McConnell’s Blunder

Sen. Mitch McConnell, whose stupefying and regressive decision not to consider a Supreme Court nominee is clearly based, at least in part, on personal antipathy to President Obama, must have been squirming in his seat as Obama spoke to — and was applauded by — the Cuban people. Long after McConnell is a footnote in the annals of history, Obama’s Cuban initiative will be viewed as a bold and statesmanlike move, and despite the outcry from American conservatives and the Florida Cuban-American community, it will yield great things on both sides, both socially and economically. Companies are lining up to do business in that largely untapped market.

Bear in mind that this is scary and untested ground for a socialist/Communist regime, and Raoul Castro deserves no little praise. Cuba is not going to change its repressive system overnight, but it is cautiously inching toward greater economic and personal freedoms. Obama’s visit will accelerate this process and terminate an aging, vindictive and ineffective embargo.

We lose nothing by extending this hand of friendship, but American conservatives will scream bloody murder. In an effort not to be lecturing Cuba about our “perfect” system, Obama spoke candidly about some of America’s problems, and to conservatives that constitutes an apology. Apology is a dirty word in the conservative lexicon. Conservatives don’t forgive easily, and they seem actually to enjoy keeping enemies around and to be spoiling for a fight (tune in Trump or Cruz or Cheney on any given day). It is probably true that they fill an important role by providing a strong pull in the opposite direction in the perennial tug of war between change and status quo. But change, albeit halting and scary at times, always prevails when the human condition is made better.

Arthur E. Norton

Woodstock

Join the Garden Club

Do you enjoy your town gardens and hanging baskets? Do you wonder who provides them? In Hanover, it is members of the Hanover Garden Club who raise money, buy and plant the gardens and provide many other community benefits. Town staff provides watering and weeding maintenance with funding from the Hanover Improvement Society.

I am a longtime member of the Hanover Garden Club (open to anyone who wishes to join) and for many years could only provide support by paying my annual dues as I was unable to fit monthly daytime programs into my work week. However, I was able to remain connected by getting the newsletters, donating plants to the annual fundraising plant sale and helping plant the town gardens.

 Another attractive reason to belong is that membership allows you to visit the open gardens events held during the summer months. Many local and neighboring town gardens have open days, free of charge for members and guests. All members receive notices about such events.

This year is the 80th birthday of the Hanover Garden Club, with many special events planned. This would be a wonderful year to join the club, show your support in a monetary sense but also find out how you could participate in the many ongoing and special activities. Many of the long-term members are aging with creaky joints, so we love to see new, younger members join us. Knowledge of gardening is not needed as we have many experts on hand to share their knowledge.

Check out the website hanovergardenclub.org for more information about our activities and information on how to join.

Susan Edwards

Hanover

This Noisy Campaign

I feel that it is finally time for me to express my opinion. I realize that mine is just a tiny voice in this noisy campaign. I have watched with dismay the unfolding political scene, and for the first time in my life I wonder how I can vote in the coming elections.

However, the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back is the Republican threat to not even consider President Obama’s nomination to the Supreme Court. To wait until after the election is ridiculous. Who is to say that there could even be a consensus after the election?

I feel it is time to put common sense into this whole process and do away with whoever has the most money to spend and the loudest voice.

Carole Haehnel

White River Junction

Carole Blake Will Be Missed

Hundreds in the Upper Valley will miss Carol Blake as former leader of the Upper Valley Community Band, but be rest assured, its excellence will continue under the leadership of Becky Luce, who is just as qualified to take the helm.

Betty Pardoe

Lebanon