Congress, in response to the far-right’s Nazi “America First” movement of the late 1930s, enacted the Alien Registration Act of 1940. This law made it a “federal criminal offense to advocate the violent overthrow of our government or to organize or be a member of any group or society devoted to such advocacy.”
By the late 1940s, this law, known popularly as the Smith Act, was employed to root out Communists from political, business and social organizations.
On January 6, one of the foundations of our democracy, our Congress, was attacked, verbally and physically, by a mob. This attack was planned and directed by the head of the Republican Party, Donald Trump, with the full aid, support and cooperation of Republicans Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Lindsey Graham — and, yes, Lee Zeldin.
It is time for the Department of Justice to take action, using laws like the Smith Act.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities” — Voltaire.
Stephen Ring
Hampton Bays
Tracking RealityThank you for “Water Hogs” [“The Water Hogs of the Hamptons, 2025,” Residence, 27east.com, August 28], a deeply necessary, smart service to us all, tracking the reality — what the press can do. I teach a course in the spring,...
Rare TreasureI am urging the Southampton Town Board to keep this land as is, regardless of classification [“Fate of Southampton Town-Owned Poxabogue Field, Within Sagaponack Village, Is Debated at Town Board Meeting,” 27east.com, September 10]. I understand that it is in...
Ecologically ImportantI am a resident and voter in Sagaponack and Southampton Town. Poxabogue Field provides many important ecological services. It serves as: • A wildlife sanctuary, and if farmed, as projected, would be fenced and plowed, obliterating the wildlife that has come to...
Essential ProgrammingAs many East End town residents know who tried to access their public, educational and government (PEG) channels recently, they were no longer available on channels 20 and 22. Instead you were directed to find your channels somewhere in the...
Bought and SoldI am writing in response to last week’s letter, “Pay To Play” [September 11]. At first, some of the names mentioned sounded familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then it hit me. Leon Black — a billionaire...
Working DiligentlyOn Thursday, I attended the Southampton Village Board meeting on traffic and realized I had previously misspoken. I said the trustees had taken only “baby steps” in addressing this issue. I was wrong. The truth is, they have been working...
Open Space ImpactI am hoping you will understand the environmental impact of what natural open space, near watering holes, does for our native wildlife. I can only speak professionally as a New York State licensed expert for our state-protected “species of special...
Rewild Your Yard?Many neighbors spoke last week at the public hearing on the future of the Poxabogue Field [“Fate of Southampton Town-Owned Poxabogue Field, Within Sagaponack Village, Is Debated at Town Board Meeting,” 27east.com, September 10]. Most speakers wanted the field to...
