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We always have disagreed — just not so vocally

What a news-filled time we’ve had in recent days; some good news, some bad and some ugly news.

The good news is that the village of Silver Creek and the town of Hanover are looking into the possibility of building one municipal building to house both. The village and town, with the assistance of County Legislator George Borrello, have submitted an application to the New York Department of State, which is offering $20 million in funds through the Municipal Consolidation and Efficiency Competition.

Win or lose this is another sign that the town and village continue to seriously consider consolidation of services. This follows the appointment of town of Hanover Highway Superintendent Steve D’Angelo to head the Silver Creek Streets Department and the execution of a joint contract with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department for policing in the town and village. Things are looking good in Silver Creek and the town of Hanover.

The “bad” news could easily have gotten the nod as the “ugly” news. At a recent “pro-choice” rally Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for a state constitutional amendment to codify abortion rights should Roe v. Wade be overturned.

The governor appears to be preparing to mount another quixotic campaign for the presidency and lining up the support of pro-abortion groups. He declared at the rally that “Our rights are under attack in Washington” and pledged that “as they pull on our rights, we’re going to push back.”

Fighting words from our governor about a real tragedy in our nation, which now has the highest abortion rate in the western world with 56 million abortions since 1973. In New York City, 41 percent of pregnancies end in abortion and 78 percent of abortions in the city are performed on African-Americans and Hispanics. You are making us so “proud” governor.

The “bad” news is from the Senate where Sen. Charles Schumer has been delaying approval of Trump appointments. Recently, he was accosted by Republican Senate leadership after he pulled out of an agreement with Republicans to have several Cabinet nominations be voted out of committee and advanced to the full Senate. This has led to rumors that Schumer has lost control of his caucus who are coming under increasing pressure from the party’s radical left wing base.

The Democratic Party and its left wing have been losing elections at all levels for the last few years. They claim the presidential election was stolen from them by either the Electoral College or the Russians, take your pick. Of course they fail to realize or accept that Hillary Clinton was an abysmal candidate and that, except for New York, California and a few other places, voters have grown sick and tired of President Obama’s program of “hope and change” that over the year’s resulted in hopelessness and unwanted change.

While the timing of the late implementation of the Trump Administration’s Executive Order suspending refugee admissions from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for 120 days was ill-advised, the intent was to temporarily halt admission of refugees from these nations that either could not or would not vet their citizens seeking refugee status, thereby protecting American lives from possible terrorists.

Protesters expressing surprise and outrage descended on the White House and airports across the nation soon after the orders announcement with a swiftness and degree of preparation that indicated thorough planning of their “spontaneous” outrage. Surprisingly there was no outrage expressed over former President Obama’s executive order, issued two weeks previously, barring Cubans reaching U.S. soil from claiming refugee status and ordering them returned to an uncertain fate in Marxist Cuba.

These protests seen in the light of further riots in the streets of our cities and on college campuses along with the “packing” of Congressional town meetings often led by paid thugs, shows that the left, frustrated by loses at the ballot box are willing to take their battle to the streets to intimidate politicians and average citizens into acquiescing to their demands. Some might describe that as a fascist tactic.

My concern now is not so much for President Trump, who was never my first or even second choice as the Republican nominee. My concern is rather for the future of this nation and what my grandchildren will inherit.

It’s fine to disagree, but when that becomes hatred and results in vile attacks on our leaders and violence in our streets we have a problem. Only we can solve that problem. It’s time for us to tone down our rhetoric and disavow violence.

Thomas Kirkpatrick Sr. is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com

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