Valley News Forum for Monday, Oct. 23: Spam calls are out of control

Published: 10-23-2023 6:22 AM
Spam calls are out of control

Recently I have been bombarded with unsolicited phone calls claiming that I have “asked” for information about medical insurance. There are between 15 and 20 a day, often within seconds of each other. I never asked for such a thing. I suspect it is a scam targeting senior citizens of whom I am one who also still have a landline. Sometimes these “callers” hang up, but sometimes they leave a message on the answering machine. It has come to the point that I feel that this is phone harassment. Since I don’t pick up when I don’t recognize the number, it still means that I have a slew of messages that at times block my phone for important contacts, as has happened in the last week. If anyone else has had the same experience, I would like to know. If these are scams, as I am sure they are, the public needs to know about it. Also, I could not find any item on the “do not call list” that addressed this particular problem.

Ulrike Rainer

Hanover

Column peddling stereotypes about e-bikes

In response to Steve Nelson’s column, “Help from machines is a hindrance” (Page C1, Oct. 8) — I’m disappointed by the stereotypical portrayal of all e-bikers. For years, I’ve been a hobbyist mountain biker and after conducting thorough research, decided to purchase a Class 1 e-bike. I often join mountain bike outings with both analog and fellow e-bike riders. There is not a single smug rider among us, regardless of what type of bike. Based on Steve’s presumptions, I wonder if he has ever tried an e-bike and if he is aware that there are different types of e-bikes. Riding an e-bike is not effortless as implied by his metaphor of using a car to climb Mount Washington; I finish all my rides with an elevated heart rate and spirit, with the bonus feeling of satisfaction that I can ride with “the younger folks.” So please, before you write off all e-bikers, take one out on a spin on your favorite singletrack and then let us know what you think.

Travis Paige

Lebanon

NH primary party switch is legal, but is it ethical?

I read with mixed emotions Michael Hillinger’s Sept. 29 Forum contribution suggesting New Hampshire Democrats cross over and vote for the least objectionable candidate in the Republican primary to defeat Donald Trump. On one hand, I understand why they might find their Democratic ticket extremely unpalatable, but another part of me would never pretend to be a Democrat, even temporarily. I feel that’s unethical. I didn’t say it’s illegal, and I realize some people will do anything within their power to skew the outcome of an election. Personally, I wouldn’t waste my vote on Chris “Bridgegate” Christie if he was the sole candidate in the Republican primary. He almost makes Donald Trump look like a choir boy. So what’s wrong with voting in the opposing primary?

I guess that depends on what we’re made of internally. There’s a little larceny in each of our hearts, but we need not give it free rein. So what’s wrong with establishing temporary residency in Georgia to vote for Democrats in the dual Senate runoff elections in January 2021, then returning to your own state where you’d voted for Democrats in November? What happened to “one person, one vote”? Ballot harvesting and other perfectly “legal” practices were practiced in 2020 and 2022, but at some point we must ask ourselves, to what extent do ends justify means? I support election reform knowing full well that I risk being characterized a sore loser.

It seems deviant from established, approved narrative to even hint about electoral irregularities in certain states in 2020 and 2022. Maybe those elections weren’t “stolen.”

It does seem that Democrats have a certain facility for utilizing every trick in the book to win elections, but sadly, they seem hard put to govern once they’re in office. It’s fair to say that Republican “leadership” in the House of Representatives is sadly lacking at times, but I for one don’t look upon “Speaker Emerita” Nancy Pelosi as an ethical paragon. Suitable candidates for president in 2024 are available. They’re just not the front-runners.

William A. Wittik

Hartford

Claremont City Council needs an overhaul on Nov. 7

There is a sign at Nelmar Heights in Claremont that says, “Save Claremont and re-elect no one for the City Council.” I do not agree with this sentiment, but I do know that we the citizens need to do better in electing a City Council.

We need to sweep the council clean of council members working against the city and fostering distrust.

I am endorsing new candidates: Brian Zutter for assistant mayor, Jonathan Hayden for Ward III councilor and Joel Tremblay for councilor at large.

I am hoping this new blood will move the council forward. Our future is bright.

I also continue to support Mayor Dale Girard and Spencer Batchelder, Ward II.

James Contois

Claremont city council, Ward II

Kelly Ayotte for NNH governor

Kelly Ayotte was a great attorney general for our state. As our attorney general, Kelly made sure that when criminals were arrested, they would face real jail time for their crimes. She worked with law enforcement across New Hampshire to ensure we had the resources to keep our towns safe. She excelled at this position, and she was renominated by two governors from different parties. In the United States Senate, Kelly Ayotte fought for fiscally responsible budgets to keep more money in our own pockets.

Cinde Warmington’s record is extreme and partisan. As councilor, Warmington did everything in her power to block Gov. Sununu's bipartisan agenda. If she has her way, Warmington will turn New Hampshire into Massachusetts — she’ll bring their extreme policies north and will establish an income tax to destroy our economic advantage. No thanks! I’m looking forward to supporting Kelly Ayotte for governor. She’ll keep New Hampshire safe, prosperous and free.

Jonathan Stone

Claremont city council, Ward III