Whose ‘moral compass?’

A recent op-ed (“There must be room for debate on Palestine,” March 12) begins by stating dialogue is important and then goes on to say “Yet, the Israel lobby and supporting groups are working overtime to ... suppress any sentiment against Israeli policy and actions.” The First Amendment protects the rights of citizens to lobby their government and support academic institutions how they see fit. “If you believe in freedom of speech, you believe in freedom of speech for views you don’t like.” The writer doesn’t seem to mind lobbying per se; he praises a pro-Palestinian lobbying group.

He follows up by aggrandizing a designated foreign terrorist organization. I nearly fell off my chair when I read that the Houthis who are attacking civilian shipping are simply “doing their duty under international law.” He then pontificates it’s “what is expected of anyone with a moral compass.” Say what now?

In the spirit of discourse, I must ask: Are you aware of a directive from the Israeli government to target civilians? How does the war in Gaza meet the definition of genocide under the Convention? Even though Hamas is a non-state actor, does the Oct. 7 attack not meet the definition of an “armed attack” under international law? Are you denying Israel has the right to self-defense? Are we to pretend Oct. 7 didn’t happen? What does the Geneva Convention say about hostage taking? Wouldn’t it make more sense to call on Hamas to end the suffering by surrendering? What are you proposing?

Charles Olsen

West Fairlee

No violence on sports page

In the March 7 issue of Valley News, there is a headline to a story about an NHIAA Girls hockey game. The headline says “Bears bludgeon BG”

The Cambridge Dictionary definition of “bludgeon” is: “to hit someone hard and repeatedly with a heavy weapon.” This is a very violent word to use in reference to a young adult sporting contest. It is completely inappropriate. If the competing players are girls then a competition between young adults should not be characterized by such a violent image.

Paul Hamburg

Windsor

Who’s who in the GOP

Rhino, that massive horned beast that roams Africa’s Serengeti, is in danger of extinction. Our domestic variety, the RINO — Republican in Name Only — has no such worry. In fact, the population of our RINO variety is getting larger. Here’s why:

When Nikki Haley, representing the GOP of old, suspended her run to be the party’s presidential nominee this fall, it became all but certain President Biden’s predecessor would be the GOP candidate to oppose him.

As is typical during primary season, the array of competing candidates who already dropped out of the race, despite previous scathing criticisms of the presumptive nominee, quickly fell over each other to line up and promptly endorse the former president. The list already includes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. More will surely follow.

But the former president does not represent the GOP of old. He’s a RINO, leader of the MAGA wing of the party, which is actually a cult with allegiance to him, not the Constitution. That profile now defines the GOP, which traditionally promoted small government, fiscal and foreign policy conservatism, and would work across the aisle to develop bipartisan legislation.

This fall the presidential election is shaping up to be a head-to-head contest between a traditional blue Democrat and a flaming red RINO. Don’t be fooled by the RINO dressed up as the GOP’s candidate. Mark your ballots carefully.

David Greenfield

Grantham

Donations aid seniors

Thank you Lebanon Wellness Teams for your generous donation of food items to the Upper Valley Senior Center. We have many seniors who experience food insecurity and your donation will help an individual struggling with having to choose between buying medication or groceries. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our seniors in the community.

Jill Vahey

Upper Valley Senior Center director