No to anti-Semitism
On behalf of the education committee of the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, I am responding to the recent Nazi anti-Semitic swastikas and other graffiti spray-painted on Beth Israel and Beth Abraham synagogues in Bangor. At this time, we do not know whether this is an isolated act of anti-social ignorance and bigotry or whether it expresses a more serious problem of anti-Semitism in our community. In any case, both the contents and targets of this abhorrent act make clear that it is a hate crime, and those responsible should be brought to justice.
As active members of the Peace and Justice Center, we are dedicated to educating ourselves and others about the many forms of violence, intolerance, hatred, oppression and injustice. We work with others to create communities in Maine, our nation and the world that express values of nonviolence, peace, compassion, love and justice. We know only too well from the horrific lessons of history that anti-Semitism is a humanly caused cancer. When decent human beings are not vigilant and remain silent and uninvolved, we become complicit, and the results are sick societies with unspeakable suffering and death.
We express our solidarity with the members of Beth Israel and Beth Abraham synagogues, with the entire Jewish community and with all Mainers who are dedicated to preventing and eliminating anti-Semitism and transforming our lives and communities toward greater tolerance, mutual respect, peace and justice.
Doug Allen
Orono
Republican Party platform
The major parties’ platforms, although seldom examined by the general electorate, reveal much about the respective souls of the parties. It is urged that every prospective voter read both major parties’ platforms. These platforms are available online. Only then can the consequences of voting to put a party in power in Augusta be determined.
The Republican platform, when seen through my eyes, is best characterized as being harsh, intolerant and authoritarian. However, because of space limitations, only one 2012 Republican platform plank will be examined. This plank should be of deep concern to all Maine voters, both Democrat and Republican.
Art. II-b of the Republican platform states, “Reassert the principle that ‘Freedom of Religion’ does not mean ‘freedom from religion.’” This assertion should give pause to a thoughtful person as to what would be the meaning of not possessing “freedom from religion.”
Does it mean a person must have a religion? Does it mean citizens are subject to the state preaching religious dogma at civic events? Does it mean that religious dogma will be foisted on our children in schools? What and whose dogma will the state mandate? If the Brave New World envisioned by the drafters is enacted, will atheism and agnosticism be outlawed? The questions could go on and on.
Perhaps local Republican State Senate and House candidates will clarify their positions on this platform plank.
Stephen Melchiskey
Camden
Graffiti shock
I was shocked to read your article about the graffiti that was painted on two of the three Jewish synagogues in Bangor. I would like to add my voice to the thousands in this community who are outraged by this type of behavior.
My sentiment to my Jewish friends in this area is to consider the source: ignorance. We should not have to be reminded of the dastardly actions of the Nazis of the World War II era. I am chagrined by this type of conduct, especially at this time of year, close to the Jewish high holy day of Yom Kippur.
Ed Armstrong
Hampden
Fight for freedom
I support Republican Sam Canders for District 15 of the Maine House of Representatives for a few reasons. First, I believe Canders’ combat veteran status proves his devotion to the seven Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
These principles are the cornerstones of any veteran’s life and are values that would well serve the people of District 15 and Maine. Secondly, Canders understands the importance of protecting individual rights, property rights, the Constitution and ensuring that the people of Maine get to keep the fruits of their own labor.
I also believe his international, and intranational, experience as a serviceman and pilot gives him invaluable insight into the issues the country, and Maine, is facing.
Freedom isn’t free, and as the representative for District 15, Canders will fight for our freedom now and for generations to come.
Cody Morgan
Exeter
Thank a government
I am five months pregnant with my first child. I recently received my MaineCare insurance card in the mail and cried with relief.
Regardless of where you stand on the entitlement debate, I would like to thank my fellow Maine taxpayers, the Legislature and Gov. Paul LePage for their continued support of women and children.
Jenny Tibbetts
Jackson
2012 decision
Many of you know I’m not a partisan guy. I don’t cast my vote based on party politics.
For all the years that I’ve been honored to serve the people in District 2, I’ve always tried to do what was right for you, even if it meant breaking with party leaders.
