Opinion: Admitting to what’s wrong in the country

Apr 21, 2025

To the Editor:

The letter from Mr. Brock Cordeiro in the April 10 issue has prompted me to respond with a letter of my own. It was very heartening to read about the change in viewpoint he experienced after attending the rally in Dartmouth on April 5. I am pleased to discover his history as a longtime Republican official, feeling drawn to such a rally and to hear about his reasoning for that.

As a longtime voter myself, knowing what matters to others whose views I may not share, interests me greatly.

I’ve had a very hard time trying to understand how the current occupant of the White House was elected, twice, despite the odious, criminal, disgraceful behaviors he has displayed openly for years, then brazenly denied. Enough about that, though.

In our current political climate with so many issues of concern to all of us, Mr. Cordeiro spoke out about his disgust at the callous denialism of medical science, which I wholeheartedly share.

However, it doesn’t matter to me which of the current litany of abuses in particular prompted you to see what so many others are concerned about. What really does matter is that you have taken the step to voice your concerns and acknowledge that you were “amazed” to find yourself seeing what many others refuse to “see” and to write your letter. Thank you for sharing that.

I hope your words (some of which I’ve borrowed for emphasis) will encourage others to admit that what is going on in the Oval Office right now is irrational and dangerous, a very real threat to the future of all of us. I hope it will open eyes and hearts to the need to reflect on how they truly feel now, even if they voted for this President. Not everyone will admit if they regret their choice, but maybe they will acknowledge the result.

I really hope so.

Marit Isaksen