MAcciard said:
Publius, please accept this as an article submission for Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all!!!
Merry Christmas Atkinson!, and I mean Merry Christmas, not Happy holidays, nor Seasons Greetings, Nor Happy Winter Solstice, Nor Happy Christmahanakwanzica, Nor anything else that our small minded politically correct mass media may think up. And what season would they be greeting, I wonder? Since they don't believe in the birth of Christ, it can't be Christmas, they can't even acknowledge the pagan origins of the tree, or gift symbols of the season, because paganism was a religion also.
Have any of you noticed, that as you go about your daily lives, no one says; "Merry Christmas" to you anymore? Not the lady at the Dunkin Donuts drive thru, not the clerk at Kohls, Not the Gas Station attendant, No one, not until you say it first to let them know it is OK, and they are not going to get their employer sued.
I remember a time when this was the happiest of seasons. It wasn't the presents, or the hole Christmas will blow in the family budget, or the bustle; it was the inherent niceness, that imbued everyone around this time of the year. It was one common to pass someone on the street, anywhere, and hear them say to you, even though you were a stranger to them, Merry Christmas!!! That this is Not a normal occurrence anymore, is our sad loss. It is political correctness' legacy to a world most of which never wanted it in the first place.
As I reflect on the meaning of Christmas, I realize once again, as I only seem to actively do, during this time of year, that the magic of the Christmas season, is not about either the money you have, or will spend, nor is it about the possessions you have or will acquire, but rather, it is about the general feeling of goodwill towards all, and the desire to actually take time out of our busy lives to actually help someone else, who is in need. For this is the one time of the year, that seems to make us all notice those in need more so than at any other time of the year, and desire to give of ourselves, and our precious time, rather than just stroke out the check.
So, this year, lets beat back the clarions of political correctness, and the career offended, and proudly say to all we meet, whether we know them or not, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! And maybe we will unconsciously brighten someone else's day.
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ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.
LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
14 comments:
I'm sure everyone realizes the fact that not everyone on this planet, in this country, or even in this little town of Atkinson believes in the Christian religion. Would you want to be wished a happy what-have-you every time you left your home, if that was not your religion? Wanting every stranger to wish you a merry Christmas, and wanting to wish every stranger you meet a merry Christmas is a lovely sentiment; unfortunately that's not the way this world is set up. Christians share this planet with others. A better sentiment at this time of year, is to acknowledge our differences and let the other guy have the parking spot at the mall.
Peace.
Thank you Mark. Well said.
My point, Anon, was that wishing someone a Merry Christmas during the Christmas season doe snot denigrate or take away from their religion. No more than wishing someone Happy Channuka does, or happy Chinese New Year, or Happy Kwanza, or anything else you wish to say.
The fact it the holiday we all have off work for, IS CHRISTMAS! To acknowledge that does not diminish anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas. I have many Jewish friends, who don't celebrate Christmas, but have no problem hearing someone wish them well, in the spirit of the season, by saying Merry Christmas. And that is because they are REASONABLE PEOPLE. And that is what we have lost to political correctness. There is a certain class of people that revel in their victimhood, and their having been offended, it is merely a contrivance to hold the well wisher hostage to his own conscience. And that is wrong.
I like to refer to Ayn Rand's character, John Galt's dictum;
"I swear, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask him to live for mine."
Think about it, and Merry Christmas, anyway.
I too vote "well said" Mark.
Best wishes and Happy Holidays to all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - - -
Observerous
To anon. 10:40 AM
Bah! Humbug!
This comment should be located under the latest entry, however I was not lucky enough to get to it until comments were disabled.
People are funny. Yes, an officer lost his gun HELPING a fellow citizen. People are funny in that they can't see the latter half of that statement. Helping individuals don't make as good of a story as the down side of being an officer of the law. Any position in which a person must carry a weapon to work with them which day should be respected at face value. Helping THANKLESS individuals, such as yourselves, is never an easy task.
Please, anyone who has been a law inforcment officer, raise your virtual hand....that's what I thought. Perhaps you all should be thankful the police are present to help dig you out of the snow and keep your town safe. Or here's an even better idea. Keep critizing their mistakes, but the next time you have a problem, don't call them. Handle it yourself. Let me know how that works out for you all.
Have a GREAT holiday.
As aformer Atkinson resident now serving with pct. 33 NYPD, in the shadow of WTC, I thought I should inform the town that there is something wrong with this story.
The new molded plastic holsters do not "lose guns". I have pushed hundreds of people out of snowbanks and have never had my weapon fall out of my holster.
Once it "clicks in" it is there! And why didn't the officer feel the loos of the guns weight on his hip, I know I would! Something is not right here. And if he truly lost it pushing someone out of a snowbank, then he should know where in town it is, but apparently they don't!
