PRESS HERALD:
Former lawmaker facing jail for forgery
Peter Throumoulos is sentenced to 60 days for faking signatures to receive Clean Election funds.
Baldacci nominees have little opposition, win approval by state Senate
Superior Court Justice Ellen Gorman is the governor's third nominee for the Supreme Court.
State oil dealers sign with LIHEAP
By this week, 86 percent of the oil dealers who participated last season had signed new contracts.
EDITORIALS:
Plan for reuse of BNAS a good start on a long journey
The mix of uses strikes a balance between community and economic interests.
M.D. HarmonIf you're pondering a poll, remember Matt Wilkinson
Opinion polls are useful, but forgetting their limits can lead to ingesting things we should avoid.
BANGOR DAILY:
SCHIP backers rally for program expansion
BANGOR, Maine - With a critical deadline nearing for the renewal of a popular federal children’s health coverage program, proponents gathered in Bangor on Thursday to announce their support for an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Residents heard on Verizon-FairPoint
BANGOR, Maine - Local supporters and opponents of Verizon's plan to sell its land-based Internet and telephone service to FairPoint Communications Inc. finally had their turn to speak publicly and to the Maine Public Utilities Commission on Thursday night.
Editorial: Buying Success
President Bush and other administration officials have been citing Anbar Province, long one of the most violent regions of Iraq, as an encouraging success story as the war drags well into its fifth year. But like everything else in Iraq, the picture isn’t that clear.
Friday's Letters to the Editor … The enemy within … The facts of the matter … A question of training … A governor’s agenda
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
CONGRESSIONAL RACE DEBATE: Candidates slam war
AUGUSTA -- Three of the four Democrats running for the 1st Congressional District said Thursday night they would end funding for the war in Iraq immediately.
SAD 11 board members question state's ruling
GARDINER -- School Administrative District 11 leaders want to know why the state Department of Education approved other districts' consolidation plans with as few as 1,500 students but rejected theirs because it would not create a district of at least 2,500.
Wind farm factions agree on value, not placement
CARRABASSETT VALLEY -- Although fiercely divided on whether wind turbines should be sited in western Maine, the audience at the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission's hearing found some common ground.
JOSEPH R. REISERT : D.C. voting rights bill bipartisan, but clearly not constitutional
A majority of the U.S. Senate demonstrated this week that they either do not understand, or that they do not care about, the structure of our Constitution. Fifty-seven senators, including Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, gave their support in a procedural vote Tuesday to "The District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007."
LTE: Blue Angels are 'essential part of national defense'
I have to take issue with my fellow townsman Tom Sturtevant concerning his Sept. 15 letter criticizing the Kennebec Journal for publicizing the appearance at the Brunswick Naval Air Station of the Blue Angels, the Navy flight demonstration team.
LTE: Baldacci neglects parole, the best option available
Recently there's been a buzz about the governor's plan to take over the county jails and "consolidate" them with the state prisons. Gov. John Baldacci says we've been on the edge of a crisis for a long time and that the current system is inefficient, outdated, unsustainable and intolerable. He cites chronic overcrowding, double-digit growth in costs and a lack of necessary services.
LTE: Familiar feeling from the Petraeus report
With the release of the Petraeus report, I sense that horrible feeling of "Deja Vu -- All Over Again."
MORNING SENTINEL:
LTE: Lower and lower Republicans go
As America's brave troops continue to languish in Iraq, eye-opening facts about the "surge" continue to emerge, raising serious questions about the credibility and purpose of the forthcoming progress report by Gen. David Petraeus.
LTE: Story on Bush Iraq troop plans was misleading
I have two questions about your article, "Bush orders gradual pullout," published on Sept. 14. Why did you choose the words "gradual pullout?" Anyone just glancing at the headline, as many readers do, could understandably conclude that Bush is planning to slowly pull our troops out of Iraq. But, as the article says later on, President Bush "said the U.S. engagement in Iraq will stretch beyond his presidency."
LTE: People in Maine and U.S. need a 'wake-up call'
There are many things that are going on in this state. The war is going on throughout the U.S. It's been going on for years now. When will we have enough? When everyone from the U.S. is dead? I really makes me sick to think of all the innocent people dying, just because the president wants to finish what his dad started. We need a wake-up call before it's too late.
SUN JOURNAL:
Host of Baldacci nominees confirmed
AUGUSTA (AP) - The Maine Senate, with occasional dissents by some members of the Republican minority, routinely approved several dozen nominees put forth by Gov. John Baldacci at a special confirmation session Thursday, including Superior Court Justice Ellen Gorman for a seat on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
LTE: Trying to 'trash America'
During the Vietnam War, the anti-war movement destroyed any chance of winning , while the rest of us did or said nothing. That was the beginning of the liberal movement in this country.
MPBN:
A Day of Sharp Wind Farm Criticism at Black Nubble Hearings
The Black Nubble Wind Farm proposed for western Maine near Sugarloaf was attacked by a National Park Service official today as being "excessive" in scope, and incompatible with the scenic vistas along the Appalachian Trail, about three miles away at its closest point. But it was Pam Underhill's downplaying of the role of global warming and her lambasting of a Maine environmental group for its support of the project that caused many jaws to drop as hearings before the Land Use Regulation Commission entered their second day. Susan Sharon has more. http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070920wind.asx
New Laws Take Effect
Dozens of new state laws take effect today. Now, anyone under the age of 18 caught talking on a cell phone while driving faces a fine, and bicyclists 15 or younger caught riding without a helmet will get a warning. Other new laws are targeted at deceptive mortgage lending tactics and extending family health insurance policies for dependent children. Keith McKeen reports. http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070920laws.asx
S-Chip Funding Heading for Standoff
A federal program that pays for the health care of uninsured children is heading for a standoff between Congress and President Bush. There's strong Congressional support for expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, better known as S-CHIP, but it may not be enough to override the President's promised veto. S-CHIP advocates gathered in Bangor today to emphasize the program's importance. Murray Carpenter reports. http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070920schip.asx
ELLSWORTH AMERICAN:
Ballot Questions for Nov. 6 State Referendum Election
Question One: Citizen Initiative Do you want to allow a Maine tribe to run a harness racing track with slot machines and high-stakes beano games in Washington County ?
MSNBC:
Moderate Republicans and GuantanamoSusan Collins & Olympia Snowe of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. All three voted “no” on the procedural vote. But then a few minutes later, ...
CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY:
Moderates’ Hope for Compromise on Iraq Fading as Reid Takes Hard LineNow it seems like that’s changed,” said Republican Susan Collins of Maine. “The question for Democrats is do they really want to force a change in policy in ...
DENVER POST:
Senators move further apart on Iraq legislationSusan Collins, R-Maine, and Ben Nelson, D-Neb., have a bill that would shift the mission of troops in Iraq. There is talk of merging that bill with the ...
ECONOMIST (UK):
Masters of the SenateAnd the rising tide of anti-war sentiment threatens to submerge a slew of Republican senators in Democratic-leaning states, such as Susan Collins (Maine), ...
AZ CENTRAL:
Bush to veto plan for children's insuranceSusan Collins, R-Maine, said a veto would be a "terrible mistake," which she would vote to override. Bush said he proposed adding $5 billion in spending ...
WASHINGTON BLADE:
Companies leading Congress in protecting gay rights
A national index that rates corporations on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, saw an increase of 41 percent over last year in the number of local and national companies obtaining a perfect score of 100. …In a conference call about the index and what effect it could have on ENDA, Allison Herwitt, HRC’s legislative director, said her organization is working with Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) to move the bill through the Senate.
THE HILL:
MoveOn vote splits DemsSusan Collins (R-Maine), who faces a tough reelection battle in 2008. “I’m disappointed” that Reid decided to eschew a compromise approach, said Oregon’s ...
CQ POLITICS:
Senate’s War Critics Still Short of Votes to Force Major Policy ...A rival proposal from Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Ben Nelson, D-Neb., would change the mission to fighting terrorism, providing border security and ...
HISPANIC BUSINESS:
Senator Blocks Bill to Reverse Bush's Order on Presidential SecretsSusan Collins of Maine, the top Republican on the Lieberman committee, who openly supports the bill. Senate rules don't explicitly provide for a "hold," but ...
BLOGS:
Rep. Peter King points out too many Mosques in USA
President George W. Bush (C), is flanked by U.S. Senator Susan Collins (Republican / Maine), (L), and Representative Peter King (Republican / New York)
WaPo: Collins Visibly Angry
Don't miss this juicy anecdote in today's Washington Post (via Turn Maine Blue) about the disconnect between Maine's senators.
BDN Double Standard?
Yesterday, we commented at some length about BDN's decision to cloak objective, verifiable facts in the language of "he said/she said."
Condemn 'Betray Us' Ad? 24 Democrat Senators Vote 'NO'
The vote expressed “the sense of the Senate that General David H. Petraeus...deserves the full support of the Senate and strongly condemn personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus and all members of the United States Armed Forces."
Senator Susan Collins is too Extreme to Support Even Weak Habeas ...Senator Susan Collins of Maine voted against this, the most tepid restoration of Habeas Corpus rights possible. Senator Collins likes to refer to herself as a moderate Republican. But opposition to even the mildest Habeas Corpus ...
Autumn comes to Collins CountryOur Senator, Susan Collins, said this on 28 March 2007:. "My vote against this rapid withdrawal does not mean that I support an open-ended commitment of US troops to Iraq," Collins said in a statement issued after the vote. ...
Time to get back to work Tom!Congressman Tom Allen seems to be the complete opposite. In the ten years he's been in congress, Allen has missed 129 votes. The following is a statement is from the Maine Republican Party on Tom Allen. Where Was Tom? ...
Thursday Rundown
Maine: We remember from yesterday that Olympia Snowe voted in favor of restoring habeas corpus rights while Susan Collins opted to spit on the Constitution, the rule of law, and due process. Well, Collins seems pretty miffed at Snowe ...
An Evening With Tom Allen
A couple of evenings ago I took the plunge and blew most of this year's donation budget to spend an evening a fundraiser for Democratic Congressman and candidate for the US Senate seat in Maine currently held by Susan Collins, ...
The Sassy Sundries: My Week in Review
Joe Lieberman votes with the fascists, and Susan Collins of Maine shows why she’s still with the fascist party.
Pressure High on Coleman to Protect GOP Seat Margin
Then there are the GOP moderates in Democratic-leaning states – Susan Collins in Maine, John Sununu in New Hampshire, and Gordon Smith in Oregon. The question is how many of these seats will turn over to the Democrats a la Lincoln ...
Flawed Analyses
Susan Collins of Maine has proposed a redeployment of 50000 troops from combat in Iraq to training Iraqis, in anticipation of her re-election battle (which is shaping up to be a doozy, and Olympia Snowe, the other Senator from Maine, ...
Allen misses 19 votes in one week for “political activities”
When pressed whether “political activities” means that Allen was campaigning for the US Senate instead of voting, Sullivan deferred the question to Allen’s campaign staff. Allen is challenging Senator Susan Collins for her Maine Senate ...
