It is time to get politics out of the constitutional right of everyone — especially the poor — to an attorney when charged with a crime. It is one of the most basic rights afforded to citizens in a society that endeavors to call itself free.
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.
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Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Froma Harrop: Women accusing Cuomo won’t come out on top
He very well may have said the inappropriate things being reported, but none of the women were physically harmed by what was at most unwanted flirtation. You have to ask: What will these displays of fragility do to the women’s careers? Little that’s good, unless they plan to seek tenure in a department of gender studies.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Linda Scott: Philippon builds trust among new Mainers
The Lewiston City Council recently received and approved the recommendations by the Mayoral Ad-hoc Committee on Equity and Diversity. These recommendations were for the City Council to take steps to ensure the city treats all residents and visitors equally and that the city’s workforce represents the diversity of our community. Many of the recommendations spoke […]
Posted inConnections
Food bank issues capacity building grants to partner agency network
AUBURN — Good Shepherd Food Bank has announced the recipients of its Capacity Building Grant program. Investments in capacity enable the partner network to not only meet the needs of their community, but to transform food access to a model that prioritizes people’s health, provides affirming and supportive experiences, connects people to their community and […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Bob Neal: The Countryman: Vive tous les differences
When we see America as scores — even hundreds — of ethnicities, the picture is a lot more fluid. Irish. Kikuyu. Taiwanese. Salvadoran. Swedish. Ebo. Iraqi. German. Japanese. Portuguese. Ethiopian. And a lot more interesting.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Janet Devereux: Paris selectmen should back masks
For some time now I have debated with myself if the Paris Board of Selectmen has the safety and well-being of its residents as its primary concern. As of the last meeting I believe selectmen do not. Their passage of an anti-mask mandate has convinced me. We have had our town hall and police department […]
Posted inConnections
Maine Catholics invited to ‘Catholic Teaching & Science’ virtual presentation
STANDISH — Saint Joseph’s College of Maine invites all Maine Catholics to a free online presentation to be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 23. “Catholic Teaching & Science” will feature a conversation with Dr. Stephen Barr about the Catholic Church’s relationship to science, including the theory of evolution. He will discuss how […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Terence McManus: Unanswered COVID impact questions
We were recently informed that the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 now stands at about 520,000. Given a U.S. population of about 330 million this means that the virus has killed one out of every 634 persons in America. 1) How many of those deceased were seniors whose immune systems were worn out because of […]