4A Tuesday, August 18, 2020 OPINION Denton Record-Chronicle Kamala Harris Published by a moderate?

Founded from weekly newspapers the Denton Chronicle, established in 1882, Not even close. and the Denton Record, established in 1897. n case you haven’t noticed, there is a not- Published daily as the Denton Record-Chronicle so-subtle campaign afoot to paint Sen. since August 3, 1903. IKamala Harris, D-Calif., as a centrist — an effort that exposes the left’s strategy to EDITORIAL BOARD PAST PUBLISHERS fool the American people into giving them Bill Patterson William C. “Will” Edwards political power in November. Publisher and CEO 1903-1927 After presumptive Democratic presiden- Sean McCrory Robert J. “Bob” Edwards tial nominee Joe Biden announced Harris Executive Editor 1927-1945 as his running mate, Jenna Duncan Riley Cross immediately declared her a “pragmatic Digital Editor 1945-1970 moderate,” the called her Mariel Tam-Ray Vivian Cross a “centrist,” and ABC Nightside Editor 1970-1986 News anchor George Scott Sackett Fred Patterson Stephanopoulos told Community Member 1986-1999 his viewers “Kamala Harris comes from the Editorials published in the Denton Record-Chronicle Texas leaves stumbling middle of the road, are determined by the editorial board. moderate wing of the Questions and suggestions should be directed to: Democratic Party.” Denton Record-Chronicle No, she doesn’t. 3555 Duchess Drive, Denton, TX 76205 blocks in way of voting Harris was the “most Marc Phone: 940-566-6800 liberal compared to Email: [email protected] f the folks in charge wanted everybody in Nov. 3 election. With slow mail deliveries, all senators” in 2019, Thiessen Texas to vote, they would remove every that’s pressing your luck. You send an appli- according to Gov- Ireal and imagined obstacle to voting. cation, they send a ballot, you vote and send Track, the nonpar- Guest View They do not. They are not. it back; even in good times, that’s tight. tisan government transparency watchdog That makes perverse sense: It’s unrea- The USPS warned Texas and other — to the left of even her democratic-socialist sonable to expect elected officials to change states on Friday that it can’t guarantee colleague, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Harris the system that got them elected. If you’re delivery of a late crush of mail ballots. wasn’t “pragmatic” either. GovTrack found Prison with zero virus winning a game every time, you probably In other words, the later the vote, the she “joined bipartisan bills the least often don’t want to change the rules. Unless, that greater the chance it won’t be counted. compared with Senate Democrats.” According is, you see a threat to your continued dom- The early voter gets the franchise: Ap- to Institute budget expert Brian cases is an example inance. If you’ve been winning elections plications for mail ballots are available now Riedl, Harris has proposed a mind-numbing year in and year out, why would you want from the Texas secretary of state or your $46 trillion in new spending over the next de- This editorial first appeared in The Dallas Morning to change the complexion of the electorate local elections office. Or maybe your party. cade. She supports the economically ruinous News. Guest editorials don’t necessarily reflect the Denton by inviting new people The Texas Democratic Party is sending out Green New Deal, “Medicare for All” and free Record-Chronicle’s opinions. whose loyalties hav- 815,000 vote-by-mail applications to vot- taxpayer-funded health care for undocument- en’t been tested? ers. That’s a lot, but keep it in perspective: ed immigrants. She is also an abortion zealot cross Texas, more than 17,700 prison inmates and That makes anal- Nearly 9 million Texans voted in the last who has suggested that a faithful Catholic 3,700 prison employees have tested positive for ysis of any new voting presidential election, including 3.9 million who belongs to the Knights of Columbus is ACOVID-19. Of those, 112 prisoners and 16 employ- idea pretty simple. who voted for the Democratic ticket of unfit to serve as a federal judge. She opposes ees have died. That’s a higher death toll than any other Does it make it easier Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. deportation of those who illegally enter the prison system in the nation, state or federal, according to to vote? Does it bring Texas Republicans are with the presi- United States and once compared Immigra- in more of the people dent, quite literally, worrying loudly about tion and Customs Enforcement agents to the reporting by The Texas Tribune. But none of those cases who are supposed to Ross the possibility that fraudulent voting by Ku Klux Klan. are among the 1,300 incarcerated men or 289 employees be participating in a mail is as common as cornflakes and also If Harris really were a moderate, progres- at the T.L. Roach Unit just outside of Childress. Roach democracy? Is anyone Ramsey making sure that their own vote-by-mail sives would be up in arms over her choice. is the only one of more than 100 Texas prisons that has who ought to be in- operations are turning out their voters. But they are not. Leftists understand that reported zero COVID-19 cases. cluded being unfairly If the law allowed the parties to promote to win in November, they must be able to Part of this success comes from the rural location of the kept out? Are the elections set up properly, voting by mail during the coronavirus pan- peel away reluctant Trump voters in key Roach Unit. As of Wednesday, the Texas Department of and is every vote promptly counted? demic — and if the post office and election swing states who are uncomfortable with State Health Services reported only 48 cases in Childress President inspired officials were in shape to keep up with it — the leftward lurch of today’s Democratic County. With a population of 7,300, that’s an infection that last question with his suggestion