In his Nov. 20 column about lockdowns, John Balentine continues his ranting against the measures Gov. Mills has taken to protect the health and safety of Maine’s citizens and visitors from the potential ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. He proclaims that we don’t need a lockdown in Maine or presumably anywhere else in the country. […]
Here’s Something
Posted inAmerican Journal
Letter: Balentine’s column on biased media shows his own biases
John Balentine’s prescription (“Making the media great again, Nov. 3) is to eliminate all news reporting and have only “direct feeds” of events, thus eliminating the rampant bias he claims we (he?) are all weary of. He encourages us to “thank Trump for exposing the media’s biases” (“Fake News! Unfair!”). Balentine implies that reporting to […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Don’t lock ME down
There’s been a lot of talk of renewed lockdowns as coronavirus cases rise here in Maine and around the nation. For all our sakes, let’s hope it’s just mere talk. Joe Biden’s prediction of a “dark winter” during the final presidential debate was one of the bleakest things the Democrat said during the never-ending campaign. […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine missed one truth about Trump
In John Balentine’s glowing admiration for Mr. Trump (“Truths about Trump, part II,” Oct. 23), he listed six truths, but forgot to mention a rather important event: “… And on the seventh day He rested. … oh, no, he played golf.” Sigrid R.E. Fischer-Mishler Harpswell
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine’s media column an enigma
John Balentine’s recent opinion (“Make the media great again,” Nov. 6) is an enigma. Why? He envisions a future society with “direct sourcing of information … no filtering by editors and reporters …. just direct coverage …. from the newsmaker to news consumer.” In Balentine’s new world order, propaganda of any sort is, thereby, legitimized. […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Trump exposed his own bias, not media’s
In John Balentine’s column, “Make the media great again” (Nov. 4), he writes, “If nothing else, we should thank Trump for exposing mainstream media’s biases.” Actually, what Trump did was reinforce the role of the media in preserving our democracy. He coddled dictators from Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea, who allow no criticism from […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Prepare now for Portland exodus
While most of the country rejected socialist economic policies and the progressive Democrat candidates espousing them on Election Day, Portland voters fully embraced government control of the economy and will soon feel its devastating effects. With Portland’s approval of rent control and a $15 minimum wage by 2024 – as well as a whopping $18 […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Make the media great again
I’m going to make a prediction. No, not regarding the outcome of the election (which has yet to occur as of this writing), but regarding how Americans will soon get their news and information. The next trend in media will be direct sourcing of information. No filtering by editors and reporters. No middleman, in other […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Virus, election exacerbate personality traits
2020 has been a psychologically hard year. We’ve had the pandemic, the lockdowns, the election, the race riots and the general fear and anxiety these monumental events have caused. People handle stress differently, and they deal with fear and worry differently. The most basic of reactions is the fight or flight response, but that doesn’t […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine’s Trump truths define oxymoron
With respect to John Balentine’s most recent two columns in The Forecaster (“Truths about Trump, parts I and II,” Oct. 16 and 23), his titles (and subsequent text in each of these columns) are the exact definition of the word – oxymoron, i.e., “a figure of speech by which a locution produces an effect by […]