A New Definition of Lockstep of Which We Were Previously Unaware
Susan Collins (ME, 48%);. Chuck Hagel (NE, 75%);. Gordon Smith (OR, 72%);. Olympia Snowe (ME, 36%);. John Sununu (NH, 88%). So 43 out of 49 Republicans voting with the president (a rate of 87.8%) constitutes "march[ing] in line" with ...
Why Do Joe Lieberman & the Republicans Hate America & Our Troops?
The same group -- minus Specter and Lugar, plus Norm Coleman and Susan Collins -- joined all Democrats in voting to move forward on Jim Webb's troop bill. After the remaining Republicans joined Lieberman in killing Webb's bill, ...
Tom Coburn : Dr. Death aims to kill Congress
So often, we now see a handful of Republicans breaking with Party Managers on specific votes, but I suspect some (Norm Coleman, Gordan Smith, and John Sununu) are motivated by the 2008 election while others (Susan Collins and Olympia ...
Kay's Fan Club Attacks WNIW
One would think that the link was to some laid out path to the inner evil of liberals, no instead the bright troll linked toKay’s post about Susan Collins ignoring her constituents. Here’s the first paragraph from the link: ...
Political Dork
Maine - Susan Collins is vulnerable. The state is very blue and she is not as stable as Olympia Snow. She did raise a lot of money and so far no strong Democratic challenger emerged yet. I hope the state's Democratic party get their act ...
What Bishops Do -Or Refuse To Do- Matters
A quick glance at the list of the 16 Catholic Senators who voted for the amendment in question shows that 15 are Democrats and only one (Susan Collins (R-ME)) is a Republican. How else can we explain this travesty? ...
Maine News Headline Animator
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
News from Friday, September 14, 2007
Animal program sets off 'alarms'
By Lindsay Tice , Staff Writer
Lewiston Sun Journal
Friday, September 14, 2007
LEWISTON - A group of breeders, farmers and pet owners lambasted the state's Animal Welfare Program on Thursday, calling its director corrupt and saying recent amendments to Maine's animal welfare law will bring the program money but will not help animals.
After the meeting at the Lewiston Public Library, state Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, vowed to get those new amendments changed and called for an investigation into the Animal Welfare Program.
"I've observed the department and was concerned with how the whole thing was going," Snowe-Mello said. "Alarms were going off in my head."
But Norma Worley, director of the Animal Welfare Program, defends the integrity of her department. And state Sen. John Nutting, D-Leeds, who co-sponsored the bill that amended the state's animal welfare law, believes protesters are only angry because they'll no longer be allowed to breed dogs and cats without some sort of oversight into the care of those animals.
"They're very upset now the state will know where they are," Nutting said.
Passed last session, the animal welfare bill made dozens of changes to state law. Many of those changes were minor, like increasing the dog-license fee by $1.
But one change has proven extremely controversial. It requires people who want to advertise the sale of a puppy or kitten to pay the state $25 for a vendor number to place in their ad or become a state-licensed breeder, pay a $75 annual licensing fee and submit to animal welfare inspections. It also marks as a "pet dealer" anyone who keeps five or more cats or dogs capable of breeding and sells their offspring.
The changes take effect Sept. 21.
"What is happening in this state is like Gestapo methods of controlling people and kennels, breeders, pet centers. And we need to get together," Snowe-Mello said.
On Thursday, nearly 20 breeders, farmers and pet owners agreed. They met with Snowe-Mello, Rep. Michael Vaughan, R-Durham, and Rep. Scott Lansley, R-Sabattus, to rail against the new animal welfare amendments, saying the bill passed without their notice, the state has no right to interfere with their animals and the new fee amounts to another tax.
"We as the people had nothing to do with enacting this law and frankly that pisses me off," said a Lewiston dog owner who gave her name only as Elsie.
The group also blasted the state's Animal Welfare Program in general and Worley, its director, in particular. They said the program was corrupt and in cahoots with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society. They said the department is abusing its power by raiding perfectly good homes, taking the animals and selling them.
They pointed to the recent seizure of nearly 250 dogs at a Buxton kennel as proof.
"They stole my 12- and 13-year-old pets, and I haven't seen them for a month. They're criminal racketeers," said Heidi Frasca, whose J'amie Kennel was raided in August.
She and her husband, John, face charges of running a kennel without a license, animal cruelty and failure to provide necessary medical treatment to animals. But they said Thursday that they were being railroaded by the Animal Welfare Program and alleged the department wanted their animals to sell.
State officials said many of the dogs have sarcoptic mange and giardia, an intestinal parasite. A lot of the animals remain at the kennel and are being cared for by volunteers.
Snowe-Mello said she went to the Frascas' kennel after the seizure and was stunned to encounter animal workers without protective clothing, even though officials have said the dogs are sick and contagious. The Animal Welfare Program, she said, doesn't appear to be open and honest.
"Frankly, I'm afraid of this department. Very afraid," Snowe-Mello said.
She wants an investigation into the Animal Welfare Program and clearer rules and regulations "so people know where they stand." In the meantime, she plans to work with other lawmakers to submit emergency legislation to amend the new amendments.
She urged breeders, farmers and pet owners to organize in support.
"Everyone make noise," she said. "But be respectful."
But while the group condemned the Animal Welfare Program on Thursday, Worley said her department is doing better than it did before she took over in 2003.
She points to animal-abuse investigators who are now trained and certified, a successful spay/neuter program and a number of seizures that have saved animals from abuse.
"I'm very proud of the things we've accomplished," Worley said.
She also denies any relationship with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Her program does have a relationship with the Humane Society, she said, because the organization's shelters care for and put up for adoption the abused animals her officials seize.
She said the department does not sell animals and does not make money by taking animals from their homes. With the cost of vet care, lodging and food, she said, "We lose money every time an animals is removed."
Nutting, who runs a farm in Leeds, believes in the Animal Welfare Program. While it may have been corrupt six or seven years ago, he said, "We're hearing very good reports all over the place."
He plans to fight any effort to change the amendments he co-sponsored. He thinks the changes will help save animals' lives.
"In my humble opinion, shame on any legislator who does try to repeal this," he said.
By Lindsay Tice , Staff Writer
Lewiston Sun Journal
Friday, September 14, 2007
LEWISTON - A group of breeders, farmers and pet owners lambasted the state's Animal Welfare Program on Thursday, calling its director corrupt and saying recent amendments to Maine's animal welfare law will bring the program money but will not help animals.
After the meeting at the Lewiston Public Library, state Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, vowed to get those new amendments changed and called for an investigation into the Animal Welfare Program.
"I've observed the department and was concerned with how the whole thing was going," Snowe-Mello said. "Alarms were going off in my head."
But Norma Worley, director of the Animal Welfare Program, defends the integrity of her department. And state Sen. John Nutting, D-Leeds, who co-sponsored the bill that amended the state's animal welfare law, believes protesters are only angry because they'll no longer be allowed to breed dogs and cats without some sort of oversight into the care of those animals.
"They're very upset now the state will know where they are," Nutting said.
Passed last session, the animal welfare bill made dozens of changes to state law. Many of those changes were minor, like increasing the dog-license fee by $1.
But one change has proven extremely controversial. It requires people who want to advertise the sale of a puppy or kitten to pay the state $25 for a vendor number to place in their ad or become a state-licensed breeder, pay a $75 annual licensing fee and submit to animal welfare inspections. It also marks as a "pet dealer" anyone who keeps five or more cats or dogs capable of breeding and sells their offspring.
The changes take effect Sept. 21.
"What is happening in this state is like Gestapo methods of controlling people and kennels, breeders, pet centers. And we need to get together," Snowe-Mello said.
On Thursday, nearly 20 breeders, farmers and pet owners agreed. They met with Snowe-Mello, Rep. Michael Vaughan, R-Durham, and Rep. Scott Lansley, R-Sabattus, to rail against the new animal welfare amendments, saying the bill passed without their notice, the state has no right to interfere with their animals and the new fee amounts to another tax.
"We as the people had nothing to do with enacting this law and frankly that pisses me off," said a Lewiston dog owner who gave her name only as Elsie.
The group also blasted the state's Animal Welfare Program in general and Worley, its director, in particular. They said the program was corrupt and in cahoots with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society. They said the department is abusing its power by raiding perfectly good homes, taking the animals and selling them.
They pointed to the recent seizure of nearly 250 dogs at a Buxton kennel as proof.
"They stole my 12- and 13-year-old pets, and I haven't seen them for a month. They're criminal racketeers," said Heidi Frasca, whose J'amie Kennel was raided in August.
She and her husband, John, face charges of running a kennel without a license, animal cruelty and failure to provide necessary medical treatment to animals. But they said Thursday that they were being railroaded by the Animal Welfare Program and alleged the department wanted their animals to sell.
State officials said many of the dogs have sarcoptic mange and giardia, an intestinal parasite. A lot of the animals remain at the kennel and are being cared for by volunteers.
Snowe-Mello said she went to the Frascas' kennel after the seizure and was stunned to encounter animal workers without protective clothing, even though officials have said the dogs are sick and contagious. The Animal Welfare Program, she said, doesn't appear to be open and honest.
"Frankly, I'm afraid of this department. Very afraid," Snowe-Mello said.
She wants an investigation into the Animal Welfare Program and clearer rules and regulations "so people know where they stand." In the meantime, she plans to work with other lawmakers to submit emergency legislation to amend the new amendments.
She urged breeders, farmers and pet owners to organize in support.
"Everyone make noise," she said. "But be respectful."
But while the group condemned the Animal Welfare Program on Thursday, Worley said her department is doing better than it did before she took over in 2003.
She points to animal-abuse investigators who are now trained and certified, a successful spay/neuter program and a number of seizures that have saved animals from abuse.
"I'm very proud of the things we've accomplished," Worley said.
She also denies any relationship with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Her program does have a relationship with the Humane Society, she said, because the organization's shelters care for and put up for adoption the abused animals her officials seize.
She said the department does not sell animals and does not make money by taking animals from their homes. With the cost of vet care, lodging and food, she said, "We lose money every time an animals is removed."
Nutting, who runs a farm in Leeds, believes in the Animal Welfare Program. While it may have been corrupt six or seven years ago, he said, "We're hearing very good reports all over the place."
He plans to fight any effort to change the amendments he co-sponsored. He thinks the changes will help save animals' lives.
"In my humble opinion, shame on any legislator who does try to repeal this," he said.
Maine News for Thursday, September 20, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
New laws taking effect today Scores of state statutes will affect motorists, businesses, consumers, students and others.
Wind farm generates political tempest A federal official's stance on Maine's Black Nubble project is questioned by a California congressman.
Wind-power hearing loses LURC memberWight removes himself but says a complaint from project opponents is full of 'unsubstantiated' claims.
EDITORIAL: Shootout in Iraq raises serious questions about security firms If Blackwater's guards overreacted violently, the firm deserves to have its contracts deep-sixed.
OP/ED: Shootout in Iraq raises serious questions about security firms If Blackwater's guards overreacted violently, the firm deserves to have its contracts deep-sixed.
LTE: War deadlines come and go, and we're still in Iraq
BANGOR DAILY:
Compromise SCHIP in the worksWASHINGTON - Millions of children across the country, including thousands in Maine, would lose their health insurance if the federal program paying for their coverage expires Sept. 30.