That’s why I was very surprised to see an attack on me that incorrectly said I voted for a Democratic tax reform package that was repealed by voters two years ago. The truth is I split with my party then and voted against that tax reform package — not once but twice.
It’s hard to understand why anyone would blatantly lie about my record. The best explanation I can think of is that Republicans want to distract people from their poor record on job creation. Maine has 54,000 people looking for work. Nationally, we are one of only a handful of states where the economy slid backwards last year. While all of our neighboring states are emerging from the recession, Maine is still losing hundreds of jobs.
While Republicans promised job creation, they haven’t delivered. Instead, we’ve seen them pass huge tax cuts for the rich, undercut teachers and our public schools and allow insurance companies to raise rates by 500 percent more on middle-aged Mainers, especially in rural places.
People in District 2 can always count on me to stand up for them and to tell the truth.
Rep. Ken Theriault
D-Madawaska
Ken Theriault:
You should know by now that republicans will tell any lie that serves them – and it doesn’t bother them one bit if they are confronted with the truths about their lies.
They have become a party of stone cold sociopaths.
Throw them all out this November.
Yessah.
Rep Theriault’s voting record is quite dismal he is clearly the property of the liberal special interest groups.
Theriault voted NO on the following: Free Market Health Insurance Reform, Charter School Bill, Restructure DHHS, MEA Health Insurance Reform/Property Tax Relief, Tree Growth Program Tax Reform, Repeal “Informed Growth Act,” Unemployment Reform, Clean Elections System Constitutionality Reform Bill, Workers Compensation Reform Bill, and he also voted NO on the Sturctural Welfare Reform DHHS Budget.
Theriault voted YES on the following: Maintain Hydro Electricity Cap
Quite a dismal record indeed and a strict partisan who appears to be taking his marching orders directly from the Pelosi/Reid/Cain regime.
The next time you see your electric bill rise, you can thank Rep Theriault for voting to maintain the 100 MW cap on cheap and clean hydro power.
Thank you for nothing Mr. Theriault and I hope every single one of your constituents reads this and becomes aware of your voting record against the Maine people.
Still not answering local prejudices and ugliness. Spiraling out to Pelosi is so lame and cheap. And I am not a liberal, Pelosi is part of the problem. So are you clearly.
Pelosi is part of the problem and so is Theriault for being a strict partisan hack.
That list looks a lot like boilerplate model bills ALEC hands off to Republican legislators (I believe all the Democrats have left ALEC). So I would applaud him for those votes cast. The man has integrity. Which of course means that those who voted for them do not. Plain and simple. VOTE ALEC OUT!!!!
Jenny, you should be thanking yourself and the father of your child. If you cant thank yourself and the father for paying for the expense of having a child, then you are not ready to have children yet
Jenny, with free birth control available, you decided to have a child knowing full well that you couldn’t afford it in the first place?
Should we assume that we will also be responsible for feeding, clothing, sheltering, and educating your child?
Do you know what “personal responsibility” means?
I hope that you don’t loose a well paying job in the next 9 months and have your financial circumstances change. While I certainly don’t know why Jenny needs Maine Care, I suspect that you don’t either and are making one of those oh-so-common assumptions about people needing assistance.
Maybe the assumption is because that is the “oh-so-common” reason.
What do you think a good reason is?
A failure of birth control followed by a decision not to elect an abortion would be a good reason that she will soon give birth.
The provisions of the ACA relating to no co-pays for birth control apply only to those who have insurance coverage. When she became pregnant, those provisions were not even in place.
I hope you are out there demanding mandatory abortions. Would you have a mother and child starve or be denied health care?
Cody Morgan: I agree wholeheartedly that Sam Canders is going to represent the people of District 15 in Bangor very well. He understands the issues that face Mainers, and will be “Sam on the spot” to work for what is right for us.
Perhaps the graffiti was the work of young people who had just learned how to make the signs and wanted to practice? Perhaps it was the work of protestors who want to incite reactions and chaos in Bangor? ACORN’s organizations have been changed in name only, but they are still receiving money from the taxpayers illegally–ask questions before inciting anything.
