Letters: Have Some Sympathy for Jack Gilchrist

Editor's Note: This letter refers to Hudson business owner, Jack Gilchrist, who has had some backlash after appearing in a Mitt Romney ad underscoring the President's much-repeated "you didn't build that" remarks, directed toward business owners. A link to a July 26 NH Union Leader story about Hudson police investigating alleged telephone harassment of Gilchrist can be found here.

Dear Nashua Patch:

Remember Joe?

Have some sympathy for Jack Gilchrist in Hudson. He spoke what he believed and is becoming a Republican mascot for business owners. The individuals attacking Jack are without excuse. But we have a bigger problem, and not even the reporters are picking up on it.

Everyone gets some blame for this. Let’s start at the beginning. Mr. Gilchrist took offense at a short phrase taken out of a speech. There’s no way he could have heard or read the rest of it. He gets a failing grade for not doing his homework. He also has detention for copying someone else.

Then we have the attackers; the hooligans at a rugby match. They are helping nobody; they get off on the adrenalin of it and are an embarrassment. They get expelled. This is not a competitive sport; this is debate over the future of our communities and country.

And what of the people using Jack as a mascot? They get him wound up with half-truths and parade him in public. Remember 2008’s Joe the plumber? Joe’s complaint wasn’t valid, but was used anyway by the same group using Jack. Their future is in the hands of voters. Let them know what you think of their behavior.

Last, but not least, we have the media. They got the “who, what, and where” parts covered, but did not follow up with “why” this happened. They get an “incomplete” grade on the assignment, but have a chance to make up the work.

Warren Isleib

Nashua, NH