MoveOn.org bolsters Allen's campaign coffers
Rep. Tom Allen, who is seeking to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in the 2008 election, has received nearly $250,000 in campaign funds generated by the liberal Web site MoveOn.Org.
Leaders tilt toward Bass Park for new Bangor arenaBANGOR, Maine - Most of the roughly 40 people who came to City Hall on Wednesday to weigh in on plans to replace the aging Bangor Auditorium told a city consultant that a new facility should be built at Bass Park, as opposed to downtown.
Somerset County jail construction continuesThursday, September 20, 2007SKOWHEGAN, Maine - All three Somerset County commissioners came to Wednesday night's meeting prepared to shut down construction of their $30 million jail, which is about one-third complete.
Saufley fights bid for cuts to courtsThursday, September 20, 2007AUGUSTA - Maine Chief Justice Leigh Saufley is rejecting a request from a legislative panel to identify $2.7 million in cuts from the court system's budget as part of $30 million in state spending reductions.
New bicycle laws include helmet requirementThursday, September 20, 2007Beginning today, your child can be fined for not wearing a helmet while bicycling.
Maine drivers under age 18: Silence your cell phones Thursday, September 20, 2007AUGUSTA - Like other driving instructors across Maine, Dwight Hawkins has a new lesson to add to his course this fall: If you're under 18 and behind the wheel, lose the cell phone.
Verizon-FairPoint merger focus of hearingThursday, September 20, 2007FORT KENT - A majority of speakers voiced their support for the proposed Verizon-FairPoint telecommunications merger at the first of three Maine Public Utilities Commission public hearings Tuesday night at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
Opinion:
Today's Editorial:
FairPoint Deal PrioritiesWhile a campaign heats up to stop FairPoint Communications from merging with a Verizon spinoff of its land lines in northern New England, the public would be best served if the debate remained on the company's expected quality of service, rates and the capacity for investment.
George Will: New AG faces major questionsMichael Mukasey, the retired judge nominated to be attorney general, is called a 'law and order' conservative.
Thursday's Letters to the Editor … Iraq, al-Qaida link false … Selling the war in Iraq … Pro-war nonsense
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
HOUSE 83: Pat Jones wins Democrats' nod AUGUSTA -- Local Democrats have chosen Pat Jones, widow of Rep. Deane Jones, to be their nominee for the House District 83 seat.
SYLVIA VILES LUND 1932-2007A lifetime of commitmentAugusta city councilor, former legislator succumbs to illness AUGUSTA -- Sylvia Viles Lund -- a two-term legislator, three-term Augusta city councilor and mother of six -- died Tuesday at the age of 75.
MaineGeneral plan fueling skepticismAugusta obstetricians say in-patient service move is impractical AUGUSTA -- The three local obstetricians who deliver babies at MaineGeneral Health's Augusta hospital said they are leery of an idea to move all in-patient services -- including obstetrics -- to the medical center's Thayer campus in Waterville.
Many details are awaiting discussion WATERVILLE -- MaineGeneral Health is exploring consolidating full service, in-patient care into a single hospital in Waterville.
King talks leadership at UMA AUGUSTA -- Maine's own Joshua Chamberlain stood on top of Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg, in what many believe to be the turning point of the Civil War, and led his ragged band of Maine soldiers -- desperate and out of ammunition -- in a surprise charge down the rugged slope and into the face of attacking Confederate soldiers with just one word.
BRUNSWICK NAVAL AIR STATIONPanel approves development plan BRUNSWICK -- An office park, resort hotel and golf course, general aviation airport, college campus and hundreds of acres for recreation are key features of the plan that will guide redevelopment of Brunswick Naval Air Station after it closes in 2011.
LURC official steps away from wind talks CARRABASSETT VALLEY -- A longtime member of the state's Land Use Regulation Commission removed himself from the discussion of a proposed wind power project at the start of a three-day hearing on Wednesday.
Editorials:
Correction A column on page A7 on Wednesday should have said a bill extending medical insurance to retired police and firefighters requires the state to provide 45 percent of the costs for that insurance, not 100 percent. The insurance is for police and firefighters who choose to have this benefit. It is not automatically extended to all of them.
Augusta keeps its school leader in calculated risk Augusta School Superintendent Cornelia Brown has done a fine job over the last nine years. She is by all accounts an ace manager and a crackerjack financial analyst. She knows when to lead: Her work on the construction of a new Cony High School was essential to its success. And she knows when to follow: The members of the Augusta Board of Education have high praise for her, even in the rare instances when they don't agree with her ideas.
Columns:
JIM BRUNELLE : Nov. 6 ballot revives moral dilemma of racinoPassamaquoddy Indians resubmit gambling plan Maine voters will face an unusual moral dilemma when they go to the polls Nov. 6 to participate in this year's referendum balloting.
SUN JOURNAL:
Senate denies access to courtsWASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate narrowly rejected legislation on Wednesday that would have given military detainees the right to protest their detention in federal court.
Postman earns national honorLEWISTON - Mail carrier Wayne Viger remembers vividly the afternoon he stepped into the burning apartment on Knox Street in search of people. It was April 3, 2006, and he was at the end of his route.
LTE: Osama and Bush in cahootsOsama bin Laden and President Bush are playing good cop, bad cop.
LTE: Stand up, America"I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States." That's what U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said upon taking office.
TIMES RECORD:
OP/ED: My cash won't fund military-industrial complex...(full story)
LTE: Chilling, not thrilling...(full story)
ELLSWORTH AMERICAN:
More Thorough Reports From Lobbyists Required
AUGUSTA — A new law goes into effect this week that requires lobbyists to report not only the time they spend talking to legislators about bills, but also their interactions with policy makers in the executive branch.
LTE: Protest Is the Lifeblood of Democracy
In the words of Ronald Reagan, there you go again! Two weeks ago, I wrote a letter (“Now Collins Knows How We Feel” Aug. 30) suggesting that in an editorial about Tom Allen’s “tracking” of Susan Collins (“A Deplorable Practice,” Aug. 23) you had missed the underlying point at issue.
LTE: Impeach Bush
Our Constitution sets out the way to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home: impeach the regrettable President who started the war.
PORTLAND PHOENIX:
TALKING POLITICSNot accepted anywhere: Politics and other mistakesI admit Winkle — it’s OK if I call you Winkle, isn’t it, Mr. Paw? — doesn’t have a lot to do with Maine politics.
PORTSMOUTH HERALD:
Allen: Expand health insurance coverageCongressman Tom Allen speaks at Friday's Eggs and Issues meeting at York County Community College in Wells.
OP/ED: You're probably paying too muchTom Allen's formula for fixing the health care crisis for small businesses and the middle class reminded us of another item we recently came across. ...
WASHINGTON POST:
Who Knew? Susan Collins Sure Didn't
Comparing the Senate to middle school -- not a terribly big stretch -- the two senators from Maine, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, would be those girls who endlessly compete by mimicking each other.
CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY:
Senate’s War Critics Still Short of Votes to Force Major Policy ...A rival proposal from Susan Collins , R-Maine, and Ben Nelson , D-Neb., would change the mission to fighting terrorism, providing border security and ...
POST CHRONICLE:
Filibuster Tactic Kills Troop Rest BillAmong the Republicans who voted for the bill, four -- Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Gordon Smith of Oregon, John Sununu of New Hampshire and Susan Collins of ...
BAY AREA REPORTER:
UPS scores big on HRC corporate index despite earlier troubles
"The Corporate Equality Index is an excellent tool for us to use on Capitol Hill," said Herwitt. "Especially as we try to move [the Employment Non-Discrimination Act] through the House and the Senate ... [to] show Congress that corporate America is moving past Congress on this issue." … Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) will lead the bill on the Senate side.
YUBA NET:
Senate Approves Whistleblower Protections for Defense Contractors
The Government Accountability Project (GAP) today applauded the U.S. Senate for approving Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Sen. Susan Collins' (R-ME) whistleblower protection amendment for employees of Department of Defense (DoD) contractors (S.Amdt. 2617).
BLOGS:
Habeas Corpus and a Senate Race in MaineGOP Senator Susan Collins votes against the Constitution, in stark contrast to Democratic challenger Tom Allen -- and Maine Republican Olympia Snowe.
Susan Collins: We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Habeas Corpus
The Senate narrowly rejected a bill allowing ‘war on terror’ prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to challenge their detention in federal courts by restoring habeas corpus. While senators voted 56-43 in favor of the bill, but the final ...
Habeus Corpus Passes in the Senate, but not the Filibuster
And Susan Collins of Maine also voted against it, the centrist Republican who will be in the political fight of her life next November. The full roll call is here. "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary ...
Susan Collins votes against the Constitution
Collins was one of four votes preventing restoring habeas corpus. And to add insult to injury:. Collins’s chirpy little staffer didn’t even know that’s how she voted. I guess her office thinks restoring Constitutional government isn’ta ...
Republicans Whining in Their Nooses
Republicans willingly signed up for the worst spree of spending and debt the country has ever seen in the last six years, but now Susan Collins is angry Bush is being the authoritarian hypocritical prick he’s always been?
GOP filibusters habeas restoration
Republican senators supporting the filibuster who are retiring included John Warner of Virginia and Wayne Allard of Colorado. Susan Collins also supported the filibuster - we hope Tom Allen doesn't let the people of Maine forget that.
MORE ON DC VOTING RIGHTSAs Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said in voting for the bill in committee last week, "I have concluded that the constitutionality of this legislation is a close call and is best resolved by the courts and not by this ...
Baldacci on WVOM: Schools, Jails, Special Session 9/19
Guest Gov. Baldacci talking about school/jail consolidation, special session. The George Hale/Ric Tyler Show.
Collns, Snowe Vote "Yea" on Webb Amdmt to Defense Bill
Sen. John McCain said this amendment is unconsitutional. Sens. Collins and Snowe are supporting McCain for U.S. President - so why did they vote “Yea” on the Webb Amendment?
AG Sec Johanns Preparing for US Senate Run?
A state GOP official said Johanns was planning to announce his bid to replace outgoing Republican Chuck Hagel as early as Monday.
John Frary Column: The Jailhouse Crock
Last month Governor Baldacci proposed consolidation and centralization of the state’s fifteen county jails into a single state prison system.
LL Bean Head: Stop Global Warming, Vote for Ethan Strimling
Deane Jones's wife seeking Democratic nomination in HD83
Republicans view our soldiers as their own personal work horses…
Need your lawn mowed? Call a US Soldier! Need someone to wash your car? Call a US Soldier! Need someone to continue to fight an illegal occupation with a civil war center for you, because you don’t want your kids to and because you want to save your own ego? Call a US Soldier!
Senate 2008 Guru: Wednesday Round up
Maine: The Bangor Daily News gets half-credit for their article on Susan Collins breaking her own term-limits pledge, while other Republican Senators who made similar pledges at the same time Collins did, including Colorado's Wayne Allard and Nebraska's Chuck Hagel, are honoring their pledges. Why only half credit? Because the headline reads: "Democrats say Collins broke two-term pledge." This isn't a political attack that Democrats are waging. It is a fact.
