THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Tuesday, March 22, 2011 — Page 5
LETTERS Central to the Christian faith is love; I don’t see that in Jack
Overwhelming public support behind 45/30 boat speed limits
To the editor, Another week, another new conspiracy theory and a rehashing of old ones. Mr. Stephenson, in a recent rant, accuses President Obama of the overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt and the political unrest in the Middle East. While these assertions are baseless lies, I would think any conservative worth his/her salt would applaud and encourage these people for overthrowing and attempting to overthrow the oppressive political regimes they have been living under. This empathy can be best exemplified in our own Declaration of Independence, with the words: “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” As events evolve in the Middle East, we must be cognoscente of the fact that the United States cannot bestow democracy and freedom in the region, it must be the desire of the people and earned by them alone. The attack continues as Stephenson accuses President Obama of being an “avowed” Muslim. I would be very interested in knowing when and where he declared frankly and openly that he was a Muslim. I’m sure conservative news organizations would be interested in the facts that Stephenson has, but they do not. President Obama has stated that he is a Christian. He was baptized into the Christian faith. He was married in a Christian church. Both his daughters were baptized into the Christian faith. He has been attending Christian services for better than 20 years. I’m not sure what more clear and convincing evidence Stephenson wants. This having been said, I am beginning to doubt Stephenson’s assertions that his is a Christian. The name Christian comes from the Greek word Christianos — meaning “follower of Christ”, and central to the Christian faith is
To the editor, There is overwhelming N.H. public support for the 45/30-mph boat speed limit law, as is for Lake Winnipesaukee: 1. Senators Jeanie Forrester (District 2) and Jeb Bradley (District 3) publicly testified at the recent Senate Transportation public hearing that they support the current 45/30-mph as it is, without changes. Senator Forsythe said at the March 17 Senate Transportation Committee Executive Session that most of his district (District 4) supports the current 45/30 law—even though he voted for the 55 Broads amended Senate Bill 27. Most of the state reps around the lake also support the current law and do not want the 55 Broads amended SB-27. These are the three lake districts around Lake Winnipesaukee, proving that most N.H. people around the lake support the 45/30 as it is without any changes because it is working successfully. 2. Over 5,224 hard-copy names with towns of residence were handed over to the Senate Transportation Committee during the public hearing, again demonstrating the widespread New Hampshire support for the current 45/30 law. 300 to 400 individuals and families have sent heartfelt, unique e-mails or made calls to the N.H. state senators over the past month telling them that the 45/30 law is working and not to change it. Hundreds, if not thousands, of these 45/30 and 45/25 boating speed limit supporters have contacted New Hampshire legislators over the past six years, saying that before the limit laws, high boat speeds had made them very stressed and afraid for their safety and had urged them to support the reasonable boating speed limit legislation for increased safety and enjoyment on the lake. 3. At the recent Senate Transportation Committee hearing, there were many more N.H. people against Senate Bill 27 and the 55 Broads amendment than those who were in support, by a 3 to 1 margin. 4. Over 325 businesses, organizations, and marinas publicly support the permanent 45/30 boating speed limits law for Lake Winnipesaukee. This includes the Camp Directors Association of New Hampshire, representing the trustworthy care of thousands of children from all over the world who attend summer camps on the lake. Why are these businesses supporters? They know that Lake Winnipesaukee’s safe, family-friendly reputation needs to be preserved for its revenue generating tourism, as well as the relaxing refuge it offers every lake enthusiast. Raising the Broads’ speed limit to 55 mph, as the amended Senate Bill 27 does, is not family-friendly nor is it safe. It negates the very purpose of the 45 mph daytime limit law that has
love. Having read over the past years that lies and hateful commentary that Stephenson has contributed to this forum, I can only believe he is Christian in name only. He uses Christianity to justify his own personal hatred and intolerance of others. Quite frankly, my major concerns are the economy, jobs and the wars we find ourselves involved in; religion is far down the list. If a sun worshipper can resolve the problems of our great nation, I’d vote for him/her. Mr. Stephenson’s argument that President Obama is “NOT a U.S. citizen” has been debunked numerous times by investigations, every judicial forum that has addressed the matter and Hawaiian government officials, where Obama was born on August 14, 1961. Encouraging people to believe the president is illegitimate encourages them to believe that he needs to be removed by any means necessary — it’s dangerous. I agree with Mr. Valengavich that Stephenson is “beating a dead horse”, but with the political season soon to be upon us, these conspiracy theories and lies contribute to the abject fear-mongering and racism that goes along with the farright agenda. In addressing Stephenson’s allegations that the president’s wealth “came from kickbacks” from the unions, I’m sure he can provide evidence to substantiate his claims. If not, then I must assume that these are just further lies being exposed to demean and discredit our president. I was also taken back recently when I read Gene Danforth’s comments that diversity and academic freedom were “falsehoods”. Not to be an alarmist, but these views are reminiscent of Hitler and his Nazi regime. It’s comforting to note, however, that Danforth assures us that we will be safe as long as we have guns. L. J. Siden Gilmanton
