Nov. 3 Letters to the Editor
11/3/08 | 12 comments
Letters

Nov. 3 Letters to the Editor


Jim Tobin is a victim

It was with sadness that I learned of the new indictment brought against Jim Tobin. I have known Jim for many years through our children’s school and our church. My family and I have volunteered with him repairing homes in Eastport, on mission trips to Honduras and in church board meetings. Jim Tobin is one of the finest people I know. He is a real gentleman, kind, thoughtful and always concerned about the welfare of others. He gives much to the Bangor community as an active parent, a reliable friend for many, and perhaps most of all as a role model for countless children and adults in the Bangor area.

Jim Tobin is a victim of the worst kind of partisan politics. He has been acquitted once, and the same prosecutors are going after him again. The facts upon which they base their new indictment have been known for five years, so why are they waiting until now to bring charges? This indictment is an insult not only to Jim and his family, but to the entire Bangor community. Enough is enough.

Mary Warner

Holden

• • •

History lesson

We, the 6th grade class at Machias Valley Christian School, think everyone should vote this year. Years ago thousands of people didn’t have the right to vote and struggled for the right to vote. The 15th Amendment said that African American people could vote. Then in 1920, women became able to vote thanks to the 19th Amendment. Then in 1978, the 26th Amendment stated that 18 year-olds were allowed to vote. Another law was passed in 1924 that American Indians could vote.

Think about it; is it fair to the people who fought for this right and to our country if all of us don’t use this privilege to vote? Vote! Make the difference you want to see.

Katelin Davis, Seth Gatcomb, Chelsea Moore, Luke

Nehrings

Machias

• • •

Nuclear weapons worries

With our neighbors at Dirigo Pines Retirement Community, we have discussed the history of international attempts to control nuclear weapons. We believe it is urgent to mobilize anew to confront the nuclear threat to all peoples. The threat is no longer just between nations, but also from small, mal-contented groups with hostile ambitions.

As a nation, we need to take a first step toward a new image of “the city on a hill” We need to direct attention to root causes of this malcontent. The next administration must set as a goal the adjustment of American policy and behavior to demonstrate that we stand for respect for differences and the right to decent, secure living conditions for all peoples.

We must undertake initial steps toward these ends: lead the UN in active, meaningful responses to genocide; promote agriculture policies which assure distribution of affordable food to all societies; advocate for worldwide “full employment: opportunities through international trade agreements.

We must re-energize policy efforts to: renew and ratify the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty; ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; with Russia, immediately speed up destruction of surplus nuclear weapons; set a goal of Zero Nuclear Weapons for the world by 2020.

To put our money where our mouth is, include funds in the U.S. budget to address these goals. For a start, we suggest an initial sum at least equal to what is already in the State Department budget for “foreign military financing”.

David Felix

Stanley Freeman

Orono

• • •

Proud of Bangor Vets Home

In these times of gloom and doom, it is exciting to discover some place that is good, forwardlooking and constructive. The Bangor Veterans Home is truly such a place.

When I learned an old friend was in the Bangor Veterans Home, I dreaded visiting him because of reports I had heard of the poor conditions in such places. But my fears were allayed by the modern, cheerful, well-designed and well staffed facility I found on turning left just short of the Hogan Road Fire Station: plenty of windows and light, beautifully colored and decorated walls, people at the reception and nursing stations who were proud of the place and knew what they were doing and who, where and how their patients were.

My friend had been in and out of the Eastern Maine Medical Center and said the operations of the two organizations were dovetailed and coordinated perfectly. This is the sort of treatment our veterans, young and old, deserve. They have put themselves on the line for us, and we should give the best short- or long-term care we can. The Veterans Administration is doing just that in the Bangor Veterans Home, and we should all be proud of it.

Oliver Crosby

Hancock

• • •

Two-thirds condemned?

In the BDN’s Oct. 11 “Voices” column, Daryl Witmer declared that “A Life Without Christ is a Life Without Hope or Meaning.” I can’t help but wonder why a loving God would condemn two-thirds of the world’s population (about 4.5 billion) to such a fate simply because they weren’t born into Christianity. Witmer’s harsh judgment conveys an unabashed Christian superiority.

History has repeatedly shown us that, taken a step or two further, such superiority leads to discrimination, segregation, imprisonment, state-mandated religion, and ultimately ethnic cleansing. Is it through this superiority that some now speak as though the words Muslim and terrorist are one and the same? Could it be that Witmer himself is “living in a bubble of irreligious self-deception,” as he stated, since his words convey the kind of judgment that the Bible warns us against?

