Step Up, Democrats

To the Editor, Democrats, in the future the filibuster will go away. The relevant question is, will the Democrats do it, or will they wait till the Republican have a narrow majority and do it (citing numerous Democrats opining that it should be eliminated to justify doing so). Either way it’s gone. The Democrats can dump it now. They can pass lots of stuff that helps lots of people and pay for it by taxing institutions that need to be taxed. A small per-transaction tax on stock purchases is an example of an “institution that needs to be taxed.” Super profitable corporations that are able …

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How To Defend White Supremacy

To the Editor: Do you want your young children, grandchildren, or anyone’s children taught that, not due to their own actions, speech, or thoughts but, simply because of their race or gender: – They are racists, sexists, immoral, and/or unworthy of respect? – They should be made to feel uncomfortable, ashamed, or otherwise distressed about who they are? – They are oppressors of others? – One race or gender is inherently superior or inferior to others? – They should confess that they are horrible (e.g., racists, sexists, rapists, immoral) people? – There’s something wrong with them and their family if no family member is gay, …

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GOP Promotes Gag Rule

To the Editor: Are you concerned about the effects of global warming? In New Hampshire, carbon pollution in the air increases asthma and health costs. Extreme weather brings floods and drought, threatening our homes, roads and bridges, and our farmers’ crops. We look to our government to help find solutions. But in New Hampshire our representatives on the Science, Technology and Energy Committee are promoting a bill that would prevent discussion of any plan. House Bill 373 “prohibits the department of environmental services from participating in discussions of any state, regional, or national low carbon fuel standards program…or planning of such programs.” This bill is …

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Let’s Show Some Humanity

Dear Editor, HB138-FN, allowing prisoners serving life sentences to be eligible for parole after 25 years, is currently before the New Hampshire House for an April 9th vote. This bill is by no means a get-out-of-jail-free card. It merely provides an opportunity for select individuals to be heard, to plead their case before the New Hampshire Parole Board. Only those who have shown genuine remorse and willingness to make amends by whatever means possible, have a clean record, have fulfilled all rehabilitation programs required of them, have demonstrated themselves to have transformed their lives within prison, and have a concrete and practical plan for success …

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Happy National Vietnam War Veterans Day!

Monday, March 29th will be National Vietnam War Veterans Day, as we all know. “National Vietnam War Veterans Day,” according to Wikipedia,* “is a U.S. holiday observed annually on March 29. It recognizes veterans who served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. It should not be confused with Veterans Day.” This particular day was chosen because “on March 29, 1973, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was disbanded and the last U.S. combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam.” MACV was the successor to MAAG, the Military Assistance Advisory Group, which was sent by Harry Truman, in 1950, to help the French hang onto …

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Ain’t That America?

Since we last went to press—well, since we last published—two apparently deranged men have allegedly gone on separate killing sprees, in Atlanta, Georgia, and Boulder, Colorado. We regret having made that sentence less succinct than it might have been, but the nation’s laws pertaining to libel are more stringent than those on guns. It may be disconcerting, but it cannot be denied: America is getting back to normal. Democratic legislators are calling for a ban on assault weapons, while Republicans are focusing their attention on the Democrats’ choice of words. The Republicans do have a point here. A number of Democrats have called the Boulder …

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