Rather than “draining the swamp,” our president presides over a pig sty of corruption, hypocrisy and greed. How many more people in office are going to be exposed as having helped Russia to corrupt the democratic process?
Prayers and thoughts ring empty after yet another mass murder when there is no serious effort to address the root of the problem. And does the middle class really get a tax break when the big winners will be those who have more money than they could ever spend, never mind need?
Make no mistake. We are dealing with a crowd that does not care about the future of our children or those that need compassion and help. I sometimes wonder. Don’t they have kids and grandchildren or are they so cynical or ignorant that the ruin of the planet and the national debt they leave behind does not even enter their consciousness? May God, whose name they so often and at times insincerely invoke, help us all.
Ulrike Rainer
Hanover
On a recent Saturday as I was taking my weekly visit to Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, walking my 15-pound dog on a leash, a large dog who looked like a pit bull ran across the field and attacked him. There was no one around. The grounds looked empty. It was terrifying.
Fortunately, the dog’s owners sauntered into view and their dog ran back to them. My dog was miraculously uninjured. His owners said they had no idea they needed to keep their dog on a leash at Saint-Gaudens. “There are no signs about that.”
We had a similar experience walking our dog, on a leash, along 12A and an unleashed dog ran across the road to get to our dog. These incidents are traumatic. Please keep your dogs leashed even if you think they are friendly and under control.
Susan Kahn
Plainfield
Johnny Gandelsman, internationally renowned violinist, is performing the Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin on Friday evening at 7 in Lebanon.
His warm and vibrant personality, together with his wealth of knowledge, make him an extraordinary performer, speaker and teacher. Many of us know him through his work all over the world, performing with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble. In addition, he is a founding member of the acclaimed Brooklyn Rider string quartet. He has performed at the Hopkins Center on numerous occasions and has been involved with schools in the area. His music includes all genres from the classical to “New Music.”
In the last month, I have seen Gandelsman perform twice in Boston, once with former Dartmouth College professor Jody Diamond in a gamelan concert, and once with Brooklyn Rider. He is a breath of fresh air, truly an extraordinary violinist and human being. I follow him far and wide, like a kid and a rock star. We are so fortunate to have him in our midst this weekend.
The concert is part of a new series of classical music brought to us by the Lebanon Opera House, to be held at the First Congregational Church, just across the Lebanon Green. Saturday morning he will be coaching students at the Upper Valley Music Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m. He will then will give a lecture/demonstration on his interpretation of the Bach Sonatas and Partitas.
Jean M. Bates
Orford
Members of the Hartford Committee on Racial Inequality, especially white members, should be begging to hear more about racial disparity, not less. The first rule of white supremacy: Don’t talk about white supremacy. The second rule of white supremacy: Don’t talk about white supremacy.
We need, as a nation, to talk about white supremacy now, and we need to keep that conversation going until every citizen has a clear understanding of the anti-black laws, habits and policies that shape the reality of the United States. Vermont is in a unique position to lead the way in the struggle for racial equity.
If white people would simply shut up and listen for a change, they would come to understand how, yes, all white people in America are born into a “racialized” society that teaches by word, deed and imagery that white people are, as a group, superior to all others. To deny this actuality is tantamount to saying, “I refuse to listen to the people I have abused, and I refuse to hold myself accountable.” Why would anyone want to be that person?
Carolyn M. Bardos
Fairlee
The Hartford Historical Society continues to actively solicit donations for our capital campaign to enable us to pursue negotiations to purchase the former Elks’ Club property in Hartford Village. This facility would provide much-needed space for our collections, honor the history of the Elks’ Club and provide the opportunity to preserve the historic Horace Pease House.
We are now working on an exciting program for the future called “The Glory Days of the Hartford Elks’ Club,” which will preserve the important legacy of one of Hartford’s most prominent and prestigious organizations. We are seeking former Hartford Elks Club members to add their stories and remembrances. We are also welcoming spouses and children who have much to add to this family-oriented club’s history. All are encouraged to call the Historical Society at 802-296-3132 or email info@hartfordhistoricalsociety.com to make an appointment for an interview.
Martha Knapp
President
Hartford Historical Society
Is it something in the water?
After anxious months of following the Flint, Mich., water crisis, are we left to wonder if something similar is occurring in Alabama? I’ve read that leaching lead can cause severe memory loss. Might that be the answer as to why both Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore might be having such abysmal recall issues?
Should Alabamians be concerned? Should we?
Steve Ackerman
Lebanon