sarah
Post Office Postulation
To the Editor:
It was amusing to watch our Congressional representatives protesting problems at the Montpelier Post Office last year. They just had to look into the mirror to see where the real problem is. Obsession with radically transforming our society is paying off, just not in the way they expected.
Yes, there has been mismanagement, but the problem in our area is not that. Rather, 30–50 years of escalating social changes, including the botched COVID response, has produced a large number of persons who do not want to work, at least not at the post office, which requires discipline of time and commitment.
We knew our local carrier and other post office employees for decades. There has not been a more dedicated and caring group of people. The trouble was that starting ten or more years ago there were not new people to replace those retiring. Despite recruiting efforts there was no interest. Of course, COVID exasperated the situation and brought it to the front, but the problems were already there. Because of the flooding we had to use neighboring post offices and found that they had the same problems. The personnel working are totally dedicated.
Maybe if our long serving, publicly paid representatives had spent some time on the mundane issues of running a country rather than parading around pushing social changes, we would not be in the fix we are.
Gesualdo Schneider, Middlesex
Support Asylum Seekers and Refugees
To the Editor:
The 5th Annual March Arts Marathon is coming! This fundraiser for the Central Vermont Refugee Action Network (CVRAN) brings a personal art show to your inbox. Over 50 artists and creators have signed up to send out near-daily updates of their works. This is one of the largest groups of artists we have had! All money raised goes to housing, living expenses, legal fees, and other support services for the asylum seekers and refugees helped by CVRAN in Central Vermont.
I have supported this fundraiser for the last several years. The emails and posts have so much color and creativity — a perfect remedy for a gray and muddy March. Helping people new to Vermont settle in and find their footing here is a good feeling too. The Marathon began on March 1, but there is still opportunity to sign up. Visit cvran.org and click on the March Arts Marathon button to get started.
Angela Shambaugh, Berlin
Dogee Doo
To the Editor:
For the past few weeks — since Jan. 20, to be exact — “DOGE” is the word that captures the attention of the printed and broadcast press, and the public. But how best to declare the meaning and pronunciation of this amalgamation of letters? (Lexicographers, please take note.)
It certainly is not an official government agency nor department nor commission, nor whatever, as Congress never created it nor granted it authority. But it is, apparently, in Washington, D.C., the seat of our government of, by, and for the people, or that town used to be.
As for the sound the letters make when pushed out together, as with any acronym that tries to squeeze or scramble or leave evidence a group of words has a new sound and a new meaning, I suggest, (now, step carefully!), for the sake of clear enunciation, let’s add a few letters. (The more the merrier!) Let’s now call DOGE what it is: DOGEE DOO.
Ross Connelly, Hardwick
Are You Seeing Red Yet?
To the Editor:
In a brazen attempt to rewrite history, President Trump publicly declared Ukraine at fault for Russia’s invasion of their sovereign country, calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator.” Last week, in a UN Assembly, the United States sided with Russia against European allies voting down a Resolution condemning Russia’s violence against Ukraine. Trump’s crowning achievement was the made-for-Putin reality press conference in the Oval Office, with a surprise, unauthorized Russian state media guest.
Are you seeing red yet?
The Trump Administration’s attempt to publicly shame President Zelenskyy backfired. Instead of showing the U.S. in our time-honored position of diplomatic strength and global influence, Trump’s focus on Zelenskyy’s streetwear and Vance’s fascination with allegedly unexpressed gratitude gave the world a front-seat view of America’s ill-informed two-bit bullies in action. American diplomacy is not a street fight. Factual historical relevance, a measured demeanor, a calculated response, and strong global allies are essential to outcomes that benefit the United States. Zelenskyy emerged as the global leader in the room.
Trump’s compliance with Putin is a stance every American must reject.
Why should Americans care? The United States is 340 million people strong with the world’s largest economy — $30 trillion. Why, then, is our president capitulating to a dictator? Why is Trump trashing decades of American intelligence, global leadership, and our national safety to please Vladimir Putin? Why do Republican leaders stay silent as Putin continues to influence American foreign policy? European leaders are already calling for new leadership on the world stage. Trump’s actions to decimate valuable federal services and populate his administration with inexperienced yes-men devalue America’s image and influence abroad. Some Americans may welcome Trump’s toxic governance style, but the larger global community will not, and all Americans will suffer for it.
Kelly Hedglin Bowen, Saint George, Vermont
Letters to the editor represent the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of The Bridge. Submit your letter by email to editor@montpelierbridge.com. Preference is given to submissions by those who live in central Vermont, should not exceed 300 words in length, and may be edited for brevity and accuracy.
