Native American lives and history shortchanged in Portsmouth 400th celebration: Letters

Native American lives and history shortchanged in Portsmouth 400th celebration

March 18 — To the Editor:

As a city, Portsmouth has much to celebrate. But, as a place that has a reputation for being forward facing, the site that marks the celebration of 400 years as a city leaves some unanswered questions. Under its take on history, we are told that "For thousands of years before settlement by English colonists, the Wabanaki Nations fished, hunted, planted corn, picked strawberries..." The text then jumps to tell us "in the 1600s, the maritime center was on Great Island, now New Castle." And later we learn that "investors settled for what the area had to offer – rich fishing grounds, endless acres of timber and pelts traded with local Indians."

So, no mention of how the English got the land, no look at the fate of indigenous communities. And no glimpse of the Native Americans who live in the area today. It is as if they were there, then just slipped away and history began. Without an acknowledgement of the tremendous challenges brought by European colonialism, from taking land, to disease and war, to forced breaking up of indigenous families in Maine — a huge piece of the past is conveniently left out. And that does not seem like Portsmouth.

Jayme H. Simões

Concord

Thanks to all for improving dangerous Portsmouth intersection

March 1 — To the Editor:

I would like to thank the city of Portsmouth, the state of New Hampshire DOT, Service Credit Union and anyone else involved in the reconfiguration of the Lang Road/Lafayette Road/Ocean Road/Longmeadow Road intersection.

For many years this area created treacherous traveling conditions, especially for those desiring to turn left from Lang Road to travel south on Route 1 (Lafayette Road).

As with any traffic pattern change, it has taken some time for travelers to adjust but now that it has been in place for some time this change has resulted in a safer and more dependable traveling experience for the many drivers who use this intersection.

Thank you to all involved.

John O'Leary

Portsmouth

Bank failures the latest example of systemic fraud in our nation

March 16 — To the Editor:

Hmmm! Another bank just too big to fail. Or is it depositors too big to lose? Practically speaking it is probably the right thing to do to keep the entire banking system and economy from screeching to a halt, but I just read where small depositors, i.e. those with much less than $250,000, provided banks with $11.4 billion in overdraft fees last year ...

So the lesson seems to be that if you create a system that is so large, or bet so big, no matter how bogus the scheme, that it can bring the whole system to a grinding halt, you get backstopped by the government, i.e. all U.S. taxpayers to the tune of billions of dollars. But God forbid an “essential worker” miss a payment or exceed their balance by tens or hundreds of dollars. These are the same taxpayers that pay full freight on their taxes not those in the heavenly realm that participate in Panama Paper schemes or like Donald Trump or Mitt Romney are able to reduce their tax burden to nothing or less.

This is yet another reminder that there is a system of economics and justice for those with and those without large means. This is yet another reminder why it doesn't seem to matter who assumes the position of president and “leader of the free world." The inequities continue on and on.

Donald Trump fomented an armed insurrection that resulted in multiple deaths and millions of dollars of property damage with no consequence.

The Sackler family who founded Purdue Pharma and built the opioid epidemic over 30 years were able to shop for the most favorable court in the land to adjudicate their case, which granted the individual family members corporate style immunity from further litigation and prosecution. They still walk free and enjoy their billions of ill-gotten gains.

Will Sam Bankman-Fried face any consequences for running the FTX crypto fraud which contributed to the collapse of SVB?

Will George Bush or those in his administration ever face any consequence for a now admitted charade to go to war in Iraq with devastating long term consequences to individuals and families in our own country and around the world.

It gives a whole new meaning to truth, justice and the American way. One of these things is not like the others, one of these things is not the same.

Doug Greene

Kittery, Maine

New Hampshire must protect voters

March 16 — To the Editor:

The youngest, most diverse generation in American history turned out at historic levels during the 2022 midterm election, proving we have the power to shape not only New Hampshire’s future, but our country’s. When young people are given access to democracy and provided with the tools, education, and opportunity to vote — they do.That’s why it’s imperative that the New Hampshire House of Representatives blocks HB 460, which would remove the ability for those without physical proof of identity, age, citizenship, or address to cast a ballot.Current law permits New Hampshire residents to sign an affidavit, an official legal document, stating their identity in lieu of producing physical proof of identity, age, citizenship, or address. HB 460 would prohibit the use of affidavits — a proven alternative that is secure — and dangerously infringe on our most basic right to use our voice.

The proposal of HB 460 is especially unfounded as numerous studies and investigations have confirmed that New Hampshire has safe and secure elections. In fact, a recent UNH Poll found that 91% of voters had confidence in the outcome of the 2022 election.This legislation is a blatant attack on our rights. If this bill becomes law, voters who have been historically disenfranchised will face a new wave of voter suppression. New Americans, houseless individuals, the elderly, and young people – all folks who are less likely to have all of the documents required to register to vote — would be hit the hardest.Voter suppression is youth suppression — and that’s why NextGen America is organizing in New Hampshire, and throughout the country, for voting rights. Young Granite Staters believe in democracy for all, and in order to protect our voice, we need to see our leaders block this bill and take action that represents our vision for the future.

Andrew Turner

NextGen America's New Hampshire state director

Greenland

Congressional Democrats need to do more to secure U.S. borders

March 18 — To the Editor:

Shameful that not one of our elected Democratic officials are attending the very necessary meetings at our southern border.

The drug trafficking, sex trafficking, cost to taxpayers is overwhelming!

And, now our governor Sununu has had to request help because they are coming now from the North through the snow.

And our Democratic officials are boycotting attendance, ignoring this horrific situation!

Isn’t it time to act like an American, working for the American people. Isn’t that what you were elected for?Shame on you!

Barbara Bermingham

Hampton

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Native Americans shortchanged in Portsmouth 400th celebration: Letters