“The Way I See It” is an attempt by the columnist to enlighten readers on a subject as he views it, and does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.”

Election 2020

We are witnessing one of the most contentious and important elections in US history. Not only for President, but also for Congress. We must recover our Economy, get people back to work, get schools back to normal, and beat the Chinese Coronavirus. Unfortunately we are seeing the most dishonest politics in our history. Our whole Electoral process is under attack by people that want to change everything to suit their lust for power and control of everyone and everything. All our basic freedoms are under attack. All the Natural God-Given Rights, that are guaranteed by our Constitution are being openly attacked. Churches are arbitrarily closed while Abortion Clinics are deemed “essential”! Anti-Constitution, Anti-capitalist, and Anti-Christian forces are seeking to exploit another “crisis” for their lust for power and control.

All because of panic about this “Pandemic”. All deaths are tragedy for the family affected, but about 2.2 million Americans die every year. As of today, 193,673 Americans are counted as dying from the Wuhan Covid 19, but recently The Center for Disease Control has released information that only 6% of the deaths counted are solely due to the Covid 19; all the others are due to “Comorbidities”, other causes that were probably made worse by the Covid 19. There is a great deal of dishonesty involved is making such a panic over a 11,640 jump in flu deaths when “Flu” killed over 55,000 last year. We definitely need to try to develop a vaccine for this flu, but also should be using every treatment available to reduce the death-rate and get people cured. But panicking, shutting down our economy, and changing our elections are not rational. Or even survivable!

We have early voting; if you can go to Walmart, you can go and vote in person. Do Not Trust Mail-in Voting! It is just a Cheat-By-Mail Fraud. And made easy for the Fraudsters. Today, not only do the (corrupt) Party Politics of the Big Cities want the President and VP unlawfully elected by Popular Vote, but have stopped even pretending to have honest Registration of Voters. Showing proof of Citizenship and Residence is necessary for Honest Elections, and Election Supervisors have a responsibility to confirm these important facts. Any “Voter Registration” that does not allow sufficient time for Election officials to do their duty is only an invitation to Election Fraud. Some areas are actively registering Non-Citizens. Same with Voter ID and having proper Registration. A picture ID is necessary to have a bank account, cash a check, even to buy cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, guns, and probably many other things now. Anyone can easily get a quality legal picture ID. “Same Day Registration” is a blatant invitation to fraud! So are the Provisional Ballots used for people with No ID or some other excuse. These ballots are “counted at the discretion of the counters”, but is the decision made on the facts of the voters situation, or the choices on the Ballot. Totally dishonest, like the “hanging chads” of 2000. With Early Voting, there is no excuse for people not to be able to vote.

If it is illegal to campaign within 100 ft of a Polling Place, even to place a campaign sign, how can it be Legal for someone to go to people’s house and collect their ballots? And “help them fill the ballot out”? Ballots sent out by mail are not secure; many will be lost, thrown away , or even stolen. A politically motivated person can collect, or even buy many ballots, fill them out and take them in. Or even just mail them, if they feel lucky. The USPS has no provisions for properly securing ballots. Even lawful Absentee Ballots are often lost, damaged, or in some cases thrown away. There are many recent news stories of bags of mail simply thrown away. And many reported cases of unsecured Mail-in Ballots left in mailboxes from the Primaries. Thousands report ballots sent to dead family members, or who moved away, thousands of ballots are not accounted for. It is impossible to have an Honest Election this way. All of the Cheat-By-Mail Ballots will have to be thrown out by the Courts when the evidence is shown. A perfect example of current Voting Security was shown in a federal court hearing on a challenge to Georgia’s voting machines was interrupted when someone began posting video and symbols in the live Zoom session. These included Nazi symbols, 9-11 video, and porn. They can’t put on a secure Court Case, why should we trust their Election count? We know the Voting Machines can be hacked, so can anything else, especially by rogue Govt agents.

And this year we have many Politically Motivated Officials. “Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Sunday that it could take up to a week to count all of Michigan’s absentee ballots for November’s election.” This is inexcusable, only to give them time to add the necessary Illegal “Ballots” to the count to win. Many people on the Left are simply setting the stage to steal the Election in this Cheat-By-Mail Scam. And they are using the Covid Panic as an excuse.

They try to lie about the Economy and Racism. They lie about Trump’s response to the Wuhan Flu, when the Dems on both coasts Protested, Resisted, and Obstructed Trump’s Travel Bans from China and the EU. They called for street parties and “Hug a Chinese!”, calling Trump a Racist and Xenophobe again. They still are fighting him on the Economic Recovery, but American Spirit and confidence in Trump is winning, Again! We must Re-industrialize, bring our pharmaceuticals and other essential industries home; we can’t trust the Chinese for anything but stealing info and buying up Hollyweird, Lib Media, and Lefty Politicians. So we must examine the actual facts, not Marxist Globalist D-Rat hysteria and Reelect President Trump to Make America Great Again – Again!

“Come on, man!” Does anyone really think Sleepy Joe and Far Lefty Kamala are capable of solving anything for the benefit of Americans?

