Letters

Published
January 24, 2016

Letter to the editor: We all know Dechaine’s story; now let’s find justice

I am writing in response to the story “Even 27 years later, Dechaine supporters say fight is personal” (Page 1, Jan. 17). If believing in truth and believing in justice are “personal” values, then I guess it is a personal fight. I am a somewhat cynical believer in truth and justice, though cynicism is not […]
Published
January 24, 2016

Letter to the editor: Iran’s capture of U.S. boats raises many questions

As a former Navy enlisted and Navy officer, I am disappointed with the capture of our two riverine boats and crews by the Iranians in the Persian Gulf. I understand one of the boats had a navigation problem, either mechanical or human error, and it wandered into Iranian waters. But why couldn’t the other boat […]
Published
January 24, 2016

Letter to the editor: Police shirked duty to Wells recluse

I fought back tears when I read about Lucie McNulty, the Wells woman who died in her home about 2½ years ago but whose decomposed body was discovered only recently. I thought: “How sad and how deplorable.” I refuse to accept the police department’s contention that “there wasn’t much we could do.” If there were […]
Published
January 23, 2016

Letter to the editor: Food waste bill offers a buffet of interesting solutions

We applaud the Portland Press Herald’s endorsement of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree’s Food Recovery Act (“Our View: Food we throw away could help solve hunger,” Jan. 4). This legislation will offer 21st century solutions to ebb the rising flow of wasted food in our country. Rep. Pingree’s bill offers practical solutions to achieve the U.S. […]
Published
January 23, 2016

Letter to the editor: State DOT seems unkind responding to complaint

Re: “Portland residents say brush-clearing project cleared way for rats” (Jan. 16): The story of the rats in Libbytown was disconcerting on several levels – not the least of which were the comments from the Maine Department of Transportation. For a state agency to cut down hundreds of trees throughout the city (and many more […]

Published
January 23, 2016

Letter to the editor: Derision of Obama is part of fight over health care reform

Kevin Benjamin’s letter of Jan. 15, “One needn’t be a racist to find fault with president,” requires a correction. The term “Obamacare” was coined in 2007 by a health care lobbyist, then hijacked by Republicans as a means to push a campaign against a national health policy, which was a major issue in the early […]
Published
January 23, 2016

Letter to the editor: Occupiers of Oregon refuge are selfishly holding land

We the people once elected a president with the wisdom to serve all of us for all time, not just those of us favoring the present day’s economic or selfish interests. This was President Theodore Roosevelt, whose iconic image looks down from Mount Rushmore. Good old Teddy saw so many areas of our once United […]
Published
January 23, 2016

Letter to the editor: Invest in USM’s faculty, not consultants and lawyers

As a 2001 graduate of the University of Southern Maine and a former teen parent, I benefited from the experience and commitment of full-time, tenured USM faculty. In addition to providing excellent classroom instruction, many of my professors served as mentors and friends as I navigated the challenges of college instruction, parenting and part-time work-study […]
Published
January 22, 2016

Letter to the editor: DHHS commissioner spins addiction response her way

Re: “Lack of data slows work on Maine’s heroin addiction strategy, says chief of DHHS” (Jan. 20): Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew seems to spin things her way. She is not sure we need more money for substance abuse treatment, as we have not spent the money allocated. Did she tell the public […]
Published
January 22, 2016

Letter to the editor: Forget tipping and just pay service workers a full wage

In Europe, tipping is rare, though it can be warranted for service well above and beyond the standard. Waiters, waitresses, et al, get a fair wage like everyone else. A tip is designed as a gratuity, defined by Merriam-Webster as “something given voluntarily or beyond obligation, usually for some service.” If a server does their […]

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Letters