When I was in college, I had a summer internship at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., where I saw firsthand how inefficient, unwieldy and bloated federal bureaucracies can be. Many of my co-workers didn’t seem to have enough to do; marginally competent employees were passed from office to office and resources were […]
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
Letter: America is being lost to an oligarchy
The entire controversy exemplified in the Rep. Laurel Libby issue is a symptom of the chaos and diversion tactics of Trumpism that are displacing the real issues America should be focusing on. As David Brooks wrote in a Feb. 13 New York Times opinion piece, “Here’s the essence of Trumpism: It’s to be blithely unconcerned […]
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Posted inLetters
Letter: Congressional Republicans need to stand up to Trump
Many thought that the warnings about a second Donald Trump administration were unwarranted. Many Trump voters surely thought so. Now, as the administration is siding with Russia in the Ukraine war, alienating our longtime European and Canadian allies, gutting innumerable federal agencies with a meat ax, threatening to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, all […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion, Uncategorized
Austin Bay: Loose app links to security lapse: Consequential mistake?
Signalgate is/was a mistake. A destructive mistake? No. It may simply be an accidental leak to media. But it must be thoroughly investigated, and that includes public testimony from The Atlantic’s Jeffery Goldberg — under oath so he risks perjury charges.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Froma Harrop: Bernie Sanders: Good show, dicey politics
The problem is his history of using the Democratic Party to suck up attention, then turn on it. Just last week he called on progressives to ditch the Democratic label and run as independents.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: Education then and now
How did I, my parents, grandparents and ancestors going back to the founding of the nation manage to get a decent education before the federal Department of Education was created by Jimmy Carter and a Democratic Congress? Quite well, thank you.
Posted inLetters
Letter: Laurel Libby stands up for common sense
As a resident of House District 90, I would like to thank my state representative, Laurel Libby, for standing up for common sense. It’s vital for girls and young women to be treated fairly in sports and in life. I’m grateful we have a brave representative who will stand up for women’s rights. Connie Sorcek […]