REMEMBER TO READ

Dear Mr. President:

Things to do on Martha’s Vineyard:

1. Read the Vineyard Gazette.

2. Go to the Ag Fair and get a corn dog and if you can, you should go to the pig races.

3. Go to the Chilmark Store to buy a muffin or a bagel, then enjoy it on the porch.

4. Try to boogie board at the beach, then you should relax and eat some snacks and play a game with your family (you should snack on a lobster roll and a Vitamin Water).

5. And don’t forget to read a good book, I’m reading Percy Jackson.

6. For dinner you should go to the Square Rigger, I love it!!

Your friend,

Lexi Abrams, age eight

Chilmark

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LEAD US

Dear Mr. President:

You have arrived here at a momentous time. Like many others, you and your family come seeking respite and renewal. May you find both. And may you know that there are many of us praying for you and the arduous tasks our times have set before you. Our country too is in dire need of renewal, and there is widespread despair and anxiety. One key reason for this distressing situation stems from efforts by powerful forces within our populace steadfastly arrayed against our progress as a nation. They are ruthless and resourceful. We pray that you will see the true nature and true goals of this opposition, and will realize that there are times for reconciliation, and there are times when conflict is necessary so that we as a people can move forward. To lead us to a greater future by actively opposing and countering those in the present who would return us to a discredited and distorted past is an essential and noble endeavor, one many of us still believe you can fulfill. That is our prayer.

Jeffrey Agnoli

Edgartown

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LAUGH LINES

Dear Mr. President:

About this time last summer, a half-mile down the road from the Blue Heron Farm where President Obama and his family were staying, I performed my political comedy show at the Grange Hall. And another half- mile down the road was my residence, the Martha’s Vineyard hostel, where you can hear people talk in their sleep in five different languages.

While my fantasy of seeing the President and First Lady laughing uproariously in the front row didn’t materialize, I consoled myself with the thought that they just might have read the nice article about me in the Gazette the day before. Or had someone tell them about it. But even if neither of those scenarios took place, it was just plain fun being on Island at the same time as the First Family.

Unlike those who gripe about Presidential street closures and traffic, I was surprised and thrilled when I stumbled upon the street in Oak Bluffs near Nancy’s that was closed while the President, his family and friends had lunch. I waited with the throngs of people until I heard the cheers and saw the motorcade pull away. I would take that experience over open streets any day. Especially since I’m a Brooklynite who never drives.

One night on my way back to the hostel, I was excited to see the motorcade waiting for the President and Mrs. Obama to finish dinner at State Road. Almost as excited as I was when I found out later that I too could afford the State Road dining experience (not dinner, but breakfast or lunch.)

I’ll be back again this summer, but unfortunately not while the President and his family will be on Island. So when I take the stage at the Grange Hall Labor Day weekend, I know they won’t be in the first row.

So now I have a new fantasy. Does anyone know who books the shows at the White House?

Scott Blakeman

Brooklyn, N.Y.

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DISAPPOINTED

Dear Mr. President:

For the sake of our children, stop the spending. You promised transparency and now we have to wait for a bill to pass to see what’s in it? You have widened the partisan gap like never before. I have never heard a president who has blamed and called names before, and I don’t think it becomes a president or a party. We need leadership, our country is falling apart as we read! This is not the change anyone wanted. You are ignoring what we want as taxpaying, law-abiding citizens. Call me a very disappointed citizen.

Barbara Brugman

Newport, R.I.

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SOFTBALL INVITATION

Dear Mr. President:

Welcome to the Vineyard. I hope you have a relaxing, cheerful vacation. I supported you the last time out and will do so again. I think you have done well in these stressed economic times and with a recalcitrant Republican Party. If you want to spend a carefree joyous Sunday morning, come to Chilmark’s wonderful softball game at Flanders Field. It shows you the spirit of community as well as some pretty good baseball. Everyone there actually enjoys one another. If only this same spirit existed in Washington. Perhaps you can take this back with you.

Bill Edison

Menemsha

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AN APOLOGY

Dear Mr. President:

I am sorry. Four years ago, when you were running for president, I kicked sand on you and your wife and your kids’ beach towels at State Beach. I got some sand on you and your wife too. My mom and dad say you were nice about it. But hey, I was only three years old! August 17 was my birthday. Now I am eight. If I see you on the beach this year, I promise not to do it again!

