New Castle was to live up to its starring role in the American Revolution
18 Nov — To the Editor:
In the town of New Castle, there is interest in putting up a sign at each end of the town’s entry points announcing New Castle as the “site of the first gunfire of the American Revolution.” The motivation for the sign came from the recent discovery of an affidavit from British Archives file C05-939, Section 63. The section describes how a Patriot attack on Fort William and Mary on December 14, 1774 was met with cannon and musket fire fired by the king’s men four months before the battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775. The relevant passage, sworn testimony of then-Captain John Cochrane, reads in part:
“During this negotiation large numbers gathered on all sides of the fort, and in a moment the signal to charge was given, after which I ordered the men to shoot. They fired the cannon(s) and handguns immediately, but as the soldiers were in too much of a hurry, they had no effect.”
The entire UK archive file, C05-939, can be viewed at the New Castle Historical Society. Those interested in providing their views on the proposed sign can send them to the City’s Select Board, c/o the Board Secretary at [email protected]
Mike Geanoulis
New lock
A pinch of self-reflection would have upgraded Azzi’s column
Nov. 20 — To the editor:
I fully agree with Robert Azzi in his account of the dangers of religious nationalism. However, he would have had more credibility if he had included Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, ISIS, al-Qaeda in his list of dangerous theocracies alongside the Hindu nationalists, Christian nationalists and Jewish nationalists he is so quick to condemn.
Think for a moment what it’s like to be “different” in the Islamoverse, while here in the States Muslim citizens enjoy all civil rights, including writing as we do in a public forum. Muslim religious autocracies are also “manifestations of using religion as a cover to hide their greed and desire for profit and power.” I will tell you right now that as a Jewish person, I am appalled by the reemergence of Bibi Netanyahu and those he included in his coalition for this purpose. So Robert, a pinch of self-reflection would be a great improvement for your editorial staff.
Jeffrey Cooper
Portsmouth
Executive Councilor-elect Joseph Kenney thanks Seacoast voters
Nov. 20 — To the editor:
I would like to thank the voters of Seacoast for their support and confidence in re-electing me to the Executive Council of District 1 of New Hampshire on November 8th. I especially want to thank my family, friends and supporters who have worked hard for me on the campaign and throughout this process.
This is a new challenge for me to take on 11 new communities, most of which are near or on the coast. My active representation will continue to progress as I get to know even more citizens and help them with their problems. I also look forward to working with the new communities and their leadership to address their issues and resource needs.
I look forward to the next two years of serving the people of District 1. I will officially be sworn in for my new term on January 4, 2023. My door is always open and I can be reached at [email protected] and/or 603 271-3632. Again, my sincere thanks and appreciation for your trust and trust.
Joseph D Kenney
Wakefield
Republicans are stuck with the Trump problem they created
Nov. 17 — To the Editor:
On February 13, 2021, members of the former US Senate Republican Party had the opportunity to declare the end of Trumpism and to end all future political aspirations of Donald Trump and reclaim the Republican Party from Trumpism. Instead, they voted to clear Mr. Triumph of sedition so that he could remain a viable political force in the future.
That decision by these former Republicans has now returned to haunt them in a very big way. Not only did Trump cost them the presidency and Senate in the 2020 election, he was blamed for the Trumpists’ inability to do so by formerly staunch Trump supporters like Fox, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, and others the Senate, won a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, and lost a number of key elections for the governor, secretary of state, and state legislatures in the recent midterm elections. The predicted big “red wave” that almost every pundit predicted turned out to be pink dribble thanks to Mr. Trump.
If the 2022 election results weren’t bad enough for the former Republican Party, the next two years could be even more destructive.
On Tuesday, Mr Trump announced his candidacy for the presidency in 2024. While his decision may have been motivated by his attempt to avoid criminal charges and prosecution, it was also timed to get ahead of his likely competitors like Ron DeSantis and Chris Christie. As a result, we can expect a dirty and bloody battle between Trump and DeSantis in particular for the nomination. In fact, Trump has already warned that he has a lot of dirt on DeSantis to use against him. In the end, that fight could severely injure the eventual candidate and crush the race for the former Republican Party in the 2024 general election.
While Mr. Trump may not have the political clout he once did, he still has the strong support of a sizeable and vocal group of Trumpists. You will cause a lot of trouble for former Republicans if they reject Trump. The former Republican Party has no one to blame but themselves for the position they put themselves in. Now they’re stuck with Trump and all the baggage he brings with him. The best outcome for these former Republicans is that Trump will be tried and convicted of one of the numerous crimes he has committed. This would free ex-Republicans from the Trump curse, which they can then accuse Democrats of using the DOJ for political ends. How ironic that this justice could save Republicans from themselves.
Rich DiPentima, LTC, USAFR, Ret.
Portsmouth