Gerald Browne News Today

Fishkill, N.Y.: It was another bad week for conspiracy theorists, as the much-anticipated Durham report blew up in their faces. The report concluded that the FBI did not generate a politically motivated investigation to “get” Trump over his ties to Russia. In short, Trump’s whining about a “deep state” conspiracy to get him was diversionary nonsense. If only Trump’s conspiracy-loving gang could ever be humbled by facts, the Durham report should have added to their embarrassment.

Brooklyn: We New Yorkers are being outclassed by our New Jersey neighbors. In 2019, New Jersey joined several other progressive and compassionate states across the country in establishing the right of terminally ill individuals to work freely with their doctors to minimize end-of-life suffering.

Fishkill, N.Y.: McCarthyism was a tragic era in our history. Bullying and lies intimidated the normally responsible Republican leaders into silence. The Second Red Scare’s fever broke when Joseph McCarthy’s ugly tactics became obvious to the general public as they watched, in horror, the televised Army-McCarthy hearings.

Fishkill, N.Y.: Public shaming used to work to modify behavior and bring about reforms. It ended Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s bullying tactics during the Red Scare. Publicity from the Watergate hearings brought the criminals from the Richard Nixon administration to justice. Legislative reforms followed.

Fishkill, N.Y.: Hats off to the Justice Department for enforcing a search warrant at Donald Trump’s castle at Mar-a-Lago! It was obvious that he broke the Presidential Records Act, but wow!

Forked River, N.J.: For the 212th time this year, we see heartbreaking images of shattered families experiencing the worst day in their lives. Even more tragic is the fact that the U.S. is the only nation that has this level of senseless violence.

Radio’s odd couple take questions from actors, directors and Observer readers about optimism, the films they disagree on – and biscuits

Kings Point, L.I.: Here’s why Israel deserves the negative PR it gets: My sister’s first nephew was born in Israel three months ago and she was eager to meet him. She applied for an entry visa and after 16 days of no response, I applied for her via Israel. She was notified of clearance and happily went to the airport and was allowed to board the plane from New York to Israel.

Middletown, N.J.: I am that virus that everyone dreads. I cannot survive without your help. I flourish in your body and you never know when I will infect you. You cannot see me, smell me or know when I am lingering near you, ready to enter your body.

Warrenville, S.C.: The Democrats, in my opinion, have gone above and beyond in demonizing Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. For the past month or so, I heard and read how crazy and off the wall Greene was. Not knowing her, I had to put a few things into perspective, thinking the Democrats were on a search-and-destroy mission and making Greene their target.