A course on the social psychology of war and terrorism is being taught at Lewiston-Auburn College by a Democratic state legislator who voted for a resolution two years ago that Iraq not be invaded until the United States exhausted all other options.

Rep. Elaine Makas, D-Lewiston, a social psychology professor, said her views will not be a problem.

“The course is not about who’s right and who’s wrong. It’s an attempt to show how people view the same thing from different perspectives,” Makas said.

Students will explore, for example, how the American media reported an Iraq story versus how the British media and the Arabic-language al-Jazeera network covered the same story.

“Whether you’re in favor or opposed to the war, it’s important to understand what it looks like from the other person’s point of view,” she said.

To register or get more information on the class, people may call the college at 753-6500. It begins Sept. 12.

– Bonnie Washuk
A half-hour late

When the news editors sent a reporter out for a comparative story on gas prices Wednesday, my head snapped up from my early afternoon nap in the sports department. My tank was running low and I needed gas. All I had to do was wait for the reporter to get back with the cheapest price, hop in my car and go.

When he did return, the prices he found ranged from a high of $3.29 to a low of $2.62. While still ridiculous, $2.62 wasn’t bad, considering.

I finished up a few things at my desk, went to my apartment to get a quick bite to eat, then headed to Yvon’s Car Wash on Main Street in Lewiston, site of the mythical $2.62 gallon of gas.

Lo and behold, I had missed the mark by an hour. By the time I made my way, just a half-hour later, to Yvon’s, the price had jumped – again – to $2.73. I needed 10 gallons of gas, so I paid the $27.30.

Somehow, though, I felt like I was cheated out of $1.10.

– Justin Pelletier
No panic

Youngsters had an unscheduled fire drill and recess on the first day of school Wednesday at Rumford Elementary School when the fire alarm was accidentally triggered.

Despite the fact it was the first day for many, including kindergartners and other pupils who transferred this year from Virginia Elementary School, everything went smoothly.

In a flash, every child and teacher was out the door and neatly lined up in three designated areas set aside for fire drills. There was no mass stampede, either.

Every child walked quickly enough to get out the door, but no one ran. Teachers shut all inside doors and windows, as prescribed.

Principal Anne Chamberlin said the school’s goal is to get everyone out within 80 seconds. They did.

Within a few minutes, members of the Rumford Fire Department assured everyone it was a false alarm, and everyone returned to class.

– Eileen M. Adams
It was a gas

A much-needed moment of levity came when residents of Chesterville, worried about the impact of a proposed automobile recycling facility in their town, questioned the landowner’s representative about his plans for handling hazardous fluids Thursday night. What would he do with gasoline removed from the vehicles’ tanks?

The question brought laughter to Town Hall, at least for a moment.

– Jodi Hausen

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