American oil companies should hire brilliant young minds To the editor, Economically speaking, it is regretful that “Big Oil and its companions” chose to buy patents, for decades, from the most brilliant American minds and destroy them. These were the ideas that would have taken us forward, in our use of energy, when crisis was not around every corner. Our new wrinkle is a global economy, like we have never
known. When the brightest minds are given respect for thinking far into the future, America becomes stronger. “Big Oil and its companions”, don’t let fear and greed paralyze the opening of your purse strings. Hire our brilliant American minds and let them again create prosperity for our nation. K. Trendell Laconia
from preceding page resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders. Fraudulent Elections: Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections. I invite readers to respond to any of these characteristics to see if they
observe any parallels between fascist regimes and events that are now going on in this country. My purpose in writing this column is to encourage everyone to be vigilant of forces that can undermine freedom, democracy, human rights and free speech. There is no place for passivity and silence when liberties are under threat. When people relinquish their power, there are many eagerly awaiting to grasp it from them, and when that happens, it isn’t a pretty sight. (Leo R. Sandy is professor of counselor education at Plymouth State University and a consulting school psychologist.)
been working so well over the past two years: it slows the fast boats down to allow the slower motor boats and paddlers to enjoy the waters safely and comfortably, too. The Broads, the heart of the lake, is almost 40-percent of the lake area, through which hundreds of islanders have to boat in all directions to get from the mainland to their island homes and back again — often multiple times each day to ferry groceries, garbage, construction materials, service people, friends and family. This occurs day and night and every week and month when the lake isn’t frozen — 9 to 10 months a year. Any boater—motorized or not—has to pass through the Broads on their way from one part of the lake to another or to enjoy the Broads’ waters. The 55-mpg Broads amendment or other higher limits would remove the right of safe and comfortable access to this lake center for anglers, sailors, slower boaters and paddlers. We don’t allow a group of Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari owners to complain that they can’t drive as fast as they want on the highways, and we don’t give them a portion of our roads to race on at higher speeds—we ask them to go to a racetrack. Higher speeds than the 45/30 law don’t make sense on Lake Winnipsaukee and aren’t fair or safe to the overwhelming, super majority of boaters who support this law and want to keep it as it is without any changes. The thousands of 45/30 supporters have compromised by not getting 40/20 mph limits (like Squam and Spofford Lakes) as many wanted, by not putting horsepower or length restrictions as many wanted and as are on many other N.H. lakes, by raising the nighttime limit to 30mph from 25mph last year, and by waiting so long to get the 45/30mph speed limits made into law. The vast majority of Lake Winnipesaukee residents and visitors greatly treasure safe and relaxing lake experiences with family and friends and want to preserve their freedom and right to enjoy the lake comfortably and safely with the 45/30 law lake-wide, even on the Broads — without worrying about their safety from high speed boating. Please urge your state senators and reps NOT TO support Senate Bill 27 (and any amendments) that would diminish this critical safety measure by changing the 45/30mph law — ask them to leave it as it is without changes. The 55 Broads amended SB-27 is not a compromise —i t is politics. Ask your senator to listen to the New Hampshire people, not to politics. Sandra Helve, President On behalf of WinnFABS, Winnipesaukee Family Alliance for Boating Safety Meredith & Nashua
Thank you for voter support for the Gilmanton Year Round Library To the editor, The Board of Directors wishes to thank Gilmanton Voters for approving the supplemental funding for the Gilmanton Year-Round Library at Town Meeting. This will allow library services to continue for another year. Current patrons are invited to keep checking as more books and other
as new programs are offered. It is sincerely hoped that residents, who have not yet availed themselves of the many services available at the library, will come to the library and see what is there for all to enjoy. Thank you again. The Board of Directors Gilmanton Year-Round Library