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RhodeIslandOne

(5,042 posts)
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 10:13 AM Aug 2018

My father has received two letters at home in the last several days due to his anti-Trump LTTE

My dad is in his eighties and has been writing to the papers for years. His most recent letter was brief, basically just asking if Trump supporters are willing to start issuing mea culpas and admitting Donald is incompetent and possibly even a traitor.


Occasionally my parents received negative letters or hang up phone calls in the days following one of his letters, but it's rare.

Now two in three days.

The first letter he received was grade school insults from someone who appears to have trouble writing in general.

The second was a three page typed letter with a bunch of boring RW bullet points about Obama bad, Trump good, Russia number one, ending with something about shoving this or that up your liberal ass (Righties love going to the ass right away....)

They are angry, folks. And scared. Very scared.

Dad must be doing something right.

50 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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My father has received two letters at home in the last several days due to his anti-Trump LTTE (Original Post) RhodeIslandOne Aug 2018 OP
- Bigredhunk Aug 2018 #1
Shocking, there was no return address on either one RhodeIslandOne Aug 2018 #3
This wonderful story underscores the essential reality: DemocracyMouse Aug 2018 #18
Reminds me of Aldous Huxley's book Island robbob Aug 2018 #45
Yeah I got letters from this guy too. 47of74 Aug 2018 #6
First of all, I love the photo of him. 3Hotdogs Aug 2018 #9
1. This is a message board where people can express their opinions, and... Raster Aug 2018 #10
I accept the difference. Still, they were letters to the business and not the homes. 3Hotdogs Aug 2018 #11
Plenty. Its deemed as "different" because they're shitbags. 7962 Aug 2018 #24
How often have you seen these missives sent to people's home addresses or place of business? Hekate Aug 2018 #31
Wow Bigredhunk Aug 2018 #28
Yeah I remember that too 47of74 Aug 2018 #39
I was reading the first sentence fast and I didn't see the written before diarrhea. IrishEyes Aug 2018 #35
Well if he had done that maybe the fuzz would have arrested him sooner. 47of74 Aug 2018 #38
Some joker once subscribed to a bunch of right wing rags in my name Squinch Aug 2018 #2
Don't you just love it?! WinstonSmith4740 Aug 2018 #8
They don't pay for it sarah FAILIN Aug 2018 #19
Well that sucks. WinstonSmith4740 Aug 2018 #34
Had that happen! Been several yrs ago. nt 7962 Aug 2018 #25
Some of my hate mail responses to LTE's were hand-delivered to my mailbox, Atticus Aug 2018 #4
That's illegal-contact the postal inspector central scrutinizer Aug 2018 #12
Their response was basically "Gee, that's too bad. Wish we had resources to investigate". nt Atticus Aug 2018 #30
Your folks got some security at their place? Might be time to consider it. nt irisblue Aug 2018 #5
You should be very proud of your dad. I would have loved to have parents like that. blueinredohio Aug 2018 #7
Criminal bucolic_frolic Aug 2018 #13
I had some old woman call me when I had an anti-Bush LTTE published NewJeffCT Aug 2018 #14
I Think I Might Have Gone A Pinch Farther ProfessorGAC Aug 2018 #15
wish I had thought that fast NewJeffCT Aug 2018 #16
Once during a running LTTE exchange, Mrs. BB05 was called "the venomous Mrs. BB05" bigbrother05 Aug 2018 #17
Good for you! SWBTATTReg Aug 2018 #29
They always go to "ass" because they get lonely and feel isolated with their head up there. n/t ET Awful Aug 2018 #20
Yes, they are angry and scared, elleng Aug 2018 #21
What does LTTE mean? Kablooie Aug 2018 #22
Letter To The Editor RhodeIslandOne Aug 2018 #23
Took me a few to figure it out too! nt 7962 Aug 2018 #26
I really wish newspapers would go back to printing LTTEs from "Anonymous". LisaM Aug 2018 #27
What a Great Dad you have! Give him a big hug & tell him we Americans are proud of him! Sunlei Aug 2018 #32
I write LTEs nearly every month. gibraltar72 Aug 2018 #33
Yeah I'm a regular author as well. 47of74 Aug 2018 #36
I have been True Blue American Aug 2018 #37
That's more than our paper ever did. 47of74 Aug 2018 #40
That is awful. True Blue American Aug 2018 #48
Your Dad ought to frame these and give them pride of place. TomSlick Aug 2018 #41
Your Dad is.. Cha Aug 2018 #42
I had someone pen me a poison missive back in 2003.... Pacifist Patriot Aug 2018 #43
The same thing happened to me in emails. A friend? True Blue American Aug 2018 #49
They want absolute power and they will do anything to maintain it. Initech Aug 2018 #44
Your dad's the man, Rhode Island One! sandensea Aug 2018 #46
I hope he's safe. Some of these guys are scary. nt Honeycombe8 Aug 2018 #47
They sound, I dunno, 'triggered' ck4829 Aug 2018 #50

Bigredhunk

(1,346 posts)
1. -
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 10:16 AM
Aug 2018

This used to happen when my dad wrote into the Dubuque (Iowa) Telegraph Herald too. The guy addressed the envelope with a fake return name/address. I think they may've caught him when he harassed someone and crossed a line.

