Maine has long prided itself on being a place where fairness, integrity and independence matter. Yet, when it comes to protecting our citizens’ most basic constitutional rights, we rely almost entirely on federal courts and federal statutes. It’s time to change that. A Universal Civil Rights Act — such as those adopted in states like […]

Some 25 years ago, I had the privilege of serving as the University of Southern Maine’s Russell Chair, an honor that entailed offering public lectures and forums on a specified topic. My topic asked:  “Is the University Failing Democracy?”  Today, I believe USM President Jacqueline Edmondson has embarrassingly answered that question in the affirmative. I […]

This is a response to Victoria Hugo-Vidal’s child care column (“Why do we still have to make the case for child care?” Feb. 15). Having a child is a privilege and a choice, not a right. It is not society’s responsibility to provide parents with a break from the job they chose. Having a parent […]

As a volunteer on Graham Platner’s campaign for Senate, I must respond to Randy Billings’ article on Graham’s campaign spending (“Graham Platner says he shuns DC consultants. His spending tells a different story,” Feb. 26). Campaign manager Ben Chin is correct that the campaign activities are driven by thousands of volunteers, under the guidance of […]

Max Cooper (Letters, March 3) appears to be a highly sensitive person, describing his “horrible embarrassment” when he was “forced to admit” to out-of-staters that Paul LePage had been elected governor of Maine. Apparently, an ordinary political conversation about voters’ possible motivations in their choice was too much for him to handle. It’s odd that […]

The latest Pine Tree State poll showed veteran Graham Platner comfortably leading both Gov. Janet Mills, in the Democratic primary, and Sen. Susan Collins in a general election.  No poll is perfect, but the momentum is clearly behind Platner, and that momentum isn’t confined to polling data. The Lewiston/Auburn Platner volunteers have tripled in number […]

Other than Ed Muskie, Margaret Chase Smith, Olympia Snowe or Fly Rod Crosby, it would be difficult to find anyone who has done more to promote the state of Maine than George Mitchell. It is distressing to see the removal and replacing of everything attached to his good name — including paintings, pictures, schools and […]

In reference to the March 1 article “Mainers Detained by ICE are coming home by the dozens,” the article highlights people who believed they were doing everything right. They had work permits, legal asylum claims and no criminal record. The article says “dozens are being returned to their communities.” Let’s say three dozen of 206 […]

Olympian Hunter Hess apparently didn’t know that, in President Trump’s America, freestyle skiing is to be celebrated and freedom of speech is not. Asked about our national situation, Hess said, in part, “It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think. It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on […]