The 1980s was a triumphant decade for America. It was the height of hope and optimism. Ronald Reagan brought pride to all except the most partisan. We won the Cold War and defeated communism. Media and politics were professional and cordial. Never could we have foreseen what America would become just a generation later. In […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inForecaster Opinion
The Universal Notebook: Writing as an art is too politically correct
As a white Anglo-Saxon protestant heterosexual male I understand that I am the oppressor. Being an unrepentant liberal, I therefore do my best to support non-white, LGBTQ people and women and try to be sensitive to the issues they face. I do my best to be tolerant of all but the most intolerant, but I […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: Energy corridor support recalls spruce budworm boondogle
In a recent column, Ed Beem’s dismay at the full-page ad – signed by many once-prominent “environmentalists” – supporting CMP/Avangrid/Iberdrola & Hydro Quebec’s drive to shove New England Clean Energy Connect down the throats of Maine people, is an indicator that he remains an idealist. Many Forecaster readers are too young to recall the decades-long […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: LD 1760 would invest in the future of Maine families
Today in Maine, the majority of families with young children need all adults in the household to work in order to make ends meet. If we want strong communities and a healthy workforce, we have to support Maine families – and that means removing barriers to quality early care and education. I am very excited because there […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Proposed program would help young adults save for retirement
Saving for retirement is one of the most important things you can do for your future. As a college student about to enter the workforce, it is hard for me to even think of what all retirement involves. There is one thing I know for certain, retirement is expensive. More expensive than one can imagine. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: USM lives in the shadow of UNE and now Northeastern
A who’s who of Maine business, education and political leaders gathered at the Ocean Gateway terminal in Portland Jan. 27 for the announcement that Lewiston native and hi tech entrepreneur David Roux and his wife Barbara are donating $100 million to create the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, a graduate and research program in Portland […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Drone surveillance law needed in Maine
Our government should do something about drones. While Maine’s federal representatives drone on (pun intended) about impeachment and our state government spends us into oblivion, they should instead do something useful by outlawing drone surveillance. Currently, there is no law regulating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveillance in Maine. Someone could fly a drone over your […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Mainewhile: Plastics are a plague, but progress is being made
“I’ve got one word for you … plastics.” With apologies to “The Graduate,” plastics have been plaguing my brain. It is no secret that plastics have taken an enormous toll on the environment. Shrink-wrapped vegetables, single-use shopping bags, bottled water – all part of our “forever trash” created thanks to plastic’s inability to biodegrade, not […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Over Easy: Meatless in Seattle
It started when a friend said he was “going vegan.” I have several vegan friends and they are not much of a bother, but they do seem to bring more to the table than just their dietary preferences. Vegan is the term used to describe the strictest vegetarian, one who eats only vegetables or plant-based […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Letter: Is Edgar off the beam on NECEC?
Why do we support the New England Clean Energy Connect project? Because today’s climate crisis is the greatest threat to the health of the planet. If we do not take sensible and sometimes controversial action, it will soon be too late to avoid catastrophic impacts to the natural world that we have spent our careers protecting. […]