Editor:

This is in response to the "Clarify Reason for Protest" in the Nov. 13 Chronicle. Their question is based on the assumption that the status quo will be maintained. However, Donald Trump has demonstrated on numerous occasions that he is attempting to change this country from a democratic republic to an autocracy, with him as the leader. Hence the “No Kings” protest. If Trump is successful, many of the items that they listed (FBI/ICE arrests, retirement benefits, medical care costs, etc.) could be negatively impacted. I personally am not prepared to wait and choose to protest now. Apparently the writer would rather turn a blind eye until it is too late. 

Henry Zimoch
Harwich Port

Editor:

The following letter was sent to the Harwich Zoning Board of Appeals and the Harwich Select Board:

We were informed that The Cape Cod Commission does not trigger a determination of regional impact consideration in a 40B project. that it would not be allowed to review the impact of Pine Oaks Village IV on the surrounding region because it is a 40B affordable housing project and therefore exempt from that consideration.

However, a concerned resident has now pointed out that under the commission’s regional policy plan (RPP) a municipal agency like our zoning board of appeals or our select board, may in fact make a discretionary referral, requesting the study of a development of regional impact, a project whose character or magnitude could have significant impact on the surrounding region. The following RPP issues are among those that could qualify for DRI review: water resources, wetlands, wildlife and plant habitat, cultural heritage, community design, transportation and waste management.

Because these issues are at the very heart of our objections to the planned housing development, I ask you please immediately to file a discretionary referral for a DRI of this project that threatens the integrity and safety of our community, our ecosystem and our water resources.

Paula Myles
North Harwich

Editor:

I am responding to the “Clarify Reason for Protest” letter in the Nov. 13 Chronicle, which asked what Trump and his government have done to “personally harm” me.

 “Harm” includes what is done to those I love. When someone inflicts physical or emotional harm on others in my community, I am harmed as well. Their pain affects me, even if my experience of it is different.

Trump and ICE are inflicting enormous harm in the communities where I live, work and worship. ICE is seizing children and adults, separating families, and doing so without due process. This harms me. I feel pain that due process is being ignored and trampled. I feel pain that families are living in fear. As a Jew, I also feel endangered: when one government entity disregards due process, others can follow. (See German history before World War II; see Martin Niemöller’s “First they came for…”).

As a white person I may not currently be at risk of being “snatched,” but I am in deep pain because ICE is abusing people I may not know personally but whom I love as fellow human beings. I want to live in a country where due process applies to everyone, not only to those who look a certain way.

On top of these constitutional violations, ICE detains people without adequate food, water, beds, medication, hygiene or recreation. I have heard firsthand accounts of the terrible conditions in the Burlington, Mass. ICE facility.

This is why I protested on Oct. 18 in Lexington and why I show up when I can to protest outside the Burlington ICE facility. When the government ignores due process and perpetrates illegal acts, I am personally harmed by its failure to uphold the Constitution. As Fannie Lou Hamer said, “No one is free until everyone is free.” The converse is also true: when one person is harmed, we are all harmed.

Lisa Chernin
Lexington and Chatham

Editor:

This is our response to the recent request in the letter to the editor in last week’s Chronicle (“Clarify Reason for Protest”). We will address these specific concerns to assist in clarifying our motivation to organize and participate in No Kings standouts, as well as our other events.

In regard to No Kings, Trump has made at least one explicit public reference to himself as a king (Feb. 20.). In addition to multiple comments and images alluding to a monarchy, Trump and this administration have provided numerous policies that march our Democracy into a dictatorship. In 250 years the Constitution has never experienced or endured such blatant attacks. In a monarch-like manner, Trump’s administration has violated the constitution consistently, such as:

● In 2022 he made statement to terminate parts of the Constitution;

● Withholding and/or illegally reallocating appropriated congressional funds;

● Attacking the Judicial independence;

● Ignoring court orders;

● Politicization of civil service;

● Unconstitutional consolidation of residential powers;

● Ignoring due process (Fifth and 14th amendments);

● Unilaterally initiating state of emergency for personal political gains;

● Abuse of pardoning powers; and

● Dismantling of agencies created by Congress.

This is a woefully incomplete list however this is not the appropriate forum for a civics class. (Please see the link provided to purchase a copy of the Constitution.)

To address the concern that Trump and/or government officials have not personally done harm to us is absurd.

