Writing in Joe Biden on primary ballot is more than a symbolic act: Letters
Writing in Joe Biden on primary ballot is more than a symbolic act
Dec. 19 — To the Editor:
As New Hampshire prepares for its primary, the absence of President Joe Biden's name on the ballot presents an unusual challenge. Given the critical stakes for reproductive freedom in this election, it's imperative that we voice our support for a leader who firmly upholds these values. The GOP presidential candidates have openly committed to a national abortion ban, a stance deeply at odds with New Hampshire's strong pro-choice sentiment. In contrast, President Biden has been a steadfast defender of reproductive rights.
With fundamental freedoms under threat, writing in "Joe Biden" on our ballots is more than a symbolic act; it's a decisive statement for safeguarding reproductive freedom. Other primary contenders lack the broad support necessary to counter the threat posed by a potential Trump reelection. Joe Biden, on the other hand, has beaten Trump before and will do so again. Sitting out this primary or lodging a protest vote can only tilt the scales toward Trump.
It's simple: just find the "write-in" line, fill in the bubble, and write "Joe Biden." Let's ensure our voices are heard and our values represented. Democrats and independents, this is not the time to sit out. Join me in this vital write-in campaign. Our choice on the ballot is not just about a candidate; it's about protecting our rights and our future.
Alex de Geofroy
Rochester
Racism, not immigrants, poisons America
Dec. 20 — To the Editor:
We are a nation of immigrants. Depending upon how far back in history you want to look, we all are a product of immigration in one form or another. Our strength and our greatness have been built on the backs of immigrants who have come to these shores either willingly or involuntarily.
Remarks by the former president suggesting that immigrants poison this country only demonstrate a deep sense of racism from either his own ignorance or from a willful attempt to deceive his political base.
Immigrants are the life blood of this country. What poisons us is racism and other inhumane ideologies that seek to dehumanize people and further divide Americans for the purpose of subjugating all of us. The poison is in the mind, not in the blood.
Racism, bigotry, hate speech, and other forms of dehumanization will never solve our border security problem or any other problem we face in this country. We can secure our borders without separating children from their parents or treating immigrants like “vermin.” How we treat others says a lot about who we are and how we want to be treated ourselves.
James Fieseher MD
Dover
The Sound of Music and the eyes of a child
Dec. 20 — To the Editor:
I was one of those little girls that had never ever seen "The Sound of Music," nor had I seen it as an adult. I am so grateful to be able to say that this has now changed as I had the ultimate fortune to be witness to the production put on by The Music Hall during this holiday season. And it was an absolute and utter gift.
If we all could see the world through the eyes of a child, we would see the magic in everything. Well, I saw magic, I felt magic and above all I was given the beautiful opportunity to be a little girl again. During what is a time of great unrest and discomfort in our world I am beholden to The Music Hall for gifting me what this season is all about: childlike innocence.
My absolute gratitude extends to each and every one involved in this production. It has changed my life.
Donata Luz
Rye
President Biden looking out for our long-term economic health
Dec. 19 — To the Editor:
If you’re planning to “vote your pocketbook” or your age biases in the upcoming presidential primary, think again. President Joe Biden and his policies are looking out for our long-term economic health. These are not obvious at first examination. Biden has been instrumental in passing the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS Act among other important legislation. Biden’s administration has introduced negotiating prescription drug prices, has shown an awareness of serious environmental problems and has strengthened alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to deal with foreign policy crises without sending U.S. troops abroad to fight wars. Biden is often the “adult in the room."
While I do not agree with Biden all the time, I certainly don’t want to live under a Trump “dictatorship." Trump promises to conduct a “vengeance tour” if elected again despite his 91 indictments including criminal acts endangering our country in the world and encouraging insurrection on Jan. 6.
Trump has let loose many people who hate others. Trump called for the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley to be executed. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s (recently endorsed by our governor Chris Sununu) television ads call for “catch and deport" undocumented immigrants which Heather Cox Richardson, a historian from Boston College who publishes a daily letter on current events, says could affect 10 million people. And Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville held up the promotions of hundreds of military officers in his bid to prevent women from getting the healthcare they needed. These are only some of the Republican leaders. There are many others.
I certainly hope Joe Biden is reelected.
Judy Ullman
Portsmouth
Burning wood is a health hazard
Dec. 15 — To the Editor:
Cold weather is on the way and in many New England neighborhoods folks will soon be stoking up their wood stoves and fireplaces. You always know when, because the odor of burning wood seeps into your home.
The EPA and the American Lung Association both agree that if you can smell the burning of wood, then the minuscule toxic particles released are in fact causing you harm. Whether indoors or outdoors, it matters not.
Wood burning stoves and fireplaces bring respiratory infections, eye, nose and nasal irritations, asthma, bronchitis, and some serious heart and lung woes, especially for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
So, what can you do when the air that you breathe is fouled by your neighbor's wood burning activities?
Who do you turn to for relief? The town?, the state? The federal government?
No question about it, it's a serious problem, in need of a serious solution.
Anthony Wayne McKeen
Hampton
Four years of vengeance will not make us stronger
Dec. 19 — To the Editor:
This is simplistic but valid. There are three types of personalities: those who internalize and blame themselves , those who externalize and blame others and those who take responsibility for their actions. In listening to Trump's rally speech in Durham, he will externalize the blame and take no responsibility for his predicaments as (he believes) he has done nothing wrong. Surprisingly and sadly, this seems to play very well with his supporters.
Trump is really good at demonizing and manipulating emotions by simplifying complex problems into good or bad. And, bad needs to be punished. So, the deep state is out to get him, the legal establishment is out to get him, the 91 felonies are political tools that are out to get him, he didn’t lose he won the election (even though it was a great victory for Republican House members). And there was no riot of Jan 6 it was antifa, the FBI and BLM that caused all the destruction.
Darwin is often misunderstood about the survival of the fittest. The key to human success is the ability to cooperate. Trump wants to rule not govern… my way or the highway. So, Trump says he is going to fix things. He will drain the swamp. He will restore our national glory. Those of you who want a simple answer and give him the most powerful political position in the world will not be surprised that four years of revenge is not what makes us succeed. Alliances, cooperation, negotiation, and compromise is what makes us stronger not lies, intimidation, dictators, riots and vengeance.
Steve Little
Portsmouth
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Writing in Biden on primary ballot more than a symbolic act: Letters
