⌘Untitled Document
Response to “We the Six Billion”
—
I was happy to read Joe Steinberger’s column in
the October 2 Free Press (written in light of our current credit crisis and
“bailout”) on the benefits of using less credit, spending and
consuming less, saving more, living “lower on the hog,” as we
say. But there is still the problem of exported jobs. With less credit and
funny money, we may not be able to afford all the burgeoning service and
luxury jobs that we have created to fill the void of our lost production
jobs and to share some of our excessively polarized incomes.
So how do we get our jobs back? It’s called
“protectionism” and has been anathema for years. It means
putting tariffs and quotas on imports, and rebuilding our own industries,
with strong environmental and health regulations. Could we stand a loss of
face after all our championing of the so-called “free trade”
that has been so harmful to peoples around the world, to our own workers
and to the environment? We could be supporting social justice,
environmental and health standards worldwide. We could cooperate in a
global change of direction, from competition to cooperation.
We could stand an inclusive single-payer medical
system, too, paid for by progressive income tax. This would free people up
to create local jobs, start small businesses, accept lower-paying and
part-time work closer to home, the better to fit in with family care and
community volunteering, without fear of being without medical care. We need
health “care,” not health “insurance.”
We could view our push for continuing consumption, with
bailouts and buying sprees, as just producing more greenhouse gas, pushing
us ever closer to the point of no return in climate crisis. A quieting of
our overheated economy would reduce our CO2 production. We could be
focusing on building energy efficiency and more local alternative energy
sources. We could even respect muscle power and reward it fairly, too. Our
mucles need using, and so do our minds.
BEEDY PARKER, Camden
Response to Mac Deford —
I like your thoughts — EXCEPT when your Arabist
viewpoint blinds you. Muslim fundamentalism exists; try not to blame the
tiny country of Israel, the fundamentalists kill their own. Do take a look
at the map and reread David and Goliath. Please do a check-up on your
prejudice. It is unbecoming for an otherwise intelligent thinker.
WENDY RAPAPORT, Rockland
Rockland Library Book Sale —
On Saturday, September 13, the Friends of the Rockland
Public Library held its annual book sale, the proceeds of which help
provide public access computers, materials for the children’s
collection, and funds for adult and children’s programming.
We would like to thank the many Friends who donated
their time and energies making this event a big success. Thanks also go to
Chief Jordan and the Rockland Fire Department for their help moving
countless boxes of books, and to the Rockland Hannaford for donating
supplies. And finally, we are grateful to all the members of the community
who donated books and audio-visual materials for the sale during the past
year.
For those who discovered the book sale for the first
time and our loyal repeat customers, remember that for more bargains each
week you can visit the Book Stop in the basement of the Rockland Public
Library any time from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
MARY GALE and MARY ELLEN THRO, Co-Chairs, Rockland
Library Book Sale, Friends of the Rockland Public Library
Spiritual Care and “A Listening Presence”
—
Pen Bay Medical Center has on-call chaplains available
to patients and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days
a year. These women and men are skilled in helping people deal with times
of stress and crisis, and they also understand that spiritual support plays
an integral part in the healing process of our patients. The following area
clergy volunteer their time as on-call chaplains at PBMC, and we would like
to thank them and their faith communities for their commitment to the
spiritual well-being of our community:
The Rev. Betty Bilodeau, Broad Cove Church, Cushing;
the Rev. Walden Chandler, First Baptist Church, St. George; the Rev.
Danielle Di Bona, Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Edgecomb; the
Rev. Peter Jenks, Episcopal Church of St. John Baptist, Thomaston; the Rev.
Kevin Pleas, First Congregational Church, Camden; the Rev. John Rafter, St.
Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Camden; and the Rev. Wayne Sawyer,
Thomaston Baptist Church, Thomaston.
We are also privileged to have another group of
volunteers, called pastoral visitors, who are trained to be a
“listening presence” for patients and residents at Quarry Hill,
the Knox Center for Long Term Care and for patients at PBMC as well. Many
of the residents eagerly look forward to the weekly visits by our pastoral
visitors because they provide such a calm, caring, listening presence. Many
thanks go to:
Barbara Bentley, United Christian Church, Lincolnville
Center; Beryl Charlton, First Congregational Church, Camden; Jane
Chatfield, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Rockland; Deborah Haviland,
Society of Friends, Damariscotta; Debbi Hitchings, First Congregational
Church, Camden; Betsy Johnson, St. Bernard’s Catholic Church,
Rockland; Diane Kirkman, Society of Friends, Damariscotta; and the Rev.
