With the adoption of their new transgender policy ACAAA, SAD 75 has willingly entered a dangerous realm. The policy claims to provide a safe learning environment for the transgender student population. However, it fails to acknowledge the blatant disregard for the welfare, safety and comfort of the remaining student body and staff, while simultaneously curtailing […]
Forecaster letters
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Here’s what’s in the 84 pages: 23,000 Palestinians murdered
On Jan. 11, South Africa presented its 84-page charge of genocide – perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinians of Gaza – to the United Nations’ International Court of Justice. I don’t need that much paper: 23,000 Palestinians have been murdered. 10,000 of these have been children. Scott Hammond Portland
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Decision about Trump on ballot raising wrong questions
Should the people of Maine decide whether Donald Trump is on the primary ballot? Should Secretary of State Shenna Bellows be impeached? These are the wrong questions to be asking in our democracy. The duties of Maine’s secretary of state include ensuring that candidates who appear on the primary ballot are qualified for the office […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Rethink our approach to the climate, even EVs
During the recent power outage, I imagined a scenario where we have arrived at that Net Zero place. All vehicles are now electric – cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, utility trucks, all electric. But this is a power outage. No electricity. No vehicles can move without a charged battery. Now this would seem to be the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Bring psilocybin treatment access to Maine residents
I am writing today to ask my fellow Mainers to learn about and support L.D. 1914: the Maine Psilocybin Health Access Act. This bill would create a regulated market for adults over 21 to access psilocybin services in a safe and beneficial environment. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for healing and ceremony for several thousand […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Letter: Legal immigrants have nothing to fear from Trump
Abdi Iftin’s Dec. 19 article, “Help immigrants navigate the threat of Trump’s return,” references Trump’s “poisoning the blood of our country” comment to infuse a fear of deportation into Maine’s asylum-seekers. Iftin wants to mobilize Maine’s immigrant community to prevent a 2024 Trump victory and ensure the continuation of Biden‘s immigration policies. Biden’s policies: Biden’s […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Letter: Hypocrisy is embedded in our national anthem
In 2016, was it disrespectful or an act of real courage, when Colin Kaepernick “took a knee” while the National Anthem was sung? It is the latter – why? His silent and powerfully visible act drew national attention to the hypocrisy embedded within said anthem, namely “O’er the land of the free and the home […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Cities should compete in ‘Battle for Urban Sustainability’
I was a kid from South Portland who grew up loving to frequent Portland as much as possible. Fast forward a few decades and my curiosity for cities has expanded to include the natural environment found within them. Despite South Portland neighboring Portland, my curiosity with my neighbor was unique especially in comparison to my […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: For our children’s future, it’s time for gun control
In 1966, a gunman shooting from the University Of Texas tower killed over a dozen innocent people while wounding over 30 more. Almost 60 years later, our country has suffered over 600 mass shootings this year alone. Despite the noble efforts of gun control advocates, legislative solutions have proven futile. New Zealand, after a horrific […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Sad to see Jordan removed from Cape Elizabeth’s school building advisory committee
I am very sad that our new Cape Elizabeth Town Council has stripped Penny Jordan of her leadership and committee positions, especially as leader of the School Building Advisory Committee. She has led to build consensus, respect and transparency among an SBAC team with widely varied views. Public servants don’t get any higher quality, in […]