 “If one part suffers, all parts suffer it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26.)

 “An injury to one is an injury to all.” (A labor movement quote.)

It is unconscionable to us that if anyone in our community is hungry, unable to afford appropriate medical care, disappeared, zip-tied or denied basic human rights granted by our Constitution, and if the community does not stand up and call it out, it is an abomination. Though we may be able to make ends meet, we fight for those so they do not have to make unbearable sacrifices. It is called empathy. It is also naive to think an authoritarian dictatorship stops at these inhumane practices. We encourage the letter writer and anyone who agrees with his concerns to take some time for self-reflection.

Copies of the Constitution can be purchased at www.nationalalarchivesstore.org.

Carol Lessing, Norma Brockman
For local organizers of the No Kings rallies

“A Republic if You Can Keep it”

 – Benjamin Franklin

The 7 million protestors from 50 states weren’t just hippies at Woodstock. They were highlighting the growing list of rights and freedoms at risk in America.

Kings can rule at whim; arrest, deport at will; send military into cities for no reason; bomb small boats, also for no purpose; pardon criminals in record numbers; demand loyalty from all associates, employees, media. It’s all been done before, and it’s still the M.O. for the increasing number of authoritarians in the world today. In the U.S., protections such as free speech, freedom of the press and due process are all increasingly at risk.

Bipartisanship and guardrails are becoming non-existent, and courts and our justice system are often ineffective. Fortunately, we can still protest and vote. Particularly, during this Thanksgiving week, let’s give thanks to our No Kings protestors.

Jeff Press
Harwich

Editor:

I’ll bite: I attended the No Kings Rally because democracy needs its citizens to be engaged. To sit back because one is personally comfortable, while the laws and values and standards of our country are being eroded is unforgivable.

Lasting beyond 250 years is not a given. The very structures of what our forefathers built foresaw a president such as this and he is dismantling them for personal power and financial gain. I attended because I love this country.

Kathy Miller
Brewster

Editor: 

 In response to the request made in the Nov. 13 Letters to the Editor, I am writing to provide my specific motivations for protesting regularly in Eastham with the Nauset Citizens Alliance group. Trump has been acting like a king by attempting to exercise unilateral power, disregarding constitutional checks and balances and ignoring oversight from Congress and the courts. Here are my top three examples, from a very lengthy list of outrageous wrong-doing:

 Abusing executive orders and pardons to send U.S. troops to our cities and set free 1,600 Jan. 6 rioters; falsely claiming emergency powers to circumvent congressional power by setting outrageous new tariffs and canceling approved spending (eg., medical research and international aid); skirting the rule of law and due process while carrying out mass deportations involving mainly non-criminals rather than “the worst of the worst.”

 It is telling that the letter offered a list of possible grievances that are primarily economic on a personal level. They seem to be assuming that protestors would only be motivated by immediate self-interest. I hope that this letter, and others that will be printed, make it clear that our group is angry about higher-level threats to our precious democratic system and rule of law. We are motivated by a cause bigger than ourselves; actions as part of this community called “aging 1960 hippies” are great food for my soul. I hope others will join us and enjoy this camaraderie!

Laurie Kunches
Eastham

Editor:

 I have been visiting Harwich Port all my life and retired here a few years ago. I love Harwich Port. So little has changed since my family first visited back in the 1960s. What has changed fits in. The charm of our village has been so well preserved. That is why I am very concerned about the size and design of the condo project under consideration on the Sundae School property. It just doesn’t fit. The building looks like it belongs somewhere else. It looks like it belongs in the suburbs of a large city, not in our small village.

 The comparisons to The Melrose (where I currently live) are inappropriate. Other than the number of units there are no similarities. The visual appeal of The Melrose in no way disturbs the character of our street. We do not tower over it or block out its sunshine. Our property has the visual character of the rest of street. In other words, it fits in. 

 Representatives of the proposed project are stating cold hard facts and numbers. I have not heard or seen any comments reported that reflect understanding of or concern for the nature and the ambiance of Harwich Port. 

 I do not understand why, as the abutters, we all receive numerous certified letters informing us of meetings when our input is not considered and so much of a project has already been decided or approved. At a recent meeting of the planning board there was a discussion about whether or not the board should be guided by the neighbors of these projects. So, why are we invited? Yet, what could be more important? We are Harwich Port! And so are the planning board members…

 So please reduce the size of this project. Make it fit in.

