Penalties discourage poachers
I want to thank Hancock County District Attorney Matt Foster and the Maine Warden Service for their impressive multiyear investigation and prosecution of Ralph Fowler, who pleaded guilty to a charge of cruelty to animals and numerous hunting violations. Fowler has repeatedly exploited our cherished wildlife and endangered public safety, and I am glad justice was served.
Unfortunately, poachers usually receive mere fines for what are often repeated violations and often no cruelty charges are filed, even when appropriate. Wildlife officials estimate that poachers kill just as many animals as legal hunters. Yet, with limited resources and many acres of land to cover, only 1 percent to 5 percent of poached animals ever come to the attention of state wildlife agencies. Strong penalties, such as those brought down on Fowler, are crucial for deterring poaching activities and bringing these criminals to justice.
I hope this case will make other poachers think twice before putting the future of our wildlife at risk for their own gain.
Diana de los Santos
Bar Harbor
Bangor’s local talent
On May 6, I attended the Bangor Area Children’s Choir performance at St. John’s Episcopal Church. What a nice evening I had along with what appeared to be a full house. These young people performed beautifully as the director Robert Ludwig led them in song.
A few weeks earlier, I attended the annual presentation of “Off Broadway,” sponsored by the Rotary Club, at Peakes Auditorium, which was equally as enjoyable. And then there is the Bangor Band, which I enjoy regularly all year long.
All of these are local talent and provide such a service to our community and deserve much credit for their hard work. There are many other groups that work very hard to provide service and entertainment for us.
When we hear so much negativity these days, we must not forget that we have many positive attractions from young and old who are very good examples to all of us.
Bill Hogan
Veazie
Clinton investigation a whitewash
Hillary Clinton supporters have to be aware that she is under investigation by the FBI. Nevertheless, they exude confidence that no evidence of criminal activity will be uncovered. This conviction is enforced by her demonstrated cavalier attitude on the campaign trail and protestations of any wrongdoing, whenever the matter is raised.
The investigation is creeping along at a snail’s pace. This suggests the FBI is either oblivious of the political repercussions that the outcome of its investigation will have on the current presidential campaign or it is engaged in concocting a plausible rationale to clear Clinton of any wrongdoing. Is FBI Director James Comey hesitant to render a legal decision regarding Clinton’s liability until a politically opportune time?
If sufficient evidence is uncovered to recommend a criminal referral to the attorney general, will it come before the Democratic National Convention, dooming her nomination and throwing the Democratic Party into chaos; after the convention, when Clinton is crowned as her party’s standard bearer, offering the prospect that a presidential nominee may be subject to a criminal indictment; or after the election in which Clinton reigns, ushering in an administration where one impeached and one impeachable president cohabit the White House?
Despite its apolitical reputation, can the FBI be prevailed upon to find that Clinton has not compromised national security nor engaged in corrupt practices while secretary of state? Under this administration, my bet is on a whitewash.
Ron Goldstone
Dexter
LePage accountable for his words
I am a junior at Deering High School. Our governor recently made a statement about a student overdosing on drugs at Deering. For our governor to wrongly accuse my school with no evidence is irresponsible. It is unfair for Gov. Paul LePage to publicly brand Deering with such a ridiculous story, and it is frankly selfish to create a fake story to support his motives.
As a student of a school I widely respect with a staff that have nothing but care for the students, LePage must take responsibility for the effects of his words. I respect that LePage has opinions that are valid, based on his experiences, but he should not use fake experiences to help advocate for his own motives.
Angeliha Bou
Portland
National park forums a sham
It is unfortunate that the National Park Service and Sen. Angus King are limiting the voices of the people of the Katahdin region by scheduling a meeting with NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis at noon on a workday in East Millinocket, then providing a forum for Natural Resources Council of Maine supporters at the evening meeting in Orono, where the auditorium will be packed by professional Big Park organizers.
It’s not really surprising, as on Feb. 2, the Senate voted down an amendment that would have modified the 1906 Antiquities Act. It would have preserved the president’s authority to designate tracts of federal land as national monuments, but it also reserved a seat at the table for people who would be directly affected by executive action.
King voted no.
Who is King listening to?
Steve Crouse
Patten
GOP deserves Trump
“He serves his party best, who serves his country best,” President Rutherford B. Hayes said during his inaugural address on March 5, 1877, and it is inscribed on a stone that sits on the grounds of the Hayes Home and Museum in Fremont, Ohio.
This is a slogan that should be taped to the shaving (or makeup) mirrors of every person we send to Washington, D.C. Perhaps it might have given Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pause before he declared a Republican block to President Barack Obama’s every initiative, thereby obstructing any achievement that would make the Democratic Party look good in 2016.
The resulting gridlock we hear about constantly is a Republican traffic jam that has paralyzed Washington and disenchanted American people with their government.
The unintended blowback to the Republican Party is the rise of Donald Trump to almost certainly represent them in the 2016 election. This is likely not what McConnell had in mind is it. But, to my mind, it is exactly what the Republicans deserve.
Thelma H. White
Sorrento