Letters

Published
August 30, 2017

Letter to the editor: First Amendment protects even the ugly, hateful speech

In a recent guest editorial (“Another View: Boston counterprotest did not deny anyone’s free-speech rights” Aug. 27), Scott Caulfield of Yarmouth twice used the term “hate speech.” There is no such thing as “hate speech.” Writing for a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court on June 19, 2017, Justice Samuel Alito ruled: “Speech that demeans on the […]
Published
August 30, 2017

Letter to the editor: U.S. 7th Fleet in sad shape, and so was Trump response

The command of one U.S. 7th Fleet ship was relieved after a deadly collision at sea that was caused by “loss of situational awareness” – not paying attention to their duties. Now, 10 more 7th Fleet sailors are dead after a second collision and 10 families have lost their loved ones. And all President Trump, […]
Published
August 29, 2017

Letter to the editor: Disruptions in U.S. are playing into the hands of the enemy

Who benefits most when America leaves the international stage and looks inward? The Soviet Union? Oh, no, the Soviet Union – our Cold War enemy for decades which disintegrated decades ago! Maybe, just maybe, Russia would love to see us disintegrate in a like manner. ho benefits most when America’s old founding wounds of the […]
Published
August 29, 2017

Letter to the editor: Relief programs offer ways to cut your property tax bill

You probably received your property tax bill recently. Some taxpayers were fortunate to see a tax decrease; there are many who did not. Although the tax rate is less than last year, the major reason for the increase is the assessed value of your property (house and land.) Property assessments are based on fair market […]
Published
August 29, 2017

Letter to the editor: Staff at Casa group home excels in care of disabled

Thank you for your recent feature, “Flawed system puts disabled adults at risk” (Maine Sunday Telegram, Aug. 20). As the parent of a woman with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, my heart breaks for families like the Griffins and Landreths, who were featured in your article. However, I think it would be helpful for people to get an […]

Published
August 29, 2017

Letter to the editor: Statues serve as a reminder not to repeat a horrible past

In the recent debate over removing statues of Confederate generals, some perspective may help. In Berlin, you can hardly walk a block without seeing a memorial to Jewish families who used to live nearby before they were forcibly removed and sent to concentration camps. Germany wants its citizens to remember a very dark time in […]
Published
August 28, 2017

Letter to the editor: Solar bill was doomed by law, not doubt

I am writing in response to an article by Tux Turkel in the Aug. 13 Maine Sunday Telegram, titled “Solar bill met more powerful foe: Doubt.” It is important to correct a few misperceptions that may have been drawn from a reading of the article. Mr. Turkel characterizes me as someone with “no interest in […]
Published
August 28, 2017

Letter to the editor: Confederate symbols have no place in places of honor

As a white male who grew up in Louisiana during the 1950s and 1960s, and attended segregated schools until the 11th grade, I know firsthand the cruelty of the Jim Crow South. During the struggles for civil rights, the Confederate flag and KKK were the rallying signals for those who wanted to deny black Americans […]
Published
August 28, 2017

Letter to the editor: Council candidate LaCasse seeks what’s best for city

I concede that I only recently started thinking about the upcoming council election. And so, with a hefty dose of skepticism, I began to look at the candidates. Recently, I sat in a Bayside coffee spot with Bree LaCasse to understand her positions on the matters I see as critical to our lives as Portlanders. […]
Published
August 28, 2017

Letter to the editor: With city at a crossroads, Brunelle an asset to council

I’m writing to endorse the candidacy of Joey Brunelle for City Council. As a former teacher in the Portland district, a musician, and a resident of South Portland, I have been living, working, and making music in and around Portland since 1994. Portland is undergoing (and has been for over a decade) intense changes regarding […]

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Letters