that there would be millions more applications Party. These voters need to believe that a rate about one-third of the statewide average. But accord- new funding for the Postal Service pro- on their way to Texas adults. Biden-Harris administration will be centrist ing to one inmate, this success story is also because of posed in the latest negotiations for federal That’s a prominent stumbling block, and reasonable so they can give themselves COVID-19 relief would make it easier for but Texas is full of them. You can’t register permission to defect and vote Democrats prison staff who “are not messing around.” Ricardo Guti- people to vote by mail. You know, the way to vote online, and you can’t register at all into power. So progressives and their allies in errez, a 36-year-old inmate at the Roach Unit, spoke with the president himself votes. for this year’s general election after Oct. the mainstream media have tried to portray the Tribune and described strict health protocols. He gave “Now, they need that money in order to 5. Texas requires voters to carry govern- Biden’s choice of Harris as another example credit to Warden Michael Crow and the staff at Roach for make the post office work, so it can take all ment-issued photo identification, a security of how he has kept the left at arm’s length. their meticulous care. of these millions and millions of ballots,” measure that has survived court challenges Progressives know it is a lie. Congres- The Roach Unit may be remote, but it’s not secluded. Trump said in a Thursday interview on the but not criticism that it’s an unnecessary sional Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Prisoners there make cleaning products, particularly soap Fox Business Network. complication designed to intimidate and Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., recently said the and hand sanitizer, used throughout the state’s prison “Now, if we don’t make a deal, that impede voters. left need not worry about Biden’s moderate system. Trucks come and go often to pick up the product. means they don’t get the money,” he said. It’s not like this everywhere. Some states veneer because “he is movable.” As she told Employees are exposed regularly to the wider community “That means they can’t have universal mail- allow voters to register to vote on election The Daily Show host Trevor Noah, “As soon in voting, they just can’t have it.” day. Most don’t require excuses or extra as we get him in the White House, and even and to delivery drivers who crisscross the state. Texas doesn’t offer vote by mail to every- qualifications from voters who want to vote before with these task forces that we had, we Prison officials say that even though cleaning products one. You can vote absentee — by mail — if by mail. Some simply send ballots to all of were able to significantly push Joe Biden to are produced at Roach, they’re equally available to all you’re going to be out of your home county their citizens, who then cast votes by mail do things that he hadn’t signed on to before.” prisons. Following his talking points, Texas Department during the elections, if you’re disabled, or by dropping their ballots in secure public The left sees Biden as their Trojan horse. of Criminal Justice spokesperson Jeremy Desel told us jailed or 65 years old or older. Fear of voting boxes where they can be gathered and They want voters to look at his inoffensive, all Texas prisons are taking extra measures to protect in person during a pandemic doesn’t count counted. moderate, bipartisan exterior and decide it is employees and inmates. “I would like to think our safety as a disability, the courts have said. It’s like they’re trying to make it easy. safe to let him inside the White House gates. protocols are equally enforced and dutifully followed at all Even if you do qualify for a mail ballot in ROSS RAMSEY is executive editor and But as soon as they do, an army of socialists units,” Desel said. But the Tribune’s reporting includes the Texas, watch those deadlines. Election offi- co-founder of the Texas Tribune. The Texas will rush out — led by Sanders, Sen. Eliza- testimony of 20 inmates at the Wynne Unit in Huntsville cials have to have your application in their Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media beth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Alexandria possession by Oct. 23 — just days before the organization. Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. — to impose a radical who describe lax safety measures. progressive agenda on America. Safety is important, both inside and outside the walls They have every reason to believe that will of our prisons. None of the men and women doing time Letters to the editor happen, because Biden has already given in in Texas prisons were sentenced to a case of COVID-19. to their demands. For more than 40 years, But the point we will make here is not about the degree to Biden supported the Hyde Amendment, which some prisons are following protocol. The Tribune’s That is white privilege which bars federal funding for abortions, reporting has served that purpose well. Instead, we’ll take My conservative friends tell me white JOIN THE CONVERSATION even writing a constituent to say, “Those of us these lines to congratulate Warden Crow and his staff, and privilege does not exist. They insist that it For consideration, letters and guest essays who are opposed to abortion should not be is a construct of long ago when the KKK must be original and include the writer’s compelled to pay for them.” When he reiter- to hold them up as an example for the rest of us. name, address and telephone number for Crow’s crew isn’t doing anything the rest of us can’t burned crosses to create fear within the ated his support for the Hyde Amendment hearts of people of color. They argue that verification. Letters should be no more than last year during the presidential primaries, he do. They’re