Traumatized by Trump Trauma

Below, we feature an exchange between WestView reader Mark Gianfalla and Publisher George Capsis concerning the paper’s treatment of the Trump presidency. 

Dear Editors:

I am writing as an active resident of the West Village and one (of the few) who reads WestView News when it is left in my building. I am often disturbed by the sad excuse for journalism that is practiced by Arthur Schwartz, but the March issue’s lack of objectivity and integrity has reached a tipping point.

The “Trump Trauma” section has no place in a newspaper that passes itself off as a local advocate for residents’ needs. I am appalled that your paper has devoted two whole pages to attacking and undermining the President of the United States. I want to repeat that so it sinks in for you—Donald Trump is the President of the United States. The unwillingness to accept a viewpoint which differs from the liberal agenda is the reason for both your having no qualms about printing an undermining attack against the President and the President being able to secure an electoral victory.

The far left has failed to realize that America has not fallen into line behind them. Half of America disagrees with you and yet you think it is your place to preach your views as if they were obvious and objective fact. America disagrees with you. I am a resident of the West Village. I voted for President Trump in both the primary and the general election. I read your newspaper. I disagree with your attacks on our President. I will not be reading your paper any longer unless there is a full apology in the next issue. I will not continue to allow this hate speech to be left in my building. Step it up.

—Mark Gianfalla

Cornelia Street resident

Dear Mark:

Thank you for sending your views.

You are quite correct: The West Village is perhaps the epicenter of liberal thinking and we unthinkingly assume that all of our readers have similar opinions. But that of course is not the case, as your letter indicates.

I invite any of our readers with similar views to also offer their thoughts. Fortunately, one of the liberal tenets is to welcome conflicting opinions and WestView attempts to do that.

And no, I am not insensitive to the fact that “Donald Trump is our President.” Each morning, the Times reminds me.

—George Capsis

Dear George:

I appreciate you taking the time to actually respond. I have no problems accepting differing opinions. I am a conservative that lives in the West Village of New York City and one that survived four years of a University. The thing I take issue with is a newspaper openly taking a position that is meant to undermine and belittle the legitimacy of our current President. I attended Notre Dame and was one of the few that did not object to President Obama giving our commencement address. I didn’t spend every waking moment of the last eight years complaining and trying to undermine the presidency (admittedly some did). I expect the other side of the political aisle to now give the current President the respect that the office deserves no matter how much his policies may differ from your stances.

—Mark Gianfalla

Cornelia Street resident