Teddy Girouard

North Attleboro and West Tisbury

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JOIN THE CLUB

Dear Mr. President:

My family would like to invite you and your family to join the Birthday Club. It is free, fun and helps our neighbors in need of food (over 50 million Americans are impacted by hunger). The club encourages people to use their birthdays and other special occasions to collect healthy food at their celebrations, then bring this food to their local food pantry.

In 2003 my children started to celebrate their birthdays with their preschool friends. My husband and I felt our children received so many gifts from family that they didn’t need more gifts from friends. We knew there was a need for food in our community so we decided to connect the joy of their birthdays with the joy of giving to others by suggesting nonperishable food as gifts. We were able to create a style of celebration that fits with our values of giving our children everything they need and only a little bit of what they want, and the Birthday Club was born.

Over the next three years, my children continued to host birthday club parties. While obtaining my doctorate, I wanted to research if the club was viable beyond a feel-good family initiative to a program that could be sustainable. Working with our local food pantry administrators, we tracked donations from birthday club parties for three years in order to see if food donations increased. It would not be helpful if people hosted a club party but then did not contribute to their usual food collections through school, church or senior centers. We did see an overall increase in food donations, supporting the idea that birthday club participation will increase food donations. During this time, I created downloadable tools (invitations, thank you notes, participant certificates) and developed a Web site to make it easier for people to participate.

For several years I have worked with Armen Hanjian, the Island Food Pantry coordinator on Martha’s Vineyard; he provided insight and guidance. In August 2009, we introduced the Birthday Club to patrons at the West Tisbury library. The Vineyard was a perfect location to launch the club, as the Island embraces people from all over the world.

The club continues to grow with participation from food pantries, soup kitchens, and food banks in 16 states. The club can be a part of the solution with your United We Serve: Feed a Neighbor Initiative, the First Lady’s Let’s Move program and the United Nations’ goal to eradicate hunger worldwide.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs suggests that without the basics in life we cannot become all that we were meant to be. I believe without healthy food for all our people, we cannot have an informed citizenry, and without an informed citizenry we cannot ensure the longevity of our democracy, sustain our way of life, achieve social justice or ensure peace for all. Food is a basic in life and a fundamental right.

Our family is launching a campaign which challenges 10 per cent of Americans in 2012 to celebrate their lives by hosting a birthday club party (birthday, anniversary, graduation, any occasion). And it doesn’t cost them anything! Based on my research, we may contribute almost 200 million additional bags of groceries to food pantries across the country.

Please consider hosting a birthday club party and help us spread the word (thebirthdayclub.net).

Kate Darcy Hohenthal

Manchester, Conn., and Oak Bluffs

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DANGEROUS GAP

Dear Mr. President:

The report in the Vineyard Gazette about the breakdown of the western system of market capitalism (Too Many People Missing Out: Wealth Gap Worries Economists, July 19, 2011) says it all. This is the conclusion of the eminent economists David Moss, Allen Sinai and Joe Bower. The gap between the haves and have nots has become dangerously large. Thus, we are at the confluence of a breakdown in our political system and our economic system.

It was made worse two weeks ago when the Republicans (Tea Party) resorted to blackmail in connection with the debt ceiling renewal. Unfortunately, the President and his party went along with this high-handed extortion. The President could have exercised his leadership under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. In my view, no leader or anyone else should countenance blackmail. Never. The President should have told the Republicans to come back for negotiations when they were ready to forget any extortion.

This blackmail has diminished our country in the eyes of the world. The President, both parties and the world will rue the day.

Jerry Kohlberg

Edgartown

The writer is the owner of the Vineyard Gazette.

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NOTES FROM AQUINNAH

Dear Mr. President:

Welcome to Martha’s Vineyard. I anticipate you will all enjoy your vacation. You will certainly enjoy the 150th anniversary of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair.

I missed your previous visit to Aquinnah but my 94-year-old friend and I waited at Abel’s Hill to wave to you that day; it was a thrill for him. I would have preferred to have met the First Family in Aquinnah. Remember the breathtaking view from the top of the lighthouse? More people should partake in it to understand the significance to Aquinnah residents. We have depended upon tourism for more than a century. Thousands of people enjoy the Cliffs each year.

To ruin the spectacular view in the name of wind power is absurd. The Cliffs are a national natural landmark, proclaimed by the late Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall in an impressive and meaningful ceremony in July 1966. I cannot even envision going to the top of the lighthouse or the Cliffs as I have for more than six decades and to see windmills. It would be a dull view to the vision. Our tourism would be decimated.

