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.
Cal Thomas: Sinema departs the Democratic Party
Good luck Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in your efforts to combat extremism. Your challenge will be less defining what is extreme and more defining what is normal.
Froma Harrop: Sinema needs to be always in our face
We can’t discuss Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s need to hog everyone’s attention by dressing in clown outfits? Here’s news for defenders of Sinema’s sartorial disrespect for the political process: We can.
Joe Hall: King, Collins should back bill supporting Wabanaki tribes
I urge U.S. Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins to support Senate action on H.R. 6707, a bill introduced by Jared Golden and co-sponsored by fellow U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree to ensure that federal laws apply to Wabanakis in Maine. Of the 570 federally recognized tribes in the U.S., Wabanakis are unique in that federal […]
Froma Harrop: Democrats are learning how to win
In changing the nominating process for president, Democrats are becoming more democratic. They are also growing smarter and may reclaim many voters they lost.
Rich Lowry: The spies who deserve to be out in the cold
These former intelligence officials knew what they were doing, traded on their public service for a tawdry political purpose, and have by and large demonstrated no remorse.
Austin Bay: Time to rid the world of China’s Trojan horse communications gear
Conceivably, the Chinese systems are offensive weapons: Trojan horses with intercontinental power. The Chinese Communist Party could use these pseudo-civilian systems to launch a cyber-Pearl Harbor attack on an adversary possessing them. The attack could damage the adversary’s economy (e.g., shut down banking). If executed quickly and pervasively, the sneak attack could disrupt military communications channels and disable high-tech sensors.
Cal Thomas: The New York Post and real journalism
In years past, when journalism was trusted by consumers much more than it is today, The New York Post might have been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting about Hunter Biden’s laptop.