PRESS HERALD:
State to promote local health issues Today's setup doesn't help small towns, say officials. Forums will focus on other changes.
Campaigns remain low-budget affairs
Natural gas leak forces city to close roads
EDITORIAL: The future of coal ought to be cleaner A settlement with a Midwest power company will mean less pollution in Maine's air.
Gas leak inquiry promotes safety and consumer choice State officials are right to look at whether there are system problems at Northern Utililities.
LTE: Free speech not up for discussion
LTE: Eligible voters must exercise patriotic right
BANGOR DAILY:
School consolidation moving slowly; some units lost in red tapeThe first deadline for the new school consolidation law has come and gone and the second, which requires each school unit statewide to submit an actual reorganization plan is just seven weeks away.
Commission OKs cell tower plan for Old Town, Howland Thursday, October 11, 2007A cellular phone company received state authorization Wednesday to build a 320-foot tower in the Penobscot County town of Argyle.
Moosehead plan hearings delayedThursday, October 11, 2007State regulators on Wednesday reluctantly postponed public hearings on Plum Creek's development plan for the Moosehead Lake region after the company submitted more changes to its massive application.
EDITORIAL: A regional winSoon after he took office in 2003, Rep. Mike Michaud adopted the very good idea of creating a regional economic zone along the northeast border - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York - to help economically distressed towns, much as an Appalachian zone has helped that region for 40 years.
Editorial: Lost at sea treatyAfter years of inaction, the melting of polar ice has added urgency to efforts to have the United States belatedly sign on to the Law of the Sea Convention.
Nicole Witherbee: Trust fund to help eliminate homelessnessFor one Bangor family trying to make ends meet, a lost purse holding the rent money was all it took to tumble to the edge of homelessness.
Thursday's Letters to the Editor … Edwards comes up short … Children left behind … Bush’s Biddeford library … Sen. Collins’ role … Water legislation
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Maine urged to invest more AUGUSTA -- The state needs to invest more money on a consistent basis if it wants to help new companies and new ideas thrive in Maine, a panel of experts told lawmakers Wednesday.
RELOCATING STAFF FROM AUGUSTAState recreating local public health districts Evolving threats, efficiency require change After wresting control from municipal health authorities a century ago, the state wants to promote public health at the local level again. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has divided the state into eight public health districts, and begun relocating staff from Augusta to other communities so they'll be more accessible to residents and health professionals.
Fundraising lagging for ballot questions AUGUSTA -- Referendum campaigns on gambling and term limits are raising relatively little money when compared to previous statewide drives, according to new finance reports from political action committees.
MaineGeneral will expand its parking lot AUGUSTA -- The Planning Board Tuesday unanimously approved expansion of a MaineGeneral Medical Center parking lot west of Arsenal Street.
Professor sees term limits' unintended impact WATERVILLE -- Term limits were supposed to eliminate career politicians who gained too much power and help foster a greater influx of young people with fresh ideas.
JIM BRUNELLE : Presidential debates: New form of reality show I don't know about anyone else, but the presidential debates are fast becoming my favorite reality show of the current video season.
MORNING SENTINEL:
LTE: Democrats do not have the taxpayer in mind Thank you, President Bush, for vetoing the Schip program.
SUN JOURNAL:
Tribe accused of withholding namesAUGUSTA (AP) - Critics of a proposed Down East racetrack casino are accusing the Passamaquoddy Tribe of withholding information about investors.
State lawmakers want to see additional ways to cut high jail costsAUGUSTA (AP) - Some Maine lawmakers, expressing concern they could be hemmed in between the governor's plan for a state takeover of county jails and a competing proposal from counties that's not yet been developed, say they want additional ideas for cutting costs.
School system consolidation targeted in dozens of bill requests
EDITORIAL: Shifting odds for Maine gamblingFor gambling types, the smart money is riding on Massachusetts.
MPBN:
Maine Voters Signal Lack of Interest in Ballot Questions
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071010ballot.asx
LURC Delays Consideration of Plum Creek Development
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071010plumcreek.asx
State to Probe Gas Company Safety Practices
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071010puc.asx
Low State Reimbursement Rates Continue to Plague Physicians
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071010healthcare.asx
TIMES RECORD:
Gendron to ask for changes in Maine's schools squeeze law...(full story)
EDITORIAL: Debt spiral...(full story)
ELLSWORTH AMERICAN:
Racino Question Looms on November Ballot
ELLSWORTH — Is it finally a way to jumpstart the chronically dismal economy in Washington County?
Lobstermen Face New Restrictions in Whale, Offshore Fishing RulesThe MLA and Maine senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins have asked NMFS to delay implementation of the new sinking rope regulation until 2010 to allow ...
EDITORIAL: Habla Español, Mike?
U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud of Maine’s Second District took a little trip down to Costa Rica recently, hoping to do whatever he could to sabotage the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement. Michaud traveled with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a self-described socialist and steadfast opponent of free trade, at the invitation of Otton Solis, the leader of the anti-CAFTA movement in Costa Rica.
EDITORIAL: Bond Issues Seek $134 Million
Maine voters will be confronted by bond issue proposals totaling $134 million when they go to the polls at the statewide referendum election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The bond proposals appear in three articles on the ballot and, if approved, can be expected to cost taxpayers a total of $174,535,000 in principal and interest if they are issued for the full statutory period authorized.
LTE: A Matter of Honor
I am horrified and nauseated after reading the recent New York Times article “From Errand to Fatal Shot to Hail of Fire to 17 Deaths.” We, the American people, cannot stand for mercenaries to act for our country abroad. I demand that our Congress immediately call for a criminal investigation and withdrawal of all Blackwater personnel and equipment from all U.S. foreign operations.
LTE: World’s Problems Are All Connected
A musician friend was recently recalling a concert performance in which she had performed a peace song. Someone in the audience later complained that the purpose of the concert was to raise concern about global climate change. “This isn’t an anti-war event,” she said. In telling this story, my musician friend sadly noted that too few people understand the interconnectedness of the awful circumstances our world is suffering.
LTE; Governor or Emperor?
When Governor Baldacci proposed his public school consolidation plans, this writer was intrigued by the prospect of its inherent savings in administration expenses, mainly thinking that some of the money saved would trickle down to benefit local taxpayers.
LTE: The Selfishness Must Stop
Listening to the candidates who are seeking to be the next President of the United States, stating why he or she is best qualified to lead and uphold the Constitution, the inalienable rights of everyone, I’m hearing and observing the same déjà vu.
LTE: Irony
Today I heard a Bush administration spokesman scolding European governments for prodding the United States to enact stiff regulations to control global warming. The spokesman said that “there is no world government, and no world dictator, entitled to tell the U.S. what to do.”
CAMDEN HERALD:
LTE: Habeas corpus
PORTSMOUTH HERALD:
U.S. rep holds online peace rally
PORTLAND, Maine — Wednesday marks the fifth anniversary of the vote to authorize the use of force in Iraq. Today and Friday, Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, is hosting a 48-hour virtual peace rally, with the goal of garnering comment from people across the country.
GOVEXEC.COM
Watchdog groups oppose more money for special counsel... Affairs Chairman Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and ranking member Susan Collins, R-Maine, and heads of other key oversight and legislative committees.
CARPETBAGGER REPORT:
The job Lieberman is failing to doSusan Collins (R-Maine) — has shown relatively little interest in tackling those issues. And what of all the contracting abuses that Waxman is scrutinizing?
BLOGS:
The job Lieberman is failing to doSusan Collins (R-Maine) — has shown relatively little interest in tackling those issues. And what of all the contracting abuses that Waxman is scrutinizing?
Google bans anti-MoveOn.org ads
The banned advertisements said, “Susan Collins is MoveOn’s primary target. Learn how you can help” and “Help Susan Collins stand up to the MoveOn.org money machine.” The ads linked to Collins’ campaign Web site with a headline reading ...
Susan Collins marks anniversary of her Iraq war vote by attacking ...
Five years ago today, Senator Susan Collins voted to go to war against Iraq. In her floor speech, Collins invoked every bit of Bush-produced propaganda -- biological, chemical, even nuclear weapons -- to justify that vote.
Blue America Welcomes Back Rep. Tom Allen On A Very Important ...
Of all the candidates endorsed by Blue America so far this year, Maine Congressman Tom Allen has been the most popular, both in terms of the number of people who have donated to his campaign (right around 500) and the amount we have ... Tom and his opponent, rubber stamp Republican Susan Collins were elected on the same day. While he has been a real and forthright leader in trying to right the wrongs of Bush’s disastrous policies, Collins has rarely varied from ...
Happy Anniversary!
Surf over & experience a difference between a Democrat who knows how to st& up to Bush’s tyranny & one– his Lieberman-backed opponent, Susan Collins– who only knows how to work a rubber stamp. Tom sent us over a clip his campaign just ...
Happy Anniversary!
Maine Congressman Tom Allen voted “no” and continues to oppose Bush’s toxic and catastrophic Iraq agenda. Well… not so happy. It’s the fifth anniversary of the Authorization For the Use of Force in Iraq.
What makes a conservative pol? Is Rudy one?
There are a lot of moderate Republicans who prove this rule every time they are the first to peel off on other issues: Chris Shays, Arlen Specter, Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, Mike Castle — and to go back in history a bit, Linc Chafee, ...
Sen. Susan Collins continues to raise campaign money through ...
Susan Collins (Suzie-Q) continues to raise campaign money through special interest groups while pointing fingers at future Senator Tom Allen for raising money through….(wait for it)……………THE AVERAGE AMERICAN! Oh yes, ole Suzie-Q believes ...
Lieberman: "Oversight? Nah, Don't Care."
Susan Collins (R-Maine) — has shown relatively little interest in tackling those issues. Subscription is required on the Roll Call article, but Steve Benen has more. Lieberman says that fraud and abuse and corruption make him angry, ...
US REP. TOM ALLEN- AND MONEY
MoveOn.org is calling Tom Allen an ‘Anti-War Hero’ in this front-page feature. I’m not sure what level of heroism is involved in accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from extremist groups and then pandering back to them, ...
Acknowledging a Long Held Truth
You can find the text of the bill here, where you can also find a list of the bill's co-sponsors, which includes Rep. Tom Allen.
Tom Allen: The MoveOn.org Congressman
MoveOn.org is once again working to fill the coffers of far-left Congressman Tom Allen's campaign. 5 Vote(s)
Vandalism Suit Reminds: Hate Begins At Home
When the incident occurred, it drew widespread attention and a rally in Portland drew about 200 people including Gov. John Baldacci, US Rep. Tom Allen and Attorney General Steven Rowe who turned out to show their support for the women.
Clinton DefSec Cohen Believed Saddam Had WMD's
Michaud: No Federal Dollars, No Bright Maine Future
Bought and Paid For
Despite the fervent, bi-partisan condemnation of the ultra-liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org after their inexcusable personal slander of U.S General David Petraeus, Maine Congressman Tom Allen continues to accept their money and support with open arms.
Republicans treat our soldiers as if they’re phony soldiers
Oh yes. If you’re a republican and you have yourself an illegal occupation to tend to and want to cut corners and save as much money as you can so your war profiteer friends & family members can continue to reap the financial benefits of the occupation, this is why you do…
Carter: Bush Authorized Torture
According to a CNN interview with former President Jimmy Carter, the United States has tortured detainees and Bush authorized it.
Democrats Show Signs of Life…
Huh? Defying the President, Democrats voted on Wednesday to bolster civil liberties safeguards in his anti-terrorism spying program and refused to shield telecommunications companies from pending lawsuits based upon the fact that they turned over confidential customer data to the President.
Have Term Limits Worked for Maine?
The Portland Press Herald has this story on its front page this morning, concerning the slow fund raising efforts for two ballot initiatives the electorate will see this November.
