en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1962333 Comments by Scots_Irish http://www.pressherald.com/news/how-maine-missed-the-bus_2010-11-17.html#IDComment110260510 Actually, JD, I was thinking "what was anyone really expecting?" Read the story. Not a real American name among any of the players. I mean, Beaudoin, Rogoff, Redlefsen and Pingree? I'll bet it wasn't a Smith, Jones or White who put that email together and sent it. Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:18:15 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/how-maine-missed-the-bus_2010-11-17.html#IDComment110260510 http://www.pressherald.com/news/Maine/maine-legislators-agree-on-earmarks-ban_2010-11-17.html#IDComment110247186 "There are concerns about giving too much power to the executive branch," Snowe said. "They are unelected, they are not necessarily responsive, so hopefully we can put a check on that process to make sure that we conduct the kind of oversight to make sure that the dollars are spent wisely." How about giving them ONLY the amount of money that is required for them to do the job required by the laws that Congress created in the first place. If the bureacrats have so much leeway they can treat appropriations like it was a Christmas gift of cash, we evidently have too much money to spend, and too many bureaucrats with too little parental supervision. Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:36:32 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/Maine/maine-legislators-agree-on-earmarks-ban_2010-11-17.html#IDComment110247186 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/earmark-moratorium-sends-right-message_2010-11-17.html#IDComment110200895 Gee, how will party leaders keep their members in line now if they no can no longer reward them with earmarks? This is the only reason they have been so reluctant to give it up. "Hey Bud, if you vote this way on these bills, I'll allow you to specifically designate $5.3 million to be spent in your district when we do the next round of appropriations. You get to show your voters you can bring home the bacon with the best of us. It will sure help with your re-election bid." Wed, 17 Nov 2010 06:55:15 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/earmark-moratorium-sends-right-message_2010-11-17.html#IDComment110200895 http://www.pressherald.com/news/councilors-call-on-legislature-to-restrict-guns_2010-11-16.html#IDComment110092248 c2itnduit said: "Guns make individuals more dangerous because they give them added firepower." Very profound. I think you should have had another cup of coffee or two before you wrote this morning. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:39:58 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/councilors-call-on-legislature-to-restrict-guns_2010-11-16.html#IDComment110092248 http://www.pressherald.com/news/nationworld/tighter-airport-screening-angers-many_2010-11-16.html#IDComment110067990 I'm just wondering when the TSA is going to get around to spending the billions of dollars and duplicating these useless practices at our bus, train and subway stations. Next time you are being virtually strip-searched or felt-up at the airport, you ought to pay attention to that intuitive feeling that, maybe, this just isn't right. Add to that feeling, the knowledge that if you feel uncomfortable enought to decline the process, your government has given itself the right to arrest and fine you $10,000 for "not completing screening." I have lived in this country all my life. I buy my airline tickets several days in advance of my travel. It seems a simple concept to me that, like the Israeli's, the TSA could pre-screen me (and hundreds of thousands of other Americans traveling by air) with some resonable degree of effectiveness. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:43:07 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/nationworld/tighter-airport-screening-angers-many_2010-11-16.html#IDComment110067990 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/new-governor-should-clear-the-air-on-wind_2010-11-16.html#IDComment110023260 It seems clear that whoever wrote this editorial has not been reading the on-line comments in his/her own publication's articles related to the subject. The on-line discussion has been much better informed and pursuasive. What is also clear is how focused the author is on trying to debunk the economic criticisms that have been made. After noting "The arguments against wind power break down into two main categories. The first is aesthetic (with both visual and aural complaints) and the second is economic," the author then completely ignores to write even one word in the remainder of the opinion about the aesthetic complaints. Taken as a whole, this editorial resembles what I might expect to see from a Freshman Journalism student who was given an assignment to write an opinion he/she did not fully believe. