They say the last few weeks was like reliving the late 1970s, but don’t believe the hype. Yes, we have a weak Democrat in the White House, gasoline shortages and concerns over rising inflation. But there is a big difference between then and now: employment. “Help wanted” signs are everywhere, which was certainly not the […]
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Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Is Balentine the best The Forecaster can do?
John Balentine’s May 7 column, “Portland cemetery reflects Maine unity,” simultaneously attempts to pose as a unifier while being a denier of white privilege, invoking the unity of humanity in death, with the Evergreen Cemetery in Portland as an example. John begins his “editorial” discussing recent tombstone tipping at Evergreen, attributing the event to male […]
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Letter: Balentine’s view of teen boys reflects conservative male reality
John Balentine’s profound column about Evergreen Cemetery made me sad (“Portland cemetery reflects Maine unity,” May 7). He is so right about male teenagers. I used to be one. Many of them do stupid, destructive things like calling other humans derogatory names, walking in on and ogling undressed teenage girls, grabbing women by what, prior to 2016, used […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine again displays ‘selective forgetfulness’
John Balentine has previously displayed his lack of scientific and public health expertise, even though claiming the opposite. Now, he portrays himself as a historian when opining: “While I don’t buy into the current craze that America is an unfair place for anyone other than white males … ” (“Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery reflects Maine unity,” […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery reflects Maine unity
Last month’s news reports of vandalism at the sprawling and majestic Evergreen Cemetery in Portland’s Deering neighborhood struck a chord with me. I haven’t seen an update to the initial April 2 reports of 150 toppled and damaged gravestones, but Portland Police said eyewitnesses saw teenagers running from the area, and that sounds about right […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Hard to reconcile Balentine stance on clean energy, climate change
In his opinion piece (“Maine should connect with clean energy,” April 23), John Balentine supports clean energy (CEn) initiatives, but never clearly states for what purpose and to what end CEn is vital. It is rather difficult, therefore, for readers to reconcile his desire for CEn, coupled with his inability to “see” any connection between […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Maine should connect with clean energy
On this Earth Day weekend, Mainers should take a moment to study the New England Clean Energy Connect corridor project for themselves. If they do so, they’ll realize that it’s a boon for the state, region and Mother Nature herself. They’ll also quickly realize that Maine environmentalist groups are being shortsighted and ridiculous by continuing […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Sometimes the simplest approach to a problem is the best
“It’s like déjà vu all over again” when Mr. Balentine pretends to be a “so-called health expert” (“View virus stats with a raised eyebrow,” April 9). He writes “But skeptics are right to question the statistics put forth by so-called health experts … They’re the liars … (who) are using statistics to paralyze our state […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: Deaths caused by COVID-19 are understated
In his April 7 column (“View virus stats with a raised eyebrow”), Mr. Balentine suggests that we should view the statistics on deaths from COVID-19 with jaundiced eyes and that they are overstated. He is right about the need to be skeptical, but only because there is persuasive evidence that U.S. deaths caused by COVID-19 […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: View virus stats with a raised eyebrow
During coronavirus, Mainers have been inundated with statistics of every kind. We hear them every day, in every way, often with a sense of alarm by newscasters that are quoting the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, which logs the data. We hear the latest death count, confirmed case count, probable case count, hospitalizations […]