Duane Hanselman

Bangor

Iran disinformation

Is history about to repeat itself? Recalling that in the run-up to the Iraq war, a secret report found its way out of the Middle East, and surfaced by way of the British intelligence service, alleging Iraqi acquisition of weapons of mass destruction. The document turned out to be planted misinformation (a.k.a. disinformation) but not before the U.S. and United Kingdom went to war waving it.

In spite of all indications one can not know, for certain, that one is in the run-up to a war, until the shooting starts. But war or no war, history may be about to repeat itself, in the form of another clandestine intel report.

British intelligence (MI6) has reportedly surfaced a document alleging that a Russian missile scientist has helped Iran design detonators whose only use could be in a nuclear weapon. This document is reportedly one of a number of secret reports surfaced by British intelligence alleging that Iran is in the advanced stages of building a nuclear weapon. Without speculation as to the ultimate source or validity of this intelligence, whether it is bona fide or bogus, it does not tend to improve relations with Russia. Nor does it diminish the prospects for an Israeli attack on Iran before the end of 2008.

Richard Gay

Blue Hill

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Comments
12 comments on this item
On 11/3/08 at 4:45 AM, StevieWonder wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dick Gray: "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran....................................................

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On 11/3/08 at 8:51 AM, duckwa wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Where does everybody stand on #1. I'm just curious because I am undecided. It seems like a good reason , for our kids, and I have to admitt that I have never opposed any taxes on cigs, cuz I don't smoke. I do still worry though that if we start taxing behaviour, then whats next. Any thoughts, anyone?

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On 11/3/08 at 8:51 AM, Bangorean wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I, too, know Jim Tobin and agree to the extent that the whole incident was totally out of character for him. However, it is not difficult to understand the possibility of him being swept up in the vile, hateful partisan politics and dirty tricks that go on these days. I lived in Concord when this all went on. The Manchester Union Leader, then generally called the Union Liar, was the most partisan right-wing newspaper in the Country at the time. WMUR TV was thought to be owned by the RNC. I can understand Jim, even as principled as he is, being sucked into the periphery of the phone jamming incident. It was illegal and it did occur. However, at this time YOU don't know the political proclivities of the prosecutors, do you? You are simply making the same old partisan accusations, thinking that somehow it may help. If this is a case of double jeopardy, the charges will be dismissed. If not, they won't. Or are you saying that if there is a legitimate Federal charge against him, that it shouldn't be prosecuted? Where will that type of reasoning end?

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On 11/3/08 at 8:54 AM, billmoores wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Duane Hanselman Writes: "I can’t help but wonder why a loving God would condemn two-thirds of the world’s population (about 4.5 billion) to such a fate simply because they weren’t born into Christianity." This is yet another confirmation that most of Humanity (perhaps 99.9%) has not yet discovered nor invented a god that is truly worthy of it's admiration, let alone it's attention. The Kingdom of God lies within each of the inhabitants of this planet. It is His secret domain and it awaits our discovery.

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On 11/3/08 at 9:07 AM, anne_of_mdi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Duckwa, I voted No on Question 1. I agree that Dirigo Health has been a failure so far but I also believe that it deserves a chance. Even though I currently can't afford it, I think it's stll possible that they can get Dirigo Health premiums down to an affordable level. Let's not thow the baby out with the bathwater. I don't think anyone is going to miss the extra couple of pennies they will have to pay on their soda etc. I think the Yes on 1 movement has been funded by outside corporate interests.

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On 11/3/08 at 12:22 PM, HermonMom wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Concerning question 1, biggest issue I have with it hasn't even been really publicized. This legislation, if left in place, will "charge health insurance companies a fixed fee on paid claims..". This sounds like the insurance companies will have to pay. But lets get real folks, they will pass that on to our employers, who in turn will have no choice but to pass it on to us as a premium increase. Small companies that are trying to do right by their employees by offering health coverage will be given just one more incentive to stop providing that coverage. If the legislature wants to really help us out with health coverage, let us deduct every penny we pay for health care. Right now, you'd have to be on deaths door before you can claim medical benefits on your taxes. Let us claim them all and really give us a break!

