There’s a meme that’s been making the rounds of the internet for a few years now: “Not all heroes wear capes.” How true that is. Granted, usually the meme is employed in service to something witty or ironic, like for a kid who figures out how to save their younger sibling from having to eat […]
American Journal Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Forum: Guns are not the problem, but ban AR-15s
Right up front, a disclaimer: I’m a proud card-carrying member of the NRA. I own two guns. One is a .22 caliber Savage Arms rifle with a scope and a 10-round magazine. The other is a Ruger .380 semi-automatic handgun, which has a 6-round clip. And I hold a concealed-carry firearm permit from the state […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Shut the barn door on data breach
It’s the season for taking stock and being grateful, and I am so ready. I am all set for a seasonal reflection, family gatherings, decking halls and whatnot, but given the late breaking headlines, we have to make a small detour first – to cyber crime. Obviously, I would prefer to not have my identity […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Chinese Americans stand against antisemitism
The Chinese and American Friendship Association of Maine stands shoulder to shoulder with Maine’s Jewish community in denouncing the recent wave of hate speech, hate-based violence and antisemitism that has broken out in Maine, the United States and the world. Recently, antisemitic flyers have been widely distributed in Maine, some of which falsely claimed that […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Nowhere is safe from gun violence
The Lewiston mass shooting has served as a stark reminder that such atrocities can happen even in places we consider safe right within our communities, seemingly out of the blue. Just prior to the shooting that evening, I had returned from a refreshing 4-mile run in Yarmouth. With no knowledge of what was going on […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Spread goodness and notice everyday fortunes
“How’d your pumpkins do this year?” The question from my brother-in-law caught me and my husband off guard. What? What pumpkins? For a few different reasons, all of which would be too long and boring to recount here, we don’t have a vegetable garden. Yet. Maybe not ever. Jury is still out, but certainly not […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: May Lewiston’s tragedy be a marker for change
Like most, I am heartbroken and anxious and angry over the recent mass shooting in Lewiston. I am heartbroken for the lives lost, the families shattered, the kids who are having trouble sleeping at night now. I am anxious over the lack of answers, clarity or safety we have. I am angry because this feels […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Don’t sterilize Halloween, let kids face and conquer fears
Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. I mean, what’s not to love? It has whimsical costumes, scary stories, a normal bedtime (looking at you, New Year’s) and chocolate. What could be better? Plus, it takes place at this magical time of year where everything is windy and dark, shifting and in flux. Best of all, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Interfaith unity needed here as conflict rages far away
The past couple of weeks have weighed heavily on many of us, especially within the Muslim and Jewish communities here in Maine. For me, as I witness the unfolding events in Israel and Palestine, I can’t help but reflect on a challenging period in my life when I was just 15, growing up in Mogadishu, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Creative use of old spaces can bring back sense of community
It is not exactly news that the recent global pandemic took a toll on our collective sense of community and belonging. Sociologists are busy constructing studies to calculate what, if any, impacts upon our social fabric can be attributed to the pandemic, but while we wait for the graphs and figures, I’ll just wander out […]