Reporting on The Pledge
Give the Bangor Daily News credit for paying attention, this early in the race, to Sen. Collins pledge to serve no more than two-terms. (We discussed the pledge here.) That said, Tom Groening's reporting leaves a lot to be desired. Start with the headline: "Democrats say Collins broke two-term pledge." Well, did she or didn't she? Why the suspense? Unfortunately, the article itself is similarly non-committal:
This Is Leadership?
Sen. Collins is nominally in favor of the Webb amendment.
And yet, when she's asked about its chances of passage, does she work to rally support for the measure? Does she use the opportunity to underscore the dangers of stretching our military too thin?
Of course not.
Should Collins honor her pledge?
(Vote now, and tell your friends! - promoted by ruthlessliberal)The BDN has an article about Collins' pledge to serve only two terms, plus an online poll:
Sockpuppets
I hate to do this, but I really really hate sockpuppets. First off, let me explain what a sockpuppet is. When you sign up for TMB, you have one account, and you only post under that one account. If you create another account to either backup your claims on your first account, or use the other account to bash other people in hopes that it won't come back to you...that's a sockpuppet. We have one of those on our site right now, and here it is.
"The Fat Lady has not Sung Yet"Susan Collins, had even attached an amendment calling for "expedited" judicial review in an attempt to assuage her colleagues concerns.
New laws taking effect today Scores of state statutes will affect motorists, businesses, consumers, students and others.
Wind farm generates political tempest A federal official's stance on Maine's Black Nubble project is questioned by a California congressman.
Wind-power hearing loses LURC memberWight removes himself but says a complaint from project opponents is full of 'unsubstantiated' claims.
EDITORIAL: Shootout in Iraq raises serious questions about security firms If Blackwater's guards overreacted violently, the firm deserves to have its contracts deep-sixed.
OP/ED: Shootout in Iraq raises serious questions about security firms If Blackwater's guards overreacted violently, the firm deserves to have its contracts deep-sixed.
LTE: War deadlines come and go, and we're still in Iraq
BANGOR DAILY:
Compromise SCHIP in the worksWASHINGTON - Millions of children across the country, including thousands in Maine, would lose their health insurance if the federal program paying for their coverage expires Sept. 30.
MoveOn.org bolsters Allen's campaign coffers
Rep. Tom Allen, who is seeking to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in the 2008 election, has received nearly $250,000 in campaign funds generated by the liberal Web site MoveOn.Org.
Leaders tilt toward Bass Park for new Bangor arenaBANGOR, Maine - Most of the roughly 40 people who came to City Hall on Wednesday to weigh in on plans to replace the aging Bangor Auditorium told a city consultant that a new facility should be built at Bass Park, as opposed to downtown.
Somerset County jail construction continuesThursday, September 20, 2007SKOWHEGAN, Maine - All three Somerset County commissioners came to Wednesday night's meeting prepared to shut down construction of their $30 million jail, which is about one-third complete.
Saufley fights bid for cuts to courtsThursday, September 20, 2007AUGUSTA - Maine Chief Justice Leigh Saufley is rejecting a request from a legislative panel to identify $2.7 million in cuts from the court system's budget as part of $30 million in state spending reductions.
New bicycle laws include helmet requirementThursday, September 20, 2007Beginning today, your child can be fined for not wearing a helmet while bicycling.
Maine drivers under age 18: Silence your cell phones Thursday, September 20, 2007AUGUSTA - Like other driving instructors across Maine, Dwight Hawkins has a new lesson to add to his course this fall: If you're under 18 and behind the wheel, lose the cell phone.
Verizon-FairPoint merger focus of hearingThursday, September 20, 2007FORT KENT - A majority of speakers voiced their support for the proposed Verizon-FairPoint telecommunications merger at the first of three Maine Public Utilities Commission public hearings Tuesday night at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
Opinion:
Today's Editorial:
FairPoint Deal PrioritiesWhile a campaign heats up to stop FairPoint Communications from merging with a Verizon spinoff of its land lines in northern New England, the public would be best served if the debate remained on the company's expected quality of service, rates and the capacity for investment.
George Will: New AG faces major questionsMichael Mukasey, the retired judge nominated to be attorney general, is called a 'law and order' conservative.
Thursday's Letters to the Editor … Iraq, al-Qaida link false … Selling the war in Iraq … Pro-war nonsense
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
HOUSE 83: Pat Jones wins Democrats' nod AUGUSTA -- Local Democrats have chosen Pat Jones, widow of Rep. Deane Jones, to be their nominee for the House District 83 seat.
SYLVIA VILES LUND 1932-2007A lifetime of commitmentAugusta city councilor, former legislator succumbs to illness AUGUSTA -- Sylvia Viles Lund -- a two-term legislator, three-term Augusta city councilor and mother of six -- died Tuesday at the age of 75.
MaineGeneral plan fueling skepticismAugusta obstetricians say in-patient service move is impractical AUGUSTA -- The three local obstetricians who deliver babies at MaineGeneral Health's Augusta hospital said they are leery of an idea to move all in-patient services -- including obstetrics -- to the medical center's Thayer campus in Waterville.
Many details are awaiting discussion WATERVILLE -- MaineGeneral Health is exploring consolidating full service, in-patient care into a single hospital in Waterville.
King talks leadership at UMA AUGUSTA -- Maine's own Joshua Chamberlain stood on top of Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg, in what many believe to be the turning point of the Civil War, and led his ragged band of Maine soldiers -- desperate and out of ammunition -- in a surprise charge down the rugged slope and into the face of attacking Confederate soldiers with just one word.
BRUNSWICK NAVAL AIR STATIONPanel approves development plan BRUNSWICK -- An office park, resort hotel and golf course, general aviation airport, college campus and hundreds of acres for recreation are key features of the plan that will guide redevelopment of Brunswick Naval Air Station after it closes in 2011.
LURC official steps away from wind talks CARRABASSETT VALLEY -- A longtime member of the state's Land Use Regulation Commission removed himself from the discussion of a proposed wind power project at the start of a three-day hearing on Wednesday.
Editorials:
Correction A column on page A7 on Wednesday should have said a bill extending medical insurance to retired police and firefighters requires the state to provide 45 percent of the costs for that insurance, not 100 percent. The insurance is for police and firefighters who choose to have this benefit. It is not automatically extended to all of them.
Augusta keeps its school leader in calculated risk Augusta School Superintendent Cornelia Brown has done a fine job over the last nine years. She is by all accounts an ace manager and a crackerjack financial analyst. She knows when to lead: Her work on the construction of a new Cony High School was essential to its success. And she knows when to follow: The members of the Augusta Board of Education have high praise for her, even in the rare instances when they don't agree with her ideas.
Columns:
JIM BRUNELLE : Nov. 6 ballot revives moral dilemma of racinoPassamaquoddy Indians resubmit gambling plan Maine voters will face an unusual moral dilemma when they go to the polls Nov. 6 to participate in this year's referendum balloting.
SUN JOURNAL:
Senate denies access to courtsWASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate narrowly rejected legislation on Wednesday that would have given military detainees the right to protest their detention in federal court.
Postman earns national honorLEWISTON - Mail carrier Wayne Viger remembers vividly the afternoon he stepped into the burning apartment on Knox Street in search of people. It was April 3, 2006, and he was at the end of his route.
LTE: Osama and Bush in cahootsOsama bin Laden and President Bush are playing good cop, bad cop.
LTE: Stand up, America"I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States." That's what U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said upon taking office.
TIMES RECORD:
OP/ED: My cash won't fund military-industrial complex...(full story)
LTE: Chilling, not thrilling...(full story)
ELLSWORTH AMERICAN:
More Thorough Reports From Lobbyists Required
AUGUSTA — A new law goes into effect this week that requires lobbyists to report not only the time they spend talking to legislators about bills, but also their interactions with policy makers in the executive branch.
LTE: Protest Is the Lifeblood of Democracy
In the words of Ronald Reagan, there you go again! Two weeks ago, I wrote a letter (“Now Collins Knows How We Feel” Aug. 30) suggesting that in an editorial about Tom Allen’s “tracking” of Susan Collins (“A Deplorable Practice,” Aug. 23) you had missed the underlying point at issue.
LTE: Impeach Bush
Our Constitution sets out the way to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home: impeach the regrettable President who started the war.
PORTLAND PHOENIX:
TALKING POLITICSNot accepted anywhere: Politics and other mistakesI admit Winkle — it’s OK if I call you Winkle, isn’t it, Mr. Paw? — doesn’t have a lot to do with Maine politics.
PORTSMOUTH HERALD:
Allen: Expand health insurance coverageCongressman Tom Allen speaks at Friday's Eggs and Issues meeting at York County Community College in Wells.
OP/ED: You're probably paying too muchTom Allen's formula for fixing the health care crisis for small businesses and the middle class reminded us of another item we recently came across. ...
WASHINGTON POST:
Who Knew? Susan Collins Sure Didn't
Comparing the Senate to middle school -- not a terribly big stretch -- the two senators from Maine, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, would be those girls who endlessly compete by mimicking each other.
CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY:
Senate’s War Critics Still Short of Votes to Force Major Policy ...A rival proposal from Susan Collins , R-Maine, and Ben Nelson , D-Neb., would change the mission to fighting terrorism, providing border security and ...
POST CHRONICLE:
Filibuster Tactic Kills Troop Rest BillAmong the Republicans who voted for the bill, four -- Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Gordon Smith of Oregon, John Sununu of New Hampshire and Susan Collins of ...
BAY AREA REPORTER:
UPS scores big on HRC corporate index despite earlier troubles
"The Corporate Equality Index is an excellent tool for us to use on Capitol Hill," said Herwitt. "Especially as we try to move [the Employment Non-Discrimination Act] through the House and the Senate ... [to] show Congress that corporate America is moving past Congress on this issue." … Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) will lead the bill on the Senate side.
YUBA NET:
Senate Approves Whistleblower Protections for Defense Contractors
The Government Accountability Project (GAP) today applauded the U.S. Senate for approving Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Sen. Susan Collins' (R-ME) whistleblower protection amendment for employees of Department of Defense (DoD) contractors (S.Amdt. 2617).
BLOGS:
Habeas Corpus and a Senate Race in MaineGOP Senator Susan Collins votes against the Constitution, in stark contrast to Democratic challenger Tom Allen -- and Maine Republican Olympia Snowe.
Susan Collins: We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Habeas Corpus
The Senate narrowly rejected a bill allowing ‘war on terror’ prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to challenge their detention in federal courts by restoring habeas corpus. While senators voted 56-43 in favor of the bill, but the final ...
Habeus Corpus Passes in the Senate, but not the Filibuster
And Susan Collins of Maine also voted against it, the centrist Republican who will be in the political fight of her life next November. The full roll call is here. "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary ...
Susan Collins votes against the Constitution
Collins was one of four votes preventing restoring habeas corpus. And to add insult to injury:. Collins’s chirpy little staffer didn’t even know that’s how she voted. I guess her office thinks restoring Constitutional government isn’ta ...
