Ellend Murphy News Today

Reaction to the speaker’s announcement of an inquiry into President Biden. Also: Children and freedom; the national popular vote; “women,” not “girls.”

The widespread effort throughout the country to ban books from school libraries and classrooms is shameful and also, at times, baffling. The New York Times reported today (“Texas school district removes Bible and Anne Frank adaptation in back-to-school sweep,” Aug. 17) that a school district in Texas ordered the Bible to be taken from the […]

After the Uvalde shooting, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was quoted as saying: "It seems to me there are two broad categories that underscore the

As the Portland Charter Commission works to assemble a preliminary report for the City Council by the upcoming May 9 deadline, I write to ask that each of the commissioners’ proposals that ends up being submitted to the voters be accompanied by an estimate of its cost to implement; savings that are projected to accrue, […]

In his April 1 letter to the editor outlining the multiplier effect on our state’s economy of the $850 checks proposed to be sent to qualified Mainers, Bob Jean refers to Janet Mills as “our clever little governor.” I am reminded of Helena’s quote in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: “And though she be but little, […]

Going forward, Portland has many serious issues to confront, as stated in your paper’s editorial endorsing candidates for the forthcoming City Council election. That editorial also notes that the District 2 candidates, Victoria Pelletier and Jon Hinck, have few differences in policy positions in critical areas. Of great importance to me are racial equity and […]

Letter to the editor: Catholic Church uses restrictive definition of morality Share Re: “Bishops may press Biden to stop taking Communion” (April 28): Edward Peters, who teaches canon law at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, says “some high-profile Catholics” who support a woman’s right to privacy and autonomy in her reproductive choices set a bad example since they “fail to protect innocent human life” in utero. I wonder if Mr. Peters speaks out forcefully whenever it i...

  We asked our readers to send in their favourite jokes. Thanks to all those who contributed. These are the publishable ones A polar bear goes to see a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist peers at him over the desk and says: “Well, the good news is, you’re not bipolar.” â€“  Anthony Moore “I didn’t see you at camouflage practice early this morning, Corporal Ryan!” “Thank you, sir!” â€“  Thomas Devlin My mother advised me to put on a fresh pair of so...

A Partisan Vote on the Stimulus Bill Readers discuss the lack of any Republican support for the Senate bill, despite wide public support. March 8, 2021 Image Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, celebrating after the stimulus bill passed on Capitol Hill.Credit...Erin Schaff/The New York Times Image Senator Joe Manchin (Democrat of West Virginia) talks to reporters after the Senate passed a $1.9 trillion pandemic aid bill on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 6.Credit...Erin Schaff/The N...