Trump’s rage
The reason many people — including women — like Donald Trump is because he appears angry most of the time. It is not necessarily that we like everything he stands for or has said. It is that he shows us the anger he has toward politics. And so do we.
We are angry at Democrats who have allowed their once-proud party to be overrun by liberal socialists. We are angry at the gutless, conciliatory Republican establishment that doesn’t uphold the Constitution and trades votes for personal profit. We are angry at the media that promote opinions over facts, insult our common sense and underestimate our intelligence.
We are angry at public education, which refuses to teach practical skills needed with trade skills. We are angry they don’t consider our military, police and those who put their lives on the line to protect us worthy of respect.
We are angry that America, its history and culture constantly are being attacked by those who don’t understand our ancestors’ sacrifice. We are angry our tax money is squandered on foreign aid to those who express hatred and animosity toward us. We are angry illegal immigrants come into this country and take our jobs.
A real change is coming. The pendulum is swinging. And it is long overdue
David Belanger
Old Town
Comedian’s take on race
I read the Aug. 12 BDN article about a comedian’s view of racism in Maine. Speaking as a horrible, racist, nasty, worthless white person, he might get his wish that whites will become a minority. The problems still will be the same. He is a victim now, though.
Why come to Maine at all? Was there no value to anything here? I left an area near the nation’s capital that was nothing but racism, assumed racism, deceit, political correctness and came here. Yes, I am white, which is nothing to be ashamed of.
The victim of the article, I am guessing, got a good education, in many ways, during his stay at Bowdoin College. I wish him well and am glad he is looking forward to becoming a majority. He and others who have “victim” or “minority” status will have all of the answers then, won’t they?
Sherry Langevin
Bucksport
Rockland council’s bad faith
The Aug. 17 BDN article about the city of Rockland and Rockland Energy Center LLC signing an option for the company to purchase City Hall and public services garage properties for the construction of a natural gas plant uncovers an incredible case of bad faith by Rockland city officials toward the people and local economy they allegedly serve.
The public has many questions that need to be answered.
This gas-burning plant would be 150 feet from the city’s Little League field, the elementary and middle schools; their classrooms, track, fields and playgrounds would be directly downwind of the plant’s acidic carbon fumes. The concerns of parents ought to have been heard?
Lobstermen wondering what the constant ocean acidification from the fumes will visit on the Mussel Ridge’s shallows ought to have been allowed to speak up for their livelihoods. Larval lobsters of New England’s top lobster ground crowd the shallows and will get gill burn from the power plant’s low pH breath every high-pressure air day. I guess that will be good for Massachusetts lobstermen.
Let’s hope good sense prevails and a BDN article will be headlined, “Rockland, company abandon controversial natural gas plant plan.”
Ron Huber
Rockland
Asylum seekers
Jonette Christian’s Aug. 16 OpEd should have begun with a more careful distinction between “immigrants” and “asylum seekers.” The group Christian heads, Mainers for Sensible Immigration Policy, is dedicated to cutting down immigration for a variety of reasons and primarily by political means. It clearly would like to have the public believe there are many immigrants who have entered the country fraudulently.
For someone to gain “asylum seeker” status, he or she first is given a quick, verbal review. Persons who fail that review are held for deportation; those who pass fill out a lengthy application and are scheduled for a later, in-depth review. Christian’s claim is that many people pass the initial review and eventually fail to gain refugee status. The system is designed to have that result: It is designed to turn away out of hand only those who obviously don’t need protection.
Robert Tredwell
Orono
Who does Poliquin represent?
Perhaps the most important and obvious rule of good government is that elected officials should not benefit from the industries they regulate. U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin serves on the Financial Services Committee, also referred to as the House Banking Committee, which oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking and housing industries. We all know Poliquin made his vast fortune working in this industry, but he works for us now, right?
Wrong.
While he covers his tracks with several “small dollar” donors from Maine, the majority of his campaign funds are from out-of-state individuals and giant banks. In fact, during his first six months in office, Poliquin has received contributions from Bank Of America, American Express, Barclays, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and the Koch brothers. Who is Poliquin, and who does he really represent?
E. Jeff Barnes
Bangor
Rockland rules Maine cuisine
I have been visiting midcoast Maine for many years and make my summer home here now. One of the great joys in the vacationland is the many fine choices for dining. Bangor, Belfast, Rockland, Rockport and Camden offer many experiences, ranging from family dining to haute cuisine. It always has been my view that Camden had the lion’s share of the best dining offerings. Until this year.
It started last year, with several additions that went well beyond the traditional seafood menus, but this year has seen some makeovers, defections of location and brilliant additions that combine to create a critical mass of quality restaurant enjoyment that has pushed Rockland to the top of the class.
I used to feel Rockland was a good second or third choice for an enjoyable meal out. My goodness, has that ever changed. Rockland’s dining scene sets the new standard for excellence on the midcoast. Take a bow, entrepreneurs, chefs and wait staffs, for raising the quality bar.
Ralph Wallace
Rockport