​www.seacoastonline.com/news/20191124/its-time-for-new-narrative

To the Editor:
The earth is alive and sacred.
How can this be honored in the way we build our world? In our urban planning and design?
And what do we do when it is clearly not being honored?
Our legislative system currently gives us- the people - no leg to stand on when corporations come along with projects that follow a doomed narrative: Our earth is a resource to be used.
All-too-often this use becomes abuse because of disregard to our earth’s life and sacredness. And when that happens? We the people are unfortunately left feeling powerless in stopping or changing the narrative these projects perpetuate, regardless of the extent to which they may harm the health of ecosystems and communities.
But we are not powerless.
One purpose of the Right to a Healthy Climate ordinance, passed by Exeter residents this past march, is to assert the legislative power we as communities actually have. As the ordinance states: “This right of self-government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, is natural, fundamental, and unalienable. It is also secured to us by the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New Hampshire.”
What Exeter residents have done is created a local law that enables us to stop or change projects which will clearly do more harm than good to our ecosystems and our communities. Now, our town officials are more empowered in how they represent Exeter and look after its short and longterm well-being. Now, we may better elevate the narrative of a brighter future: The earth is alive and sacred.
Jordan Dickenson
Exeter

​www.conwaydailysun.com/opinion/letters/peter-white-residents-must-act-locally-to-protect-health-welfare/article_d8ead0d0-0617-11ea-91f1-c718d40bf08d.html

Nov 15, 2019

Don't give up the fight!

For those of you who are, like me, lifelong humane activists, I would like to say thank you for caring enough to grow democracy to save our nation from the Wall Street Empire. We shall overcome someday.

Bob Marley wrote a song that says, “Get up, stand up for your rights, don’t give up the fight!”

While we democracy activists are maybe 3 million Americans who have not given up the fight, that’s only 1 percent of the people, and we cannot overcome the richest 1 percent who are the ruling elite without more of the 98 percent “silent majority” getting informed and involved. Being a patriot means more than waving the flag on July 4th!

Real democracy involves people in every town getting involved and empowered, and that’s what the NH Community Rights Network advocates for! Residents must act locally to protect their health, safety and welfare, and defend their water, land and air from corporate polluters who are poisoning our children and destroying Mother Earth! For more info, go to nhcommunityrights.org.

Is there a presidential candidate who will walk the walk and endorse community rights? Our elected “leaders” must work with We the People to oppose harmful corporate activities like the Granite Bridge Pipeline, Northern Pass, dredging of Great Bay and the contamination of our groundwater. If the people lead, the leaders have to follow — don’t give up the fight for democracy!

Peter A. White, treasurer

NH Community Rights Network and Nottingham Water Alliance