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Open letter from Kastenbaum: Collins 'stands by his man'

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

I write this letter to you, your readers and your viewers because I am sickened by the comments that have been made by Donald Trump regarding women. They have also been reinforced by his surrogates who continue to defend him and his misogynistic old boys’ club. Even my opponent, Rep. Chris Collins (R), stands by his man.

There is a particular type of ugliness when women are made fun of, degraded and dismissed. However, we shouldn’t be surprised because we’ve seen it before throughout Donald Trump’s campaign. What is most disturbing though is the merry band of men and women who support him and echo his words. Some may not say it out loud, but their very support of him speaks volumes.

He crossed the line years ago when he accused President Obama of not being a U.S. citizen. He crossed the line when he called Mexican immigrants rapists and murderers. He crossed the line when he mocked a disabled reporter. He crossed the line when he said John McCain was not a hero and that POWs were not heroes because they allowed themselves to be captured. He crossed the line when he disparaged a Gold Star family. And yet, his defenders tried to tell us how we misinterpreted or misread his statements. We waited patiently for the press and media to question him, call him out on his bigotry and prejudices, but the lies kept coming and his surrogates kept getting their sound bites.

Now the attack is on all women -- our daughters, our mothers, our grandmothers. Finally people are getting angry and saying they have crossed the line for the last time. But have they? Mr. Collins has not. In spite of the now growing list of Republicans saying they cannot support a President who says such things, Mr. Collins has said “there is no change in my support of Mr. Trump as our nominee."

This latest degradation of women should offend everyone, even Chris Collins, and it is amongst a long list of abusive behavior. I am a Mom who has a daughter. My instinct is to immediately try and shield her from these horrible comments, just as my Mother would have done for me and my grandmother before her. I ask myself, “who brought this man up? Who raises these people to hate women so?"

Mr. Trump and Mr. Collins, women are 51 percent of the population and we vote. We are married to men who respect their wives, their mothers, their daughters and they vote. We have sons and daughters whom we have brought up to be fair, open, non-prejudiced, wonderful human beings who want a better world without bullies, bigots and misogynists and they vote, too.

The time has come for all the voters in NY-27 to take a long, hard and unbiased look at the candidates and when you cast your vote I hope you take into consideration the kind of country you want to leave to your children. It has to be about issues, but it must also be about a person’s character as well. We should all keep in mind the words of Billy Graham, “when wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”

Brian Graz

I was thinking about voting for Kastenbaum, because I am not satisfied with Collins' performance. But for the second time, through this self-penned editorial, I get a glimpse of who Kastenbaum is and realize she is a died-in-the-wool progressive/regressive Democrat [like an Obama, Schumer, Cuomo, Clinton], and I WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR ANY OF THEM... nor KASTENBAUM. Too bad the Libertarian Party doesn't have a candidate in this race.

Oct 9, 2016, 12:40pm Permalink
Bruce Wiseley

I find it very difficult to believe that you NEVER said anything rude, lewd, or socially un-acceptable during a private conversation?! You Sir, are a liar! Mr. Trump never thought, 11 years ago, that he would be running for President. And, because he's not a career politician and bull-shit artist like most of you, he was never trained how to cover his ass 24/7. You are a hypocrite. I played Golf with you guys several years ago at a Tourney, and all of you alleged Saints were talking like sailors. I wish to God I would of had a way to record your comments directed towards the Girls who were selling beer on the course! How sad for you and the "Glass House" you all live in!!!

Oct 9, 2016, 12:44pm Permalink
Randy Sliker

This is nothing but the October surprise By The Liberals ,,What some dirt and smut- say BILL KLINTON -!! Nuff Said, This happened in 2005 I understand and all of a sudden Its important?? Nothing but Yellow Journalism and Propaganda By The U.S. Pravda AKA the Liberal media .!!

Oct 9, 2016, 2:05pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Mr. Bruce Wiseley.
After reading your comment above, several times, I still have no idea who you were directing your comment to.

As your comment only seems to address someone labeled "you", would you be so kind as to let us know to whom you were addressing? That is, if you even know. Thank you.

