Free speech

To the editor:

At what point did Americans accept the premise that other citizens or, even worse, the federal government, have the right to tell us what words will come out of our mouths?  May I suggest that these good people who are being prevented from saying “God bless you” or “God bless our soldiers” at their funerals are using the wrong arguments to defend themselves. They are asking the government to “give them back the right to say prayers.” The government does not have possession of that right. If our brave American soldiers could summon the courage to go to war to defend the Constitution and the rights guaranteed to American citizens, where is our courage when asked to do less? I submit that each of us is responsible for the words that we use, and the power to decide which words that will be used rests solely with us. I, for one, have not given that right to the government, nor to any religious or political group and I will not be doing so. They can pass all the laws they wish, giving them authority, but they have no right. Therefore, I call on everyone to refuse to comply with any and all “requests” that we curb our free speech. Too many good people have fought and died to leave that right to us for us to fail now.

Veronica H. Kivela

North Haven

No quarter

I will give no quarter to The Water Pollution Control Authority employee’s thanks to Freda in the gentleman’s letter of last week (6-1, North Haven Citizen). Stop selling the position of Freda and his hopes for re-election and get down to the facts, please. Hey, I am not partisan to one party. I am a registered Democrat, but only because Obama got elected President in 2008. We needed hope for change. The change is still not there, but . . . we still have "change" in the conversation. Folks, in the real world, people are really, really hurting financially and many are without jobs, have lost their homes and their healthcare. Folks with chronic illness have poor access to health care or no care and people with disabilities have deplorable nursing home care, home care and healthcare. Let's all sit down and rebuild a broken system and make our town, our state and America strong. Stop the lobbying-garbage and let's get to work with a new model.  It starts from the ground floor (you and me) and moves up. 

Tad Duni

North Haven

Underappreciated rights

To the editor:

Of the many freedoms we will celebrate on this 4th of July, there are some that we don’t even think about. One of them as a woman is the right to drive. Today in Saudi Arabia, women are fighting for a chance to sit in the driver’s seat, against a culture that has put the brakes on them since the time of four wheels. It’s not a religious roadblock though; I’m a Muslim-American woman who loves to drive and who can do so anywhere in the world, except in Saudi. I cherish all the freedoms we enjoy in America, big and small, and as I pull into my driveway, I feel that some of the little pleasures mean a lot.

Syeda T. Ahmed

Hamden

Generous sponsors

To the editor:

On May 26th, the staff and teachers at the North Haven Middle School were treated to a delicious lunch sponsored by the NHMS PTSA. A raffle was also held that day. We would like to thank the many businesses in North Haven that donated to this luncheon/raffle from cakes, flowers, gift certificates/cards, plants, jewelry, wine, gift items, and hair, nail and salon services. We would not be able to have this amazing event without their generosity.

The NHMS PTSA Executive Board:

Jackie Ford

Bernice Buck

Carmina Cirioli

 Mara Malafronte

 Denise Creasy

Thanks and congrats

To the editor:

I would like to thank the following individuals — some being residents and others representing area businesses — for helping make the Class of 2011 Project Graduation Breakfast, which was held during the morning of June 25 at North Haven High School, such a success. The event would not have been so without their donations and generosity.

Thanks to: Nancy Leddy, North Haven Community Services and Recreation, Debbie Volain, John McKnight, Joe Branco and Pam Asmus, Mike Kupec, Al Benjunas, Annie and Mike Baldarelli and Debbie Keyes, who helped arrange the food donations, Bob DelPomo, Donna Darcy and all the parents, families and businesses that so generously contributed prizes and food to the breakfast for the students to enjoy upon arriving back from Quassy Amusement Park. With the parent and local business donations, we were able to give a prize to every student remaining at the breakfast with the sum of donated prizes totaling over $2,000. Special thanks to all the parents who chaperoned and helped set and clean up at the breakfast. Due to the overwhelming generosity of food donations, we were able to make a contribution to St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen in Hamden. Thank you to everyone who supported this event!  Congratulations to the Class of 2011!

Elaine Novinsky

North Haven