“OK, ladies, we’re playing Texas Hold’em tonight.” “Martha, what’s the ante?” “Mildred, it’s a $10 gift card for Day’s Jewelers!” [Martha deals out the cards] “Are you alright, Martha? You seem tense.” “Dottie, I’m mad as hell. I keep thinking about all the lies told in ‘What’s God Got to Do With It,’ the new […]
Here’s Something
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Letter: Balentine knows true meaning of the holidays
Thank you, thank you, thank you John Balentine for pulling back the curtain and hopefully opening the eyes of so many to the true meaning of both Thanksgiving and especially of Christmas (“Here’s Something: Have yourself a joyful little Christmas,” Dec. 16). Both of these holidays can, if we allow them to, bring us thankfulness […]
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Letter: Banks can play Santa when it comes to saving
I rather enjoyed Ryan Evans’ comments concerning Balentine’s latest column: “I once again take issue with the lies by omission that are in abundant display … ” (“Balentine exploits history to further his agenda,” Portland Forecaster, Dec. 1). Mr. Evans’ candid observation should be applied against Balentine’s nuanced complaining about upcoming costs of electricity (“Here’s […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Christians don’t corner the market on holiday joy
“The Jewish people of Anatevka joyously sing a hopeful song in the face of an uncertain future” in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” How can it be that Jewish people could have such joy when, according to John Balentine, joy belongs to Christians (“Here’s Something: Have yourself a joyful little Christmas,” Dec. 17)? While […]
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Letter: Jumping for joy without Jesus
John Balentine has hit the true nature of Christmas on the head (“Here’s Something: Have yourself a joyful little Christmas,” Dec. 17). His prosaic little ode to joy reveals the triviality of unchristian expressions of happiness. It’s true that ancient Norsemen celebrated Yule for a month following the solstice. Romans celebrated Saturnalia, in honor of […]
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Letter: Grateful for seasonal joy Balentine column brings
I would like to express my gratitude for last week’s “Here’s Something” by John Balentine (“Have yourself a joyful little Christmas,” Dec. 16). I totally agree with John that the focus should be on joy during the holidays and especially Christmas. I have read it twice and will be sharing this article with my family. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Have yourself a joyful little Christmas
A few years ago, I realized wintertime holidays come just when we need them. They distract us from what’s really going on. Summer is gone and the ever-present uncomfortableness that is a Maine winter is back in all its harsh reality. Darkness surrounds us for 15-plus hours a day, and those days are ruled by […]
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Letter: Reader takes issue with Balentine’s contrary views
The relentless hypocrisy and total lack of self-awareness in John Balentine’s Thanksgiving op-ed is enough to make me wonder if it’s real or parody (Here’s Something: “Rekindle Pilgrims’ pride this Thanksgiving,” Nov. 19). He fears a “tyrannical government” but opines the loss of the days when schoolchildren were made to pledge allegiance to the state […]
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Letter: Balentine guilty of ‘double whopper’ about critical race theory
“Good morning, Martha. How are you?”“I’m fine, Eleanor. And you?”“Good. Martha, I have a strange question to ask you.”“OK?”“What is the definition of a whopper?”“Well, there are really two definitions. The first: ‘a thing that is extremely or unusually large.’ And the second: ‘a gross or blatant lie.’ Why are you asking?”“I read Balentine’s article […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Yankee thrift is the answer to electric bill hike
Those Mainers not living under a rock for the last month have heard the terrible news that electric bills will skyrocket next year. This is on top of price increases for food, gasoline, vehicles, cable, internet and just about every other good or service. Rampant government spending during the pandemic has caused inflation to rear […]