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:03:05 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/new-governor-should-clear-the-air-on-wind_2010-11-16.html#IDComment110023260 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/navy-changes-rules-so-biw-loses-work_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109919360 Sure, John. What's it matter that another couple of million people become unemployed? No biggie, right? Just bring back all our troops and throw them on the streets. Let's relegate BIW to producing a few tugboats or garbage scows annually. It is such a simple problem to solve, isn't it? Unfortunately for all the workers and their families at BIW, Maine sent to Washington a couple of people who believe exactly as you do. Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:32:41 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/navy-changes-rules-so-biw-loses-work_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109919360 http://www.pressherald.com/news/mixed-bag-of-responses-to-higher-disposal-costs_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109909175 When I was stationed in Europe many years ago, I was always embarrassed to be an American on trash day. Seventeen houses in a row with one small paper bag containing neatly folded retail and grocery packaging at the curb and, then, one house with four huge, black plastic bags, a twin matress and a broken down BBQ grill covered in grease. My politics are a little right of center, but I fully support the concepts of user pay and recycling. It appears to me that Sanford has over-reached in pricing their bags for their community and that the whole process was done as a "shove-it-down-their-throats" decision by a small group who felt they know what is best for everyone. Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:07:24 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/mixed-bag-of-responses-to-higher-disposal-costs_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109909175 http://www.pressherald.com/news/mixed-bag-of-responses-to-higher-disposal-costs_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109907396 " A perfect example of why critical decisions should not be left to a popular vote. " A perfect example of condescension by the liberal elite! Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:52:09 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/mixed-bag-of-responses-to-higher-disposal-costs_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109907396 http://www.pressherald.com/news/views-divide-over-tax-cuts-for-wealthy_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109906375 Our gutless Washington Wonders are going to kick the can down the road. Most likely, they will extend rates two more years to provide plenty of drama for the 2012 elections. Write to your representatives and tell them "One Year and One Year ONLY!" Let's have a real debate about this issue in an off-election year. Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:42:34 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/views-divide-over-tax-cuts-for-wealthy_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109906375 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/navy-changes-rules-so-biw-loses-work_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109896682 The House is where the appropriations process and negotiations begins. Senatorial support is neccessary and can, sometimes, help to change Pentagon direction, but horse-trading in the House of Representatives is crucial throughout the entire process. Our traders have no horses anymore. Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:18:35 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/navy-changes-rules-so-biw-loses-work_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109896682 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/navy-changes-rules-so-biw-loses-work_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109841219 Almost nobody in the Pentagon or Congress wanted the B-1 bomber when the acquisition plan called for production and assembly in just seven states to keep costs down. The Air Force went back to (no, not the architects or engineers) its contracting officers and redesigned acquisition to include sub-contractors and facilities in forty-seven states. Of course, the program was approved. Anyone who believes that defense acquisition is based on rationality or merit such as an exemplary history of ship building is delusional. It is almost entirely a political process. If Maine had sent two Freshman Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives, we may have been able to prevail on senior members of their party to help in this case. As it is now, with Pingree and Michaud representing us, BIW is well and truely screwed. Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:22:47 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/navy-changes-rules-so-biw-loses-work_2010-11-15.html#IDComment109841219 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/maines-missing-strategic-imperative-higher-ed_2010-11-14.html#IDComment109774469 "Instead of growing jobs in Maine and keeping our professionals in Maine, we now look to Massachusetts and New Hampshire to fill our talent needs. Our preference is to bring jobs to Maine so we can have control of our operations, but the reality may force us to divert more jobs to our other operations." This quote is just one of the many clues given by Mr. Dubyak that his committment to Maine is not much more than lip-service. I can't accept as an honest assessment his statement that only 15% of Maine-educated IT applicants were qualified for 150 positions. I think the comments above by Fat Tubbe and Jax concerning Wright Express' evident lack of campus recruiting are particularly troubling first hand indictments that, perhaps, Mr. Dubyak does not have his finger on the pulse of his company as much as he claims. Sun, 14 Nov 2010 19:25:27 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/maines-missing-strategic-imperative-higher-ed_2010-11-14.html#IDComment109774469 http://www.pressherald.com/news/cutler-parties-becoming-irrelevant_2010-11-14.html#IDComment109770297 Is the editorial board of The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram going to meet for an election post-mortem with Mitchell, Moody and whats-his-name? Perhaps, PPH and Cutler felt that only Cutler's gravitas and wisdom was worth the time, effort and ink. Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:46:46 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/cutler-parties-becoming-irrelevant_2010-11-14.html#IDComment109770297 http://www.pressherald.com/news/cutler-parties-becoming-irrelevant_2010-11-14.html#IDComment109710995 I am glad I am not in one of L. Sandy Maisel's indoctrination camps. It is an incredible stretch to say the two major parties will continue to exercise the relevance they have had in the past. He appears to be completely out of touch. Voters today are much better educated on important subjects and the political process than in any period of our history. The research power of the internet, outstanding individual bloggers, the 24/7 news cycle, even forums like this make it difficult for the parties to stay married to their traditional supporting institutions . It is one of the reasons the the worst of the Democratic Party's attack ads were condemned even by Democrats. People recognize BS when they see or hear it. Sun, 14 Nov 2010 07:31:59 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/cutler-parties-becoming-irrelevant_2010-11-14.html#IDComment109710995 http://www.pressherald.com/news/will-turbines-rise-on-rollins-mountain__2010-11-14.html#IDComment109709504 Here is a quick synopsis of the decommissioning plan: Estimated cost of decommissioning prior to salvage: $26,069,000 Annual Financial Assurance reserve required to be set aside years 1 through years 7: $47,000 (Total: $329,000) Annual Financial Assurance reserve required for years 8 through 15: $0 In year 15, the balance of decommissioning costs minus the accumulated reserves from years 1 through 7 must be deposited in reserve. Am I the only one who has a problem with this? Now, combine this with a 20 year guarantee that CMP must purchase the power production and aren't you reassured that our DEP and the rest of our government and politicians are really looking out for Maine? Sun, 14 Nov 2010 07:11:17 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/will-turbines-rise-on-rollins-mountain__2010-11-14.html#IDComment109709504 http://www.pressherald.com/news/Bush-on-post-presidency-I-miss-being-pampered-.html#IDComment109627902 Do you propose he take the cell right next to that lying adulterer Bill Clinton? Sat, 13 Nov 2010 21:09:25 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/Bush-on-post-presidency-I-miss-being-pampered-.html#IDComment109627902 http://www.pressherald.com/business/g-20-stalemate-adds-fuel-to-trade-disputes_2010-11-13.html#IDComment109624675 Did anyone see that Pingree was one of thirteen signatories on a letter endorsing Pelosi's return as the Party leader in January? Everyone please report to the villiage blacksmith to test fit your shackles! Sat, 13 Nov 2010 20:42:19 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/business/g-20-stalemate-adds-fuel-to-trade-disputes_2010-11-13.html#IDComment109624675 http://www.pressherald.com/news/n_h_-plan-diverts-about-half-of-federal-aid-for-teachers_2010-11-13.html#IDComment109611830 Someday, the piper will have to be paid and, much like what happened to Hamelin, it will be our children and grandchildren who will bear the burden. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:08:10 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/n_h_-plan-diverts-about-half-of-federal-aid-for-teachers_2010-11-13.html#IDComment109611830 http://www.pressherald.com/news/high-court-wont-stop-dont-ask-dont-tell-enforcement_2010-11-13.html#IDComment109610638 Is there some kind of test to determine homosexuality? How is one expected to know another person is a homosexual? If one does not know that another person is homosexual, is that a defense to a suit claiming discrimination? Since there is no evidence that alternative sexual appetites has a biological/genetic basis, are we expected to turn societal institutions on their head for any other "acquired appetite?" Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:01:31 +0000 http://www.pressherald.com/news/high-court-wont-stop-dont-ask-dont-tell-enforcement_2010-11-13.html#IDComment109610638