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NUTS [1]

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Date: 2025-02-17

NUTS!

I’m not sure this is a great idea, may not be the best way to open a letter to the editor? But I had to do something! After I sobered up around November 9th, I’ve spent the next three months alternating between comatose depression and homicidal rage. You see I’m a 75 year old white male living on Social Security. I get help with my housing, receive food stamps and aid with my winter heating bills. If Elon Musk has his way, and cuts these programs, by this time next year, I will be in serious trouble! It’s not inconceivable that I might join the ranks of the homeless!

I give what I can to support candidates and calling my representatives is moot since they are all Democrats. I felt powerless and terrified and hopeless. Then I chanced upon a 1/24/2025 article by Heather Cox Richardson. I encourage you to find it and read it. The article described the final German counteroffensive of WWll commonly know as the Battle of the Bulge. It recounts when the town of Bastogne in Belgium, containing 14,000 American troops and 3,000 civilians, was surrounded by 54,000 German soldiers, artillery and tanks. On December 22, 1944 the German Commander sent a two page letter to General Anthony McAuliffe demanding the American Army’s immediate surrender otherwise the Germans would destroy the town and everyone in it. After some deliberation General McAuliffe replied with a single word; NUTS! As I read this account and Professor Richardson’s commentary I began to think about what it means to be an American and how much my father and men of his generation gave to defend the World from Fascism. The audacity and courage of General McAuliffe reminded me that Americans don’t give up, give in or lay down. We fight, we resist and even against hopeless odds we persevere.

I am on the internet. Often I would waste my time trying to argue with people who are obviously brainwashed and unable to agree to the most basic of facts. After reading the Richardson article, if I found myself in a fruitless conversation, I would simply reply NUTS! I highly recommend this technique; it saves a lot of time and is very satisfying. It’s kind of an inside joke, a poke in the eye of the fascists and a restatement of what our brave solders fought and died for over 80 years ago.

Now the crazy idea. I went to a little shop in the Ithaca Mall and ordered some T-shirts with the word NUTS! In bold letters on the front. I got the addresses of our representatives in the Congress and Senate and sent them a copy of the Richardson’s Article, a letter introducing myself, and a T-shirt. I sent these T-shirts with the hope that perhaps NUTS! Might become to the American Resistance what MAGA is to the Fascists. I realize that what I am trying to do may seem at best silly to some and at worst futile to others. But regardless I feel better. Whatever happens at least I’m trying to do something! And I think that is the point. It doesn’t matter as Americans if we fail a thousand times. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died for the freedoms that seem to be taken away more and more each day. Hate feeling helpless? I encourage you to get a T-shirt or a baseball cap with NUTS! On it. If anyone asks for an explanation you can just wink or reference the Richardson article. I plan on wearing my T-shirt around town and I’m going to price some caps on Tuesday. This may catch on or not but I no longer feel helpless, NUTS! Is my middle finger to Musk and his henchman. Perhaps it will be yours as well?

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