Letters

Published
February 12, 2014

Letter to the editor: Mismanaged state agencies a reason to unseat LePage

Every day we learn more about how the LePage administration and the Department of Health and Human Services constantly show disregard for the poor, the young and the elderly, as well as those who come to Maine seeking freedom. Gov. LePage has refused millions of dollars from the federal government for Medicaid expansion. The DHHS […]
Published
February 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Shaming, judging addicts discourages treatment

I have been reading lots of opinions regarding the incredibly tragic loss of one of our great actors, Philip Seymour Hoffman, to a drug overdose. Many opinions are harsh, critical and judging of him and his “selfish” act. Drinking and using drugs irresponsibly initially is nearly always a selfish act because, since childhood, we have […]
Published
February 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Report offers no reason for U.S. to back pipeline

Saying the Keystone XL pipeline has nothing to do with climate change is like saying sex has nothing to do with pregnancy. But that’s what the State Department is trying to contend in a recent environmental impact report on the controversial pipeline, which would carry 830,000 barrels a day of the world’s filthiest crude oil […]
Published
February 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Pope’s call for generosity overlooks average person’s circumstances

I am a Catholic, and while there is much to admire about Pope Francis, I find it difficult to reconcile his message “give until it hurts” with the reality that no matter how simply he lives, his position in the church ensures his security. He need not fear experiencing the despair of real poverty. His […]
Published
February 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Maine should save General Assistance for local needs

Maine’s General Assistance program is funded using local property and state taxes. It’s intended for the needs of local residents. It’s disconcerting to read the caterwauling in the pages of the Portland Press Herald about how Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to align General Assistance to federal law is: • “Unfair” (“Letter to the editor: Asylum […]

Published
February 10, 2014

Letter to the editor: In State of the State address, LePage offers no plan for problems Maine is facing

Among the many problems with Gov. LePage’s State of the State address was the total absence of a plan he might have in place to meet the national record Maine holds for numbers of disabled, elderly and poor, the rising numbers of heroin users and the overcapacity jails in this state. During his tenure, he […]
Published
February 10, 2014

Letter to the editor: Handling of Ayla Reynolds’ case unlike Dechaine’s

Regarding the disappearance of little Ayla Reynolds, missing some 25 months, the Press Herald wisely editorialized: “Prosecutors and police have stated all along that their focus is on building the case … instead of placating public opinion. They can’t be forced into action, no matter how understandable the anguish surrounding the case” (“Our View: Justice […]
Published
February 10, 2014

Letter to the editor: Fatigue after donating kidney is from anesthesia

The letter regarding kidney donation (“ ‘Heroic’ organ donors need aftercare,” Feb. 1) contained a misleading and erroneous statement. Letter writer Nora Irvine does a disservice to potential kidney donors and their possible donees by stating that donor fatigue may be from the remaining kidney “hyperfiltering” to compensate for the loss of its partner. I […]
Published
February 10, 2014

Letter to the editor: People are entitled to form their own opinions on Bayside’s ‘midtown’ project

In a recent letter (“Concessions few despite Portland group’s efforts to work with midtown developer,” Jan. 22), Tim Paradis lambasted the Press Herald for suggesting critics of “midtown” – new housing proposed for Bayside – work with developers to find common ground rather than file wasteful lawsuits. In so doing, and among other questionable conclusions, […]
Published
February 9, 2014

Letter to the editor: Frozen turkey breasts better eaten, than thrown

In the Feb. 2 Maine/New England section, I duly noted how incongruous were two news items. The cover picture showed a 6-year-old youngster throwing a frozen turkey breast in a competition at a winter outing in South Portland (“Warmer weather draws outdoor enthusiasts to South Portland WinterFest”). On Page B6 was the article on the […]

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Letters