Readers’ Comments: October 17, 2025

Readers’ Comments: October 17, 2025

The ‘department of retribution’

Dear editor:

USA: We no longer have a Department of Justice. We have a department of retribution.

Opanyi Nasiali 

Claremont

Gerrymandering argument does not hold water

Dear editor:

In his letter of October 10 [“Democrats are already gerrymandering”], Douglas Lyon notes that Massachusetts has nine Congressional districts, all represented by Democrats. He goes on to say, “Yet over one third of Massachusetts voters vote Republican. Which means, with un-gerrymandered districts, Massachusetts should have 3 Republican House members. But they don’t. They have zero.”

That is a non sequitur. Suppose Republicans were so evenly distributed that every precinct in Massachusetts had 1/3 Republicans and 2/3 Democrats. There would be no gerrymandering; yet Democrats would win in every district, however drawn.

Of course, one could make the argument that a system in which one third of the voters have no representation and no proportional say in government is unfair. If Mr. Lyon agrees, he should certainly oppose our current Electoral College system, which allows a majority of Americans to have to suffer the rule of a president chosen by only a minority of their fellow citizens.

James Van Cleve

Claremont

Now more than ever: support your local newspaper

Dear editor:

Because I believe a community needs a local newspaper to let it readers learn of local events, I am contributing $250 to the Claremont Courier. I have lived in two towns that have either lost their local newspaper entirely or the newspaper was seriously reduced in local news. The Claremont Courier provides its readers with local news, e.g. “What’s happening Claremont?” What I think of the rest of the paper is of no concern. Believe me, you do not want to know what it is like to lose a local newspaper. Please financially support the Claremont Courier.

On another matter, I am betting $250 that within three months of the signing of the Middle East peace treaty, Hamas sends a rocket, drops a bomb, or sets off an explosion against the Jewish state of Isreal. All bets go to the financing of the Claremont Courier. Any takers?

Enclosed is a check for $500.

David Stedman

Claremont

Give Ukraine the tools it needs

Dear editor:

Trump the wimp cowers before his ignoramus secretary of defense.  Never mind Hegseth’s sophomoric and infantile harangue to our top military leaders — with years of service compared to a one-year tour in Afghanistan — Hegseth is blocking Trump’s order to allow Ukraine to use long-range munitions against Russia. Russia daily bombs Kiev with impunity. According to the On September 29 Newsweek reported that despite the presidential authorization, Hegseth on his own accord continues block Trump’s wishes. Sentiments confirmed by Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. General Baker spilled the beans on Fox and followed up with a post on X: “The White House authorized long-range Ukrainian strikes into [Russia]. But, the Pentagon routinely blocks. Who is the Commander in Chief?”

Yeah, Hegseth, the guy who summoned all our flag officers from around the world, only to brag about how many pull-ups he can do. No one needs to look like Charles Atlas to pilot a drone.  Many of our most decorated pilots are women. His standards for physical fitness are more appropriate for the Stone Age.

Meanwhile Putin plays Trump for a pathetic fool – creeping senility here?

And don’t even get me started on Trump’s inane monologue on how to climb stairs. How those officers sat in stony silence taking it I don’t know.

Give Zelensky the tools he needs to win this. Without such strong steps, Putin wins Ukraine, maybe wins Europe. If Trump can’t stand up to this ego-inflated secretary of defense, then what’s this wimp against a KGB operative? Hegseth should be the first to go in this government shutdown.

Count me a Scoop Jackson Democrat on this issue. Whimpering never works with bullies.  Neither does ignorant self-infatuation. Slava Ukraini!

John Forney
Claremont

Trump will never ever, ever get the Nobel

Dear editor:

I had to laugh knowing it is killing little Donny that he’s not getting the Nobel, that he’s in some tacky gold plated room at mara loco stomping his feet and throwing food against the walls. His MAGA cult are furious with their golden God Donny losing out.

Apparently, they didn’t get the memo, that Trump would never ever, ever be considered for the award. Let that sink in MAGA!

You all live in some alternate universe that sees evil, vindictiveness, inhuman behavior as acceptable. Like Trump, you’re solely motivated by your own hatred toward those who don’t share your skin color, religious beliefs, or sexuality.

While Trump didn’t qualify for the Nobel, he did make the top of the list for the award for convicted felons, sexual abusers, human rights deniers, free speech deniers, men with fragile egos, vaccine and climate change deniers, tax fraudsters, banking fraudsters, insurance fraudsters, misogynists, cheaters, racists, fascists, pathological liars, and narcissists.

Alfred Nobel never envisioned awards in those categories.

Better luck next time Donny!

Sydney Pollard

Claremont

The oath made only to the Constitution

Dear editor:

50 years ago, I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, when I became a peace officer. It is the same oath that every member of the military, elected officials, and appointees take when they enter public service. The oath does not mention any position by name or demand fealty to any individual. It does demand that those who swore the oath apply all its tenants to everyone equally. I still hold those responsibilities and duties dear.

The citizens, its visitors, and those who reside in this country receive all rights afforded by the Constitution. Instead, the current government of this country is using boogeyman tactics to justify circumventing these protections that have worked for centuries so that they can consolidate personal power (and wealth) at the expense of everybody’s inalienable rights. The federal government, in all branches, have abdicated and willfully ignored their sworn duty to protect the people of the United States of America.

Extremism is running amok on both sides of the aisle and the courts. Their heads are stuck in an orifice that has restricted sufficient oxygen flow to their brains, thus affecting their ability to make clear decisions. We will see armed military forces at polling places in next year’s election, gerrymandering at all levels proceeding unchecked, wholesale violence against the citizenry, safe passage in international waters, and beatification of hate mongers.

There are millions of us here in the United States who swore this oath. Take a moment to reflect on those words, ponder the enormous responsibility that you willingly took upon, and speak up and speak out. The oath we all swore is the beacon to our success as the standard of democracy its people depend on and the world looks to for guidance.

Larry Horowitz

Claremont

Support city’s Active Transportation Plan

Dear editor:

Big shout out to the City of Claremont for kicking off the new Active Transportation Plan! It’s an exciting step toward making our streets safer and more enjoyable for everyone: walkers, cyclists, and drivers alike.

The ATP will guide how Claremont improves streets, crosswalks, bike routes, and accessibility for years to come. But it only works if our community speaks up.

The city created claremontsharedstreets.com, where you can fill out a quick survey or even drop pins on a map showing specific areas that you believe need attention. They’ll be accepting comments until December 1, 2025.

There’s also an in-person workshop on Wednesday, November 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Alexander Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Rd., with additional pop-ups listed at claremontsharedstreets.com.

We’ve all seen the letters in the Courier about street safety. We all have those dangerous intersections we avoid. As a parent, I’ve had so many conversations about how tough it can be for families walking, biking, or even driving kids to school. This is our chance to help shape real, lasting improvements.

Let’s come together to make Claremont’s streets safer, friendlier, and more connected for everyone.

Philip Ebiner

Claremont