While dog fighting is deplorable, one must consider how well supervised those now missing dogs were when they were taken. When my dog is outside, I am usually out with him or at least within earshot. I would know if someone was near. I would never dream of leaving my dog outside when I was not home. If that was required for some reason, he would have a VERY secure outdoor containment system... not a logging chain on a tree and a plywood doghouse. Dog owners have a responsibility to protect their animals to the best of their abilities. My heart goes out to those whose pets are missing. Hopefully, their losses will cause others to better secure and protect their animals.
Any person participating in any part of a dog fighting operation should be used as training bait for police dogs... and THEN fined and jailed. But, as another comment points out, that would be MILD treatment compared to some street level justice that a stalwart Mainer and his/her 12 gauge may deliver.
Seems that I recall some BIG oil companies having contracts to drill in Somalia before the civil war erupted to it's current level. Peace there, interestingly enough, is in the best interest of the giant multi-billion dollar, multi-national corporations. Perhaps these corporations should rally their tremendous resources and start providing food and water to the people living on the land that they want to drill holes in and makes millions of dollars from.
And more to come no doubt... along with thousands more adults. Did those children deserve that? They aren't the pirates taking hostages and collecting ransomes. They aren't the corrupt governments inhibiting aid shipments. They are children. Innocent CHILDREN. Many of the Somalian families living in our community left their homes in Africa in search of a better life for their families. Who would have thought, given the American mindset of excess and greed, that the definition of a better life for these folks would be so simple: adequate food, clean water, a roof over their heads and basic health care? While we take what we have for granted, others in the world lay their heads down at night longing for just a little bit of what Americans take for granted. A few of my tax dollars go toward helping make a better life for someone... putting food in a childs belly... I'd rather that happen than one more penny of my money funding unjust wars.
if every physician donated one day of their time every year to care for those who cannot afford care. Imagine what a positive effect this would have. We certainly cannot wait for our government, state or federal, to make health care accessible to all. Fortunately, there are some dedicated physicians, Like Dr. Antonucci who are stepping up.
Thank you for your dedication Dr. Antonucci. Obviously, you take your commitment to help your fellow man very seriously and without regard for their ability to pay.
The mural belongs where it was originally intended to go - the Department of Labor.
The removal of the mural is a symptom of a much greater problem than where a piece of art should be displayed. It is a glaring symbol of Lepage's disrespect for Maine citizens. Excuse me... a symbol of disrespect to the Maine citizens who disagree with Lepage - using the results of the gubernatorial election, that would be about 68% of us.
There is a saying, (I think I first saw it on a bumper sticker actually) that has been coming to my mind pretty frequently lately...
"If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention."
Lepage couldn't attend the NAACP breakfast on MLK day because he was attending the funeral of a State Trooper. Admirable actually... but the way he handled the NAACP's invitation wasn't. (How would the NAACP have reacted if he had said: "I am sorry I cannot attend. I will be attending the funeral of a Maine State Trooper who has died after many years of service to our state. Please accept my aoplogies. I would be glad to meet with you at a later date.") Given that... Lepage cannot postpone his vacation a day or two to attend the funeral of a fallen Maine Game Warden?
just exactly what do I get for my tax dollars. The tax dollars that I pay regularly and on time EVERY YEAR.
I don't use and have never used the Auburn School system - so there is 50% or so of my tax money. The police aren't at my house every night for problems - although I do appreciate that they are available. Same with the Fire Department - I still have some friends that work there and appreciate their readiness as well.
I live on one of those LOW PRIORITY streets so as far as snow plowing goes you can guess (and may have read the LSJ article a while back about this) that I don't get much for my money in that area either.
Trash collection is horrible. Trash is routinely left strewn all over the street after the garbage truck comes. Cans are left with trash still in them. And now they talk of charging us per bag for trash collection?
Perhaps a review of the salaries of high ranking city and school department officials is in order - starting at the top. I am VERY sure there are some cuts that can be made there.
The city of Auburn... the state of Maine. What a mess.
Lepage doesn't care about his Franco-American Heritage. He doesn't care about working class Mainers. He doesn't care about the poor and less fortunate. He cares about the rich. He cares about making his campaign donors happy. Run of the mill working Mainers don't even appear as a blip on his myopic radar screen.
Enough already! How about we take all the money being spent on the wars in the middle east and put that toward alternative energy research and development? Develop technology that will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and then perhaps the US wouldn't feel such a need to selectively intervene with such frequency.
I remain an Obama supporter but, I really think he screwed up here. The US doesn't need another war. We need to focus on energy independence and not fighting to remain dependent upon foreign oil.
Assisting the oppressed and endangered citizens of the world seems to have become the mission of the US - an admirable one - but at what cost?
The Public Relations Director at Time Warner called me back. He said that they are not selling advertising for Lepage's show. He said they sold the blocks of time to Maine VOD - the company that will be producing Lepage's show. He also said that they view this the same way as they would view an info-mercial - a block of time is purchased - a DVD is sent to Time Warner and it is aired in the time slot that was purchased. He said that any advertising in the broadcast would arranged by Maine VOD. Time Warner also stated that they had been getting a number of calls regarding this exact issue. A voicemail message that I left for Brian Pomerleau of Maine VOD (1-800-403-8109) has not yet been responded to.
