Kurt Pullman: The squeaky wheel gets the grease: Thoughts on why government-controlled power is wrong for Maine

Government control of the electric system and the proposed Pine Tree Power are bad models for electric utilities at this scale. I don’t want to be in the position again where I am forced to make a decision that I know is not in the best interest of my electric system, my customers or my team, just so that a politician can bolster their reelection prospects for another cycle.

Rich Lowry: The Biden debacle waiting to happen

Every incentive is to keep trotting President Biden out like nothing is wrong — 80 is the new 70 — and hope for the best. Maybe he shuffles through the raindrops and nothing bad happens between now and November 2024. But there is some significant chance that it does, that there is a fateful sandbag, wire, or step out there that is going to bring home the fragility of the leader of the free world in a disturbing and undeniable way.

Austin Bay: Vilnius summit shattered Putin’s anti-NATO strategy — but left Ukrainian NATO membership on hold

Naysayers have a case. Admitting a nation fighting a war on its territory against an invader risks escalation.

Cal Thomas: Get tested, Joe

If President Biden has been tested for dementia and Alzheimer’s, the public deserves to see the results. If he hasn’t, he should be tested to put the issue to rest and allow voters to determine whether he should serve, or is up to serving, a second term.

Editorial cartoon for Sunday, July 16

Jimmy and Brenda McHugh: FDA should reconsider proposed menthol ban

We are proud Democrats and supporters of the Biden administration. But as menthol cigarette smokers, we are concerned about the Food & Drug Administration’s plan to ban menthol-flavored tobacco products. While we understand the intentions behind this initiative, in Maine we believe in the role of government but also believe government should have limited interference […]

Bob Neal: The Countryman: It’s all over but the divvying up

For all intents and purposes, the 131st Maine Legislature has finished its first session. All that remains is dividing up a few million dollars still available in a pair of record-setting budgets.

Monica Mann: Green burials provide literal return to the earth

Just as there continues to be increasing interest in generating less waste, less toxic contamination and living more eco friendly, this philosophy is now being extended to end-of-life considerations for green burials. This is not a new concept and is legal throughout the United States. To literally return to the earth in a respectful and […]

Froma Harrop: Is Elon’s problem simply loneliness?

At times the richest man on the planet, Elon Musk certainly has options. He’s already done remarkable things, such as supercharge the age of the electric vehicle and send rockets into space. Yet he chooses to pick public fights that offend his customers, while having negligible effect on public policy.

Editorial cartoon for Saturday, July 15