The upshot is something is not right about this story, and someone should get to the bottom of it.
Mr. Acciard, please accept my apologies for changing the subject here.
I vote for re-opening comments on the gun story. NYPD33 was right on the money.
A full investigation is required because someone in this town needs to be held accountable to make sure it doesn't happen again.
We also have to learn from these mistakes to ensure we do not keep repeating them. This is common sense. What if someone in the military just "lost" a gun in town. How would you react to that?
What I want to know is:
Who lost the gun?
Were they certified to carry it?
Was their training up to date?
What were the exact circumstances it was lost under (again, to learn from the mistake)?
Is this cause for termination?
What are the departmental procedures in place when this occurs? What federal and state authorities require notification? What is the process for notifying them? Have they been properly notified? etc, etc.
I do not agree that political correctness should trump questioning of this matter. We are talking about a loaded gun that is now lying on someone's lawn somewhere in town. Perhaps we should all just hold our breath and hope no kids find it? Maybe this problem will just go away by itself if we think positively.
Please re-open the discussion. You know we can't have this conversation at Selectmen's meeting at town hall because Consentino and Sapia and Childs would never allow it.
As for those posters whose comments may be considered in poor taste, just ignore them.
Either we have freedom of speech on this blog or we don't. If you censure too much, you are no better than our Selectmen and Chief and McAllister.
"....a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...."
Thomas Paine
to anon@ December 21, 2007 10:40 AM
I fear you may be among those who have fallen for the BIG LIE that states "Freedom of Religion means Freedom From Religion."
Anyone that is the least bit honest in there reading of language should be able to understand that Freedom of Religion and Freedom from Religion can not co-exist. If one exists, the other can not. The first amendment does not say that there can be no public religious displays of any kind. It means the state can not declare there to be one religion that must be followed by all.
However, groups like the ACLU and their sympathizers on the federal bench have so perverted the plain language that even Santa Claus now gets censored for fear of being sued by the ACLU at our own expense.
It is a said day when school principals feel they have no choice but to ban all holiday celebrations for fear that one parent may be offended and file a law suit.
The very bright talker Michael Graham started an "organization" to fight against these folks. PEOPLE OFFENDED by OFFENDED PEOPLE or POOP.
What a great idea.
And Merry Christmas to all, except those who may be offended by that statement of good wishes. And let us not forget that this time of year China and North Korean look for gatherings of people celebrating Christmas. In the latter, people thought to be Christian by the government are sent, along with their entire family to terminal concentration camps from which one only leavers in a body bag. China merely sends them to re-education camps.
So be grateful this Christmas that so far one can not be put in prison for offending someone by uttering out loud the words "Merry Christmas."
Thomas, re free speech, well said. No one person should control the discussion without accountability. Censors always deny that what they are doing is "censorship". Either you censor or you don't, it doesn't matter if it is one posting, 100, or 10,000.
The blog format favors one person's opinion over everyone else's. The bulletin board (BBS) format puts everybody on more of an equal footing. The new "Plaistow Times" is the latest example of a community BBS site.
The selectmen will never do an investigation into the loss of the gun; the chief will tell them HIS version of what happened (which will make the officer out to be completely innocent, whether he was or not), and the selectmen won't dare to challenge it. I'm not sure exactly how the Chief managed to gain control of the board, but there it is.
To ANon @ 12:32
Are you aware that ONLY the government can censor you, or your speech. No private enterprise has the ability to censor, becaus eyou enjoy no Right to a freedom of speech in a private venue that someone else is paying for. However the fact that this blog publishes all poinnts of view as long as they are worded in such a fashion as that they contribute nothing to the conversation but merely constitute an Ad Hominum attack on someone, is laudable, we leave those sort of attacks to Selectman Sapia, and Chief Consentino, as evidenced in many selectmen's meetings.
A Jewish friend wished me a Merry Christmas as we left work Friday and I had wished him a Happy Hanukkah a couple weeks earlier. We each were wishing the other a happy holiday -- trying to show respect for the other's beliefs. If someone had wished me a happy Hanukkah, I think I would have replied, "Happy Hanukkah to you!"
Can't we all just get along?
Publius,
Would you consider opening up another article for readers to respond to?
It's coming to that time when the Atkinson Annual Report is approaching and there has to be a decision of to whom to dedicate it to.
Recently, over the last several years it has been a disgusting political thing where political favorites or cronies of the selectmen are chosen or they honor themselves.
When I first moved to town, it was the TOWNSPEOPLE who did the selecting of who their annual report was to be dedicated to. They would submit names to the selectmen and it was one of the people's nominations of who was honored and not political friends, cronies, supporters of the selectmen.
The Annual Report belongs to the people. We should go back to the way it used to be of the townspeople picking who they want honored in their report.
Would you consider starting a new article which would solicit blog response nominations from the people?
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