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It’s a gull, not a seagull
I write regarding the use of the term “seagull” in the July 9 Press Herald story of the plight of the gull stuck atop Victoria Mansion in Portland. According to the National Audubon Society, “Strictly speaking, ‘gull’ is the correct, scientific term for birds in the family Laridae. ‘Seagull’ is simply a widely used colloquial nickname. There is […]
Climate change needs to be top of mind for Mainers
As I tried to stay cool during our recent hot weather, I couldn’t help thinking about climate change. We didn’t break any heat records in Portland, but it was close. Due to our warming planet, these higher temperatures will continue. Reuters has put together a climate monitor that shows we’re already well above historic norms. […]
Democrats should expand US Supreme Court
Today’s U.S. Supreme Court has nine justices, and the suggestion to increase its size seems drastic. But this is not a new idea. The Court’s size has already changed seven times. Nothing in the Constitution says it should have nine members. In fact, courts of appeals in the country base their size on the population […]
When it comes to the Senate, keep it simple, Maine
Many of my friends, myself included, are in high anxiety over who will best represent Maine in the next election. Incessant political rhetoric, promoting (and demonizing) candidates, promises of prosperity or doom. The wisdom of many coaches now seems relevant and calming: “Keep it simple!” The most dangerous threat to America is the relentless and […]
Support hydropower, support Maine communities
Hydropower continues to play a central role in the daily lives of many small towns across Maine. For over a century, hydropower facilities have provided steady work for families, especially in rural communities where jobs are harder to find. These facilities support families’ careers and keep paychecks close to home. As assistant business manager of […]
‘Secret beach’ is overrun by visitors who will stop at nothing
There are plenty of other beaches to go to, easier and more safely accessed and better equipped for the crowds.
All hail Hubbard Free Library in Hallowell
The article on preserving central Maine’s old buildings (“Can central Maine’s historic buildings survive for the next 250 years?” July 2) did not mention one very successful but hard-fought example: Hubbard Free Library in Hallowell. Opened in 1880, it is the oldest public library in Maine still in its original building. In this year’s early […]
Susan Collins’ corruption is the real story
Sen. Susan Collins has supported, and will continue to support, the most corrupt president in our country’s history. President Donald Trump has made billions (!) of dollars in just his first year back in office, much of it from shady cryptocurrency deals with foreign governments. No other president has ever used their office to enrich […]
How are we possibly celebrating the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration of Independence, ratified on July 4, 1776, has some nice words. “All men are created equal, that they are endowed … with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” and “whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the […]
American freedom is still to be cherished
For many years I worked in Germany. Over the years, I developed a strange ability. I could meet someone in Germany and know almost instantly whether they had grown up in the East or the West. I never understood how. I kept asking my friends why. They just smiled. One February night, with the temperature […]
New ad against Susan Collins doesn’t withstand scrutiny
A recent television ad funded by Majority Forward, a dark money group tied to Chuck Schumer, features a Skowhegan physician making claims about Sen. Susan Collins that simply don’t hold up to scrutiny. The ad claims Collins voted to cut Medicaid and give the president a “blank check” for war with Iran. Both statements are […]
Maine leaders were wrong to pass up Great American State Fair
I was saddened to see that our great state was not represented at a celebration of our country’s 250th birthday, the Great American State Fair. Oh, there was a booth for us. It said Maine on the wall, but the space was more or less empty. No people, no agriculture, no products, no lobster, no culture, no […]
Braced for disappointment post-Platner
I see only one winner here: Susan Collins.
Constructive criticism for Bobby Charles on healthcare
Get serious, educate yourself and craft some sensible policies.
On bumping into Barry Manilow
My husband and I have had two close encounters with Barry Manilow, who played his final Portland concert on July 3. On a book tour, we were having lunch in Los Angeles with a Penguin representative who had been sent to see us through our first media interviews. Manilow was at a table close by […]