All of the health care problems outlined by E.A. Beem (Nov. 6) can and do happen to all of us. There is one clear way to avoid most of them: remove for-profit insurance companies from the system. They serve no medical purpose whatsoever. They exist to take in profits. This is a conflict of interest, […]
Forecaster opinion
Mainewhile: Let’s find meaningful ways to honor veterans
What did this Veteran’s Day hold for you? Many of us (not all, I know), had the day off from work or school, but how did we use it? It’s difficult for some of us, firmly ensconced in civilian life, to know how to properly and meaningfully thank and recognize the men and women who […]
Here’s Something: Now more than ever, socialism’s evils need to be unveiled
Though Halloween has passed, with ghosts, goblins and scary scarecrows all about, an upcoming event based on real-world history and current events will really scare you to death. The Gray Republican Committee is teaming with the Windham Republican Committee and 46 other sponsors to host an event examining the true nature of socialism. The night […]
Over Easy: ‘The Twilight Zone’ fear factor
By the time you read this, it will be over. Apparently there was a one-time-only tribute on one of the obscure channels in the universe for the television show “The Twilight Zone.” Not the rebooted newer show of the same name, but the old “Twilight Zone” hosted weekly by its creator, Rod Serling, which ran […]
Letter: Balentine apparently oblivious to reality of Trump
In his Oct. 23 opinion piece, John Balentine writes that he supports Trump, enjoys his speeches, likes him and his business acumen (conveniently overlooking six bankruptcies), and appreciates his sense of humor, while being amused that liberals seem to take Trump’s jokes seriously (though Trump himself insists that whatever he says and writes is a […]
Superintendent’s Notebook: The joy of learning
The holiday season is upon us and there is no better time to reflect on the joys the year has brought and the upcoming festivities that await us with families and friends. One goal we strive for in RSU 5 is for all students to experience a joyful learning climate that is safe, nurturing and […]
The Universal Notebook: Health vs. insurance
My recent health crisis has left me feeling very ambivalent about health insurance. On the one hand, I could never have afforded the hundreds of thousands of dollars my insurance company paid out for my care. On the other, when my health care hit a snag it was usually because of the insurance company. I […]
Life Unwound: We all face a Big Rock in life
I tried to explain Big Rock to my four grandkids, how what seemed towering now looks tiny. But the oldest, twin 9 year olds, don’t know metaphor or how views change with time. My younger siblings, neighborhood pals and I loved Big Rock, dumped our bikes at the base of this formation along the side […]
Here’s Something: Despite naysayers, oil heat has advantages
Once again, the door is closing on warm weather here in Maine. In my house, that’s a figurative and literal occurrence as the door to the foundation-less front room, a former porch that was enclosed to create an additional living space, gets closed to save money on heating oil. I grew up in a home […]
Letter: Balentine shouldn’t have scolded children
John Balentine wrote attacking children afraid for their future. (Oct. 4, “Climate-strikers fail to appreciate gains, elders”), Our society had an awakening 50 years ago to the environmental destruction industry and progress had wrought, with smog choking our cities and our lakes and rivers unusable, and we protested. In response, the Nixon administration created the […]