Mash Notes, Hate Mail & Other Correspondence

by William Cooper The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. It states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” The Supreme Court has construed “cruel and unusual punishments” to include certain forms of torture, such as drawing and quartering. Yet the Court has allowed the death penalty—which is still legal in dozens of states—to continue, with some restrictions. In sum, the Eighth Amendment prohibits criminal punishments that are very harmful to prisoners and also rare or unprecedented. Right now, over two million inmates sit locked inside U.S. prisons, …

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To the Editor: In 1956, during the Hungarian revolution against the communist regime, my family escaped and went on to live in the U.S.A. and we all became naturalized citizens. I still recall what my mother used to say about the daily life under the authoritarian regime in Hungary. She said that it made her and many others extremely mad regarding the blatant propaganda and obvious lies that government officials and government-controlled newspapers repeatedly stated. She said that authorities would look directly at you and still make the most outrageous falsehoods, similar to someone standing in front of a white wall and claiming it was …

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To the Editor: In Vermont there is a signpost at Teagle’s Landing honoring Frank H. Teagle, Jr. It describes him as “steward of our resources, caring, dedicated, thoughtful and sensible, Frank was a humble and selfless servant of Woodstock—its people, traditions and institutions. He saw the overlooked and worked to make things better.” America is in crisis—its resources have been squandered to benefit the few, its institutions, traditions, and the rule of law have been trashed, its government is dysfunctional, its people are sick and anxious—our country is shunned and pitied by the rest of the world. We desperately need leaders like Mr. Teagle. We …

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To the Editor: While recently pondering things, the lyrics of a George M. Cohan song were rolling through my mind, over and over. You know…… You’re a grand old flag You’re a high-flying flag And forever in peace may you wave You’re the emblem of The land I love The home of the free and the brave Ev’ry heart beats true Under red, white and blue Where there’s never a boast or brag…. “Make America Great Again”…indeed! President Trump stands for, represents, and emotes nothing that has made and makes our country and culture great. Donald Trump may know the “cost” of things, but he …

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To the Editor: Despite their promises, Democrats rarely improve life for most people; they excel at keeping poor people poor, keeping dangerous neighborhoods dangerous, and destroying things, like beautiful and formerly safe cities and our peaceful tolerant society. Apparently expecting political benefit, Democrat [sic] politicians allow supposedly peaceful mobs of Democrat [sic] activists to cause hundreds of injuries, dozens of killings, and several $100,000,000 of property damage to their own law-abiding constituents, including many people of color whose lives apparently don’t matter to Democrats. When violent protestors, actually criminals, are arrested, Democrat [sic] prosecutors often release them without charges or bail. When needed, bail is …

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