DemocracyMouse

(2,275 posts)
18. This wonderful story underscores the essential reality:
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 12:11 PM
Aug 2018

Trump is the first person in a position of power that reminds these people of their own manners and positions. He has elevated their idiocy for the first time. Taking away something that feels good is harder to bear than never having had it.

It's a classic case of rising expectations. We should expect riots, but this demographic is not as networked as one might fear. Remember, they're idiots.

NOTE TO DEMOCRATS: When the grownups get back in power, include basic manners in the education of our young. At every grade level. Teaching, for example, the smart kids to treat the struggling kids with consideration (like raising taxes on the wealthy!) might go a long way towards raising up the junior Trumpians among us. And they need repeated lessons too. Think Sidney Poitier in "To Sir with Love."

robbob

(3,514 posts)
45. Reminds me of Aldous Huxley's book Island
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 10:16 PM
Aug 2018

Imagining an idealistic society where every child in the school system is recognized for their talents, strengths, and weaknesses in order to help mould them to their greatest potential.

The neglect and/or deliberate destruction of the educational system in the USA will probably be recognized by some future historian as a key cause in the downfall of an empire.

 

47of74

(18,470 posts)
6. Yeah I got letters from this guy too.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:13 AM
Aug 2018

The guy was a retired cop who spends his retirement sending out written diarrhea to everyone who he disagrees with. Especially people who write in to the Teabag Herald.

I used to just send them to the ol circular file without even reading them, but I started turning them in to the fuzz when I learned how many people were getting these and how weird and creepy he was being - especially towards younger women. For years the TH insisted on publishing the full street address of people who sent letters in, making it easy for this guy and his buddies to target people. They finally agreed to stop doing that. I'm guessing it was because the paper's lawyers had a come to Jesus moment with the editor who loves to kiss orange behind and call it ice cream.

Anyways a couple years ago he was arrested for mailing threats to a local business and the town paper.

Police say 77-year-old Gerald Sjobakken, who served in the Dubuque Police Department for more than 30 years, sent postcards two both businesses that could be considered threatening.

But police say it was three letters written over the summer that crossed the line, and warranted charges.

The first, according to court documents, was a letter written in June that suggested three of the Telegraph Herald's editors "take a drunken high speed car ride through a sharp curve into an abutment."

Then in July, court documents show, Sjobakken wrote that it was sad that Micah Johnson, the man who shot and killed several police in Dallas, didn't visit the newspaper and "wipe out the entire editorial board in short order before wearing out the Dallas PD."


He eventually pleaded guilty and served probation. Talk about a fornicating joke. He should have gotten a lot more than a slap on the wrist but I suppose it's good he even got that much.

3Hotdogs

(12,210 posts)
9. First of all, I love the photo of him.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:22 AM
Aug 2018

Regarding the letters, I believe a conviction was wrong in that there is no direct threat.

How many times have there been posts on D.U. that wished ill will and ill health to Republican office holders?

Raster

(20,996 posts)
10. 1. This is a message board where people can express their opinions, and...
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:27 AM
Aug 2018

2. Angry old ex-cop Rethuglican was mailing threatening letters to people's businesses.

There is no comparison.

3Hotdogs

(12,210 posts)
11. I accept the difference. Still, they were letters to the business and not the homes.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:28 AM
Aug 2018

How many times have we said someone should take a long walk off a short pier?

The guy is an asshole and letters take it up a notch from a post on a board. Still, I believe an appeal would have reversed his conviction.

 

7962

(11,841 posts)
24. Plenty. Its deemed as "different" because they're shitbags.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 12:40 PM
Aug 2018

But they sure give ammo to the RWers wh say the left is so full of hate.

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
31. How often have you seen these missives sent to people's home addresses or place of business?
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 01:16 PM
Aug 2018

In general, we live in a gun culture, where angry ex-boyfriends can just show up and kill their ex plus all her co-workers. In particular, unhinged men who know where women live are often extremely explicit about what they would like to do to these women in their homes. Those are direct threats.

