Showing the courage of one's convictions
Editor, The Citizen:
Many politicians today say enhanced interrogation techniques used by the Bush administration were illegal. I find this very interesting.
Since 2002 over 60 House and Senate democrat and republican leaders were briefed on the enhanced interrogation techniques. And, many techniques have been generally suspected for years. At any time Congress could have written a law to prevent all inappropriate interrogation techniques. No such law has been created even after democrats took over Congress in 2006.
Two or three years ago Congress actually deliberated and then refused to take the difficult step of defining what interrogation techniques are "torture". Apparently Congress just wanted to be able to second guess the people with the responsibility to protect our country and people's lives.
If there had been another successful terrorist of attack, every honest American knows that Senators and Congressmen would have condemned the Bush administration for not doing everything possible, including water-boarding, to prevent the attack.
However, if Congress outlawed certain interrogation techniques, then Senators and Congressmen would have to explain why they prevented the administration from doing everything possible to prevent another terrorist attack should one occur.
Senators and Congressmen wanted to be able to condemn Bush administration either way, for failing to prevent an attack if one happened or for using techniques it calls "torture" if attacks were prevented. No Senator or Congressman deserves any respect for claiming to be against something they were unwilling to define.
The Bush administration successfully protected Americans since September 11, 2001 using techniques not outlawed by Congress.
President Obama says that aggressive interrogation techniques are immoral and has outlawed their use. President Obama has displayed the courage of his convictions and courage that Senators and Congressmen lack.
I hope that President Obama will be as successful as President Bush in protecting our country. I hope President Obama's morals do not cost other Americans their lives.
Don Ewing
Meredith
Transparency in government
Editor, The Citizen:
I was impressed by the very informative legislative update that was written by Representative Bill Johnson in the recent issue of the weekly Gilford Steamer. Rep. Bill Johnson represents Belknap County District #5 which includes Alton, Barnstead, Belmont and Gilford. His update listed various house bills, how and why he voted as he did and freely gave his opinion. That information is what Moultonboro needs from our Rep. Betsey Patten who also serves Moultonboro as a Selectman. Rep. Patten represents Carroll County District 4 which includes the towns of Moultonborough, Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro.
The Moultonboro Speaks blog just printed Rep. Johnson's legislative update and made the following offer to our State Senator and four State Reps to send MS their legislative updates and MS will publish them — unedited and with no editorial comments. I hope they all accept the MS offer — their website blog link is http://moultonborospeaks.blogspot.com.
On February 9th, 2009 I emailed Rep. Betsey Patten asking her to consider posting her legislative updates on Moultonborough's new town website — she did not respond to my email. We certainly need informative legislative updates in Moultonborough and I sincerely encourage Rep. Patten to avail herself to the Moultonboro Speaks offer. We want to know what Rep. Patten position is on pending bills, what bills she has submitted or will submit, how she voted or will vote, etc.
A RECENT concern is that Rep. Patten backed House Bill 439 that would have shielded from the public electronic communications between themselves and constituents. That would mean, for example, emails between themselves and their constituents would not be subject to the disclosure requirements of the Right to Know law. We need more transparency in government not less.
On May 8th an editorial in The Citizen stated HB 439 crafted in, and passed by, the House of Representative also included the following: "All such electronic records shall be confidential and privileged and shall be protected from direct or indirect means of discovery, subpoena, or admission into evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding." The editorial stated, "It is the language that strikes at the very foundation of law enforcement. It protects from discovery in an e-mail evidence of wrong doing, even criminal conspiracy or administrative proceeding."
The bill was defeated in the Senate but the advocates of this bill are intent on bringing it back, perhaps with revisions, this year or next. HB 439 and others like it are lurking or being crafted and we ALL need to watch carefully so our rights are not eroded.
Jim Leiterman
Moultonborough
On the table
Editor, The Citizen:
As a health care professional, I want to see Single-Payer, "on the table". Currently the small New England hospital I work for is losing 200,000 a month. This loss is due to having to pay employee insurance costs and servicing either the uninsured or the underinsured, for which we receive no reimbursement for.
A Single-Payer system, specifically HR 676, would both free our hospital of the burden of insurance costs and it would allow our hospital to be profitable by providing a reimbursement for every patient we service.
This savings would allow our hospital to hire more staff, purchase more equipment, and have serviced the equipments now in disrepair. In short, a Single -Payer system will create jobs, free hospitals of debt and allow healthcare workers to do what we have been trained to to-help others. Put Single-Payer, "on the table".
John Swartz
Ashland
Civility would be nice
Editor, The Citizen:
Would you concur with the bumper sticker that reads "Mean People Bleep!?"
Thought that might get your attention.
At the recent Correspondents Dinner in Washington it is reported that Barack Obama got a real laugh when someone named Wanda Sykes (supposedly a comedian) said "I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th [Sept. 11th] hijacker, but he was so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight" and finished with, "'I hope this country fails?' I hope his kidney fails!"
Jokes about 9/11/01 do not impress me. The loved ones of those who perished on that day at the hands of cold blooded murderers probably wouldn't be impressed either. Will check with one of them and get back to you.