Deborah McKean, Episcopal Church of St. John Baptist, Thomaston.
Pastoral Care Week is Oct. 20-26 this year, and we are
deeply grateful for the clergy and lay people who volunteer as on-call
chaplains and pastoral visitors at the Pen Bay Healthcare facilities. Thank
you for your spiritual support and for your caring, healing presence that
means so much to our patients.
LAURA EDWARDS, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Pen Bay
Healthcare, ROY HITCHINGS, President and CEO, Pen Bay Healthcare
“Keep Rockland Green” Group Thanks City
Council —
The first “Keep Rockland Green” event was
held on one of the last remaining pristine waterfront spaces in Rockland.
It was a resounding success, with neighbors from the north and south of
Rockland participating. There was music and food and fabulous weather. The
“Keep Rockland Green” supporters are heartened that the city
council is able to hear citizens’ concerns about a proposed parking
lot on one of the last areas of green on the Rockland harbor. The plans
have been tabled until November.
The monies for the project were requested initially for
economic development. Economic development is any effort or undertaking
that aids in the growth of the economy. Paving waterfront green space
actually hurts from an economic standpoint. There is the economic cost of
pollution run-off into the harbor. There is the economic cost of property
damage. There is the economic cost of electricity and all of the upkeep
that goes along with electrical wires. Improving the waterfront park
promotes economic development in a way some may not have thought about.
Monies saved by tax payers because there will be no electric bills to be
paid. Repairs of vandalized lights will be unnecessary, translating into
even more long-term savings for tax payers. Today, economic development is
neighborhood enhancement with an environmentally friendly bent.
Community members have an avid interest in supporting
and assisting the city council’s plan to beautify one of the last
waterfront parks in Rockland in an environmentally responsible manner.
Paving the walkway from the boardwalk to the park with earth-friendly
material is brilliant. Also, taking the existing horseshoe and reworking
that space with green pavers is in line with what the “Keep Rockland
Green” initiative is all about.
We are confident that the city council will continue to
enter into dialogue with the community about how the park can be improved.
It is reassuring and exciting that the council is collaborating with the
community. We thank them. Protecting one of the last parcels of waterfront
in Rockland is a very noble and worthy cause indeed.
LOUISE MacLELLAN, Keep Rockland Green
Thanks from United Bikers of Maine —
The United Bikers of Maine (UBM) Knox County chapter
held a Benefit Run on Sunday, August 24, in support of members Duane Carr
and Valecia Harriman, victims of a fire. Nearly 50 motorcycles from
Knox County, other Maine counties and a few from out of state participated.
UBM Knox would like to thank its members, along with the following
businesses in the community for their support and donations: American Iron,
Warren; Bob Emery Construction, Warren; Bolan’s Custom Cabinets,
Warren; Curtis Custom Meats, Warren; Delano’s Lawn Care, Waldoboro;
Eastern Tire, Rockland; Exiles MC; Hannaford, Rockland; Irving, Rockland;
North Country Harley-Davidson, Augusta; Rockland Food Service, Rockland;
South End Grocery, Rockland; and Waterworks Restaurant, Rockland.
SANDY CHAPMAN, Knox Cty. Rep, United Bikers of Maine
A Man of Character and Integrity —
Representative Chris Rector has been instrumental in
getting the concept of a seafaring training program going in Knox County
for high school students and adults.
In 2002 I got in a conversation with Representative
Chris Rector at a Georges Valley High School soccer game. I explained I was
a merchant seaman and had encountered mariners both young and old from two
high school training programs in California. My focus in that conversation
was a seafaring training program for Knox County [which] would be a great
opportunity for high school students and as an adult education program. The
community would benefit by having such a program available. There is always
a need in the seafaring community for merchant seaman. It is a win/win for
all.
I returned to sea and the germ of the idea was there
but never really got going until 2006 when Chris approached me to meet with
members of the Many Flags school program. Since 2006 he has been at every
planning meeting and keeps the growing crowd of attendees up on how to
support the idea from both the state and federal level. I am sure the
citizens that have started showing up on a regular basis are aware of his
party affiliation but it has never been mentioned in any meeting I have
attended. It is a sign of his character that it has not. I have come to
know him well — we disagree, passionately at times, on several
issues, but one thing I know, he is a man of character and integrity who
puts this community, especially the kids, ahead of self.