Newspapers should not publish people's exact home addresses. Angry people responding to letters to the editor should respond via the newspaper.

If you think there is any comparison between what occasionally gets said at this discussion board and threatening mail sent to someone's home, please let me introduce you to the Alert Abuse button. Some things are not permitted here. Same thing if someone sends you an excessive PM here -- DU has occasionally had to revoke posting privileges for out of bounds PMs, not just public posts.

Bigredhunk

(1,346 posts)
28. Wow
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 12:59 PM
Aug 2018

Thanks for all of that info! I'd remembered reading about it a while back, but it's nice to see it again. He would use the fake name Charles Daubacher with a fake address. I remember one of the letters reading only something like, "I read your recent article supporting Planned Parenthood. No matter how hard I try, I don't know how you get your head that far up your ass."

TH Editor Brian Cooper has always been a rightie who wrongs us. My sister had multiple letters rejected by him.

1) She'd written in response to people ripping teachers. She was coming back with the pro-teacher facts. She lives in a different part of the state, so Cooper rejects it based on the fact that she doesn't live in the area. Very shortly later, they take a letter to the editor from a gal in New York. 2) She'd written ripping Wal-Mart for their low pay, crap treatment of workers, funneling workers onto government aid. They said she plagiarized her article. Sis is a GREAT teacher who works her ass off. She's meticulous and honest. She would NEVER plagiarize. 3) She'd written in response to the littany of anti-Planned Parenthood letters. Cooper rejected her letter and said it was because they only take so many letters on each subject. Funny, they take anti-choice letters from the Jesus freaks almost EVERY DAY.

 

47of74

(18,470 posts)
39. Yeah I remember that too
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 07:52 PM
Aug 2018

A quick search of the TH showed this letter from 2009 where an LTTE author called "Charles Daumbacher" out for sending him obscene letters. It wouldn't surprise me if the old man mail harasser and Chuckie Daumbacher were one and the same.

The city did a story on the letters earlier in 2016. As part of the story they included 171 pages of goodies they had received over the years from this guy. That's just the stuff the city got over the years. Imagine how many thousands of pages and how much money he spent on postage sending out all that stuff.

IrishEyes

(3,275 posts)
35. I was reading the first sentence fast and I didn't see the written before diarrhea.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 04:12 PM
Aug 2018

For second, I thought he was sending packages of ... well you know.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
2. Some joker once subscribed to a bunch of right wing rags in my name
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 10:17 AM
Aug 2018

ad had them sent to my house after a ltte. Impotent little dickwads.

WinstonSmith4740

(3,048 posts)
8. Don't you just love it?!
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:21 AM
Aug 2018

They will actually spend their own money on stupid stuff, thinking somehow it punishes you. When Keurig pulled their ads from Hannity after he supported Roy Moore, those cretins destroyed their coffee machines. And if they didn't already own one, THEY BOUGHT ONE, and then destroyed it. Keurig basically said, "You paid for it, right? Thanks!"

Hope you're using the rags for kindling or something. If you cancel, he'll probably get his money back.

Atticus

(15,124 posts)
4. Some of my hate mail responses to LTE's were hand-delivered to my mailbox,
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 10:54 AM
Aug 2018

just to say "We know where to find you." Barely legible, lots of poor spelling and, of course, no return address.

NewJeffCT

(56,827 posts)
14. I had some old woman call me when I had an anti-Bush LTTE published
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:40 AM
Aug 2018

back in 2005 or 2006 - I think I compared the Bush administrations misadventures in Iraq to the Keystone Kops or something like that.

After asking if it was me and confirming I was the one that wrote the letter, she started with something like, "Let me tell you..."

at which point I hung up.

ProfessorGAC

(64,425 posts)
15. I Think I Might Have Gone A Pinch Farther
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:47 AM
Aug 2018

As in "No, let me tell you. I'm calling the cops. Using the phone system to harrass someone is a crime. You're now a criminal."

Given the cowardly nature of a lot of these types, just thinking the cops would be calling would ruin their day.

NewJeffCT

(56,827 posts)
16. wish I had thought that fast
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:49 AM
Aug 2018

I'm not nearly as good at thinking on my feet as I was in the teens and early 20s.

bigbrother05

(5,995 posts)
17. Once during a running LTTE exchange, Mrs. BB05 was called "the venomous Mrs. BB05"
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:57 AM
Aug 2018

She was so proud.

We had a prolonged battle with the local school board. Eventually got elected and was able to cut some administrators' contracts short. It's very odd to see your life in print on a regular basis.

SWBTATTReg

(21,859 posts)
29. Good for you!
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 01:06 PM
Aug 2018

The hung up is a good response...

