It was heartening, though not surprising to see him, in his ninth decade, appear on Twitter, still agitating for freedom. It suggested that, while the things that made Bill Russell an unparalleled athlete eroded with age, the thing that made him an unparalleled man was indestructible. Let that serve as his epitaph.
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
Evert Fowle: McLean offers good judgment, integrity to 3-county DA post
I write to support Neil McLean for district attorney for Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties. He served as one of my prosecutors in Kennebec and Somerset counties for many years. His work was thorough and professional, and he was highly regarded by law enforcement, defense attorneys and judges. He was very effective in his case […]
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
Richard Smith: Revenue would be lost if state income tax is reduced
I found the article early this month in the Sun Journal regarding Paul LePage’s proposed attempt to reduce and eventually eliminate the state income tax, interesting regarding how he intends to accomplish this transition. He was obsessed with this idea while he was governor for eight years. The attempt at that time was not popular […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
James Richter: Inflation reduction bill puts people over political rancor
I urge Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King to support the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” negotiated between Sen. Joe Manchin and his Democratic colleagues. This balanced bill helps fight climate change, strengthens U.S. economic security, reduces prescription drug prices for older Americans and lowers the federal budget deficit. How does it do all […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: Humpty Dumpty and the recession
Democrats have junked the original title of President Biden’s “Build Back Better” massive spending plan and rebranded it “The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.” Clearly this was in reaction to poll numbers showing the public blames the president and Democrats for the rise in food and gas prices, increased mortgage rates and so much else.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Joseph Philippon: McLean a dedicated, effective candidate for district attorney
I hope voters join me this November by electing Assistant District Attorney Neil McLean as district attorney for Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. We have to be honest with ourselves that too many well-intentioned criminal justice reforms simply aren’t working. In my 17 years as a police officer the crime scene has changed, with more […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Joe Voisine: Government takes from middle class to help poor
Gov. Janet Mills is offering free dental care to low-income recipients who qualify. Having a surplus in Maine doesn’t make it right to leave the chicken coop unattended while the fox is at large. Disabled people deserve a helping hand. For the others bleeding the system and relying on taxpayers for handouts, shame on you. […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Austin Bay: Put the Pacific into NATO: NAPTO
Beijing’s and Moscow’s lawlessness and collaborative belligerence threaten all sovereign nations in Europe and Asia. We still have time to respond with a war-deterring diplomatic stroke: extending NATO’s Article 5 to committed nations in the Pacific and East Asia who already field NATO-ready military forces.