Conduct Unbecomming

Back when I was in training to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, we were repeatedly told that the standard of conduct that was expected of us was to conduct ourselves as officers and gentlemen. In fact, as Article 133 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice puts it, “Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman shall be punished as a court-martial may direct” and the punishment can include separation from the service.

Can there be any doubt that President Trump has engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman both before his election and during the past year in office? Examples of such behavior include:

• Dishonorable failure to pay a debt: the president is said to have failed to pay a number of contractors for work done in his real estate investments;

• Using insulting or defamatory language to another person — consider what he has said to the President of North Korea or the Republican Senator from Tennessee;

• Knowingly making a false statement;

• Making unwanted sexual contact;

• Making racial or bigoted comments in public.

Shouldn’t we hold the Commander in Chief to at least the same standard of conduct that we expect of the officers of the Army, Navy and Air force?

A. Myrick Freeman III

Georgetown

Vote Fortman

I encourage my Lincoln County neighbors to look at Laura Fortman’s public service record and support her run for Maine Senate District 13.

Laura has the integrity, experience and priorities sorely needed in Augusta. While Labor Commissioner, Laura brought together education and business stakeholders to develop Maine’s workforce. As the director of Maine Women’s Lobby, she listened and fought passionately for the rights and security of Mainers. As Senator, her highest priorities will be to secure our economic well-being and access to healthcare.

Working in public education, I have a biased political view; I want our legislators to lead us to a Maine economy that is thriving and including youth and adults who have been left out in the cold. Laura will fight to fully fund public schools, restore revenue sharing to take pressure off of property taxes and ensure we have diverse pathways to work through technical certificates, associate degrees and apprenticeships as well as 4-year programs.

If like me, you have grown weary of moving backwards, I hope that you’ll support Laura Fortman — she has the vision, the skills and the passion to move us forward.

Bridget Mullen,

Alna