Last month, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for something that is very near to my heart: the fight against cancer. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. Maybe it’s a grandmother, or a co-worker, or a beloved friend. For me, it’s my own cancer diagnosis. And I’m fortune enough to […]

I’ve spent much of my adult life failing to understand how the parliamentary systems work, but as I watch the dismantling of our country’s constitutional republic, I’m prepared to embrace such concepts as no-confidence votes, a prime minister and snap elections. In fact, I would heartily welcome New England’s admission as the 11th province of […]

Recently, in Portland, we see the landscape and skyline growing with shiny, spendy buildings like The Roux Institute, WEX’s new corporate headquarters and the new buildings at USM on Bedford Street. But one might take a moment, while passing by, and consider what’s missing from these massive, modern projects: any significant integration of solar photovoltaic […]

Some suggestions for a stately response from Gov. Mills. How about a quarter-throated apology? Or a third-throated? No way should Mills give Donald Trump a full-throated apology. For what? “See you in court”? The dreaded “court” where he’s been declared a felon? I got a quarter-throated possibility: “Sorry — didn’t realize the C word would […]

I’ve been writing letters in my head about Trump’s slash-and-burn cuts, assisted by an obscenely rich man who wasn’t elected by anyone. I’ve torn them up because I feel so defeated. We “little people,” especially in Maine, have no influence on this administration. Are any of the states’ representatives working together to reverse his most […]

Gov. Janet Mills and Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry claim that their paid family leave tax will “stabilize the workforce.” I am curious, how so? Throughout my career, I have heard people speak of relocating for lower taxes, lack of income or sales taxes, low cost of living, affordable housing, low energy costs and overall […]

I thank Kay Neufeld for their article “Blackstones is Portland’s only gay bar, again,” in the March 30 Maine Sunday Telegram, and Brianna Soukup for the photos. So many memories. All those nights dancing at Roland’s with friends in the 1970s. Music, beer, cigarettes. The bartender would dim the lights when he sensed “danger,” and […]

Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things. The Department of Governmental Efficiency is neither efficient nor effective. Sonia and Jock Robertson Portland

Donald Trump is the most flawed president of all time. Do people believe a responsible leader would say the following about a serious security breach: “I think it’s a witch hunt. I wasn’t involved with it, I wasn’t there, but I can tell you the result is unbelievable.” When asked if there was no classified […]