Vladimir Putin must appreciate Benjamin Netanyahu. The Gaza war has given Russia three, hopefully unintended, gifts. Netanyahu’s initial response to attack proved a point. However, the present case calls for Israel to retract its gifts, and employ the olive branch. All violence, including victories, seed a multigenerational shadow of hate. It’s time to change course […]

The Portland Press Herald recently reported that Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has said she is seriously considering a run for Senate and may make a decision by November. Dragging things out like this is no service to anyone. Let’s hope she decides not to run. I’m pretty sure that few of us are excited about […]

The Portland Press Herald recently reported that Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has said she is seriously considering a run for Senate and may make a decision by November. Dragging things out like this is no service to anyone. Let’s hope she decides not to run. I’m pretty sure that few of us are excited about […]

As residents in an assisted living facility, we are very concerned about Question 1, the so-called voter ID referendum. Voters are being asked to make voting harder, if not impossible, for seniors and people with disabilities to cast their ballots. This a clear case of voter suppression aimed at elderly anddisabled voters. President Trump has […]

Who authorized the unlawful use of a military escort and a flag-draped coffin for Charlie Kirk, who never served in the military or held a federal position? This is a disservice to all of the men and women who lost their lives in the service of their country. Joel Chapman Portland

Sen. Susan Collins’ weak opposition to the destructive dismantling of American democracy requires one of two responses. The senator must either switch parties and vote with the Democrats, who, despite their imperfections, are united in opposing President Trump and his sycophants’ totalitarian impulses; or, continue ineffectively to voice her supposed outrage as a moderate Republican […]

Our beautiful country is in turmoil. We are at a turning point. There is so much more that unites us than divides us. But we must remember. I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school. I remember my mother teaching me the words in preparation for kindergarten in Sangerville, Maine. “One nation, under God, […]

Jimmy Kimmel’s comments that led to his suspension (“ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s show indefinitely over Kirk remarks”, Sept. 18, 2025) were not about Charlie Kirk.  He spoke about “the MAGA gang” using Kirk’s death “to score political points.” Is this the country we live in now, where the First Amendment and freedom of speech don’t exist, […]

After reading the recent discussion about people being “from away,” I had to respond. I fell in love with the Damariscotta River as a child when I summered at family members’ homes. At 12 years old I made a vow to the river — that I’d return to live there one day. My Aunt Betty […]