One of the measures would add an additional two terms to the current limit of four consecutive terms a legislator can serve, and this got me to wonder if terms limits have worked to the benefit of our state.
Maine News Headline Animator
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Maine News for Wednesday, October 10, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
Tribe's racino could require outside help But the Passamaquoddies would be majority owners under any plan, they say.
Clean-air settlement delights Northeast An Ohio-based utility is told to spend billions to cut emissions that are responsible for acid rain.
Wanted: Options for cutting jail costsFacing a proposed state takeover of Maine's county jails, lawmakers seek several alternatives.
Hollis weighs funding to preserve land Plans to buy 58 acres near the Saco River may require taxpayer dollars as well as state and private money.
Gas utility was cited before explosion, leak The state will investigate Northern Utilities after two incidents in one week.
EDITORIAL: Schools' merger power in the proper place In the end, it will be voters, not bureaucrats, who will make the final call on consolidation.
John W. DuncanFind more money for transportation shortfalls Current funding for fixing highways and bridges and supporting public transit is far less than needed.
LTE: Strimling will listen, do what's right for Mainers
BANGOR DAILY:
Group takes aim at racino campaignA radio ad in favor of the Washington County racetrack casino says the Passamaquoddy Tribe will be the "majority owner" of the facility, contradicting past suggestions that the tribe would be the casino's sole owner and operator, Dennis Bailey, executive director of CasinosNo!, said in a prepared release Tuesday.
Slots taxes debated AUGUSTA, Maine - Members of an advisory committee heatedly debated among themselves on Tuesday how the millions of dollars slot machine gambling generates now are allocated, an indication of how complicated the current tax and distribution system is.
Brewer officials dispute claims of tax discountsWednesday, October 10, 2007BREWER, Maine - Washington Street resident Kevin Duplissie is hurling arrows at the city and is taking aim at city councilors and their property valuations.
Expert says volunteering vital to economyWednesday, October 10, 2007ORONO, Maine - Volunteering should no longer be viewed as an occasional, "feel-good" activity, because committed volunteers are essential to the U.S. economy and social services sector, a national expert said Tuesday.
A more expensive winter: Government predicts heating oil prices will rise 22 percent over last yearWednesday, October 10, 2007NEW YORK - It's going to be a much more expensive winter for households that depend on heating oil, the government predicted Tuesday, while those that use natural gas should experience only moderate price increases.
EDITORIAL: The old mill and the seaCianbro Corp.'s decision not to seek permission to dump some of the sediment it proposes to dredge from the Penobscot River into the ocean gives the state and federal authorities an opportunity to reconsider the practice of ocean dumping.
Editorial: Talking with North KoreaDiplomacy with North Korea has reached a solid achievement, but you wouldn't know it from most newspaper front pages or broadcast news.
Wednesday's Letters to the Editor … A good neighbor … Seeking peaceful path
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Jail plan options requested Lawmakers discuss cost considerations at hearing AUGUSTA -- Lawmakers want state officials to bring them more than one option to consider to reduce costs in the state prison and county jail systems.
EDITORIAL; Starving DOT needs more than a merger The Maine Department of Transportation faces a perilous future. Which means those of us who travel across Maine face a potentially perilous future as well. The economic and human costs of substandard roads, bridges, rail systems and ferries are significant -- the recent interstate bridge collapse in Minnesota is a reminder of how significant those costs can be.
LTE: Reader has some 'hard questions' of her own In response to Bia Winter's letter (Sept. 28), I think I know some of the "hard questions that need to be asked."
LTE: No new taxes? Then explain the oil change fee No new taxes from the Baldacci administration. Guess that's right, but there's no moratorium on fee additions and increases.
LTE: Citizens vouch for Jones Our House District 83 suffered a terrible blow when our representative, Deane Jones, died so suddenly. But his widow, Pat, has recently decided to carry on his legacy, and the work to which they both devoted themselves for years.
MORNING SENTINEL:
Lawmakers seeking county jail options AUGUSTA -- Lawmakers want state officials to bring them more than one option to consider to reduce costs in the state prison and county jail systems.
SUN JOURNAL:
State examines county jailAUBURN - A team of inspectors peered Tuesday into the cells, locks and the ledgers of the Androscoggin County Jail, gathering data for Gov. John Baldacci's proposed consolidation of Maine's county jails under a single state-run system.
MPBN:
Maine Should Benefit From Clean Air Deal
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071009cleanair.asx
Heating Fuel Price Rise Projected
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071009fuel.asx
Prison Industries Seeks to Generate More Sales
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071009prison.asx
PORTLAND PHOENIX:
US Rep Allen says OK to protest - as long as it's in private
We think it is perfectly safe to attend the "virtual rally" US Representative Tom Allen is hosting tomorrow against the Iraq war. I know, I know - you wouldn't really think so, given Allen's general practice of having protestors ...
YORK COUNTY COAST STAR:
Tree legislation sponsored by Rep. Dawn Hill now in effect
AUGUSTA — A new law sponsored by Rep. Dawn Hill, D-York, requiring that trees cut in shoreland areas be replaced, went into effect Sept. 20.
CBS:
GOP Future Rests On A House Of CardsMark Udall of Colorado and Tom Allen of Maine. Both of them are looking to move over to the Senate. Given the GOP's current problems, perhaps they have a ...
BLOGS:
Maine media unhappy with Susan Collins after she attacks Tom Allen ...
She's just not Olympia.
DOES MARILYN MUSGRAVE GET A FREE RIDE TO RE-ELECTION NOW THAT ...
Tom Allen (D-ME) will be a guest at Firedoglake, discussing the Iraq occupation on the 5th anniversary of the authorization for the Use of Force which, of course, he opposed-- and still opposes. Come meet this extraordinary congressman, ...
This Lady is for turning
... the Democratic Party will vote for the amendment like one - and I can imagine one or two Republicans desperately trying to distance themselves from President Bush, like Susan Collins, to lend the resolution their support. ...
Retiree bills face uncertain future
Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), would make it easier for agencies to rehire retired federal employees to stave off anticipated staffing problems. The chairmen of committees reviewing the measures have not decided if ...
GOP Prez Candidates & Bush’s Taxing Legacy
The size/cost of Bush’s tax cuts has made it difficult for candidates to propose significant new tax reductions.
The Bush Regime continues to deny that they’re not on al-Qaida’s side!
Oh please. George Bush and his Band of Warmongering Lying Thieves have from the get-go helped Osama bin Laden and The Base (al-Qaida). I swear that al-Qaida is the Bush family & friends base who help the Thieves disrupt world markets and help them get what they want!
Tom Allen: The Safety Assurance for Every (SAFE) Consumer Product Act
In light of all those poisoned and tainted Chinese toys, Tom Allen has cosponsored H.R. 3691, The Safety Assurance for Every (SAFE) Consumer Product Act — which will tighten the regulation of all toys manufactured here or imported from overseas, as well as stiffen the penalties for those who break the rules.
Support the Troops: Bring ‘em Home
72% of American troops serving in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year, and nearly one in four say the troops should leave immediately, according to a new Le Moyne College/Zogby International survey.
Rockland's Courier-Gazette Calls for Single Payer Health Care
I know that the saying "as Maine goes so goes the nation" doesn't have much credence anymore, but that's not because we aren't trying. This editorial from my local paper, the Rockland (Maine) Courier-Gazette has called for the creation of a national health care system:
Tribe's racino could require outside help But the Passamaquoddies would be majority owners under any plan, they say.
Clean-air settlement delights Northeast An Ohio-based utility is told to spend billions to cut emissions that are responsible for acid rain.
Wanted: Options for cutting jail costsFacing a proposed state takeover of Maine's county jails, lawmakers seek several alternatives.
Hollis weighs funding to preserve land Plans to buy 58 acres near the Saco River may require taxpayer dollars as well as state and private money.
Gas utility was cited before explosion, leak The state will investigate Northern Utilities after two incidents in one week.
EDITORIAL: Schools' merger power in the proper place In the end, it will be voters, not bureaucrats, who will make the final call on consolidation.
John W. DuncanFind more money for transportation shortfalls Current funding for fixing highways and bridges and supporting public transit is far less than needed.
LTE: Strimling will listen, do what's right for Mainers
BANGOR DAILY:
Group takes aim at racino campaignA radio ad in favor of the Washington County racetrack casino says the Passamaquoddy Tribe will be the "majority owner" of the facility, contradicting past suggestions that the tribe would be the casino's sole owner and operator, Dennis Bailey, executive director of CasinosNo!, said in a prepared release Tuesday.
Slots taxes debated AUGUSTA, Maine - Members of an advisory committee heatedly debated among themselves on Tuesday how the millions of dollars slot machine gambling generates now are allocated, an indication of how complicated the current tax and distribution system is.
Brewer officials dispute claims of tax discountsWednesday, October 10, 2007BREWER, Maine - Washington Street resident Kevin Duplissie is hurling arrows at the city and is taking aim at city councilors and their property valuations.
Expert says volunteering vital to economyWednesday, October 10, 2007ORONO, Maine - Volunteering should no longer be viewed as an occasional, "feel-good" activity, because committed volunteers are essential to the U.S. economy and social services sector, a national expert said Tuesday.
A more expensive winter: Government predicts heating oil prices will rise 22 percent over last yearWednesday, October 10, 2007NEW YORK - It's going to be a much more expensive winter for households that depend on heating oil, the government predicted Tuesday, while those that use natural gas should experience only moderate price increases.
EDITORIAL: The old mill and the seaCianbro Corp.'s decision not to seek permission to dump some of the sediment it proposes to dredge from the Penobscot River into the ocean gives the state and federal authorities an opportunity to reconsider the practice of ocean dumping.
Editorial: Talking with North KoreaDiplomacy with North Korea has reached a solid achievement, but you wouldn't know it from most newspaper front pages or broadcast news.
Wednesday's Letters to the Editor … A good neighbor … Seeking peaceful path
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Jail plan options requested Lawmakers discuss cost considerations at hearing AUGUSTA -- Lawmakers want state officials to bring them more than one option to consider to reduce costs in the state prison and county jail systems.
EDITORIAL; Starving DOT needs more than a merger The Maine Department of Transportation faces a perilous future. Which means those of us who travel across Maine face a potentially perilous future as well. The economic and human costs of substandard roads, bridges, rail systems and ferries are significant -- the recent interstate bridge collapse in Minnesota is a reminder of how significant those costs can be.
LTE: Reader has some 'hard questions' of her own In response to Bia Winter's letter (Sept. 28), I think I know some of the "hard questions that need to be asked."
LTE: No new taxes? Then explain the oil change fee No new taxes from the Baldacci administration. Guess that's right, but there's no moratorium on fee additions and increases.
LTE: Citizens vouch for Jones Our House District 83 suffered a terrible blow when our representative, Deane Jones, died so suddenly. But his widow, Pat, has recently decided to carry on his legacy, and the work to which they both devoted themselves for years.
MORNING SENTINEL:
Lawmakers seeking county jail options AUGUSTA -- Lawmakers want state officials to bring them more than one option to consider to reduce costs in the state prison and county jail systems.
SUN JOURNAL:
State examines county jailAUBURN - A team of inspectors peered Tuesday into the cells, locks and the ledgers of the Androscoggin County Jail, gathering data for Gov. John Baldacci's proposed consolidation of Maine's county jails under a single state-run system.
MPBN:
Maine Should Benefit From Clean Air Deal
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071009cleanair.asx
Heating Fuel Price Rise Projected
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071009fuel.asx
Prison Industries Seeks to Generate More Sales
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071009prison.asx
PORTLAND PHOENIX:
US Rep Allen says OK to protest - as long as it's in private
We think it is perfectly safe to attend the "virtual rally" US Representative Tom Allen is hosting tomorrow against the Iraq war. I know, I know - you wouldn't really think so, given Allen's general practice of having protestors ...
