Recently, Gov. LePage surprised many in Maine when he talked about his childhood experience of violence and his commitment to ending domestic violence in Maine.

As he presented his State of the State address, I was participating in a national summit in Memphis, Tenn., to develop strategies for engaging men in ending male violence against women. The well-known speaker at the training talked about how men of power rarely speak explicitly about men’s violence against women.

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One reader praised Gov. Paul LePage for discussing his commitment to ending domestic abuse in Maine, while another asked why the governor was proposing program cuts that “merely exacerbate the financial, health and personal stressors that contribute to domestic violence.” 2012 File Photo/Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

So for the governor of Maine to talk about his personal stake in ending domestic violence is commendable in its own right, and his willingness to name this violence as men’s violence is nothing short of politically courageous.

The governor made some suggestions about strengthening legislation around loopholes in the existing bail system, but his bigger message was much more ambitious and complex. It was a call to men to end domestic violence.

And although the governor did not say this, I would broaden that call to include ending all sexual violence as well. The call is ambitious and politically courageous because it shakes the foundation of male privilege, which runs far deeper than partisan ideology.

Let’s be clear that this is not a call to end violence by using violence. It is a call for men to hold men accountable.

It is a call for men to start the painful introspection that reveals a multitude of beliefs that denigrate women and empower men in order to maintain a sense of superiority and the perceived right to control women.

It is a call for men to challenge their families, friends, co-workers and teammates to think and act differently.

It is not easy, it is not cheap — but then again, this is Maine, and we surprise people.

Drew Wing

executive director, Boys to Men

Portland

And now The Press Herald serves to help Gov. LePage try to con Mainers? The headline of your Feb. 4 article, “LePage helps in fight against domestic violence,” shows that the press is not keeping a critical eye on issues.

On the one hand, yes, LePage is rightly calling for us to attack this awful abuse. On the other hand, though, his cuts in programs for the needy merely exacerbate the financial, health and personal stressors that contribute to domestic violence.

In 1900, Theodore Roosevelt, then governor of New York, advised, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Maine’s governor speaks sensitively, but he carries a big ax.

While TR went on to later bust trusts, LePage is busting the trust of Mainers. Will The Press Herald speak softly, loudly or not at all?

Mike Berkowitz

Saco

We owe thanks to woodlot owners for their good works

It’s good to see conscientious woodland owners like Everett Towle (“Group’s goal: Protect working forest,” Feb. 6) get some recognition in your newspaper.

For the most part, private woodland owners like Towle provide protection of our drinking and swimming water, recreation trails and beautiful scenery at no cost to the rest of us. Even better, projects like the Forest Works! project you wrote about can help these landowners pay their bills.

Conservation easements are a way for landowners to retain ownership and earn a return while protecting the woods. Therefore, it’s especially sad to hear that the federal Forest Legacy program is under attack in Congress. It has helped so many forest owners in northern Maine pay their bills.

Some of us believe there are landowners in southern Maine who are every bit as deserving of Forest Legacy help. But first we need to keep the Forest Legacy program from becoming dismembered by Congress. As Forest Legacy goes, so goes the woods.

Madge Baker

Shapleigh

Obama’s orders overstep constitutional powers

I have read several recent letters mocking conservative columnists’ criticism of President Obama and their concern over dictatorship in our country. That concern is one that all Americans should share.

Are the writers of these letters not aware of President Obama’s “We Can’t Wait” campaign? Since he is apparently unwilling or unable to work with Congress, he has begun to issue executive orders to advance his agenda without congressional approval.

Are they not aware that the president has ordered the extrajudicial killing of an American citizen? While the vast majority of us would agree that Anwar al-Awlaki needed to be brought to justice, justice is not served by allowing a president to order an American to be killed without trial.

Are they not aware that President Obama recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012? He can now order the military to detain American citizens indefinitely, without any warrant and without the right of habeas corpus.

When a president can write his own laws, detain anyone he wishes and order someone killed, how far is the United States from becoming a dictatorship?

The authors may support President Obama’s agenda, but they should also realize that these powers are not granted to his person but rather to his office.

When a different president, who does not share that agenda, uses those same tools to advance his or her own agenda, will the authors of these letters be so unconcerned about dictatorship then?

Bob Osborne

Waldoboro

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