Dark Side of Social Media
I just finished a new book by Nancy Jo Sales called American Girls, Social Media, and the Secret Lives of Teenagers. It’s heartbreaking. Eight years ago, Apple came out with the iPhone, which has since drawn (especially) young people into an addictive vortex of emotional turbulence, bullying, insecurity, anxiety and sabotage — especially for girls. This world creates an environment that strangely compels them to compete for “likes” by looking “hot.”
The elephant in the room is the new porn, which is very violent, abusive and degrading to women, and is readily available to kids. I wonder why this is? It has now become “normalized.”
This is not fair to girls, boys or their parents. Our girls, especially, need rescuing! They need information, like that provided by Judy Bloom that helped teens in the past. There is no Judy Bloom now who can help answer and make sense of the sordid questions and disrespect girls are having to face in these times. They need compassionate support and guidance.
I hope that enough people will be inspired to learn more about this dark side of social media so that new and healthy ways of navigating it can be created for our precious young people. May God help them, and all of us! We need it.
Marie Wiggins
Sunapee
Co-op Wasn’t ‘Forced’ to Settle
While the article on the Co-op’s annual meeting in the April 3 Sunday Valley News may have correctly quoted Co-op board candidate William Craig, your paper failed to investigate the validity of his statements. For example, the Hanover Co-op was not “forced to settle with the National Labor Relations Board, having attempted to punish employees for discussing unionization.” Instead, the Co-op, the NLRB and the union all voluntarily agreed to settle the allegations. The Co-op settled so that it might save financial resources. It also hoped to move the conversation from the defense of allegations to the search for more productive ways to make the Co-op the best it can be. Rarely does the NLRB sign off on a settlement in which the employer — the Co-op, in this case — does not admit to violating the law. It did this time.
It is important that your reporters and editors follow practices of common due diligence when covering news of our organization. When strong claims are made, verify those claims. I remained at our meeting for almost an hour after it had adjourned. There was ample opportunity for your reporter to speak with me. Until I read your Sunday perspective on our annual meeting, I had no idea if a reporter had actually attended.
For those who were unable to attend our meeting of April 2 and only read your article, I’m pleased to report that those in attendance enjoyed an informative presentation by 10 area farmers on the role of our cooperative in the Upper Valley agricultural economy.
Additionally, we were honored to present the Co-op’s Allen and Nan King award to a long-time Co-op member who has pursued a lifetime of service to the greater community good. We also heard from each candidate running for our board of directors.
And while those statements were brief, they are supplemented by candidate material and ballots mailed to all Co-op members, available at each of our Co-op locations, and found online at www.mycoopvote.com.
Margaret Drye
President, Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society
Another Co-op Election
It is another April, and it is time for another Co-op election. A year ago, the Co-op membership elected candidates endorsed by the ad hoc group Concerned About the Co-op, and all of the incumbent board members, then running for re-election, lost. Unfortunately, the remaining members of the Co-op board neglected to get the message from the membership that some change was in order.
I have always believed that the most important responsibility that any board member has to any organization is the proper exercise of fiduciary responsibility. The board as a whole and each member has a fiduciary responsibility to the entire membership. Management should be responsible to the board, and the board should be responsible to the membership. The board is not responsible to management, and the board must not be a rubber stamp of management. Candidates chosen by the nominating committee may be just that.
Again this year the candidates endorsed by the ad hoc group have stated their commitment to greater transparency in the operations of the Co-op. Of course, there may be some personnel information that must remain confidential, but to fully achieve the Co-op principles, there must be a greater transparency in its operations. To achieve that I will be voting for Liz Blum, Bill Craig, Phil Pochoda, Annie Macdonald and Donald Kreis to the Co-op board of directors.
John Mudge
Lyme
Excellent Care at the VA
I am responding to the April 7 article about manipulated appointment wait times at the VA in White River Junction. I am a Vietnam veteran who has been receiving my medical care at the VA for the past 30 years. Not once have I ever had to wait for more than a week for an appointment.
In fact, there have been a couple of times when I felt l had a problem that couldn’t wait, I called, and they saw me that very same day.
I personally have had only good experiences. My grandfather, father and son have also received excellent care there over the years.
Area veterans should be very thankful to have the White River VA, and from my experience feel we should appreciate the care that we receive.
Randy Chapman
Tunbridge