I enjoyed the humor piece you published under the guise of an editorial (“A Salute to Good Sense: Vt.’s Carefully Crafted New Gun Laws,” April 22).
Vermont has never had a firearms problem. “Good sense” doesn’t attempt to solve imaginary problems.
On the day that she murdered four people, Jody Herring should have been in Day 68 of a 90-day “involuntary” commitment for mental health issues. On the day Wanda Sanville was killed in her home, Frank Sanville was free on “furlough” from an earlier domestic assault conviction. An uninformed 18-year-old who can vote is arguably more dangerous than one who is informed and proficient with an AR-15.
“Good sense” would imply that some benefit will result from the legislation, yet all I can see is an undue burden on decent law-abiding folk who have done nothing wrong and don’t intend to. “Good sense” on the part of our elected leaders would be to start keeping dangerous people off the streets. (That is, by the way, just a part of what the National Rifle Association has been advocating for decades.)
“Good sense” would mean enacting laws that actually punish repeat offenders, instead of continuing the “revolving door” policy that allows repeat offenders free after multiple felonies. Is it too expensive to keep them incarcerated? How much do their crimes cost society? “Good sense” would mean not allowing dangerous people to walk free. How many dollars would it have cost to have kept Jody Herring or Frank Sanville locked up? “Good sense” recognizes that restricting objects does not alter human behavior. (See the 18th Amendment and the “War on Drugs”)
And, by the way, please stop with the lame line about hunters using 10-, 15-, or 30-round magazines. Neither Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution nor the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution are about hunting or sport shooting. Your continued use of that line makes you look quite ignorant.
Ernie Amsden
Royalton
With the formation of Lebanon’s Arts and Culture Task Force, the city has shown its desire to support quality of life and community. As property along Route 12A changes hands and the future of box stores is in doubt, Lebanon has the opportunity to change the landscape in ways that would be a huge boon to both businesses and residents of the Upper Valley, and support the creative economy.
The business strip occupies a stretch of riverfront currently used for dumpsters and loading docks but which a private-public partnership could turn into public space for strolling, eating, resting from shopping and perhaps even cross-country skiing in winter. Local artists could help in design, as well as using it for “plein air” events, and perhaps a small music venue. Outdoors enthusiasts could explore fishing and kayaking, etc. I’m sure our creative citizens and leaders could expand on these ideas.
Such a change would draw people for shopping and events and keep them in the area for more shopping and dining. In addition, the design might be done in a way that helps limit damage from future floods.
Residents and visitors from all over the Upper Valley come to West Lebanon for its businesses, services and the dump. Why not build on that?
Other communities have made the most of riverfront property, and Lebanon could do the same, crafting a welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.
Diane Root
West Lebanon
I recently attended a show at the Hopkins Center titled Looking for Tiger Lily, by Anthony Hudson. It was a very intimate solo performance aided by screen visuals. Hudson is Native American, and he revealed on stage his personal struggle searching for his identity. Even the humor had a pang of anguish as he portrayed blood quantum identity measurements, “savage” children being rounded up and sent to boarding schools to be “civilized,” and the loss of land, tradition and culture.
One moment in the performance was a rapid-fire song, aided by photographs on the screen, of 50 images of cultural appropriation, many for profit (think the Indian maiden on Land O’ Lakes butter; Cher, who is Armenian-American, in full Indian regalia singing Half-Breed; and yes, Tiger Lily from Peter Pan).
Here in our community we have had Native American mascots and logos appropriated by businesses and institutions. Thankfully, that is changing.
Most recently, Mascoma Bank has changed its logo from the image of Squakheag Chief Mascommah in a canoe to a pinwheel graphic of rainbow colors. I applaud the bank for taking this action, seemingly apart from any public pressure to do so. And, whether it was the bank’s intention or not, I like to think that the new logo implies inclusivity and an “all are welcome” stance.
Before Hudson’s performance began, a professor from Dartmouth took the stage and asked the audience to take a moment to recognize and acknowledge that we are on Abenaki land. Here in the Upper Valley, we tread upon it every day.
Susan Kellogg
Lebanon
I know firsthand that present-day politics can be a hardball, aggressive business. Negative campaigning, once eschewed, is now the norm and, thanks to the Citizen’s United decision, literally billions are spent on election advertising.
I would hope, however, that all Americans, regardless of party or ideology, can join me in condemning so-called political operative Roger Stone for his recent comments about the late Barbara Bush. Stone has hit an all-time low in this regard.
Americans are way better than his ridiculous, vindictive rants, and it looks like his 15 minutes is just about up.
Time to exit, stage right.
Frank McDougall
Quechee
We laughed our heads off at Northern Stage’s current play, Noises Off, the subject of your great review (“In ‘Noises Off,’ Actors Excel at Bad Acting,” April 19).
Happily, a friend called and offered us tickets to a performance because of a conflict. It was hilarious and everything was enjoyable.
The new theater is not to be missed, and I am happy for the renaissance of downtown White River Junction it is leading.
Parking after hours is a breeze, and free alongside the tracks. The walk is short. Tickets cost more than movies, but live theater is a totally different experience, of course. It’s not live theater or movies; it’s both!
Howard Shaffer
Enfield