Napoleon can be considered a proto-fascist dictator, or an enlightened reformer, or some of both, but he could never be considered dull, at least not until portrayed by a stolid Joaquin Phoenix, seemingly unaware that the general was a sparkling personality, a hugely energetic reformer and an inspiring leader of men.
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
Froma Harrop: Stop worshipping the Ivy League
Without a doubt, brilliant minds have attended and taught at Harvard, Yale and the rest. But so have many mediocrities whose rich parents hired consultants to turn their offspring into the perfect packages these institutions want. That meant tutors to ensure high scores alongside some angle, such as prowess in a sport or carefully selected do-gooding.
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
Michael Roy: Sheline is ‘the shining star that Lewiston needs’
Lewiston voters should ask themselves what a mayor does and what they feel a mayor should do. I feel a mayor is supposed to bring community together and promote community events and small business in this city, along with leading the City Council. I feel Carl Sheline has been that mayor. Carl has been a […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Michael Boom: Yellow, red flag laws need teeth in order to work
Driving a car is serious business. If we mess up, our license to drive will be revoked. Nobody wants dangerous drivers on the road, and rightly so. Nobody wants dangerous people possessing guns that pose a danger to all of us. Yellow and red flag laws must have teeth if they are going to work. […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Diane Grandmaison: Lewiston residents should vote early for Sheline
Lewiston residents can vote before the Dec. 12 mayoral runoff election. They can call the city clerk’s office and request an absentee ballot, or go to Lewiston City Hall to vote early. Even though Mayor Carl Sheline won by a margin of 45% of the vote, the Lewiston Charter was changed. The charter states that […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Jae Zimmermann: ‘Lewiston needs Carl, and Carl needs us’
The people of Lewiston have already decided that mayoral candidate Jon Connor is not for us; we voted him out of the state Legislature in 2022. Despite his past experience, Connor cannot speak clearly about how he would address the issues he believes are critical to Lewiston’s future as a place people value. His answers […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: Evangelicals conforming to the world
There is considerable harm being done by evangelicals because of their devotion to Donald Trump.
