Letters

Published
January 13, 2011

Letters to the editor, Jan. 13, 2011: Ponder shootings’ causes, reactions

If we can agree that prayer is a loving and helpful action to benefit Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of this horrendous tragedy, perhaps we can begin to wonder about the effect of our hatred on others as well. Arizona Sheriff Clarence Dupnik noted several times the “vitriol” in our society as a […]
Published
January 12, 2011

Letters to the editor, Jan. 12, 2011More ethanol is not an energy solution

The Environmental Protection Agency recently approved an increase in the ethanol content of gasoline from the current 10 percent to 15 percent, initially on a voluntary basis (but you just know that it won’t be long before it’s mandatory). An increase of 50 percent in the ethanol content of gasoline will result in significantly more […]
Published
January 11, 2011

Letters to the Editor:It’s cruel to delay retirement

We notice that those who want to raise the Social Security retirement age tend to work in offices. Masons, carpenters, fishermen, loggers, mill workers, all who work at hard labor, look at things differently. Many find their bodies start to give out around 50 years of age, rheumatoid arthritis sets in, their joints become painful, […]
Published
January 10, 2011

Letters to the editor, Jan. 10, 2011Governor’s pardon was courageous

Gov. John Baldacci ended his term in office with an act of courage and compassion by pardoning Touch Rin Svay.<br ><br >Svay was born in a Thai refugee camp and came to the U.S. as a child. After attending Portland schools, he served his adopted country by enlisting in the Marines. But through a bad stroke of fate, he never became a U.S. citizen, though he was eligible to do so.<br ><br >As a 21-year-old, Svay made a terrible mistake. He drove while drunk, crashed a car and killed his sister. He served a jail term, put his life back together and began earning money to help support her children. He has contributed in other ways to his family and his community.
Published
January 9, 2011

Letters to the editor, Jan. 9, 2011Lost Canadian denied hospitality

Several weeks ago, a Canadian citizen, following his GPS to find the shortest way home, strayed across the border into Maine. Any civilized country would have welcomed him, offered sympathy for his lost condition, given him a map, and invited him to come again and stay longer next time — “Maine: Worth a Visit, Worth […]

Published
January 8, 2011

Letters to the editor, Jan. 8, 2011Good Samaritans abound in Portland

One recent evening around 5 p.m., I was walking down Preble Street to my parking garage on Cumberland Avenue to head home for the holiday weekend. It’s a walk I have done thousands of times since moving our offices to Monument Square in 1999. As I approached the corner of Preble and Cumberland, I stepped […]
Published
January 7, 2011

Letters to the editor, Jan. 7, 2011Right decision in Verrill Dana case

I was so pleased to read of Justice Donald Alexander’s decision that six Verrill Dana lawyers had not breached any ethical rules in the Duncan matter. Over the years, I have come to know and greatly admire the firm and its members, and I was heartened that the judge’s decision confirmed my view of them. […]
Published
January 7, 2011

More letters to the editor, Jan. 7, 2011There are no ‘death panels’ in Obamacare

A column by Cal Thomas in the Dec. 30 Portland Press Herald must be answered, as his facts are wrong, his language inflammatory, and he gives evidence of having absolutely no idea of what the recent rule announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) represents (“Death counseling back in Obamacare”). He also […]
Published
January 6, 2011

Letters to the editor, Jan. 6, 2011Dirigo insurance shouldn’t be ended

As the Christmas season ends and the new year begins, I am deeply grateful for many things, not least the early diagnosis and excellent treatment I received for breast cancer in 2010. I’m thankful for my employer-provided insurance — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, through DirigoChoice. Dirigo’s excellent preventative care and prescription coverage, plus hospital and […]
Published
January 5, 2011

Letters to the editor, Jan. 5, 2011Too much wasted on military

The front pages of The Portland Press Herald properly feature local news items that are of central interest to us all. But we must turn to the inner pages of the newspaper to be aware that our nation is still at war. We are in the ninth year of fighting in two countries at a […]

Sign In:

Letters