People will always fight for their highest level of morality. And so we should. However, morality originates from different places in different people. Others and their well-being can be my utmost priority. Or, myself and my own well-being will be my first priority. It cannot be both. It will never be both. And this 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.
In rebuttal: Kenneth Healey: RSU 16 residents should know full picture before budget vote
I would like to offer a different perspective on Mary Beth Taylor’s recent letter about the Regional School Unit 16 budget (“Reasons to oppose RSU 16 budget,” March 30). While it’s true that she expressed opposition to the budget due to concerns about a potential bond payment and unbalanced elementary student-to-teacher ratios, I know there […]
Patrick Eisenhart: Gold, silver sales tax bill should fail
I recently got a letter from Money Metals Exchange asking me to call members of the Maine Joint Taxation Committee and to ask them to support Auburn state Sen. Eric Brakey’s bill, LD 1051. He proposes in this bill to ban Maine sales tax on the sale of gold and silver bullion and coins. I […]
Olivia Ground: ‘Stand against the destruction of lives’
I am a college student, studying to be a vet tech. To me, the correct and ethical treatment of animals is of the utmost importance. I feel the same courtesy and protections should be extended to our own species. Fetuses are human beings in a stage of development. They are no less valuable than a […]
In rebuttal: John Neal: Turn electric grid over to Maine citizens
I’m rebutting Edmund’s Lewis’ letter (“CMP is not the enemy,” March 21), a rebuttal of mine (“Our Power initiative deserves Mainers’ support,” March 11). Central Maine Power is, J.D. Power’s 2021 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Survey reports, dead last among all utilities in the nation at customer satisfaction — 121st, with Versant close behind […]
Sam Boss: Bates union organizers persevered, despite admin’s opposition
Like many of my former colleagues at Bates College, I was disappointed by the results of the recent union election. I was also disappointed with the reporting on those results in the Sun Journal, which surmised that the outcome showed that staff were “generally satisfied with the way Bates treats them.” A more accurate assessment […]
Clarence Page: Equal justice, even for Donald Trump and other suspects
The stress test to which the former president has put our criminal justice system offers a valuable opportunity to view fairness in our system with new eyes.
Rich Lowry: Don’t valorize January 6
For Donald Trump, a master at appropriating the catch lines and attacks of the other side, reversing the meaning of Jan. 6 would be his most audacious move yet. How long is it before that day becomes “the perfect protest?”