Turning Against Ourselves
To the editor:
Edward Boches’s July 8 op-ed essay, “What We See in the Flag,” was thought-provoking.
I am saddened by disparagement of the American flag. People should be upset by aspects of today’s society, but they should not go against the flag, the symbol of all that is good in our country.
The red stands for valor and reminds us of those who fought doggedly for the freedom we have today. The white stands for innocence and a simple faith in goodness and righteousness. The blue stands for justice and the vigilant pursuit of freedom against all odds.
I stand against the wrongs while taking great pride in our country and flag. We are so divided at present that we have forgotten the importance of the U.S. flag as a symbol of freedom. We have forgotten the importance of standing together for our country, as Sen. Carl Schurz said, “right or wrong — when right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right.”
We cannot have blind faith in the U.S., yet if we turn against it when it is wrong, we are turning against ourselves. We the people must work together to right the wrongs, to persevere with vigilance and justice.
Laura Fitzgerald
Brewster
On Public Animosity
To the editor:
Re “Judge Fines Sal’s Place $1,000 a Day for Contempt” [July 29, page A9]: Safety for patrons and abutters should be paramount. The home owner next door seems intent on putting Sal’s out of business.
At every select board meeting where Sal’s has been a topic, numerous residents, including abutters, have showed up, called in, and written letters in support of Sal’s. The number opposed is minimal. It seems that the Provincetown public supports the restaurant. If the select board is elected to represent the public interest, then it is doing its job.
Regarding Louise Venden, if a town official patronizes an establishment, is that official in the business owner’s pocket? Anyone who knows Venden knows that’s an impossibility. She is notorious for her honesty.
This continued public animosity between these two parties is, unfortunately, becoming a microcosm of Provincetown itself. Why can’t we all get along?
Laura Logue Rood
Boston and Provincetown
Fare-Free Fridays
To the editor:
I commend the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority for making its buses fare-free on Fridays [“Pandemic’s Easing Opens Possibilities for Public Transit,” July 15, page A9].
High fares, along with our outdated infrastructure, have made it difficult for commuters to get to work and have slowed economic growth. As we recover from the pandemic, access to reliable, affordable public transportation is critical. And it is especially important during the summer on Cape Cod, to support the seasonal workforce during the labor shortages this year. Investing in smart solutions like fare-free buses will improve transportation access and equity.
Many towns are using federal relief money to offer free transit. As a result, ridership has increased and public transit has become more efficient. The pilot programs are working. This success demonstrates why boosting transit funding in the fiscal 2022 state budget is so important.
If expanding fare-free transit is coupled with investments to modernize our transportation infrastructure, Massachusetts will be positioned to support a thriving economy for years to come.
Jennifer Benson
Cambridge
The writer is president of the Alliance for Business Leadership.
