Dear Editor,
Marysville has been home for the last 26 years – nearly all of my memories made growing up, were in part, contributed to the people, education, and atmosphere of which the city provided. Despite recently moving out of state, Marysville remains close to my heart and the connections to the town remain constant.
Because of this connection, I was concerned to see the J-T giving councilman Carpenter a platform to share his twisted ideas and experiences from the heinous actions, which occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Platforms that are given to undeserving people often yield dangerous results. You see, the platforms which Carpenter has supported and created the last few years have given a voice and confidence to those who participated in the destruction and loss of life at the U.S. Capitol.
While Carpenter may claim that what he observed was patriotic and peaceful, the fact is extremism and violence love company – company which Carpenter has provided. In fact, surely Carpenter himself can agree to this given his expedited willingness to lash out at those who participated in protests for racial equality just a few short months ago. Sadly, though, this hypocrisy is no surprise of Carpenter.
For a man who claims to be devoted to public service, his devotion appears to be rooted in using the residents of Marysville for personal gain. For a man who claims to be loyal to the country, his only loyalty appears to be to a small sector on the political spectrum led by an incapable President who also bears responsibility for the violence which occurred in D.C. A true public representative would be seeking to heal, connect, and denounce the toxic culture which he currently participates in. Instead, councilman Carpenter is lying in a bed of self-pity because he lost followers on Twitter, and his idol was suspended from the social media site.
Unfortunately, with the platform given to Carpenter his focus will remain on disrespecting other council members and producing cliche headlines for a self-serving narrative. In a town that has given so much, I hope the city does not allow Councilman Carpenter to take advantage of such a situation.
Aaron Gonzales
Indianapolis
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Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter to the editor after reading the Journal-Tribune last Thursday and Friday. The article on Thursday was about the chaos in Washington D.C. after a mob stormed and entered, by force, the Capitol Building trying to disrupt government business. The article described the seriousness of the incident. People died.
Then on Friday there appeared on the front page a very different article about how a local citizen saw the incident firsthand as simply a mild, very patriotic event.
Mr. Carpenter, I am a former history teacher and someone who views history and government issues with significant interest. I will tell you that history will judge you for what occurred. You were part of a mob that had interest in overturning official government business. You were part of a mob that forced its way into the Capitol, the first such forced entry since the War of 1812.
Very simply, you were part of a government coup, a very serious government offense. And you will be judged by history that way.
Secondly, I am disappointed the article appeared the way it did in the paper. It gave far too much false validity to a serious government disruption. Your readers and your community deserve better.
Larry Zimmerman
West Seventh Street
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Dear Editor,
I’m Andrew Knox and I grew up in Marysville. The city of Marysville is always in my heart. I was at a loss for words to learn of Marysville councilman Aaron J. Carpenter’s actions after attending the insurrection. I believe in doing what is right rather than comfortable, so I am asking the city to have the courage and strong integrity to do the right thing.
This is not all about Democrat vs. Republican topics anymore. In this strange time in this nation, we must put country over party. I learned that councilman Carpenter did the exact opposite. He put himself over his city, state, country and party as he represented all in a way that they should not be affiliated with. He has determined that he does not have Marysville’s best interest in mind. Therefore, he does not represent Marysville.
This type of behavior will only provoke more controversy, which he loves. There must be consequences and there must be accountability, not just for those who recklessly stormed the Capitol and disrupted the transition, but for the politicians who have shamefully enabled this behavior with a consistent message of disinformation, conspiracies, hate and lies.
Marysville is in trouble right now. Marysville people deserve better.
Andrew Knox
Former Marysville resident