It's your democracy, vote like you want to keep it: Letters

It's your democracy, vote like you want to keep it

Jan. 3 −To the Editor:

Bill Kingston‘s letter of Feb . 1, “Signs are pointing to a a second Civil War“ is a sobering and frightening reminder of the state of our country. Since the mid-term elections two years ago there have been  references to a possible civil war and the reoccurrence of references has increased. Mr. Kingston refers to just a few of the reasons for a conflict that would tear America apart; voter suppression; violent demonstrations similar to the assault on the Capitol; disinformation on any number of issues including but not limited to the distribution of vaccines that prevented the deaths of thousands on top of those who had already perished; a country where there are more guns than people.

All of the latter have one thing in common: They are part of the mindset and actions of the millions of Americans who in a blind and ignorant of the truth way have allowed themselves to believe Trump’s countless lies and baseless accusations as well as dismissing the numerous indictments he must confront in court. Trump’s grip as well as those Trumpers in congress i.e. Freedom Caucus, (on occasion referred to as part Republican anti constitution party) , is what I think of as “creeping Trumpism“ and it could well be present in the country for years to come.

In considering this year's presidential election think of the possibility of Trump losing. You can almost hear the baseless accusations of “rigged“ and "fixed" and "voter fraud.“  Will a defeated Trump once agin incite a cowardly mob of supporters to storm the Capitol? Furthermore, and unlike the last mob, only a few of which were allegedly armed, many in this mob could well be carrying  arms.

To those who love and care about our Democratic Republic, it’s your democracy, vote like you want to keep it and don’t be intimidated by what could be the consequences.

Peter Rice

New Castle

What are you liberals thinking? Apparently, not much.

Feb. 1 − To the Editor:

Just a quick note. I noticed that this left leaning publication posted six anti-Trump/Republican letters to the editor on Jan. 31 and, of course, no letters pointing out the serious inadequacies of the current administration which is being led by a village idiot.

When 73% or so of the population says this country is going in the wrong direction, I would have to assume the letter writers were from the minority 27%.  As usual, letters contained no facts supporting the writers declarations or protestations only contained leftist ideological gobbledygook. We are entering critical times here and are being led by a two-war, perhaps soon to be three-war, President. You really want Biden to be at the switch? I do recall that under Trump there were no wars and the world was actually a slightly safer place. This leads me to conclude with just what are you liberals thinking? The obvious answer is not much.

Dan Hurley

Dover

Editor's note: Seacoastonline and Foster's print all the letters we receive (with exceptions for libel or statements of fact that are provably false). Trump supporters and Biden critics are more than welcome to send letters to the editor via the email opinion@seacoastonline.com.

It is reasonable not to allow sex altering surgery until age 18

Feb. 4 − To the Editor:

Quite some time ago I was listening to a radio show with trans guests, trying to understand the phenomenon. I have always been confused about what exactly it means. Is it someone who has had gender changing surgery, someone who is undergoing medical treatment and so is somewhere in between, someone who feels like a person of a gender that does not match their physical body? And what exactly is gender affirming care? The surgery itself? Hormone therapy that alters physical characteristics? Talk therapy to help people cope with being gender non-conforming? I listened to that show several years ago, came away with my understanding of these questions only slightly enhanced, and I’m still confused today. I write this in the context of Alice Wade’s column in today’s paper, and the bill working its way through NH legislature that would bar gender changing surgery until age 18, not sure what else.

Back to the radio show, I nearly fell off my chair when one of the guests mentioned that some people ‘de-trans.’ Can someone transition, change their mind and undo it? Huh? I thought the whole premise was that to be trans was a person’s reality, not a choice. If that’s true, how can someone ‘de-trans?’

As I write this I do not have to understand trans, it being so far from any experience I can relate to, in order to wish people who are trans a happy and healthy life. I have no desire to persecute anybody, including the trans community, so I have no objection to Ms. Wade’s basic premise. (Sports is another matter if it gives someone an unfair advantage.)  But in this country we have this concept of the ‘age of maturity.’ We seem to have settled upon 18 years old. I would think that we could at least agree on holding off on doing something irreversible until the age of maturity.

Jeffrey Cooper

Portsmouth

Proud to have President Biden represent the US to the world

Feb. 3 − To the Editor:

I have pride and great pleasure in seeing the First Lady Jill Biden at President Joe Biden's side. They are a handsome and obviously loving couple who show great respect and support for each other and their extended family. President Joe Biden is the kind of person to represent the United States of America to the world. Where is Melania?

Bob Hassold

Newmarket

Remembering 'Shake It Off' flashmob and kindness of local youth

Feb. 2 − To the Editor:

The opinion piece by Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos was just a reminder of the benefits of choosing kindness and love over hate. The recent media frenzy over Taylor Swift reminded me of how the Seacoast was an early adopter of the kindness and love that Taylor Swift promotes. During the Portsmouth High School Graduation on June, 12, 2015, class Valedictorian Colin Yost led the class of 2015 through an unexpected flash mob to Swift’s song “Shake it off.” All these years later, the video is still inspiring and proves that our younger citizens are just looking for some happiness in the world. The national media even covered the event  and the full video [song begins at 4:45] has now gotten over 2.9. million views. It was a simple thing years ago, but it still makes me proud to live on the Seacoast. Our young people deserve our continuing support, because they will be the ones taking care of us when we are no longer able to. That is why we must lead with kindness and love. It is in everyone’s best interest.

Don Cavallaro

Rye