Opinions
Letters
three others. As for empathy, no, I think it’s called ambition. Again, I want to stress that there are good people, wellmeaning people of every political persuasion; however, that misses the point. I trust people, individuals, to take care of themselves, to be responsible, and to join with others when the need arises to solve the problems of most of life; whereas those who want an ever-larger role of government in our lives, regulating, nannying us at every turn, evidently do not trust people, ordinary people, to govern their own lives and make their own decisions. I find that mindset suffocating. I feel like an insect caught in a spider’s web, all bound up in fine silk. That is what this election is ultimately about: are we to be bound up in silken ties, prisoners of the giant government spider, or are we to be free and able to do for ourselves as we see fit? Alice Darlington South Casco
(Continued from Page D) every other kind of relationship. 2. Marriage is also distinct from friendship, however deep these friendships are. In marriage, man and woman form and complete a one-flesh union, which is uniquely theirs. The commitment of marriage between a man and a woman is sealed, embodied and renewed by the conjugal sexual acts of this one flesh union from which can come the generation of new life: a child. This is what makes marriage distinct from every other kind of relationship. Two persons of the same sex can have a deep friendship; they can support and care for each other very much, but that relationship must be called and treated as what, in truth, it is: a deep friendship, not a marriage.” The Very Reverend Joseph E. Daniels, S.T.L., V.F. Vicar Forane – Region III (East Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Somerset and Waldo Counties) Diocese of Portland To The Editor: Nov. 11, 2012 is Veterans Day — a day we honor our veterans. It is a day of remembrance. It is a sad day for those who died for our country and at the same time a joyous day for To The Editor: As with my previous letter to those who survived and who the editor regarding Tilla Durr’s are still living. We remember earlier letter, I find it difficult those that have been killed to respond to her latest letter while serving and protecting in The Bridgton News because our country and its precious she wanders around so much in freedoms we all enjoy. We her comments or arguments or honor those that have served, assumptions or whatever they those that are still serving and are and in some places actually those that have been forgotten in the past that served. seems to be making my case. We forget from time to time She challenges my assumptions, but she is the one making what hardships our veterans assumptions with a long list and their families endured to of general conservative posi- keep us free. To live free, to die tions that she assumes I hold. free, and say and do whatever She ends her letter with her we want freely. The typical veteran goes definition of what makes for “an improved culture and qual- through an array of emotions. ity of life.” She states that it Some are happy when they “is the ability to model empa- return because they are thankthy, demonstrate respect, and ful for being alive, while others show a modicum of humility.” wish they were dead. Some lost The implication is that she and their wives in war and some lost those who think as she does their husbands in war. Some are the ones who behave in veterans lost their husbands and this way, an assumption that wives because they couldn’t is irrelevant to any argument cope with life and turned to the either for or against conserva- bottle and to drugs. Some talk tive values. I have no doubt that about the wars, where others she models all of these things are silent. Some protest wars, and it so happens that they are while others see it as a necesall qualities of Mitt Romney sity to keep us strong and free. whereas Barack Obama does Then, there are others who just not possess even one. He is want to forget. The men and arrogant, has been disrespectful women who served our country of the American people with, are very proud of their uniform among much else, his unilateral and what they have accompushing through of Obamacare, plished while serving. Some his executive orders and now servicemen, whom entered the his shocking dishonesty regard- service, had no sense of direcing the attack on our consulate tion or how they felt about this in Benghazi that resulted in the country. After serving, they feel deaths of our ambassador and they have a sense of belonging
Honoring our military
Durr’s rambling
to society. They now have a purpose in life and that is evident in their everyday life. A man or women who have served in the Armed Forces are different, unique and yet they are the same as you and I. Some have families. Some have no one. Some fit into society, while others don’t. Some say they wish they took the bullet for their buddy instead of his buddy being dead. So many emotions play upon the mind. The mind is so complicated and yet so fragile. A veteran that has never been to war or a veteran that has is one in the same. They all put their lives on the line 24/7 so we can live another day under the banner of freedom. No psychologist or doctor can figure out why one veteran can fit into society and another one doesn’t. When called upon, a veteran will answer the call. Whether it is to help a neighbor or champion the helpless, he is always there. If you are in trouble, he will be there. A veteran will never ask for help. A veteran seldom shirks his duty to God and country. A veteran will never hesitate or accept defeat. A veteran will always protect what is right and what is wrong. A veteran often dies alone, whether on the battlefield or at home. A veteran will endure the hardest of hardships yet keep smiling. When a veteran is sent on a mission, it is not the soldier to ask why it is to do or die. No other option is available to him. Sure, we think of our veterans on every Memorial Day or Veterans Day. But, we should be thinking of him and thanking him 24/7. After all, he is on duty 24/7. So let’s not just remember him occasionally, but remember our veteran often. I think of the days when George Washington and the Continental Army at Valley Forge who had very little clothing, food or shoes on their feet, freezing in subzero weather trying to gain our independence. I think of all the men who fought during the Civil War starving to death and sent to military prisons that had no food, medicine or clean water to drink. A war where more soldiers died of diseases and infections rather than by bullets. Then, I think of all the veterans that fought in the South Pacific that were put on forced marches to labor camps. Many died there or on their way there. I think of all the veterans that died in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. I think of all the soldiers coming home from these wars with legs, arms
