To the Editor:

It is evident that a conscience is being convicted when the response is venomous. On the occasions when I join a pro-life stand, I am more pleased by the drivers who yell or use vulgar hand signals than the ones who pretend not to see us. There is little hope for those who choose blindness, which means there is hope for Mr. Beward. Why else would he respond so unkindly to the mere mention of anything Biblical, unless it’s spiritual warfare?

It’s not “grandstanding,” it’s witnessing, as the Bible commands. “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent,” “I believed; therefore I have spoken,” “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight.” Convince, rebuke, exhort, share, shout, sing, preach, teach, extol, praise and many more words are used to clearly instruct us to be proactive and vocal. Christians are called to wear their faith like a poncho in the sunshine; to be fully and conspicuously clothed in his spirit.

It’s not “mind reading,” it’s just reading. He clearly did, “openly and freely declare” belief in evolution and disbelief of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, last November. Such an adamant, public denial of Biblical facts, and of the Lord himself, could not go unanswered, especially when it was in the form of a written assault on a Christian brother. I believe it was, and is, the Holy Spirit at work. Perhaps someone may make a decision, which certainly is of great importance and eternal consequence.

If God’s word is not true, then Jesus is not God. If we evolved over billions of years, then Genesis is a lie because life created itself. You cannot have it both ways. The Bible is replete with the affirmation of God’s creation of man. Jesus preached from, and validated The Bible, because it’s about him. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies that were written, thousands of years before he was born as a man, including his virgin birth, crucifixtion and resurrection. If you earnestly seek him, you will find him. Get a Bible, Charles. It’s in there. I’ll pray for you.

David Ross
Hooksett

To the Editor:

Thank you for the editorial in the Oct. 5 issue of The Hooksett Banner, which supported Auburn and Candia discussing a joint middle school arrangement. Your piece emphasized the fact that two communities together can often provide better educational opportunities for middle school students than either town can presently provide on its own.

The Candia School Board would like to clarify some of the information presented in the article written by Nick Brown. Auburn does in fact have real space needs; with 605 students attending a school built for approximately 540.

However, Candia’s issue is not the need for more space as the article indicates. Candia’s interest in an arrangement with Auburn is driven by a desire for raising academic achievement and improving the programs available for our middle school students in a manner cost effective to our taxpayers.

The middle school years can be the most difficult for educators and students. This is the beginning of the transition from childhood to adulthood, and students need varied experiences to address their varying needs. This is the time when the attitudes that govern their adult lives take shape.

The current middle school program at Moore School does not offer adequate opportunities for these students. The seventh- and eighth-grade teaching team at Moore School is qualified and experienced. However, they represent the only choice for these students as they go through the physical and emotional challenges of adolescence.

The small number of students (about 150) precludes offering the breadth of programming that allows these students to explore new options. Programs for advanced academics, foreign language options and laboratory science could be made available. A partnership with Auburn would result in a large enough student body that these program weaknesses could be addressed in a cost-effective manner with developmentally and educationally sound results.

At our Thursday, Oct. 5, school board meeting, the board authorized a survey to be sent to town residents, as well as posted online, seeking input on a partnership with Auburn. Members of the board will be available to answer questions at the Moore School PTO Forum on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. In addition, a Joint Middle School Public Forum to discuss the possibility of a partnership with Auburn will be held at the Moore School on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.

The idea of a joint middle school for Auburn and Candia students presents some exciting possibilities for both communities. We thank the Banner for its coverage, and hope that together we can continue to keep the Auburn and Candia communities informed on this issue.

Karen Smith, Chairman
Candia School Board

To the Editor:

I have proudly been a resident of Hooksett for the past seven years. During this time, I have felt extremely guilty and embarrassed by a secret. This secret was that I didn’t recycle.

Being a spiritual person, I imagined and joked that if I were to die, I would end up in recycling hell with a long conveyer belt organizing bottles, and I certainly didn’t want this to happen. This may sound ridiculous, but it just seemed so intimidating and overwhelming to start. Please, I didn’t even know where the transfer station was located. And really, I was happy we even got our trash out in time. But there was this concern I couldn’t get over.

Being a mother, the knowledge that I could make a difference and help save my world was something I just couldn’t get out of my mind. It took me awhile, but I confessed it to my very Earth-conscious neighbor, Marion, and she gladly drove me down to the transfer station to show me the whole process.

We pulled up to the office, and off to the distance I saw a woman standing in front of the recycle bin doors. She was busy organizing recyclables, yet when she saw us pull up her faced brightened and she ran over to greet us. She was so happy and full of smiles. This great lady is Diane Boyce and she is the superintendent. Honestly, I couldn’t believe this sweet angelic lady could be the head of the trash transfer station. I guess I expected someone gruff and creepy. She was extremely encouraging and the place was very easy to get around. It is really user friendly! Everyone is friendly! Signs label everything and there is lots of room.

