Battling drugs
Attorney General Janet Mills deserves applause for her efforts in joining a multi-state task force to reduce trafficking and the abuse of drugs (heroin, in particular) that find their way into our state. Richard Dillihunt’s March 11 OpEd, “Death by heroin from Ohio to Caribou,” shared the heart-wrenching story of the loss of two young lives from the use of this insidious drug.
A young friend was lured into the drug culture a few years ago. Infection in her foot caused enough pain for an emergency room visit. Doctors advised strong antibiotics and surgery to replace an infected heart valve. Without the surgery she would die. If she survived the open-heart procedure and continued her drug habit, the prognosis was the same.
She survived the recommended surgery, but her life expectancy is drastically reduced because, according to physicians, “Valve replacement is a one shot deal that will give you about 10 years.” She’s 24.
Both Mills efforts and Dillihunt’s OpEd are a good start at, hopefully, turning the tide.
Brenda Means
Brooklin
Raw milk is safe
I raise a small herd of dairy goats as breeding stock. The goat kids are my crop, and milk is in abundance, more than I can possibly use. The state would have me dump all that milk rather than sell or barter it to my friends and neighbors. Yet, my neighbors know me and my animals, know that my family drinks that milk, and would like to buy it.
At the public hearing on two raw milk bills, large dairy farms and milk distributors were out in force to tell the state how passing these bills would increase the risk of “outbreaks.” The opposition is not about food safety, since the chances of illness from drinking raw milk — real milk — are about one in 1 million. The Maine Cheese Guild even testified that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
I couldn’t agree more. Until 2009, we were allowed to sell our milk on the farm, face to face. Then the overseeing agency changed and reinterpreted the rules. The law did not change. There had been no “outbreaks,” no public health emergencies from raw milk, no reason to be concerned about the milk that was sold or otherwise shared by on-farm sales.
Passing one of these bills, LD 229 or LD 312, with reasonable restrictions such as on-farm sales only, would not be a real change. It would only recognize that Maine has allowed such sales in the past and restore the policy to what it has always been.
Joy Metcalf
Northport
Mercy for animals
The March 14 BDN article “Life lessons, through trapping” offers the perversely romanticized perspective of only the trapper, not the hunted animal. It’s too bad that the beauty of the accompanying photos failed to show the ugly reality of an animal held fast against its will, gasping for breath and struggling until it drowns beneath the ice. Animals want to live just as much as we do.
It is possible to enjoy the outdoors and learn just as many life lessons without the unnecessary brutality of killing animals, as do people who enjoy the peace of nature photography, bird-watching, animal tracking and camping. Teaching children to torture and kill creatures in the name of parent-child bonding would be better supplanted by family involvement in local animal shelters, wildlife refuges or other charitable organizations that help children learn about the lives of animals. Among the life lessons learned would be the choice of mercy over misery and compassion over cruelty.
Wendy Andresen
Camden
Obamas’ two planes
Today was a bad day. I finished and sent my taxes to the IRS. When I got home, I was made aware of how my money is being spent. I read that President Barack Obama and the first lady took two planes to the west coast on the same day to be a part of TV shows known for humor.
Somehow it appears that I may have missed the coronation that might allow such travel at the expense of the taxpayer. It is my understanding that the country is operating at a huge deficit. I just hope that my tax contribution helped fill those two gas tanks.
Walt Huffman
Old Town
One permit to carry
With the recent increased interest in concealed carry of handguns, both in this state and nationwide, readers may be interested in a new bill introduced by Sen. Paul Davis of Piscataquis County. LD 868 would increase the recognition of Maine permits in other states and also other states’ permits in Maine. His bill would make concealed handgun permits more like driver licenses, which are recognized in all 50 states.
LD 868 is a common-sense piece of legislation that would not change any of the processes or restrictions already placed on concealed handgun permits. LD 868 would make it easier for Grandpa to protect himself in Florida on vacation or over the winter, without the need to get multiple permits in multiple states.
This small piece of legislation is one I think many different types of voters can get behind. Please ask your legislators to stand behind LD 868.
Lawrence DuBien
Greenville
Willette wrong for Maine
I was dismayed and embarrassed when I read that Maine was once again the focus of nationwide disapproval because of the racist Facebook posts of Sen. Michael Willette. I have always been very proud of my home state’s live and let live attitude. I grew up in Waldo County in the 1970s, where back-to-the-landers from away rubbed elbows with generational farmers whose families had been there since before we were a nation. Neighbors helped neighbors, regardless of where they were born and how long they had lived there. When our house burned, nobody stopped to ask if we were from Maine before they opened their doors to us that cold February night, nor when they opened their closets to give us clothing, housewares and toys.
I have every confidence the same would have been true had our skin been brown instead of pink. In fact, I have every confidence the same would be true for this black-hearted bigot.
I have signed the petition calling for his resignation and hope that my neighbors will, too. Regardless of your political affiliation, we don’t need this kind of bigotry anywhere within our borders and certainly not representing us in Augusta.
Rachel Booker
Bangor