Cal Thomas: Biden vs. Scott

Scott is a natural speaker in contrast to Biden’s often forced and condescending rhetoric. Scott believes in putting people, not government first. While he dazzled many in his address to the virtual Republican National Convention last summer, his response to the president’s speech has likely vaulted him to the top tier of national leadership. The African American community should especially take notice and follow his lead.

In rebuttal: Scott Roberts: Lyman wrong about COVID vaccine

Rep. Sheila Lyman’s guest column (“Seeking information and drawing our own conclusions is freedom,” May 2) is chock full of the most sophomoric thinking and absurd rationalizations imaginable. It is hard to believe that her notions could pass for informed thought. As I am sure she knows, children need to demonstrate proof of inoculations (a […]

Cartoon for Thursday, May 6

Ajay Zutshi: Voting restrictions should be illegal

Every state needs to make it easy as possible for people to vote. The U.S. Congress needs to act to make sure the right to vote is not infringed, encumbered or burdened. It should be easy to vote, and states should be making it easier, not harder. Voting restrictions are wrong and should be illegal. […]

Josh Woodburn: Perry a ‘voice of reason’ for Paris Select Board

The town of Paris will have an upcoming opening for Select Board. After the recent decision by the current board to pass a resolution, peddled by a right-wing anti-mask group, it is clear the town needs change. Oxford High school chemistry teacher Walter Perry will be the voice of reason and normalcy this town needs. […]

Aurora Cobb, Robert Jensen: Male violence makes single-sex shelters a necessity

Single-sex shelters exist because of women’s need for refuge from men in a male-dominated society in which male violence against women is endemic. Women are raped, beaten, sexually harassed, bought and sold in prostitution, tortured, and all too often murdered by males. Because of the violence that is so routine in so many women’s lives, women have legitimate cause to fear all males, any males.

In rebuttal: Joseph Mailey: Crafts wrong about PRO Act

Dale Crafts’ April 23 column (“PRO Act is bad for Maine workers, infringes on privacy rights“) was a very well-written one-sided opinion. Perhaps one reason why lies in the answer to the question of “why is the PRO Act so important for today’s workers”? The PRO Act, or Protect our Right to Organize, is the […]

Cartoon for Wednesday, May 5

Dr. Florence Edwards: Tobacco industry uses menthol, mint, candy flavors to lure, hook Black, brown, LGBTQ youth

LD 1550, sponsored by Rep. Michele Meyer of Eliot, will finally end the sale of flavored tobacco products in Maine. It takes a giant step toward eliminating health disparities among Black and brown, indigenous, LGBTQ, and other marginalized communities. Getting flavored tobacco off the store shelves will give all Maine kids a fair shot at a healthy, productive future, free from tobacco addiction.

Froma Harrop: To our surprise, face masks will be partly missed

Evidence mounts that masks — plus hand-washing, plus social distancing — have slashed the flu death toll. In the 2019-2020 flu season, the U.S. saw 24,000 to 62,000 deaths from influenza. By contrast, the number of flu deaths this time was 500 as of April 1, and the season will be over at the end of the month. Thus, there may be a case for continuing to wear face masks in densely packed crowds, say, in airports or on public transportation.