What happened is that the masses did not seriously THINK about how their vote would affect this country and what makes up the maniac they elected. Those who voted for him were manipulated and lied to, as witnessed in part by the actions we have already witnessed these last weeks. (He has included lobbyists and political operatives in his Presidential Transition Team that have been part of the "establishment" these voters specifically voted AGAINST.) They voted for someone who is totally incompetent to hold the highest office of this great country. And we are now shackled for four years. While I hope those who voted for him can live with the deep divide and struggles our country and the world will now experience with the outcome of this election, I know I cannot bring myself to say, "God bless America" but rather "God help America." My heart will ache with each word of that beautiful song.

We had the opportunity to elect someone who was more than qualified for the job and would have been able to continue to KEEP America great and make this world a better place.

And now what?

I'm proud to be a Democrat.

Diana Lenard
Kerhonkson

These so-called protesters — aka rioters — against Donald Trump being elected president are nothing but a bunch of spoiled brats influenced by their parents' money. And these college administrators who baby them are also anti-American for leading with example that it is OK to cry like babies when you do not get what you want. These protesters are an embarrassment to our country.

The people of the United States voted Trump into office, he did not appoint himself. Saying Trump is not qualified to be president is like insulting your fellow Americans that voted for him to be president. If the actions of these protesters — mostly college students age 18 to 25 — is an example of who will be our so-called leaders of the next generation, this country has more to worry about than Trump.

And the racist talk about Trump is overplayed. When a person says they will help middle class white people go back to work to better their lives and send their children to colleges does not make them racist. Because we have had a black president for the past eight years and now we will have a white president for the next four years. The people from the left and their followers think it is a racial thing. Obama took care of the black people while he was in office. So would it be a crime if Donald Trump offered a little help for the white people in America?

A small portion of this country is out of control, led by people who know nothing about paying everyday bills to keep a home for their children fighting to keep a job. Watching their children or their husband go off to war.

Hillary Clinton is just sitting back taking this all in doing nothing to stop the violent protest. She is showing what kind of leader she would have been.

Richart T. Cantwell Sr.
Saugerties

The election of Donald Trump is perhaps the most significant political upset in modern times. It remains to be seen if Trump abandons his unconventional 3 a.m. tweets and hateful rhetoric toward certain demographics, such as his comments about Judge Gonzalo Curiel.

More important is how he will stand on social issues such as marriage equality, stop and frisk, criminal justice reform and so on.

Will we move forward into the 21st century or take steps backward and repeat mistakes of the last century?

Only time will tell.

Robert Davis
Gardiner

The Sullivan County Human Rights Commission is charged with fostering mutual respect, understanding and equity of treatment of all persons in Sullivan County. Given the discordant rhetoric of the recent election, the Human Rights Commission recognizes the importance of supporting safe communities and schools where children and adults are free from derisive name-calling due to race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other identification.

It is critically important now that we work together to increase understanding among groups and uphold the spirit of our country's long-sought anti-discrimination laws. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris in December of 1948: Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Fifth-grade classes study the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Recent Commission projects include the Dialogue to Change initiative and forums on topics such as police and community relations and tenants' rights and anti-bullying/human rights programs in schools.

The Commission also attempts to resolve complaints of alleged discrimination and to relieve tension in incidents of conflict between groups. All are welcome to learn about volunteering with Commission activities or attending a meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Legislative Meeting Room of the County Government Center.

Peggy Johansen, Sullivan County
Human Rights Commission
Livingston Manor

My dear Republicans & others who voted for Donald Trump, do you have buyer's remorse yet? You should.

The ultimate Washington outsider who will "drain the swamp?" He replaced Christie with Pence for transition coordinator, because of all of Pence's Washington contacts and experience. Build a wall separating us from Mexico? What about all that Mexican steel he used to build his empire? Send immigrants back to where they came from? Does that include Melania? Sexist and abuser of women who will put them back in the kitchen and bedroom where you think they belong? The construction of Trump Tower was overseen by Barbara Res, in 1996 one of the only top female heads of a major construction project.

Alt-right bigot who will put blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, Jews, gays, etc. back where you think they belong? He grew up in New York City, the most racially, nationally, religiously, sexually diverse place in the world.

Hey, I grew up there too, two blocks from Trump Tower. I'm a year younger than he is. And let me tell you something about us New Yorkers. We're not all lawyers, but we all absorbed with our mother's milk (or rather, formula, no breast feeding in those days) the lawyer's dictum: "If you have facts, argue facts. If you don't have facts, argue law. And if you don't have facts or law, just argue."

