Deer and bear
Tom Hennessey (BDN, Sept. 20) states that “Mainers can guard against conflicts with bears by voting for facts (science) rather than fiction.” He also states that “hunting bears with baits, hounds and traps is essential to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife achieving its publically derived bear population objective.” Further on, he states, “if bear numbers were to increase out of hand, the number of fawns killed by bears would increase, which wouldn’t bode well for deer herds struggling to recover.”
If Maine’s deer herds are struggling to recover (which you would question if you visited Hancock County, which is teeming with deer), why is it all right for the IF&W to allow deer hunting but still necessary to keep the bear population in check to protect our deer herds?
Hunting in Maine has long been an important part of the culture and economy of this state. IF&W (and Hennessey) must have a challenge dealing with the science of game animal populations while balancing the politics of hunting. It seems to me facts (science) and fiction (politics) can get mixed up pretty quickly.
Clifton Page
East Blue Hill
Debate trap
A question Maine voters must ask themselves is “Do we want a governor who achieves his ends by subterfuge?” For, in the recent flap over the energy forum that had been planned to showcase each gubernatorial candidate’s energy program, it is clear who was party to the “bait and switch” and who was not.
Both Gov. Paul LePage and Rep. Mike Michaud arrived in accordance with the original plan in which each was to speak at a given time. Eliot Cutler came early and was seen sitting alone at a table for three, as though his opponents were reluctant to join him.
Our governor acted wisely by refusing to take part in what had become a setup for a three-way debate for which only the person responsible for the change was prepared.
It doesn’t require a Ph.D. to discern which of the three devised and set the trap.
Patricia Egan
Sargentville
LePage’s verbal abuse
It has been heartening to hear Gov. Paul LePage speak out against domestic violence, though he seems remarkably oblivious to the ways verbal abuse fosters physical abuse. The governor regularly characterizes those who disagree with him as intellectually or morally defective, as idiots or evil. The message conveyed is that these are people flawed in their basic nature, not full human beings.
Such judgments are a form of violence and cause real injury. My guess is that the physical abuse LePage experienced as a child was often accompanied by such statements, which left wounds that are with him to this day.
Besides causing emotional harm, judging others to be less than fully human contributes to physical violence in several ways. Some individuals, particularly children, may take such words to heart and proceed to act in ways abusive to themselves and others just as they were told they would. Dehumanizing judgments also imply that some people don’t matter, so if they were to be injured or killed, nothing of value would be lost. And since the views of less than fully human beings are simply foolish or harmful, differences with them can’t be resolved by discussion or negotiation but only by coercion.
Verbal abuse begets physical abuse, and civil and respectful speech begets nonviolent behavior. The governor will show he is serious about stopping domestic abuse when he stops his own verbal abuse of others.
Stephen McKay
Orono
Right to hunt
For all practical reasons, the only way to harvest a bear in Maine is the use of a trap, hound or bait. There is no other way. So banning these methods is in fact banning bear hunting, period. That is the real goal of anti-hunters who belong to the Humane Society of the U.S. and groups like that — banning all hunting.
What arrogance. Because they do not like hunting, then everyone else should think as they do. Just who do they think they are? What meanness.
Many people in Maine depend on bear hunters from all over the country to help them economically. We have guides, lodge owners, motels, sports shops, restaurants, local grocery stores and even our Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that depend on bear hunters.
When you go to the polls in November and consider a vote to ban our bear hunt, just think about who you are hurting. Just think about who you are and what right you have to ignore other peoples’ beliefs as if your beliefs are the only beliefs. The fact is thousands of us love to hunt and pursue our game. We do not share your belief that killing game is inhumane. Isn’t it our right to think different than you? We sportsmen do not meddle in your affairs. We respect your beliefs. How about respecting ours, and voting not to ban others from enjoying their right to hunt?
Howard Cutler
Dixmont
Health plan foundation
I am a fifth-generation Mainer and an independent voter raised in Bangor. I grew up in a loving family that struggled to survive at the poverty line. My dad battled illness while my mom worked full time to make ends meet. A caring Bangor community and government assistance made sure I had a warm place to live, something to eat, a quality education and even Christmas presents, despite the circumstances. I got the chance to stay healthy, rise above the situation and give back as a doctor.
My Harvard medical training and work across the globe confirmed what I learned growing up — that conditions in which we live and work impact our health, way before we see a doctor.
The more we think about health as something that starts in our families, homes, schools and workplaces, not just something we get at the doctor’s office, the more opportunities we have to improve it.
Mike Michaud is the only candidate for governor who shows he understands health this way. His health plan helps Mainers keep their health, so we don’t have to pay so much trying to get it back.
Michaud’s 10-point plan starts with this foundation — making sure folks have food, housing, education and employment. It frames a strong structure, expanding access to care and focusing on prevention. And it drills down to find ways the state can improve quality while lowering costs. It’s the best plan for a long, healthy life for Mainers.
Elizabeth Cote Estrada MD, MPA
Bangor