Republicans Whining in Their Nooses
Republicans willingly signed up for the worst spree of spending and debt the country has ever seen in the last six years, but now Susan Collins is angry Bush is being the authoritarian hypocritical prick he’s always been?
GOP filibusters habeas restoration
Republican senators supporting the filibuster who are retiring included John Warner of Virginia and Wayne Allard of Colorado. Susan Collins also supported the filibuster - we hope Tom Allen doesn't let the people of Maine forget that.
MORE ON DC VOTING RIGHTSAs Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said in voting for the bill in committee last week, "I have concluded that the constitutionality of this legislation is a close call and is best resolved by the courts and not by this ...
Baldacci on WVOM: Schools, Jails, Special Session 9/19
Guest Gov. Baldacci talking about school/jail consolidation, special session. The George Hale/Ric Tyler Show.
Collns, Snowe Vote "Yea" on Webb Amdmt to Defense Bill
Sen. John McCain said this amendment is unconsitutional. Sens. Collins and Snowe are supporting McCain for U.S. President - so why did they vote “Yea” on the Webb Amendment?
AG Sec Johanns Preparing for US Senate Run?
A state GOP official said Johanns was planning to announce his bid to replace outgoing Republican Chuck Hagel as early as Monday.
John Frary Column: The Jailhouse Crock
Last month Governor Baldacci proposed consolidation and centralization of the state’s fifteen county jails into a single state prison system.
LL Bean Head: Stop Global Warming, Vote for Ethan Strimling
Deane Jones's wife seeking Democratic nomination in HD83
Republicans view our soldiers as their own personal work horses…
Need your lawn mowed? Call a US Soldier! Need someone to wash your car? Call a US Soldier! Need someone to continue to fight an illegal occupation with a civil war center for you, because you don’t want your kids to and because you want to save your own ego? Call a US Soldier!
Senate 2008 Guru: Wednesday Round up
Maine: The Bangor Daily News gets half-credit for their article on Susan Collins breaking her own term-limits pledge, while other Republican Senators who made similar pledges at the same time Collins did, including Colorado's Wayne Allard and Nebraska's Chuck Hagel, are honoring their pledges. Why only half credit? Because the headline reads: "Democrats say Collins broke two-term pledge." This isn't a political attack that Democrats are waging. It is a fact.
Reporting on The Pledge
Give the Bangor Daily News credit for paying attention, this early in the race, to Sen. Collins pledge to serve no more than two-terms. (We discussed the pledge here.) That said, Tom Groening's reporting leaves a lot to be desired. Start with the headline: "Democrats say Collins broke two-term pledge." Well, did she or didn't she? Why the suspense? Unfortunately, the article itself is similarly non-committal:
This Is Leadership?
Sen. Collins is nominally in favor of the Webb amendment.
And yet, when she's asked about its chances of passage, does she work to rally support for the measure? Does she use the opportunity to underscore the dangers of stretching our military too thin?
Of course not.
Should Collins honor her pledge?
(Vote now, and tell your friends! - promoted by ruthlessliberal)The BDN has an article about Collins' pledge to serve only two terms, plus an online poll:
Sockpuppets
I hate to do this, but I really really hate sockpuppets. First off, let me explain what a sockpuppet is. When you sign up for TMB, you have one account, and you only post under that one account. If you create another account to either backup your claims on your first account, or use the other account to bash other people in hopes that it won't come back to you...that's a sockpuppet. We have one of those on our site right now, and here it is.
"The Fat Lady has not Sung Yet"Susan Collins, had even attached an amendment calling for "expedited" judicial review in an attempt to assuage her colleagues concerns.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Maine News for Wednesday, September 19, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
Agency chief: It was mistake to call member of land board But he insists he was not trying to influence voting on a wind farm project.
EDITORIAL: ACLU says Sen. Craig's restroom signals should not be a crime In court papers, the organization argues that communication about sex is free speech.
BANGOR DAILY:
Safeguards sought for Maine Guard AUGUSTA - The business of protecting Maine's citizen soldiers from falling through the cracks of the federal military health care system got under way Tuesday with the inaugural meeting of the Commission to Protect the Lives and Health of Members of the Maine National Guard.
Democrats say Collins broke two-term pledgeSusan Collins pledged to serve just two terms in the Senate, and a state Democratic Party official wants to hold her to that promise.
Safety GameSusan Collins will help determine if the government needs to do more. She has asked the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to ...
John Buell: The many faces of modern capitalismIn the course of her epic battles against unionized coal miners in Britain, Margaret Thatcher (aka the Iron Lady) argued "there is no alternative" to rolling back unions, shrinking government, and shredding safety nets.
Wednesday's Letters to the Editor … Primary frustration …End the war rally … Terrorism’s recruits … Why we’re in Iraq
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Commission seeks to guard health of Maine's soldiers AUGUSTA -- Barbara Damon-Day is a self-described "mother with a mission."
LURC to discuss wind farm proposal Conservation commissioner chided for his conversation Patrick McGowan, commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation, said Tuesday he should not have called a Land Use Regulation Commission member to talk about a controversial wind farm proposal the day after the panel's preliminary vote against it.
AUGUSTAFrustrated school board willing to deal with state AUGUSTA -- Board of Education members said Tuesday they're willing to play by the state's school consolidation rules -- if they only knew what they were, and knew the state would play by them, too.
LURC to discuss wind farm proposalConservation commissioner chided for his conversation Patrick McGowan, commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation, said Tuesday he should not have called a Land Use Regulation Commission member to talk about a controversial wind farm proposal the day after the panel's preliminary vote against it.
COUNTY JAILMinimumsecurityfacilityadvancing AUGUSTA -- Despite a proposal by the governor to put county jails under state control, Kennebec County officials said Tuesday they will move ahead with plans to build a 60-bed, minimum-security holding facility for as much as $5.5 million.
No raves in China for regional 911 plan CHINA -- Almost everyone at Monday's China selectmen's meeting -- including board members -- had at least one gripe.
GEORGE SMITH : How to make government spend less? Give it less to spend, of course Cutting taxes is easy. Cutting spending is tough.
LTE: Politicians continue to fail us OK, so the military surge is working, but the political surge isn't, so let's pull the plug and bring the troops home.
LTE: U.S. Army filled with mercenaries To all those men and women who joined the military since 9/11/01 for patriotic reasons, please don't include yourselves in this letter.
MORNING SENTINEL:
DISTRICT 83 Wife wants House seat MOUNT VERNON -- Pat Jones, wife of the late Rep. Deane Jones, D-Mount Vernon, said she has filed nomination papers to succeed her late husband representing House District 83 at the Statehouse.
LTE: Bush, Baldacci acting like they have mandates Are George W. and John Baldacci related? They both act like they have mandates from the people. First, Bush's war. Then, Gov. John Baldacci's Maine school consolidation plan. Now, his plan for merging the county jails and state prisons.
TIMES RECORD:
Dirigo fee proposal halved by regulator...(full story)
EDITORIAL: 'Twice the citizen'...(full story)
LTE: Dissent as patriotism...(full story)
THE CITIZEN:
Parties will caucus Saturday for district seatAccording to Carol Andrews of the Maine Democratic Party, it appears likely the nominee will be Kate Smith, a Sebago resident and SAD 61 School Board member ...
NEW YORK TIMES:
Wavering Republican Casts Doubt on Democrat's Iraq BillSenator Susan Collins of Maine, a Republican moderate who supports the Webb proposal, said she believed opposition from Mr. Warner would make it difficult ...
BOSTON GLOBE:
Dems announce keynote speaker for annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
... the national level will be of interest to Maine Democrats with the upcoming 2008 elections, said John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party. ...
WASHINGTON POST:
EDITORIAL: A 'Palpable Injustice'
The Republican Party blocks voting rights for the District of Columbia.
THE U.S. SENATE had a chance yesterday to make history. It chose instead to add another unconscionable chapter to that well-worn volume that could be titled "The Second-Class Status of the People of the District of Columbia."
NAVY TIMES:
Senate passes measures to help Guard, reserveTom Harkin, D-Iowa and Susan Collins, R-Maine, would create a wider support and assistance network for families when troops are deployed. ...
BLOGS:
Call To Action: Please Help In The Fight To Find A Cure For ALS ...
In MA, neither John Kerry nor Ted Kennedy have co-sponsored the bill… in NH, neither Judd Gregg nor John Sununu have signed on board… in Maine, Olympia Snowe HAS sponsored it while Susan Collins has not… and in VT, Bob Bennett HAS ...
Voting Rights: Failure and the Future
thank you. And of course, even though the vote was lost today, we'd like to give a big shoutout to the Republicans who voted the right way -- Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.), Sen. Susan Collins (Me.), Sen. Olympia Snowe (Me.), Sen. ...
Comment on Open Thread (Tuesday) - Keith Olbermann by daryl
The Senate version gives Utah the option to redistrict in time for the 2008 election. An amendment by Sen. Susan Collins spells out the bill does not mean DC can get two senators. http://www.asmainegoes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=494671.
What the War Costs the Right
These kinds of figures won't be replaced and moderate Republicans like Susan Collins are likely candidates for defeat in 2008. The overall outcome is that conservatives are edging towards greater individual and group isolation within an ...
LEAFLETING TO IMPEACH
Tom Allen. The Maine Campaign to Impeach will ask people to sign a letter outlining the impeachable offenses that Bush-Cheney have committed and then go up to his office to deliver the letter to Allen's staff. ...
Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress - Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its third annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress entitled Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch).
Blackwater: Disaster Capitalism = Disaster Democracy
Iraqi authorities are a little miffed over the shooting deaths of eight Iraqi civilians (and wounding of 13 others) by Blackwater, USA — the “outsourced military” of the U.S. Miffed enough that they canceled Blackwater’s license.
Agency chief: It was mistake to call member of land board But he insists he was not trying to influence voting on a wind farm project.
EDITORIAL: ACLU says Sen. Craig's restroom signals should not be a crime In court papers, the organization argues that communication about sex is free speech.
BANGOR DAILY:
Safeguards sought for Maine Guard AUGUSTA - The business of protecting Maine's citizen soldiers from falling through the cracks of the federal military health care system got under way Tuesday with the inaugural meeting of the Commission to Protect the Lives and Health of Members of the Maine National Guard.
Democrats say Collins broke two-term pledgeSusan Collins pledged to serve just two terms in the Senate, and a state Democratic Party official wants to hold her to that promise.
Safety GameSusan Collins will help determine if the government needs to do more. She has asked the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to ...
John Buell: The many faces of modern capitalismIn the course of her epic battles against unionized coal miners in Britain, Margaret Thatcher (aka the Iron Lady) argued "there is no alternative" to rolling back unions, shrinking government, and shredding safety nets.
Wednesday's Letters to the Editor … Primary frustration …End the war rally … Terrorism’s recruits … Why we’re in Iraq
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Commission seeks to guard health of Maine's soldiers AUGUSTA -- Barbara Damon-Day is a self-described "mother with a mission."
LURC to discuss wind farm proposal Conservation commissioner chided for his conversation Patrick McGowan, commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation, said Tuesday he should not have called a Land Use Regulation Commission member to talk about a controversial wind farm proposal the day after the panel's preliminary vote against it.
