As we approach Maine’s historic ranked choice voting primary, voters across the state are preparing for their first opportunity to cast ballots which rank multiple candidates instead of picking just one. What does this change mean for voters? First and foremost, it is an opportunity for Maine to continue and deepen its record of civic […]
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Posted inbPlus, sj-web
In verse: Maine places and people
Produced by Dennis Camire This week’s poem is by former Maine State Poet Laureate Betsy Sholl of Portland. Apple By Betsy Sholl Crisp air, press of ladder rung on instep, tree sway and dappled light. Then stem twist and the weight of apple in hand— reaching through that leafy light, did we […]
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Posted inOpinion, sj-web
Trump's true talent is marketing failure as success
Donald Trump’s recurring criticism of his predecessor is that he just didn’t know how to make a deal. “Obama is not a natural deal maker,” he tweeted in 2016, complaining that there was no accord on Syria. “Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly,” he predicted incorrectly back in 2013. Trump […]
Posted inOpinion, sj-web
Trump proving to be the most pro-life president in history
President Trump’s critics were apoplectic last week when the president referred to MS-13 gang members as “animals.” Of course, no one should be dehumanized. Yet many of the same people expressing outrage that Trump would dehumanize vicious gang members have no problem dehumanizing innocent, unborn children. Trump has stood up for the humanity of the […]
Posted inOpinion, sj-web
Gambling on sports is a bad bet
Human nature being what it is it should come as no shock that the next level of approved gambling in America is sports betting. States already have casinos, the lottery and other ways of separating money from the weak for their ravenous and bottomless coffers, so why not allow betting on sports contests? The question […]
Posted inOpinion, sj-web
Trump supporters speak
We’re going to try something different today. Rather than pontificate yet again upon the motives of Donald Trump’s supporters, I’ll let a few of them explain themselves in their own words. Here, then, is “Robert” with a comparative analysis of the 44th and 45th presidents: “President Trump has accomplished more positive things for this nation […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Cuts will hurt American children
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has fed the mouths of thousands of low-income citizens of Maine for years. As of recently, Rep. Bruce Poliquin has proposed plans and implemented polices that plan to cut SNAP funding and make it more difficult for individuals to access SNAP’s resources. Poliquin believes this would force individuals to become […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Claxton can get things done
Edward “Ned” Claxton is the kind of person that democracies need. He listens before he speaks. Then … versus staking out a position, he reaches out to everyone to try and build consensus. I’ve known Ned first as the directing physician of the Central Maine Family Residency Program and later as a member in the […]
Posted inOpinion, sj-web
CBO concludes CHIP will not be affected by proposal
Nothing is more important than our children’s health. That’s why the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is so critical. This federal program provides health coverage for low-income children and families. Unfortunately, political activists are spreading false information to scare disadvantaged families about their CHIP coverage. Many in the media are pushing that false narrative as […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
A state of many Maines
We’re accustomed to thinking there are two Maines. I’ve logged hundreds of thousands of miles around Maine in the past 38 years, to almost every nook and cranny. I’ve come to believe that two is an undercount. What most folks probably imagine when they think of “two Maines” is that there is Portland along with […]