Letter: Extortion

Extortion is defined as the use of force or threats to compel another person into providing money or property or using force or threats to compel a public official to perform or neglect an official act or duty. Over the past few weeks, we have seen Donald Trump use his executive orders, the Justice Department and a strategy of withholding funding to get law firms, universities and even the mayor of New York City to comply with his demands. He has issued executive orders against a number of law firms who defended his enemies or whose lawyers worked on cases that resulted in indictments against him.

Letter: ‘No’ to idiots and grifters

I am a Vietnam veteran and took an oath to protect and preserve the Constitution. Since January, our government has been ruled by idiots and grifters. The idiots are the Trumpists who fired nuclear weapons security personnel and then had to say “oops.” Those who fired people working on avian flu and then wondered why egg prices were high. Those who fired 10,000 workers working on curing cancer, tuberculosis, dementia and more. The idiot at the IRS who fired 7,000 people in February at the height of the tax season and, then, on April 14th, had to call them back.

Letter: Thanks to excellent, professional delivery men!

We recently purchased several kitchen appliances from Lowes, Gilford. We’d been customers for many years and enjoyed the products and service. A delivery date was scheduled, and we looked forward with great anticipation to our new appliances. When the truck pulled up to our house, we were ready: The doorways had been measured, and the refrigerator was empty. The first deliveryman entered and declared they wouldn’t fit.

Letter: Questions future generations will ask

Where did you stand when the government man came for the lamb? Where did you stand? Did you raise your voice? Did you make a fuss? What was your choice? Did you fight for us? Did you close your eyes? Did you look aside? Did you act surprised? Did you save your hide? Were you bold or meek, too afraid to speak, when the government man came for the lamb?

Opinion: Writing when the world is on fire

By PARKER POTTER

Parker Potter is a former archaeologist and historian and a retired lawyer. He is currently a semi-professional dogwalker who lives and works in Contoocook.

Opinion: Calling out fascism

By JONATHAN BAIRD

Jonathan Baird lives in Wilmot.

Opinion: The Senate must preserve the Office of the Child Advocate

By MOIRA O’NEILL

Moira O’Neill, PhD served as New Hampshire’s first Child Advocate from 2018 to 2022. She lives on the Coast of Maine.

Opinion: Joining together may be the answer for poorly funded schools

By SUSAN SEIDNER

Susan Seidner lives in Pembroke.

Opinion: What do we do when there are no margins left to cut?

By LISA BEAUDOIN

Lisa Beaudoin of Concord, principal of Strategies for Disability Equity, is the former executive director of NH’s leading disability justice organization.

Opinion: Children are our greatest gifts. It’s time lawmakers started acting like it.

By HEATHER RAYMOND

Rep. Heather Raymond (D-Nashua) is serving her second term in the New Hampshire House. She has worked as a forensic interviewer, DCYF caseworker and CASA program manager.

Opinion: Hands off DEI

By STEPHANIE RUTT

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

Opinion: Why I celebrated Easter

By JONATHAN THRELFALL

Jonathan Threlfall is the lead pastor Trinity Baptist Church in Concord. He lives in Bow.

Opinion: Medicaid cuts threaten our most vulnerable citizens

By TOM BLONSKI

Tom Blonski is the president and CEO of Catholic Charities NH.

Opinion: The uniqueness of American imperialism

By JONATHAN P. BAIRD

Jonathan P. Baird lives in Wilmot.

Opinion: Gov. Ayotte on her first 100 days

By KELLY AYOTTE

Republican Kelly Ayotte, of Nashua, is the 83rd Governor of New Hampshire.

Opinion: Empathy is not weakness

By JEAN STIMMELL

Jean Stimmell, retired stone mason and psychotherapist, lives in Northwood and blogs at jeanstimmell.blogspot.com.

Opinion: Slot machines are the perfect trap

By AMY MANZELLI

Amy Manzelli is an attorney with BCM Environmental & Land Law, PLLC in Concord and will serve on the board of directors of Granite Staters for Responsible Gaming.

Opinion: Marks of a great nation

By JOHN D. BUTTRICK

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

Opinion: New commissioner should prioritize fixing Social Security’s customer service crisis

By CHRISTINA FITZPATRICK

Christina FitzPatrick is the state director of AARP New Hampshire. She lives in Bow.

Opinion: The Declaration of Independence is the antidote to Project 2025

By NICK PERENCEVICH

Nick Perencevich is a retired physician and lives in Concord.