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Opinion

There’s no massaging some beliefs

Commentary

Getting a ton of “likes” on Facebook, liberal reverend Bryan Berghoef posted, “Only a small mind would equate being a Muslim with being a jihadist” Responding, I wrote, “A discerning mind equates jihad with Islam.” Typical among liberal pastors plaguing the church and America, Berghoef’s popular remark lacked discernment. Compounding the lack of discernment, another cleric challenged my equating jihad with Islam claiming that greater jihad is internal struggle within a Muslim and lesser jihad is the outer war with infidels. A quick-witted respondent replied, “I ...

The OBSERVER’s View: One last chance to vote

The OBSERVER’s View

Thousands of residents have already taken the time to cast their ballot during Early Voting, which was Oct. 24 through Sunday. If you have not, there’s one day left — that’s Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. That remains a heavy turnout day. Even with the Early Voting, there is a large contingent of the population that hits the polls on the traditional day. As usual, we urge residents to be part of the process. This year’s races have important implications on the future. If you’re not happy with how things are being run in Washington, Albany and here at home, complaining is not ...

Behavior always part of equation with children

Commentary

It's not often that I will refer to another writer’s thinking and observation of human behaviors in print. I am going to make an exception in this case. Mark Talley of Buffalo describes, in detail, his thinking about some of today’s youth. His mother, Geraldine Talley, was one of 10 people shot to death by a white supremacist on May 14, 2022. He is also the author of “5/14 - the Day the Devil Came to Buffalo.” "My friends who are teachers see it every day. My other friends who are child psychologists who work at the office of Children and Family Services tell me that we are ...

U.S. no longer keeps an open mind with elections

Commentary

This is the last weekend before the 2026 midterm elections. Most people have made up their minds already. Nevertheless, I’ll use this platform to express a few opinions about some recent controversies in an effort to urge people to think critically — logically and morally — and to vote ...

What kind of socialist are you?

Commentary

Anyone paying attention to state and federal politics has heard the word socialist ad nauseam ever since the 2024 elections. While on the campaign trail, President Donald Trump called Kamala Harris a socialist at every stop. Trump continues to call his political opponents socialists. During the 2026 election cycle, many Republican candidates have called their Democratic opponents socialists. In recent primaries, even Democrats have called fellow Democrats socialists and cautioned primary voters to beware. As the phrase continues to be thrown around politically it may be helpful for ...

Quippies

Commentary

Nin Privitera, former Fredonia resident, offers some offbeat takes on recent headlines: — The AI world has developed a new computer that can read your mind. They hooked it up to Kamala Harris and the computer said, “ I give up.” — A mumbling Democrat council candidate named Jamie West from Indiana admitted she had three beers before a podcast interview. Those three beers indicate she’s not anywhere near ready to run for President. — Elon Musk just unveiled to the world a flying car that can go 0 to 60 in less than a second. That’s almost as fast as Trump can fire a new ...