Funding for body cams and de-escalation training fails to address the agency’s core issues.
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Tell the ICE story as it is | Letter
In the Portland Press Herald’s lead article on Jan. 22, Homeland Security said it was targeting the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.” In that same issue, just below the lead article, a mother said her son, a student at USM, had no criminal record but was detained. Below that, an article about local […]
Maine moves to kill the economic engine of the North Woods | Letter
Moose are the center of our world in the North Woods. They are elegant, awkward, majestic creatures and they are the No. 1 reason tourists go out of their way to explore the Moosehead Lake region. And, they are at risk. Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is the organization that is charged with […]
The US should become the 11th province of Canada | Letter
Early last year, Canadians and Americans were equally shocked by President Trump’s suggestion that Canada join our nation as its 51st state. In the months to follow, another possibility now appeals to many of my fellow citizens: Let us secede and join Canada as its 11th province, or fourth territory. The advantages are clear: No […]
Thanks for calling it like it is, Sheriff Joyce | Letter
Bravery is often disclaimed. I expect Cumberland County’s Sheriff Kevin Joyce would say he was just doing his job to protect our community when he recently called out how an egregious ICE detention was carried out (“bush league policing”). I want to offer thanks to Sheriff Joyce for his bravery as a small counter to […]
ICE activities have raised the terror bar | Letter
I’ve read with interest and incredulity recent letters expressing opinions that folks should simply let ICE agents do their jobs because denizens acting and living here legally have nothing to fear. Stephen Miller says ICE officers have “immunity” from their actions in performance of their duties and alluded to local, constitutionally protected protesters as terrorists. […]
Janet Mills’ State of the State was many things. But evil? | Letter
Why not simply disagree on policies, disagree on the role of government?
Voter data shouldn’t be a political weapon | Letter
In Maine, we are fortunate to have leaders like Secretary of State Shenna Bellows who treat elections as a public trust — not a political weapon. When the federal government demands state voter data, it isn’t just a routine records request; it can become a way to build centralized lists of citizens that are searchable, […]
Susan Collins’ stance on ICE tactics is puzzling | Letter
Sen. Susan Collins was afraid when someone wrote in chalk on the sidewalk in front of her home. It is hard to square that with her tolerance of the tactics of ICE that include physical assault and execution. I agree with her that illegal immigration needs to be addressed. It must be done though following the […]
ICE is damaging to health care in Maine | Letter
Living in fear is not the way life should be.