Mike Flanagan, Thomaston
(currently at sea)
Pingree Will Stand Tall —
In this scary time of economic insecurity,
mind-boggling national debt, foreclosures, unemployment, unaffordable
health care and ethical scandals, we need someone who will stand tall in
Congress, stand up for her beliefs and the needs and concerns of her
constituents. We can turn to Chellie Pingree with confidence and know that
she will help right the dismal state of our country. She has a long
and distinguished record as a businesswoman, state senator and speaker of
the house and as a leader who fought for affordable prescriptions. She was
president and CEO of Common Cause, a citizen’s lobby organization in
Washington, DC, for four years. While there, she fought for ethics reforms
in our government and exposed and opposed special-interest groups.
Chellie is in touch with the struggles of Mainers and
will work hard to better our quality of life so that once again we might
reclaim the slogan “Maine, the way life should be.”
DIANE H. SCHETKY, M.D., Rockport
Supporting Andy O’Brien —
This election is the most important one in our
lifetime. We need leaders on both a national and local level who understand
the issues facing hard-working people right here in Maine.
As a science educator interested in alternative energy,
I have been following our candidates’ views for Maine State House of
Representatives in District 44. I support the views of Andy O’Brien
to develop renewable energy resources right here in Maine.
Our dependence on oil for our energy needs is a top
issue facing us. I agree with Andy O’Brien when he stated in a recent
mailing that Maine has the natural resource assets in wood, wind and tide
to help us create a better energy future for our state. This will help to
create needed jobs and pave the way for a green economy here in Maine.
Our incumbent House Representative Bob Walker, though
he states that he is in favor of using natural resources, also supports
John McCain’s plan to lift regulations on offshore oil drilling. Bob
Walker holds the view that offshore oil drilling can be labeled “Made
in Maine.”
Here is Andy’s response in a blog statement made
on August 2nd:
“Why not have ‘made in Maine renewable
energy’? It’s there and it’s waiting for us to harness
it. It’s time for us to elect folks who have the courage to stand up
to big-money interests and invest in our future. Our addiction to fossil
fuels is not going to be cured through offshore drilling. We need to invest
in renewable energy and we need to do it now.”
Andy O’Brien has also spent the last eight months
knocking on every door in Islesboro, Lincolnville, Hope, Appleton,
Searsmont, Liberty and Morrill to learn our issues. This is a true
neighbor-to-neighbor effort on his part because he cares so deeply about
the quality of life for all of us. Andy was born and raised right here in
Maine.
These are the reasons I will be voting for Andy
O’Brien, the Democratic candidate for the Maine State House of
Representatives in District 44, in November.
I hope that you will join me.
ARLENE JUREWICZ LEIGHTON, Lincolnville
Looking Forward to Chuck Kruger’s Accomplishments
—
Please join me in electing Chuck Kruger to represent
District 48 (Owls Head, South Thomaston, St. George, Thomaston, Matinicus
and Criehaven) in the Maine Legislature. As a retired educator, I know that
Chuck believes in the importance of a good educational system for providing
the best possibility of a bright future for our students and also because a
well-educated work force will ensure the development of Maine’s
economy.
Chuck also is in favor of consolidating school
districts at the administrative level so that we can have greater
efficiency and financial savings as a result. He assures that when he is
elected, he will work hard for fairness among all of the towns in District
48.
Chuck is a committed member of our community and I look
forward to seeing the accomplishments he will make in the State
Legislature.
DAVENE FAHY, Thomaston
Urge Support of Joan Welsh —
I urge citizens of Camden and Rockport to vote on
November 4 for Joan Welsh as our Representative in the Maine House. Joan is
invested in furthering the Creative Economy as evidenced by a 17-year
history of supporting arts and crafts workers, organizations and events in
the midcoast. Most recently, as a founding member of the Board of
Directors, she played a crucial role in saving Maine Media Workshops and
Maine Media College. She is also on the Board of another important local
arts institution, the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship.
If elected, she will work with others to make the state
of Maine more attractive to filmmakers and producers, thus not only
enhancing Maine’s image around the world but also creating more jobs
in the Creative Economy and bringing more revenue to the State. Joan is
interested in the needs and problems of small businesses and organizations
and realizes their importance to the health of our community. She has an
ability to embrace diversity and therefore encourage consensus. She has
great energy and is a resourceful problem solver. It has been my great
pleasure to work with Joan. She will represent Camden and Rockport with
distinction.
