As we witness a surge in religious exemption requests regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, am I to assume that non-religious exemptions to abortion bans will allowed? Asking for some friends. Like 100 million of them. Jim Kavanagh South Portland

The first of the Maine initiatives on next month’s ballot would “ban the construction of high-impact electric transmission lines in the Upper Kennebec Region.” This proposal is clear and straightforward. But the second part of the proposal, “to require the Legislature, retroactively to 2014, to approve by a two-thirds vote such projects using public land,” […]

Once again, I disagree with Mr. Democrat, Greg Kesich’s view. His article on U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, 2nd District, “Golden’s ‘Mr. Smith’ stand is not helping” (Oct. 3), is focused on his own personal opinion and uses a classic movie, Jimmy Stewart’s “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” as his prop. In the movie, Mr. Smith […]

Gov. Janet Mills has changed Oct. 11 to Indigenous Peoples Day, honoring Maine’s first native inhabitants. And, this past summer, Mainers also turned away replicas of Columbus’ ships out of respect for the state’s Indigenous inhabitants. So, how can Gov. Mills now stand behind the NECEC corridor, which has displaced and impoverished Quebec’s native people? […]

Years ago, a book titled; “Talking Back to Facebook” suggested the social media platform was getting out of hand. I agreed, but noted that the phenomenon was otherwise a relatively harmless way to transfer trivia and perpetuate pet pictures. Alarmingly, Facebook has morphed far beyond delightful drivel and grinning grandkids. That was 2012. Since then, […]

The November election comes at a critical time for South Portland. We’re fortunate to have excellent candidates running for City Council in Districts 4 and 3. Linda Cohen and Richard Matthews will bring a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience to the council, both having served for many years in many roles. Pragmatic and level-headed, […]

Julie Zimmerman of Topsham argues in her letter “Executions have no place in the U.S.,” (Oct. 3) that death row inmates “have the capacity for generosity, love and change,” and consequently execution “had no place in our country.” Ms. Zimmerman may be right in general, but I would argue that there are specific circumstances that […]

The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians continues to smolder and periodically ignite with terrible consequences. Those of us concerned about the region feel powerless to have any influence. But there is new legislation in the U.S. House sponsored by Andy Levin, D-Mich., that could help, and I would urge Rep. Chellie Pingree to support it. […]