Reading Rhiannon Hamdi’s Aug. 28 op-ed, “Our neighbors to the south need to look in the mirror,” and the letters to the editor collectively titled “Canadians enraged by invitation of Maine State Sen. Joseph Martin” (Aug. 20), I had what has become a familiar reaction: shame.

Though underestimated in degree, incompetence, ignorance, corruption and cruelty were forecasted. So it was predictable that anger and depression — occasionally even rage and despair — would be stirred up. But shame arrived unexpectedly.

I’d failed to imagine the global effects of a scoundrel with imperial aspirations. And, to imagine that the MAGA bandwagon would find cheerleaders among us as it attempted to roll over our state.

With all the bullying, insulting, threatening and exploiting going on, shame seems a reasonable response. But why is it that those who inspire shame in others are immune to it themselves?

Susan Farrar
Brunswick