This session the Maine Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee, on which I serve, has devoted a lot of time and energy to the emerging crisis of PFAS contamination. Also known as “forever chemicals,” this class of persistent cancer-causing chemicals is a threat to public health, and we now know that our state has extensive […]
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 inOp-Eds, Opinion
Rich Lowry: Trudeau should give in to the truckers
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should give in to the truckers on the vaccination mandate, and then the protestors should declare victory and go home or, at the minimum, take a step back from any confrontation with the police.
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Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Bob Neal: The Countryman: Can anybody here play this game?
Democrats at the federal level aren’t demonstrating much ability to govern. The burden weighs heavily because Republicans have proved to be the “anti-government” party. So, Dems must deliver, and so far they haven’t brought home much bacon.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
James Lysen: Build Back Better Act needs to pass, soon
The Build Back Better Act is being held hostage by Republicans (all 50 senators including Susan Collins) and two Democratic senators, and by antiquated filibuster rules. Many important policies and programs in the act — like the child tax credit and immigration reform — have already been removed, and they all need to find a […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
William LaRochelle: Catholic church’s stance on homosexuality
It was reported recently that Jean-Claude Hollerich, a preeminent German bishop and cardinal, stated publicly that Catholic teaching on homosexuality is “no longer correct” and that “a fundamental revision of the doctrine” is imperative. Unsurprisingly, he buttressed his judgment by emphasizing that Pope Francis himself favors far-reaching doctrinal change generally. The pope’s barely-there pro forma […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Froma Harrop: Is the virus really over? We each get to decide
We may not “defeat” the virus anytime soon, but the vaccinated majority can feel they’ve “contained” it. For them, the pandemic may be over. For the others, maybe not.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Leonard Pitts Jr.: These are no ‘ordinary citizens’
(Republicans) accused the Jan. 6th Select Committee — the one Democrats in the House impaneled after Republicans refused to support a full congressional probe – of “the persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.” Mind you, that “legitimate political discourse” gouged eyes and broke bones, erected a gallows and paraded a traitor’s flag through the people’s house.