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On 11/3/08 at 12:47 PM, Samman84 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hey Bangorean--where do you live in Bangor exactly? Oh wait, you still live in Concord. I think its great that Democratic officials from New Hampshire are taking an interest in the BDN now. I doubt you really know Jim Tobin, and I am positive that you don't understand the law. Warner's comments were not implying that the charges were brought illegally. Instead, she is rightfully discussing the motivations of the prosecutors. Tobin has been acquitted once, and with good reason. These new charges could have been brought at any time over the last 5 years: instead they are brought immediately before Sununu is up for reelection again, an important presidential election is going down, and Tobin is about to be acquitted of the initial charges once and for all, and immediately before the statute of limitations ran on the charges. Furthermore, the allegations are based entirely on the testimony of aconvicted felon who was actually guilty. I am confident this is the only context in which you would put weight in Allen Raymond's words. Anyway, don't think you can slip under the radar by pickinga screenname which implies you are local.

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On 11/3/08 at 2:12 PM, MainStreet wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mary: Jim Tobin worked to steal an election. I don't care if he goes to church. Could it be that he fooled you too?

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On 11/3/08 at 6:31 PM, dirigodad wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mr. Hanselman demonstrates an amazing lack of curiosity regarding the question he poses. If he would simply read his Bible, he would understand the answer to the question he poses...more correctly, he would understand that the right reaction is: "How amazing that God would redeem any one of us wicked, sinful human beings!!"

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On 11/3/08 at 9:58 PM, HermonStout wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Different issue...........i see the TV (MSNBC) is playing the Independant Republican commercial about Rev Wright, FREQUENTLY today! mccain decided not to come to MAine again before the election, but their supporters are on the job to discredit Obama the night before the election.

I will share my experience.......I lived in Philly in the same neighborhood as Rev Wrights parents. His Mother is a respected PHD in MAth and Education with a scholarship for exceptional female High school seniors who plan to enter one of those fields. Rev.

Wright served in the military, in Vietnam, and was an aid to President Johnson, when he had surgery. OK so he was a bit extreme with his rant, I am too when faced with injustice.

On the other hand; to 'balance" thenews............ a story broke about sarah palin yesterday, ( it has been out there but the "liberal MSM has virtually ignored it).

"Sarah Palin endorser Bishop Thomas Muthee, in a speech he gave before blessing and anointing Sarah Palin as a political leader, on October 16, 2005 at the Wasilla Assembly of God, laid out the current agenda of the New Apostolic Reformation - how "God's kingdom" needed to "infiltrate" seven sectors of society. Muthee listed most of them: business and finance, schools and education, media and entertainment, politics and government."

On July 13, 2008, Mary Glazier, at a gathering of New Apostolic Reformation leaders outside of Seattle, told C. Peter Wagner and others present that Sarah Palin had joined Glazier's Wasilla Prayer group at 24, after "God began speak" to Palin about entering politics. Glazier was then working to elect AIP Party candidate Walter J. Hickel to the Governor's seat. As Glazier told Wagner and leaders in is movement,

"There was a twenty-four year old woman that God began to speak to about entering into politics. She became a part of our prayer group out in Wasilla. Years later, became the mayor of Wasilla. And last year was elected Governor of the state of Alaska. Yes! Hallelujah! At her inauguration she dedicated the state to Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" - Mary Glazier

READ MORE.............................

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/palins-movement-urges-god_b_139987.html

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On 11/3/08 at 10:41 PM, saltair wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Duckwa - some say we wont notice the few cents per bottle we will pay in tax, but lets not forget the small business' already operating in an environment hostile to them that will have to pay the tax on syrups and whatnot that they use in fountain sodas. Also consider the above mentioned tax on health benefits and the very nature by which the tax was passed, a midnight party line vote with no chance for public comment. Not very democratic. I also believe Dirigo to be a failed program that will continue to blled the states coffers. There is no need to allow it to limp along.

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On 11/4/08 at 5:30 PM, RustyScupper wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mary Warner says Jim Tobin is the victim of the worst kind of partisan politics. The US Attorney in NH, overseeing the prosecution, is a political appointee of President Bush, the same party as Jim Tobin. All Republicans. That's very partisan indeed. Sleaze shouldn't be tolerated whether it's Democrat or Republican. By the way Mary, I know someone who sometimes volunteers to help build houses for Habitat for Humanity, not because he wants to, but because it looks good on his resume. Things are not always as they seem.

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