YORK COUNTY COAST STAR:
Tree legislation sponsored by Rep. Dawn Hill now in effect
AUGUSTA — A new law sponsored by Rep. Dawn Hill, D-York, requiring that trees cut in shoreland areas be replaced, went into effect Sept. 20.
CBS:
GOP Future Rests On A House Of CardsMark Udall of Colorado and Tom Allen of Maine. Both of them are looking to move over to the Senate. Given the GOP's current problems, perhaps they have a ...
BLOGS:
Maine media unhappy with Susan Collins after she attacks Tom Allen ...
She's just not Olympia.
DOES MARILYN MUSGRAVE GET A FREE RIDE TO RE-ELECTION NOW THAT ...
Tom Allen (D-ME) will be a guest at Firedoglake, discussing the Iraq occupation on the 5th anniversary of the authorization for the Use of Force which, of course, he opposed-- and still opposes. Come meet this extraordinary congressman, ...
This Lady is for turning
... the Democratic Party will vote for the amendment like one - and I can imagine one or two Republicans desperately trying to distance themselves from President Bush, like Susan Collins, to lend the resolution their support. ...
Retiree bills face uncertain future
Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), would make it easier for agencies to rehire retired federal employees to stave off anticipated staffing problems. The chairmen of committees reviewing the measures have not decided if ...
GOP Prez Candidates & Bush’s Taxing Legacy
The size/cost of Bush’s tax cuts has made it difficult for candidates to propose significant new tax reductions.
The Bush Regime continues to deny that they’re not on al-Qaida’s side!
Oh please. George Bush and his Band of Warmongering Lying Thieves have from the get-go helped Osama bin Laden and The Base (al-Qaida). I swear that al-Qaida is the Bush family & friends base who help the Thieves disrupt world markets and help them get what they want!
Tom Allen: The Safety Assurance for Every (SAFE) Consumer Product Act
In light of all those poisoned and tainted Chinese toys, Tom Allen has cosponsored H.R. 3691, The Safety Assurance for Every (SAFE) Consumer Product Act — which will tighten the regulation of all toys manufactured here or imported from overseas, as well as stiffen the penalties for those who break the rules.
Support the Troops: Bring ‘em Home
72% of American troops serving in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year, and nearly one in four say the troops should leave immediately, according to a new Le Moyne College/Zogby International survey.
Rockland's Courier-Gazette Calls for Single Payer Health Care
I know that the saying "as Maine goes so goes the nation" doesn't have much credence anymore, but that's not because we aren't trying. This editorial from my local paper, the Rockland (Maine) Courier-Gazette has called for the creation of a national health care system:
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Maine News for Tuesday, October 9, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
Gendron holds merger power, but is it too much? ' Some say the law gives the education chief too much decision- making latitude.
Governor to lead Far East trade mission Fourteen businesses and education groups plan to take part, after learning the countries' customs.
Nurses in Bangor give notice of walkout The union at Eastern Maine Medical Center threatens to start a 24-hour strike on Oct 17.
Canadian dollar helps lumber mills The decline in the value of U.S. currency evens the playing field with Canadian producers.
LTE: Impeachment proceedings: Distraction or solution?
BANGOR DAILY:
Education bonds top ballot issuesAUGUSTA - Two years ago Maine's higher-education leaders were surprised when voters rejected their modest bond proposal for $9 million by a margin of fewer than 3,000 votes.
Prison, jail unification plan concerns officialsMACHIAS - The governor says he has no plans to close the Washington County Jail, but his new county jail and state prison unification plan has caused heartburn for some law enforcement officials Down East.
Meeting aims to avert nurses strikeTuesday, October 09, 2007BANGOR, Maine - A federal mediator has once again called an emergency meeting between contract negotiators for Eastern Maine Medical Center and the 870 registered nurses who work there.
EDITORIAL: Smoke SignalsWhen several communities considered following Bangor's lead in banning smoking in cars carrying children, local leaders said a statewide prohibition would be better than a patchwork of local rules.
EDITORIAL: Ending TortureBy leaving the definition of torture up to the Bush administration, Congress shirked an important responsibility to ensure the treatment of detainees in the war on terror meets U.S. and international standards.
Tuesday's Letters to the Editor … Soldiers’ names sacred … Blackwater horror
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Governor to lead overseas envoy AUGUSTA -- Businessman Mark Eichenbaum's product is carried in 9,000 stores, including local supermarkets.
Augusta airlinelooks to reducenumber of flights AUGUSTA -- The only regularly scheduled airline serving Maine's capital city is proposing to cut the number of daily flights during the fall and winter and to increase them during warm-weather months.
EDITORIAL: Staying power? That's Putin power What's the difference between track star Marion Jones and the Bush administration?
DAVID B. OFFER : Taxpayer Bill of Rights resurfacing to fill voidGovernment still spending money as if it had it Get ready for Son-of-TABOR. The Maine Heritage Policy Center has drafted a new version for a Taxpayers Bill of Rights to limit state spending.
MORNING SENTINEL:
Who is the deceiver in school consolidation? A school system that's too deeply in love with itself ought to get a divorce!
SUN JOURNAL:
Britain cutting its Iraq force LONDON - Britain will cut its forces in Iraq by half in the spring, shrinking the commitment of America's leading military partner to just 2,500 troops engaged mainly in training Iraqi forces, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday.
LTE: Expensive effortsState legislators are hard at work in Augusta trying to lower the tax burden for Mainers. A few thoughts come to mind here.
TIMES RECORD:
EDITORIAL: No life for this party...(full story)
LTE: Time for a war tax...(full story)
MPBN:
Special Legislative Panel Aims At Job Retraining Obstacles
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071008jobs.asx
Soldiers Adjust To Life After Iraq
http://nhpr.org/audio/audio/nht-2007-09-28-dg1.wax
YORK COUNTY COAST STAR:
SAD 35 fights school mergers
ELIOT, Maine — The Maine School Administrative District 35 School Board of Directors sent its strongest message yet about consolidation on Wednesday, Oct. 3, unanimously agreeing to sign a letter to state representatives that called for a...
CAMDEN HERALD:
Local governments to be lobbied to oppose school district consolidation — Hope selectmen to be asked this week — others towns likely to follow
HOPE — Following the five-town high school board’s vote to support the school system consolidation repeal, other local government boards and school committees will be asked to follow suit.
COURIER GAZETTE:
Immediate action needed
The decision by a large private family medical practice to drop its patients who are covered by the MaineCare program is further evidence that the wheels are falling off the health insurance system, and only federal intervention will get the program back on the right road.
WCVB (BOSTON):
Lesbian Couple Files Suit Against Boys' ParentsTom Allen and Attorney General Steven Rowe - who turned out to show their support for the women. Fuchs and Boutaugh, who now live in Penobscot County, ...
NEWS & OBSERVER:
Another potential Dole foe says noHillary Rodham Clinton, as well as several moderate Republicans such as Susan Collins of Maine and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. "I firmly believe that we ...
COOS BAY WORLD:
Dems choose sides in Merkley-Novick raceBesides Merkley, that’s Mark Udall of Colorado, Mark Warner of Virginia and Tom Allen of Maine, all three of whom are widely considered top-tier Democratic ...
FEDERAL COMPUTER WEEK:
Bush threatens to veto a bill that would stengthen IGsThe bill will now go to the Senate, where Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Susan Collins (R-Maine), ranking member, are working on their own IG reform bill. ...
COOKEVILLE HERALD CITIZEN:
Alexander: Iraq is the biggest issue
The Republican Senator, along with Ken Salazar (D-CO), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), George Voinovich (R-OH), Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), and Jim Webb (D-VA), has helped introduce a bill which would require a report on the status of redeployment planning from the Bush Administration.
BLOGS:
ME-Sen: Not the story the Collins camp hoped forHis intended target: Democratic Congressman Tom Allen. For weeks, the state GOP and members of Sen. Susan Collins' staff have been diligently shopping a "hot tip" to members of the Maine media: Allen has missed a number of votes in ...
Senator Susan Collins - OpenSecrets.org (Funding of Campaigns)Excerpts: "2001-2006 Total Receipts: $4461,1992001-2006 Total Spent: $4192498" and "Source of Funds:(How to read this chart / methodology) Individual contributions $2499137 (56.0%) PAC contributions $1684761 (37.8%) ...
TOM ALLEN (D-ME) Top Contributors - OpenSecrets.org
Excerpt: "1 Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $15250 2 Air Line Pilots Assn $15000 3 American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees $10500 4 Mayflower Partners $10300 5 American Assn for Justice $10250" ...
Mainers turn out for equal rights
Tom Allen, D-1st District, encouraged participants in their fight for equal rights. Allen said. ...
My Column Saluting "Progressive" Fighters
I thought I’d take a brief stroll down Memory Lane, back to the days before the government got serious about helping us improve our lives. Yes, there was a time when Maine’s government wasn’t as large as it is today.
SEIU: Too Many Great Dem Prez Candidates to Endorse One
CHICAGO - Citing the strength of the presidential field on the key issues for working families, and the importance of the 2008 election on the future of America, SEIU local unions will decide on presidential primary endorsements on a state-by-state basis.
Trade Takes Center Stage In Key Senate Race
"A proposed trade agreement with Peru is the latest front in Maine's Senate race between incumbent Republican Susan Collins and her Democratic challenger, Rep. Tom Allen. Allen has announced his opposition to a free trade pact with Peru ...
[links] Link salad with new improved croutons
Susan Collins' senate campaign attacks opponent for missing congressional votes — Seems he was at the funeral of a family member. More conservative family values!
Least Favorite People on the Right
William Cohen (actually, all "Republicans" from Maine, now that I think about it-- Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins). As you can see when comparing my list with John's full results, I am not alone in my dislike of certain people. ...
BDN On Habeas
Susan Collins voted no. Sen. Olympia Snowe, absent for a family funeral, did not vote. Sen. Collins voted for the unchanged bill, as did Sen. Specter, although he called the measure unconsitutional [sic]. Sen. Snowe again did not vote. ...
Portland Press Herald: Impeachment proceedings: Distraction or ...
Michael Cutting (Voice of the People, Oct. 3) takes US Rep. Tom Allen to task for refusing to pursue impeachment proceedings against President ...
Sandy Berger is going to be Hillary Clinton’s campaign advisor?
Oh wow. That’s gonna be a huge bump in the road for ole Hillary, but then again, it’s the Bush Regime who has pushed their power into the faces of Americans while sticking their middle finger up to all us whenever they put a crony in to help them reach their goals!
Fred Thompson: National Campaign Leadership Team
Fred “doh-DEE-doh” Thompson has hired Howard Baker, Elizabeth Cheney, and George Allen, the former senator from Virginia, to his “National Campaign Leadership Team.”
Mark Lawrence Update
This is an exciting time for the Lawrence campaign.
Gendron holds merger power, but is it too much? ' Some say the law gives the education chief too much decision- making latitude.
Governor to lead Far East trade mission Fourteen businesses and education groups plan to take part, after learning the countries' customs.
Nurses in Bangor give notice of walkout The union at Eastern Maine Medical Center threatens to start a 24-hour strike on Oct 17.
Canadian dollar helps lumber mills The decline in the value of U.S. currency evens the playing field with Canadian producers.
LTE: Impeachment proceedings: Distraction or solution?
BANGOR DAILY:
Education bonds top ballot issuesAUGUSTA - Two years ago Maine's higher-education leaders were surprised when voters rejected their modest bond proposal for $9 million by a margin of fewer than 3,000 votes.
Prison, jail unification plan concerns officialsMACHIAS - The governor says he has no plans to close the Washington County Jail, but his new county jail and state prison unification plan has caused heartburn for some law enforcement officials Down East.
Meeting aims to avert nurses strikeTuesday, October 09, 2007BANGOR, Maine - A federal mediator has once again called an emergency meeting between contract negotiators for Eastern Maine Medical Center and the 870 registered nurses who work there.
