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: Trump’s disgusting coda
When the mob overwhelmed security and made its way on the Senate and House floors, sending Vice President Pence and lawmakers fleeing, Trump tweeted about how he’d been wronged by Pence’s entirely correct view that he lacked the power as vice president to unilaterally declare him the winner of the election.
advertisement
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Rudolph Ziehm: Truth must outweigh differing political views
The roots of democracy are the existence and acceptance of differing opinions. No one in their right mind wants only one view to prevail over all. Our nation has survived for 250 years living by this rule. Even though the president-elect is an “old white man,” that thinking no longer prevails. I do not want […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Richard Whiting: Trump a reminder of King George III after riot
The last time we had an invasion of the Capitol was during the War of 1812, when the British attacked. England’s leader, King George III, also known as “Mad King George,” likely had lead poisoning and was probably brain-damaged by then. In 2021, the Capitol was invaded by a horde of barbarians, the enemy within, […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
In rebuttal: Laurie O’Higgins: Disagreement with Leonard’s views on riot
I write in response to Mark Laflamme’s Jan. 7 assessment of the “mixed” reaction to the violence unleashed on Capitol Hill, in an attempt to preempt the certification of Joe Biden as the next United States president. While Laflamme acknowledged that many local people found it “unsettling,” he gave pride of place to the view […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Laura Fralich: White grievance is racism: Why New Gloucester Selectman George Colby needs to be recalled
The racial grievance mentality of Colby’s comments are deeply harmful in that they disregard the centuries of racial violence and racist policies as well as the realities of the current racial inequities in wealth, housing, education, criminal justice, and health.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Anne Williams: Let us reject Trumpery
Trumpery. The first Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of trumpery is “worthless nonsense.” What an apt characterization of the rhetoric of our current president since November, when the people of the United States elected Joe Biden to replace him. Similarly, the dictionary defines the verb “trump up” as “to concoct especially with intent to deceive,” and also […]
Posted inConnections
Auburn library to host two-part workshop on nutrition, budget
AUBURN — The Auburn Public Library will hold a “Ten Tips Nutrition Workshop: Eating Better on a Budget,” presented by Missy North-Drain of Healthy Androscoggin via Zoom, from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 20 and 27. The free classes, presented by Healthy Androscoggin, will provide the skills to shop, cook and eat healthier foods […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
In rebuttal: Steve Bien: Trump’s words were what incited riot
Judith Meyer, in her Jan. 7 editorial, misses the vital truths we must learn if we are to survive as a democracy. Blaming harsh political discourse for Jan. 6’s insurrection on the Capitol might seem fair minded and kind, but it totally misses the point and meaning of this historical moment. One man and one […]
