GraniteGrok

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"The concern for Iraqi deaths is a testament to the humanity of the students involved in peace," said Anne Miller, director of New Hampshire Peace Action.
Many students said this was their first peace rally. They heard about it through flyers at school and through friends. Nat Nelson, a Concord High School senior, said he came because a friend invited him over Facebook.

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"This rally may have minimal impact, but compounding on each other, it's one of the few easy steps we can take," he said. "It's important to amass public opinion."

Late in the rally, 11-year-old Alicia Sanders-Zakre, a sixth grader at Rundlett Middle School, took the microphone and read songwriter John Denver's "Peace Poem." Sanders-Zakre said she decided to speak because she believes everyone's voice counts.

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"If you think I'm only one person and can't make a difference, nothing happens," she said. "But if everyone works together and thinks they can make a difference, we can."

 

TEENS DISHONOR OUR BELOVED SOLDIERS

Although previously told how disrespectful and dishonoring it would be to use empty shoes to signify Iraqi civilian deaths from the Iraq war, I see the various high school “peace” groups completely disregarded the advice given to them and used them anyway on Sunday. (Interestingly, a friend of mine asked one of the marchers if the empty shoes signified all of the Iraqis murdered by Sadam, and she replied that she didn’t know). So much for knowing what you’re participating in….

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The HS Peace groups literally “stole” a sacred military tradition of empty combat boots used to honor our fallen soldiers and probably (based on advice given to them), added one pair of combat boots supposedly showing respect to the NH soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq. All the while, they’re committing psychological warfare against our American troops with little concern or sympathy for their feelings.

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How ridiculous the statement made by Will Merrow; i.e., “if anyone could give him a reason why the country is in Iraq, he would get off the stage.” (Obviously, a safe-statement while surrounded by like-minded people). “If not, I’ll stay up here until the death toll stops.”

Somehow I doubt that Mr. Merrow is still standing at the State House, but apparently he has been somewhat brainwashed by Ms. Miller’s la, la land “peace” agenda and her unrealistic viewpoint that “terrorists” should find “common ground” and use “diplomacy” with us even though they have little respect for any life (including their own) and are more than willing to blow themselves up and take innocents with them.

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Too bad Ann Miller doesn’t care as much about her own country and the American soldiers protecting her as she does about the Iraqis. Perhaps she should consider permanently moving to Iraq since she has much more compassion for them.

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And, yes, Ms. Schoenberg your quote from Mr. Merrow; i.e., “it’s one of the few EASY (emp. mine) steps we can take” speaks volumes since their original march was re-scheduled from the same, snowy day that many veterans and pro-support our troops people did show up at the Concord State House since we’re not so easily deterred by a little weather and so focused on our own comforts.

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Thank goodness our soldiers are braver and willing to make personal sacrifices even for these youth who haven’t lived (nor experienced life) long enough to really understand the disgrace of their actions against their own countrymen.

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Judy Paris

I contacted the Monitor today and was told they didn't cover the Gathering of Mothers because they were too busy.

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I asked if they thought that this article was appropriate to print. After all my son spent a year patrolling streets in Mosul to make neighborhoods safe for children to play and the mothers to travel to get food. I was very disturbed that they would allow an article with such detail to be printed, especially the " Several adults walked around dressed as larger-than-life Iraqi mothers, draped in black fabric holding "bloodied" white cloth representing an Iraqi baby".

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Being quiet about this is not an option, I will not sit quietly be and accept this portrayal that even hints that my son or any of his fellow soldiers are baby killers! One of our Gold Star Mothers is very upset that her son's name was on a pair of boots.

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They explained that they are just reporting the news and are not bias on anyone issue ~ Yeah right! We are asking for support in writing letters to the editor that this type of press is not appreciated.

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I am also concerned that this type of media is supported by local public schools using our tax dollars to support this type of gathering.

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In closing I did suggest that perhaps they could have collected up the shoes and sent them to the Iraqi people, I got very little response.

I always thought that Monitor tended to be a more liberal media source and after reading the coverage given to the Peace Rally held this past weekend I would say that they fall squarely into the category of printing what sells. The Monitor neglected to cover another side of the story. On March 17th the Blue and Gold Star Mothers held a Support Our Eagles - Past, Present and Future vigil. The NH Peace Coalition was to hold a rally that same day, however due to the snowstorm they decided to postpone their rally until the following week.  The Blue and Gold Star Mothers along with several members from veteran groups braved the weather to support our sons and daughters who are serving all over the world.  Some have even made the ultimate sacrifice for us, including those who would use them from public display. A press release was sent out almost 2 weeks prior to this vigil, yet nothing appeared in the Monitor. 

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Instead I sit here tonight crushed that the high school that my child (who’s serving) just graduated from in 2005, would support and promote such a one-sided agenda to take place in their hallways. I can’t believe that flyers were handed out to invite students to the Peace Rally. If the schools felt that it is okay to use my tax dollar for this, are they going to afford an opportunity for my Sailor to come in a talk and meet freely with the students, as well as hand out information about the military?

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I’m most saddened that my son serving is all but forgotten in the halls of Concord High. Do the school officials feel that the student body should forget that he and other’s of that alma mater are there because they know in their hearts that they are making a difference. The Monitor’s covering of the rally held on March 25th accomplished what it set out to do…It sold papers, it clearly showed one side of the story. It showed little regard for those whose families are serving.  

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There is one thing I am sure of, my son would have written home and asked for shoes for the children to wear instead using them to gain pity from those around him. He also understands respect for a fallen comrade and never would have lowered himself to using the disrespectful display that adorned the State House grounds. 

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America is Home of the Free, Because of the Brave!  Support Your Troops!

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Fondly,

Holly Haas

Dear Editors of the Concord Monitor,

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Shame on you for the article you printed in the Concord Monitor, March 26th edition, "We cannot and will not take it any longer".  According to the Concord Monitor, when contacted by the president of the NH Blue Star Mothers, you stated that you are not bias on any one issue.  Let me ask you then, why was the "Gathering of Mothers" not covered by your paper the weekend before on the Capital grounds?  Oh Yeah....the question was asked, I know the answer. The Concord Monitor response was that you were all "too busy" to cover that story!!

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In my opinion, The actions by the NH Peace Action, The American Friends Service Committee and the Peace Clubs of Concord High School and Hopkinton High School along with the Concord Monitor committed nothing less than an act of Treason.  Gasp!!!.....Before anyone starts accusing me of deformation of Character, know the definition of Treason.

"TREASON - This word imports a betraying, treachery, or breach of allegiance. The Constitution of the United States, Art. III, defines treason against the United States to consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort. "

Now, you tell me that this event sponsored by the above supporters and reported by your paper does not give aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States of America !

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Like it or not we are at war.  My son, right now, is serving and risking his life as a member of the United States Army so that you can sleep each night in peace, safe from the harm our enemies would love to break through if it were not for my son and every son and daughter serving in the armed forces of our precious and wonderful country.

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I am sure that this letter will find its way to the trash can instead of being considered for printing in your paper, but know this isn't the only place you will find this letter.  With the help of true Americans everywhere, this letter will find itself read around the world before your next edition makes it to press.

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Was this event considered news?  Yes, it was....as was the event of the "Gathering of Mothers" in support of our troops.  Until you can cover both sides of an issue such as this, you cannot  claim that your paper is not bias on any one issue.

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Carol Patey