AUGUSTAFrustrated school board willing to deal with state AUGUSTA -- Board of Education members said Tuesday they're willing to play by the state's school consolidation rules -- if they only knew what they were, and knew the state would play by them, too.
LURC to discuss wind farm proposalConservation commissioner chided for his conversation Patrick McGowan, commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation, said Tuesday he should not have called a Land Use Regulation Commission member to talk about a controversial wind farm proposal the day after the panel's preliminary vote against it.
COUNTY JAILMinimumsecurityfacilityadvancing AUGUSTA -- Despite a proposal by the governor to put county jails under state control, Kennebec County officials said Tuesday they will move ahead with plans to build a 60-bed, minimum-security holding facility for as much as $5.5 million.
No raves in China for regional 911 plan CHINA -- Almost everyone at Monday's China selectmen's meeting -- including board members -- had at least one gripe.
GEORGE SMITH : How to make government spend less? Give it less to spend, of course Cutting taxes is easy. Cutting spending is tough.
LTE: Politicians continue to fail us OK, so the military surge is working, but the political surge isn't, so let's pull the plug and bring the troops home.
LTE: U.S. Army filled with mercenaries To all those men and women who joined the military since 9/11/01 for patriotic reasons, please don't include yourselves in this letter.
MORNING SENTINEL:
DISTRICT 83 Wife wants House seat MOUNT VERNON -- Pat Jones, wife of the late Rep. Deane Jones, D-Mount Vernon, said she has filed nomination papers to succeed her late husband representing House District 83 at the Statehouse.
LTE: Bush, Baldacci acting like they have mandates Are George W. and John Baldacci related? They both act like they have mandates from the people. First, Bush's war. Then, Gov. John Baldacci's Maine school consolidation plan. Now, his plan for merging the county jails and state prisons.
TIMES RECORD:
Dirigo fee proposal halved by regulator...(full story)
EDITORIAL: 'Twice the citizen'...(full story)
LTE: Dissent as patriotism...(full story)
THE CITIZEN:
Parties will caucus Saturday for district seatAccording to Carol Andrews of the Maine Democratic Party, it appears likely the nominee will be Kate Smith, a Sebago resident and SAD 61 School Board member ...
NEW YORK TIMES:
Wavering Republican Casts Doubt on Democrat's Iraq BillSenator Susan Collins of Maine, a Republican moderate who supports the Webb proposal, said she believed opposition from Mr. Warner would make it difficult ...
BOSTON GLOBE:
Dems announce keynote speaker for annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
... the national level will be of interest to Maine Democrats with the upcoming 2008 elections, said John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party. ...
WASHINGTON POST:
EDITORIAL: A 'Palpable Injustice'
The Republican Party blocks voting rights for the District of Columbia.
THE U.S. SENATE had a chance yesterday to make history. It chose instead to add another unconscionable chapter to that well-worn volume that could be titled "The Second-Class Status of the People of the District of Columbia."
NAVY TIMES:
Senate passes measures to help Guard, reserveTom Harkin, D-Iowa and Susan Collins, R-Maine, would create a wider support and assistance network for families when troops are deployed. ...
BLOGS:
Call To Action: Please Help In The Fight To Find A Cure For ALS ...
In MA, neither John Kerry nor Ted Kennedy have co-sponsored the bill… in NH, neither Judd Gregg nor John Sununu have signed on board… in Maine, Olympia Snowe HAS sponsored it while Susan Collins has not… and in VT, Bob Bennett HAS ...
Voting Rights: Failure and the Future
thank you. And of course, even though the vote was lost today, we'd like to give a big shoutout to the Republicans who voted the right way -- Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.), Sen. Susan Collins (Me.), Sen. Olympia Snowe (Me.), Sen. ...
Comment on Open Thread (Tuesday) - Keith Olbermann by daryl
The Senate version gives Utah the option to redistrict in time for the 2008 election. An amendment by Sen. Susan Collins spells out the bill does not mean DC can get two senators. http://www.asmainegoes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=494671.
What the War Costs the Right
These kinds of figures won't be replaced and moderate Republicans like Susan Collins are likely candidates for defeat in 2008. The overall outcome is that conservatives are edging towards greater individual and group isolation within an ...
LEAFLETING TO IMPEACH
Tom Allen. The Maine Campaign to Impeach will ask people to sign a letter outlining the impeachable offenses that Bush-Cheney have committed and then go up to his office to deliver the letter to Allen's staff. ...
Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress - Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its third annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress entitled Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch).
Blackwater: Disaster Capitalism = Disaster Democracy
Iraqi authorities are a little miffed over the shooting deaths of eight Iraqi civilians (and wounding of 13 others) by Blackwater, USA — the “outsourced military” of the U.S. Miffed enough that they canceled Blackwater’s license.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Maine News for Tuesday, September 18, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
Strimling acting like candidate, but silent Election 2008: While he thinks about a congressional run, no financial reporting is required.
State rules that Dirigo Health saves $32.8M The sum is less than in either 2005 or 2006, and far less than Dirigo's board anticipated.
Wind farm foes allege unfair tactics Their complaint claims regulators and backers had improper contacts.
Councilors deadlock on state pier developerNeither company gets the five votes needed, and one says it may withdraw its proposal.
EDITORIAL: A lawyer for the country, not just the president Bush has wisely picked an attorney general nominee who is conservative, but not political.
EDITORIAL: Misuse of public campaign funds serious, but not the norm Nearly all the hundreds of Clean Elections candidates have been, well, clean.
LTE: Petraeus critics advocate defeat
BANGOR DAILY:
FairPoint deal divides unions, state businessesTuesday, September 18, 2007As the Maine Public Utilities Commission travels the state this week to hold public hearings on the proposed sale of Verizon's northern New England Internet and telephone lines to FairPoint Communications Inc., unions and business representatives remain divided on the deal.
Maine a hot potato at Big E in Mass.Tuesday, September 18, 2007WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Sixteen of Maine's state senators and representatives didn't have to take a special tour of the Maine building at the Eastern States Exposition Monday to get a feel for the public's sentiments about Maine.
Panel backs 2 gay men in housing complaint Tuesday, September 18, 2007AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Human Rights Commission on Monday found reasonable grounds in a complaint from two gay men who say they were illegally asked about the nature of their relationship when they tried to rent a house.
Family speaks about 'Makeover' experienceTuesday, September 18, 2007MILBRIDGE, Maine - As far as the Ray-Smith family is concerned, it's time to turn the spotlight away from ABC and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and show appreciation to the community and volunteers who provided the materials and built them a new home.
Editorial: Greenspan's clarityThe once purposely opaque Alan Greenspan, longtime chairman of the Federal Reserve, is startlingly clear this week as he promotes his new book, "The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World."
Lawrence E. Lockman: Why not Maine? Vigue shows only politics interfereIt certainly appears that Peter Vigue, Cianbro Corp. president and CEO, is positioning himself to run for governor in 2010.
Higher ed financesAs state financial support for higher education lags, public colleges and universities across the country have turned to student fees as a way to boost revenue - and to avoid the negative repercussions of raising tuition.
Tuesday's Letters to the Editor … Let troops guard us
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
DISTRICT 83 Widow wants House seat MOUNT VERNON -- Pat Jones, wife of the late Rep. Deane Jones, D-Mount Vernon, said she has filed nomination papers to succeed her late husband representing House District 83 at the Statehouse.
Board takes up school plan rejection AUGUSTA -- The Board of Education meets tonight to review the state's rejection of Augusta's intent to remain on its own rather than consolidate with another local school system.
County may pay for fixes to boost jail space AUGUSTA -- County commissioners will look at investing up to $10,000 to gain space to hold more inmates at the Kennebec County jail.
LTE: Show an aversion to conversion So bin Laden says all will be well if only America will convert to Islam. I ask, "Which brand of Islam, Osama?" We need to know so that we'll only be killing the right other Muslims after we've joined up.
LTE: Student misses Deane Jones, her bus driver While Deane Jones was driving a bus, he was my bus driver. He was very nice.
MORNING SENTINEL:
Democratic Committee to host forum AUGUSTA -- The Kennebec County Democratic Committee will host a forum 7 p.m. Thursday for Democratic candidates vying for the First Congressional District seat.
SUN JOURNAL:
A senator's revolting comparisonIn the lawless world of Internet discussion, one rule does apply. It's called Godwin's Law (after its coiner, attorney Mike Godwin) which states the longer an online argument lasts, the "probability of comparison to Nazism, or Adolf Hitler, approaches one."
TIMES RECORD:
LTE: Party boss lauds Berry...(full story)
CBS NEWS:
Dems Confident Troop-Rest Bill Will PassSusan Collins, R-Maine, also wants a change in direction in Iraq, saying the nation cannot continue "an open-ended, unconditional commitment of troops in ...
MSNBC:
House Republicans Lose Another OneSo far, just two House Democrats have announced they won't seek reelection in 2008. Both (Tom Allen of Maine and Mark Udall of Colorado) are running for a promotion to the U.S. Senate.
WASHINGTON POST:
The Fix : Ramstad To Retire
Ramstad is the seventh House Republican to choose against running for re-election in 2008. He joins Reps. Rick Renzi (Ariz.), Duncan Hunter (Calif.), Dennis Hastert (Ill.), Ray LaHood (Ill.), Chip Pickering (Miss.) and Deborah Pryce(Ohio) on the sidelines. Two Democrats -- Reps. Mark Udall (Colo.) and Tom Allen (Maine) -- are leaving their seats. Both are running for Senate.
MAINE CAMPUS:
Awareness raised and bodies rockedTaking the stage next was congressional representative Tom Allen with his wife Diana. They both echoed Michaud's request for awareness and transparency in ...
POST CHRONICLE:
16 Catholic Senators Vote To Fund AbortionTed Kennedy (D-MA), John Kerry (D-MA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), ...
GLOBAL POLITITIAN:
The Real Impact Of Sanctions Against Iran: Interview with Chris CookWhen the Senate approved the 2005 amendment sponsored by Senator Susan Collins R-Maine, trade groups warned it could incite terrorist attacks on the US and ...
MAINE MEDICAL CENTER:
Maine Medical Center
Maine Medical Center Program Tom Allen, D-Maine, announced today that the US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $117410 grant under its Poison Control
PORT SECURITY NEWS:
Key Senators Support Myers to Head ICE... Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Ranking Minority Member Susan Collins (R-ME) both expressed support for her nomination. ...
BLOGS:
Tom Allen Writes Op-Ed On Iraq
Tom Allen, the man who will defeat Susan Collins next year, has written an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald today. The subject is Iraq and Mr. Allen is clear and concise, something Sen. Collins has never been on this issue. ...
Debunking RRWSenator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced S.1914, a bill which stops funding the RRW until a new nuclear policy and posture review are completed. This is the more sensible way to proceed than RRW. ...
Help Rep. Doug Thomas Reduce the Wetland Setbacks
Can we really have much effect on our future and the future of our children if we don't even "own" the land we pay taxes on? I would like to see the setbacks reduced is there anyone willing to help me?