Charles Altschul, Camden
Trahan Invites Voters to Wiscasset Meet and Greet
—
State Senate candidate David Trahan is inviting
residents of District 20 to a public “Meet and Greet” at the
home of Katharine Martin-Savage at 191 Indian Road in Wiscasset on Sunday,
October 12, at 4:30 p.m.
A former four-term State Representative, Trahan is
running to replace retiring State Senator Dana Dow in the Maine Senate.
The event is being held to give residents an
opportunity to meet Trahan and discuss with him the important issues facing
the community and the State of Maine.
For directions and additional information, contact
Becky Morrell, Treasurer of the Trahan for Senate campaign, at 832-5524.
Palin’s Purpose —
Sarah Palin has one purpose on the ticket and that is
to win the election.
The people who selected her are not stupid. It was not
a shot in the dark.
Trillions of dollars are up for grabs and the election
will decide if these trillions will continue to be guzzled by our corporate
war machine or if at least a fraction of America’s resources will
finally be put into education, health care and infrastructure — in
this country.
You can believe that with trillions of dollars at
stake, the Republican machinery employed the most sophisticated
psychological marketing science available — and Sarah Palin turned up
on the top of the heap.
Commentators cry that Sarah Palin has no ability.
An election is not about ability but about winning.
Pundits are so bothered by Palin’s lack of
ability, they are no longer reminding us that McCain means four more years
of Bush.
Sarah Palin’s lack of ability is her only asset,
because millions of uneducated women — and men — living in
low-income housing and without health insurance — identify with her,
and she will deliver their vote. McCain already had the educated rich. You
might well wonder if what Bush has left us of America could survive this
latest combination of greed and ignorance.
Sarah Palin has one purpose on the ticket and that is
to win the election.
ROBERT SKOGLUND, The humble Farmer, St. George
A Vote for Obama —
With recent news from Wall Street and Washington it is
very easy to feel angry, frustrated and powerless. We do have a critical
choice to make November 4th, and this will be our best opportunity to
exercise the democratic power we the voters still hold. This election is
not about race, gender, lipstick or pigs. It is about many issues that
impact every single citizen of our country. It is also likely to impact
future generations more than any other election, perhaps since 1860. The
issues that rise to the top of my sense of urgency list are national
security and the war in Iraq/Afghanistan, our energy policies, and several
issues related to our economic system.
On the subject of national security, the war in the
Middle East and world peace, Senator Barack Obama was the only presidential
candidate who had the foresight, wisdom and judgment to speak out against
the war in 2002. Anyone who endorses the notion that the troop surge is
working (McCain’s relentless contention) is missing the real point.
The point is that if we had had a strong and diplomatically savvy leader in
the Oval office in 2002 we wouldn’t be debating the surge topic, and
we could be giving thanks for not having sacrificed thousands of our
gallant service men and women’s lives, tens of thousands of Iraqi
civilian lives, countless scores of injured service people and civilians,
and the unbelievable financial cost in excess 500 billion dollars for a war
that was contrived and ill-advised.
On the topic of energy and our paralyzing dependence on
foreign oil, Senator Obama’s comprehensive energy plan will help us
all deal with the energy crisis both in the short term and for the long
term. His plan includes $1,000 energy rebates, some necessary and
controlled drilling, but more importantly, his vision for longer-term
solutions includes significant investments in “green” jobs,
clean technologies sensitive to the environment, while helping protect our
sliding manufacturing base and creating millions of new jobs. McCain /Palin
plans are clearly headed for more of the same old focus: extensive oil
drilling (Republican convention chant: “Drill more now!!...”),
endorsements by big corporate oil companies, and continued recklessness
that misses the short-sightedness of this path.
With the economy, an Obama White House will lead our
country toward recovery and prosperity by putting more money into the
middle class and cutting income taxes by $1,000 for working families. His
plans also lay out solutions to the energy crisis, with the creation of new
jobs, and a realistic incentive plan for post-secondary education support
for all Americans to assist with the training and re-training of our work
force. Obama also addresses other significant and related issues such as
credit card debt, bankruptcy reform, foreign trade, and the protection of
social security. Perhaps most importantly, I believe President Barack Obama
will increase transparency so that we all can understand our government and
the tough choices we all face and in turn rebuild trust and confidence in
America.
One can see that all these issues are closely related.
We cannot have a strong national defense or offer support for world peace
without a strong and vibrant economy. We cannot have a sustainable economy
or anticipate real growth for domestic jobs without a plan that also
addresses education, the environment, health care and new technologies.