I can do this, I thought. So the next week I returned with my milk jugs, Sunday newspapers, cereal boxes and plastic juice bottles. I am proud to be a Hooksett resident and to have my transfer station sticker on my car. Hurray, I recycle! And believe me, if I can do it, you can do it, too!

Susanna Hargreaves
Hooksett

To the Editor:

Although Jim Breagy states in his Banner letter of Oct. 5 that I challenged him about an article he’s written titled “The big bang ­ almighty God,” and that I “failed to accept the invitation,” I have to inform Mr. Breagy that I have no recollection of ever having read such an “article” ­ does he mean a Banner letter from many months ago? ­ nor can I remember any “invitation” extended. But since I may be suffering from a failed memory, perhaps he can refresh it.

Aside from that, I want to thank him for characterizing my thinking and ideas as “moronish,” since, if I understand what he’s referring to, that gives me a free pass into the company of the scientifically literate. However, he also accuses me of being an anti-free speech and anti-free press person, and ­ shades of McCarthyism ­ an anti-American to boot! Even though I’d previously written that I had had no intention of urging the Banner to stop printing Mr. Ross’s letters, which, even were the Banner to do so, would not be a free-speech ­ and certainly not a free-press ­ issue. Now, how he squares up all of that I have no idea, unless he either has difficulty reading the English language or equates strong criticism with a deprivation of First Amendment rights, which I think I’m a champion of in far fuller terms than Mr. Breagy will ever be. Bearing false witness, sir?

But as to that “moronish,” now. Always ready to improve my vocabulary, I went online and asked an online dictionary to define the word “moronish.” “No results found for moronish,” I was told, “Did you mean Moonish?” The moon, Mr. Breagy might recall, moves around the earth. As does the sun.

Charles Beward
Candia

To the Editor:

As a veteran (U.S. Navy ­ served on board the U.S.S. Okinawa during Cuban missile crisis), I disagree that Jeb Bradley has been supportive of veterans. On the other hand, Mr. Bradley must like veterans so much that by unconditionally supporting George Bush’s failed immoral and illegal Iraq war and occupation, he is creating so many thousands more.

Mr. Bradley voted for a budget that cut veterans’ health care benefits by some $14 billion! By doing this, Mr. Bradley’s vote also required other veterans’ cuts of $798 million through either increasing fees on health care or reducing benefits for those servicepeople who receive disability pay or pension benefits!

In addition, Rep. Bradley also voted against debt assistance for returning guardspeople and reservists, as well as against additional job assistance to all those courageous veterans returning from duty abroad. By voting against expansion of TRICARE to thousands of National Guard members and Reservists who lack health insurance, Mr. Bradley was basically thumbing his nose at these folks. (20 percent of all Reservists do not have health insurance and 40 percent of Reservists age 19 to 35 lack health coverage.) The Wolfeboro Republican voted against a proposal that would have expanded military health care to provide access to TRICARE for most members of the Reserves and Guards (and their families) for a low fee.

When Jeb Bradley voted to cut $14 billion from the budget which reduced health benefits for veterans, he basically was assisting the Bush tax cuts which benefited the wealthy in our country. This is intolerable and according to his opponent, Carol Shea-Porter, must not be allowed to stand. Carol Shea-Porter, had she been in Congress, would have voted against these budget cuts which hurt veterans and benefited the rich.

Another item of concern for veterans is how so many have been exposed to the “agent orange” of the 21st century -- depleted uranium contamination. Depleted uranium shells and bullets which are coated with a toxic residue of radioactive components have, it is believed, caused higher than normal rates of cancers and birth abnormalities among our veterans and their families. Rep. Bradley was asked to become a sponsor of various bills that would have called for an independent study of the consequences of using such a deadly weapon but he refused to co-sponsor bills that would have called for testing our returning veterans for possible depleted uranium contamination. Is this what he calls supporting our veterans?

Finally, a friend of mine, a Vietnam combat veteran, tells me that his weekly group PTSD counseling sessions at the Manchester VA hospital have been suspended. Where is Jeb Bradley on this issue? No, it has to be stated without any malice that Jeb Bradley’s words of support for veterans does not always match his votes in Congress. Remember as you go to the polls on Nov. 7, 2006, that a woman’s place is in the House of Representatives! Carol Shea-Porter is that woman who will vote to support all of our veterans and will support actions that protect our troops while honoring their sacrifice.

Will Thomas
Auburn

To the Editor:

The Hooksett Lions Club would like to recognize and thank the following for their support of our chicken barbecue at the Hooksett Old Home Day on Saturday, Oct. 7.

• The Hooksett Old Home Day Committee

• Hooksett Parks and Recreation Department

• Robie’s Country Store and Deli

• Manchester Sand and Gravel

• Hooksett Shaw’s Supermarket

• Hooksett Congregational Church

• Freihofer’s Bakery

• Poultry Products

We served 150 dinners to raise funds in support of sight and hearing projects for Hooksett.

The Rev. John Brock
President
Hooksett Lions Club