So David Duke, don't rush to get your white sheet out of mothballs, and the rest of you, don't hold your breath waiting for your deliverer to make good on anything you thought he promised. We canny New Yorkers know just what to say to get what we want.

Jane S. Wood
Wawarsing

Dear Lynne Crockett... You ask, at the end of your column entitled "Lawlessness: The Hell with Everyone Else," how do we mend the riff? May I suggest, not by citing "the potential for violence following the election if Donald loses," while ignoring the potential for violence if Donald wins, which did indeed occur. Perhaps you should not have promoted either.

Hank Harwood
Montelo

I have always been inclined to give new Presidents a chance even if I opposed them. But so far Trump seems to be doing all he can to squander any possible tiny smidgen of hope I had in him. Maybe Mitch McConnell had the right strategy (for him) when he decided to oppose everything President Obama said and did from day one and maybe we should adopt it for Trump. President elect Trump has debased the level of discourse in our Presidential campaigns for the rest of time; embarrassed our country in front of the whole world by his language and behavior; lowered respect for us in the eyes of our allies; created fear in large swaths of our citizenry; rallied and inspired some of the most despicable segments of our society like the KKK, white supremacists and neo-Nazis; chosen some very questionable characters for his prospective cabinet and advisors; continues to display his thin-skinned and vengeful streak by lashing out with his tweets; and keeps flip-flopping on various stands he took (and changed) before, even some that his supporters loved him for. And, by the way, why should a man like this be in the White House at all when his opponent got more votes?

Lee Augustine
Wawarsing

As we approach another holiday season, this year in my life I really do not need or want any gifts or money. All I would really like to see is that people would just stop looking at other people as having a disability or that the color of their skin is different or that they might practice a different religion or that someone else is different in some way.

What I am trying to say is that we should all try to love one another and live in peace not just around the holidays but all year long. It takes a lot more effort to be nasty than it takes to be nice. You just might be surprised the blessings you will get for just giving another person a smile or a simple friendly hello and have a great day. I know from my own experience when I can make someone else's day brighter it makes my day brighter so give love and peace a chance!

Cheryl Redner
Middletown

This is a feeler going out to everyone in the Ellenville and surrounding areas to find out if there is interest in learning or practicing Tango here in the area. I have been learning this fascinating dance and I have grown to love it. This summer I signed up for a few more months of classes in both New Paltz and Kingston. Since Tango is a dance that takes many years to learn I am finding that I am putting a lot of miles on my vehicle and a lot of money to feed said vehicle to get to these lessons thus the reason for this letter.

I am putting out a feeler to find out if there is enough interest in the area to try to find an instructor willing to come to Ellenville to give Tango lessons. The classes I take in New Paltz are $12 a lesson or $15 if you take two back to back, the second being an intermediate class. I truly believe that this is money well spent for many reasons: It is fun, it is a great work out, it is very social, and it is a skill you will use the rest of your life, and most likely it will help you to live longer.

Since an instructor might need to drive to us I could see the cost of each lesson going up to maybe $15/$18 but even if it was $20 it is well worth it.

The social aspects of Tango are very broad and events are always planned at different health clubs, bars, private residences, and dance halls all over the area. Once you're on a mailing list (email) you are notified each week where the next social Tango event is being held. During the summer the outdoor pavilion at Mohonk is used for Milongas, or open practices and free dances. You do not need to bring a partner as there are always many single Tango dancers waiting to dance with someone. Couples are always there and usually the ones to watch.

Singles social groups like Meetup, Match.com, and others are always promoting Tango events. It is a great way to meet new friends and make bonds that last a lifetime. Tango is also another reason for women to dress up and most Tango dancers have a wide variety of beautiful dance shoes as well as dresses and outfits they wear to dance Tango. Yes, men need to have Tango shoes as well.

If I have piqued your curiosity and you have interest in bringing Tango to Ellenville either post your desire in this paper or contact me at [email protected] or call me at 647-3377. If there is enough interest I will put the effort into getting Tango classes here in Ellenville. I am sure an introduction to Tango class can be arraigned so that if you're interested you can at least check it out. I will be looking for a place, a building, a local restaurant or bar, or maybe one of the hotels in the area that has the room for this type of function and is always warm during the winter, to be used until a permanent location can be found for weekly Tango lessons.

I am also learning Swing dance so if there is interest in this form of dance I can try to arrange this to happen as well; just let me know what you're interested in.

Greg Black
Ellenville