I too called Lepage's office and got the voice mail for Ms. Condon. She did call me back. I asked why the mural was being removed. All she could say was because of a difference of opinion - she did not elaborate. I also asked who is funding Lepage's upcoming TV show. She had no information on that but referred me to Time Warner Cable. I called Time Warner and spoke with a young lady who was very nice but stated that she had no information as to who was sponsoring the show. She offered to forward my contact information to their Public Realtions person. Waiting for that call back. She also gave me the number to Maine VOD the company who is producing the show. Left a voice mail message and waiting for that call. More on that as it develops...
You aren't offended. Again Mark, I am not getting into a flame war with you. You have the right to your opinion and I have the right to mine. Thanks for calling me uneducated Mark. I appreciate the personal touch.
Just because I do not share your opinion mine is wrong? No. Hardly. My opinion is my opinion. Your's differs. I would not say that your opinion is wrong. It is yours.
Presdient Obama. The NAACP. And now... every single person who works hard in this state to support themselves and their families... the same workers who pay the taxes that are giving Lepage his paycheck. The same workers on whose backs Lepage wants to "balance" his budget. Lepage gets his paycheck from taxes paid by all Mainers and yet only 38% of voters elected him. Can he at least show a modicum of respect for the working class?
Gifts Cards... 30 year contracts... The MTA has quietly constructed it's little kingdom within Maine. It is time to bring this little kingdom down. Dissolve the MTA. Bring it and it's revenue under the DOT umbrella. There is no reason that ONE road in this state needs it's own agency to manage it.
And just WHERE will the money come from to produce this media masterpiece? That little bit of information itself could prove to be VERY interesting. Who is putting up the money? Lepage himself? the Maine Heritage Policy Center?
So where exactly will the voice of the "other side" come into play? Sounds like a one-sided deal to me... Lepage's side... that being the side that the Maine Heritage Policy Center tells him to take. The members of the media, while not without fault, are the voice of the other side in many instances. They are the one's that ask the hard questions that Lepage doesn't want to answer. The media asks the questions that fluster Lepage rendering him at a loss for an answer which leads to him to blurting out his latest insult or bit of scientific "wisdom."
"For LePage's show, a camera team will shoot video of people asking the governor questions. The governor will respond to those questions on the show, which will be taped at the Blaine House." And just who will choose the "people" allowed to ask questions? Will they be allowed to ask ANY question or just those approved by the Maine Heritage.. oops... approved by the Lepage administration?
Is this Lepage's idea of "transparency? Sounds about like Fox News being "fair and balanced." This will be pablum for Lepage loyalists and nothing else.
I can definitely relate. Point taken. I've found that the older I get, the more outraged I become. Am I just paying more attention now or are things that much worse? I think it is a function of both. Righteous anger does however, have it's place. Fight the good fight, Mr. Fallon. Those of us with logical minds who think for ourselves and make our own decisions seem to be in the minority today.
I agree with you. Rapid partisanship has polluted the American system of government at all levels. I am curious as to why you feel that by resisting the "'rabid' competitive/partisan direction" you have conbtributed to the problem? In my opinion, the more of us who speak out against this scourge the better. You are right; neither side is listening. So, those of us who are listening, and have logical minds and a conscience need to speak up... louder and more frequently.
I am sure you can drive that child poverty level higher!!! With the help of your chronies in DC, perhaps funding to such valuable programs as Head Start can be cut so that even fewer children will be enrolled in pre-K education. Look at all the savings you can pass along in the form of tax cuts to the wealthy!
It could be a tight race in 2012 - well at least for the republican primary: Larry? Curly? or Moe? or perhaps they could invent a whole new triumvirate of stupidity under which they can run our country and it's spirit into the ground. Only if, however, the Maine Heritage Policy Center lets Lepage out of his contract by then...
given that Lepage took a $25,000 campaign contribution from Corrections Corporation of America "the nation's largest builder and operator of private prisons" per the article cited below. (Reference: The Portland Phoenix, January 19, 2011 "Lepage's Secret Bankers")
How long will it be before Lepage wants to do away with all those pesky state and county workers at Maine's correctional facitilies and their contracts too? I am sure he can make a case for a cost savings that he can in turn pass along to the richest 2% of Mainers.
While the behavior of the WBC members is deplorable, they have as much right to spout their vitriolic ooze as the two whose photographs appear above. I hate to say it, but they do; as do all Americans. People fight and die for their right to free speech daily around the world. Fortunately, our forefathers did that over a couple of hundred years ago. As much as we may despise what is being said, those whose viewpoint we disagree with, have every right to express it. Those of us who disagree ALSO have a right to express our opinions to the contrary.
but nonetheless caused by irresponsible behavior with a firearm. I've been a gun owner for a LONG time. Any weapon I own, whether it is loaded or unloaded, is kept pointed in a safe direction, in a holster, or in my safe and does not get pointed at ANYTHING unless I am prepared to fire at it. Had this gentlemen pointed the muzzle of the weapon in a safe direction while loading it, there would have been no accident. Accident... OK... I will buy that. He didn't intentionally shoot the guy but the accident occured as a result of irresponsible behavior.
