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
Marilyn Burgess: U.S. should ‘put the brakes to Israel’
It is time we left Israel to its own revenge and genocide. I do not want my money to go to supplying 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, when it fails to differentiate between Hamas and civilians. I understand that Hamas did a terrible thing, but I think Israel has got its pound of flesh many times […]
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
Jon St. Laurent: Christmas conflagrations in the Holy Lands
For Christians in the West Bank, Christmas is not a merry day, and celebrations normally attended by thousands at the birthplace of Jesus are canceled as bombs rain down on Bethlehem. There is mourning, not just for their own losses — those killed by an Israeli Defense Force bombing of a Greek Orthodox church in […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Michael Boom: Terrorists groups ‘must be shown the door’
Hamas, Isis, the Taliban and Hezbollah all have one thing in common. They are all pure barbarism at its ultimate worst that humanity has to offer. Barbarism is savagery at a primitive level, without any restraint or civilized state of being. This moment in history takes all of us back in time to the Twin […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Froma Harrop: Mine eyes have seen the glory of reading on paper
Books have long provided what sociologists call third places — that is, hangouts that are neither work or home. Both bookstores and libraries fill the bill. These third places provide company and a sense of community. If you think that an hour of quiet reading isn’t a big draw, consider: One New York bar charges a $10 admission fee per reading session and has 270 people on its waiting list.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Joel Olstein: Hamas weapons storage endangers civilians in Gaza
The Sun Journal has been reporting on the unfortunate plight of civilians In Gaza. Sadly, Hamas stores many of its weaponry in schools, hospitals and mosques. This strategy makes civilian loss of life inevitable. Very sad. Joel Olstein, Auburn
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Stan Tetenman: Suggested legislative priorities during short session
The legislature is beginning its short session next month. I suggest the following for their consideration. First, gun control: A red flag law, a limit on magazine capacities of five to 10 rounds, background checks for sale of all guns, a waiting period of perhaps three days. These measures wouldn’t prohibit someone from legally purchasing […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: Ignorance and apathy
Deliberate ignorance and false teaching about events here and in the Middle East and China, along with the refusal of American media to pay serious attention to the connection between foreign donations and university policies and teaching, plays into the hands of those who do not wish America well.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
William Phillips: U.S. could learn from other countries’ traffic, gun control measures
I recently returned from a long trip to New Zealand and Australia. Aside from the tourism experience, which was great, we made some observations from which we feel our state and federal governments could learn. We drove a car in New Zealand, Australia, and its island of Tasmania. No one was speeding. There are traffic […]