EDITORIAL: Smoke SignalsWhen several communities considered following Bangor's lead in banning smoking in cars carrying children, local leaders said a statewide prohibition would be better than a patchwork of local rules.
EDITORIAL: Ending TortureBy leaving the definition of torture up to the Bush administration, Congress shirked an important responsibility to ensure the treatment of detainees in the war on terror meets U.S. and international standards.
Tuesday's Letters to the Editor … Soldiers’ names sacred … Blackwater horror
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Governor to lead overseas envoy AUGUSTA -- Businessman Mark Eichenbaum's product is carried in 9,000 stores, including local supermarkets.
Augusta airlinelooks to reducenumber of flights AUGUSTA -- The only regularly scheduled airline serving Maine's capital city is proposing to cut the number of daily flights during the fall and winter and to increase them during warm-weather months.
EDITORIAL: Staying power? That's Putin power What's the difference between track star Marion Jones and the Bush administration?
DAVID B. OFFER : Taxpayer Bill of Rights resurfacing to fill voidGovernment still spending money as if it had it Get ready for Son-of-TABOR. The Maine Heritage Policy Center has drafted a new version for a Taxpayers Bill of Rights to limit state spending.
MORNING SENTINEL:
Who is the deceiver in school consolidation? A school system that's too deeply in love with itself ought to get a divorce!
SUN JOURNAL:
Britain cutting its Iraq force LONDON - Britain will cut its forces in Iraq by half in the spring, shrinking the commitment of America's leading military partner to just 2,500 troops engaged mainly in training Iraqi forces, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday.
LTE: Expensive effortsState legislators are hard at work in Augusta trying to lower the tax burden for Mainers. A few thoughts come to mind here.
TIMES RECORD:
EDITORIAL: No life for this party...(full story)
LTE: Time for a war tax...(full story)
MPBN:
Special Legislative Panel Aims At Job Retraining Obstacles
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071008jobs.asx
Soldiers Adjust To Life After Iraq
http://nhpr.org/audio/audio/nht-2007-09-28-dg1.wax
YORK COUNTY COAST STAR:
SAD 35 fights school mergers
ELIOT, Maine — The Maine School Administrative District 35 School Board of Directors sent its strongest message yet about consolidation on Wednesday, Oct. 3, unanimously agreeing to sign a letter to state representatives that called for a...
CAMDEN HERALD:
Local governments to be lobbied to oppose school district consolidation — Hope selectmen to be asked this week — others towns likely to follow
HOPE — Following the five-town high school board’s vote to support the school system consolidation repeal, other local government boards and school committees will be asked to follow suit.
COURIER GAZETTE:
Immediate action needed
The decision by a large private family medical practice to drop its patients who are covered by the MaineCare program is further evidence that the wheels are falling off the health insurance system, and only federal intervention will get the program back on the right road.
WCVB (BOSTON):
Lesbian Couple Files Suit Against Boys' ParentsTom Allen and Attorney General Steven Rowe - who turned out to show their support for the women. Fuchs and Boutaugh, who now live in Penobscot County, ...
NEWS & OBSERVER:
Another potential Dole foe says noHillary Rodham Clinton, as well as several moderate Republicans such as Susan Collins of Maine and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. "I firmly believe that we ...
COOS BAY WORLD:
Dems choose sides in Merkley-Novick raceBesides Merkley, that’s Mark Udall of Colorado, Mark Warner of Virginia and Tom Allen of Maine, all three of whom are widely considered top-tier Democratic ...
FEDERAL COMPUTER WEEK:
Bush threatens to veto a bill that would stengthen IGsThe bill will now go to the Senate, where Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Susan Collins (R-Maine), ranking member, are working on their own IG reform bill. ...
COOKEVILLE HERALD CITIZEN:
Alexander: Iraq is the biggest issue
The Republican Senator, along with Ken Salazar (D-CO), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), George Voinovich (R-OH), Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), and Jim Webb (D-VA), has helped introduce a bill which would require a report on the status of redeployment planning from the Bush Administration.
BLOGS:
ME-Sen: Not the story the Collins camp hoped forHis intended target: Democratic Congressman Tom Allen. For weeks, the state GOP and members of Sen. Susan Collins' staff have been diligently shopping a "hot tip" to members of the Maine media: Allen has missed a number of votes in ...
Senator Susan Collins - OpenSecrets.org (Funding of Campaigns)Excerpts: "2001-2006 Total Receipts: $4461,1992001-2006 Total Spent: $4192498" and "Source of Funds:(How to read this chart / methodology) Individual contributions $2499137 (56.0%) PAC contributions $1684761 (37.8%) ...
TOM ALLEN (D-ME) Top Contributors - OpenSecrets.org
Excerpt: "1 Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $15250 2 Air Line Pilots Assn $15000 3 American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees $10500 4 Mayflower Partners $10300 5 American Assn for Justice $10250" ...
Mainers turn out for equal rights
Tom Allen, D-1st District, encouraged participants in their fight for equal rights. Allen said. ...
My Column Saluting "Progressive" Fighters
I thought I’d take a brief stroll down Memory Lane, back to the days before the government got serious about helping us improve our lives. Yes, there was a time when Maine’s government wasn’t as large as it is today.
SEIU: Too Many Great Dem Prez Candidates to Endorse One
CHICAGO - Citing the strength of the presidential field on the key issues for working families, and the importance of the 2008 election on the future of America, SEIU local unions will decide on presidential primary endorsements on a state-by-state basis.
Trade Takes Center Stage In Key Senate Race
"A proposed trade agreement with Peru is the latest front in Maine's Senate race between incumbent Republican Susan Collins and her Democratic challenger, Rep. Tom Allen. Allen has announced his opposition to a free trade pact with Peru ...
[links] Link salad with new improved croutons
Susan Collins' senate campaign attacks opponent for missing congressional votes — Seems he was at the funeral of a family member. More conservative family values!
Least Favorite People on the Right
William Cohen (actually, all "Republicans" from Maine, now that I think about it-- Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins). As you can see when comparing my list with John's full results, I am not alone in my dislike of certain people. ...
BDN On Habeas
Susan Collins voted no. Sen. Olympia Snowe, absent for a family funeral, did not vote. Sen. Collins voted for the unchanged bill, as did Sen. Specter, although he called the measure unconsitutional [sic]. Sen. Snowe again did not vote. ...
Portland Press Herald: Impeachment proceedings: Distraction or ...
Michael Cutting (Voice of the People, Oct. 3) takes US Rep. Tom Allen to task for refusing to pursue impeachment proceedings against President ...
Sandy Berger is going to be Hillary Clinton’s campaign advisor?
Oh wow. That’s gonna be a huge bump in the road for ole Hillary, but then again, it’s the Bush Regime who has pushed their power into the faces of Americans while sticking their middle finger up to all us whenever they put a crony in to help them reach their goals!
Fred Thompson: National Campaign Leadership Team
Fred “doh-DEE-doh” Thompson has hired Howard Baker, Elizabeth Cheney, and George Allen, the former senator from Virginia, to his “National Campaign Leadership Team.”
Mark Lawrence Update
This is an exciting time for the Lawrence campaign.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Maine News for Wednesday, October 3, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
EPA assesses three Senate climate bills, including one sponsored by Snowe Each similarly would succeed in cutting carbon emissions, but with a caveat, the agency finds.
Study: Offering housing to homeless saves money Moving people into units that are subsidized cuts in half the average cost of services to them.
Editorial:
We should not rely on under-trained officers Reserves should be used to support, not replace, qualified police force members.
OP/ED: State jail takeover might not mean relief County commissioners and sheriffs have a better idea than Gov. Baldacci on how to run them.
LTE: U.S. must alter its course
LTE: Impeachment proceedings necessary, not distracting
BANGOR DAILY:
State reorganization plans on table AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine state government faces the most sweeping reorganization proposals in more than 40 years as the Legislature's Appropriations Committee explores several consolidation proposals of state programs and agencies.
Economist calculates slots revenue A study released Tuesday by a University of Maine economist estimates that the Calais racino proposed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe could generate between $11.9 million and $13 million in slot machine revenue annually.
Cianbro axes plan to dump on coast Wednesday, October 03, 2007Officials with Cianbro Corp. have withdrawn plans to deposit materials dredged from the Penobscot River into an area off the coast of Rockland in response to local opposition to the dumping.
Nurses drop strike threat, but talks produce no accord Wednesday, October 03, 2007BANGOR, Maine - Negotiators for the nurses union at Eastern Maine Medical Center on Tuesday withdrew the formal 10-day notice of their intention to strike that was issued Monday. But as the day closed on an emergency bargaining session and last-ditch effort to avert the nursing strike, negotiators from both sides announced they had come up empty-handed.
EDITORIAL: The jail escapeJohn Baldacci has been trying to consolidate government for as long as he has been governor. But over the years he has changed tactics substantially, going from a very public and deliberative merging of human services in 2004 to the surprise declaration on county jails this year.
Op-Ed:
Sharon S. Tisher: Restore the Clean Water ActHigh discharges of phosphorus from a Millinocket mill this August caused a massive algae bloom that threatened aquatic life and drove swimmers, including me, from our favorite swimming holes along the Penobscot River watershed as far as 75 miles downstream in Hampden - a reminder of how fragile, and connected, our Maine waters are.
Wednesday's Letters to the Editor … Terrorism trap … Forgetting the details
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Medicaid reforms compared: Maine lawmakers are given overview on states' efforts AUGUSTA -- Charging co-pays for services or requiring recipients to pledge a more health-conscious lifestyle are two ways states are looking to cut their Medicaid spending, a national health-care expert told Maine lawmakers Tuesday.
Equipping GIs for war becoming more costly WASHINGTON (AP) -- As official Washington argues over the spiraling price of the war in Iraq, consider this: Outfitting a soldier for battle costs a hundred times more now than it did in World War II. It was $170 then, is about $17,500 now and could be an estimated $28,000 to $60,000 by the middle of the next decade.
CONSOLIDATIONChina stuck between large, small districts CHINA -- Selectmen, School Committee members and other residents spent an hour rehashing school reorganization issues Monday evening, without evidence that anyone changed his or her mind.
PHIL HARRIMAN : Maine can't gamble its way to prosperity - Attacking gambling opponents doesn't change facts It's unfortunate that Donna Loring has chosen to promote the proposal for a racetrack casino in Washington County by rewriting history and attacking casino opponents with false accusations ("Gambling a solution to lack of jobs, health insurance, hope," Sept. 27). Apparently, the argument for the Downeast casino isn't strong enough to stand on its own merits, so she feels it's necessary to pillory those of us who believe that the expansion of casinos in Maine will harm the state's image and economy.
LTE: Sticking with spending cut plan was good policy George Smith and I sometimes disagree about the kind and scope of government we need, but I found his recent column about reducing the cost of government interesting.
LTE: America must remain strong militarily Regarding "There's another side to the Blue Angels coverage" Kennebec Journal Sept. 15 -- Tom Sturtevant's letter and reference to Maine Veterans for Peace struck a chord with me.
MORNING SENTINEL:
CONFORMING TO FEMA REGULATIONSFranklin County making progress for certification FARMINGTON -- Franklin County's emergency management director said Tuesday the county is making some progress in efforts to get certified in a federal incident management command system.
SUN JOURNAL:
EPA: Rival climate bills achieve same endWASHINGTON (AP) - Three competing Senate proposals calling for limits on greenhouse gases would have roughly identical success in curbing global warming, but only if other nations also significantly cut heat-trapping emissions, a government analysis says.
TIMES RECORD:
Maine reservists come home...(full story)
BAR HARBOR TIMES:
New committee to focus on economic development
BAR HARBOR – With several members of the Town Council calling it long overdue, the council voted Tuesday night to create a permanent Economic Development Committee.