WIthout raiding the ranks of the various lobbying groups - INCLUDING the Maine Heritage Policy Center - Lepage would be at a loss as to who to appoint to ANY government post! One can only wonder which lobbyist Lepage will appoint to run MaineCare now that he has dismissed Dr. Mills. Of course a LOBBYIST would do a MUCH better job at running MaineCare than a respected physician who has been in public service for a good portion of her career and has proven herself as responsible, professional and looking out for the best interests of Maine citizens.
Sounds like a good idea to me. Why can't this road, like other state roads in Maine be managed by DOT? It's a road - just like any other road in Maine - granted it is a vital part of our infrastructure but it's just a road. It is time to dissolve this little kingdom and put the Turnpike under the DOT - without a semi quasi pseudo governement agency in place to supervise it, build palatial headquarters buildings and hand out gift cards like those annoying folks in orange t-shirts on every street corner in Las Vegas who hand out other types of cards. I am sure that DOT can manage an additional 109 miles of highway. If such a change requires action by the legislature, which I am pretty sure it does, that bill should be presented ASAP.
Mark,
Take my comments any way you like and please feel free to be as extremely offended as you like. Did I say anything about anyone who is actually afflicted with Tourette's or did I make a mockery of Lepage by inventing a whole new disease? While my post was anything but a personal attack on you, yours is certainly one on me with veiled defense of those who truly have Tourette's. I refuse to get into a flame war. It accomplishes nothing. While I will refrain from personal attacks, you go right ahead.
only exactly what the Maine Heritage Policy Center wants him to see. He certainly only HEARS what he wants to hear and what the MHPC wants him to hear. He would only SAY exactly what the MHPC wants him to say as well except for the horrible case of PTS (Political Tourette's Syndrome) he is afflicted with ("kiss my butt" "go to hell" "little beards").
I am sure that Lepage and the MHPC are watching Walker's pool-pah closely. If it plays in Wisconsin, Lepage will want to try it out in Maine - you can almost gaurantee it. He's already testing the waters.
Lepage is OUR spectacle here in Maine. We can only hope that he and his buddy Walker go the way of the Dodo bird.
I too am in the medical profession and had come to respect Dr. Mills expertise and leadership over the years. She truly was looking out for the best interests of Maine CITIZENS without regard for politics.
Unfortunately, Governor Lepage doesn't hold excellence in one's field as a high priority. Rather, political "loyalty" take precedence.
Given Dr. Mills record at CDC we can only extrapolate that she would have done an equally great job with MaineCare. It is unfortunate she won't even have the opportunity to try. The citizens of Maine were again done another disservice by Lepage.
Motorcycle helmets mandatory? I don't care if you wear one or not. Your choice. Seatbelts? same thing. If you and I get into a motor vehicle accident and you die because you aren't wearing a helmet or a seatbelt, so be it. That was your decision.
Now... if you've ever been driving behind someone who has failed to clean the snow and ice off of their car and had that crap blow off their roof and onto your windshield obscuring your vision, you know exactly why it should be manadatory to clean off your car.
As long as your personal decisions don't affect me or my safety, I don't really care. The moment your lack of responsibility or sheer laziness affects MY safety, we have an issue.
Of course Maine's Majority could be that superficial. Certainly when Baldacci was elected, those who didn't vote for him could have organized and had a tantrum of their own. We ALL have the right to our tantrums regardles of party affiliation.
I agree. There are plenty of ifluence peddlers on the left as well as the right. I am a registered Independent whose personal politics are usually to the left of center on most issues, not all. I examine the issues and their inluence on my life and the overall benefit to society as a whole and make my decisions accordingly.
I have said in other posts that it is my opinion that party politics, regardless of which party, have caused the decay of our system of government at every level. I actually had some respect for Paul Lepage when, on the night he was declared "winner" of the gubernatorial race, he said that he would be "going to work tomorrow" at his job at Marden's. That respect didn't last long... he's kept talking... and everytime he's opened his mouth, he's inserted his self-righteous foot into it.
I did kind of get that drift. Facts? Truth? Who needs to pay attention to those things anyways? Apparently, all one needs to do is look to the Maine Heritage Policy Center for guidance. Sorry. I forgot for a moment that people had free will and the ability to think and process information for themselves. Sad isn't it? Why think for yourself when the MHPC can do it for you? It's a sad state of affairs we are facing...
When Paul Lepage was "elected" (remember, only 38% of Mainers voted FOR Lepage. The rest of us voted for someone else) as Governor, was the Maine Heritage Policy Center also elected to fill as many governement posts as possible? I must have missed that portion of the ballot. Sure seems like the MHPC has moved it's offices right into Maine state office buildings... incredibly unfortunate for our state.
A former MHPC staffer heading Maine's Deprtment of Education? Wonderful! I can see it now... evolution will be scoured from Maine public school curricula to be replaced with the first few books of the Old Testament. We don't need no stinking science! Evolution? BAH! God must WANT women to have little beards. Afterall, God invented BPA too right?
Violation of First Amendment rights? If one feels strongly enough about a cause to contribute large sums of money toward it, why would one not want to stand up and declare their support? And the answer is: To appear outwardly liberal (and thus accepted by those who actually ARE in support) and in support of same sex marriage while at the same time contributing lots of money behind the scenes to fight it (and thus acceptance by the secret society of contributors fighting this horrible scourge on society). Use your First Amendment rights as they were intended. Stand up and declare your support, or lack thereof, for an issue instead of hiding behind a lobbying group afraid to show your face.