As Aquinnah Wampanoags, we have survived as fishermen and farmers for years. Aquaculture and agriculture are a vital part of our heritage. It was just a few centuries ago that whales were captured right off the Cliffs. The whaling industry sustained our tribe for years. Since the decline of whaling, tribal members have relied upon the fishing grounds around the Vineyard for fishing. We have specific seasons for fluke and flounder, lobstering, cod, swordfishing, striped bass, blues, and more. I cannot envision the impact windmills would have on the fish that we have remaining in the waters around the Vineyard.

The windmills would not only affect the decline of fish but would be detrimental to those in the fishing industry. The charter fishermen would be out of work, the day fishing fleet has already had to reduce the size of their boats, and the hundreds of people in the industry would be without work. The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby would be defunct after 66 years.

One last issue of concern, as a tribal elder: Please try to balance Social Security and Medicare. More than half my Social Security Check goes to my private health insurance. I just opened my latest statement this morning and nearly had another heart attack — it has now increased $100 over the past year. My Medicare will be of assistance in the next few months but over the winter I may have to go fishing to subsidize my health insurance. I cannot complain though, that insurance was well worth it as I just had major vascular surgery one week ago and I am here to tell about it! I am always available for a private history lesson on our Wampanoag history, perhaps even while out on a charter fishing trip. Enjoy your visit.

June D. Manning

Aquinnah

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HEROES REMEMBERED

Dear Mr. President:

On the front page of the August 9 issue of the Vineyard Gazette is an article about your upcoming visit. Also featured is an article about Sgt. Chris Willis’s return to Martha’s Vineyard from four tours in Afghanistan. I am deeply grateful to him and others like him for his courage and dedication to our country. Perhaps you would be able to find a moment to thank him in person for his service? These brave men and women are our nation’s true heroes and treasures.

Sandra McCormick

Edgartown

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HISTORY WILL JUDGE

Dear Mr. President:

This is in hopes that while bored in Chilmark, someone in your entourage reads this and perhaps mentions a point or two it raises.

Do you want history to remember you as a great man, a Franklin Roosevelt or a buffoon like George W. Bush, perhaps the worst president in American history? The junction in that road is at hand. The choice is yours and it is for keeps. Forever. For all of time.

Bush left the economic chaos and the two insane wars that have defined your first team. And yet instead of casting aside the policies that assured Bush’s place as an historical joke you have perpetuated these policies. In Afghanistan you have doubled down and made it worse, more young American lives tragically lost. More treasure squandered.

This is a war which any thinking person, with a remote grasp of history, knows cannot be won. There is no exit strategy; leaving tomorrow would yield exactly the same result as if the U.S. left in 10 years. Afghanistan is a tribal narco-state that will always be standing on the precipice of anarchy.

Your advisors probably point to the success we achieved in nation building in Iraq as the blueprint for our exit strategy in Afghanistan. But aren’t others of your advisors saying to you that after America is fully disengaged from Iraq, Iraq will become a satellite of their fellow Shiites in Iran. And civil war and chaos will follow. And the gains we have made will vanish into the desert’s dust. You are caught in the same historical trap that so agonized Lyndon Johnson, that compelled him to continue a war in Viet Nam that also was as historically unwinnable, again at the tragic, heartbreaking cost of thousands of American lives.

On the domestic side, you have also continued Bush’s economic policies. You allowed his tax cuts to be renewed, in an effort to appease far right Republican zealots. You have refused to consider changes to bring equity to the tax code that leaves billionaires like Warren Buffet pleading in the New York Times to be able to pay a fairer share. You have caved to the specious Republican logic that taxes are inherently evil and that our economy will only be saved by making the über-rich, the “job creators” wealthier, and they in turn will trickle down their billions, create jobs and all be fine again.

This policy, allowing the rich to be become richer, when we already have the largest gap between rich and poor in history, will not save the economy. The worst-case scenario is that it will result in class warfare, bringing the violence recently seen in London, to New York and Chicago in far more violent and virulent forms.

I won’t even start to raise other incredibly misguided policies that are costing tens of billions of dollars and also costing thousands of lives, that have not even appeared on your radar yet. Namely our insane war on drugs, which has resulted in more deaths on the Mexico-U.S. border in the last five years than in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. You can put that on your agenda for your second term, if somehow, and I recoil with revulsion even to write these names, you manage to beat a Romney, Bachman, or Perry in the next election. God save the United States of America, in that it has come to this.

It will take a drastic reversal in substance, policy and style to avert being castigated, forever, to the list of the worst and not the greatest presidents. To avoid being joked about in history as George Bush II.

Three simple measures to start.

