Take a stand against white supremacy
As president of the board of directors of Adas Yoshuron Synagogue in Rockland, I represent the board in condemning the racist and anti-Semitic rally that recently occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Make no mistake, there are no good Nazis or members of the Klan. These aren’t Rotarians, Lions, Knights of Columbus or members of like-minded civic groups that strengthen our community. Groups that purport to be supremacist are antithetical to our values and principles. None can afford to be silent and all must speak out against hate whenever it occurs. And we should shun those who espouse it.
Free speech isn’t carrying automatic weapons with the intent of terrorizing or harming others. It isn’t chanting anti-Semitic Nazi songs and carrying hateful banners as a mob marches toward a synagogue in Charlottesville or anywhere. It’s time for good people of every faith, every color and every persuasion to say “enough.”
Clifford Dacsco
Spruce Head
Hate groups un-American
Our invisible congressman, Bruce Poliquin, won’t meet with some voters, won’t be interviewed by the press and seems to believe he only represents the folks who donate big bucks to get him re-elected.
So here’s a challenge for him: He should do his job and represent the beliefs of the good people of the 2nd Congressional District.
That means supporting H.Con.Res.77, a congressional resolution to condemn racism, bigotry and violence perpetrated by hate groups. It also urges (not forces) President Donald Trump to fire individuals in the White House who support white supremacists.
Poliquin should take an ethical stand and let us all know that neo-Nazis, skinheads and other violent hate groups are un-American.
Janet Redfield
Lincolnville
Broken promises to Native Americans
Tom Perez’ Aug. 10 OpEd on President Donald Trump breaking the federal government’s promises to the Native Americans was right on. I am 68 years old, and this summer I traveled extensively across the U.S. on a motorcycle, crossing many miles of reservation lands in California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
It is truly appalling to see the reservation lands so poor and dry that you could not grow an ear of corn or a blade of grass; the polluted water of the San Juan River; that we, here in the East, don’t even understand the meaning of the treatment of the Native people in convenience stores when they try to buy something with food stamps on the prohibited list; and, now on top of all that, a more than $300 million cut on promised services.
If we continue to want to be considered Christians, we better start treating the few remaining Native people like Christ would have.
Adrian Hooydonk
Spruce Head
End Alzheimer’s disease
I want to sincerely thank Sen. Susan Collins, co-chair of the Alzheimer’s Task Force, for her unending support in leading the effort to get the Department of Defense through TRICARE to cover care planning for patients and families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. This is so important, especially for newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s victims.
This devastating disease takes a tremendous toll on millions of individuals and family caregivers. TRICARE benefits active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, family members and survivors.
As a TRICARE beneficiary, this would have been so beneficial to my husband, Roland, who suffered from the disease for 10 years. What a relief to myself as caregiver and my family to be able to get help and valuable information that we diligently searched for, especially in the early stages of his disease.
In order to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, I am joining in the fight to end Alzheimer’s by being part of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Waterville on Oct. 14. I would strongly encourage everyone to register for this walk today. Let’s all lead the way to Alzheimer’s first survivor.
Elizabeth Martin
Winslow