Letters

It was interesting to read Ed Surgan’s response [“Very Clear,” Letters, December 24] to the outpouring of anger brought on by the misguided Texas lawsuit that attempted to disenfranchise millions of voters in states that selected Joe Biden. He acknowledged its lack of merit and the danger it posed to core American values, then quickly moved to dismiss the effort as a mere display of loyalty and not an attempt to subvert the election.

To use an analogy, I’d point out that if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, you can be pretty sure you’ll have duck eggs for your omelet before long.

Thankfully, we navigated past that one rip current in the massive torrent of lies, distraction and misinformation we’ve been served daily by the White House resident and his supporters. But this episode highlights what I feel is the larger problem, being the gulf — or perhaps “abyss” is more accurate — between the views of those on the left versus those on the right. These differences have always existed. That’s politics. The difference of late is the ferocity and depth of passion fueling the … I can’t even say “debate” at this point — it’s more of a shouting match.

Sadly, I don’t have an answer to this problem. Although I think part of the solution is literally in each of our hands as this letter is read.

I am grateful to have a high quality and independent local paper that keeps me up to date on events, and allows individual voices to be heard from our community within these pages. A strong and vigorous free press is vitally important to the health of our democracy. Saying so here may be preaching to the choir, but it’s worth saying. Thank you.

And my best wishes to all at the Express News Group and all of its readers for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Syd Griffin

Hampton Bays