You’re kidding right? ACORN has nothing to do with locally taught prejudices……that’s a classic tea party “I don’t have an answer so I’ll blame something else” move. Do you really want to go on record for this statement?
“I don’t have an answer so I’ll blame something else”
You mean like Obama for the past 3 1/2 years.
Snort, well yeah, that would be your answer. Since you forgot where the real blame lies….with earlier administrations, and we, the people, who happily went along.
Deflection to cover up a baldfaced flight from reason. The only way you can defend 4life?
Your comment is satire, right?
I doubt it. If satire, the writer should so state.
Huh!
Mr. Melchiskey, too many Republicans would support a Constitutional amendment declaring the USA to be a Christian nation. The Christianity they endorse is a curious amalgam: it supports wars, particularly on Muslim nations, believes in the death penalty, celebrates fetal life and cares not a whit for a newborn baby. Note the poster today who is upset that a mother and child will be eligible for Mainecare. Better that they have no health care than that his taxes go up by a few cents.
Doug A, Stephen M, Ed A.: good letters.
Jenny Tibbetts
Welcome to the entitlement treadmill.
From now on, you will be encouraged not to support yourself and your child so that the government you are beholden to will be able to grow and gain more of the power that they now hold over you.
You will not be able to work because the benefits that you are about to recieve will be just a little bit more than what you can make by supporting yourself, and your self esteem will drop another notch.
This is the scenario that most likely will occur……or not.
It’s up to you; Government orphan or proud, self supporting American.
Your choice.
Health care should not be held to the highest bidder. Society was established so all people could supply their gift to those who need them. Why is is only those who can afford it get it. BTW I am an educated, self supporting woman with healthcare not mainecare but i still believe all people should have healthcare. Why should doctors hold their knowledge from those who need it.
Please.
Please, feel free to spend your hard earned dollars for this woman’s poor lack of reproductive planning.
I care not to.
I was married with three children when I got divorced. My husband was ordered to pay healthcare. He cancelled it without my knowledge My youngest was ill and I had to take Mainecare because I was self employed and could not get healthcare. He also stopped paying support. I am now an educated professional and have my own healthcare. My need for mainecare was not because of poor planning. It was because of an ignorant man. My hard earned dollars can goto the poor as long as they are trying to help themselves.
I don’t want my tax dollars going to roads for selfish idjets to drive on. but it still happens
They call Obama a socialist…I know he isnt but…socialism is much better than a theocracy. Isnt that why we came to America in the first place to get away from a theocracy?
This is why we need to make birth control free, and very easily accessible Heck mail to peoples houses. We also need to make abortions free and very easily accessible as well. It will pay great dividends in the long run just on the crime savings alone. Also we are growing as as a population and need to start to control it. We do that by making sure people are not having unwanted babies, allows the couple to make that decision and make sure they have all the birth control the need to cut down on having to make a difficult decision. If someone gets pregnant they should be able to decide if they want to go to term, if not they can get a free easily accessible abortion. Getting rid of entitlements and then making it hard to get abortions is just breeding for disaster.
Stephen Melchiskey, great letter.
We the citizens of this country have to be ever vigilant in protecting us from dominance by or for any religion. The history of the world is covered in blood spilt in the name of one or more gods and their many variations. We are free to worship as we see fit but we should not be allowed to dictate anyone elses religious affiliation or lack there of.
Wait a second, that sounds anti-semitic, go get em boys.
Mr. Allen’s outrage concerning desecration of synagogues exhibits decency. There is no religion in the US not at some point affected by such desecration. Google Mosque to see the same garbage. All know what happened to the poor Sikh community in Michigan. Who can forget the Black Church arson a few years back? Religious buildings, for reasons of traffic & convenience, are put together by zoning; when one religious building is defaced, everyone in the whole area feels less comfortable simply because the next victim might be the building’s neighbor. Needed are neighborhood watch committees formed by the differing religions to ensure everyone has the ability to go to Church, Synagogue, Temple, or Mosque, worship God as they please, & return home without emotional trauma.