I was astonished and at a loss for words at Balentine’s blunderous attempt at an op-ed (“Here’s Something: An overabundance of caution is our undoing,” Aug. 11). I realized that this writer is just pandering to the far right. He claims that he finds himself at a store several towns over from his cabin on […]
Here’s Something
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: An overabundance of caution is our undoing
By now, 17 months since that fateful Ides of March 2020, when Gov. Janet Mills shut down the Maine economy to essential services only in a vain attempt to stem the coronavirus surge in local hospitals, I bet everyone has had a run-in with someone, somewhere regarding COVID-19 protocols. I’ve had a few, but yesterday, […]
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Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: ‘Bravery’ is in the eye of the political beholder
I must agree with a recent guest column pointing out John Balentine’s much-neglected courage (Forum: “Balentine provides a vital service to Forecaster readers,” July 30). Having lived in a few conservative areas, I am aware of the negative feedback that progressive and liberal views elicit. Mr. Balentine is particularly brave though, because in a place […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine a ‘privileged mouthpiece’ for like-minded
The Forecaster is wise to present all sides of the political rainbow, both for journalistic credibility and for advertising revenue. However, notwithstanding Mr. Young’s good intentions (“Forum: Balentine provides a vital service to Forecaster readers,” July 29), the protections of the First Amendment and The Forecaster’s “majority-progressive” readership, John Balentine’s “vital service” is only to […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Simone Biles is the Greatest of All Time
John Balentine admits at the end of his article that he is “truly old and curmudgeonly” (“My Olympic frustrations abound,” July 28). In this piece, he is that and much more. To say Simone Biles has a “lack of humility” – WHY exactly should she be humble? Was Nadia Comaneci humble? Do we know this? […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Forum: Balentine provides a vital service to Forecaster readers
If John Balentine’s goal is to get reaction to his columns in The Forecaster, well, to borrow a phrase from one of his two favorite 21st century presidents: Mission accomplished. The Northern Forecaster’s July 15 issue ran four letters and one full-length guest editorial that took aim at (and issue with) his expressed views on […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: My Olympic frustrations abound
I’ve always loved the Olympics. I wanted to be an Olympian when I was younger. But of course that didn’t happen. My lack of stick-to-it-tiveness instead won out. But while I’ll never be an Olympian, I enjoy watching all the people who have stuck to their training regimens and catapulted themselves to the Olympic level. […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Letter: Reader cites problems with Balentine’s statements
Mr. Balentine wrote that an American trait is the desire to be free (“Do you still desire freedom?”, July 2). He indicates our rights are “enshrined in our Bill of Rights.” He also writes that “young people have a favorable view of socialism and communism” and “the founding of America is all about ensuring the […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Constitutionally speaking, Balentine had it backwards
The Constitution of the United States clearly refutes John Balentine’s assertion that “our government’s lone job is to ensure individual rights” and “that it exists to keep the individual free, not rule over them” (“Do you still desire freedom?”, July 2). According to the Preamble, “We the people of the United States, in Order to […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Freedom requires all assume more personal responsibility
Mr. Balentine probably exercised his cherished idea of personal freedom by skipping history class, when the fundamentals of social/democratic vs. socialist/communist forms of government were discussed in school (“Do you still desire freedom?”, July 2). I should like to meet all those young people, who – according to him – love socialism and communism so […]