Seacoast-area doctor is wrong about need for vaccine mandates -- Letters
Dec. 7 -- To the Editor:
This is in response to James Fieseher's recent letter to the editor, where he states that to "stop the spread" of COVID-19, everyone should get vaccinated, even if it requires a mandate.
More: 'Dubious distinction': NH has the highest COVID infection rate in the country — Letters
Dr. Fieseher must not be aware that Rachel Walensky, Director of the CDC, has stated numerous times, "vaccines cannot prevent transmission of COVID." In fact, she has said fully vaccinated persons can still get and transmit the virus to others.
So, per the CDC, vaccines do not stop the spread of the virus, making me wonder why Fieseher disagrees with this fact and believes a mandate would do anything to, as he states, "prevent the spread".
Julie Tucker
Rye
Mayor-elect McEachern was right to side with Becksted 5 on appointments
Dec. 7 -- To the Editor:
Monday night's Council meeting was well worth watching during the discussion of appointing new members to the various boards.
The kick-back 4 versus the Becksted 5. The prime kickers were Lazenby and Splaine, sour grapes. The stand-up however, was Mayor elect McEachern who voted with the majority in a 6-3 outcome. I did not vote for McEachern, however I am impressed with his decision and personally believe he will serve as a good and honorable mayor. I am sure we haven't heard the last from Jim Splaine. Unfortunately it will put a lot of pressure on the new Council. I think the city has run out of bridges, so what will they designate in his name when the time comes? My suggestion is The Portsmouth Traffic Circle, it just goes round and round.
Len McAuliffe
Portsmouth
Reform the Senate filibuster, to pass the Freedom to Vote Act
Dec. 2 -- To the Editor:
Voting seems so basic to our democracy that it is shocking to see, all over the country, and here in NH, the work that is being done behind the scenes to make voting harder, and to amplify the role of big money to sway our elections. Luckily, there is a bill in Congress that would restore our voting rights, get dark money out of politics, and make our democracy strong.
The Freedom to Vote Act includes common sense federal reform to make all our votes matter, make it easier to have a secure election day, where each of us can feel confident our votes count. Senators Shaheen and Hassan support this bill. The only thing standing in the way of getting it passed is the outdated filibuster in the Senate, which has been used in the past to block civil rights legislation and now is blocking a bill that will protect and restore our democracy. It's time to change the Senate rules and get this bill passed. Our Senators need to do everything they can to reform the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act now.
Linda Rhodes
Durham
We need better local protections for the health of our water and ecosystem
Dec. 6 -- To the Editor:
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution recognizes the right for well-regulated militias being necessary for the security of a free state, to protect our freedom and Bill of Rights. However, we have no recognized local rights to protect our clean water and ecosystem!
The government has regulatory agencies to review projects, but the laws and permit process are written by the same corporate polluters that are supposed to be regulated so all they have to do is fill in the blanks. Who regulates the regulators? The same rich special interests who bribe our politicians with PAC money!
The NH Community Rights Network (info@communityrights.org) has assisted a dozen towns to pass local rights-based ordinances that protect the health and safety of people and the environment, so local folks can act to protect their town. We must amend the NH Constitution to make sure that every town has the right to act to protect their children and clean water!
Article 10 of the NH Constitution enumerates the Right of Revolution to reform the old, or establish a new government, when the existing government no longer acts in the best interests of We the People. If our Founders were here today they would be leading the way!
Peter A. White
Treasurer
NHCRN and Nottingham Water Alliance
Nottingham
Column was right to point out GOP's conflicting right to life positions
Dec. 7 -- To the Editor:
Columnist E.J. Dionne got it right in his essay on Dec. 5: the Republican position on abortion is completely schizophrenic. All their blather about the “sanctity of life” and “choose life” is just so much empty talk when they work so hard to make sure literally anyone — including troubled teenagers, domestic abusers, and even suspected terrorists — has unfettered access to rapid-fire, semi-automatic firearms. Basically, their position is this: “We will force you to bear children you don’t want so they can be shot to death at school later, because at that point we just don’t care about their lives at all.”
Jim Mastro
Dover
A COVID-19 fable for our times
Dec. 4 -- To the Editor:
It"s the late 1700s and Benjamin Franklin has teleported himself out of the city of Philadelphia. He is soon strolling down Main Street of the State Capital whereupon he meets up with greets the Governor of the state.
After a bit of casual conversation, the Governor comments on Mr. Franklin's concern about accidental house fires in his city – and endorses Mr. Franklin's statement that: "an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure".
"Oh no," said Mr. Franklin. "It's true that I do very much worry about the many fires occurring in my city, however, my comment was prompted by my greater concern about the crippling malady rapidly spreading across the land, striking down our citizens, young and old. The air that we breathe and take into our bodies is foul with these infectious toxicants. We must employ 'an ounce of prevention' by masking our faces with a simple cloth mask, my dear Governor, well worth a 'pound of cure' would you not agree?"
And the Governor replied:
"Well, I do agree with what you say but there'll be no masking plan today"
-----"You see, it's really not a easy task---making people wear a mask"-----
"Plus, I'm a loyal party man, and we just don't want a masking plan"
"So today I plan to make no plans, I am just going to sit here on my hands"
Anthony Wayne McKeen
Hampton
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Dover NH doctor is wrong about need for vaccine mandates -- Letters