What we need to accomplish these significant challenges facing any new
administration is a trusted leader. Barack Obama is that person. Unlike
other candidates, he refused to accept campaign contributions from PACs and
the good ole Washington lobbyist network. With no strings attached, a vote
for Obama/Biden is a vote for hope, prosperity, change we can believe in
and recapturing the America whose fundamental Democratic principles give
the power to the people. Please get involved; join the efforts to educate
ourselves and the electorate; but most importantly, vote on November 4th!
JEFFREY BRAWN, Lincolnville
Note to Obama —
I have been an enthusiastic supporter of yours for some
time, financially and otherwise. Lately my enthusiasm has been wearing
thin. In particular, I am concerned about your views on foreign policy as
laid out in the [first] debate with John McCain.
In the broad picture, your views as expressed in that
debate were almost identical with McCain’s. You favored action
against Pakistan, sanctions against Iran and Russia, an escalation of the
war with Afghanistan. You made no mention of a timetable of getting troops
out of Iraq. You conceded that the surge had “worked.”You
mentioned the need for negotiation, but not very strongly, and you
repeatedly deferred to McCain’s views as if his age and years in the
Senate equated wisdom.
Because you opposed the Iraq invasion, I assumed that
you opposed preemptive war. I also assumed that you understood the cost of
economic sanctions to the civilian population of a country, particularly
children, and that you would not favor sanctions. I also assumed that you
would follow through strongly on your earlier promise to set a timetable
for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Perhaps you opposed the Iraq invasion
because you thought we couldn’t win, not for reasons of principle?
If I am wrong, and you do oppose preemptive war, why
are you not hitting McCain where he is most vulnerable?Why are you
semi-supporting the surge instead of pointing out that we should have
pulled out before it happened?Why are you not tapping into the deep
weariness of the American people for the Iraq war, and perhaps for wars in
general?Why are you not making more of your earlier admirable assertions
that you would meet with anyone without preconditions?
Where do your passions and convictions really
lie?I’m waiting to see. I don’t want to vote for you just
because you are the lesser of two evils.
Olive Pierce, Rockland
Not What He Used to Be —
In 2000 I was quite excited at the prospect of John
McCain as the Republican nominee for president. I even made a special trip
to Portland to hear him speak at the airport. Unfortunately (or
fortunately) he didn’t get the nomination.
The John McCain who is running now is a changed man. He
has sacrificed good judgment in order to attract votes, e.g. his selection
of an obviously under qualified person as his running mate in order to
attract women voters. At his age and with his health record, it is indeed
frightening to contemplate his selection for vice president running the
country.
He lost his moral compass somewhere along the way
during his quest for the Republican nomination and the subsequent campaign
to win on November 4. What happened to his pledge to run a clean
campaign?His campaign managers, for whom he bears responsibility, have
used innuendo in many forms (race and religious bias) to belittle his
opponent.
He has flip-flopped on so many issues that I’ve
lost count.
We can’t afford another mediocre president. In
these extreme times, we need a president whose intelligence and moral
judgment will guide us in overcoming the mistakes of the past eight years.
My vote will go to Barack Obama.
Bill Murphy, Camden
NO on Effort to Recall Jan Anderson —
We do not support the effort to recall Jan Anderson on
the basis of her voting record as a member of the Belfast City Council.
Recalling a member of the Council for NOT VOTING is a matter deserving of
consideration for recall, in our opinion.
We looked at the community involvement Jan has
exhibited in the past as the basis for supporting her for a seat on the
Belfast City Council. We credited her for the following important community
activities:
Some years ago, Jan represented the Belfast community
on a team that was trained in problem-solving skills by the U.S. Department
of Education. The task of this team was to identify and develop programs to
solve community and school problems. From this experience Jan Anderson
learned that the effective resolution of communality issues is based on a
thorough and representative expression of all points of view followed by a
resolution that fits the problem as defined by the entire community.
More recently, Jan saw the need for reducing the use of
illegal drugs by young people in our community. As head of the Belfast Area
Task Force on Substance Abuse, she devoted many months of her personal
skills and energy to drawing together a truly representative group of
citizens to significantly reduce that problem. In this process, Jan
exhibited her ability to facilitate communication and problem solving by a
representative group of citizens. These are skills that, in our opinion,
readied her to be a very effective city council member.
These are the two most important reasons we supported
Jan Anderson for the Belfast City Council and, in the absence of any
evidence to the contrary, we will vote NO on the effort to recall her.
JANE and BILL DOPHEIDE, Belfast
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