And we all know what would happen if Same Sex Marriage is AGAIN legalized in Maine: the moral fiber of our very existence would rot away and Maine would need to be renamed Sodom... or Gomorrah... take your pick.
Judge Hornby issued a righteous decision: a decision that would be a step toward the transparency needed to expose the millions of dollars in out of state influence money at work here in Maine. Now... if only those out of state lobbying groups would stop spending their secretly donated dollars on legal defenses and just get down to their grass roots work of assuring that same sex couples are prevented from marrying and having all of the rights and benefits of a heterosexual couple.
What exactly is the LOGICAL arguement for fighting against same sex marriage? I have never really understood that. It always seems to come back to: "'Cuz God said so." Well, there are a significant number of us who do not beleive in god and do beleive in the right of consenting adults to marry who they choose regardless of gender. Not to speak for others, but I bet there are some folks that do beleive in God that back same sex marriage as well.
If the bridge is repaired, isn't that just an invitation for Maine people to go to New Hampshire to buy their fireworks instead of buying them here in Maine and paying taxes on them here? Come on Governor! Get your minions behind this! I am sure they can dream up some perfectly illogical partisan reason why Maine should NOT contribute. You really need to get your legislative ducks in a row governor: perhaps bridge funding could have just been an amendment to the fireworks proposal! 2 for 1! I doubt you could find a better deal at Marden's!
Of course the bridge repairs need to be done and Maine needs to share in funding those repairs. Does Lepage want to be seen as some kind of a "hero" for being "ready to commit" the money toward the repairs? Was he NOT going to allow Maine to contribute to this?
I can see the bumper stickers now... Walker/Lepage 2012... sounds like it could be a remake a 1994 Farrelly brothers movie starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels...
Lepage embarrasses all Maine citizens virtually every time he speaks. (Well, almost all Maine citizens - I am sure there are some AMiners in perfect lock step behind his each and every faux pas.) I care that he even got elected to one term... that NEVER should have happened. And to those who will respond to this and say "the people have spoken" and elected him. 38% of Mainers "spoke" for Lepage with their votes. Courtesy of party politics, 38% was enough for him to get elected. Libby Mitchell was able to distract enough party loyalists to her side to destroy Eliot Cutler's chance to be Governor and actually LEAD Maine instead of embarrassing Maine.
It is incredibly unfortunate that party politics, regardless of party, has corrupted the American system of government at every level.
While on vacation in Savannah, Georgia a couple of years ago, I had the priviledge of touring The First African Baptist Church - one of the southernmost and first "stops" on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is an important part of American history and it's memory should be kept alive. If ever in Savannah, I would encourage anyone, regardless of their personal religious beliefs, to tour the First African Baptist Church.
Mrs. Neff is to be commended for both her beautiful work and her efforts to remind us all about the role that the Underground Railroad played in American history.
Here's to Rep. Bolduc! Isn't it amazing Mr. Bolduc's bill has no co-sponsors and met with a less than welcoming reception in the legislature? I too was outraged when the SunJournal article highlighting health care executives salaries was published. Any organization which accepts taxpayer money should have some accountability to taxpayers.
I am sure Governor LePage's head of DHHS (former head of the Maine Hospital Association read: LOBBYING GROUP) alerted her cohorts the moment even a rumor of this bill made it's way around Augusta.
The health care system in Maine and in the US is broken. What is it that a hospital executive does to EARN such an exorbitant salary? Could these people not live very comfortably on HALF of what they currently make? Redirect the "excess" to provide care for the uninsured. That would show me a commitment to caring for the people of maine (I'm assuming that this IS the mission of all hospitals in the state.) versus a commitment to lining their own pockets.
Given that Governor Lepage would not allow Fire Marshal John Dean to testify at the legislative hearing about the possible legalization of certain types of fireworks, AND that he has appointed a former health care lobbyist as the director of DHHS, perhaps, given this "fox in the hen house" policy of executive appointments, Lepage should investigate removing Fire Marshal Dean from his position and replacing him with the President of a Chinese fireworks factory.
A point was made recently in another news article that Maine's rate of fireworks injuries is relatively low. Isn't that a GOOD thing? Why would the government want to move us BACKWARDS??? Since there are only a small number of people hurt every year in Maine by fireworks, we can afford to hurt some more if it will generate taxes and maybe a job or two. Seriously Governor? Where are your priorities?
Recent Comments
Deplorable!
While dog fighting is deplorable, one must consider how well supervised those now missing dogs were when they were taken. When my dog is outside, I am usually out with him or at least within earshot. I would know if someone was near. I would never dream of leaving my dog outside when I was not home. If that was required for some reason, he would have a VERY secure outdoor containment system... not a logging chain on a tree and a plywood doghouse. Dog owners have a responsibility to protect their animals to the best of their abilities. My heart goes out to those whose pets are missing. Hopefully, their losses will cause others to better secure and protect their animals.
Any person participating in any part of a dog fighting operation should be used as training bait for police dogs... and THEN fined and jailed. But, as another comment points out, that would be MILD treatment compared to some street level justice that a stalwart Mainer and his/her 12 gauge may deliver.
Lots of oil in Somalia
Seems that I recall some BIG oil companies having contracts to drill in Somalia before the civil war erupted to it's current level. Peace there, interestingly enough, is in the best interest of the giant multi-billion dollar, multi-national corporations. Perhaps these corporations should rally their tremendous resources and start providing food and water to the people living on the land that they want to drill holes in and makes millions of dollars from.
29,000 CHILDREN STARVED TO DEATH!
And more to come no doubt... along with thousands more adults. Did those children deserve that? They aren't the pirates taking hostages and collecting ransomes. They aren't the corrupt governments inhibiting aid shipments. They are children. Innocent CHILDREN. Many of the Somalian families living in our community left their homes in Africa in search of a better life for their families. Who would have thought, given the American mindset of excess and greed, that the definition of a better life for these folks would be so simple: adequate food, clean water, a roof over their heads and basic health care? While we take what we have for granted, others in the world lay their heads down at night longing for just a little bit of what Americans take for granted. A few of my tax dollars go toward helping make a better life for someone... putting food in a childs belly... I'd rather that happen than one more penny of my money funding unjust wars.
Wouldn't it be great...
if every physician donated one day of their time every year to care for those who cannot afford care. Imagine what a positive effect this would have. We certainly cannot wait for our government, state or federal, to make health care accessible to all. Fortunately, there are some dedicated physicians, Like Dr. Antonucci who are stepping up.
Thank you for your dedication Dr. Antonucci. Obviously, you take your commitment to help your fellow man very seriously and without regard for their ability to pay.
Pardon...
Typographical error... that should have read 61% of us, not 68%.
Put it back...
The mural belongs where it was originally intended to go - the Department of Labor.
The removal of the mural is a symptom of a much greater problem than where a piece of art should be displayed. It is a glaring symbol of Lepage's disrespect for Maine citizens. Excuse me... a symbol of disrespect to the Maine citizens who disagree with Lepage - using the results of the gubernatorial election, that would be about 68% of us.
There is a saying, (I think I first saw it on a bumper sticker actually) that has been coming to my mind pretty frequently lately...
"If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention."
Interesting...
Lepage couldn't attend the NAACP breakfast on MLK day because he was attending the funeral of a State Trooper. Admirable actually... but the way he handled the NAACP's invitation wasn't. (How would the NAACP have reacted if he had said: "I am sorry I cannot attend. I will be attending the funeral of a Maine State Trooper who has died after many years of service to our state. Please accept my aoplogies. I would be glad to meet with you at a later date.") Given that... Lepage cannot postpone his vacation a day or two to attend the funeral of a fallen Maine Game Warden?
The sad part is...
Colbert's sarcasm is more than likely completely lost on Lepage and his ilk.
I too wonder...
just exactly what do I get for my tax dollars. The tax dollars that I pay regularly and on time EVERY YEAR.
I don't use and have never used the Auburn School system - so there is 50% or so of my tax money. The police aren't at my house every night for problems - although I do appreciate that they are available. Same with the Fire Department - I still have some friends that work there and appreciate their readiness as well.
I live on one of those LOW PRIORITY streets so as far as snow plowing goes you can guess (and may have read the LSJ article a while back about this) that I don't get much for my money in that area either.
Trash collection is horrible. Trash is routinely left strewn all over the street after the garbage truck comes. Cans are left with trash still in them. And now they talk of charging us per bag for trash collection?
Perhaps a review of the salaries of high ranking city and school department officials is in order - starting at the top. I am VERY sure there are some cuts that can be made there.
The city of Auburn... the state of Maine. What a mess.
Nicely Stated Mr. LaBranche
Lepage doesn't care about his Franco-American Heritage. He doesn't care about working class Mainers. He doesn't care about the poor and less fortunate. He cares about the rich. He cares about making his campaign donors happy. Run of the mill working Mainers don't even appear as a blip on his myopic radar screen.
NO MORE WAR!
Enough already! How about we take all the money being spent on the wars in the middle east and put that toward alternative energy research and development? Develop technology that will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and then perhaps the US wouldn't feel such a need to selectively intervene with such frequency.
I remain an Obama supporter but, I really think he screwed up here. The US doesn't need another war. We need to focus on energy independence and not fighting to remain dependent upon foreign oil.
Assisting the oppressed and endangered citizens of the world seems to have become the mission of the US - an admirable one - but at what cost?
Time Warner isn't paying for it.
The Public Relations Director at Time Warner called me back. He said that they are not selling advertising for Lepage's show. He said they sold the blocks of time to Maine VOD - the company that will be producing Lepage's show. He also said that they view this the same way as they would view an info-mercial - a block of time is purchased - a DVD is sent to Time Warner and it is aired in the time slot that was purchased. He said that any advertising in the broadcast would arranged by Maine VOD. Time Warner also stated that they had been getting a number of calls regarding this exact issue. A voicemail message that I left for Brian Pomerleau of Maine VOD (1-800-403-8109) has not yet been responded to.
I read that as well.
Which led to my curiosity over who exactly IS paying for it.
What's going to be next?
Books?
I called too
I too called Lepage's office and got the voice mail for Ms. Condon. She did call me back. I asked why the mural was being removed. All she could say was because of a difference of opinion - she did not elaborate. I also asked who is funding Lepage's upcoming TV show. She had no information on that but referred me to Time Warner Cable. I called Time Warner and spoke with a young lady who was very nice but stated that she had no information as to who was sponsoring the show. She offered to forward my contact information to their Public Realtions person. Waiting for that call back. She also gave me the number to Maine VOD the company who is producing the show. Left a voice mail message and waiting for that call. More on that as it develops...
