Pray for understanding
It would be a great blessing if all the churches in Maine would open their doors for prayer on Wednesday, Nov. 4. With the charged atmosphere of the referendum on same-sex marriage, we need to be aware that a vote will not end this discussion and struggle.
May those who wish to repeal the rights of homosexuals to marry pause in prayer and hear the integrity of those who would wish to support this right — to understand that they find their meaning in the Bible, family values and are not just extremist liberals with a hidden agenda.
May those who wish to support the rights of homosexuals to marry pause in prayer and hear the integrity of those who would wish to repeal this right — to understand that they find their meaning in the Bible, family values and are not just extremist conservatives who hate gays.
We need to be as committed to praying for one another as we are campaigning against one another. There are larger issues lying beneath this political vote that also need to be addressed. There are devout people of God who love their Lord dearly on both sides of this issue and cannot lose sight that we are still brothers and sis-ters.
We are all going to have to continue living with one another and wrestling with the implications and ongoing changes that are molding our lives. Let us start with open doors of prayer.
Rev. Peter Jenks
Thomaston
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Bashing Barrett
How nice to have Bangor City Council members remind us that Bangor City Manager Ed Barrett is a gentleman; has a commitment to fiscal creativity and efficiency; has legendary writing and documentation skills; works hard; has integrity; has focused, friendly and patient responses to constituent issues; is a brilliant manager and that he has served Bangor extremely well for 22 years. Powerful accolades for a longtime, dedicated city servant.
Oh, but wait, these aren’t the reasons the Bangor City Council is keeping Mr. Barrett, they’re the reasons for letting him go — so we can move in a “different direction.”
If the direction the council wants to move in requires treating someone of Ed Barrett’s caliber in such a shameful manner, that’s a direction they should be ashamed to be moving in.
Pat Jenkins
Bangor
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Good work, Michaud
I want to thank Rep. Mike Michaud for what he is doing in Congress to reach a good solution for Maine on the health care issue.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is now preparing the draft legislation, which will be presented to the House for discussion and vote, hopefully soon. The speaker is a strong advocate for a public option that will create more competition between all insurers. She clearly has the support of the congressman.
In addition Michaud is working hard to make sure that the level of compensation from Medicare benefiting Mainers, not least for home care, is kept at the same levels as in the rest of the nation. On another important issue — requiring Medicare to negotiate the compensation levels for all medical services and drugs — Michaud also has a high profile.
Par Kettis
Castine
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Downtown Bangor rocks
The effects of the recession have been marked by the empty store fronts and “For Lease” signs around our downtown over the last few months (R.I.P., JB Parker’s). However, several of these shops now boast of new establishments.
Why isn’t the BDN writing about the recent resurgence in downtown Bangor nightlife?
Our downtown has suddenly been taken over by a wave of culinary talent and flourishing libations and gyrations (scorpion bowl anyone?). The Fiddlehead, Thai Lounge, Reverend Noble Pub, Ipanema Bar & Grill and late night dining at Giacomos all seem to have materialized in the last few months. And yet I’ve seen nothing reflected in my local daily newspaper to report on these new local businesses. Why?
Bangorians are reclaiming downtown once again (which, let us be honest, has been struggling for a while — after several campaigns to revitalize it) and the product is exceptional: unique, classy and downright scrumptious; hip venues for dancing on Main Street; and decent, affordable and edible food served past 9 p.m.! Perhaps this would not be newsworthy in Portland, but in Bangor it is and we ought to celebrate the energy and liveliness these local businesses bring to our city!
Eleanor Seitz
Bangor
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Comments damaging
Recently, the BDN’s theater critic wrote on the production of “West Side Story” performed at Husson University. While I do not know whether or not a performer was poor or outstanding from a professional perspective, I do know about the harm perpetuated by her comment that the lead actress’ costume did nothing to slender-ize her figure.
A comment such as this is an unfortunate reflection of our society’s seemingly sole focus on how we look rather than on who we are or whether or not we are healthy. I have a variety of roles in my life, one of which is as a licensed psychologist and eating disorder specialist. Comments such as these are damaging.
In this case, the performer herself may or may not have been affected (I do not know her), but how many people read this and thought, “I don’t ever want to have people comment on me like that!”
And how many will internalize this to such an extent that they will go to extreme, unhealthy and potentially deadly lengths to ensure others won’t see them that way? Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. This is “only” one comment, but it was a comment “heard” by thousands and accepted as being publishable by this newspaper.
We want to read what will inform us rather than potentially harm us.
Please consider acknowledging the potential damage comments like these can have.
Christine Selby
Orono
Wal-Mart strategy
Wal-Mart continues to say it doesn’t hurt small business, but it put a full-page ad in the Bangor Daily News stating it will match all sales fliers. How can we as Mainers support killing what we have been about, small business? It’s your choice; I just hope everyone knows the dangers of putting all of our eggs in one big box. Now they want to be agency liquor stores. Where will it stop?
Claustin Lawrence
Holden