The common sense view of the Republicans’ “demand” would be that this is grandstanding for fall election advantage now that they don’t have majority status and thus feel they don’t have to share responsibility. It seems to me there is a willed ignorance in their contradictory claims that Gov. Janet Mills is both tyrannically closing […]

Maine state officials have announced an “accelerated reopening” for certain retail businesses and restaurants in 12 “rural” counties starting May 11. Included in the rural counties is Kennebec County, but Androscoggin County is not. The population of Kennebec County is 122,000; Androscoggin County stands at 107,000. Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kennebec County, 108; in […]

I did telephone work for the campaign “Janet for Governor” and I had the opportunity to talk to maybe a hundred Mainers. No one needed much persuasion, although the occasional issue of treatment of the Penobscots came up (she has subsequently put them on her team; Maine even has an Indigenous People’s Day and she […]

When folks start to think about heading to one of the re-opening counties for a restaurant meal or some other such thing, they bear these words in mind: “By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you’ll destroy yourself.” Those lines are from “Seven Samurai,” the 1954 movie upon which the […]

Some people are so confused about “fake vs. real news.” They have stopped believing facts and scientific evidence. Conspiracy theorists, Fox News personalities and President Trump have acted as if coronavirus is an ordinary flu, rarely mentioning that people who have the virus can infect others even before they have visible symptoms. Conservatives downplay the […]

Originally from suburban Chicago, I fell in love with Maine as soon as I put down roots here. I was fortunate to cross paths with Katey Branch early in my move, and she immediately stood out as a community leader. Even to someone new to town like me, her involvement, drive and compassion were evident. […]

President Trump declared that America is at war against the coronavirus and that he was a wartime president. Fine, let’s accept the fact that this nation is, indeed, at war. However, let me contrast President Trump’s response to another time in our history when President Franklin Roosevelt declared war on Japan and on Germany one […]

I am so angry. My husband and I are following all the guidelines regarding the virus, yet we see people in stores and demonstrating with no face coverings and not social distancing, claiming they do not have the virus. They could be a carrier and spread the germ so that, when I go out to […]

In this period of a very serious health crisis, I write in support of the actions our governor is taking. I hope she continues her cautious, steady approach that will lead Maine safely out of this sad situation. Better times are ahead and I hope she remains strong and doesn’t let a bunch of turkeys […]

I’m writing to express my deep appreciation for Gov. Janet Mills and Dr. Nirav Shah about their leadership during the COVID-19 crisis. As the wife of an essential worker who has to travel across the United States and the daughter of medically fragile parents living in Florida, I’m struck, daily, by how differently some governors […]