No, Sen. Susan Collins doesn’t get applauded for simply voting in her constitutents’ best interests. That’s her job. And, once again, it appears she cast a “No” vote when the bill’s passage was assured. Sen. Collins could have spent the last several months lobbying her Republican colleagues about the immorality of this bill and what […]

With all of the government talk of big numbers regarding spending and deficits, it is helpful to have a perspective on these numbers. If we viewed these numbers as seconds: 1 million seconds is about 11.5 days, while 1 billion seconds is about 31 years and eight months. One trillion seconds is equal to approximately […]

After a years-long process of doctor’s visits and misdiagnoses, I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 53. As a widowed mother of three teens, this was a devastating development. With treatment, the support of my family and friends and the connections I’ve made with others diagnosed with this disease, I’m making the most […]

The most morally reprehensible shift in our nation’s public policies occurred on July 4, 2025. A sweeping set of changes that will reverse social, economic and climate policies was signed into law. Most cynically, the politicians who passed the legislation ensured that these measures would not go into effect until after the 2026 election, fearing […]

Letters sent recently by several people have accused this newspaper and others of not printing letters from non-liberal types, of not wanting to acknowledge that there are frequently many sides of an issue. As a proud liberal who has suffered through Cal Thomas and his ilk, I’m not ready to wholeheartedly sign on to that […]

In response to the June 17 letter asking “Where are the conservative letters?” I say, perhaps there are not that many that are sent in to the papers. Regarding the violence in Los Angeles, there were a small minority of people causing chaos and destruction. No matter what their cause, violence is not the answer. […]

Your recent editorial, “Hold Maine’s paper mills to higher standards,” gave an incomplete picture of Sappi’s environmental practices. At our Somerset mill in Skowhegan, about 80% of our energy comes from renewable sources, mainly biomass and black liquor, both byproducts of the papermaking process. These fuels are considered carbon neutral by the U.S. EPA, Maine […]