Jon St. Laurent: Christmas conflagrations in the Holy Lands

For Christians in the West Bank, Christmas is not a merry day, and celebrations normally attended by thousands at the birthplace of Jesus are canceled as bombs rain down on Bethlehem. There is mourning, not just for their own losses — those killed by an Israeli Defense Force bombing of a Greek Orthodox church in […]

Michael Boom: Terrorists groups ‘must be shown the door’

Hamas, Isis, the Taliban and Hezbollah all have one thing in common. They are all pure barbarism at its ultimate worst that humanity has to offer. Barbarism is savagery at a primitive level, without any restraint or civilized state of being. This moment in history takes all of us back in time to the Twin […]

Froma Harrop: Mine eyes have seen the glory of reading on paper

Books have long provided what sociologists call third places — that is, hangouts that are neither work or home. Both bookstores and libraries fill the bill. These third places provide company and a sense of community. If you think that an hour of quiet reading isn’t a big draw, consider: One New York bar charges a $10 admission fee per reading session and has 270 people on its waiting list.

Editorial cartoon for Friday, Dec. 29

Colorectal surgeon joins Central Maine Healthcare

LEWISTON — Dr. Cristan Anderson has joined Central Maine Surgical Associates, which is part of Central Maine Healthcare. Anderson is a colorectal surgeon who graduated from medical school at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. She completed her residency at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. Anderson treats both life-threatening diseases […]

Joel Olstein: Hamas weapons storage endangers civilians in Gaza

The Sun Journal has been reporting on the unfortunate plight of civilians In Gaza. Sadly, Hamas stores many of its weaponry in schools, hospitals and mosques. This strategy makes civilian loss of life inevitable. Very sad. Joel Olstein, Auburn

Stan Tetenman: Suggested legislative priorities during short session

The legislature is beginning its short session next month. I suggest the following for their consideration. First, gun control: A red flag law, a limit on magazine capacities of five to 10 rounds, background checks for sale of all guns, a waiting period of perhaps three days. These measures wouldn’t prohibit someone from legally purchasing […]

Cal Thomas: Ignorance and apathy

Deliberate ignorance and false teaching about events here and in the Middle East and China, along with the refusal of American media to pay serious attention to the connection between foreign donations and university policies and teaching, plays into the hands of those who do not wish America well.

William Phillips: U.S. could learn from other countries’ traffic, gun control measures

I recently returned from a long trip to New Zealand and Australia. Aside from the tourism experience, which was great, we made some observations from which we feel our state and federal governments could learn. We drove a car in New Zealand, Australia, and its island of Tasmania. No one was speeding. There are traffic […]

Editorial cartoon for Thursday, Dec. 28