Mash Notes, Hate Mail & Other Correspondence

New Hampshire, the ADL, and Palestine

To the Editor: On July 23, 2020, N.H. Governor Sununu signed into law HB 1135.This was an omnibus measure that contained a number of bills including SB 727. This Senate bill mandates that the Holocaust and “other genocides” be taught as a graduation requirement. HB 1135 also establishes a 16-member commission to study “best practices for teaching students how intolerance, bigotry, antisemitism…has evolved in the past, and can evolve into mass violence and genocide, such as the Holocaust.” This commission includes a person appointed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), New England region. However, several members of the N.H. Palestine Education Network object to this ADL …

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The Israel-UAE Agreement: Good for a Few, Bad for Most

by Mel Gurtov Commentators evidently desperate for good news are touting the Israel-United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreement as a welcome path to Middle East peace. The agreement trades Israel’s promise not to annex portions of the West Bank for the UAE’s recognition of Israel. One conservative writer for the Washington Post actually thinks Trump’s role in helping bring the agreement about makes him a Nobel Prize candidate. But hold on. Martin Indyk, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel, argues in the October issue of Foreign Affairs that the UAE leader’s decision to recognize Israel was made in order to preempt Trump’s “green light” to Benjamin …

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Trump’s Obsessive Obsession

To the Editor: Good morning, class, thank you for Zooming. For our civics discussion today let’s focus on the touchstone of the Trump era so far? Any thoughts? Yes, Jimmy, your answer. “The overt destruction, or attempted destruction, of anything remotely wonderful or cherished in America—national parks, health care, civil rights, human rights, the climate, fair elections. And lately hampering the Census Bureau and the Postal Service.” Good point, Jimmy. But why does he do these things? Anybody? Sally? “Because he only cares about two things—corporate America and himself. In the case of the Post Office it’s himself, his reelection.” My goodness, but what is …

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How We Ought to be Living

To the Editor: Most Americans are confused as to where we are going in this Pandemic. With denial and false information coming from the current administration the real story has become clouded. I would like to try and paint a possible scenario. The ideal outcome is an effective vaccine. We are unsure if any vaccine will ever give long lasting immunity and historically the great majority of vaccines fail testing. Compare to an AIDS vaccine—still none. If a successful vaccine is found (one that passes phase 3 trials and gives lasting immunity) it will still take many months to produce, distribute and administer. Until we …

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Pro-Growth Dem., N.H. House Candidate

To the Editor: My name is Duane Hammond and I want to use my talents and skills for the well-being of all citizens in Alton, Gilmanton and the State of New Hampshire to include Democrats, Republicans and Independents as a Pro-Growth Democrat by being elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. What is Pro-Growth? Simply stated, I believe in building our New Hampshire economy from the bottom-up, as opposed to our present “trickle down” economy. For years, large multinational American-based corporations have benefitted from big tax breaks and favored status in the belief that, if they have more money, they’ll hire more workers. Not …

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