Let's Talk Real Quick About Ensuring Democracy's Guard Rails at Home

We have a new sister publication called "Fascists & Weirdos," can you guess what it's about by that understated name?

As promised, I have split The Monroe Gazette into two.

For those of you who want just the local news stuff for New York’s Southern Orange County without the national politics, you don’t have to do a thing.

For those of you who feel afraid, overwhelmed, or just plain concerned about the now successful fascist takeover of America, you can get “Fascists & Weirdos” here.

I promise that The Monroe Gazette is a big boat with room for everyone, regardless of who you vote for, how you pray, or what baseball team you like. (I may have to fight you if you like the Phillies though.)

But there is a catch … I ain’t writing the same shit twice. I don’t have the time. You have no idea how much legwork goes into running this thing and reporting on these stories.

For a job that costs me money to run, I’m working more hours than I think I have in my entire life, and I used to fly around the Country and the World because people wanted me to speak to them.

So, if you’re not reading “Fascists & Weirdos” — the first post can be read here — you may occasionally miss stuff.

For example, today, I broke down how the looming loss of the EPA — yes, that’s happening — will fuck every single New Yorker, regardless of who you voted for.

Why? Because our DEC, Department of Health, and Attorney General can’t be bothered to intervene in our region despite repeated and ongoing requests from residents dating back years now. YEARS.

These people suck. They suck so hard. And you all know that already.

So, Southern Orange County needed the EPA because it’s immune from the bullshit that happens here with New York State Politics.

Now we don’t have it in our corner.

Isn’t it fun when there are consequences for voting for someone who has repeatedly vowed to do away with the EPA?

And you know what that means for YOU right? It means Mr. Joel Stern, who below can be seen telling the DEC he is FULLY aware of how bad the municipal water infrastructure is in South Blooming Grove way back in 2023, can keep doing what he’s doing.

Short of a lawsuit, that is. (One is coming.)

The above email shows that, back in July 2023, Mr. Stern had full knowledge of how serious the water situation was, and yet he continued to recklessly endanger the lives of every single South Blooming Grove resident by approving and allowing rampant construction throughout the village. All while promising he had these magic wells, which he does not.

Are you taking this seriously yet?

Don’t take my word for it: Project 2025 explains in detail Trump’s plan for the EPA once inaugurated.

That said, I have one more thing for you …

You, me, and everyone in your community now has one job. The good news is, a lot of you are doing it already. We saw that with the big voter turnout in Woodbury. You did that. You are doing your one job!

Now we need the people who stayed at home and did not vote, and the people who voted for the Orange Guy, to reaffirm that they have your back.

Because shit’s about to get weird for everyone — regardless of who you voted for — and like Hunter S. Thompson once said, “When the going gets weird, the Weird turn pro.”

We need everyone working together to make sure the guard rails of democracy aren’t completely removed.

People are going to look at Trump and think, “Well if he can do that, I can too.” And they have to be stopped at every single turn.

If they don’t comply with FOIL? You say Fuck you and demand the Board cuts off their money and health insurance until they comply with the law.

If they start putting their Brown Shirts into the crowd to make political attacks during public comment, or try to peddle their fascist views, you call them out.

If they remove public comment (South Blooming Grove) or try to limit how long you have to speak (Town of Monroe, Town of Woodbury) you organize and kick out of office any asshole that allowed that policy to be implemented.

If they can’t be compelled to obey the law, like in South Blooming Grove and the Town of Monroe? You sue the fuck out of them.

Now’s not the time for despair. Now’s the time to dig in your heels and say, Fuck you. I may not agree or even like everyone in this community, but I have their back when it comes to this Nazi bullshit.

(And it is, to be blunt, Nazi bullshit. And yes I know there’s some irony in calling Mr. Stern’s behavior Nazi-like, but when it walks like a duck and talks like a duck …)

Everyone’s got one job now.

Can we count on you to do it?

Fascists & Weirdos starts here.

Local news will resume on Monday. Same Bat time …