Letters: Community lucky to have Dumas; Borough Council’s ‘undemocratic gamesmanship’
Community lucky to have Dumas
I am sorry that Ron Reese (CDT letter, Dec. 21) has not had the honor of meeting Charles Dumas, and to learn what an amazingly accomplished person he is. His experience as a true diplomat, world traveler, accomplished actor, writer and scholar is so interesting to read about in his column: There is always something new to learn. He and Jo, his wife, also an interesting person in her own right, can be seen as loyal fans at nearly every Penn State sporting event, concert, play and political rally, bring very involved in this Centre County community. We are very lucky to have them among us.
Borough Council’s ‘undemocratic gamesmanship’
On Dec. 20, the State College Borough Council unanimously passed a cease-fire resolution after withdrawing a similar resolution just two weeks prior. At the earlier meeting, the Council heard from scores of constituents who were opposed to the resolution. The overwhelming sentiment was that without the return of all hostages and the unconditional surrender of Hamas, a cease-fire would only allow Hamas — an internationally recognized terrorist organization — to regroup and continue their goal of destroying Israel and spreading terrorism worldwide.
Not satisfied with this outcome, the Council seemed to pack a Dec. 18 end-of-year budget meeting with supporters to “spontaneously” demand a redo. Council scheduled a meeting to reconsider the resolution for Dec. 20, but conveniently withheld public notification until 28 hours before the meeting, awfully close to the 24-hour mandatory notice. They again packed the room with supporters who spoke of real tragedies for innocent Palestinians, but others who openly condoned Hamas. The unanimous vote in favor of the resolution was obviously predetermined and only passed by deliberately keeping opponents of the resolution in the dark. At the end of the meeting, there was cheering more fitting for a PSU football game.
The tragedy in Gaza is awful. Unfortunately, Hamas prefers a war using Palestinians as human shields. Elimination of Hamas, which threatens Israel — and all Western democracies — and acts as a local mafia in Gaza is the only answer. The Council’s undemocratic gamesmanship has brought shame upon itself and our community.
Suspect SCOTUS
The New York Times Dec. 17 article on the Supreme Court laid bare the questionable behavior of Justice Alito and the “gang of six.” The gang is comprised of two who did not disclose gifts received over time, one a “real estate” magnate who made a killing with suspect behavior, one an alleged sex offender who successfully pleaded his case suggesting innocence and convinced sufficient Senators to confirm him, one a timid vacillating Supreme Court “rookie” who was cowed into a revised vote, and a Chief Justice who has regrettably “lost control” over Court management. The gang went down a “slippery slope” with Dobbs decision and Roe reversal. Surely, all being Yale and Harvard and Notre Dame graduates, the epitome of intellectual brilliance, know of the concept of proximate causation, i.e. foreseeability, inevitability, etc. of strife created behavior among the public. Former friends are now enemies, women are victimized and treated as chattels, draconian State legislation has been spawned, the medical profession is targeted, and chaos exists. What was the “end game” of the gang? All six Catholic justices may be a curse foisted on the public, as Justice Alito some short time ago opined that his Catholic faith requires him to consider the real world implications of his decision ... not being a Yale or Harvard graduate, what did he mean? Men, be vigilant — the gang in furtherance of procreation and unintended consequence soon will espouse anti-condom legislation.