Alex Lear
A Maine native and Colby College graduate, Alex has been covering coastal communities since 2001. He lives in the Portland area with his wife Lauren, 4-year-old daughter Alaina, and 7-year-old bulldog Walter. He has released four CDs of original music and does occasional research work for Marvel Comics' collected editions.
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Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Rich Lowry: Trump’s power play
It’s almost certain that Trump is going to squeeze every ounce of power and influence out of his presidency.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: At last: Seeing government work
It’s not only the speed with which Trump is addressing these issues — and polls indicate a majority approve — it’s the feeling that something positive is finally being accomplished in Washington, which for too long has seemed stagnant and unable (or unwilling) to change things that don’t work in favor of what does.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Froma Harrop: Democrats need to pick and choose: Start with drug prices
Why would Trump be OK with forcing Americans to pay more than the rest of the world for their drugs? The answer is simple: Because the drug companies want them to.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Dave Trask: Every ward in Auburn deserves representation. Where’s Ward 5?
On Monday night, Feb. 3, the Auburn City Council will vote on a nomination for the open Planning Board position. Currently, the board has members from all five wards, but the appointment committee’s choice would alter this balance, leaving Ward 5 unrepresented.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Mary Hunter: America should reject Trump’s anti-immigrant program
Most Americans are the descendants of immigrants. Many families proudly describe the ancestors who came here with nothing, working menial jobs so their children could have better lives. In Maine in recent years, immigrants (often highly educated) have been doing the foundational work of caring, cleaning, picking and packing that keeps our society functioning. We […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Susan Trask: Release of Jan. 6 criminals was a ‘most damaging’ order
It’s difficult to sort through the fire hose of executive orders that have spouted from the new administration. The one that emerged as one of the most damaging in those first two days was the release of more than 1,500 Jan. 6 criminal defendants, many of whom had assaulted police officers and even caused several […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Dave Griffiths: This and That: Love is in the air
We lost three little ones to miscarriage, a stillbirth at seven months, and a preemie named Amy who lived 49 days. When others might have lapsed into months or even years of grieving that their bodies had let them down so badly, my wife took charge and lined us up for special trips to Chile and Guatemala. You can ask our two adopted sons what kind of mother she turned out to be.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Austin Bay: 21st-century ‘Star Wars’: Trump’s huge iron dome
The name is a sly clue indicating his multi-faceted goal of deploying a “state of the art” missile defense covering the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii.