In our nation’s capital, the urban political unrest over the migrant influx has found its way into congressional gridlock. Although the border issues have been mostly a Republican issue since Donald Trump launched his first presidential campaign with promises to build a border wall, recent pressures from polar vortexes, Republican governors torturing Democratic cities, and a looming presidential election have pushed border security to the front burner for Democratic Congressional leaders, too.
Alex Lear
Staff Writer
Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who has spent 25 years in journalism -- the first 20 as a reporter for newspapers in Damariscotta and Falmouth, then as Opinions section editor for the Sun Journal and now a digital producer with the Maine Trust for Local News. His long-running “Learics” column won first place in the Maine Press Association’s 2023 Better Newspaper Contest. He and his wife Lauren are kept young by their 9-year-old daughter Alaina. Send feedback and suggestions to Alex.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: The Canadian version of ‘Newspeak’
Jordan Peterson, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and a best-selling author, appealed a ruling by the College of Psychologists of Ontario that had ordered him to undergo “remedial social media training” because of his beliefs. Those beliefs include his opposition to the “climate change” hysteria, forced use of gender pronouns and gender change, among other “woke” subjects.
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Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Austin Bay: The Navy needs small but highly capable warships
Given the armed forces America has, is America ready for a war with China in the Pacific Ocean? I think not, and so do many Navy, Marine, Army and Air Force officers.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Froma Harrop: What presidents spend money on really matters
Let’s stop obsessing on how much Biden is spending, and even how much Trump spent, and start focusing on what the spending was for. That matters, does it not?
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Gina Morin: Housing bill offers solid support many Mainers need
Maine is in the midst of a housing crisis that’s not going to fix itself. Extremely low-income households like mine face emergencies every day. Housing costs have outpaced income for far too long. Voucher programs like Section 8 have a years-long waitlist of over 15,000 households. Those waitlists are much longer for those without children. […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Gary Campbell: Code enforcement director’s dismissal ‘smacks of cronyism’
Having worked as a building and plumbing inspector for the city of Lewiston for 31 years prior to my retirement, I had the pleasure of working with David Hediger for nearly 20 of those and saw him develop into one of the best in his field. In my opinion, his knowledge of code and planning […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Ron Trepanier: Suggested methods to help people help themselves
It’s nice that Gov. Janet Mills will use some of our surplus to help immigrants and the homeless. However, we have no serious plan for here or at the border. I would suggest we find underutilized government facilities and use them as a staging area for temporary orientation, including food and shelter. Other functions could […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Kevin Slater: Maine Trails Bond would provide critical funding
I write to encourage the Legislature to pass the Maine Trails Bond (L.D. 1156). Trail use has increased significantly over the past few years, resulting in wear and damage. This, combined with recent extreme weather events, makes the $30 million investment the bond would provide even more important for addressing maintenance and repair needs. Very […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Scott Berry: Renters have stake in community, should remain informed
I write in response to Joe Mailey’s letter (“Renters are taxpayers and deserve same notifications,” Jan. 27). Rarely do I agree with Joe, but in this instance I am totally in agreement. Renters should be given written notice like property taxpayers when a project is built in the neighborhood, since they ultimately do pay property […]