Brian J. DuBois’ criticism of Ryan Smith (“Criticism of new Auburn Planning Board member,” Jan. 19) seems misplaced. Not knowing either person, I found the letter blaming Mr. Smith a bit conflicted. The removal of Evan Cyr from the board was the decision of the City Council. Putting Mr. Smith on the Planning Board is […]
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 inLetters, Opinion
Donald Dubuc: Immigrants’ free housing overshadows needs of Maine natives
Do people ever wonder when the taxpayers of this state will stand up and say enough is enough? We have the state supplying $3.5 million to house undocumented immigrants free of charge for two years in Brunswick. That is not all that they are giving these immigrants, while a lot of the elderly in this […]
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
Denis Mancine: Adult vs. child reactions to the schoolyard bully
As kids we encountered schoolyard bullies. A few kids become allies of the bullies. A few kids stood up to the bullies. The majority of kids did their best to avoid the bullies and to stay out of the way. Almost all kids knew that a bully was not a person to admire, a bully […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: Time to change the GOP logo
For the sake of accuracy and truth the Republican Party should exchange its elephant symbol for one that is more reflective of today’s GOP. One candidate might be Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Ellen Chances: Staying on track? Life, societal values, and children’s books about trains
These lessons, the down-to-earth and practical, and the whimsical ones that nurture our children’s imagination, are all part of that special joy of taking trips through the pages of books about trains, and through the pages of books well beyond the world of railroad tracks.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Chief Jason Moen: ‘We hold ourselves accountable to the people we serve’
This is in response to Moe Galarneau’s letter published Jan. 11, “Police aren’t above the law.” Mr. Galarneau is absolutely right; police aren’t above the law. He saw an Auburn police cruiser committing a speeding violation and submitted a Freedom of Access Act request for the GPS data for the cruiser in question. Once the […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Rich Lowry: What Democrats will never do to defend democracy
If Joe Biden were, as a matter of the principle, devoted to defending democracy at all costs, the first thing he would do would be to step aside for some younger, more capable, less radioactive Democrat with a much better chance of beating Trump.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Clarence Page: Donald Trump, unifier? That’s a new one
What happened, one wonders, to the Trump who for weeks has faced growing scrutiny over his increasingly authoritarian and violent rhetoric?
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Austin Bay: Yemen’s Houthis were always terrorists
Here is the embarrassing past the Biden administration prefers no 2024 American voter will notice: In 2021, the Biden administration decided to remove the Houthis from America’s terrorist list. … By delisting the Houthis, the Biden administration reversed Trump’s policy — but in the real world of physical suffering, Bidenites backed the Houthis fractious war and intentional starvation.