Democrats Confident Over Troop-Rest Bill
Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the proposal by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., a dangerous "backdoor way" to draw down additional forces.
Blackwater Security is getting plenty of militia training in Iraq for Georgie’s jihad
Obviously, Someone Made a Mistake
President Bush’s nominee to succeed Alberto Gonzales as attorney general is retired federal judge Michael Mukasey of New York. Attorneys who have argued cases in Mukasey’s courtroom say he is smart and fair.
ME-Sen: Matching funds drive for Tom Allen continues...
There's three days left in my funraiser for Tom Allen, currently looking to unseat Susan Collins in Maine. My goal is to raise $1250 by 9/20, and I need just $390 more to make it happen. Here's how it works: At the start of this ...
The Groundswell has began
I don't know what the position of my local paper, The Rockland Courier-Gazette, was in 2002 in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq (we were living in Portland), but I am pleased with what I am reading in it now:
Maine Newspapers
A blog posting at Daily Kos on August 24 has fired up the Netroots to point accusatory fingers at a Maine newspaper editor whose wife works for Republican Senator Susan Collins. After all the smoke clears, liberal bloggers ignored some ...
Sally Field: Sister Bertrille or Sister Betrayal?
Nancy Pelosi or the heavily medicated, second grade schoolteacher sounding drivel of alleged Republican Sen. Susan Collins, there is a serious lack of gravitas exhibited by the current crop of leaders who lack ay chromosome. Hillary?
They Write Op-Eds:
Quoth Congressman Allen:
The young service men and women from Maine that I met...were sent to Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein, and they did it swiftly and decisively. We need to end their mission, not re-label it.
Hoodwinking NPR
This isn't the first time NPR has given readers and listeners the mistaken impression that Sen. Collins supports a bill that would mandate a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
Strimling acting like candidate, but silent Election 2008: While he thinks about a congressional run, no financial reporting is required.
State rules that Dirigo Health saves $32.8M The sum is less than in either 2005 or 2006, and far less than Dirigo's board anticipated.
Wind farm foes allege unfair tactics Their complaint claims regulators and backers had improper contacts.
Councilors deadlock on state pier developerNeither company gets the five votes needed, and one says it may withdraw its proposal.
EDITORIAL: A lawyer for the country, not just the president Bush has wisely picked an attorney general nominee who is conservative, but not political.
EDITORIAL: Misuse of public campaign funds serious, but not the norm Nearly all the hundreds of Clean Elections candidates have been, well, clean.
LTE: Petraeus critics advocate defeat
BANGOR DAILY:
FairPoint deal divides unions, state businessesTuesday, September 18, 2007As the Maine Public Utilities Commission travels the state this week to hold public hearings on the proposed sale of Verizon's northern New England Internet and telephone lines to FairPoint Communications Inc., unions and business representatives remain divided on the deal.
Maine a hot potato at Big E in Mass.Tuesday, September 18, 2007WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Sixteen of Maine's state senators and representatives didn't have to take a special tour of the Maine building at the Eastern States Exposition Monday to get a feel for the public's sentiments about Maine.
Panel backs 2 gay men in housing complaint Tuesday, September 18, 2007AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Human Rights Commission on Monday found reasonable grounds in a complaint from two gay men who say they were illegally asked about the nature of their relationship when they tried to rent a house.
Family speaks about 'Makeover' experienceTuesday, September 18, 2007MILBRIDGE, Maine - As far as the Ray-Smith family is concerned, it's time to turn the spotlight away from ABC and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and show appreciation to the community and volunteers who provided the materials and built them a new home.
Editorial: Greenspan's clarityThe once purposely opaque Alan Greenspan, longtime chairman of the Federal Reserve, is startlingly clear this week as he promotes his new book, "The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World."
Lawrence E. Lockman: Why not Maine? Vigue shows only politics interfereIt certainly appears that Peter Vigue, Cianbro Corp. president and CEO, is positioning himself to run for governor in 2010.
Higher ed financesAs state financial support for higher education lags, public colleges and universities across the country have turned to student fees as a way to boost revenue - and to avoid the negative repercussions of raising tuition.
Tuesday's Letters to the Editor … Let troops guard us
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
DISTRICT 83 Widow wants House seat MOUNT VERNON -- Pat Jones, wife of the late Rep. Deane Jones, D-Mount Vernon, said she has filed nomination papers to succeed her late husband representing House District 83 at the Statehouse.
Board takes up school plan rejection AUGUSTA -- The Board of Education meets tonight to review the state's rejection of Augusta's intent to remain on its own rather than consolidate with another local school system.
County may pay for fixes to boost jail space AUGUSTA -- County commissioners will look at investing up to $10,000 to gain space to hold more inmates at the Kennebec County jail.
LTE: Show an aversion to conversion So bin Laden says all will be well if only America will convert to Islam. I ask, "Which brand of Islam, Osama?" We need to know so that we'll only be killing the right other Muslims after we've joined up.
LTE: Student misses Deane Jones, her bus driver While Deane Jones was driving a bus, he was my bus driver. He was very nice.
MORNING SENTINEL:
Democratic Committee to host forum AUGUSTA -- The Kennebec County Democratic Committee will host a forum 7 p.m. Thursday for Democratic candidates vying for the First Congressional District seat.
SUN JOURNAL:
A senator's revolting comparisonIn the lawless world of Internet discussion, one rule does apply. It's called Godwin's Law (after its coiner, attorney Mike Godwin) which states the longer an online argument lasts, the "probability of comparison to Nazism, or Adolf Hitler, approaches one."
TIMES RECORD:
LTE: Party boss lauds Berry...(full story)
CBS NEWS:
Dems Confident Troop-Rest Bill Will PassSusan Collins, R-Maine, also wants a change in direction in Iraq, saying the nation cannot continue "an open-ended, unconditional commitment of troops in ...
MSNBC:
House Republicans Lose Another OneSo far, just two House Democrats have announced they won't seek reelection in 2008. Both (Tom Allen of Maine and Mark Udall of Colorado) are running for a promotion to the U.S. Senate.
WASHINGTON POST:
The Fix : Ramstad To Retire
Ramstad is the seventh House Republican to choose against running for re-election in 2008. He joins Reps. Rick Renzi (Ariz.), Duncan Hunter (Calif.), Dennis Hastert (Ill.), Ray LaHood (Ill.), Chip Pickering (Miss.) and Deborah Pryce(Ohio) on the sidelines. Two Democrats -- Reps. Mark Udall (Colo.) and Tom Allen (Maine) -- are leaving their seats. Both are running for Senate.
MAINE CAMPUS:
Awareness raised and bodies rockedTaking the stage next was congressional representative Tom Allen with his wife Diana. They both echoed Michaud's request for awareness and transparency in ...
POST CHRONICLE:
16 Catholic Senators Vote To Fund AbortionTed Kennedy (D-MA), John Kerry (D-MA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), ...
GLOBAL POLITITIAN:
The Real Impact Of Sanctions Against Iran: Interview with Chris CookWhen the Senate approved the 2005 amendment sponsored by Senator Susan Collins R-Maine, trade groups warned it could incite terrorist attacks on the US and ...
MAINE MEDICAL CENTER:
Maine Medical Center
Maine Medical Center Program Tom Allen, D-Maine, announced today that the US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $117410 grant under its Poison Control
PORT SECURITY NEWS:
Key Senators Support Myers to Head ICE... Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Ranking Minority Member Susan Collins (R-ME) both expressed support for her nomination. ...
BLOGS:
Tom Allen Writes Op-Ed On Iraq
Tom Allen, the man who will defeat Susan Collins next year, has written an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald today. The subject is Iraq and Mr. Allen is clear and concise, something Sen. Collins has never been on this issue. ...
Debunking RRWSenator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced S.1914, a bill which stops funding the RRW until a new nuclear policy and posture review are completed. This is the more sensible way to proceed than RRW. ...
Help Rep. Doug Thomas Reduce the Wetland Setbacks
Can we really have much effect on our future and the future of our children if we don't even "own" the land we pay taxes on? I would like to see the setbacks reduced is there anyone willing to help me?
Democrats Confident Over Troop-Rest Bill
Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the proposal by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., a dangerous "backdoor way" to draw down additional forces.
Blackwater Security is getting plenty of militia training in Iraq for Georgie’s jihad
Obviously, Someone Made a Mistake
President Bush’s nominee to succeed Alberto Gonzales as attorney general is retired federal judge Michael Mukasey of New York. Attorneys who have argued cases in Mukasey’s courtroom say he is smart and fair.
ME-Sen: Matching funds drive for Tom Allen continues...
There's three days left in my funraiser for Tom Allen, currently looking to unseat Susan Collins in Maine. My goal is to raise $1250 by 9/20, and I need just $390 more to make it happen. Here's how it works: At the start of this ...
The Groundswell has began
I don't know what the position of my local paper, The Rockland Courier-Gazette, was in 2002 in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq (we were living in Portland), but I am pleased with what I am reading in it now:
Maine Newspapers
A blog posting at Daily Kos on August 24 has fired up the Netroots to point accusatory fingers at a Maine newspaper editor whose wife works for Republican Senator Susan Collins. After all the smoke clears, liberal bloggers ignored some ...
Sally Field: Sister Bertrille or Sister Betrayal?
Nancy Pelosi or the heavily medicated, second grade schoolteacher sounding drivel of alleged Republican Sen. Susan Collins, there is a serious lack of gravitas exhibited by the current crop of leaders who lack ay chromosome. Hillary?
They Write Op-Eds:
Quoth Congressman Allen:
The young service men and women from Maine that I met...were sent to Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein, and they did it swiftly and decisively. We need to end their mission, not re-label it.
Hoodwinking NPR
This isn't the first time NPR has given readers and listeners the mistaken impression that Sen. Collins supports a bill that would mandate a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Maine News for Monday, September 17, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
Conflict in the WIND
Some say proposed wind farms would yield too little power to justify the harm they would cause.
Baldacci touts jail plan's potential
Republicans say the proposal ignores added expenses and flaws in state prison management.
TOM ALLEN: Time to pull troops out is now With no real change likely in Iraq, Congress has to force President Bush to withdraw U.S. forces.
Editorial: School districts deliver on merger mandate
Some remaining districts will need assistance from the state to comply with the law.
Editorial: Every child deserves a teacher like Martin McKeon and Mrs. Schultz
Maine's Teacher of the Year offers a reminder of the good work done in every school.
LTE: Impeachment suitable to offenses
BANGOR DAILY:
FairPoint merger focus of hearings Monday, September 17, 2007AUGUSTA, Maine - The public gets to comment this week on the proposal by FairPoint to merge with the traditional telephone service of Verizon in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and the company faces lots of questions.
Snowe: Iraq must step upThe Iraqi government's failure to create a national reconciliation among battling political and secular factions likely will hasten a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said Saturday.
Monday's Letters to the Editor … Training Iraq forces
Cianbro touts Brewer mill site progressSaturday, September 15, 2007BREWER - Business and civic leaders celebrated the anticipated rebirth of the former Eastern Fine Paper Co. site Friday, touting the project as an example of what is possible when corporations and governments work cooperatively on economic development.
