There is now an effort to brand the filibuster as inherently an instrument of hatred and repression. The filibusters of civil-rights legislation in the mid-20th century are justly notorious, but the tactic has often been used to progressive ends, most recently thwarting as much of Trump’s legislative agenda as possible.

Our grassroots group, Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights, has tried in multiple ways for two years to engage Sen. Angus King regarding Israel’s false narrative and brutal policies. We focused on King, since we believed he would entertain new information and alter his heretofore-ardent support of Israel. We were wrong.

So said Cherokee County Sheriff’s spokesman Jay Baker by way of explaining last week’s mass shootings at three Atlanta-area massage parlors.

Anytime is a bad time to raise taxes, but raising them while people are still struggling with the consequences of government shutdowns is immoral.

Some folks tell us that the basis of support for today’s Republican Party is racism. Others say, no, it’s people who have lost or fear losing jobs and status who are trending Republican as America becomes more openly and more clearly diverse. Each position is probably right. At least partly. But neither tells the entire story.

If the tip credit were to be eliminated, waitstaff would earn the standard minimum wage, but for most this will mean a drastic pay cut, because the median hourly earnings of waiters and waitresses in Maine can range from $21-$30 per hour. It would mean a triple-digit increase in tipped labor costs, and because restaurants operate on very tight margins that would be crippling, even under normal circumstances.