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10A • NORTHEAST SUBURBAN LIFE • JULY 20, 2016
Editor: Richard Maloney, rmaloney@communitypress.com, 248-7134
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Another alleged ‘fix’ proves just how broken the system really is For any observers of the Clinton email fiasco, the announcement that the FBI would not be recommending charges against Hillary Clinton comes as no surprise. The FBI did find evidence of “extremely careless” handling of emails by Clinton and that at least 110 emails contained classified information at the time they were sent. That announcement, coming just weeks before the DNC convention, clears her and gives her latitude to claim vindication. But at what cost? Within recent weeks, President Obama finally broke silence on his support of Clinton. Then, Bill Clinton miraculously has a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch on her private government jet on a runway in Arizona, and they only talk about “golf and grandchildren.” In spite of three ethical violations of DOJ policy by Loretta Lynch in participating in such a meeting, she declined calls to recuse and appoint a special prosecutor. Within days, she announced that she would abide with the FBI recommendations. Then, Hillary Clinton, after 18 months of obfuscation and stonewalling, finally agreed to a three-and-ahalf hour “interview” with the
FBI in her home. This cabal of injustice was then followed by the FBI’s capitulation to the Clintons, Mark conveniently Combs timed just COMMUNITY PRESS after the July 4 GUEST COLUMNIST holiday, so that the Clinton friendly press could trumpet Hillary’s “innocence” of criminal charges. I recall another announcement, but on Friday, Oct. 23, when the DOJ released its findings that there would be no charges in the IRS investigation. On Oct. 24, 2015, the Cincinnati Enquirer buried a short article about it, which conveyed the impression there was nothing newsworthy. Conveniently omitted from the article was that two years before, an inspector general’s audit revealed that IRS agents had improperly singled out tea party and other conservative groups for extra scrutiny during the 2010 and 2012 elections. It was only in the wake of these findings that the Justice Department felt compelled to investigate. Two years later, the Justice Department investigators
found “...mismanagement, poor judgment and institutional inertia,” but they “...found no evidence that any IRS official acted based on political, discriminatory, corrupt or other inappropriate motives that would support a criminal prosecution.” The inspector general’s audit should have been a clarion call for reform of the IRS to protect all of us, regardless of political affiliation, but instead we have business as usual. I draw three conclusions from these sordid tales. First, there will be no consequences to anyone in power; they will invariably protect themselves. Second, politicians rely on our lack of collective memory and voter apathy. Only a small percentage of our electorate actually pays attention to the corruption in Washington, D.C. Those who do are often influenced by the mainstream media who have become agents for administration propaganda and ‘talking points.’ Third, “We the People” must take responsibility for ourselves. When we abdicate our civic duty to educate ourselves and think critically, this marvelous experiment in self-governance moves closer to extinction. Mark Combs is an attorney in Montgomery.
Trump appears to admire policies of dictators for handling terrorists Recently, in North Carolina (likewise Sharonville), Donald Trump, while condemning Saddam Hussein as a “bad guy,” nevertheless expressed admiration for his approach in eliminating “terrorists.” “You know what he did well? He killed terrorists. He did that so good. They didn’t read ‘em their rights, they didn’t talk. They were a terrorist, it was over.” Saddam’s rule was marked by extreme human rights violations: secret police brutality, political torture, mass murder, forced disappearances, assassinations. Thousands died without trial or any adherence to a rule of law. Most of these so-called terrorists were in reality non-violent dissidents, expressing opposition to a brutal regime. Mr. Trump appears to admire the policies of dictators. During a campaign trip in Iowa he said that while North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is a maniac, “You gotta give him credit. How many young guys take over these tough generals, and all of a sudden he goes in, he takes over, and he’s the boss, It’s incredible. He wiped out the uncle, he wiped out this one, that one. I mean, this guy
doesn’t play games …” At a Columbus, Ohio, rally in 2015 he responded to Vladimir Putin’s comment Jules that he was Freedman “the absolute COMMUNITY PRESS front runner” GUEST COLUMNIST by saying ““It is always a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond.” During a Republican debate in February he stated that while (Libyan dictator Muammar) Gaddafi was “really bad,” his tactics were effective. “If ... we had Saddam Hussein and if we had Gadhafi in charge, instead of having terrorism all over the place, we’d be - at least they killed terrorists, all right? And I’m not saying they were good, because they were bad, they were really bad, but we don’t know what we’re getting,” In a September interview with Fox News, he said of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad “I think in terms of leadership, he’s getting an A and our president is not doing so well.”
