Immigration perspective
The immigration “issue” is a complex collection of problems, and I don’t pretend to fully understand it. However, from what I have read, I support the president’s effort to once again push for compassionate reform. The Republican reaction reminds me of 19th-century politics surrounding the immigration of Chinese into the country, folks who came to help build the Western railroads. Back then politicians and newspapers were ranting about the so-called “Yellow Peril” despite the hard and important work these folks were doing. Hostility toward immigrants isn’t just a Western American problem. I am sure many of us know and even remember that Mainers weren’t kind to the Irish or French Canadians who moved into Maine, also to work and to better their lives. It is again time to remember what the Statue of Liberty represents. (Ask yourselves, how many people want to emigrate to Russia, and which nation has more vitality?)
I hope our representatives in Congress can find a way to reach out to those on both sides of the aisle and help them to put immigration in historical perspective. I would really like to see Congress work toward compassionate, updated policies that embrace these folks and others yet to come, who want to better their lives and to make a contribution to our country.
Jim Owen
Belfast
Worker respect
For over a month, union workers have been on strike to keep good jobs here in Maine. Although both sides returned to the table earlier last week, FairPoint had no intention of working toward a compromise despite the multiple options the union has given. FairPoint makes statements about caring about its customers and providing good customer service, but its “contingency plan” backfired, and things are not working as smoothly as they would like the public to believe.
As a FairPoint customer, I expect skilled, knowledgeable employees to arrive and repair my phone or Internet issues in a timely manner. Unfortunately, that is not the case for many customers throughout New England; some of whom have been without service for days and weeks following a major snowstorm.
We as customers don’t deserve this type of treatment, and neither do the hardworking, local union workers who just want to get back to serving their customers. Please call the Maine Public Advocate or the Maine Public Utilities Commission to report telephone issues. Let’s get FairPoint to treat its customers and workers with some respect.
Tammy Cloutier
Kennebunk
Wild is wild
The front page of the Nov. 20 BDN featured a photo of a bear licking the face of the man who had raised it in a rehabilitation facility. I applaud the aims of the family in raising the wild animals. These animals should never be portrayed as pets and should always be regarded as wild. A second picture from the same article showed what was said the be a fallow deer at the same facility. It is not, in fact, a fallow deer but what I believe to be a red deer stag. A fallow deer is often spotted and has a different type of antler development — webbed antlers. Please, let’s get it right.
Jeff Weathersbee
Dover Foxcroft
Two sides
I must respond to Eric Collins’ diatribe against the U.S. military in his Nov. 19 BDN OpEd. Since the end of the draft there is a disconnect between civilians and the military that fosters a contempt for the American fighting man. The civilian does not have the knowledge of the possibility of being fired upon as the military man does. I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1963 and was sent to Korea to help keep the peace between the Chinese Communists and the South Koreans. We were a trip-wire force to buy time for the rest of our military to respond to attack. We succeeded, and South Korea is free today. I do not consider myself a hero, just someone doing a good for our country and the world. So, Collins, in his effort to educate his children, should remember that there are two sides to the coin.
Richard F. Dinsmore
Belfast
Part of the effort
Now is the right time for the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Park and National Recreation Area. There is nothing new about the idea of a national park in the Katahdin region. RESTORE and others have been pushing for the same for 30 years, but the size, often cast at millions of acres, and environmental purity of the proposals never got support beyond the environmental faithful. Enter Lucas St. Clair. He has done his homework and fashioned a concept that has garnered broad support. Instead of millions of acres, his national park would be 75,000 acres, paired with another 75,000-acre parcel he would offer up for snowmobiling and hunting, as well as non-motorized, non-game recreation. In addition, he has put together a financial package that answers the questions of costs and funding.
Studies show that national parks stimulate economic growth along with community vitality. Acadia National Park brought in $186 million in 2011 and supports 3,000 jobs. Nationwide our 59 national parks support 250,000 jobs and $13 billion are spent within 60 miles of them.
Local reluctance, historically the most adamant, is starting to soften as the economic options for the region shrink.
The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Park is essentially a gift Quimby Foundation is willing to give us, and the time has come to accept this gift. What remains is to demonstrate our interest to Congress. I believe now is the time, and I hope all Mainers can be part of this effort.
Steve Bien
Jay
Proud instructors
As a paramedic, as someone who teaches CPR and as a father and a grandfather, I hope Wade Shorey’s story of saving the three-month old baby girl last week inspires everyone in the state to take a CPR course. The skills aren’t that difficult, the course doesn’t that cost much, and you never know when life might throw you a curve ball and you will be called on to do something similar. Good job, Wade; you make us instructors proud.
Walter Plaut Jr.
Trescott