What does it mean to “win” a war in the 21st century? Today’s weapons bring suffering, carnage, death and destruction regardless of side. Chemical weapons are seeing a resurgence in the Russia-Ukraine war, and threats of nuclear weapon use are on the rise. AI-controlled weapons are coming. Widespread death is all but guaranteed unless humans […]

Gov. Kristi Noem’s shooting of her pet dog and a farm goat, on the same day, are now well known to readers of this paper. Apparently today she also suggested on national TV that President Biden should have his dog put down because of repeated biting of Secret Service agents in the White House. If […]

Recently, a writer to the Portland Press Herald posed questions for Gaza protesters. I hope my response may be somewhat helpful. I have been protesting the genocide in Gaza since October 2023. I am a member of Pax Christi Maine, committed to nonviolence as the only lasting strategy for conflict resolution and peace. I pray […]

Emily Allen’s story last week about the life and death of Kare Randall was a moving and outstanding piece of journalism, showing the humanity and vulnerability of a person many people in society might not otherwise see — someone who was trapped in a carceral system that dehumanizes people, many of whom, like Randall, were […]

People are not going to flood into Portland to see a new art museum building. The Portland Museum of Art should use its expansion money to enhance exhibits. Appreciate the quality of the exterior we have and add to what is of value inside. There is need. My brother was a vice president at the […]

Pride Cometh Before the Fall is the name of my new support group for elders, like me, who need to make the decision to use a cane. At age 84-plus, I was stubborn, independent and unwilling to surrender to the cane. Yesterday, my granddaughter took me to the Ugly Duckling in Portland for breakfast. As […]

I offer my heartfelt, thunderous congratulations to the workers at Coffee By Design for ratifying their union contract. It’s my hope their solidarity will inspire workers at other Maine coffee shops to reach out to Local 327 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America to learn how they, too, can unionize their workplaces. I’d […]