Cowards won't ever write or put it in writing (their remarks) and send it to the editor...don't want their names ID'ed...as opposed to those of us who actually do write the editor...

elleng

(130,156 posts)
21. Yes, they are angry and scared,
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 12:26 PM
Aug 2018

and we're foolish to disregard these facts.

On example, not exactly on point: https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016212370

THANK your dad, for all of us.

LisaM

(27,762 posts)
27. I really wish newspapers would go back to printing LTTEs from "Anonymous".
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 12:55 PM
Aug 2018

It would certainly encourage me to write more of them.

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
32. What a Great Dad you have! Give him a big hug & tell him we Americans are proud of him!
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 02:06 PM
Aug 2018

"They are angry, folks. And scared. Very scared." I agree, they are very angry about something they can't even find the 'words' to express.

Should post a letter-expose those roaches to the light.

gibraltar72

(7,486 posts)
33. I write LTEs nearly every month.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 02:23 PM
Aug 2018

I live hard by Hillsdale College in a very red county. My letters are always about politics. My local paper is very good about printing them. Lately I've consistently ripped Trump and the Republican party. When Obama was President I pretty much ripped Snyder and Republicans including my Koch addicted congressman the lying preacher Tim Walberg. I'm sure some are really chafed and I've gotten phone calls letters and comments on the street. Surprisingly never a negative one. I have been surprised and pleased by some of the people who have said they like my letters.

 

47of74

(18,470 posts)
36. Yeah I'm a regular author as well.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 04:27 PM
Aug 2018

Most people like my letters. (Other than the old man mail harasser of Dubuque). Most of the responses to my missives are positive.

True Blue American

(17,972 posts)
37. I have been
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 06:27 PM
Aug 2018

A writer of Letters To The Editor for many years. All but one has been published.

My last one was about Trump. Couple of days later I got a very nasty letter. First one ever. I notified the Editor with a copy of the letter. Seems an old man has made that a hobby. They said he was harmless but to notify them immediately if any more came. They would put a stop to it.

I took it to our Police Station. He had just stopped short of threatening me. But they told him the same thing.

I hope you notified both the Editor and Police for your own safety so they have a record. Probably close to a hundred, first time. Many papers are not publishing your full name or city.

PS, I also received a very noce call from a couple who were thrilled to death with my letter.

 

47of74

(18,470 posts)
40. That's more than our paper ever did.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 07:55 PM
Aug 2018

Last edited Fri Aug 3, 2018, 08:30 PM - Edit history (1)

If it wasn't them being targeted our local paper didn't give two shits about authors of letters.

They used to publish full street addresses, and told people who complained about that to fornicate off. I suspect the paper's lawyers had to have a come to Jesus moment with the editor about that which finally got them to change their policy.

True Blue American

(17,972 posts)
48. That is awful.
Sat Aug 4, 2018, 05:18 AM
Aug 2018

They should be there to protect people, not insult.

I think many of us are secret frustrated writers. Here we can express ourselves without anyone attacking us. It is clear many Trump lovers are vindictive, angry souls. Just like him.

Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
43. I had someone pen me a poison missive back in 2003....
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 08:34 PM
Aug 2018

when I wrote an anti-Bush LTTE. Flabbergasted the old coot went to the trouble of looking me up.

He included a return name and address. They were braver back then.

I ordered a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution from Amazon.com and sent them to him as a reply.

We ended up exchanging fairly cordial letters for about two years after that. Snail mail mind you! Never changing one another's minds, but it was a weird as hell oddly enjoyable pen pal experience. LOL!

I cannot for the life of me remember how or when the letter exchange ended. He was quite elderly. Probably dead now.

True Blue American

(17,972 posts)
49. The same thing happened to me in emails. A friend?
Sat Aug 4, 2018, 05:26 AM
Aug 2018

Included me in his hate Obama emails. They became so bad his daughter corrected him. I told him to quit sending them to me. He was a retired Pastor.

But one woman and I started emailiing each other. From across the country she agreed with me.

That was when I began to understand what much of the Southern Baptist had become. I see they changed Leadership at the Convention and signed on to stay out of Politics.

Initech

(99,915 posts)
44. They want absolute power and they will do anything to maintain it.
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 08:57 PM
Aug 2018

Any attempt to take away their power will be met with extreme hostility. So yeah he's doing something right!

sandensea

(21,530 posts)
46. Your dad's the man, Rhode Island One!
Fri Aug 3, 2018, 10:55 PM
Aug 2018

A scholar and a gentleman.

That said, please make sure he and your mom are safe. One in three Trumpkins (at least!) is absolutely nuts.

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