College student bashing

I was taken aback when I read the article “A topless statement,” in the May 1-2 edition of the BDN. Regardless of my view on equality, I feel Sen. Walter Gooley owes college students an apology.

Gooley says he sees the topless debate as a morality issue. “The way our society is going today, we seem to be losing our dignity … It’s basically the college communities that are where something like this is happening,” according to Gooley.

Enough is enough. We are living in the 21st century and such rhetoric has fallen to the wayside. The days of politicians blaming college students for the things they disagree with should be gone. After all, college students are merely products of the generations that came before them.

I also am appalled by Rep. Lance Harvell’s comments. He said he feared women involved in the April 30 protest would regret taking part, saying of Andrea Simoneau, the organizer of the protest, “Someday, she’s going to get what’s coming to her.”

Since when do politicians have the right to make baseless claims and threats? It is this archaic reasoning that gives fuel to the Tea Party movement and helps to add to the disconnect many Americans feel when it comes to politics. The way to encourage voters is not to threaten them like Harvell or make such false over generalizations as Gooley.

Shaun M. O’Malley

Machias

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Rowe uniquely qualified

I am writing to express concern over the lack of interest being shown in the gubernatorial primary and in hopes of encouraging people to more actively support the candidacy of Steve Rowe.

This election is important. Maine citizens face many challenges and the person we choose for our next governor will have the opportunity to solve problems and create a more vibrant community.

Steve has long espoused the importance of early childhood education. He doesn’t argue for it as the “feel good” right thing to do, although he believes that. He focuses instead on the positive economic impact that quality preschool can bring, with kids who thrive in school and get good jobs, pay taxes and contribute to society rather than getting involved in chronic unemployment, alcoholism, prison, drug abuse, etc. and being a drain on society.

Steve’s focus is on finding root problems and putting our money and energies there to solve them. He, like many of us, is tired of throwing money at remediation after problems have manifested themselves. It is this passion for problem solving, whether it be jobs, the economy, education or business, that will make Steve a great governor.

His background as a West Point graduate and officer, an MBA with vast business experience, a legislator who knew how to bring people together to solve problems, and eight years as Maine’s attorney general makes him uniquely qualified to be our next governor.

Pam Siewers

Sedgwick

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New drug treatment

I am deeply saddened to read the current youth drug use statistics in Penobscot County “Bangor won’t add drug survey,” March 18. Even if the Bangor school district will not agree to participate in this year’s survey, it is apparent there is great need for effective treatment intervention for Maine’s troubled youth who engage in risky drug use.

A modern treatment approach that might benefit youth is Motivational Interviewing. MI is a counseling technique that focuses on developing a positive therapeutic relationship free from judgment. MI allows the opportunity for youth to engage in discussion and works with fluctuation in thoughts, feelings and choices. Most importantly, MI provides direction so youth can feel empowered to make change through inherent motivation — not imposed by anyone but themselves.

MI has the potential to work because it is flexible in design and is not authoritarian. MI can supplement existing treatment methods that educate and provide useful tools as well as become the sole method of treatment.

As Maine and other states are spending a tremendous amount of money funding various treatment programs, it can only be wise to consider Motivational Interviewing as a cost-effective approach to healing Maine’s troubled youth.

Holly Briggs

Pittsfield

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Never say never

I am amazed at myself. I have recently enrolled in the Republican Party for the first time. I’ve been voting religiously for over 40 years.

Why did I switch? I am eager to volunteer for Bill Beardsley’s campaign for governor. I haven’t worked on anyone’s campaign since Jerry Brown made a presidential bid.

Why do I favor Beardsley? I have observed with interest his long career as president of Husson College. He has brought it through to university status and from what I’ve seen and heard, Husson is one of the most dynamic campuses in Maine and even New England.

I believe that Beardsley is an exceptional leader. He is a magnet for attracting talented, intelligent people. He is a keen, avid listener and guides the development of good ideas into realities. Add his acute sense of humor and humble ego to the mix, and we will be in for some great new solutions to all of society’s problems.

Linda Best

Belfast

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Arizona experience

Having enjoyed a few winter months in Phoenix in a senior mobile home community, I am puzzled by the exaggerated negative response to the governor’s bill on immigration. So often, the phrase “No habla Inglese” was the response when I’d ask a question in a grocery or department store that I’ve become rather out of patience with legal-illegal aliens. A salesperson in a large food store told me Mexico once owned Arizona and California and would do so again. Well …

The near universal complaints about how the U.S. is infringing on the so-called rights of illegal aliens are puzzling. But they certainly are loud. I guess people just like to get out on a nice spring day and holler and wave placards and scream epithets at Uncle.

It’s becoming tiresome, though.

Margharetta E. Beitzell

Bangor

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The job promise

The latest raft of candidates for governor are promising jobs, jobs, jobs. Already they have their heads buried in the sand. Jobs left Maine many years ago when big business took the flourishing shoe-making industry and the thriving textile industry to places where big business could make big profits without having to pay big taxes, medical benefits and paid vacations.

Now big business can reap big bonuses and build golden parachutes, while the laborers work without benefits and for a pittance compared to what big business would have had to pay its employees had it stayed in Maine. The loyal workers who enabled big business to succeed are left with empty hands and no jobs.

The tourist trade is seasonal, but people have to eat year round. Don’t be fooled by empty promises. Demand that these parvenus show exactly how they are going to “create” jobs.

Rita M. Souther

Camden