Oct 9, 2016, 9:57pm Permalink
Bruce Wiseley

I was referring to the 5 people who in the Scramble Tourney, that I was part of! During several "Locker Room" comments made by our playing partners towards the "Beer Girls", this Lib-tard laughed right along with those comments. But please, if you are happy with your life under these politicians, just keep voting for them. I would rather have a Businessman running this Country, then the idiots who have put all of us in the toilet. A little salty talk, get over it, put your Big Boy pants on, and grow up!

Oct 10, 2016, 8:04am Permalink
Dave Meyer

It saddens me that someone who is local, who was born & raised here gets so little respect from her community. Instead, the republican lemmings will go to the voting booth & vote their party line with no regard for what the people they are voting for have done (or not done).
We have in Ms. Kastenbaum a candidate who is a successful business person, who lives locally, in the geographic center of the district, who genuinely wants to make a difference.

On the other hand, we have Collins, who lives in the Buffalo suburbs on the extreme western fringe of the district. He's the candidate of the Erie County republican party bosses who get to decide who our representative is.

I wish someone would tell me about ONE piece of legislation that Collins has authored. He has done NOTHING for NY 27 except for supporting the obstructionist republicans. Add to that his early and enthusiastic support for the nitwit that is donald trump and that says all I need to hear.
I can't wait to vote for Ms. Kastenbaum on Nov 8 and I urge all voters in NY 27 to do the same. It's time to send Collins back to Clarence

Oct 10, 2016, 8:16am Permalink
Christopher Putnam

News Flash To All Women: Every single man, ALL of us. Talk just like he does on the tape. Is it a surprise to anyone that I talk just like that, and then I ALSO respect my Wife? You didnt think that you could do both did ya?
I will take the Honest, deplorable, up front devil named Donald.
I will leave the Sneaky, lying, deceitful, fake one named Hillary.
Donald lies to your face
Hillary does it behind your back.

Oct 10, 2016, 4:43pm Permalink
david spaulding

excuse me Christopher, as a grown man I ask you to speak for yourself, leave me out of your foolish comments. vote for whom ever you want and i'll do the same.

Oct 10, 2016, 5:55pm Permalink
Jennifer Keys

Even if all men degraded women as much as Christopher and, apparently Trump, say they do then isn't it about time YOU grow up and mature a little bit. Thank goodness in 2016 not all men actually speak that way. It's about time we hold those that do to a higher standard. Thank you for all you do, Diana!

Oct 10, 2016, 7:18pm Permalink
Dave Meyer

Bruce, you mentioned a "businessman" in your comment. You mean a "businessman" who went bankrupt 6 times, who cheats contractors out of what he owes them, and who has the attention span of a 4 year old? That's who you want to have his finger on the button?

Never mind the fact that he hasn't offered ONE specific proposal to fulfill his braggadocio. He's a narcissistic blowhard who has no idea what he's doing. This is a game foe him.

He's going to lose, which will make me extremely happy, but what saddens me is that people who support him actually think he's the answer.

Oct 10, 2016, 10:11pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Christopher,maybe we talked like that in high school,but as adults we should mature enough not to kiss and tell.When mature adult males speak this way,they are usually called pigs.
The difference between Bill Clinton and trump is simple, Bill got a little something,trump just talks about it.That will probably be the extent of a trump presidency.

Oct 10, 2016, 10:34pm Permalink
Robert Bombard

As i read the following comments,which most turn to the presidential nominees. I get the hint of most only recognize two of the four running. personally i think Gary Johnson should have this election in the bag, considering how the other two children are acting!

Oct 11, 2016, 12:03am Permalink
Randy Smart

Dear Ms. Kastenbaum,
Can you tell a registered Independent like myself, WHY I should vote FOR you and not WHY I should NOT vote for Collins?

Oct 11, 2016, 9:27am Permalink
Dan Cragg

If Ms. Kastenbaum has the time to write a letter denouncing Chris Collins for supporting Donald Trump then maybe she can write a letter telling all of us why we should vote for her and what she is going to do for us.

Oct 11, 2016, 9:24pm Permalink
Brian Graz

​Ms Kastenbaum seems to have zero experience with living in the real word. Like him or not, Donald Trump ​has been brutally honest and some people can't deal with the truth... Kastenbaum obviously is one of them. Must have watched too many Billie Graham Crusades. ​

​BTW: Trump is an exceptional/successful business man who has used the system to the legal maximum. Apparently many people can't accept that either... jealousy perhaps.

Oct 14, 2016, 12:04am Permalink

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