Mash Notes, Hate Mail & Other Correspondence

Afghanistan: The Graveyard of Empires

by W. D. Ehrhart I’ve never taken any pride in my service to my country in Vietnam back in the 1960s. When people thank me for my service, I think about what I did in Vietnam and want to tell them to go see a priest. But I’ve always taken a perverse delight in having participated in this country’s longest and stupidest war. Kind of like being a pre-2004 Boston Red Sox fan or a post-Jim Brown Cleveland Browns fan. Sadly, even that small pleasure was taken from me when the U.S. war in Afghanistan finally eclipsed the longevity and stupidity of the American War …

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Tossing N.H. Under the Bus?

To the Editor: A civil engineer by training, Chris Sununu has apparently completed his survey of New Hampshire’s political landscape and concluded he needs the blessing of Trump’s big-lie machine in Washington more than the support of this state’s moderates to secure his political future. Some still question if Chris will run for Senate, but his willingness to sign New Hampshire’s Free-State inspired budget and its draconian trailer suggests he will. After all, who in their right mind would approve such a travesty and then hang around to preside over the consequences? Also, what better way to signal wealthy GOP donors in Washington that he’ll …

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The Cost of Under-Taxing the Super-Rich

To the Editor: We often hear conservatives say that government should “live within its means.” I agree. As a nation or a family, we have the option of living within, above or below our means. Living either above or below our means has negative consequences on both a family and a nation. Since the 1980’s, America has been acting like a family whose primary earner has decided to work less than part-time, earning just enough to provide the bare minimum of essentials. This decision is not based on any physical or intellectual limitation, or the inability to earn much more than they are capable, rather …

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Sununu Will Destroy the N.H. Advantage

To the Editor: [Governor] Sununu has signed HB 154, another bill that allows your tax dollars to go to crony developers to fund their pet, low-income/high-density projects, which then get tax deferred up to nine years, while aforementioned developers reap the profits from the rentals. Single-family homeowners get to pick up the extra tax burden when police, fire, EMT, and school services need expansion. The Housing Appeals Board, approved by the Governor, consists of three realtor/developers and has already taken away your right to zoning and planning in your towns. The goal of these “new urbanists” is to outlaw single-family zoning. What this practice will …

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Does systemic racism exist in New Hampshire?

By Dan and Sindiso Mnisi Weeks According to Republican leaders in Concord, systemic racism does not exist in New Hampshire and talk of it should be banned in our schools, state agencies, and private entities that contract with the state. Even Governor Chris Sununu, who has pledged to veto the so-called “divisive concepts” language now in the state budget, recently denounced the term “systemic racism” as having “a lot of implicit biases in itself.” He added that he does not want to see it taught to N.H. students because “some of those ideas can get very controversial, very divisive within the schools themselves.” We agree …

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Betsy Ross to Gov. Sununu

CONCORD—In her rocking chair, and sewing stars on the makings of new nation’s flag, Betsy Ross worked and greeting visitors on Flag Day outside the New Hampshire State House. “Betsy,” portrayed by Derry resident Corinne Dodge, spoke with tourists, chatted with legislators, and posed for pictures, but the person she came to see, Governor Sununu, never came down for a visit. She had intended to thank him for his comments about New Hampshire being the “gold standard” for state elections, and for not supporting those who are spreading misinformation to justify more restrictive voting laws. “Good day Sir, how be ye this fine day? “I …

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