Leonard Pitts Jr.: So much for the good guy with a gun

At this writing, the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive counts 17 mass shootings — 74 wounded, 13 killed — just since Uvalde. In America, trauma is now routine and tragedy everyday, and so they will remain until voters — the ultimate arbiters in what is still, albeit barely, a democracy — finally demand better.

Luke Jensen: Lewiston ‘lucky’ to have Cloutier in Augusta

I write this letter in support of Kristen Cloutier in her campaign for state Legislature. Kristen is a common sense leader who puts aside partisan politics to fight for Lewiston and its residents. She has served Lewiston in many capacities, consistently keeping a mentality of common sense. When an issue arises, she educates herself and […]

Karen Bernier: Lake Auburn ‘a fragile resource’ needing protection

“Protect Lake Auburn.” Signs stating this are everywhere and with good reason. Lake Auburn, our drinking water source and its watershed, protected for 100 years by our Twin City ancestors and water officials, may soon be negatively affected by zoning changes and proposed development near the lake. This proposed development is short-sighted in my opinion. […]

Political cartoon for Thursday, June 2

Christine Gianopoulos: U.S. needs ‘sensible measures to regulate gun ownership’

A disheartening feature of the epidemic of mass shootings is how often we now hear people say, “it’s hopeless, there’s nothing we can do.” I feel that way about the U.S. Congress right now. Without term limits, we are stuck with a Congress made up of too many people who collect our tax dollars while […]

Paul Baribault: ‘What is wrong with this mirror to our country?’

One of the little girls who survived the brutal killing of children in Texas last week said she did that by smearing herself with the blood of a still-living child next to her, who didn’t survive. Let’s let that sink in. Then in the light of PTSD let’s imagine that youngster’s future, that she and […]

Frank Kieliszek: Congress should reinstate assault rifle ban

I have a right to bear arms. Like other rights, it is not absolute. I do not have a right to own a battle tank, nor a flame thrower, nor bombs. I do not have a right to own a howitzer, nor a machine gun. These are weapons of war. I do have the right […]

Cal Thomas: Texas shooting: A failure of several levels

Each time one of these evil acts occurs, we hear from politicians that we can’t go on like this. OK, then tell us how to stop it. Laws alone have not succeeded. Again, examining prospective purchasers more closely might help, along with waiting periods and more rigorous background checks.

Wednesday, June 1

Estelle Rubinstein: Rotundo prepared to face Maine’s challenges

If voters want a candidate who is more than qualified to represent the people of Maine, knows a great deal about state appropriations and financial matters, values children’s education and understands that our infrastructure is a valuable resource of not only the citizens of our state but a vital tool to attract out-of-state businesses, then […]