You recently printed an article from The Washington Post that excitedly detailed a nasty feud between Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota (“Republican Boebert renews Islamophobic attack,” Nov. 30). No one can read their reciprocal tongue-lashings without deep despair for the sad state of American political debate.
At the same time, the tenor of the article sadly overstates the invective of Rep. Boebert’s opinions. Nowhere does the article cite precise quotations to the effect that her opponent Omar is actually a terrorist. At most, the penumbra of her remarks evinces a disparaging view of the Democrat. But close readings of the article show nothing clear and direct in this vein. Comments like, “That woman is a terrorist!” are nowhere to be found.
We have to remember that Rep. Omar has in fact issued more than her share of insulting and nasty remarks. Indeed, some of her comments seem calculated to incite others to verbal fireworks that Omar can hypocritically denounce as unfitting to congressional etiquette. In this connection, the very name of Omar’s group, “The Squad,” conjures up unfortunate militaristic images (“firing squad” being just one example). As far as I know, Omar has never called for the group’s name to be replaced with something like The Cuddly Cohort.
Let’s remember, too, that extreme language is a long tradition in the American Congress. It does at least make political positions strikingly clear. As usual, it’s up to the voters to decide whose position to trust. In more civilized political milieus, such as in England, parliamentary quarrels are normally more enlightened. Discouraged Americans can tune out of congressional nastiness and improve their mood by viewing BBC coverage of the House of Commons. That body offers intense debates that may grow acerbic but that usually stay clever and cultivated just the same. We can only hope that several dozen MPs immigrate to our country, run for Congress and teach Washington how to behave.
H. DEAN BROWN
West Lebanon
I appreciated the Keene Sentinel article shining a bit of light on the ridiculous but dangerous bill being filed by a group of our Republican state representatives “relative to secession” (“State rep seeks secession: Part-stunt, part-protest, the measure seems destined for controversy,” Dec. 7).
Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or a nonaligned centrist like me, whether you are far-left or far-right, we all need to condemn in the harshest possible manner the idea that seceding from the Union could in any possible way be a good thing for our communities, our state, our nation or the world.
We can’t seem to agree on much these days, but there is one thing that we absolutely cannot disagree on. We are bound by our birth or voluntary naturalization to being a citizen of this country, which means that we have to solve our problems, no matter how intractable, within the boundaries and by the mechanisms set forth in our state and federal constitutions. If you are unwilling to do that, you need to renounce your citizenship and leave immediately. I suggested as much to these misguided representatives in an email exchange with them last month, and reminded them of the oath they swore in Concord: “I do solemnly swear, that I will bear faith and true allegiance to the United States of America and the state of New Hampshire, and will support the constitution thereof. So help me God.”
They had no meaningful response, nor is there one possible.
TIM JENNINGS
Enfield
Why, if one deplores abortions so much, would one not simply work to end unintended pregnancies? For there is a direct correlation between unintended pregnancies and abortions, no? Here are some suggestions:
Institute comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education for all children and young people. (Actually, many adults could use this, too.) This would include learning about body boundaries, family configurations, safe and respectful touching, the media’s role (including the porn industry) in influencing our sexual behavior, as well as the biological aspects of sex. Children who have been through this type of education tend to delay first intercourse.
End rape, incest and child sexual abuse. (Imagine that!) And ensure easy access to safe, effective contraception.
And why would one assume that making abortions illegal would mean they stop happening? We have historical data to show that this would not be the outcome of making abortions illegal. Not conjecture, polemics or self-righteous grandstanding. Data.
We could so easily put this 50-year-long argument to rest if those who profess to be working on behalf of the unborn by pushing to make abortions illegal would simply be honest with themselves about what I believe is their true intention, which is to take away a woman’s right to self-determination.
LESLIE S. MacGREGOR
Grantham