Barbara Quinn and 16 others 
Harwich Port

Editor:

 I did some searching on this matter and have concluded our president is well within his authority to take out these evil-doers to save the lives of our citizens.

 The administration's actions are reportedly based on a classified legal memo from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, which asserts that the U.S. is in a "non-international armed conflict" with the cartels. The administration's arguments for this authority include that the Constitution gives the president authority to address imminent threats, and Congress has given the president broad authority to address terroristic threats under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, passed in response to the 9/11 terror attacks.

James Coyle
Harwich

Editor:

 I wish all my family and friends a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

 On the other hand, America is in a special position regarding health care. We are the only wealthy country that does not have universal health insurance, notwithstanding spending more. We are dead last among similar countries in health outcome, access and equity. We rank high in innovation; however, this appears in danger resulting from the reduction in funding to major university medical research. 

 Universal health care requires funding, not provided by the present provision of the IRS code and the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill. Employer payroll taxes and income determinative health premiums are insufficient according to the Economic Policy Institute.

 The political will to eliminate regressive tax expenditures may create sufficient revenue for a single-payer or public health plan. The abolishment of many of the subsidies in the tax code, used by higher earners, would cover the cost of a single-payer system when coupled with payroll taxes and health premiums. 

Mark I. Berson
Orleans 

Editor:

 I'm really trying to understand the logic behind this proposed 2026 property tax change. I get the desire to help full-time residents with a 35 percent tax cut to help subsidize some of the high costs of living on the Cape. However, it's coming at the expense of non-resident homeowners who are already paying significant tax bills/other taxes that have been levied on them in recent years and are now looking at another 15 percent increase in their property tax bill. But the part that's really missed in all this is how it impacts other full-time residents who happen to live in a house assessed over $3.5 million. I fully understand not being able to give these folks a tax break, but do you really think it is fair to hit them with a 15 percent tax increase? It has nothing to do with their annual income, just the assessed value of their home, which already has one of the steepest tax bills in town. It just feels like we're giving our long-time residents one more reason to consider cashing in and moving. And what about the complicated situations? I asked about a full-time resident who only owns 50 percent of a house, with another family member owning the other half. The town couldn't even tell us if that resident will get any relief on their half of the tax bill. It just makes me wonder, has all of this really been thought through properly by the select board?

Derek Upson
Chatham

Editor:

 Over 70 years ago (1954) the Korean War had just ended, a Republican (Dwight D. Eisenhower) was president, and Elvis Presley recorded his first single record. All was well for the most part, and the words “under God” were added to our “Pledge of Allegiance.” 

 The Pledge of Allegiance, to my knowledge, has not changed since then. If we are still “one nation under God.” Do you think God would approve of us now? 

 Pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America used to mean pledging allegiance to the United States of America itself (our nation) and the principles upon which it was founded. 

 When did that change? I thought we were all in this together. Maybe I’m wrong...again.

Pete Norgeot
Orleans

Editor:

 I am writing to express my strong support for the affordable housing development at 127 Old Harbor Rd. and to address the common misconception that such developments decrease surrounding property values.

 Numerous peer-reviewed studies across the country have consistently found that building quality, well-managed affordable housing has a neutral or even positive effect on nearby property values. Fears about market decline are simply not supported by data.

 Consider the case of Nantucket, a community well-known for high property values. Despite the presence of affordable housing initiatives, the medium sale price for single-family homes has skyrocketed in recent years, reaching over $3 million. The market forces driving these increases are far more significant than any perceived impact from affordable housing.

 Investing in housing for our local workforce and seniors makes Chatham stronger, more diverse, and more vibrant. It ensures that people who make this town run can afford to live here. Please stop distorting reality. Consider the facts (your property values will not go down) and get on with 127 Old Harbor Rd.

Shirley Smith
Chatham

Editor: 

 Can anyone in their right mind think that Trump does not act like or suggest he is a king? Despite his occasional denial, he has posted on Truth Social “LONG LIVE THE KING” and on Instagram a photo of a Time magazine cover with him wearing a crown captioned “long live the king.” And who can forget his disgusting image distributed worldwide of a crowned Trump piloting a jet from which he is defecating on No Kings protesters?

