In John Balentine’s most recent column (“Pandemic pet peeves, part III, Sept. 10), his last peeve is with Dr. Anthony Fauci. He’s “peeved that many still trust him after he admitted he deliberately misinformed the public regarding the effectiveness of face masks.” “Early on Fauci told us masks would do little to contain the virus, […]
Here’s Something
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Senate debate a wholly un-senatorial affair
Friday night’s U.S. Senate debate between Republican incumbent Susan Collins, Democrat Sara Gideon and Independents Max Linn and Lisa Savage made me yearn for Maine’s senators of yesteryear. If Sept. 11’s debate is evidence, it’s time we face the facts: The days when Maine was represented in the U.S. Senate by people like Margaret Chase […]
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Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Cutting Balentine would save money, support a food bank
In an era of cost-cutting undertaken by business entities, The Forecaster should seriously consider eliminating John Balentine’s “Here’s Something” column and, thereafter, provide a portion of the cost-saving(s) to a local food bank. Why am I so harsh? The preparation of his weekly column does not require any research or original observations/thoughts, i.e., no “deep […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine needs to spend more time on research
John Balentine’s opinion piece of Aug. 20 (“Pandemic pet peeves, part I”), had at least two falsehoods in it. Neither the Great Plague of London nor the Spanish flu were named after their origination in those two locations. Both came from elsewhere. Perhaps if John spent a little more time researching his opinions, instead of […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Pandemic pet peeves, part III
In two previous columns, Here’s Something has listed a number of pet peeves regarding the pandemic times in which we find ourselves. This week’s edition concludes the series: One of my biggest pandemic pet peeves pertains to the federal government’s unwise decision to give $600 a week in surplus unemployment compensation, a program which thankfully […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Reader’s pet peeve is pundit’s propaganda
Since I miss teaching, I decided to grade Mr. Balentine’s latest English essay. I gave him three extra points for using alliteration in his “Pandemic pet peeves, part II,” but an F for research. If he had done his research he would be less confused by so many things. He would know that no evidence […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Maine could be a country
We were sitting outside the snack shack at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor last week when my mother, a resident of the smallest state in the Union, said something we’ll both long remember: “Maine could be a country,” the keen observer from Rhode Island said as we chomped on an oatmeal cookie […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine needs to consult a Ouija Board for his topics
Each week, I envision Mr. John Balentine sitting at his desk and contemplating the subject matter for his next “Here’s Something” column: Where do I begin? Do I consult my Ouija Board or the Republican Party Playbook? Easy – the Republican Party Playbook! His column of Aug. 21 (“Pandemic pet peeves, part 1”) directs blame […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine veers closer to rabid political rhetoric
As our country faces the upcoming November elections, your columnist John Balentine moves closer and closer to rabid political rhetoric and further away from rational “opinion.” His latest column (Aug. 14, “Rise from you foxholes, teachers”), is a striking example of failed logic, as he accuses our dedicated teachers of hiding in foxholes, at the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
Letter: Make well, not war
John Balentine says “…Trump fittingly invoked a wartime analogy.” (“Rise from your foxholes, teachers,” Aug. 13) Secretary of Defense Mattis asserted that defunded State Department diplomacy would mean he’d need more ammo, his way of urging peace as preferable to war. But let’s employ Balentine’s war metaphor. How’s that Commander-in-Chief doing? In eight months, American […]