Rick Gowell’s opinion piece, “Small rural businesses threatened by consumer protection bill” (Jan. 10), grossly misrepresents an important bill before the Legislature that would protect Maine’s small businesses from abuse by large corporations that dominate markets. Unfairly monopolizing industries is already illegal under federal and Maine law. But monopolization can be exceedingly hard to prove, […]

Three cheers for artist Lauren Fensterstock and the case she makes for not allowing the former Children’s Museum at 142 Free St. to impede development of the Portland Museum of Art’s proposed new campus at Congress Square (“To move forward, Portland must loosen its grasp on history,” Jan 10). Fensterstock argues that the many benefits […]

Harborview Park was not only a proud example of reclaimed public open space, it was a cooperative agreement to share land reserved for recreation between Maine and Portland. At the turn of the century, Portland leaders and state officials worked together to design, fund and create Harborview Park. This unique 2.4-acre park masterfully integrated a […]

As a retired education professor who taught family and community courses to undergraduate education students, I am pleased to see an increase in funding and programs in New England states that foster home and school relationships. As a professional storyteller, I know that such relationships begin with story-seeking and story-sharing. Every child in a classroom […]

Criticizing capitalism is a popular cottage industry, but the critics never tell us what system would be better and why. A Jan. 8 letter from Barbara Dee blaming capitalism, “our decidedly evil and outdated market-based system of economics,” for societal ills from homelessness to inequality is a good example. The problem with Ms. Dee’s description […]

As an American Jew, born after WWII, I grew up largely insulated from blatant acts of antisemitism. My parents and grandparents, however, suffered these indignities, which surfaced as lost jobs and promotions, denied rentals, backroom insults, and a deep-seated fear that Jews would never be safe, even here. I grew up without these feelings. Indeed, […]

It may be difficult to prove, legally, that Mr. Trump helped plan the Jan. 6 insurrection, but there is plenty of sworn testimony that, as president, he did nothing to protect the Capitol and its proceedings during most of the day. After inciting the crowd, he returned to the White House, watched the assault on […]

I seriously need to know why Donald Trump is allowed to run for president before cleaning up his court cases? Isn’t there something in the protocol of running for president about having a clean slate? Maybe all the newspapers should print all the qualifications for running for president so that John Q. Public can decide […]