Opinion: An apologia for complexity

By JOHN BUTTRICK

John Buttrick writes from his Vermont Folk Rocker in his Concord home, Minds Crossing. He can be reached at johndbuttrick@gmail.com.

Opinion: Donald Trump’s actions are antithetical to Christian life

By STEPHANIE RUTT

Rev. Dr. Stephanie Rutt is founding minister of the Tree of Life Interfaith Temple in Amherst. She lives in Nashua.

Pop goes the culture

By PARKER POTTER

I cut my pop culture teeth on silly television. Now, in my dotage, my television diet consists of re-runs, reality shows, competitions and TCM.

Opinion: What rough beast is slouching toward us to be born

By JEAN STIMMELL

Jean Stimmell is a retired stone mason and psychotherapist living in Northwood. He blogs at jeanstimmell.blogspot.com and jstim.substack.com.

Opinion: We all lose when diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging disappear

By FRANCES LIM-LIBERTY and ANAIS OVALLE

Frances Lim-Liberty, MD, of New London is a pediatric endocrinologist. Anais Ovalle, MD, of Lebanon is an infectious disease physician.

Opinion: Parental bill of rights isn’t about protecting kids

By TESS SUMNER

Tess Sumner is a student at Newfound Regional High School.

Opinion: Is history repeating itself?

MARY and PETE MOSSEAU

Mary and Pete Mosseau live in Concord.

Opinion: Honoring New Hampshire’s ‘live free’ promise

By REBECCA BROWN

Rebecca Brown is a former state representative and directs the New Hampshire Alliance for End of Life Options.

Opinion: Israel and Palestine: A way forward

By SCOTT DICKMAN

Scott Dickman is a board member of New Hampshire Peace Action and belongs to the Compassionate Listening Project.

Opinion: We must protect the Affordable Care Act for millions

By JAYME H. SIMÕES

Jayme H. Simões is a communications professional at Louis Karno & Co. in Concord who has advised numerous public policy and nonprofit organizations.

Opinion: New Hampshire can’t walk away from energy independence

By TOM IRWIN

Tom Irwin is Vice President and Director of Conservation Law Foundation New Hampshire.

Letter: Hopkinton: Please, vote ‘yes’ on the proposed school budget

On Saturday, March 15 at 9 a.m., Hopkinton voters head to the annual School District Meeting. The School Board has proposed and the Budget Committee has unanimously recommended an increase to the operating budget of 2.29%. That increase is entirely driven by a significant uptick in special education costs, which are rising across New Hampshire. In fact, with increased special education costs removed, the operating budget would actually shrink! I expect that, once again this year, an amendment will be proposed to level-fund the School District. This is the so-called “flat budget.” Voters should remember that special education costs are mandated by federal and state law and largely out of the District’s control. If the “flat budget” is adopted, the reductions will not come out of special education — nor should they. Instead, we’ll see cuts to classroom positions and/or core programs like athletics and the arts. As you make your decision on the proposed operating budget, keep in mind that a “flat budget” in March means a different school system in August. Please vote yes on the School Board’s proposal, as recommended by the Budget Committee.

Letter: End New Hampshire vehicle inspections

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Letter: Trump's Ukraine temper tantrum

I couldn’t have said it any better. Commenting on Trump’s tirade during the public meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, former representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) posted: “Generations of American patriots, from our revolution onward, have fought for the principles Zelenskyy is risking his life to defend. But today, Donald Trump and JD Vance attacked Zelenskyy and pressured him to surrender the freedom of his people to the KGB war criminal who invaded Ukraine. History will remember this day — when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for.” Is this what you voted for? And if so, why?

Letter: The cost of hate

Recently, a photo on the front page of the Monitor showed angry adults gathered at a children’s sporting event. Apparently, the threat they feel is from transgender children. Children. Let that sink in. These children should be supported, not feared. They don’t fit society’s proclaimed mold, but they have the right to be who they are. These children are being used and targeted by the Republican propaganda machine just as the Nazis used Jewish people to distract from the bread-and-butter issues that impact everyone. Think about it. Listen to the lyrics, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.”

Letter: Wild animals should not be pets

House Bill 251 would allow for squirrels and raccoons to be pets. I always have the best interest of animals in mind, so therefore I am opposed to this bill. Wild animals are indeed wild and are unpredictable. Some states do allow squirrels and raccoons as pets, and any search can find several incidents of serious biting, scratching and attacking owners, including children. Wild animals will naturally have wild instincts. Then there is the question of how much space these animals need and how they will tear your house up when you leave them alone. Raccoons hate to be caged. Their instincts are to roam for miles. If a raccoon or squirrel acts out, then they will likely have to pay the price and be euthanized. In reality, all wild animals want is to be left alone. Wildlife rehabilitators take in orphaned or hurt wildlife. They are skilled, trained, certified and licensed. If the animals are determined to be non-releasable, then they have used those animals as ambassador animals. Wildlife rehabilitators know exactly how to handle the animal and understand signs of distress. My suggestion: Let’s take care of the domestic animals we already have languishing in shelters before we add more animals to the mix. That dog or cat will be grateful and give you all the love you need.

Letter: Bow Transgender protest: This is hate

A group of Bow parents are asking Judge Steven McAuliffe to allow them to protest transgender athletes at Bow school athletic events. They plan to wear pink wristbands, distribute them in school parking lots and hold protest signs targeting transgender student athletes.

Letter: Manufacturing consent

Not for the first time reading a foreign policy news piece in the Monitor from the Washington Post, I was reminded of the Cold War era joke about the Soviet journalist visiting the US to study propaganda. When learning the purpose of his visit, an American asked, “What propaganda?” and the Soviet replied, “Exactly!”

Letter: Bathroom doors at Bagelworks

Over and over we hear about the contentious use of public bathrooms. Here’s a suggestion, one that always makes me smile. For several years the bathroom doors at Bagelworks Concord have great signs on them which read “Whatever, just wash your hands.”

Opinion: The zoning dilemma: A tale of two New Hampshires

By TODD SELIG

Todd Selig is the long-time town manager in Durham.