L.D. 1639, the nurse staffing bill before the Maine Legislature, is a bad deal for our state. Although enforcing strict nurse-to-patient ratios sounds ideal, it could force health care facilities that couldn’t comply to close beds or divert ambulances. Not only is there a nursing shortage nationwide, right now, and no evidence that strict staffing […]

I understand that the entire country is struggling with what to do with the ever-growing problem of homelessness. And I understand that the solutions are complex and multiple. When I drive down Marginal Way, or enter Portland from any number of entrances from the highway, I see individual tents and ever-growing “tent cities.” What I […]

On the question of the origin of the pine tree flag, the 1938 edition of Funk and Wagnall’s New Standard Dictionary includes a pictorial entry identifying this flag as “Pine-tree Flag: American Navy 1776-1781.” The historical association of our state with the U.S. Navy might be another reason to adopt the pine tree flag as […]

I was troubled when I read Rev. Anne Fowler’s June 4 commentary in support of L.D. 1619. It is my understanding that this law would permit abortions during the third trimester if the abortion is deemed “necessary” by a physician. “Necessary” is a deliberately vague word and can mean almost anything from “when a mother’s […]

The letter writer recommending that caregiving by parents of special needs children should not be compensated for that care (June 20) seems to forget that: 1) The parents of these children also pay taxes; 2) taxes also pay for education, infrastructure, etc., and 3) it doesn’t always take personal hardship to understand and empathize with […]

Knowing that Portland is a progressive city, are its citizens willing to forget Memorial Day? It appears to me that the public officials have. Few city officials attend celebrations, few or no public workers help close streets and there is no podium at City Hall to speak from. This year, the Harold T. Andrews Post […]

I decided to get an abortion when I was 22 weeks along. At the time, I was very depressed and had just been honorably discharged from the military. My seven years of service were plagued by sexual assault. Without work and surroundings distracting me, it all hit me at once. My husband and I knew […]