TERRE HAUTE TRIBUNE STAR:
United States Senate Youth Program to select two Hoosier delegatesSusan Collins of Maine, the first program delegate elected to the Senate; Judge Robert Henry, US Court of Appeals; former Ambassador to West Germany Richard ...
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE:
Pricey plane tickets for government officials usually unjustified ...Coleman, joining a bipartisan group of senators led by Susan Collins, R-Maine, is pushing legislation to expand first-class reporting requirements to ...
BLOGS:
Federal Officials Too Often Flying First and Business Class, GAO Finds
2 Oct - Miscellany
Ten Percent. China prohibits help to monks. Tomorrow What. Islam and Europe : a debate in Amsterdam. White Noise Insanity. Will Sen. Susan Collins support Rush Limbaugh’s right to speak out against our soldiers ?
Campaign Flub of the Month
Brought to you by Dailykos, Susan Collins, the Maine GOP, and the letter “Oops.” GOP press release this morning: October 2, 2007 Congressman Tom Allen missed each of the three votes the House of Representatives held yesterday, ...
Will Sen. Susan Collins support Rush Limbaugh’s right to speak out ...
Susan Collins voted along with her jackboot licking reich wingers in the Senate last week and with 22 democrats to make sure that the freedom of speech be squashed when it concerns our soldiers. Well, Rush Limbaugh has broken this ...
Where is Congressman Tom Allen - 132 Missed Votes?
Over the last three weeks the House has only held votes on ten days — Congressman Allen has missed four of those days completely, for a total of 22 votes. Support Senator Susan Collins.
Senator Susan Collins Blog Posting from Campaign Website Oct. 1
Note: Title of post won't copy, so we'll go right to the excerpt: "Last Monday, I participated in the promotion ceremony of a military fellow, Pam Powers, who is serving in my office this year. Pam was promoted from Major to Lt. ...
Maine PDA Moves on Impeachment
Maine Congressman Tom Allen won’t budge on impeachment. Says it’sa distraction and the Constitution is too vague. On Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007 approximately 250 Maine people came to Portland, [...]
John Kerry on How to Restore Integrity to Our Government
I mean, we have very important races -- Jean Shaheen in New Hampshire, Tom Allen -- I mean, you know, Tom Allen in Maine, and in Colorado, Tom Udall, and so forth. If we can grow four, five or six seats, then we're in a position to ...
Tom Allen Skips Work Again
Congressman Tom Allen missed each of the three votes the House of Representatives held yesterday, bringing his missed votes total to 132. 4 Vote(s)
Maine Pushes for Impeachment
25 and 26. Hundreds of Maine people took time off during two work days and told Congressmen Allen and Michaud -- “IMPEACH!!” Maine First District Congressman Tom Allen doesn't budge on impeachment. ...
Maine GOP Attacks Dem Over Attending Family Funeral
You can just imagine the scene at Maine GOP headquarters: "OMG Tom Allen totally missed a vote he is teh suck!!!!" Oh, he was at a family funeral. Nevermind.
ME-Sen: Ooops
"Congressman Tom Allen missed each of the three votes the House of Representatives held yesterday, bringing his missed votes total to 132. He also missed three days of votes for a fundraising [sic] trip to California two weeks ago. ...
Why People Hate Politics: Exhibit A
Team Collins has decided that Tom Allen's attendance record is something to question publicly. Fine. We should have reasonable expectations that our leaders to show up for work, and we all know that Saintly Sue has never missed a vote. ...
Kamilewicz: Maine Dems “telling me that Tom is a very weak candidate”
Dexter Kamilewicz may be Tom Allen’s worst nightmare. Bill Slavick is not a sweet dream, either. Running against Allen, the Democratic incumbent, and Republican Darlene Curley, Kamilewicz won nearly 8 percent of the vote in the election ...
Rep. Tom Allen MySpace Page
Rep. Tom Allen MySpace Page http://www.myspace.com/tomallenformaine Alex Hammer: Tom Allen's MySpace page has 164 friends currently including -- I love it -- Governor John Baldacci.
Scontras Fundraising: 3 Yards and a Cloud of Dust
Collins/Snowe Vote 'YEA' on $150B for War on Terror
Michaud in Costa Rica Urging 'No' Vote, CAFTA Referendum
Primary Candidates on Ballot w/ Party 'Preference' - Legal?
The Washington state law lets primary-election candidates identify their political party "preference" on the ballot, even if the party doesn't want to be affiliated with the candidate. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of their party allegiances, potentially squeezing out the major parties' favored candidates.
Nancy Pelosi: Why the Democrats Can’t Stop The War…
We need National Popular Vote NOW!
The 2008 Presidential election will be here soon. Questions remain whether or not we have dealt with enough of the problems that plagued the last two elections such as voting machine problems, partisan election officials and voter registration issues. But one thing we know hasn't been fixed is the mess that is the Electoral College system of choosing our President.
Monday Rundown
Whoa! An open ethics hearing? This is an option now? Really? So, if Senate leadership wanted to call for an open ethics hearing on David Vitter's past solicitation of prostitutes or Ted Stevens' possibly taking bribes for getting earmarks placed or Lisa Murkowski's sweetheart land deal or Pete Domenici's inappropriate contact with former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias or Susan Collins' possibly inappropriate use of taxpayer-funded Senate resources for political campaign purposes, they could do that? In that case, open ethics hearings for all!
The Freedom Agenda
The more I think about Sen. Collins' habeas votes, the more convinced I become that they'll come back to bite her during the campaign. And not just because the more recent vote exposed a widening rift between the junior senator and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
EPA assesses three Senate climate bills, including one sponsored by Snowe Each similarly would succeed in cutting carbon emissions, but with a caveat, the agency finds.
Study: Offering housing to homeless saves money Moving people into units that are subsidized cuts in half the average cost of services to them.
Editorial:
We should not rely on under-trained officers Reserves should be used to support, not replace, qualified police force members.
OP/ED: State jail takeover might not mean relief County commissioners and sheriffs have a better idea than Gov. Baldacci on how to run them.
LTE: U.S. must alter its course
LTE: Impeachment proceedings necessary, not distracting
BANGOR DAILY:
State reorganization plans on table AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine state government faces the most sweeping reorganization proposals in more than 40 years as the Legislature's Appropriations Committee explores several consolidation proposals of state programs and agencies.
Economist calculates slots revenue A study released Tuesday by a University of Maine economist estimates that the Calais racino proposed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe could generate between $11.9 million and $13 million in slot machine revenue annually.
Cianbro axes plan to dump on coast Wednesday, October 03, 2007Officials with Cianbro Corp. have withdrawn plans to deposit materials dredged from the Penobscot River into an area off the coast of Rockland in response to local opposition to the dumping.
Nurses drop strike threat, but talks produce no accord Wednesday, October 03, 2007BANGOR, Maine - Negotiators for the nurses union at Eastern Maine Medical Center on Tuesday withdrew the formal 10-day notice of their intention to strike that was issued Monday. But as the day closed on an emergency bargaining session and last-ditch effort to avert the nursing strike, negotiators from both sides announced they had come up empty-handed.
EDITORIAL: The jail escapeJohn Baldacci has been trying to consolidate government for as long as he has been governor. But over the years he has changed tactics substantially, going from a very public and deliberative merging of human services in 2004 to the surprise declaration on county jails this year.
Op-Ed:
Sharon S. Tisher: Restore the Clean Water ActHigh discharges of phosphorus from a Millinocket mill this August caused a massive algae bloom that threatened aquatic life and drove swimmers, including me, from our favorite swimming holes along the Penobscot River watershed as far as 75 miles downstream in Hampden - a reminder of how fragile, and connected, our Maine waters are.
Wednesday's Letters to the Editor … Terrorism trap … Forgetting the details
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Medicaid reforms compared: Maine lawmakers are given overview on states' efforts AUGUSTA -- Charging co-pays for services or requiring recipients to pledge a more health-conscious lifestyle are two ways states are looking to cut their Medicaid spending, a national health-care expert told Maine lawmakers Tuesday.
Equipping GIs for war becoming more costly WASHINGTON (AP) -- As official Washington argues over the spiraling price of the war in Iraq, consider this: Outfitting a soldier for battle costs a hundred times more now than it did in World War II. It was $170 then, is about $17,500 now and could be an estimated $28,000 to $60,000 by the middle of the next decade.
CONSOLIDATIONChina stuck between large, small districts CHINA -- Selectmen, School Committee members and other residents spent an hour rehashing school reorganization issues Monday evening, without evidence that anyone changed his or her mind.
PHIL HARRIMAN : Maine can't gamble its way to prosperity - Attacking gambling opponents doesn't change facts It's unfortunate that Donna Loring has chosen to promote the proposal for a racetrack casino in Washington County by rewriting history and attacking casino opponents with false accusations ("Gambling a solution to lack of jobs, health insurance, hope," Sept. 27). Apparently, the argument for the Downeast casino isn't strong enough to stand on its own merits, so she feels it's necessary to pillory those of us who believe that the expansion of casinos in Maine will harm the state's image and economy.
LTE: Sticking with spending cut plan was good policy George Smith and I sometimes disagree about the kind and scope of government we need, but I found his recent column about reducing the cost of government interesting.
LTE: America must remain strong militarily Regarding "There's another side to the Blue Angels coverage" Kennebec Journal Sept. 15 -- Tom Sturtevant's letter and reference to Maine Veterans for Peace struck a chord with me.
MORNING SENTINEL:
CONFORMING TO FEMA REGULATIONSFranklin County making progress for certification FARMINGTON -- Franklin County's emergency management director said Tuesday the county is making some progress in efforts to get certified in a federal incident management command system.
SUN JOURNAL:
EPA: Rival climate bills achieve same endWASHINGTON (AP) - Three competing Senate proposals calling for limits on greenhouse gases would have roughly identical success in curbing global warming, but only if other nations also significantly cut heat-trapping emissions, a government analysis says.
TIMES RECORD:
Maine reservists come home...(full story)
BAR HARBOR TIMES:
New committee to focus on economic development
BAR HARBOR – With several members of the Town Council calling it long overdue, the council voted Tuesday night to create a permanent Economic Development Committee.
TERRE HAUTE TRIBUNE STAR:
United States Senate Youth Program to select two Hoosier delegatesSusan Collins of Maine, the first program delegate elected to the Senate; Judge Robert Henry, US Court of Appeals; former Ambassador to West Germany Richard ...
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE:
Pricey plane tickets for government officials usually unjustified ...Coleman, joining a bipartisan group of senators led by Susan Collins, R-Maine, is pushing legislation to expand first-class reporting requirements to ...
BLOGS:
Federal Officials Too Often Flying First and Business Class, GAO Finds
2 Oct - Miscellany
Ten Percent. China prohibits help to monks. Tomorrow What. Islam and Europe : a debate in Amsterdam. White Noise Insanity. Will Sen. Susan Collins support Rush Limbaugh’s right to speak out against our soldiers ?
Campaign Flub of the Month
Brought to you by Dailykos, Susan Collins, the Maine GOP, and the letter “Oops.” GOP press release this morning: October 2, 2007 Congressman Tom Allen missed each of the three votes the House of Representatives held yesterday, ...
Will Sen. Susan Collins support Rush Limbaugh’s right to speak out ...
Susan Collins voted along with her jackboot licking reich wingers in the Senate last week and with 22 democrats to make sure that the freedom of speech be squashed when it concerns our soldiers. Well, Rush Limbaugh has broken this ...
Where is Congressman Tom Allen - 132 Missed Votes?
Over the last three weeks the House has only held votes on ten days — Congressman Allen has missed four of those days completely, for a total of 22 votes. Support Senator Susan Collins.
Senator Susan Collins Blog Posting from Campaign Website Oct. 1
Note: Title of post won't copy, so we'll go right to the excerpt: "Last Monday, I participated in the promotion ceremony of a military fellow, Pam Powers, who is serving in my office this year. Pam was promoted from Major to Lt. ...