First, get out of Afghanistan and Iraq. No timetables, no benchmarks, get out as fast as all our gear and troops can be loaded. In addition to being the right and sane thing to do, it saves $3 billion a week.

Second, let the Bush tax cuts expire. And close all the tax loopholes that allow companies like General Electric to pay no money in taxes.

These two measures alone solve all our financial programs and will fund massive public jobs programs which will put millions of people back to work.

And third, show some courage. Which really needs to come first before taking steps one and two.

Three simple things. And our downward death spiral is reversed. You get mentioned in same sentence for all of history as Roosevelt and Lincoln. Instead of Bush and Hoover. Simple, really.

Christopher Merrow

West Hartford, Conn., and Chilmark

BLESSINGS

Dear Mr. President:

I am so happy that you are the chief executive, and Michelle is the co-chief! I was in politics on the Vineyard, took alternative stands, faced a recall effort, only to have more support than ever. My son has stayed on the Vineyard — now principal of the Tisbury School (I do believe he voted for you), but I left the Vineyard and politics to go to seminary, and am now an ordained UCC minister (I do think the Rev. Wright was right, and you should have taken him to Washington, but alas politics do prevail). I lived in Vermont for 13 years, did farming with my husband and church ministry, and I loved our representatives in D.C. Now we have retired to Maine, and I hope our representatives will support you. When on the Vineyard I was Suzan D. Custer (D for Dill, my maiden name); now I am Suzan Dill Nixon (I should have kept my maiden name all along). I support you and all that you stand for, and I do preach justice and peace in all I do. Blessings on you and all your amazing family.

Suzan Dill Nixon

Portland, Me.

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LOST CONFIDENCE

Dear Mr. President:

I wanted to share some thoughts with you today.

The recent downgrading by S& P is a wake-up call. America is headed in the wrong direction and we need to make big changes fast if we are to avoid the anarchy we are seeing in England and Greece. The stimulus and bailouts didn’t work. Obamacare will be disastrous. And it’s unfair to attack the Tea Party when it’s your budget-busting agenda that has put our economy into a death spiral.

I suggest you spend less time fund-raising and more time talking to Americans. Instead of inciting class warfare, be more inclusive. How about a flat tax? Instead of pushing for bigger government, let’s move toward smaller government. Entitlements must be revised now if we are to avoid a meltdown and begin to pay off our debts.

Our country is extremely vulnerable and we may be heading for a double-dip recession. More than 18 million are out of work and businesses are afraid to hire anyone. Stress fractures are weakening the very foundation of the nation. Know that our enemies abroad will take full advantage of this crisis. But what’s worse is that you have made us lose faith in America and ourselves. We have become flaccid, listless, exhausted versions of ourselves.

Now is the time to change course before it’s too late. The debt crisis is an opportunity for you to change your strategy and give us some much needed hope.

Peter Robb

Holliston and Oak Bluffs

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TONE DEAF

Dear Mr. President:

I voted for you in 2008 and sent you two checks. You will get my vote in 2012 only, perhaps, by default and you will be denied my purse.

You ran for office like a mighty ocean but are governing like a dry creek.

I should have known when you picked a 30-year veteran of Congress to be your vice president that you were wrong-footed. You were only trumped in ineptitude by the astonishing foul judgment of McCain. Holder, the midnight pardoner and Wall Street apologists Geithner and Summers followed.

I fear you may be over your head. The “community organizer” taunts may have validity.

Now you show singular tone deafness by vacationing here. What insensitive optics you embrace.

Mike Robbins

New York city

and West Chop

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MOBILIZE FOR JOBS

Dear Mr. President:

Why not issue an executive order creating a massive, national renewable energy and energy conservation jobs program? FDR did a similar thing in the days leading up to World War II with executive order #9024 (the War Production Board), leading the country out of the Great Depression and building the infrastructure necessary to defeat the Axis powers.

Once again, our national security and economic well-being are linked, now joined by major environmental concerns as threats to our country; and, I respectfully submit, a wartime mobilization-scale program implementing clean, safe, sustainable energy is needed to see us through.

Thomas Sullivan

Vineyard Haven

 

TRY NANTUCKET

Dear Mr. President:

With your approval rating just hitting 39 per cent, the lowest for any first-term President, maybe you will consider going to Nantucket next year, seeing it will be your last year in office, and stay at John Kerry’s home there. Not all of us on the Vineyard have sipped that Kool Aid, and as I always said, keep the change!

Woodrow W. Williams

Vineyard Haven