Debate over NH historic marker, Trump voters and Biden's age: Letters

What exactly did Elizabeth Gurley Flynn monument say?

May 14 — To the Editor:

Reading the two competing articles about Elizabeth Gurley Flynn surely tells us she was a complicated character. So how does a reader decide whether to support the new historical marker or call for its removal without knowing exactly what it says? Does it honor her? Does it communicate the nuances? Please print the full text so that we can decide for ourselves. Balanced text may be acceptable to all sides. And if it’s true that New Hampshire has historical markers honoring a Supreme Court Justice Woodbury who voted to uphold the Fugitive Slave Act, and a general who committed germ warfare against Native Americans, that should be stated on their markers as well.

Jeffrey Cooper

Portsmouth

Editor's note: Here's what the marker says: "Born in Concord in 1890, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was a nationally known labor leader, civil rights libertarian and feminist organizer. She joined the Industrial Workers of the World at age 17 where her fiery speeches earned her the nickname, 'The Rebel Girl. As founder of the American Civil Liberties Union, Flynn advocated for women's rights, including supporting their right to vote and access to birth control. She joined the Communist Party in 1936 and was sent to prison in 1951 under the notorious Smith Act."

Second editor's note: The historical marker was removed on Monday.

Cancel culture strikes again

May 14 — To the Editor:

Cancel culture has struck again. It has gone from science to literature, now to signs. Many of those who have no trouble with statues erected for the purpose of honoring traitors and insurrectionists have a problem with a social activist who embraced a political stance with which they disagree. This is the land of the free. No one is perfect all the time. Should Charles Lindbergh be erased because he embraced Nazi ideology, or Henry Ford for the same reason. Many of these objectors we offended when NPR broadcasted a reading of the Declaration of Independence because they thought it was anti-Trump. They objected to recreational Marijuana sales on the grounds of it is harmful to children. Gambling and alcohol are major tax contributors. Our governor said State Police will not enforce background checks on firearms purchases. Tell me again how much you care about children. I am glad I am somewhere between 75 and death.

Sheila Nudd

Hampton

More: Historical marker dedicated to feminist, Communist Party leader removed in New Hampshire

I share Gov. Sununu's embarrassment over Trump town hall

May 14 — To the Editor:

I don’t often agree with Gov. Chris Sununu, but I share his embarrassment and that of the many other critical Republicans who are potential challengers to Trump in the presidential primary about the behavior of the voters in the audience at CNN's Trump town hall.  But when the primary is over and Trump wins, the Republican candidates will all change their tune and join the adoring crowd.

I will still find him crude, vile, despicable, self-centered and unfit to be president, and will still be embarrassed by those who support him. Surely those at the Town Hall in Manchester were not New Hampshire people - they must have been bused in.

Cynthia Muse

Rye

Let's face it, Joe Biden is not aging well

May 15 — To the Editor:

In a recent letter to the editor, Ms. Tess Holom Schneier commented that age is really not an issue when it comes to re-electing Joe Biden. She cited Col. Sanders, Pablo Picasso and Gladys Burrill among those who found success in their elder years.

Well, I hate to disagree with Ms. Holom Schneier (actually I don't), but none of the people  she mentioned had the fate of 335 million people in their hands.  Neither of them had the ability to send our young people to war, or set policy for an entire nation, however, the president of the United States does. 

I've watched videos where Joe Biden wasn’t able to utter a coherent sentence, attempted to shakes hands with thin air, and needed a cheat sheet to answer pre-arranged questions with pre-selected journalists. Yet, he still managed to fumble things up.  I've watched Jill Biden taking him by the hand so he doesn't look like a lost child at a park in front of the cameras. 

So, are low expectations from our commander in chief and the leader of the free world the new normal? Some people age better than others so let’s face it, Joe Biden isn't one of them.

The job of president is far too important to allow unelected officials behind the scene to run the country by fiat like they did in the case of Woodrow Wilson.  When a small group of people close to Wilson intentionally hid his incapacitation from Congress and the American people; thus, usurping the role of the presidency. Are we not seeing that scenario from history on replay?

Sue Polidura

Portsmouth

SB 70 will make it easier for eligible Granite Staters to vote

May 16 — To the Editor:

As a voter in Durham, I’m asking my state representative to support SB70, a bill that would make it easier for eligible New Hampshire voters to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, or update their address and other voter information. Democracy is only viable when its decisions are informed by its voters.  In a time of growing uncertainty, this is a relatively easy and commonsense solution to modernize our election administration,  increase voter confidence and voting access to their respective polling places.

By modernizing how Granite Staters can update their voting information and gain correct and timely voting information, we’re making sure it’s easier for you to quickly and efficiently do your civic duty and make your voice heard, while simultaneously making it more difficult for nefarious individuals from trying obfuscate information to voters. In addition to our time, SB70 will also save money for towns as online forms are more simple to process than paper, and the program works hand in hand with the one already used by election officials. It just makes sense.

As a huge fan of New Hampshire’s culture and way of life, I’m in ardent favor of this legislation. Let’s make sure Granite Staters' voices have a safe, secure and accessible way to make sure our way of life continues with our consensus.

Curtis Register

Durham

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Debate over NH historic marker, Trump voters and Biden's age: Letters