Maine PDA Moves on Impeachment
Maine Congressman Tom Allen won’t budge on impeachment. Says it’sa distraction and the Constitution is too vague. On Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007 approximately 250 Maine people came to Portland, [...]
John Kerry on How to Restore Integrity to Our Government
I mean, we have very important races -- Jean Shaheen in New Hampshire, Tom Allen -- I mean, you know, Tom Allen in Maine, and in Colorado, Tom Udall, and so forth. If we can grow four, five or six seats, then we're in a position to ...
Tom Allen Skips Work Again
Congressman Tom Allen missed each of the three votes the House of Representatives held yesterday, bringing his missed votes total to 132. 4 Vote(s)
Maine Pushes for Impeachment
25 and 26. Hundreds of Maine people took time off during two work days and told Congressmen Allen and Michaud -- “IMPEACH!!” Maine First District Congressman Tom Allen doesn't budge on impeachment. ...
Maine GOP Attacks Dem Over Attending Family Funeral
You can just imagine the scene at Maine GOP headquarters: "OMG Tom Allen totally missed a vote he is teh suck!!!!" Oh, he was at a family funeral. Nevermind.
ME-Sen: Ooops
"Congressman Tom Allen missed each of the three votes the House of Representatives held yesterday, bringing his missed votes total to 132. He also missed three days of votes for a fundraising [sic] trip to California two weeks ago. ...
Why People Hate Politics: Exhibit A
Team Collins has decided that Tom Allen's attendance record is something to question publicly. Fine. We should have reasonable expectations that our leaders to show up for work, and we all know that Saintly Sue has never missed a vote. ...
Kamilewicz: Maine Dems “telling me that Tom is a very weak candidate”
Dexter Kamilewicz may be Tom Allen’s worst nightmare. Bill Slavick is not a sweet dream, either. Running against Allen, the Democratic incumbent, and Republican Darlene Curley, Kamilewicz won nearly 8 percent of the vote in the election ...
Rep. Tom Allen MySpace Page
Rep. Tom Allen MySpace Page http://www.myspace.com/tomallenformaine Alex Hammer: Tom Allen's MySpace page has 164 friends currently including -- I love it -- Governor John Baldacci.
Scontras Fundraising: 3 Yards and a Cloud of Dust
Collins/Snowe Vote 'YEA' on $150B for War on Terror
Michaud in Costa Rica Urging 'No' Vote, CAFTA Referendum
Primary Candidates on Ballot w/ Party 'Preference' - Legal?
The Washington state law lets primary-election candidates identify their political party "preference" on the ballot, even if the party doesn't want to be affiliated with the candidate. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of their party allegiances, potentially squeezing out the major parties' favored candidates.
Nancy Pelosi: Why the Democrats Can’t Stop The War…
We need National Popular Vote NOW!
The 2008 Presidential election will be here soon. Questions remain whether or not we have dealt with enough of the problems that plagued the last two elections such as voting machine problems, partisan election officials and voter registration issues. But one thing we know hasn't been fixed is the mess that is the Electoral College system of choosing our President.
Monday Rundown
Whoa! An open ethics hearing? This is an option now? Really? So, if Senate leadership wanted to call for an open ethics hearing on David Vitter's past solicitation of prostitutes or Ted Stevens' possibly taking bribes for getting earmarks placed or Lisa Murkowski's sweetheart land deal or Pete Domenici's inappropriate contact with former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias or Susan Collins' possibly inappropriate use of taxpayer-funded Senate resources for political campaign purposes, they could do that? In that case, open ethics hearings for all!
The Freedom Agenda
The more I think about Sen. Collins' habeas votes, the more convinced I become that they'll come back to bite her during the campaign. And not just because the more recent vote exposed a widening rift between the junior senator and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Maine News for Tuesday, October 2, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
Casino foes seek support A religious group starts a fundraising committee to counter the 'Yes on Question 1' campaign.
Price of heating oil is high and expected to go higher What could save Mainers money? A warm winter and drop in crude prices.
Snowe asks for delay of lobster rule She says changes designed to protect right whales burden lobstermen unfairly.
City lawyer OKs 'mega-berth' proposal The attorney says the nearby Ocean Gateway terminal must be operated as a public facility.
UNE facility honors former first couple The library will work with Bush-related institutions at Texas A&M University to offer programs and speakers.
It's time for USM to redefine its mission Declining enrollments and budget overruns mandate a new vision for the university.
OP/ED: Dirigo Health costs more, 'saves' less each year Other states offer more insurance products at lower prices than Maine does. Why?
LTE: Logic on paid sick days ill-formed
LTE: Politicians should have opposed Petraeus attack
BANGOR DAILY:
Group formed in opposition to tribal racinoAUGUSTA - The Christian Civic League of Maine said Monday it started a political action committee to campaign against a Nov. 6 referendum proposal to allow the Passamaquoddy Tribe to build a racetrack casino in Washington County.
UM athletes, coach run afoul of lawTuesday, October 2, 2007ORONO - A University of Maine assistant coach and three athletes, including a starting football player, have found themselves in trouble with the law in recent weeks, according to local police reports.
Negotiations continue as EMMC nurses union sets strike date Tuesday, October 2, 2007BANGOR - Nurses from Eastern Maine Medical Center hand-delivered their official strike notice to a hospital official shortly after 9 a.m. Monday.
Bangor: EMDC board names new president-CEOTuesday, October 2, 2007BANGOR - Eastern Maine Development Corp. has appointed its new president and CEO, Charles E. Webb of Orchard Park, N.Y.
Cruising for sex in Acadia targetedTuesday, October 2, 2007ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - Naked people is not one of the things that most people come to Maine’s only national park to see, but public nudity in the park has been known to happen from time to time, many local residents and park officials readily admit.
Today's Editorial:
Wind's RelevanceLast month's testimony from the National Park Service that global warming is irrelevant to consideration of wind power projects in Maine highlights the difficulty of balancing competing views and goals.
Think Big on Education
Tuesday's Letters to the Editor … Tax relief in jail plan … Cease war spending …
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Term limit debate low-key As November vote nears, campaign hard to detect AUGUSTA -- Voters will be asked Nov. 6 to decide whether legislators should be able to serve 12 consecutive years, rather than eight.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTHA flower for the victims AUGUSTA -- Briana Hart tossed a flower into the Kennebec River in memory of those who have died as the result of domestic violence.
State of conservation AUGUSTA -- Rita Jones jumped at the chance to serve on a committee at work dedicated to saving money and the environment.
DAVID B. OFFER : Democrats losing sleep over Kamilewicz Senate bid Dexter Kamilewicz may be Tom Allen's worst nightmare.
MORNING SENTINEL:
LTE: Some observations about the war in Iraq As the war in Iraq is mindlessly perpetuated by the incorrigible George W. Bush and his collaborators, some people may need to be reminded of the following realities:
LTE: McCain needs to back off on MoveOn So Sen. John McCain thinks that MoveOn should be "thrown out of the country" for exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to speak their mind.
SUN JOURNAL:
Ground broken for Bush library BIDDEFORD (AP) - The University of New England broke ground Monday for a new building and library named in honor of former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara.
New lobster rules rankle SnoweAUGUSTA (AP) - Federal rules that took effect Monday will require lobstermen to get new gear to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales, a Maine senator who has asked that the rules be delayed and modified said.
LTE: Caved in to Bush pressureSen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins recently voted to support Bush's upcoming war with Iran.
TIMES RECORD:
TABOR II backers prepare petition...(full story)
OP/ED: LD 910 preserves 'one man, one vote'...(full story)
MPBN:
Opportunity Maine Launched in PortlandA college loan tax credit program designed to open doors to college and keep trained workers in Maine was officially launched today in Portland. Keith Shortall reports.
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071001loans.asx
WCSH:
Allen Co-Sponsors Safe Consumer Product ActRepresentative Tom Allen is co-sponsoring the bill, which is being called the "Safe Consumer Product Act." He unveiled the details of the legislation at ABC ...
Tax Credit Will Help College Grads Who Stay In Maine
Sun Media Group Acquires More Newspapers
New State Law Raising The Price Of Oil Changes
Cigarette Tax Revenue Declining
Opponents Of Down East Racino Open PAC
COURIER-GAZETTE:
The right decision in Rockland
The decision by the city clerk to remove Bentley Snow Davis’ name from the ballot was the right thing to do.
COLBY ECHO:
Congressman makes a stop in Winslow
The war in Iraq evoked a more sedate New England dissent, when firefighters from across the state gathered at Sukee Arena for the 44th Annual Maine State Federation of Firefighters Convention this past Friday, Sept. 14. Congressman Tom Allen (D) joined the firefighters and their families, chatting, listening and speaking to their concerns.
MAGIC CITY MORNING STAR:
LTE (Lance Dutson): The Fading Promise of Internet Politics The so-called 'netroots', a consolidated movement of left-leaning online pundits and their faithful readers, have put their muscle and money behind Maine Congressman Tom Allen and his attempt to unseat Senator Susan Collins.
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE:
AEI People and Programs, October 2007Now, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Joseph Lieberman (ID-Conn.) are drafting comprehensive legislation based on Ornstein's work that includes a ...
BLOGS:
Sen. Susan Collins is freaked out by Moveon.org…
Susan Collins apparently doesn’t believe in the right to free speech. She hates it. The thought of a left wing group that has raised millions of dollars for democratic candidates (you know, the candidates that LOVE THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ...
Cluless Firedoglake
The swamp dwellers at Firedoglake are at it again, yes more smearing of Senator Susan Collins and her campaign members and completely misguided and factually incorrect as usual. One of the nutroots over there at firedoglake is wrong as ...
Monday Rundown
... land deal or Pete Domenici's inappropriate contact with former US Attorney David Iglesias or Susan Collins' possibly inappropriate use of taxpayer-funded Senate resources for political campaign purposes, they could do that?
Susan Collins campaign staffer works for FOX News
Just a bit of a conflict. Then again, we've always known that Susan is a FOX News Republican, so we should be glad she's finally confirmed it.
Sen. Susan Collins: More Foot-In-Mouthpiece News
Susan Collins’ foot-in-mouthpiece blogger (H/T cherish), Lance Dutson, is at it again. This time blogging on the local Fox News affiliate website:…The run-up to next year’s senatorial election in Maine provides some unfortunate examples ...
Is GOP On A Death Watch?"I just do not understand his decision, and I think it would be terrible," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. She faces a challenge from Rep. Tom Allen ...
Will Democrats Return MoveOn.org Money?
Congressman Tom Allen of Maine has accepted more than $250000 in donations through MoveOn.org alone. So it’s not surprising that Tom Allen has been deafeningly silent on this issue. Apparently the prospect of campaign funds is enough of ...
Maine Impeachers Send Message to Rep. Tom Allen
CITIZENS FROM SOUTHERN MAINE SERVE CHARGES OF IMPEACHMENT OF BUSH & CHENEY TO REPRESENTATIVE TOM ALLEN. At the end of this video, you'll see the citizens actually hand deliver their petitions to the Rep's office and are subsequently ...
Democrats losing sleep over Kamilewicz Senate bid
The Democratic Party is still the party the country trusts
Awwwwwwwwwwww, how sucky to hear that, huh neocons? All this time you’ve been thinking that it’s the democrats who are to blame for the direction of our country and Iraq for the past nine months. Well, it turns out you were wrong as usual and I was right (I’ve been saying all along that Congress’ low approval ratings are the result of republican obstruction in both Houses to protect Georgie):
From page 2 of this Washington Post article:
Three Days in September That Destroyed a Nation: 9/10, 9/11, 9/12
Maine Senator Susan Collins warns against “September 10th thinking”. Rudy Giuliani suffers from 9/11 Tourette’s Syndrome. Thomas Friedman from the New York Times is positively clairvoyant in his ability to divine a September 12th.
