I was shocked and angered by President Trump’s remarks about Somali Americans. We are fortunate to have Somalis in Maine. They are industrious, hard-working and have added much to the communities where they have settled. In August 2010, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported that Somali entrepreneurs had reinvigorated downtown Lewiston by opening dozens of shops […]

Our beauty routines are making animals suffer. Every year, countless rabbits, mice and dogs are subjected to toxic chemical tests so companies can sell new makeup products. These animals are burned, poisoned or blinded, then discarded when no longer “useful.” This cruelty continues even though safe, effective, non-animal testing alternatives already exist. We cannot pretend […]

With President Trump’s renaming of the Kennedy Center, renovating/rebuilding the White House and new plans to erect a triumphal arch, the administration should consider renaming the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., would become “Donald’s City.” Some people may simply call it Trumpsville, recalling the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” in which George Bailey sees what […]

Kudos on Douglas Rooks’ Dec. 18 column, “Trump is not the only threat to the Constitution —look at SCOTUS.” His analysis of the Supreme Court was spot-on. The Roberts court has shown a consistent use of the “shadow docket” to allow executive orders to go through without any question and has ruled in favor of […]

I’m writing about the rather insulting letter I received from E-ZPass customer service today, specifically, the sentence that reads, “At this time, we request that you immediately refrain from evading tolls, and reimburse the outstanding toll amount of $_.__.”   The letter implies that the Maine Turnpike Authority is accusing me of stealing from them, when […]

Bates Professor William Hiss’ Dec. 17 letter to the editor (“Remember how much language matters“) is spot on. Words matter, and those who use words that terrorize, inflame or incite violence should be held responsible for the consequences. Words inciting violence toward Jews have spurred attacks worldwide. Jews were targeted and murdered at Pittsburgh’s Tree of […]

Why does this publication require a real name and place of residence for a letter writer and then allow online readers to use aliases to respond on its websites? This policy invites vitriol and often threatening responses. Readers don’t even see the worst that are reported as not being published. If everyone publicly stood by […]