In 2010, Texas GOP congressional candidate Stephen Broden told tea party supporters that the “tyrannical” Obama administration might justify revolution. “If government destroys our liberty, we have a right... to get rid of it by any means necessary.” Would President Trump consider left- or rightwing militias or tea party members who espouse radical systemic transformation as terrorists, to disappear or be summarily executed a la Saddam? Mr. Trump’s hostility toward anyone who is at all critical of him, even if it is only to the extent of asking him questions, or accurately quoting him, is notorious. His disdain for the press is blatant, as when claiming he’s “gonna open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money.” Sinclair Lewis wrote “It Can’t Happen Here,” wherein it did. Could a day come here when opponents and critics are called “terrorists, and then ... ? Jules Freedman is a resident of Montgomery.
GUIDELINES FOR ELECTIONS LETTERS, COLUMNS Here are the guidelines for elections-related guest columns and letters to the editor: » Columns must be no more than 500 words. » Letters must be no more than 300 words. » All letters and columns are subject to editing.
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CH@TROOM THIS WEEK’S QUESTION What questions/concerns do you have about legal sales of medicinal marijuana in Ohio? Every week we ask readers a question they can reply to via email. Send your answers to rmaloney@communitypress.com with Ch@troom in the subject line.
July 13 question Kings Island is hinting that it may build a new roller coaster in the park’s Rivertown area. What is your favorite roller coaster, at Kings Island or another park? What types of rides would you like Kings Island to add?
“My favorite roller coaster is still The Beast. It is a long ride and the sequencing of thrills is perfect. Also with it being a wooden coaster you get that extra thrill of being thrown around a bit. “Although they can be expensive and not have a long shelf life, I would love to see Kings Island add an exciting dark ride. One of my all time favorite rides is Tower of Terror at Disney’s MGM Park. From the moment you start up the driveway to the attraction you really are transported into another reality. “The fun with the dark rides is they mix the thrills with good theming and can make a guest feel like they are in a different place geographically or in time. C.S.
“Life is the wildest roller coaster ride I’ve ever been on! Ups and downs, and all a rounds plenty of excitement and thrills every day - and I do not need an amusement park season pass for it. Living it!” C.G.
“The Beast is a pretty good coaster and I always look forward with glee to the introduction of a new thrill ride because ‘they’ are always aimed at the biggest, longest, fastest, steepest drop and highest surge of adrenaline. Who doesn't like those goals? amusement “Favorite park? Easy, Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. Simply put, this place is Mecca for roller coaster enthusiasts. Whenever they open a new ride the lines for it are gargantuan, however, the new rides from just four years ago or six or even eight are still as awe-inspiring as when they were new and there are much smaller lines for those rides. “Favorite coaster ride in the universe (so far) is Kingda Ka at Six Flags in New Jersey 20-30 seconds of the most incredible pure adrenaline overdose a normal person can enjoy. I have been told that the launch of Kingda Ka is the closest a civilian can get to feeling what it is like to be catapulted off an aircraft carrier. lished. » All columns and letters must include a daytime phone number for confirmation. » The deadline for columns and letters to appear in print is noon Thursday, Oct. 13. The only columns and letters that will run the week before the election (Oct. 26 edition) are those which directly respond to a previous letter or column.
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The Beast at Kings Island is the world’s longest wooden roller coaster. The amusement park recently hosted Coasterstock, three days of exclusive ride times and behind-the-scenes tours.
BRING IT ON!! Let's hope Kings Island is planning one just like K.K. but only taller, faster and quicker. I'm ready, hurry it up.” M J.F.
“Kings Island is one of the best amusement parks in America. But it may be the second best in Ohio. Years ago Cedar Point (near Sandusky Ohio) had a roller coaster ride that went out into Lake Erie. Like many from Toledo and Cleveland I rode it during the summer. It wasn’t the fastest or biggest but just going out into that big lake was priceless. Having Lake Erie and its beautiful sandy beach made Cedar Point unique among amusement parks. Go Figure!” T.D.T.
“My favorite roller coaster at Kings Island is the Flight of Fear. “I would like the new ride to be a long thrilling water ride. Like the Congo-falls and White Water Canyons combined.” B.N.
July 6 question What book have you read or what movie have you seen this summer that you would recommend to others? Why?
“Technically I did this before summer, but one of the most fascinating books I have read this year was ‘The Martian.’ While this was not the most literary book ever written, it was one of those rare books that simply grabs your attention from page 2 and refuses to let go. “Similarly, one of the most entertaining movies was ‘The Martian.’ This movie was one of the better adaptations from book to the big screen. Like the book, it grabbed you instantly and would not even allow you to go to the bathroom until the final credits rolled. If you have not yet, you should experience both of these before Labor Day.” M.J.F.
» Print publication depends on available space. We can not guarantee all submissions will be used. The closer to the Oct. 13 deadline that a column or letter is submitted, the greater the chance it may not be used in print. » Email is the preferred method of submission. Send by to rmaloney email @communitypress.com.
Loveland Herald Editor Richard Maloney rmaloney@communitypress.com, 248-7134 Office hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday See page A2 for additional contact information.