Most mothers wait with anticipation and are excited beyond measure at their baby’s first kick inside their wombs. That is when one of the closest human bonds begins.

Now that we have heard the verdict, but may never know the cause of the death of Caylee Anthony, we are listening to all of the outrage of the whole country and possibly the world.

In the midst of all this, one cannot help but wonder, “Where is the outrage when any child dies?”

Countless people do not care about the death of beautiful babies, who would grow to be as adorable as Caylee, when they are killed inside their mothers’ wombs. In reality, millions of babies are being aborted.

Where is the outrage?

Joyce F. Johnson

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Shapleigh

 

“Anthony verdict touches raw nerve with viewers,” The Associated Press reported, in a story that included the phrase, “… even though she was found innocent.”

That disturbs me. In our judicial system, one is found guilty or not guilty but never innocent. There is a very important distinction between “not guilty” and “innocent.” I hope this was just a slip of the tongue.

However, she does hint at an unfortunate truth of our society. Mothers are expected to be flawless, whereas fathers or other guardians are rewarded for taking any responsibility for a child.

A mom of my acquaintance expresses the disparity thus: Daddy changes a diaper. Let’s throw a parade. Mommy donates a kidney to her sick child. How could she let her child become sick in the first place?

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Mary Quirk

Windham

 

What happened in the outcome of the Casey Anthony murder case proves that TV reporters should stick to reporting the news and stop trying to make the news. After all, most of them are hired for their looks, not for their brains.

Everett R. Perlman

Portland

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End of another scandal: Report on what’s important

 

Americans and the media love salacious tidbits about important people; but now that Rep. Anthony Weiner is gone, I urge us to return to the vitally important though difficult issues facing this country: jobs, wars, corporate greed and poverty, things that make a significant difference in people’s lives and well-being.

Annie Levine

Saco

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Recast presidential vote and use only public funding

 

The U.S. Supreme Court has, until now, handed its decisions to the wealthy and the politicians they support. Why does the Court always seem to be against the “people or what seems logically to be ‘right,’ not constitutionally correct”?

It is time to even the playing field by passing some new fair election laws. such as “Clean Elections” at the national level.

By limiting the electoral period to two months, begining on July 4 and running to Sept. 4, when all candidates can spend all they want until the end of the free-spending period. Then, on the first Tuesday in September, the 10 final candidates are to be elected by popular national ballot (the 10 with the most popular votes).

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From Sept. 15 to November’s second Tuesday, the campaign will finish and the final winner will be decided,

This will be “clean” because each of the 10 final candidates will be given equal federal money, right off Form 1040. They will get $500,000 to run their campaigns and not one cent more from any source.

Philip Thompson

Portland

 

Plans to cut federal budget should include all foreign aid

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Congress has put Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid on the cutting table to reduce government spending. What about the government employees (millions of them) retirement and health insurance programs and Congress’ own retirement and health insurance programs?

Not on the table also is foreign aid (where we borrow money to give away) and the good it does. Egypt receives $2 billion annually and votes against us 79 percent of the time in the United Nations.

Jordan gets $193 million and votes against us 71 percent of the time. Pakistan gets $6.7 million, votes against us 75 percent. India gets $143.7 million, votes against 81 percent. The whole Middle East (tens of billions in foreign aid) votes against us at least 70 percent of the time.

Not on the cutting table remains the United Nations itself. We pay 22 percent of operating costs ($2.7 billion in 2011). This doesn’t include funding of various U.N. organizations and missions, which comes from other accounts.

Also not considered for cuts is NATO. We pay about 25 percent of its operating costs.

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Not considered is a demand that the Fed get paid back loans it made to foreign banks with stimulus funds. Dexia Bank, Brussels – $33.5 billion, Depfa Bank, Dublin – $24.5 billion, Societe Generale, Paris – $5 billion, Norinchukin, Tokyo – $6 billion, Bank of China – $198 million, Deutsche Bank – $2 billion.

If any of these loans default, we taxpayers will have to cover the loss.

Washington has apparently put global interests above national interests. Can there be any doubt that Washington has little regard for the American citizen? Next election, remember what they’ve done. Pay little attention to what they say. Actions speak louder than words.

Afterthought: If Congress really needs to reduce Social Security spending, start by cutting off the rolls all noncitizens.

Herbert Dobbins

Windham

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Fireworks, patriotic music on prom a must for couple

 

My husband and I braved the crowds to watch the 4th of July fireworks on the Eastern Prom. We are so glad we did.

Of course the view of the harbor and the ships was amazing, so beautiful. The show was wonderful. The fireworks were spectacular, and enhanced by the patriotic music by the talented Portland Symphony Orchestra musicians and singers. I like patriotic music on the 4th!

The crowd around us was great. Everyone even sang “God Bless America” with the PSO.

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Thank you to the corporate sponsors and all those who volunteered or worked to allow this celebration.

We won’t let ourselves miss it again.

Bonnie Washuk-Zaccaro

Portland

 


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