoming election in 2024. This will affect each one of us...no matter our race, sex, or age. In our Vinton Today opinions, we have bared our political allegiances to one party or another and the various candidates. You can talk to friends and family, and you can read and listen to facts and figures about who to support. But, at some point, you must do some "singular thinking" about what is best for you!

President Joe Biden, who is 81, is the oldest person to serve as president. He has indicated that he will run for a second term in 2024. Is this realistic...honestly? It is clear that he is slipping. He shuffles when he walks; he quite often falls ascending the steps to Air Force One, and the First Lady supports him as they are walking. Confusion is a frequent facial expression. I am not trying to be unkind but merely stating the truth.

One of Biden's biggest failures has been the border crisis, and the 5 million illegal immigrants our country has had to absorb. The real crisis is brewing for the future as to how we must deal with them. What the President will do about the US Debt Ceiling remains to be seen. Some of his projected ideas for spending seem either unnecessary or outdated or will never be agreed upon by the Republicans or even some Democrats. His wild visions of eliminating certain light bulbs. gas lawn mowers, gas stoves, and autos who use gas will only affect the poor segments of the population. For example, data shows that 100% of the wealthy use the LED bulbs that Biden wants while only 38% of the households with incomes $20,000 and under use them. Some Americans can't even afford a car. Hasn't the Democratic Party always aligned itself proudly with the working class? That seems a rather obsolete statement these days.

Biden is vulnerable because of continual questions about the economy and the lack of intensity with the Democratic base. Fellow Democrats are doing a lot of analyzing and whispering behind their President's back. Are Biden's loyal supporters blinded by being Democrats or by the Biden they still see who served under Barack O'bama?

The only "announced" candidate for the Republicans with any strength is Donald Trump. Unfortunately, he is standing at the White House Train Station with too much baggage. Hu has just been indicted for 34 felony charges in New York, political as they may be. But these are the tip of the iceberg. Heading his way are the events of the January 6 riot, the White House classified papers, and his efforts to tamper with the Georgia election results. Trump attracts chaos and controversy like a magnet. Questions abound: Will this sink the Trump ship? Is Trump what the country needs at this crucial time in America? Some experts think that he will have a fight on his hands to get the Republican nomination again.

However, at this time, Trump still has a stronghold with a significant portion of the GOP base. [One has to wonder though if this "support" is just to save their own necks IF he gets the big job again.] Trump has shown he can raise money, and he was president once. A professor at NYU said about Donald Trump, "He is an Authoritarian, and they can't leave office. They don't have happy endings." She believes that at the elite level, the political system was shaped by Trump, and every day we see his legacy. Furthermore, January 6, the "Big Lie" maintained Trump's personality cult verses seeing him as just another president who was voted out of office. Donald Trump has never left office and closed the door.

Trump has amassed many problems from the 10 year old boy with the 14K gold spoon in his mouth. He could NOT stand losing! Right now he is in limbo. Like a pit bull, he has to hold the party tightly so no rival can emerge. The NYU professor [NOT ME] said that Trump could not stand to be eclipsed by a younger version of himself. And that is DeSantis. I think deep down that Trump realizes Ron DeSantis can beat him!

Earlier I stated that I had viewed some events that made me think. I watched the flags and signs in New York yesterday. Something jumped out at me. TRUMP WON!! TRUMP WON 2020!! Those days are over with. Regardless of what did or didn't happen, that's history. We need to move forward!! The election of 2024 is on the horizon. All of us have an obligation to both ourselves and this country to elect a strong president. Really SEE who you support. Watch out!! We can't remain cult followers, or we may have a national tragedy!!

Peggy Kelley

Comments

Submit a Comment

SG April 17, 2023, 4:47 pm "The majority of the people in this country want abortion to remain legal, DeSantis does not." "I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born." ― Ronald Reagan "You remember how republicans expected a huge red wave in the recent mid-terms but that didn't happen. DeSantis will not be president." But it did for DeSantis. "They will vote against the people who are unwilling to do anything about the gun culture in this country but would rather increase the number of guns and make them easier to buy and carry...." There isn't a "gun culture" out there killing people, it's a mental issue as we saw in Tennessee and so many of these mass shootings. Yet no one wants to say that about these leftwing shooters. It's not the NRA out there shooting the place up, it's YOUR side...fix that!

NJG April 17, 2023, 2:12 am The majority of the people in this country want abortion to remain legal, DeSantis does not. The majority of the people in this country want more restrictions on guns, not less while DeSantis signs into law a permitless concealed carry bill. You remember how republicans expected a huge red wave in the recent mid-terms but that didn't happen. In 2024, the voters, and a lot of them are women, will again vote against the people who want to take their rights away. They will vote against the people who are unwilling to do anything about the gun culture in this country but would rather increase the number of guns and make them easier to buy and carry. DeSantis will not be president. Norma J Gould

PK April 15, 2023, 8:36 am I know all about Lenin...Stalin...and Mussolini. Ron DeSantis doesn't fit their mold!! Do you?? Enough said!!

AB April 14, 2023, 7:12 pm "DeSantis is a fascist governor? PROVE IT!" Fascist: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascism Nuff said.

PK April 14, 2023, 10:06 am How embarrassing for our country!! President Joe Biden needed an interpreter [Hunter Biden] to understand and answer a child's question on his trip in Ireland. "What's the top step to success?" "What's the top what?" Just proves what I've said all along...Can't take steps and hasn't even remotely touched upon "success" while in office. He is just plain old and confused and needs to step out of the White House. Best moves he'll ever make!!

PK April 10, 2023, 11:11 am GB...WE DO THINK THE SAME!! Yes, we'll keep on rolling!! Darn those BLUE ants. Ha, Ha!!

PK April 10, 2023, 10:50 am NJG...DeSantis is a fascist governor? PROVE IT! It will take more than idle ramblings to make anyone with half a brain to believe you! But what should one expect from a Biden supporter?

GB April 10, 2023, 9:51 am PK You said, "There's rules for that too." You're a former English teacher, right? I figured that since we're going to point out capitalization, we'd keep going...

PK April 10, 2023, 9:32 am NJG...The only people who are lying in this country are the Democrats. Biden lies so frequently that it's become a part of his character. And, for your information, one of the members of The View apologized to DeSantis because she hadn't realized that Florida schools had a Black history class in their curriculum. So... You actually DON'T KNOW that there are correct procedures in the House and Senate? You are as confused as those two men are. It doesn't matter the color of their skin or their party; there are rules to follow. Laws...You know the meaning of the word. Right? I think they did this to attract the attention of people like you. Guess it worked. Huh? By the way, when you write Democrat or Republican, either capitalize them both or use small letters for both. Be consistent...There's rules for that too. I wouldn't be too sure that "your guy" is going to get the Democrat's nomination for president in 2024. Anyone who can walk and talk and think at the same time would be better than Biden!! Sorry, lady, you're backing a LOSER!!!!!

PK April 10, 2023, 7:22 am Well...Well...Well...I see a strong name from the past is going to challenge Biden for the Democratic nomination. [The 2024 race for the White House could be full of fresh faces!!] It doesn't matter though. Ron DeSantis will be sworn in as the next president of the United States. Joe can go sit in his beach house rocking chair or drive around in his little corvette, and the others can go tend to the goats IF they can.

GB April 9, 2023, 10:38 am The same old lame politicians doing the same old thing and being greedy as sin for their own personal gains is why Trump is so popular. It is my hope that DeSantis brings the same spirit of America first to the Republican Party. Biden is an embarrassing projection of weak leadership. The man is a bumbling fool. He cares no more about this country than he does about a cow in the middle of Nebraska. The man is a fool.

PK April 8, 2023, 9:09 am Great Job GB!!! Are you using one of Biden's LED bulbs to type by? RB's must be one of the old ones from the Obama administration. Those don't work right, I guess?????

NJG April 7, 2023, 10:40 pm Republicans have been showing their true colors in Tennessee and that is that they are racist. Until now no lawmaker has ever been expelled for breaching decorum rules. There have been Republicans who were accused of sexual mis-conduct after multiple women said he assaulted them when he was their high school basketball coach. Another republican was prescribing opioids and faced civil penalties but republicans refused to expel them. They said they would hold hearings but they never did. The comment then was “Until you have due process, our system says you are innocent until proven guilty.” They won't even expel you if you pee in another person's chair!! Yesterday while a republican was speaking in the Tennessee House and was talking to Rep Pearson, calling him a boy like he was a slave, he stopped and asked if there was a way he wanted to be spoke to. In 2023 that is one ignorant republican who should not be in the legislature. DeSantis is using racism to try to get all the Trump voters to follow him. He banned an African American AP course because he said it lacks educational value. He is a fascist Governor who we do not need as President. We need a president who will be president of ALL the people, not just those who agree with him. Wisconsin has a new Supreme Court Justice and right after she won, by 11 points, the Republicans already are wanting to impeach her. She hasn't even been sworn in yet. The people spoke in this case but Republicans don't seem to care. Across the country the majority of the people want abortion to be legal but Republicans don't. The demand for anti-abortion legislation will get republicans voted out. Women and young people will vote them out. People who listen to Fox are just asking to be lied to. They are going to lose big time with this lawsuit with Dominion and it serves them right. When off the air they admitted they were lying. How stupid can you get? There was just an Idaho woman, pregnant with a child that would not live after birth but Drs hands were tied so she had to carry the baby to full term. It died 4 hrs after birth. There are states that are going to track down a teenager being taken across state lines by family to get an abortion. Republicans have decided that women are 2nd class citizens. Everyone knows they won't allow abortions but offer little or no support to a women after the baby is born. Forcing a young child to give birth is atrocious. Republicans are out of control and all they are doing is pushing citizens away with their policies. I guess I should just say keep it up. Norma Gould

