Antisemitism is the new Communism

Progressives were called Communists in the 1950's, whenever the corrupt establishment wanted to shut someone up. It happened to our Pete Seeger, who was blacklisted by the media and the record companies for years. Back then anyone who sang songs against war and racism was a subversive in the eyes of the state, whether he was in the Communist Party or not. 

Antisemitism is the new Communism. Our populist reformer, Joel Tyner, has been fighting a campaign against privatizing the city bus system, a move that would destroy jobs as well as eliminate many bus stops in the inner city of Poughkeepsie. Rather than looking at the economic racism of yet another privatization boondoggle, our local media prefers calling Tyner names, this time the amorphous charge of being an antisemite. 

There were some heated words exchanged between Joel and some other Democratic members of the Dutchess County Legislator who refused to back him on saving the public bus service. Sad to say, there are Democrats in the county quite content to be junior partners in the Republican machine. 

Now our media, as subservient to the establishment as some of our local Democrats, claim that the whole issue is antisemitism, not the rip off of public services from the Black community. It seems like the new era of slanderous innuendo is a lot like the old one, the McCarthy Era. 

Joel is not an antisemite, and did not refer to anyone's religion when he criticized local Democrats. The charge is trash.

Fred Nagel

Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner

To the Editor:

Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner is a courageous and  compassionate  crusader for justice in our community.  Mr. Tyner is a voice for the voiceless and speaks up for the powerless, the disenfranchised, and the “little guy.”    He supports small businesses, fiscal responsibility, prison reform, free speech, and equality for all.  He opposes cronyism, corruption, and highly questionable campaign contributions  made to the big players in Dutchess County politics.  

The political establishment (both Republicans and Democrats) are terrified by the truth telling of  Joel Tyner and they have been trying, unsuccessfully,  to silence him for years.  These political hacks fear his honesty and  despise  his integrity.  However,  “we the people”  admire and  respect  Legislator  Tyner.   

Mr.  Tyner deserves  commendation not censure.  Cooperation not criticism.  Celebration not castigation.  And to be cherished and not condemned.  In spite of these spurious and cowardly attacks on him,  Joel Tyner will continue to tell it like it is.  I would urge his detractors to focus on and  debate the  policy issues and cease the character assassination and name calling. 

Is Joel Tyner perfect?  Of course not, but he is open,  honest, and real - unlike so many of the other politicians ruling the roost here in Dutchess County.  Thank you Legislator Tyner for your years of public service and tireless devotion to improving  the lives of all.  Please keep up the good work. 

Eli Kassirer
Gardiner,  NY