Mark LaFlamme almost nailed it with his May 4 piece on President Biden’s egregious abuse of governmental power by creating a Disinformation Governance Board, infringing upon the First Amendment right to free speech. LaFlamme went astray in his assertion that this is not a partisan issue; although at some other hypothetical time conservatives could conceivably […]
Alex Lear
A Maine native and Colby College graduate, Alex has been covering coastal communities since 2001. He lives in the Portland area with his wife Lauren, 4-year-old daughter Alaina, and 7-year-old bulldog Walter. He has released four CDs of original music and does occasional research work for Marvel Comics' collected editions.
Leonard Pitts Jr.: If the Court loses its legitimacy, can its authority be far behind?
Small wonder a September Gallup poll found approval of the court at 40%, the lowest Gallup has ever recorded, and down sharply from 58% the year before. One cringes to think where it stands right now.
Terence McManus: Who leaked the court’s abortion decision?
Since the unprecedented leak last week of an upcoming Supreme Court decision that could overrule the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion, the following has happened. In Madison, Wisconsin, the building housing Wisconsin Family Action — a pro-life organization — was burned. In Denton, Texas, the Loreto House building, another pro-life […]
George Howitt: Polarization is worsening within America
On the single issue of slavery, Abraham Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” It took a civil war and a magnanimous president to reunite the nation. Due to the increasing polarization and the inability to compromise strongly held views on a wide range of contentious issues — abortion, guns, immigration, voting rights, […]
Ben Bedard: Modern Republican Party aims to constrict individual liberty
So it has finally happened. According to a leaked draft of the Supreme Court, conservative judges appointed to the bench by radical Republicans, appear poised to strike down Roe. While the Republican Party under Ronald Reagan was a party about individual responsibility, the modern Republican Party has shown its desire to deny us the ability […]
Carole Richards: Women must be ‘treated and respected as equal’
The old white men who make the laws for this country need to go back to school and take a course in anatomy and physiology, because women cannot conceive alone and sperm does not float in the air. I have never heard such ignorant statements concerning abortion — for instance, if a woman is raped […]
Cara Courchesne: Rep. Cloutier a strong, dedicated advocate for Lewiston
I write in support of Rep. Kristen Cloutier in her candidacy for the Maine House of Representatives, District 94. Although I’ve known Kristen for some time, this is my first chance to vote for her due to redistricting. Kristen is a strong advocate for Lewiston. Her thoughtful approach to policy decisions and her dedication to […]
Eileen Fair: Diversity programs resolution reflects white male privilege
The May 8 Sun Journal article about a proposed draft resolution (“Two Lewiston councilors’ draft resolution on diversity programs causes backlash, concern“) is a stark example of ongoing white male privilege. The secrecy, efforts to eliminate learning about and exploring different points of view and experiences, are classic landmarks of patriarchy, racism and homophobia. I […]