GB April 7, 2023, 8:38 pm RB, how do you legitimately claim Biden has accomplished anything except to line his own pockets at the cost of our National Security. Obama didn't get anything from 43 except the outcome of years of Democrats crying there were racist policies by banks preventing minorities from getting home loans. The Democrats for years, pushed for banks to lower their requirements to obtain home loans for minorities and people who could not get loans and for legitimate reasons. Yet the threat of being named racist out weighed common sense and the standards were lowered. People of all color were given loans that no right minded person would ever believe they could repay. That problem started long before the time you reference. It was not even Obamas fault except for blaming the previous President. Biden was actually part of that problem. We have politicians representing all of us regardless of which party they are in who shouldn't be in charge of taking care of a goat, much less making decisions on our economy and making decisions for the rest of us when they can't even balance their own personal checkbook!

PK April 7, 2023, 6:18 pm RB...Biden is a disgrace!! It's so very easy for him to blame someone/anybody else for his own problems and shortcomings. IF I recall correctly, Trump was the one building a WALL to keep the illegal immigrants OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!! The 5 million here now, and the ones still walking and running and swimming TO get here are due to your leader Joe Biden!!!!! He was in such an ecstatic frame of mind when he won[?] the election that if it wasn't for Abbot and DeSantis, he wouldn't have known there was a crisis. DUH!! And you dare to compare that pasty weakling in the White House now to Ron DeSantis?? Biden should have half of his brain, and DeSantis would still be a great politician. Maybe then Biden would know where he was. [Rolling Fork, Miss. and NOT Rolling Stone, Miss.] I think Biden could use one of those better LED light bulbs-he's pushing for-because his must be on dim!! Hope you won't be too disappointed when Biden leaves his current home!! Thank you, John S.!! Did anyone notice where they sent VP Harris? Tennessee, of course. She's was seen on the ABC Nightly News hugging and sympathizing with the two Black Democrats who seemed to have forgotten that there are correct procedures for being recognized and then speaking in the House and Senate. They are expelled-They say for being Black and Democrats. Oh, Come on!! Everyone in the state as well as the entire country is upset about the Nashville shootings, but chaos among lawmakers serves no purpose! I'm certain VP Harris will ease the ruffled feathers. Whatever will they do with her for the rest of Joe's term? With all the problems in this administration, I'm sure they can ship her somewhere. Maybe she can give speeches about the "good life" in places where the illegal immigrants are. Lately it sounds like many of them are not satisfied with their new lives in America. My...My, how sad!!

JS April 6, 2023, 6:07 pm Peggy Kelly -- Well done and well thought out. I have written the Donald on occasion offering my misgivings on his next candidacy. He will do what he will do regardless of this Iowa farm boy's advice. I do believe we need a younger candidate this time around. At the moment DeSantis and Haley are at the top of my list. However Mike Michael Richard Pompeo is right there as well. There is no doubt in my mind that all the above mentioned can do and will do a much better job than this bugling Biden admin. has done for the past months - beginning with the humiliating disgraceful withdrawal from Afghanistan -- and continuing with his spending spending spending. I acknowledge that the Donald is a great campaigner. He talks the language of the working class that have been trampled on for a long time. If Donald is nominated again -- no doubt I would vote for him again over Biden / Harris. Good grief our Nation can not last another term!!!! The indictment of this D.A. Bragg is a joke. Over and over 30+ times he lists the same thing, but no CRIME. REPEAT NO CRIME. The Swamp has tried for Six years to sink Trump, but he is still above water. The Exec. branch, FBI, CIA, DOJ,(homeland security) and DOD are a disgrace. The top job holders should be fired immediately. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Biden has never been right in over 4 decades in government - it is now more obvious. Regards, and blessings John Stiegelmeyer

RB April 6, 2023, 4:01 pm You mention Biden’s failure as the border. How many Republicans are willing to sit down and help legislate a sensible immigration policy?. Under Trump and current republicans I would be living in Germany. Well, maybe not because I’m white. You fail to mention the many successes the Biden Administration had had. Much like what Obama inherited from Bush, Biden inherited a dumpster fire from Trump. Dozens in the Trump circle are in jail or indicted yet 74 million people voted for him. Let that sink in. DeSantis, immediately turned me off with his book banning. His conservative policies are not supported my the vast majority of Americans. Things such as a woman’s right to control her own body, sensible gun regulation including an assault weapons ban, Obamacare, prescription drug reform, infrastructure bill, renewable energy etc. are supported by Biden and Democrats while blocked by most Republicans. You are right about a cult though. A cult can be defined when common sense tells you things are true and you don’t believe them or look the other way. 74 million people are in that category. Since you are new which category do you fall in?