Martin Luther King Jr. day is one of the most important holidays on our collective calendar. This year, I was unprepared. This year, instead of rereading his works and reflecting on the call to action, I reread the dosage information on the backs of various cold medications and reflected on home remedies. Because I have […]
Lakes Region Weekly opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Conservatives too quick to pin labels on immigrants
Criticizing Donald Trump’s actions and words, advocating for justice and equality, and standing against white supremacy in our communities does not imply the endorsement of a specific political party. In today’s polarized landscape, labels are attached to everything. Immigrants advocating for their communities are often unfairly branded as “liberals,” “Democrats” or part of “The Left.” […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Here’s what’s in the 84 pages: 23,000 Palestinians murdered
On Jan. 11, South Africa presented its 84-page charge of genocide – perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinians of Gaza – to the United Nations’ International Court of Justice. I don’t need that much paper: 23,000 Palestinians have been murdered. 10,000 of these have been children. Scott Hammond Portland
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Forum: Unelected bureaucrats are restricting our freedoms
It doesn’t take a return to lockdowns, business closures, mandated vaccinations and firing of health care workers during COVID to see our steady march toward authoritarianism. Unelected bureaucrats trying to take away your right to choose a political candidate and what kind of car we can drive – those are the most recent and blatant […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Nothing prevents Maine from falling into abyss, except for us
I fell in love with Maine, deeply and profoundly in love with Maine, the moment I moved here in the summer of ’89, just shy of my 18th birthday. Yes, I admit, my head was filled with visions of hand-knit sweaters around a campfire, of “living the good life” in full Nearing fashion. But then […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Decision about Trump on ballot raising wrong questions
Should the people of Maine decide whether Donald Trump is on the primary ballot? Should Secretary of State Shenna Bellows be impeached? These are the wrong questions to be asking in our democracy. The duties of Maine’s secretary of state include ensuring that candidates who appear on the primary ballot are qualified for the office […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Maine embodies true American dream, not Hollywood version
New immigrants to Maine quickly find that Maine is not the America portrayed by Hollywood. I shockingly learned that firsthand 10 years ago. Maine is not the bustling streets of Boston, the iconic skyline of New York or the glitz and glamor of L.A. or Vegas. Crowded streets, taxis zooming around and bars frequented by […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Rethink our approach to the climate, even EVs
During the recent power outage, I imagined a scenario where we have arrived at that Net Zero place. All vehicles are now electric – cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, utility trucks, all electric. But this is a power outage. No electricity. No vehicles can move without a charged battery. Now this would seem to be the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Bring psilocybin treatment access to Maine residents
I am writing today to ask my fellow Mainers to learn about and support L.D. 1914: the Maine Psilocybin Health Access Act. This bill would create a regulated market for adults over 21 to access psilocybin services in a safe and beneficial environment. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for healing and ceremony for several thousand […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Letter: Legal immigrants have nothing to fear from Trump
Abdi Iftin’s Dec. 19 article, “Help immigrants navigate the threat of Trump’s return,” references Trump’s “poisoning the blood of our country” comment to infuse a fear of deportation into Maine’s asylum-seekers. Iftin wants to mobilize Maine’s immigrant community to prevent a 2024 Trump victory and ensure the continuation of Biden‘s immigration policies. Biden’s policies: Biden’s […]