 Trump has made vassals of Republican members of the House and Senate majorities who bow and scrape before him fearing his disfavor that he may primary them, banish them from his Washington kingdom and strip them of their titles. Even the tone-deaf Supreme Court conservative majority is doing its best to consolidate monarchical powers in Trump.

 Who else but a king can declare war against criminals and order their execution without a trial? Who else but a king can defy the law and ignore court orders? Who else but a king can order the indictment of his political opponents? Who else but a king can decide how money in the treasury is spent, or whether it is spent at all? Who else but a king would suggest “there are methods” for him to run for a third term?

 Though Trump has not yet crowned himself for good, we are only in the first 10 months of his term. So, I would say to anyone else who scoffs at the notion of a King Donald, continue those No Kings protests.

George Myers
Venice, Fla.

Editor:

 Regarding the Nov. 13 request for protest “clarification,” please allow me to help. First, any analysis of facial expressions as somehow a barometer of seriousness is a bit of a stretch.

 But to the point: no one, simply no one in any public/private sphere, has stated that Trump claims to be a “king” (we can all breathe a sigh of relief for this since he did in fact assert he would not lose a single vote even if he were to murder someone in NY).

 The “No Kings” movement is nothing more than a plea to have an elected leader not behave as if he is a king. Can we leave it at that?

 The writer asked us to contact the Chronicle with how we may have been harmed. Here goes:

 1) I am unable to watch a newscast in front of my daughter with the threat of a repetition of his vulgar reference to grabbing women, and how much they love that, in a certain unmentionable manner.

 2) Yes, indeed, my investments have suffered directly once the golden mouth utters nonsensical unsubstantiated blathering about how tariffs will “help” Americans, when the markets reflect the exact opposite is true. I can speak to this subject having worked in international trade for 40 years.

 3) You cite “denied medical care?” Well, yes, my dentist of many years pulled away my Medicare coverage due to general federal cutbacks and now I must pay for services where previously it was covered by Medicare.

 4) “Arrested by ICE” — not me — but my neighbor, a lawful U.S. permanent resident (for decades) of Mexican descent, was picked up by ICE and detained for 13 days (without her children being informed) on the “suspicion” that she “might” not be legal (turns out she was and was then released).

 5) I am not into the writer called “Save the world stuff.” But today, Trump announced he wants to repeal the Endangered Species Act. Think about this. Really. Think about it (as a distraction to Epstein). 

 6) My taxes, yes, have definitely increased. A tariff is a tax as any sentient being can understand. Just look at your grocery, lumber and any other imported consumer product you shop for as significantly higher than three years ago. A = B, B = C, ergo A = C. Tariff = tax, ergo higher prices.

 Have I been specific enough?

 Finally, “Rump” (as our South African friends call him) today announced the “release of the files.” Guess which? Emilia Earhart !!! Does he think all Americans are so stupid that they can’t see this to distract from his involvement with the pedophile ring?

 A little extra food for thought: his great appointee, a man of extraordinary dignity and insightful wisdom, Kash Patel, fired a DOJ attorney for having the audacity to suggest Mr. Patel can not accept official gifts in office. 

Mark Phillips
Grand Junction, Colo.

Editor:

 I've been meaning to write this for far too long now and am finally getting around to it. I was part of a group of parents about two years ago that called the Harwich recreation department to step up in terms of youth program offerings. There were very few programs offered for our children and what we had lacked equipment, organization and structure. Not anymore. 

 I cannot praise John Losey enough for all of his efforts and dedication in turning the Harwich rec around. John has devoted endless hours to program development, ensuring all programs have coaches, equipment, uniforms and trophies. Prior to the start of the program he meets with coaches and sets clear expectations and instructions to ensure all runs smoothly. John comes to every program leading with enthusiasm and encouraging all kids by name. Kids who otherwise might not participate or join teams and activities are made to feel important and valued as evidenced by their continued participation and increased overall enrollment. Other towns have actually even commented on our fields, equipment and set ups stating how they want what we have! Whoa! 

 I can't say enough about John's dedication to our youth and town in general. To say we are lucky to have him is an understatement. There was a vision that seemed somewhat far fetched and impossible to achieve, given the many barriers that were posed, but John has overcome each and every one and continues to surpass hopes and expectations. Amazing what can happen with such a "can do" attitude. 

Kristen Wentworth
Harwich