Wanda Sykes is of course referring to Limbaugh differing with Obama's plans for my country, as do I. Does that mean my fellow Americans would like to see me seriously ill?
Although there are many politicians (some right here in central NH) of both the Republican and Democrat parties with whom I vehemently differ, if I ever make a (bad) joke about your connection with the 9/11 attacks or wish you bad health, please feel free to take me to the woodshed (in print!).
There are those who avail themselves with the pages of this newspaper who should perhaps read that bumper sticker. Some have others do their dirty work — or place their remarks on the internet — or send obscene threatening emails — eager to degrade our local law enforcement. There is one who has made it clear in several emails that he wishes me to "bleep off and die."
I will not sit idly by and accept that action. Why do others?
Just last week a Gilmanton resident differed with some of my comments and he no doubt will again — but he did so in a civil manner. One notices little things like that.
Niel Young
Laconia
Successful Community Day
Editor, The Citizen:
I would like to thank the following for their part in another successful Choose Franklin Community Day: Committee members Krystal Alpers, Delaney Carrier, George Dzujna, Cary Gladstone, Karen Grzelak, Heidi Kling, Melissa Rizzo, Marcia Rollins, Craig Shufelt, Rachel Stolworthy, and Melissa VanKeuren for their efforts in organizing and overseeing the event. Franklin Municipal Services Director Brian Sullivan and his crew for the outstanding job in preparing the downtown area. Denise Sharlow, Colleen Ives and the members of the Choose Franklin Collaboration Project for their work in organizing the many volunteers in the community toward the completion of the wonderful downtown beautification effort - a project that will continue to enhance the look of the downtown area throughout the coming months. Fred Caruso and all of the great folks at Northeast Broadcasting/Mix 94.1fm and Kathleen at Franklin's Newfound Voice for publicizing our event. Miami, Craig & Jeff at Proforma Piper Printing for their expertise in designing our banner, program and signs. Heidi Kling and Northway Bank for generously sponsoring the beautiful, huge banner which will help in publicizing our event for years to come as well as their great marketing campaign which included publicity for the event. Jack & Jule Finley and the members of Footlight Theatre for their help with the entertainment portion of our event — their technical expertise is a huge assistance in the smooth operation of this aspect of Community Day. And last, but certainly not least, thanks to the many vendors, entertainers, parade participants and community members who year after year support this gathering of businesses and organizations. This showcase of the many wonderful aspects of the City of Franklin continues to grow and thrive with the help of all - Thank you once again.
Jo Ellen Divoll
Superintendent of Schools, SAU 18
Franklin
Equal rights now!
Editor, The Citizen:
I am writing this letter as a Rabbi, a gay man, and a human being who believes in equality for all citizens of the state of New Hampshire.
This past week, the New Hampshire State Legislature took a stand for justice by ratifying bills that will give equal access to marriage to all citizens of New Hampshire, gay and straight. Now, the fate of this bill is in the hands of our governor.
Governor Lynch, you must sign this bill into law. I know there are many voices of faith on the other side of the argument, but let me give you my interpretation as a member of the clergy.
In the story of creation in the Book of Genesis, God creates humanity betzelem elohim, in God's image. That means that all of us, no matter our race, religion, gender, nationality, economic status, or sexual orientation, are reflections of the Divine Being who created us all. Therefore, when we act with love and compassion toward one another, we are treating one another as holy beings.
We know now, as we did not know back then, that sexuality is a gift from God and not a matter of choice. It is time to take the next logical step and provide equal access to marriage to all of God's children, and not just those who happened to have "fit the mold" in the past.
The biblical prophets urge us on with their words, "Justice, justice shall you pursue."
Governor Lynch, you have the opportunity to bring about justice and provide equal rights to all citizens of New Hampshire. Please sign this bill into law, now!
Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser
Temple B'nai Israel
Laconia
Successful fundraiser
Editor, The Citizen:
On behalf of Lakes Region Child Care Services, I would like to thank everyone who sold or purchased a ticket for our Spring Raffle Calendar fundraiser. Our fundraiser was a huge success.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to support the many programs the Laconia and Belmont centers have to offer.
A big thank you goes out to the following businesses for donating prizes or money for our raffle: Kitchen Cravings, the Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Wine-Ing Butcher, Nu-Do's Hair Salon, Hart's Turkey Farm, A Better Way of Life, O's Steak & Seafood, Smitty's, Stafford Oil, Steele Hill, KOA Kampground, Meadowbrook Inner Circle, The Galley Restaurant, the Soda Shoppe, Canoe, Boulia Gorrell Lumber Co., Mount Washington Cruises, Lakes Region Floral Studio, Stafford Oil, Brick Front Restaurant, All My Life Jewelers, Abondante, Massage Therapy, Fratello's / The Homestead, Trustworthy Hardware, Michael's Restaurant, Lowe's, Nate Johnson, Winnipesaukee Associates, and Pike Industries.
Again, thank you to everyone who helped make this fundraiser such a success.
Dawn Johnson, Chairperson
Fundraising Committee
Laconia
