Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran’s Bizarre Political Attacks Against Commissioner Bob Harvey
Upon hearing remarks made by Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie at a recent meeting, I was pleased. I was pleased because he was standing up for people who are vulnerable, or who could be vulnerable. Having learned about his career, I have found that standing up for people is Mr. Harvie’s very nature.
Now, it seems that his words are being twisted in a very bizarre way for political purposes by our County Sherriff, Fred Harran. Bob Harvie made remarks that display values of equality and fairness. He spoke out against those who would use and even abuse power to aggrandize their allies or themselves. The very notion of scapegoating is abhorrent to Mr. Harvie and that was the point I took from his words. Mr. Harran, as a Jewish person, should certainly know better. It was this kind of reckless seizure of vulnerables, who were referred to as, “other” that led to the Holocaust. In addition to Jews these “others” included people with disabilities, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Roma’s, anyone of non-German nationality, Blacks and others.
And lest we forget the words of Reverend Martin Neimoller who mentions several additional “others’ in his cautionary words…
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Further, the idea of using our sheriff’s office, personnel and staff to further any political agenda, such as assisting ICE in rounding up any group or groups of people takes away from their primary purpose of enforcing the will of our courts and protecting vulnerable members of our population. As far as being anti-semitic, it was quite the contrary. What Mr. Harvie said was in keeping with the highest ideals of Jewish teaching and values. We are reminded consistently throughout the Jewish Bible that we must embrace the stranger, for we were strangers in a strange land.
I KNOW that this is Mr. Harvie’s intent and aim. To help ALL the residents of Bucks County to be safe and to uplift every single person here.
Cantor Neil Schnitzer, Bucks County
Save Federal Scientific Research
It was recently Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) Awareness Day. Sounds complicated. It isn’t for my dear young cousin who once was a marathon runner and lived independently. But after contracting Covid-19 in 2022, she subsequently developed ME/CFS, and POTS, a condition that causes the heart to beat faster than normal. Now she lives with her parents, can’t drive, or do simple things to care for herself, and some days she is so weak that getting out of bed is beyond her capability.
This past year, she discovered a research study run by the Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that explored a new drug for people like my cousin. She tells me the study has been life changing. Her health is improving. But now, under the Trump administration’s policies, federal scientific research funding for ME/CFS is under severe threat. Grants have been slashed and committees disbanded. This research funding is not a drain on our budget. It is a critical investment in American health and a blessing for people like my cousin and millions of others struggling with debilitating illnesses. Think of the loved ones in your family who are likely to suffer because of the federal government’s short-sighted and cruel policy.
Martin J. Raffel, Langhorne
Eat the Tariffs?
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon recently announced that the Trump tariffs would force the company to raise prices on American customers – starting as soon as this month and continuing into the summer.
The President’s response? He told Walmart (in ALL CAPS) to “EAT THE TARIFFS.”
For months, Trump told Americans that foreign manufacturers, not American consumers, would pay the cost of the tariffs. Business leaders, economists, and basic arithmetic flashed red light warnings, but the President stuck to his story.
We now know that he was wrong. Horribly, painfully wrong.
Other companies have joined Walmart in announcing that they also will raise prices because of the Trump tariffs. The wave is coming.
Who will end up “eating” the Trump tariffs? You will. You’ll take a big bite every time you go through the checkout line.
Bon appétit.
Rick Thomas, Lewisburg