November 1, 2012, The Bridgton News, Page D
and faces half blown off. The things they have to endure the rest of their lives. Then, I think of the things that happen to me in life that inconvenienced me or made my life a little difficult, like being late to a movie or late to a dinner party is nothing like losing a leg or an arm or both. We take life for granted. I can tell you these veterans don’t. So instead of complaining all the time, rejoice and think about things that really matter. Think about our veterans, what they go through, and you will see your problem is trivial compared to giving your life to freedom. As Jesus said, “There is no greater gift you can give than lay down your life for someone else.” Thomas Paine once said, “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” This is how a veteran feels. Remember Veterans Day and remember what precious gifts we have called freedom. Exercise your rights and vote on Nov. 6. Richard E. Cross Naples
A warm welcome
To The Editor: To the Town of Bridgton, we wish to express appreciation and thanks for the warm welcome received during our recent business walk. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet many of you and listen to your concerns and ideas on how to support small business and families. Help me change the current political environment in Washington on Nov. 6. Jon Courtney, Candidate for Congress, First District
Bumper wisdom
To The Editor: This week’s bumper sticker letter to the editor: Preserve your right to complain — VOTE! Jon Chappell Bridgton
Wasting a vote
Maine’s decent
come to love the laid back approach to life and honest people of Maine. It grieves me to watch Maine politics decend into unfair and downright despicable tactics employed by the national parties, primarily the Republican’s attack on my friend, Elihu Upham. The attack I’m referring to is the flyer sent out last week stating that Mr. Upham is a Liberal. Five times it defames him. I have known Elihu for many years, this Republican smear flyer is as far from the truth as it and they can be. Holding onto a seat in the House of Representative is so important to them that they would misrepresent Mr. Upham and alienate a man who grew up in a Republican household. Elihu has often remarked how much he revered President Ronald Reagan, the first president he could vote for, also his commander-in-chief as he served his country in the United States Navy. Elihu is a hard working, inventive person of the highest caliber. Elihu has paid for his campaign out of his own pocket and with the help of a few loyal friends. He has received no taxpayer money. He became an un-enrolled or Independent voter so he would not be held hostage to party dogma, to be free to vote his conscience on issues that face Maine and the nation. A good idea is a good idea no matter who brings it forward. Moving on a straight line from the center Elihu makes Republicans look like Liberals. I have no doubt that after reading candidate Upham’s hand bill found on his website, Wuphradio.com or his profile this week in The Bridgton News and in the Portland Press Herald it will be clear some will stoop to the lowest levels to hold onto power. In closing, why have we not heard from Mr. Upham’s opposition issuing a letter of condemnation or do they endorse such low blows? Or are they scared that they cannot win a fair fight? Let the best person win not the party with the most money. N.J. Harmon Denmark
To The Editor: My name is N.J. Harmon. I spend a great deal of time in To The Editor: this beautiful state. I’ve have Have you ever thought about the true meaning of a “wasted vote?” We hear people say voting for a third party is a wasted vote, but there is a not so subtle sentiment of fear and loathing Authorized Dealer that comes with that remark.
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The reality is a vote for the “lesser of two evils” is a wasted vote. A vote for someone who is looking out for a certain segment of society and not all Americans is a wasted vote. A vote that supports the corruption, fear mongering and partisan politics we see with the two major parties is also a wasted vote. I will be voting for Gary Johnson because he is a candidate who represents all Americans, not just certain voting blocks that are advantageous to getting elected. He is a proven leader who was elected twice as Republican governor in New Mexico, a 2-to-1 Democratic state. He left the state with a billion dollar surplus after inheriting a deficit, and cut spending without firing one government employee. He dealt with a difficult immigration situation in a border state by promoting work visas and encouraging easier citizenship. He also understands much of the immigration and border issues revolve around the prohibition of marijuana and the “War on Drugs” both of which are not cost effective and unfair judicially. He has a proven track record that indicates he is best suited to deal with our deficit and financial crisis. In other words, Gary Johnson is a practical leader who governs in a way that is best for America, not in a way that caters to a few groups. Wouldn’t it be nice to vote for someone who not only promotes a healthy lifestyle (he’s climbed Mt. Everest and run several Iron Man competitions), but also refuses to partake in mudslinging and pandering? Gary Johnson supports the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street. He supports gay marriage and economic freedom. He represents all Americans and most importantly, represents a better way. As far as a wasted vote goes… “A vote for freedom is never wasted.” Please consider Gary Johnson when voting on Nov. 6. Thank you. Sedge Saunders Fryeburg
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