Christen destroyers
On April 12, the U.S. Navy and General Dynamics “christened” the first of three new destroyers being built at Bath Iron Works called the Zumwalt DDX-1000.
This new class of stealth destroyer is a weapon of mass destruction, capable of launching cruise missiles at targets hundreds of miles away, and it has lasers designed to shoot down aerial drones and electromagnetic rail guns that fire projectiles at hypersonic speeds. The costs of these three warships will be over $10 billion. It is the global crucifixion of Christ today.
We must stop building such naval Aegis weapons systems as the Zumwalt. We need to look seriously at the criminality behind the arms race at the expense of so many other real needs that are not being met in communities all over the world. It is a real crime against humanity and peace. The path to justice asks us to find a way to bring about the conversion of Bath Iron Works to peaceful purposes so it can build something that promotes life. Disarmament is our only hope to say no to war — which is what we must do if we love our Mother Earth and all who live upon her.
George and Maureen Kehoe-Ostensen
Hope
Honoring coaches
I grew up in the Gerry Hodge era. My dream as a kid was to play for him. Luckily for me, my dream came true, and my senior year we won Gerry’s first football championship at Bangor High School.
However, there was someone in the background who helped take us to the top. That man was coach Norris Nickerson. He had been a star player at Brewer High School and later left his mark on the turf at the University of Maine.
Gerry had a gift. He knew how to inspire his players and lift them up. The players gave their all because you knew that he was all in, heart and soul.
He bled maroon and white, and so did the players.
I am speaking for the multitude of men who will have great memories for the rest of their lives.
Thanks to Hodge and Nickerson — two great coaches and men.
Dale Reid
Bangor
Fat chance
The hamburger being touted by Bangor’s civic center, aka the Cross Center, with its half pound of burger, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, french fries and gravy and cheese curds, is a prime example of why there is so much obesity in this country.
A three-ounce burger with tomato, lettuce and onion and a bit of mayo is plenty of food for any one person.
Lannie Holt
Bangor
Pay attention
I just had a delivery of propane gas at my home. The price was $4.53 per gallon. I also just filled up my truck. The price was $3.76 per gallon.
I really wouldn’t mind paying these high prices if I felt everything was being done by our representatives in Washington, or at least the increases were being reported. I also can’t help but think back to when petroleum prices were going up under the Bush administration. There were allegations of corruption by the oil industry and price fixing and calls for Bush to negotiate lower prices with the oil cartels. Now I hear nothing from either Washington or the media.
The silence is deafening.
John Porter
Holden