A Democracy Under Threat
To the editor:
Barbara Kennedy allowed, in her letter last week, that (1) “America is not a democracy but a republic,” and (2) that, whether you go to a Trump rally or a Biden rally, you are protected by the Constitution.
First, America is indeed a democracy, though currently under great threat; it is what is known as a democratic republic. Second, there is a big difference between a rally and the violent insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 attended by Nick Nickerson, the owner of Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar in Eastham.
The Constitution protects political speech and the right “peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for the redress of grievances.” That does not include the violent overthrow of our government, which is precisely what the “rally” attended by Nickerson was attempting.
If people who were shocked by the Jan. 6 assault on our government now refuse to patronize Arnold’s, they are peacefully showing respect for our democratic republic and justified disdain for a man who was, however briefly, part of an anti-American mob.
Dan Katz
Truro
Congratulations, and Thanks
To the editor:
It has been an honor and privilege to serve on the Provincetown Select Board these past three years. I thank Leslie Sandberg and Oriana Conklin for getting into the race this spring, sparking robust discussion on the issues in a productive, positive way, and actively working to get out their voters, which resulted in a record turnout.
Congratulations to Leslie on her victory. I encourage everyone who voted for me or Oriana to be invested in Leslie’s success. We have many common concerns and must move on to the next chapter together to advance the best interests of all. We need more understanding and more communication among the different groups in town. The change we wish for starts with each of us.
Thanks to the voters at this year’s annual town meeting for passing Article 18, which ensures the town will take climate change and natural resource protection into consideration for all decisions going forward, and for passing Article 13, and then Question 5 on the ballot, to create an office of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I am proud of the difficult choices we made to protect our community in the past year. Now, we are emerging into a changed cultural landscape. We all need and deserve to take some time to breathe and enjoy this incredible place we call home.
Thanks also to my colleagues on the select board and all town staff for their hard work. We have exemplary talent in our midst, and I am confident we can work together to solve the housing crisis so that we may retain the fabric of our community.
Lise King
Provincetown
He Knows About Ferrets
To the editor:
Jennifer Subrin’s “Up a Creek” commentary, “The Post-Pandemic Classifieds,” published last week [page A18], was just terrific. I couldn’t stop laughing about Yeet and Stan, the two Wellfleet ferrets that were purchased as Christmas presents and by New Year’s their cage smelled like durian fruit.
I’ve been a self-employed carpet and rug cleaner for decades, although at this point, I’m semi-retired. That spoof reminded me of long ago when a customer called to book an appointment, requesting that I bring my strongest deodorizer. Not a good sign. When I walked in the customer’s front door, several ferrets were running around, and the smell was so pungent, my eyes began to water. I was asked if I could detect an odor. I thought: nothing an oxygen tent couldn’t handle.
I respectfully turned down the job and explained to the ferret-lover that, since the creatures had used the carpeting as a toilet, it would have to be replaced — and possibly some subflooring as well.
The home owner became irate because I wouldn’t take the job. I apologized and again stated that carpet and padding replacement was needed, along with “STF.”
“What’s STF?” the home owner asked. “Shoot The Ferrets,” I said.
Geez, some people have absolutely no sense of humor.
Mike Rice
Wellfleet
Why Not ‘Outer Cape’?
To the editor:
Kudos to a wonderful publication and to your courage, integrity, and curiosity.
Since you cover all four Outer Cape towns, have you considered changing your name to The Outer Cape Independent (TOCI)?
I love my town getting its name in the title, but we should not be selfish and neglect the other Outer Cape towns.
Wishing you many more years of success.
Brian Michaelan
Provincetown
We did indeed consider the Outer Cape Independent, along with other possible names. But “Outer Cape” could refer to many different places. We chose the Provincetown Independent, as we have written before, because we wanted “a name that tells people everywhere exactly where we stand in the world.” —Editor