Dear Sir/Madam:

On at least three separate occasions last week (as reported by the NY Times, CNN, LA Times, Fox News, and others), President Trump encouraged his supporters to vote twice in the election on November 3. He did this on 9/2/2020 in North Carolina, on 9/3/2020 in Pennsylvania, and in a North Carolina tele-rally (later posted on Facebook) on 9/4/2020. Voting twice, intentionally, is illegal. It is a federal crime and, in at least 28 states including Texas, it is a felony.

Leadership is a powerful thing. Poor leadership can be damaging and even dangerous. Take for example the instance on April 23, 2020, when Trump expressed his notion that treatment with disinfectants could cure COVID-19. He stated, “And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning?” In May, an online survey conducted by the CDC of 502 adults discovered that 39% had inappropriately used disinfectants, and 25% of these reported “an adverse health effect that they believed was a result” of the products. In the United States we honor our right to freedom of speech, but we also have the responsibility to repudiate self-serving lies and the intentional distribution of misinformation to the detriment of our society.

The “vote twice” news appears to have gone out of the news cycle this week. Personally, I am not sure why, because in my recollection this is the only instance in U.S. history, in which a president publicly advised the citizens to commit a crime. Please make sure that your friends and family members know about this situation, and urge them to vote once only.

On a final note, the success of universal vote-by-mail has already been proven in 9 states (44 million voters). If more of us vote by mail and/or vote early, then we can help make election day less dangerous. Please vote, and vote one time per election.

Sincerely,
Name Withheld

A hundred and thirty-five years ago during the heyday of PT Barnum and the “Greatest Show on Earth”, the press of the day negatively and heavily feasted on the flamboyant and “bigger than life” super promoter and showman. Barnum was always somewhat controversial in his time as he moved fast as an opportunist and had uncanny business savvy. However, not all ventures paid off in the long range. Barnum was quick to change directions and usually diverting potential disasters. The press watched and followed his actions as he was truly a phenomenal man amongst men.

The case in point that I will pursue of the power of the press involves one of his greatest attractions, Jumbo the huge African elephant. He was the highlight for four years of the circus animals. Near the end of the fourth year, handling, feeding amongst other issues, insiders knew Jumbo was becoming a liability. While loading in darkness, Jumbo was struck and killed by a train on a parallel tract. The major press quickly pumped on the story and alleged the ploy was contrived to rid it quickly and efficiently thus snuffing out a huge operation problem. This was witnessed and proved to be fake news. The journalist was fired, and an apology was made by the press. However, the rumors persisted, and other negative views persisted and concocted by the press dogging the business. This was all started by news outlets that had a negative view of a successful but controversial man.

Barnum’s reputation was permanently impacted by the fake news. Good journalism always should gather facts and make unbiased releases.

However, journalism is also rated on first hand breaking news, to be the first with news of interest. The press’s reputation usually overriddes reputation of those it writes about. Irresponsible reporting even in false accusations starts lasting opinions, especially amongst those that thrive on negative comments of someone or something. American journalism should not return to biased and slanted distortion of the facts. Hate and a popular point of view does, however, surface as readership is the main goal in journalism. In other words, you re-enforce what your base wants to hear. This now driving your readership more to the right or left, pushing radicalism to extremes and dangerous limits. I contend journalism plays a major role in division or unity in America. A major moral code is being exploited by some media.

Donald Cook, Port Lavaca

1. Truth and Accuracy
Journalists cannot always guarantee ‘truth’, but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. We should always strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts we have and ensure that they have been checked. When we cannot corroborate information we should say so.

2. Independence
Journalists must be independent voices; we should not act, formally or informally, on behalf of special interests whether political, corporate or cultural. We should declare to our editors – or the audience – any of our political affiliations, financial arrangements or other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest.

3. Fairness and Impartiality
Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always possible, and may not always be desirable (in the face for example of brutality or inhumanity), but impartial reporting builds trust and confidence

4. Humanity
Journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others.

5. Accountability
A sure sign of professionalism and responsible journalism is the ability to hold ourselves accountable. When we commit errors we must correct them and our expressions of regret must be sincere not cynical. We listen to the concerns of our audience. We may not change what readers write or say but we will always provide remedies when we are unfair.
The Ethical Journalism Network

The EJN is an independent body with no political affiliations or ideological aims.
   With this in mind the Ethical Journalism Network is registered as a Charity and limited liability company in the United Kingdom with the following objective:

    To promote for the public benefit high ethical standards in journalism, based on principles of truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, humanity and accountability by the provision of education and training of journalists and the publication of useful research.

Wed., Sept. 23    See You At The Pole 7:00-7:30 am    Port O’Connor First Baptist Church
Mon., Oct. 5    Republican Club 6:00 pm        Red Barn Restaurant, Port Lavaca
Sat., Oct. 3    Service Club Garage Sale & Bake Sale 8:00-Noon    Port O’Commor Community Center Pavilion
Tues., Oct. 6    Seadrift City Council 7:00 pm        Seadrift City Hall
Tues., Oct. 6    Bunco 7:00 pm        Port O’Connor Community Center
Mon., Oct. 12    Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce 6:30 pm        POC Community Center
Tues., Oct., 13    Hooked On Books Club 2:00 pm       alanehaardt@yahoo.com