Missing: GOP morals
“The Albany County Republican Party provides a strong voice and leadership to benefit every citizen and business in the county.” That’s what it says on the county GOP Facebook page. Keep that in mind for a moment while you consider the words of county Legislator George Langdon IV.
Speaking at a recent seminar on “constitutional liberty,” Mr. Langdon, a Coeymans Republican, made disparaging remarks about gays and lesbians. The comments have spurred calls for him to resign as unfit for his office.
“Sorry, when you have homosexual relationships, it’s not perpetual,” he said in part. “Give them an island, they’ll be gone in 40 years.” (Really? Is he suggesting straight people can’t have gay kids? Then he scores low on science as well as on basic human decency.)
Yes, we know this is a typical Trumpian sideshow act. It’s what passes nowadays for conservative virtue signaling, the kind without the virtue. As the video was shared and the outrage grew, Mr. Langdon apologized, and said he regretted his comments. Which brings us back to the Albany County Republican Party.
With one exception — Republican Bill Misuraca, mayor of Ravena — party leaders have not meaningfully condemned Mr. Langdon’s remarks. That “strong voice” they claim to have has been silent. Why? Here are two possible explanations:
1. The county GOP condones Mr. Langdon’s homophobia and sees nothing here to apologize for.
2. The county GOP is too afraid of alienating bigoted constituents to speak out.
Both explanations lead to the same conclusions: that GOP leadership is socially and morally bankrupt, and that its claim of “a strong voice and leadership to benefit every citizen” has an asterisk after it, and a footnote that lists the exceptions — the people they aren’t interested in helping, the ones they aren’t working to benefit. Shame on the Republican leadership for their complicity. And Republican residents of Albany County, ask yourselves: Is this what you want your party to be?
Go online, then go outside
Fill the canteen, find the bug spray, check the first aid kit. And if you’re planning to hike some favorite High Peaks routes, there’s something new on the prep list this year: Reserve a time slot.
The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Adirondack Mountain Reserve announced a pilot program requiring visitors to make a reservation to park in the AMR lot and head out to some popular trailheads. Rangers will help enforce the rule.
The state’s been hesitant to introduce a permit system. But the surge in High Peaks traffic — growing even before the pandemic — has harmed the fragile ecosystem. Good for the AMR for going ahead, and good for the DEC for backing them up.
The fact that the reservations are tied to parking may lead to some confusion. Even hikers who cycle in or are dropped off will need a parking permit. If too many groups hike longer than planned, there’s a chance spaces might not empty in time for someone with a later reservation.
But even if the system’s not perfect, it’s a strong idea, and a necessary one, for making sure visitors don’t love the mountains to death. There will be plenty of time for fine tuning once it’s clear what all the bugs might be.