The United States cannot stop Russia from invading Ukraine without starting a wider war. It should not fall in the trap of trying to do so. Neither should it threaten Russia with consequences or engage in a war of words. Thereby it merely helps Russia by providing a road map for it to follow. In fact, it should shun all dialogue with Russia over the matter and maintain silence as to what it will do in response, following an old New England business maxim: Never tell anyone what you are going to do until after you have done it.
For years now, Russia under Vladimir Putin has been conducting a campaign against NATO and others backed up by the threat of nuclear war. He does so now. He cannot be trusted. He is not a fit party for any negotiations over anything. He belongs to the von Ribbentrop school of diplomacy. Talk is only for softening up your enemies.
The cost that Russia must pay for Ukraine is now clear: It must be Russia’s position, and hence that of Iran, in Syria, and the consequent fall of the Assad regime, as well as Russia’s naval presence in the Mediterranean Sea. This can and must be effected by the closure of the Turkish Straits to Russian and Ukrainian shipping under the terms of the Montreux Convention. This is a decision for Turkey, not for us. But we must be prepared for it. And if we send reinforcements to any NATO member state at this time, it should be to Turkey, if requested.
But you did not hear this from me, Sen. Shaheen.
Tyler P. Harwell
New London
I greatly appreciate the recent Forum letter from Leslie MacGregor about Biden’s first year accomplishments (“Superb first year,” Jan. 31). Not only have his accomplishments been underappreciated by the general public, but he has also been unfairly criticized by many in his own party for not getting voting rights and other legislation passed against the insurmountable opposition of all 50 Republican and two Democratic senators. In addition, he has been unfairly blamed for the persistence of COVID-19 and inflation, arguably the two most important issues to voters today. While Biden has embraced the scientific community in the fight against COVID-19 and administered more than 500 million vaccine doses, his predecessor was reported to be the single largest driver of coronavirus misinformation in the world. Furthermore, many Republican leaders — including Gov. DeSantis of Florida, the second leading candidate for the party’s 2024 presidential nomination — continue to misinform the public and obstruct vaccination and social distancing efforts to contain the virus. Presidents generally have little control over inflation, which is now worldwide and largely due to ramifications of COVID-19.
The lack of appreciation and unfair criticism of Biden, reflected in his undeservedly low approval ratings, could portend a national and worldwide disaster. In a recent Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey, 57% of suburban respondents said they are more likely to vote for a Republican candidate in the midterms. If Trump-leaning Republicans expand their control of state governments and take back the U.S. House and Senate, as they are currently poised to do, they will be further empowered to restrict voting rights and politicize the electoral apparatus, which could greatly advantage their presidential candidate in 2024. Republican control of the presidency, both chambers of Congress and the judiciary — all three branches of our government — could severely and irreparably damage our democracy and other democracies around the world. If you think this is hyperbole, just start paying attention to the ongoing Jan. 6 investigation, which is uncovering the many coordinated efforts among Trump and his enablers in the White House, Congress, the judiciary and state governments to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
William C. Black
Hanover
Hanover Town Manager Julia Griffin has been designated Clean Energy New Hampshire’s Champion of the Year. According to CENH’s press release, Julia “has been instrumental in advancing state and local clean energy policy — through legislation, regulation and implementation.”
During its 2017 Town Meeting, Hanover voted overwhelmingly for the entire town to transition to 100% renewable energy for electricity by 2030 and for heating, cooling and transportation by 2050. Among many other clean energy accomplishments, Hanover recently completed a 1.72 MW solar array, which along with already installed solar panels amounts to enough energy to cover 97% of Hanover’s municipal electrical usage.
Sarah Young
Hanover
I see in today’s news that a group of ironically anonymous parents have hired a lawyer to demand that teachers breach their children’s privacy and inform them if their child comes out as transgender. Perhaps a better alternative — and a considerably cheaper one, given the price of a lawyer these days — might be for them to engage in an activity called “parenting” which, if done through respect and care, might instead solve the issue by earning their child’s trust. If the “anonymous parents” think the best way to learn if their child is transgender is through hiring a lawyer to intimidate school boards and teachers, perhaps a moment’s reflection might reveal why their children haven’t informed these parents themselves.
Richard Ford Burley
Lebanon