Headline news
Some days one feels especially lucky to be living in Maine. Especially with these two headlines from the Sept. 9 BDN: 1) ”Inspector: Clogged drains spurred Lincoln office mold”. (Thank heavens the culprit was found) and 20 “Man accused of stealing Dunkin Donuts sign”. (I suppose you’d think it more serious if it was your sign).
Ron Shelden
Bass Harbor
Tabloid journalism
Generally speaking, if a journalist has nothing substantial to add to the public’s knowledge of a situation, it would better to say nothing. Bill Trotter’s blog post “‘Buddha’ Busted: The downfall of a Maine seafood dealer,” is a shining example of something that has no business being published. After admitting that he has little knowledge of Chris Byers personally, he offers what precious little he does know. And what he does know is essentially what the rest of us already know by now. To wit, that in 2007, Byers illegally harvested scallops and as a result, is now heading to prison. Rather old news wouldn’t you say?
This is a non-story which adds nothing to the sum of public knowledge about Byers personally or his legal situation. It hints at the complexity of Byers life but only to ask, as if gossiping at a bingo table, “Who woulda thunk? That a successful, self-made guy would be capable of something like that?”
But the deed has long ago been done and Byers is now headed to prison. Such reporting can scarcely count as anything but tabloid journalism.
Durin Chappe
Sullivan
Corporate warfare
President Barack Obama is the fourth consecutive president to bomb Iraq. As he made clear by beginning airstrikes on Syria during the August recess of Congress, and again in his speech on Sept. 10, the executive branch of government now wages war without the consent of the governed or their representatives.
Those who think there is any significant difference between the Democrat and Republican parties are fooling themselves. Ask the children being killed by bombs dropped to fight ISIS — a force the U.S. has been equipping and training for the last several years — if they see any difference.
The people don’t want another war in Iraq or Syria, but the corporations do. It is quite clear which group the federal government now represents.
Lisa Savage
Solon
Collins best choice
The first leg of Sen. Susan Collins’ recent bus tour gave proof to what opinion polls have been telling us: that Mainers in overwhelming numbers appreciate their senior senator, her values, her integrity and her dedication to her job representing their interests in the U.S.Senate. I was fortunate enough to join her at a bus stop and was amazed at the horn honking and in-person enthusiasm demonstrated – even in those busy last days of August – by local residents as they drove by and stopped to chat. Their endorsements were clear: Collins is a person they trust to stand up for Maine and the USA.
For my vote, Collins is the highest and best choice to return to the Senate from the state of Maine in November.
Leslie Anderson
Saco
Flip flop Michaud
Will the real Mike Michaud please stand up. First, he was pro-life. Now he’s pro-choice. First, he voted against the homosexual agenda. Now, he supports that agenda. He was a protégé and roommate of former Maine House Speaker John Martin, who was very involved in creating a corrupt culture in Augusta. That’s the very culture that Gov.Paul LePage is trying to reform. Now Mike wants to be governor presumably so he can clean up the mess he helped to create.
First, he was a proponent of “fair trade.” Now, he’s a protectionist. He was a conservative “blue dog” Democrat. Now, he’s a reliable rubber stamp vote for the Obama agenda. Remember Obamacare? Michaud voted for and continues to support it.
First, he was opposed to Roxanne Quimby’s plan to make northern Maine into a national park. Now, there’s a TV commercial running extolling Michaud’s virtues featuring a spokesperson none other than Yemaya St.Clair, the daughter-in-law of Quimby.
I guess the most charitable thing that can be said about Michaud is that he must feel strongly supportive on both sides of every issue.
Porter D. Leighton
Falmouth
No outrage in Houlton
I write to clarify a Sept. 10 BDN headline “Outrage expressed over proposed fee increase for digging graves for cremated remains in Houlton,” that speaks of my temperament. I was not outraged when I addressed the Houlton Town Council. I am disappointed that I was perceived as such by the reporter. I firmly believe my conduct was not one of an “extremely strong reaction of anger, shock or indignation,” as outrage is defined.
While my wife and I did lose a son last September, we are at peace and would never allow feelings of outrage to cloud our memories. The reference to Daniel was but anecdotal.
Missed in the reported article was our desire to make four grave sites in our family plot available to poor and destitute Maine Freemasons who wished to be cremated. These plots will go unused as the remaining Rhodas wish to be cremated. We believe that such would be Daniel’s wish rather than have them go unused when 25 to 35 people can be provided a final resting place among their own.
My sole reason for speaking up about the cost of an opening for a cremation urn was to help those who are to come with financial need. If my remarks did not come with the civility I intended, I apologize. There was no outrage intended towards the town of Houlton and its cemetery department.
Richard Rhoda
Houlton
Missing TV Down East
Why are NBC, CBS, and PBS not required to supply sufficient TV transmission power to reach those of us in Washington County who use antennas? We did what we were told to do. We bought and installed converter boxes. What a joke. I have not seen an NBC show in years. I sometimes am able to receive CBS and PBS, but they are getting to be more and more remote. Some investigative reporting would be helpful.
Ann Ivins
Milbridge
Fire ants vs. ISIS
I have determined the best and probably least expensive method to permanently destroy the members of ISIS would be to fill large military aircraft with the fire ants that are found in Eastport and I am sure other “lucky” communities and drop them from a close distance all over the terrorists. If they were not dead, they would at least be very miserable. We would need to make sure that antibiotic/anti-itch creams are not available.
Military personnel: Are you listening?
Harriett Real
Eastport