On Nov. 26, a person named Rebecca left a decorated Christmas tree by our car at BJ’s in West Lebanon. She also left a note on our car window saying how grateful she was for people like our child who lived and was here to protect her freedom.
I wish to send Rebecca our sincere thanks for this acknowledgment of the Gold Star on our number plate. Even though it was 65 years ago when my brother was killed in the Korean conflict, we still feel the loss.
It was an emotional moment (in a warm way ) when I realized the significance of the tree, My hope for the tree is to plant it beside our church in Bethel.
Merry Christmas.
Larry and Ellen NobileBethel
What can we expect from a Trump presidency? He presents himself as authentic and a straight-talker. Yet, he has bent the truth for years and has often vacillated on issues. The substance of his message seems a trivial thing. Winning is most important and reflects for him a just course.
In The Art of the Deal he states that “People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular. I call it truthful hyperbole. It’s an innocent form of exaggeration — and a very effective form of promotion.”
Such a view may have positive effects. One example: Trump may channel his efforts into public works projects that are dramatic, which would benefit the working class and make Americans in general proud. He has a chance to press for infrastructure projects to repair and build highways, railroads and airports. But, while new projects will attract attention, many infrastructure needs depend on boring maintenance of existing roads and public works. Promoting these requires a coherent vision for governing, something he seems to lack. He tends to lean in whatever direction will generate applause. Trump states about leadership, “It all comes down to feel and touch. I’ve got the instincts” and “I never get too attached to one deal or one approach. I keep a lot of balls in the air.” How might this view affect his actions as president?
I wonder, given Trump’s need for adulation and his pandering to the disadvantaged. Though his campaign has negatively stereotyped Mexicans and Muslims, tapping into nativist instincts, he knows, like many American businessmen, that immigration fuels our economy. He has pledged to kill the Trans-Pacific Partnership, though he knows that global trade is necessary to expand the middle class.
We need to be vigilant about his words and actions, clear about our own values and mindful of the importance of ethics in decision-making. Trump respects power and strength. His personal statement can serve us as well: “When people (the leader) treat me (us) badly or unfairly or try to take advantage of me (us), my general attitude, all my life has been to fight back very hard.”
Bob Scobie Lebanon
N.H. Needs All-Day Kindergarten
During the second gubernatorial debate, the candidates were asked an important question about funding full-day kindergarten as part of their budget.
Governor-elect Sununu said that he would “absolutely” include a plan for statewide full-day kindergarten in his budget. Now it is time for us to hold him accountable to follow through on his promise. As a paraeducator in one of the districts in our state that currently offers full-day kindergarten, I see the benefits in our students and community every day. Full-day kindergarten programs help close the achievement gap between children from low-income families and their peers; with their children safe at school, parents can focus on being positive members of their communities and can contribute to the economy.
Full-day kindergarten makes sense for New Hampshire — we are 49th in the country in terms of access to early childhood education. It is time for us to do better. Full-day kindergarten is vital, and it is the right thing to do for our kids and working adults.
Matthew J. MooshianNewport
I would like to think that for Christians, Christmas is not a time to rush to the mall, but to kneel at the manger.
It is a time for us to reflect on the most precious gift of all, God’s gift of redemption to the world in the birth of his son, Jesus. It is a time to give thanks and to rededicate ourselves to loving and serving the Lord in joy.
Hopefully, as we arise from the manger, it is with the determination to trust in Him to perhaps guide in new paths to bring the gospel, in word and service, to a hurting world. From providing a helping hand to a neighbor, to serving community shelters and food pantries, to raising much-needed money for worldwide mission projects.
The list is endless in opportunities to serve our Lord in the second greatest commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The very heart of Christmas is loving God through His son Jesus and serving Him by “gifting” others.
Betsey PealeWest Hartford