I left a post it note for you....
Please tell me that this isn't happening in Augusta:
Three Decades of Snowe - Bangor Metro
Three Decades of Snowe - Bangor MetroExcerpt: "You travel home just about every weekend, often for Main Street Tours. What do you hope to gain from those tours?
Casino foes seek support A religious group starts a fundraising committee to counter the 'Yes on Question 1' campaign.
Price of heating oil is high and expected to go higher What could save Mainers money? A warm winter and drop in crude prices.
Snowe asks for delay of lobster rule She says changes designed to protect right whales burden lobstermen unfairly.
City lawyer OKs 'mega-berth' proposal The attorney says the nearby Ocean Gateway terminal must be operated as a public facility.
UNE facility honors former first couple The library will work with Bush-related institutions at Texas A&M University to offer programs and speakers.
It's time for USM to redefine its mission Declining enrollments and budget overruns mandate a new vision for the university.
OP/ED: Dirigo Health costs more, 'saves' less each year Other states offer more insurance products at lower prices than Maine does. Why?
LTE: Logic on paid sick days ill-formed
LTE: Politicians should have opposed Petraeus attack
BANGOR DAILY:
Group formed in opposition to tribal racinoAUGUSTA - The Christian Civic League of Maine said Monday it started a political action committee to campaign against a Nov. 6 referendum proposal to allow the Passamaquoddy Tribe to build a racetrack casino in Washington County.
UM athletes, coach run afoul of lawTuesday, October 2, 2007ORONO - A University of Maine assistant coach and three athletes, including a starting football player, have found themselves in trouble with the law in recent weeks, according to local police reports.
Negotiations continue as EMMC nurses union sets strike date Tuesday, October 2, 2007BANGOR - Nurses from Eastern Maine Medical Center hand-delivered their official strike notice to a hospital official shortly after 9 a.m. Monday.
Bangor: EMDC board names new president-CEOTuesday, October 2, 2007BANGOR - Eastern Maine Development Corp. has appointed its new president and CEO, Charles E. Webb of Orchard Park, N.Y.
Cruising for sex in Acadia targetedTuesday, October 2, 2007ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - Naked people is not one of the things that most people come to Maine’s only national park to see, but public nudity in the park has been known to happen from time to time, many local residents and park officials readily admit.
Today's Editorial:
Wind's RelevanceLast month's testimony from the National Park Service that global warming is irrelevant to consideration of wind power projects in Maine highlights the difficulty of balancing competing views and goals.
Think Big on Education
Tuesday's Letters to the Editor … Tax relief in jail plan … Cease war spending …
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Term limit debate low-key As November vote nears, campaign hard to detect AUGUSTA -- Voters will be asked Nov. 6 to decide whether legislators should be able to serve 12 consecutive years, rather than eight.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTHA flower for the victims AUGUSTA -- Briana Hart tossed a flower into the Kennebec River in memory of those who have died as the result of domestic violence.
State of conservation AUGUSTA -- Rita Jones jumped at the chance to serve on a committee at work dedicated to saving money and the environment.
DAVID B. OFFER : Democrats losing sleep over Kamilewicz Senate bid Dexter Kamilewicz may be Tom Allen's worst nightmare.
MORNING SENTINEL:
LTE: Some observations about the war in Iraq As the war in Iraq is mindlessly perpetuated by the incorrigible George W. Bush and his collaborators, some people may need to be reminded of the following realities:
LTE: McCain needs to back off on MoveOn So Sen. John McCain thinks that MoveOn should be "thrown out of the country" for exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to speak their mind.
SUN JOURNAL:
Ground broken for Bush library BIDDEFORD (AP) - The University of New England broke ground Monday for a new building and library named in honor of former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara.
New lobster rules rankle SnoweAUGUSTA (AP) - Federal rules that took effect Monday will require lobstermen to get new gear to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales, a Maine senator who has asked that the rules be delayed and modified said.
LTE: Caved in to Bush pressureSen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins recently voted to support Bush's upcoming war with Iran.
TIMES RECORD:
TABOR II backers prepare petition...(full story)
OP/ED: LD 910 preserves 'one man, one vote'...(full story)
MPBN:
Opportunity Maine Launched in PortlandA college loan tax credit program designed to open doors to college and keep trained workers in Maine was officially launched today in Portland. Keith Shortall reports.
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/071001loans.asx
WCSH:
Allen Co-Sponsors Safe Consumer Product ActRepresentative Tom Allen is co-sponsoring the bill, which is being called the "Safe Consumer Product Act." He unveiled the details of the legislation at ABC ...
Tax Credit Will Help College Grads Who Stay In Maine
Sun Media Group Acquires More Newspapers
New State Law Raising The Price Of Oil Changes
Cigarette Tax Revenue Declining
Opponents Of Down East Racino Open PAC
COURIER-GAZETTE:
The right decision in Rockland
The decision by the city clerk to remove Bentley Snow Davis’ name from the ballot was the right thing to do.
COLBY ECHO:
Congressman makes a stop in Winslow
The war in Iraq evoked a more sedate New England dissent, when firefighters from across the state gathered at Sukee Arena for the 44th Annual Maine State Federation of Firefighters Convention this past Friday, Sept. 14. Congressman Tom Allen (D) joined the firefighters and their families, chatting, listening and speaking to their concerns.
MAGIC CITY MORNING STAR:
LTE (Lance Dutson): The Fading Promise of Internet Politics The so-called 'netroots', a consolidated movement of left-leaning online pundits and their faithful readers, have put their muscle and money behind Maine Congressman Tom Allen and his attempt to unseat Senator Susan Collins.
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE:
AEI People and Programs, October 2007Now, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Joseph Lieberman (ID-Conn.) are drafting comprehensive legislation based on Ornstein's work that includes a ...
BLOGS:
Sen. Susan Collins is freaked out by Moveon.org…
Susan Collins apparently doesn’t believe in the right to free speech. She hates it. The thought of a left wing group that has raised millions of dollars for democratic candidates (you know, the candidates that LOVE THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ...
Cluless Firedoglake
The swamp dwellers at Firedoglake are at it again, yes more smearing of Senator Susan Collins and her campaign members and completely misguided and factually incorrect as usual. One of the nutroots over there at firedoglake is wrong as ...
Monday Rundown
... land deal or Pete Domenici's inappropriate contact with former US Attorney David Iglesias or Susan Collins' possibly inappropriate use of taxpayer-funded Senate resources for political campaign purposes, they could do that?
Susan Collins campaign staffer works for FOX News
Just a bit of a conflict. Then again, we've always known that Susan is a FOX News Republican, so we should be glad she's finally confirmed it.
Sen. Susan Collins: More Foot-In-Mouthpiece News
Susan Collins’ foot-in-mouthpiece blogger (H/T cherish), Lance Dutson, is at it again. This time blogging on the local Fox News affiliate website:…The run-up to next year’s senatorial election in Maine provides some unfortunate examples ...
Is GOP On A Death Watch?"I just do not understand his decision, and I think it would be terrible," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. She faces a challenge from Rep. Tom Allen ...
Will Democrats Return MoveOn.org Money?
Congressman Tom Allen of Maine has accepted more than $250000 in donations through MoveOn.org alone. So it’s not surprising that Tom Allen has been deafeningly silent on this issue. Apparently the prospect of campaign funds is enough of ...
Maine Impeachers Send Message to Rep. Tom Allen
CITIZENS FROM SOUTHERN MAINE SERVE CHARGES OF IMPEACHMENT OF BUSH & CHENEY TO REPRESENTATIVE TOM ALLEN. At the end of this video, you'll see the citizens actually hand deliver their petitions to the Rep's office and are subsequently ...
Democrats losing sleep over Kamilewicz Senate bid
The Democratic Party is still the party the country trusts
Awwwwwwwwwwww, how sucky to hear that, huh neocons? All this time you’ve been thinking that it’s the democrats who are to blame for the direction of our country and Iraq for the past nine months. Well, it turns out you were wrong as usual and I was right (I’ve been saying all along that Congress’ low approval ratings are the result of republican obstruction in both Houses to protect Georgie):
From page 2 of this Washington Post article:
Three Days in September That Destroyed a Nation: 9/10, 9/11, 9/12
Maine Senator Susan Collins warns against “September 10th thinking”. Rudy Giuliani suffers from 9/11 Tourette’s Syndrome. Thomas Friedman from the New York Times is positively clairvoyant in his ability to divine a September 12th.
I left a post it note for you....
Please tell me that this isn't happening in Augusta:
Three Decades of Snowe - Bangor Metro
Three Decades of Snowe - Bangor MetroExcerpt: "You travel home just about every weekend, often for Main Street Tours. What do you hope to gain from those tours?
Monday, October 1, 2007
Maine News for Monday, October 1, 2007
PRESS HERALD:
Fees increase cost of car oil changes, beginning today The Legislature imposed the new charges to help pay for cleanups of four former waste-oil sites.
EDITORIAL: Politics clouds debate over kids' health care Rhetoric about saving children and undeserved benefits does not help.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS:
Canadian dollar's strength a positiveMonday, October 1, 2007AUGUSTA, Maine - Economists and state analysts say the strong Canadian dollar is helping Maine's economy, and members of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee have asked for a plan on how to maximize the positive impact.
Nurses to strike at EMMCMonday, October 1, 2007BANGOR, Maine - The nursing union at Eastern Maine Medical Center rejected the hospital negotiating team's final contract offer Sunday afternoon and announced its intention to call a one-day strike.
Demonstrators rally in Bangor to remember soldiers, civilians killed in the war in IraqOn Saturday, Master Sgt. Robert Horrigan's grieving mother told a crowd of anti-war demonstrators in Bangor that her son died believing in his mission, convinced that it was better to confront the terrorist threat in the Middle East than to confront it on U.S. soil.
Alfred Mosca: Baldacci didn't lie to leaseholder advocatesThe article "Governor failed, leaseholder advocate says" (BDN, Sept. 13) focused mostly on continuing problems between leaseholders (camp owners) and the landowners on which the lessee's buildings are located.
Telephones invaded the back woods a century agoBy Wayne Reilly, BDN October 1, 2007Mainers were finding a growing number of uses for telephones a century ago. Take funerals, for instance.
Visit to Maine State Library worth the trip
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
A trail now runs through us HALLOWELL -- The Kennebec River Rail Trail takes you into a world of wonder and beauty.
RONALD SNELL : State's legislative staffing levels just about right Paul Carrier's article earlier this month, "Cost-cutters Take a Look at Legislature's Payroll," provides readers a good introduction to the features that distinguish full-time from part-time state legislatures in the United States.
LTE: Oil discount policy may do more harm than good A new state policy requiring oil dealers to offer even greater discounts on heating oil to low-income Mainers ("Low-income heating program a good deal," Sept. 16) ultimately might threaten those who need help.
LTE: Flood at Walker's Point would be a kind of justice The news that flooding from global warming will destroy the Bush family compound at Walker's Point can only be seen as sweet, cosmic justice for George W. Bush, the great denier of global warming and scientific reason, and his heirs.
MORNING SENTINEL:
LTE: Filibuster efforts in Congress are disgrace Vote after vote comes up in Congress and we're told over and over that the Democrats couldn't get the 60 votes needed to pass the proposed legislation.
WMTW:
Maine Governors To Kick Off Educational Program
PORTLAND, Maine -- Three Maine governors will meet in Portland on Monday to highlight a new college tax credit that was passed with overwhelming legislative support last spring.
SUN JOURNAL:
Iraqis oppose plan by Senate BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's divided political leadership, in a rare show of unity, skewered a non-binding U.S. Senate resolution approved in Washington last week that endorses the decentralization of Iraq through the establishment of semi-autonomous regions.
'Imagine Western Maine' topic for legislative caucus
LTE: Stand by the programIn response to the article "Animal program sets off 'alarms,'" (Sept. 14), I am writing to counter the ridiculous allegations made by a few misguided individuals who claim the Animal Welfare Program is abusing its power and ruining homes.