Congratulations
You aren't offended. Again Mark, I am not getting into a flame war with you. You have the right to your opinion and I have the right to mine. Thanks for calling me uneducated Mark. I appreciate the personal touch.
Wrong Mark?
Just because I do not share your opinion mine is wrong? No. Hardly. My opinion is my opinion. Your's differs. I would not say that your opinion is wrong. It is yours.
When will Lepage's blatant disprespect end?
Presdient Obama. The NAACP. And now... every single person who works hard in this state to support themselves and their families... the same workers who pay the taxes that are giving Lepage his paycheck. The same workers on whose backs Lepage wants to "balance" his budget. Lepage gets his paycheck from taxes paid by all Mainers and yet only 38% of voters elected him. Can he at least show a modicum of respect for the working class?
The MTA
Gifts Cards... 30 year contracts... The MTA has quietly constructed it's little kingdom within Maine. It is time to bring this little kingdom down. Dissolve the MTA. Bring it and it's revenue under the DOT umbrella. There is no reason that ONE road in this state needs it's own agency to manage it.
"...will be produced with no taxpayer dollars."
And just WHERE will the money come from to produce this media masterpiece? That little bit of information itself could prove to be VERY interesting. Who is putting up the money? Lepage himself? the Maine Heritage Policy Center?
"... no edited sound bites or one-sided stories." REALLY?
So where exactly will the voice of the "other side" come into play? Sounds like a one-sided deal to me... Lepage's side... that being the side that the Maine Heritage Policy Center tells him to take. The members of the media, while not without fault, are the voice of the other side in many instances. They are the one's that ask the hard questions that Lepage doesn't want to answer. The media asks the questions that fluster Lepage rendering him at a loss for an answer which leads to him to blurting out his latest insult or bit of scientific "wisdom."
"For LePage's show, a camera team will shoot video of people asking the governor questions. The governor will respond to those questions on the show, which will be taped at the Blaine House." And just who will choose the "people" allowed to ask questions? Will they be allowed to ask ANY question or just those approved by the Maine Heritage.. oops... approved by the Lepage administration?
Is this Lepage's idea of "transparency? Sounds about like Fox News being "fair and balanced." This will be pablum for Lepage loyalists and nothing else.
Understood
I can definitely relate. Point taken. I've found that the older I get, the more outraged I become. Am I just paying more attention now or are things that much worse? I think it is a function of both. Righteous anger does however, have it's place. Fight the good fight, Mr. Fallon. Those of us with logical minds who think for ourselves and make our own decisions seem to be in the minority today.
a question...
I agree with you. Rapid partisanship has polluted the American system of government at all levels. I am curious as to why you feel that by resisting the "'rabid' competitive/partisan direction" you have conbtributed to the problem? In my opinion, the more of us who speak out against this scourge the better. You are right; neither side is listening. So, those of us who are listening, and have logical minds and a conscience need to speak up... louder and more frequently.
GO LEPAGE GO! Jump on this!!!!!
I am sure you can drive that child poverty level higher!!! With the help of your chronies in DC, perhaps funding to such valuable programs as Head Start can be cut so that even fewer children will be enrolled in pre-K education. Look at all the savings you can pass along in the form of tax cuts to the wealthy!
It could be a tight race in 2012 - well at least for the republican primary: Larry? Curly? or Moe? or perhaps they could invent a whole new triumvirate of stupidity under which they can run our country and it's spirit into the ground. Only if, however, the Maine Heritage Policy Center lets Lepage out of his contract by then...
Yes, he has.
And he is doing worse than that RIGHT NOW.
Stand by for future developments in Maine Corrections...
given that Lepage took a $25,000 campaign contribution from Corrections Corporation of America "the nation's largest builder and operator of private prisons" per the article cited below. (Reference: The Portland Phoenix, January 19, 2011 "Lepage's Secret Bankers")
http://portland.thephoenix.com/news/114354-lepages-secret-bankers/page=2...
How long will it be before Lepage wants to do away with all those pesky state and county workers at Maine's correctional facitilies and their contracts too? I am sure he can make a case for a cost savings that he can in turn pass along to the richest 2% of Mainers.
Aliens? It's the ZOMBIES we have to watch out for!
Remember... you gotta shoot 'em twice! I'm going to the store for more ammo!
Agreed!
While the behavior of the WBC members is deplorable, they have as much right to spout their vitriolic ooze as the two whose photographs appear above. I hate to say it, but they do; as do all Americans. People fight and die for their right to free speech daily around the world. Fortunately, our forefathers did that over a couple of hundred years ago. As much as we may despise what is being said, those whose viewpoint we disagree with, have every right to express it. Those of us who disagree ALSO have a right to express our opinions to the contrary.
An accident yes...
but nonetheless caused by irresponsible behavior with a firearm. I've been a gun owner for a LONG time. Any weapon I own, whether it is loaded or unloaded, is kept pointed in a safe direction, in a holster, or in my safe and does not get pointed at ANYTHING unless I am prepared to fire at it. Had this gentlemen pointed the muzzle of the weapon in a safe direction while loading it, there would have been no accident. Accident... OK... I will buy that. He didn't intentionally shoot the guy but the accident occured as a result of irresponsible behavior.
Well said!