wearing masks, washing their hands, keeping 250 words and guest essays no more than the Civil Rights Act of 1964 birthed a new 500 words. Unless arranged in advance, was chastised by none other than Harris, who their distance. There’s no secret sauce at the Roach Unit. America steeped in justice. They even hold declared, “No woman’s access to reproductive They’re just being careful. writers will be limited to one published letter up various affirmative action programs and or essay per month. All submissions may health care should be based on how much The number of cases in Texas could be dramatically the more recent “cancel culture” as signs be edited for clarity, length, taste and libel. money she has. We must repeal the Hyde lower if we could follow the example coming out of Chil- of discrimination against white people. To Email them to [email protected] or mail Amendment.” Biden quickly surrendered to dress. prove the existence of white privilege, I need them to: Letters to the editor, P.O. Box 369, Harris and the party’s pro-abortion radicals. only show one example of it. Denton, TX 76202. If Biden will capitulate to his party’s left Our current president has long active- wing on a fundamental moral question This day in history: August 18 ly propagated the completely unfounded like abortion, what makes anyone think he conspiracy theory that President Barack dren and building our nation. As children of won’t do the same when it comes to Medi- Obama was not born in the U.S. and there- immigrants, although American-born, we care for All or the Green New Deal? Most Today is Tuesday, Aug. 18, led by Gen. Stephen W. Kear- fore was never eligible to hold the presiden- are often treated as if we do not belong here candidates tack to the center after securing the 231st day of 2020. There ny occupied Santa Fe in pres- cy. This is ignoring our Supreme Court’s despite our hard work. We even abandon their party’s nomination, but Biden has are 135 days left in the year. ent-day New Mexico. ruling to the contrary. Today, our president some of our culture and heritage in a desper- already gone to the left, forging a “unity On August 18, 1920, the In 1894, Congress estab- repeated these same hurtful lies about the ate attempt to fit in. Despite all of this, I know platform” with Sanders. The platform was a 19th Amendment to the Consti- lished the Bureau of Immigra- California-born vice-presidential nomi- that if one day I am blessed enough to run for wink and a nod to democratic socialists — tution, guaranteeing all Amer- tion. nee Sen. Kamala Harris. Sen. Harris, born public office in this great nation, the likes of embracing a number of their demands and ican women’s right to vote, was In 1914, President Woodrow to first-generation immigrant parents, is a our current president and his legion of sup- promising to “study” others once Biden is in ratified as Tennessee became Wilson issued his Proclamation product of the American Dream and all of porters will doubt and question whether I am the White House. the 36th state to approve it. of Neutrality, aimed at keeping its great possibilities. The president, instead even an American. No white person running The left got the message: Once the election In 1587, Virginia Dare be- the United States out of World of congratulating her, launched into a petty for president has ever faced any doubt that is over, Biden will move even further in their came the first child of English War I. Twitter rant debasing and abusing her. they were American. That is white privilege. direction. Besides, progressives in Congress parents to be born in pres- In 1963, James Meredith be- Immigrants pour blood, sweat and tears Kesavan Srivilliputhur, believe that they will be setting the agenda ent-day America, on what is came the first Black student to into both making a better life for their chil- Denton anyway, and Biden’s job will be to autopen now Roanoke Island in North graduate from the University of whatever they pass and put on his desk. What Carolina. (However, the Roa- Mississippi. is he going to do, stand with Republicans noke colony ended up mysteri- In 1969, the Woodstock Mu- and veto their legislation? Progressives are ously disappearing.) sic and Art Fair in Bethel, New Denton Record-Chronicle mission statement more than comfortable spreading the myth of In 1838, the first marine York, wound to a close after moderation, while they hide inside the belly expedition sponsored by the three nights with a midmorning We believe a free society, with all its privileges and opportunities, is partially successful because of the Democratic ticket waiting for voters to U.S. government set sail from set by Jimi Hendrix. of a free press that is supported by the community at large. Our mission every day is to give you open the White House gates. Hampton Roads, Virginia; the In 1983, Hurricane Alicia unbiased, wide-ranging news of Denton and the larger Denton County community. We appreciate MARC THIESSEN writes a twice-weekly your subscription or purchase of this newspaper. You are supporting an independent look at your column for on foreign crews traveled the southern Pa- slammed into the Texas coast, community, its leaders, its business people and its residents. Without that, we believe our commu- cific Ocean, gathering scientific leaving 21 dead and causing nities would suffer from a lack of analysis, a lack of information, and a lack of oversight of taxpayer and domestic policy and contributes to the information. more than a billion dollars’ money. We want to give you something to think about every day. We hope those ideas lead you to PostPartisan blog. He is a fellow at the Ameri- In 1846, during the Mexi- worth of damage. become involved in your community, both with your commentary and your actions. can Enterprise Institute and the former chief can-American War, U.S. forces — The Associated Press speechwriter for President George W. Bush.