MPBN:
USM Enrollment Slide May Be Community Colleges Gain
The big enrollment gains at Maine's community college system could be coming at the expense of the University of Southern Maine. For the third year in a row, USM is running a budget deficit, which school administrators attribute to declining enrollment. Barbara Cariddi reports.
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070928enrollment.asx
EMMC Nurses Take Strike Vote
About 900 registered nurses at Bangor's Eastern Maine Medical Center were preparing for a possible strike today with the pending expiration of their three-year contract at midnight Sunday. Unit 1 of the Maine State Nurses Association will announce the results of their strike vote at 10 o'clock tonight as they continue negotiations with hospital administrators throughout the weekend. Nurses claim that the contract dispute centers on patient care, but hospital officials counter that the disagreements center more on delegating decision-making roles to external arbitrators.
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070928emmc.asx
COURIER-GAZETTE:
Snow Davis removed from Rockland ballot
ROCKLAND — A controversy that erupted over the legitimacy of nomination papers filed by a candidate for the city council ended Friday afternoon with her name being removed from the ballot.
PORTLAND PHOENIX:
Exiled Maine prisoners report abuse, danger: Prison watchMaine corrections officials and Governor John Baldacci refuse to comment on them or the state’s responsibility for their care.
WASHINGTON TIMES:
EDITORIAL: How they 'support the troops'
The Senate's version of the defense authorization, which is expected to pass later today, is yet another reflection of the contempt many Democrats have for the military.
FOX NEWS:
Retirements, Low Fundraising Confound Republican Chances at '08 ...
Senate Republicans from New Hampshire, Maine, Oregon and Minnesota, who face particularly tough races in 2008, all voted in recent days for a children's health care bill that Bush has pledged to veto.
"I just do not understand his decision, and I think it would be terrible," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. She faces a challenge from Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine.
BLOGS:
Fish & Faircloth: The Skinny on Maine's K-12 Tax Dollars
Maine's educational spending per pupil is well above the national average. Governor Baldacci has proposed consolidating school districts. Do you agree? What other things can we do to better invest our educational tax dollars?
Snowe Support SCHIP Expansion?
Layers of Meaning?
Given the opportunity to host a Washington D.C. film screening (at the invitation of The Week magazine), Sen. Collins--together with her friend Rep. Jane Harman--selected THELMA AND LOUISE.
End of the Quarter
I’d like to suggest giving to the four Blue America candidates in congress who did NOT vote for the McCarthy-esque bill to censor MoveOn: Tom Allen (running against Susan Collins-Lieberman in Maine), Steve Cohen (fighting off the ...
Senate 2008 Guru's Week in the Senate Races
Maine: Following a manufactured scandal in Susan Collins' 1996 Senate run in which she worked with a reporter to portray her opponent's very typical opposition research effort as a seedy witch hunt, and another manufactured scandal ...
Who Knew? Susan Collins Sure Didn’t
Read it. Nothing steams a politician more than missing an opportunity to demonstrate lack of principle in a politically profitable way. “They never let poor Susan / Join in all their RINO games….”
Sen. Susan Collins' "dirty tricks" revealed...again
"A Tale of Dirty Tricks So Bizarre: Susan Collins v. Public Record" is slated to be out by mid-end of October (and will be updated--fast-forward to 2007, indeedy)! How timely...Tom's "houseparty" (mine will occur virtually, ...
How Hillary Clinton turned herself into the consummate Washington ...
At a casual dinner with Senate colleagues Graham, John McCain, and Susan Collins, all Republicans, the waiter followed local custom by bringing a bottle of vodka and shot glasses, whereupon Clinton reached over and began pouring; ...
Dems Use 12 Year Old to Manipulate Public Opinion
``Let us not jeopardize a successful, effective program for low-income children because we want to have a broader debate,'' said Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona said Congress was giving too much money to a ...
Think Big III: The Search for Candidates
I still firmly believe that the second priority after taking back the White House has to be increasing the Democratic margin in the Senate. At this point in the election cycle, the priority has to be making as many seats as possible potentially competitive. Dems already have an edge in Colorado, Virginia, and New Hampshire, so I'll leave those off the list. Otherwise, folks should consider adopting one of these fine candidates and throwing them some coin:
Oregon: Jeff Merkely Update or Steve Novick
Maine: Tom Allen
Fees increase cost of car oil changes, beginning today The Legislature imposed the new charges to help pay for cleanups of four former waste-oil sites.
EDITORIAL: Politics clouds debate over kids' health care Rhetoric about saving children and undeserved benefits does not help.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS:
Canadian dollar's strength a positiveMonday, October 1, 2007AUGUSTA, Maine - Economists and state analysts say the strong Canadian dollar is helping Maine's economy, and members of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee have asked for a plan on how to maximize the positive impact.
Nurses to strike at EMMCMonday, October 1, 2007BANGOR, Maine - The nursing union at Eastern Maine Medical Center rejected the hospital negotiating team's final contract offer Sunday afternoon and announced its intention to call a one-day strike.
Demonstrators rally in Bangor to remember soldiers, civilians killed in the war in IraqOn Saturday, Master Sgt. Robert Horrigan's grieving mother told a crowd of anti-war demonstrators in Bangor that her son died believing in his mission, convinced that it was better to confront the terrorist threat in the Middle East than to confront it on U.S. soil.
Alfred Mosca: Baldacci didn't lie to leaseholder advocatesThe article "Governor failed, leaseholder advocate says" (BDN, Sept. 13) focused mostly on continuing problems between leaseholders (camp owners) and the landowners on which the lessee's buildings are located.
Telephones invaded the back woods a century agoBy Wayne Reilly, BDN October 1, 2007Mainers were finding a growing number of uses for telephones a century ago. Take funerals, for instance.
Visit to Maine State Library worth the trip
KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
A trail now runs through us HALLOWELL -- The Kennebec River Rail Trail takes you into a world of wonder and beauty.
RONALD SNELL : State's legislative staffing levels just about right Paul Carrier's article earlier this month, "Cost-cutters Take a Look at Legislature's Payroll," provides readers a good introduction to the features that distinguish full-time from part-time state legislatures in the United States.
LTE: Oil discount policy may do more harm than good A new state policy requiring oil dealers to offer even greater discounts on heating oil to low-income Mainers ("Low-income heating program a good deal," Sept. 16) ultimately might threaten those who need help.
LTE: Flood at Walker's Point would be a kind of justice The news that flooding from global warming will destroy the Bush family compound at Walker's Point can only be seen as sweet, cosmic justice for George W. Bush, the great denier of global warming and scientific reason, and his heirs.
MORNING SENTINEL:
LTE: Filibuster efforts in Congress are disgrace Vote after vote comes up in Congress and we're told over and over that the Democrats couldn't get the 60 votes needed to pass the proposed legislation.
WMTW:
Maine Governors To Kick Off Educational Program
PORTLAND, Maine -- Three Maine governors will meet in Portland on Monday to highlight a new college tax credit that was passed with overwhelming legislative support last spring.
SUN JOURNAL:
Iraqis oppose plan by Senate BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's divided political leadership, in a rare show of unity, skewered a non-binding U.S. Senate resolution approved in Washington last week that endorses the decentralization of Iraq through the establishment of semi-autonomous regions.
'Imagine Western Maine' topic for legislative caucus
LTE: Stand by the programIn response to the article "Animal program sets off 'alarms,'" (Sept. 14), I am writing to counter the ridiculous allegations made by a few misguided individuals who claim the Animal Welfare Program is abusing its power and ruining homes.
MPBN:
USM Enrollment Slide May Be Community Colleges Gain
The big enrollment gains at Maine's community college system could be coming at the expense of the University of Southern Maine. For the third year in a row, USM is running a budget deficit, which school administrators attribute to declining enrollment. Barbara Cariddi reports.
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070928enrollment.asx
EMMC Nurses Take Strike Vote
About 900 registered nurses at Bangor's Eastern Maine Medical Center were preparing for a possible strike today with the pending expiration of their three-year contract at midnight Sunday. Unit 1 of the Maine State Nurses Association will announce the results of their strike vote at 10 o'clock tonight as they continue negotiations with hospital administrators throughout the weekend. Nurses claim that the contract dispute centers on patient care, but hospital officials counter that the disagreements center more on delegating decision-making roles to external arbitrators.
http://www.mpbn.net/asx/070928emmc.asx
COURIER-GAZETTE:
Snow Davis removed from Rockland ballot
ROCKLAND — A controversy that erupted over the legitimacy of nomination papers filed by a candidate for the city council ended Friday afternoon with her name being removed from the ballot.
PORTLAND PHOENIX:
Exiled Maine prisoners report abuse, danger: Prison watchMaine corrections officials and Governor John Baldacci refuse to comment on them or the state’s responsibility for their care.
WASHINGTON TIMES:
EDITORIAL: How they 'support the troops'
The Senate's version of the defense authorization, which is expected to pass later today, is yet another reflection of the contempt many Democrats have for the military.
FOX NEWS:
Retirements, Low Fundraising Confound Republican Chances at '08 ...
Senate Republicans from New Hampshire, Maine, Oregon and Minnesota, who face particularly tough races in 2008, all voted in recent days for a children's health care bill that Bush has pledged to veto.
"I just do not understand his decision, and I think it would be terrible," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. She faces a challenge from Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine.
BLOGS:
Fish & Faircloth: The Skinny on Maine's K-12 Tax Dollars
Maine's educational spending per pupil is well above the national average. Governor Baldacci has proposed consolidating school districts. Do you agree? What other things can we do to better invest our educational tax dollars?
Snowe Support SCHIP Expansion?
Layers of Meaning?
Given the opportunity to host a Washington D.C. film screening (at the invitation of The Week magazine), Sen. Collins--together with her friend Rep. Jane Harman--selected THELMA AND LOUISE.
End of the Quarter
I’d like to suggest giving to the four Blue America candidates in congress who did NOT vote for the McCarthy-esque bill to censor MoveOn: Tom Allen (running against Susan Collins-Lieberman in Maine), Steve Cohen (fighting off the ...
Senate 2008 Guru's Week in the Senate Races
Maine: Following a manufactured scandal in Susan Collins' 1996 Senate run in which she worked with a reporter to portray her opponent's very typical opposition research effort as a seedy witch hunt, and another manufactured scandal ...
Who Knew? Susan Collins Sure Didn’t
Read it. Nothing steams a politician more than missing an opportunity to demonstrate lack of principle in a politically profitable way. “They never let poor Susan / Join in all their RINO games….”
Sen. Susan Collins' "dirty tricks" revealed...again
"A Tale of Dirty Tricks So Bizarre: Susan Collins v. Public Record" is slated to be out by mid-end of October (and will be updated--fast-forward to 2007, indeedy)! How timely...Tom's "houseparty" (mine will occur virtually, ...
How Hillary Clinton turned herself into the consummate Washington ...
At a casual dinner with Senate colleagues Graham, John McCain, and Susan Collins, all Republicans, the waiter followed local custom by bringing a bottle of vodka and shot glasses, whereupon Clinton reached over and began pouring; ...
Dems Use 12 Year Old to Manipulate Public Opinion
``Let us not jeopardize a successful, effective program for low-income children because we want to have a broader debate,'' said Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona said Congress was giving too much money to a ...
Think Big III: The Search for Candidates
I still firmly believe that the second priority after taking back the White House has to be increasing the Democratic margin in the Senate. At this point in the election cycle, the priority has to be making as many seats as possible potentially competitive. Dems already have an edge in Colorado, Virginia, and New Hampshire, so I'll leave those off the list. Otherwise, folks should consider adopting one of these fine candidates and throwing them some coin:
Oregon: Jeff Merkely Update or Steve Novick
Maine: Tom Allen
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