Almost without exception, lawmakers from both parties in Congress are eager to give Israel whatever it asks, from missiles to dollars. And that is as it should be, for Israel just became the victim of unspeakable barbarity and now needs stalwart support. But in the very next breath, some of those same U.S. legislators, mainly […]
Ben Bragdon
Staff Writer
Ben Bragdon is managing editor of the Sun Journal. Prior to that, he was deputy managing editor for news at the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. Ben was previously editorial page editor for those newspapers and Central Maine Sunday for more than 10 years. Before that, he was managing editor for weekly newspapers at Current Publishing in Westbrook. He began his career as a reporter at the Piscataquis Observer in Dover-Foxcroft and editor at the Moosehead Messenger in Greenville. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Boston University.
View from Away: Don’t believe the naysayers. We can electrify the economy without leaving workers behind
The U.S. economy is in the early stages of an once-in-a-lifetime shift from an economy powered by fossil fuels. To prevent catastrophic climate change we have to switch quickly to electric vehicles and appliances fueled by renewable energy. But it shouldn’t come at the expense of good-paying jobs — and it doesn’t have to. Now […]
Rabbi Rachel Isaacs: Our Jewish community is in mourning
Pray for justice and peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike, writes a local faith leader.
Sen. Marianne Moore: For our coastal counties, Maine’s working waterfront is crucial to our economic prosperity
Rockweed can be sustainably harvested and provide a solid income in parts of the state where economic opportunity is much needed, the Calais Republican writes.
Tom Waddell: Fight over abortion is far from over
Abortion is essential to women’s reproductive health care. Some conditions that make abortion necessary include the criminal or medical ills of rape, incest, intimate partner violence, illness or illegal drug use during pregnancy that affects the fetus, and life-threatening fetal abnormalities. Where abortion is illegal, women often resort to unsafe means to end unwanted pregnancies, […]
Commentary: With MAGA-led chaos in Congress, Gen. Milley’s warning rings loud and clear
In recent days, the country has been subjected to a chilling preview of what MAGA rule would look like if Donald Trump returns to power, as America’s allies looked on in shock while its enemies had good reason to cheer. Having failed to shut down the government, but succeeded in axing Ukraine aid, a handful […]
Our View: Communities must step up on housing – or step aside
Local control of housing in Maine has resulted in high costs and low supply. Something has to change.
Commentary: People think drug use causes homelessness. It’s usually the other way around
A common perception among many Americans is that substance abuse is a chief cause of people losing their housing and living on the streets. But research debunks this myth. Findings from the recent California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness encompassing more than 3,200 adults — the largest and most representative sample of homeless individuals […]
Commentary: The US government once burned books it didn’t like
This year is on pace to set the record for the highest number of attempted book bans since the American Library Association began compiling data on library censorship more than 20 years ago. Last year, there were demands to censor more than 2,500 library books. In several states, legislatures have enacted censorship into law. In […]
Commentary: Courting workers in Michigan, Biden and Trump are waging two separate wars
The recent visit to Michigan by President Joe Biden, in a show of support to striking laborers, was more than a photo op. Donald Trump held a rally in Michigan just a few days later. The two are fighting over the same voters. But they’re engaged in two different wars. Biden, now the first sitting […]