WIthout raiding the ranks of the various lobbying groups - INCLUDING the Maine Heritage Policy Center - Lepage would be at a loss as to who to appoint to ANY government post! One can only wonder which lobbyist Lepage will appoint to run MaineCare now that he has dismissed Dr. Mills. Of course a LOBBYIST would do a MUCH better job at running MaineCare than a respected physician who has been in public service for a good portion of her career and has proven herself as responsible, professional and looking out for the best interests of Maine citizens.
Dissolve the Maine Turnpike Authority
Sounds like a good idea to me. Why can't this road, like other state roads in Maine be managed by DOT? It's a road - just like any other road in Maine - granted it is a vital part of our infrastructure but it's just a road. It is time to dissolve this little kingdom and put the Turnpike under the DOT - without a semi quasi pseudo governement agency in place to supervise it, build palatial headquarters buildings and hand out gift cards like those annoying folks in orange t-shirts on every street corner in Las Vegas who hand out other types of cards. I am sure that DOT can manage an additional 109 miles of highway. If such a change requires action by the legislature, which I am pretty sure it does, that bill should be presented ASAP.
My opinion...
Mark,
Take my comments any way you like and please feel free to be as extremely offended as you like. Did I say anything about anyone who is actually afflicted with Tourette's or did I make a mockery of Lepage by inventing a whole new disease? While my post was anything but a personal attack on you, yours is certainly one on me with veiled defense of those who truly have Tourette's. I refuse to get into a flame war. It accomplishes nothing. While I will refrain from personal attacks, you go right ahead.
Lepage will see....
only exactly what the Maine Heritage Policy Center wants him to see. He certainly only HEARS what he wants to hear and what the MHPC wants him to hear. He would only SAY exactly what the MHPC wants him to say as well except for the horrible case of PTS (Political Tourette's Syndrome) he is afflicted with ("kiss my butt" "go to hell" "little beards").
I am sure that Lepage and the MHPC are watching Walker's pool-pah closely. If it plays in Wisconsin, Lepage will want to try it out in Maine - you can almost gaurantee it. He's already testing the waters.
Lepage is OUR spectacle here in Maine. We can only hope that he and his buddy Walker go the way of the Dodo bird.
Nicely put Dr. Eastman
I too am in the medical profession and had come to respect Dr. Mills expertise and leadership over the years. She truly was looking out for the best interests of Maine CITIZENS without regard for politics.
Unfortunately, Governor Lepage doesn't hold excellence in one's field as a high priority. Rather, political "loyalty" take precedence.
Given Dr. Mills record at CDC we can only extrapolate that she would have done an equally great job with MaineCare. It is unfortunate she won't even have the opportunity to try. The citizens of Maine were again done another disservice by Lepage.
Personal liberties...
Motorcycle helmets mandatory? I don't care if you wear one or not. Your choice. Seatbelts? same thing. If you and I get into a motor vehicle accident and you die because you aren't wearing a helmet or a seatbelt, so be it. That was your decision.
Now... if you've ever been driving behind someone who has failed to clean the snow and ice off of their car and had that crap blow off their roof and onto your windshield obscuring your vision, you know exactly why it should be manadatory to clean off your car.
As long as your personal decisions don't affect me or my safety, I don't really care. The moment your lack of responsibility or sheer laziness affects MY safety, we have an issue.
Sure they could....
Of course Maine's Majority could be that superficial. Certainly when Baldacci was elected, those who didn't vote for him could have organized and had a tantrum of their own. We ALL have the right to our tantrums regardles of party affiliation.
Independence
I agree. There are plenty of ifluence peddlers on the left as well as the right. I am a registered Independent whose personal politics are usually to the left of center on most issues, not all. I examine the issues and their inluence on my life and the overall benefit to society as a whole and make my decisions accordingly.
I have said in other posts that it is my opinion that party politics, regardless of which party, have caused the decay of our system of government at every level. I actually had some respect for Paul Lepage when, on the night he was declared "winner" of the gubernatorial race, he said that he would be "going to work tomorrow" at his job at Marden's. That respect didn't last long... he's kept talking... and everytime he's opened his mouth, he's inserted his self-righteous foot into it.
and a personal note...
I didn't vote for Baldacci either...
new here yes...
I did kind of get that drift. Facts? Truth? Who needs to pay attention to those things anyways? Apparently, all one needs to do is look to the Maine Heritage Policy Center for guidance. Sorry. I forgot for a moment that people had free will and the ability to think and process information for themselves. Sad isn't it? Why think for yourself when the MHPC can do it for you? It's a sad state of affairs we are facing...
How can you disagree here?
It is interesting Mr. Riml that people have given your above post a "thumbs down" disagree. You are stating fact, not opinion.
Did I miss something?
When Paul Lepage was "elected" (remember, only 38% of Mainers voted FOR Lepage. The rest of us voted for someone else) as Governor, was the Maine Heritage Policy Center also elected to fill as many governement posts as possible? I must have missed that portion of the ballot. Sure seems like the MHPC has moved it's offices right into Maine state office buildings... incredibly unfortunate for our state.
A former MHPC staffer heading Maine's Deprtment of Education? Wonderful! I can see it now... evolution will be scoured from Maine public school curricula to be replaced with the first few books of the Old Testament. We don't need no stinking science! Evolution? BAH! God must WANT women to have little beards. Afterall, God invented BPA too right?
