Jon Reisman

I attended a Graham Platner Town Hall at Centre Street Church in Machias with some 200-plus mostly gray Downeasters as the Ides of March approached. It was the first time I’d been in Centre Street since my late wife Ernie’s memorial service almost two years ago. It will almost certainly be the last. 

I had not expected to be so upset by the Marxist machinations of Maine and Washington County’s leftists, many of whom sat onstage like a communist choir supporting the Nazi-tattooed actor/faux “working-class” oysterman. It was an openly antisemitic, anti-Trump, anti-Trump voter (which for a decade has been the majority of the 2nd CD) political rally.

“Independent” Passamaquoddy Chief and State Senate candidate Aaron Dana introduced and enthusiastically endorsed Democratic socialist Platner. Platner spoke passionately about “oppression,” evil billionaires, the necessity of raising taxes on the wealthy, regulating political spending and speech, confronting Trump, and promoting “Democracy” and “Justice.”

Platner demonstrated charisma, Marxist indoctrination, economic illiteracy, and cynical political marketing. His Nazi tattoo didn’t come up because most of the progressive crowd believes Israel is a genocidal apartheid state and should be obliterated “from the river to the sea.” After 10 years of calling Trump and Republicans Nazis, Maine’s left has embraced and promoted an openly antisemitic Nazi sympathizer to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate. 

As Platner and the crowd reveled in their sense of community and social justice in the Centre Street sanctuary, I realized that the civil war I had been in fear of had arrived. Platner’s well-attended town halls are 21st-century Fort Sumters, and my leftist neighbors have declared war on me. I am returning the favor.

I believe Platner will defeat Gov. Janet (you’re welcome) Mills in the June Democratic Senate primary. Mills is old, corrupt, and uninspiring; Platner is young, and deranged socialism is not a problem amongst the leftist Democratic base — it’s a requirement. Antisemitic and anti-Trump fervor are also requirements, and Platner has the bona fides. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Janet decides not to submit nomination signatures as a path to avoid a humiliating defeat.

I am aware that the elevation of politics and ideology over family and community is a dangerous path, but I don’t have any choice. I can not sit quietly and pretend that Platner and the left are anything other than a clear and present danger to my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. I am ending 40-year friendships and associations over support for Mr. Platner. The time for talking ended after the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter.

I conclude with Revolution 1 lyrics from Paul McCartney and John Lennon:

You say you want a revolution.

Well, you know,

We all want to change the world.

You tell me that it’s evolution.

Well, you know,

We all wanna change the world.

When you talk about destruction

Don’t you know that you can count me out, in?

Don’t you know it’s gonna be alright? [3X]

You say you got a real solution.

Well, you know

We’d all love to see the plan.

You ask me for a contribution.

Well, you know,

We’re all doing what we can.

If you want money for people with minds that hate,

All I can tell is, brother, you have to wait.

Don’t you know it’s gonna be alright? [3X]

You say you’ll change the Constitution.

Well, you know,

We’d all love to change your head.

You tell me it’s the institution.

Well, you know,

You better free your mind instead.

If you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao,

You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow.

Don’t you know it’s gonna be alright? [3X]

All, all, all, all (ah, shoo-be-do-wop) [Repeat thru end]