Letters

Published
January 2, 2012

Letters to the editor, Jan. 2, 2012Iraq war over, yet defense costs rise

I read the recent report that Congress and the president passed an increase in spending for the military-industrial complex about which Dwight D. Eisenhower, former president and general, warned the United States. The question that came to mind was, “If the war in Iraq has ended, why are taxpayers being asked to pay more than […]
Published
January 1, 2012

Letters to the editor, Dec. 31, 2011Lynx need existing protections

I am appalled that our governor is backing a bill requesting a federal permit to allow incidental trapping of protected Canada lynx while in the process of trapping coyotes. Maine’s wildlife department is paying hunters and trappers to kill coyotes. Their reasoning is that it will help the deer herd, which is struggling. This is […]
Published
December 31, 2011

Letters to the editor, Dec. 31, 2011’Passionate chefs’ deserve livable pay

Why must I be a doctor or lawyer to live comfortably? I am a chef. I work hard and enjoy what I do. I love the newfound excitement in the culinary arts. That credit goes to Emeril, Bobby Flay and all the other celebrity chefs. There is a misconception that this field has the potential […]
Published
December 30, 2011

Letters to the editor, Dec. 30, 2011Health care cuts hurt working families

I opened one of my many letters from the Department of Health and Human Services yesterday only to find that my 1-year-old son is losing his health insurance as of Jan. 1. I know I am not the only one to have received such a letter. I have read the news and heard about the […]
Published
December 29, 2011

Letters to the editor, Dec. 29, 2011Invasive wreaths need careful disposal

The holidays are upon us, and Christmas trees and wreaths are decorating our homes. Accidentally, invasive plants are sometimes used to decorate wreaths. Multiflora rose is one of those beautiful invasive plants that is established in Maine and may be used. It has rose hips this time of year that look like bright red berries. […]

Published
December 28, 2011

Letters to the editor, Dec. 28, 2011Is congressional agreement possible?

Will the new year start off with agreement in Congress on anything, or will there be more partisan gridlock? Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe have actually voted this year to invoke cloture on several important bills, to stop debate and move forward on a vote, only to realize that these were wasted efforts against […]
Published
December 27, 2011

Letters to the editor, Dec. 27, 2011’Why does God make them that way?’

This letter is in response to the one written Dec. 13 by the Rev. Frederick H. Giese, who opposes same-sex marriage (“Same-sex marriage foes won’t get out of the way”). The Rev. Giese used biblical quotes to bolster his position that homosexuality is a sin, and backed it up with folksy “wisdom” from a congregant […]
Published
December 26, 2011

Letters to the editor, Dec. 26, 2011A penny-wise, pound-foolish cut

Eliminating Head Start is a classic example of penny-wise, pound-foolish budgeting. When I was a police officer, my wife was a Head Start teacher. On every trip to the teen center and one of the city’s poorer neighborhoods, I met kids who had clearly never gained the skills that Head Start has been documented to […]
Published
December 25, 2011

Letters to the editor, Dec. 25, 2011Readers react to proposed cuts

I was surprised by the incongruity of two articles in the Dec. 9 Portland Press Herald. On Page A1, we decry the impact of the recent budget cuts proposed by the LePage administration on our friends, neighbors, acquaintances, members of our faith communities and other citizens we do not know personally. Then on Page A5, […]
Published
December 24, 2011

Letters to the editor, Dec. 24, 2011’Bootstrap’ mentality is past its prime

A couple of recent letters regarding Occupy Maine show misunderstanding of the times we live in. One writer calls the protesters the “entitlement generation,” while another claims that if they just work hard and stop whining, they can have a middle-class life and cozy retirement. While utterly missing the point, these letters actually make a […]

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Letters