What are they afraid of?
Violation of First Amendment rights? If one feels strongly enough about a cause to contribute large sums of money toward it, why would one not want to stand up and declare their support? And the answer is: To appear outwardly liberal (and thus accepted by those who actually ARE in support) and in support of same sex marriage while at the same time contributing lots of money behind the scenes to fight it (and thus acceptance by the secret society of contributors fighting this horrible scourge on society). Use your First Amendment rights as they were intended. Stand up and declare your support, or lack thereof, for an issue instead of hiding behind a lobbying group afraid to show your face.
And we all know what would happen if Same Sex Marriage is AGAIN legalized in Maine: the moral fiber of our very existence would rot away and Maine would need to be renamed Sodom... or Gomorrah... take your pick.
Judge Hornby issued a righteous decision: a decision that would be a step toward the transparency needed to expose the millions of dollars in out of state influence money at work here in Maine. Now... if only those out of state lobbying groups would stop spending their secretly donated dollars on legal defenses and just get down to their grass roots work of assuring that same sex couples are prevented from marrying and having all of the rights and benefits of a heterosexual couple.
What exactly is the LOGICAL arguement for fighting against same sex marriage? I have never really understood that. It always seems to come back to: "'Cuz God said so." Well, there are a significant number of us who do not beleive in god and do beleive in the right of consenting adults to marry who they choose regardless of gender. Not to speak for others, but I bet there are some folks that do beleive in God that back same sex marriage as well.
But why Governor Lepage?
If the bridge is repaired, isn't that just an invitation for Maine people to go to New Hampshire to buy their fireworks instead of buying them here in Maine and paying taxes on them here? Come on Governor! Get your minions behind this! I am sure they can dream up some perfectly illogical partisan reason why Maine should NOT contribute. You really need to get your legislative ducks in a row governor: perhaps bridge funding could have just been an amendment to the fireworks proposal! 2 for 1! I doubt you could find a better deal at Marden's!
Of course the bridge repairs need to be done and Maine needs to share in funding those repairs. Does Lepage want to be seen as some kind of a "hero" for being "ready to commit" the money toward the repairs? Was he NOT going to allow Maine to contribute to this?
I can see the bumper stickers now... Walker/Lepage 2012... sounds like it could be a remake a 1994 Farrelly brothers movie starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels...
Lepage doesn't care if he is a one term governor? I DO!
Lepage embarrasses all Maine citizens virtually every time he speaks. (Well, almost all Maine citizens - I am sure there are some AMiners in perfect lock step behind his each and every faux pas.) I care that he even got elected to one term... that NEVER should have happened. And to those who will respond to this and say "the people have spoken" and elected him. 38% of Mainers "spoke" for Lepage with their votes. Courtesy of party politics, 38% was enough for him to get elected. Libby Mitchell was able to distract enough party loyalists to her side to destroy Eliot Cutler's chance to be Governor and actually LEAD Maine instead of embarrassing Maine.
It is incredibly unfortunate that party politics, regardless of party, has corrupted the American system of government at every level.
does this help?
You may have already found this on the web but:
http://www.portlandfreedomtrail.org/images/murra-map.png
An important piece of history
While on vacation in Savannah, Georgia a couple of years ago, I had the priviledge of touring The First African Baptist Church - one of the southernmost and first "stops" on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is an important part of American history and it's memory should be kept alive. If ever in Savannah, I would encourage anyone, regardless of their personal religious beliefs, to tour the First African Baptist Church.
http://www.theoldestblackchurch.org/
Mrs. Neff is to be commended for both her beautiful work and her efforts to remind us all about the role that the Underground Railroad played in American history.
Brian Bolduc gets it!!! A Law Maker with Common Sense!
Here's to Rep. Bolduc! Isn't it amazing Mr. Bolduc's bill has no co-sponsors and met with a less than welcoming reception in the legislature? I too was outraged when the SunJournal article highlighting health care executives salaries was published. Any organization which accepts taxpayer money should have some accountability to taxpayers.
I am sure Governor LePage's head of DHHS (former head of the Maine Hospital Association read: LOBBYING GROUP) alerted her cohorts the moment even a rumor of this bill made it's way around Augusta.
The health care system in Maine and in the US is broken. What is it that a hospital executive does to EARN such an exorbitant salary? Could these people not live very comfortably on HALF of what they currently make? Redirect the "excess" to provide care for the uninsured. That would show me a commitment to caring for the people of maine (I'm assuming that this IS the mission of all hospitals in the state.) versus a commitment to lining their own pockets.
Legalizing Fireworks in Maine?
Given that Governor Lepage would not allow Fire Marshal John Dean to testify at the legislative hearing about the possible legalization of certain types of fireworks, AND that he has appointed a former health care lobbyist as the director of DHHS, perhaps, given this "fox in the hen house" policy of executive appointments, Lepage should investigate removing Fire Marshal Dean from his position and replacing him with the President of a Chinese fireworks factory.
A point was made recently in another news article that Maine's rate of fireworks injuries is relatively low. Isn't that a GOOD thing? Why would the government want to move us BACKWARDS??? Since there are only a small number of people hurt every year in Maine by fireworks, we can afford to hurt some more if it will generate taxes and maybe a job or two. Seriously Governor? Where are your priorities?