NCN Letters & Opinions

<BODY TEXT=#000000 LINK=#0000FF VLINK=#FF0000 BGCOLOR=#FFFFE6 > <BASE TARGET="_top"> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'> <TABLE style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" WIDTH="96%" BORDER="3" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" > <TR> <TD WIDTH=100% VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#004040> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#FFFFFF;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:50pt;'><B>NORTH COUNTRY </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#FFFFFF;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:36pt;'><B></B></FONT><FONT style='color:#FFFFFF;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:36pt;'><B><I>Letters To The Editor & Opinions </I></B></FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE></I></B></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'> <TABLE style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" WIDTH="95%" BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" > <TR> <TD WIDTH=100% VALIGN=TOP > <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008080;font-size:14pt;'><B>This page is dedicated to all those wonderful Letters To The Editor and Opinions  </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008080;font-size:14pt;'><B>which we receive for</B><B> each issue of the Northcountry News. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008080;font-size:14pt;'><B> </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008080;font-size:14pt;'><B>Unfortunately, some are very long and/or do not stick to our letter guidelines, or </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008080;font-size:14pt;'><B>they come in late, </B><B>so we put them online to share them. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008080;font-size:14pt;'><B> </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008080;font-size:14pt;'><B>Letters are put in the paper on a first come basis and once we run out of room, they end up here online instead. So</B><B> at the very least, we can share them with our readers. </B></FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE></B></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'> <TABLE style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" > <TR> <TD WIDTH=100% VALIGN=TOP > <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:16pt;'><B>Our Most Recent Letters & Opinions </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:12pt;'><B></B></FONT><FONT style='font-size:12pt;'><B><I>This is a letter/opinion page and being such, the Northcountry News  </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:12pt;'><B><I>remains a neutral body & will not endorse or favor any particular  party or issue herein.  </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:12pt;'><B><I> </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008080;font-size:14pt;'><B></B><B><A class=s1 HREF="web_pages_00001a.htm">If you would like to read our "Letters & Opinions" Guidelines, click here!</A> </B></FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE></B></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'> <TABLE style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" WIDTH="98%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" > <TR> <TD WIDTH=100% VALIGN=TOP > <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I>Letter to the Editor: </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I></I><I>This is Bill Sharp -  the Register of 'Good' Deeds here in Grafton County. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I want to invite you and your readers to check out www.billsharp.net. This is my Campaign Web Site and has a lot of information. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>      </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I have been working hard to save the tax payers money in every budget. This year saved $26,000 under last year.  Each year I have been here in office we have presented a budget less than the year before. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>      </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>This is careful planning - AND - NOT SPENDING ANY MORE MONEY THAN IS </I><I>ABSOLUTELY NEEDED TO DO A GOOD JOB. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>      </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>The Registry is quiet, effective, responsive and at all times polite and friendly to every person. We run a non-partisen operation and it is all my fault ! </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>      </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Your vote on the Democratic Party Ballot this coming Sept 14th Primary Election will assure the same good service, protection of the records, and friendly smile and handshake as a tax-payers friend. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>      </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Please go to the web site and judge for yourself:  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>www.billsharp.net </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>                       </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Thanks for your considerations </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Bill Sharp,  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Register of Deeds,  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Grafton County </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I>Letter to the Editor: </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I></I><I>Who's on vacation?  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>President Obama has been on vacation 70 days since his inauguration.. approximately 575 days. 575 days minus 70 days = 505  working days on duty days....  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>GW Bush, for the same length of time had been on vacation 225 days. Travel.. Bush went home to Texas every week end, with all of the secret service as well, for 8 years. And the right is complaining that Obama isn't paying attention to the country. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>They even complained about him when he visited his Grandmother in the hospital (and he wasn't president) complained about him when he  went to the funeral of his Grandmother. They could care less about the working class or the middleclass. They even voted NO on giving the unemployed an extension on their unemployment  insurance check, some called it welfare, remember you  pay into it. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Was it Welfare, when we all bailed out the Banks that  GW Bush and Judd Gregg initiated.. Now they want to extend the Bush Tax cuts, thats what got us into this mess, created jobs? guess again, the only jobs that were created with these tax cuts were the ones in China, which is where we borrowed the money for their tax cuts.  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Come on are you listening, or just want to be Republicans, because you think its the right one to be.  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>We listen to those on Fox News Channel and they scare me to death. And we want someone like that, with all the hate that they have in their hearts to run our country.  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>God Forbid. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Nancy Leclerc </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>North Woodstock, NH </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I>Letter to the Editor: </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I am writing this letter in support of Carol Elliott in her bid to become the Treasurer of Grafton County. Last election, in the midst of Obama fever, Mrs. Elliott was unseated by a Dartmouth College sophomore whose inexperience and lack of commitment to the position hurt the efficiency and efficacy of our county government. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>This year, Carol has thrown her hat into the ring to serve us once again as County Treasurer. Carol is a long time public servant of Grafton County. In the past she has served the citizens of Grafton County as Register of Deeds, a position which she held from 1987 until 2003. From 2003 to 2009 she served as our County Treasurer. Currently she serves in a municipal capacity as Treasurer of the Plymouth Village Water & Sewer District. She clearly has the experience necessary to serve diligently as the Treasurer of Grafton County once again! </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>In addition to her experience (or perhaps because of it) Carol is a true fiscal conservative who believes that the tax payers of Grafton County should come first. As County Treasurer she will strive to keep her office efficient, reliable, and effective. Her skills as an investor and financial manager will save the taxpayers of this county countless dollars that would have been wasted or squandered otherwise. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>If you consider experience, reliability, and fiscal conservatism good qualifications for a citizen seeking the office of County Treasurer, the choice is clear! Please cast your vote for Carol Elliott in the September 14th Republican Primary and in the November 2nd General </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Election. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Thank you, </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Nick Mignanelli </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Campton, NH </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I>To the Editor, </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I>  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I></I></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>The Taxpayers� Friend </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>After following the agenda of the Grafton County Government for eight years, I made the conscious decision to run for County Treasurer.   </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I am appealing to Republicans, Independents and undeclared voters to mark the ballot for Harold Brown as Grafton County Treasurer.  My attributes?  Integrity, I represent freedom and liberty, I am a staunch 2nd. Amendment advocate, and I try to be a good constitutionalist.  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I am never a bigoted or prejudiced person, and consider myself a fiscal conservative.  The major strength of my obligation is to the taxpayers.  I will not sign any long term debt, and I will not indebt you or your children.  Period.   </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I intend to use the treasurer�s position as a comptroller, and any large expenditures that are not generated by legal and fair bidding processes, I will not sign for.   </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I will abide by all tax law(s)/state law(s) regarding spending.  I was a small business owner, which gave me plenty of experience with banking and understanding how cash flow within business works.  I intend to keep all investments within Grafton County. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I plan to implement an open bidding policy for borrowing and investing.  I will hold my oath and the office of Treasurer with the highest esteem.  Please don�t vote to allow this important position to revert into one that�s just �business as usual.�  That would only make the county spendthrifts happy, and the </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>taxpayers� wallets leaner.  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Vote your wallet.  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Vote �change� for a change! </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Harold Brown </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Grafton County </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Live Free or Die </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=justify class=s1 style='text-align: justify;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B> </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B></B></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I>Nobody Asked, Just My Opinion! </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><B><I> </I></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I></I><I>Are family values a lost commodity? </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>While talking to neighbors the other night about days gone by, past musicians, television shows and the like - it occurred to me that it�s  really no wonder why many kids today just don�t realize the true sense of family values and the respect, simply for family! </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I?hate to admit it! I?have become the parent who says stuff like, �In our Day,� or �You kids just don�t get it,� or even the dreaded, �when I?was your age!� </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>But you know what - I?am right, darn it. There are no shows on television today as in the likes of Leave it to Beaver, Father Knows Best, Little House on the Prairie, Mayberry RFD, Lassie, Bozo, Captain Kangaroo, My Three Sons, etc. The list goes on and on.  </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I </I><I>must say, that in each television show we watched as children, there were family values. For instance, you actually sat down as a family to eat meals, you did not talk back to your parents, there were no Ipods or cell phones making noise at the dinner table or in the grocery store. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>In the car, we actually talked as a family. There were no DVD players in the old Chevy Impala. In fact, I?don�t remember there being anything more than an AM radio station in that old Impala! Remember actually having to roll the windows down? But that�s for another story! </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Now we are matched up with the likes of Spongebob Squarepants and if we are lucky, maybe i</I><I>Carly. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Long gone are the days of actually learning much from television as far as family values are concerned. With the likes of Family Guy, King of the Hill, South Park and others, kids just don�t have a chance. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>What has happened to us? Have we become trendsetters, with the latest version of Windows on the computer sitting waiting for Norton Anti-Virus to complete its updates before we can actually sit down and have a meal with our family? Have we forgotten what family values actually are in that short period of time? </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Is it too much to ask that the latest video game on the Playstation be paused until after lunch or that the cell phone stop ringing for a few hours while we have a family game, or movie night. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Has our civilization become one that relies solely on others to take care of us? Have we lost so much power that quickly? Do we believe that the government is simply going to take care of all of us until the day we die? </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Do we actually believe that it is better to shop online while sitting at the computer for hours than it is to spend a few hours with our spouse or kids and visit and walk around some of the local shops? </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I am afraid to answer that, because it seems a good percentage of the population has simply let past values just slip away. </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>I can�t even think about what the world might be like in just another 50-100 years. There will be no values left at all. Everything will be done electronically, our children won�t be able to tell what time it is unless it is a digital watch or clock and by then, maybe we won�t even have to leave our couch to do much of any thing. We might as well just get up in the morning, sit on the couch, turn on our computers, work from home, answer our cell phones and hope that the postal service has a way to actually get the mail to our comfy couch! </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>Maybe I?am being the person and the parent that I told my folks I?would never be. Maybe I?am just having that emotional withdrawal of missing things from the past and maybe I?am just old fashioned when it comes to family and the values of being a family - but one thing I?do know, times and people have changed over the past 30 or so years and I�ll be the first to tell you, I don�t like where we are headed!! </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:11pt;'><I>One thing is for certain however, if the parents do not teach their own children family values or morales, there just isn�t much else these days that will... </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s46 style='margin-left: 0mm;'> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I>Nobody Really Asked, Just My </I><I>Opinion! </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s1> <FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:12pt;'><I>B.E.F. </I></FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE></I></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV> <DIV class=s0> <TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" > <TR> <TD WIDTH=100% VALIGN=TOP > <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <A class=s1 HREF="mailto:ncnewsnh@gmail.com"><IMG SRC="web_pages_i000011.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=112 HEIGHT=31 ></A> </DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE></DIV> <DIV class=s0>  </DIV> <DIV class=s0> <TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" > <TR> <TD WIDTH=100% VALIGN=TOP > <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#0000FF;font-size:11pt;'><B><A class=s1 HREF="#an0" TARGET=_self>BACK TO TOP</A> </B></FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE></B></DIV> <DIV class=s0> <TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" > <TR> <TD WIDTH=100% VALIGN=TOP > <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-family:"Times New Roman";'><B>© The Northcountry News </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-family:"Times New Roman";'><B>PO Box 10, Warren, NH 03279 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s1 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-family:"Times New Roman";'><B>603-764-5807 </B></FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE></B></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s0 style='text-align: center;'>  </DIV>