It is indisputable that we live in a largely liberal community. The Gazette ought to be applauded for attempting to diversify the op-ed page by having Jay Fleitman submit a column once a month.
My curiosity was piqued when I noted Fleitman’s recent column headed “Democrats playing to lose in impeachment.” As I started to read, I found myself rolling my eyes (as I usually do with his arguments). Then I got to the spot where Dr. Fleitman holds up as evidence Trump’s statement, “I want nothing, I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zelensky-President Zelensky to do the right thing.”
Of course this statement came the day after the whistleblower’s complaint exposed the scandal. Trump had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar and then was desperately trying to clean the crumbs off his face. This was topped off with the ludicrous Sharpie note published as “proof” of the conversation.
Dr. Fleitman’s closer was “wait for the embarrassing Inspector General’s report.” This conspiracy about the Deep State apparently has been a drumbeat on Fox News. Oh, wait … a recent morning’s headline says that Attorney General William Barr’s handpicked prosecutor has told the inspector general that he can’t back the right-wing theory that the Russia case was a U.S. intelligence set-up.
Hmm … I guess we will have to wait a month to see Dr. Fleitman retract this embarrassing argument. But I won’t hold my breath (even though Dr. Fleitman is a pulmonary specialist).
Silas Kopf
Northampton