Bangor senator seeks tax break for Milbridge pairSaturday, September 15, 2007BANGOR, Maine - In an attempt to help a family from the Washington County town of Milbridge pay the taxes on a new home provided to them by a reality TV show, state Sen. Joe Perry, D-Bangor, has submitted a bill that he hopes will give them and people in a similar position a tax break.
Hollywood slots taking shape on Bangor's Main StreetSaturday, September 15, 2007If they look way up, people passing by the Hollywood Slots at Bangor work site on Main Street can see an American flag and an evergreen tree perched atop the highest beam.
KENNEBEC JOURNAL
Editorials:
Law evens fieldfor licensed,backyard breeders A law that takes effect Friday charging "backyard breeders" of dogs and cats $25 to $75 for their lucrative sideline represents good, constituent-driven legislation. It's a measure that seeks to place licensed dog and cat breeders on the same financial plane with people who breed retrievers and poodles and ragdolls under the table.
MORNING SENTINEL:
LTE: 'Disastrous' Iraq conflict must come to an end On Labor Day, George W. Bush made another sneak trip to Iraq. Grandstanding there, he touted the "success" he claims is being achieved in his disastrous war. He lies unceasingly while the slaughter continues in Iraq.
SUN JOURNAL:
Source: Bush to tap N.Y. judge to replace Gonzales WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush has settled on Michael B. Mukasey, a retired federal judge from New York, to replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general and will announce his selection today, a person familiar with the president's decision said Sunday evening.
Bishop celebrates 'Blue Mass'
Among dignitaries in attendance were U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, Diana Allen, who is wife of U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, Gilbert and Auburn Mayor John Jenkins.
LTE: Chinese handoverLet China go into Basra, Iraq. China is going to get the oil anyway.
LTE: Hidden costsLike all Americans, I was saddened to read of the death of seven U.S. soldiers reported in the Saturday, Sept. 8, edition. I believe we all mourn with the families of those killed. Were the names and hometowns of those killed known to the newspaper's editors? They were not in the article.
SEACOAST ONLINE:
Snowe meets with U.S., Iraqi leaders
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Political reconciliation has been slow in coming in Iraq and Americans' patience with the lack of progress is wearing thin, Sen. Olympia Snowe said Saturday during a trip to Iraq.
MPBN:
Former Lawmaker Facing Prosecution For False Finance Statement
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070914election.asx
CQ POLITICS:
Senate to Resume War DebateBen Nelson, D-Neb., and Susan Collins, R-Maine have an amendment that would require US forces to shift their missions to training Iraqi forces, ...
WORLD NET DAILY:
General's report was pure politics
I would like to share some thoughts about last week's Ambassador Crocker/Gen. Petreaus hearings. While I didn't attend the House hearings, I was present as the Senate grilled these men … But the best question came from Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. She's facing re-election next year and wanted to know what Petreaus would do if Iraq was in the same soup next year. If the general had ideas, he wasn't talking.
FAMILY SECURITY MATTERS:
Exclusive: Does Petraeus Have a Bullseye on His Back? Some ...Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Pete Domenici of New Mexico , who have publicly broken with President Bush over the Iraq war, ...
BLOGS:
The Endless, Meaningless Blather From The Washington Establishment"If by September we do not see clear signs of progress, then I think we have to face reality and start planning for a complete change of mission," said Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Another moderate Republican, Senator ...
Senate 2008 Guru's Week in the Senate Races
Maine: Speaking of illicit activities, Susan Collins is finally taking heat in the Maine media for inappropriately using taxpayer-funded Senate resources for political purposes. We know that Collins' Senate staff has used their Senate ...
George Bush: A Betrayal of Trust
Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins: ‘What [Bush] is recommending results in our having the same number of troops 10 months from now as we had 10 months ago.’ (New York Times, 9/12/07; ...
Collins: Thumbs Down on Bush's Troop Levels - "[W]e need to shift the mission right now. I don't see any point in waiting another six months to assess the situation in Iraq," Collins said.
Snowe: Reduce Forces, Change Mission, Get Senate Votes - "Everyone recognizes that in order to effect change in Iraqi policy it's inevitable that we'd have a reduction in forces, a change in mission and have it structured in a way that gets the right number of votes in the Senate."
Bob Woodward: How Bush Deceived Public on Iraq
In one public confrontation at a hearing with Senator Susan Collins, the earnest Maine Republican, Rumsfeld had put her down in a manner that was stunning even for him. Collins’s voice had quivered at one point.
George Bush gets a bonk on the head… - ….POOR BABY. He won’t be getting Ted Olson as the replacement for Attorney Alberto Gonzales, but instead, will be getting a candidate who is supported by some democrats & even liberals.
Senate 2008 Guru: Sunday Round-up
Maine & New Mexico: Despite any attempt to feign otherwise, Susan Collins and Pete Domenici are solidly with George W. Bush when it comes to Iraq. Their reactions to Bush's Iraq speech this week:
Conflict in the WIND
Some say proposed wind farms would yield too little power to justify the harm they would cause.
Baldacci touts jail plan's potential
Republicans say the proposal ignores added expenses and flaws in state prison management.
TOM ALLEN: Time to pull troops out is now With no real change likely in Iraq, Congress has to force President Bush to withdraw U.S. forces.
Editorial: School districts deliver on merger mandate
Some remaining districts will need assistance from the state to comply with the law.
Editorial: Every child deserves a teacher like Martin McKeon and Mrs. Schultz
Maine's Teacher of the Year offers a reminder of the good work done in every school.
LTE: Impeachment suitable to offenses
BANGOR DAILY:
FairPoint merger focus of hearings Monday, September 17, 2007AUGUSTA, Maine - The public gets to comment this week on the proposal by FairPoint to merge with the traditional telephone service of Verizon in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and the company faces lots of questions.
Snowe: Iraq must step upThe Iraqi government's failure to create a national reconciliation among battling political and secular factions likely will hasten a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said Saturday.
Monday's Letters to the Editor … Training Iraq forces
Cianbro touts Brewer mill site progressSaturday, September 15, 2007BREWER - Business and civic leaders celebrated the anticipated rebirth of the former Eastern Fine Paper Co. site Friday, touting the project as an example of what is possible when corporations and governments work cooperatively on economic development.
Bangor senator seeks tax break for Milbridge pairSaturday, September 15, 2007BANGOR, Maine - In an attempt to help a family from the Washington County town of Milbridge pay the taxes on a new home provided to them by a reality TV show, state Sen. Joe Perry, D-Bangor, has submitted a bill that he hopes will give them and people in a similar position a tax break.
Hollywood slots taking shape on Bangor's Main StreetSaturday, September 15, 2007If they look way up, people passing by the Hollywood Slots at Bangor work site on Main Street can see an American flag and an evergreen tree perched atop the highest beam.
KENNEBEC JOURNAL
Editorials:
Law evens fieldfor licensed,backyard breeders A law that takes effect Friday charging "backyard breeders" of dogs and cats $25 to $75 for their lucrative sideline represents good, constituent-driven legislation. It's a measure that seeks to place licensed dog and cat breeders on the same financial plane with people who breed retrievers and poodles and ragdolls under the table.
MORNING SENTINEL:
LTE: 'Disastrous' Iraq conflict must come to an end On Labor Day, George W. Bush made another sneak trip to Iraq. Grandstanding there, he touted the "success" he claims is being achieved in his disastrous war. He lies unceasingly while the slaughter continues in Iraq.
SUN JOURNAL:
Source: Bush to tap N.Y. judge to replace Gonzales WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush has settled on Michael B. Mukasey, a retired federal judge from New York, to replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general and will announce his selection today, a person familiar with the president's decision said Sunday evening.
Bishop celebrates 'Blue Mass'
Among dignitaries in attendance were U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, Diana Allen, who is wife of U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, Gilbert and Auburn Mayor John Jenkins.
LTE: Chinese handoverLet China go into Basra, Iraq. China is going to get the oil anyway.
LTE: Hidden costsLike all Americans, I was saddened to read of the death of seven U.S. soldiers reported in the Saturday, Sept. 8, edition. I believe we all mourn with the families of those killed. Were the names and hometowns of those killed known to the newspaper's editors? They were not in the article.
SEACOAST ONLINE:
Snowe meets with U.S., Iraqi leaders
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Political reconciliation has been slow in coming in Iraq and Americans' patience with the lack of progress is wearing thin, Sen. Olympia Snowe said Saturday during a trip to Iraq.
MPBN:
Former Lawmaker Facing Prosecution For False Finance Statement
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070914election.asx
CQ POLITICS:
Senate to Resume War DebateBen Nelson, D-Neb., and Susan Collins, R-Maine have an amendment that would require US forces to shift their missions to training Iraqi forces, ...
WORLD NET DAILY:
General's report was pure politics
I would like to share some thoughts about last week's Ambassador Crocker/Gen. Petreaus hearings. While I didn't attend the House hearings, I was present as the Senate grilled these men … But the best question came from Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. She's facing re-election next year and wanted to know what Petreaus would do if Iraq was in the same soup next year. If the general had ideas, he wasn't talking.
FAMILY SECURITY MATTERS:
Exclusive: Does Petraeus Have a Bullseye on His Back? Some ...Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Pete Domenici of New Mexico , who have publicly broken with President Bush over the Iraq war, ...
BLOGS:
The Endless, Meaningless Blather From The Washington Establishment"If by September we do not see clear signs of progress, then I think we have to face reality and start planning for a complete change of mission," said Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Another moderate Republican, Senator ...
Senate 2008 Guru's Week in the Senate Races
Maine: Speaking of illicit activities, Susan Collins is finally taking heat in the Maine media for inappropriately using taxpayer-funded Senate resources for political purposes. We know that Collins' Senate staff has used their Senate ...
George Bush: A Betrayal of Trust
Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins: ‘What [Bush] is recommending results in our having the same number of troops 10 months from now as we had 10 months ago.’ (New York Times, 9/12/07; ...
Collins: Thumbs Down on Bush's Troop Levels - "[W]e need to shift the mission right now. I don't see any point in waiting another six months to assess the situation in Iraq," Collins said.
Snowe: Reduce Forces, Change Mission, Get Senate Votes - "Everyone recognizes that in order to effect change in Iraqi policy it's inevitable that we'd have a reduction in forces, a change in mission and have it structured in a way that gets the right number of votes in the Senate."
Bob Woodward: How Bush Deceived Public on Iraq
In one public confrontation at a hearing with Senator Susan Collins, the earnest Maine Republican, Rumsfeld had put her down in a manner that was stunning even for him. Collins’s voice had quivered at one point.
George Bush gets a bonk on the head… - ….POOR BABY. He won’t be getting Ted Olson as the replacement for Attorney Alberto Gonzales, but instead, will be getting a candidate who is supported by some democrats & even liberals.
Senate 2008 Guru: Sunday Round-up
Maine & New Mexico: Despite any attempt to feign otherwise, Susan Collins and Pete Domenici are solidly with George W. Bush when it comes to Iraq. Their reactions to Bush's Iraq speech this week:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
