TheMaineWire.com - Maine's New Source for Policy News‏

 

December 13, 2011

Friends,

 

Today is the big day. We are pleased to announce the launch of our news service - TheMaineWire.com. 

We are so excited to jump into the news scene and provide with you a reliable source for the news and information about the policies and policy-makers that affect your life. Every day, there are things that happen under the dome in Augusta and in the communities around us that have an impact on public policy - we're going to bring you those stories, starting now. 

 

There are some great regular features of TheMaineWire.com - including investigative work like this piece on the Maine State Housing Authority that delves deeper into what Executive Director Dale McCormick meant when she said "I look to Bob Dylan" for the answer to a question on building costs. 

 

The Maine Wire will regularly feature a column from M.D. Harmon. His piece this week takes a look at the media - an industry he has been a part of for several decades. Along with his column, M.D. will host a regular video segment called "In Their Own Words" where viewers will get a 5-minute look into the thoughts of legislators and policy leaders.

 

The Maine Wire will also provide up-to-date news on breaking policy stories, like the clean elections debacle that got Rep. David Burns in trouble, and a preview of the bills that will be considered in the upcoming Legislative session. 

 

We are thrilled to be launching The Maine Wire to bring the state political world to life by engaging the real thought leaders, providing a forum for debate, and showing the real-life impact of the decisions made on our behalf in Augusta. 

 

I hope you'll take a moment to visit the site, and let us know what you think!

 

Thanks for your support,

 

Lance Dutson
Chief Executive Officer
The Maine Heritage Policy Center

MHPC Launches State House News Service – TheMaineWire.com

 

MHPC Launches State House News

Service – TheMaineWire.com

 

PORTLAND – The Maine Heritage Policy Center today launched a new political and policy news website at www.TheMaineWire.com. The site is the first phase of a broad program to bring fair reporting and in-depth analysis back to the people of Maine.

 

The site will feature regular State House updates, investigative reporting, and commentary from all sides of the political spectrum. Additionally, TheMaineWire.com will feature a regular web video interview series with elected officials and public figures, titled ‘In Their Own Words’.

 

Heading up the investigative effort for The Maine Wire is veteran Maine journalist and PEN award winner Terrilyn Simpson. The State House desk will be manned by MHPC’ s Leif Parsell, a Maine native and political science expert who recently completed his graduate studies at Boston College. The site will also feature regular opinion pieces from one of Maine’s most highly-regarded columnists, M.D. Harmon.

 

“This is an exciting day for us, and for our state,” said MHPC CEO Lance Dutson. “This project is the result of months of collaboration and effort between our staff and many others who believe that it’s possible to produce a fair, high-quality political news product in Maine.

 

“Our goal is simple: to counter the demise of Maine’s political journalism by offering a balanced approach to the policy discussion, and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas where all sides are given a chance to voice their opinions.  The people of Maine are hungry for a change, and TheMaineWire.com is the first step toward bringing fairness back into the equation.”

Indefinite detention bill could be signed today‏!!! HELLO, Any One Awake In America Yet???

Lisbon,

As soon as today President Obama could sign the National Defense
Authorization Act into 'law' and claim the power to detain American
citizens indefinitely without charges or a trial.

The lame stream media has made a big deal out Obama's threats to
veto the bill, but his objections had nothing to do with the
constitutionality of the bill or indefinite detention.

In fact, it was his administration that stripped the bill of
language protecting American citizens.

It is a deliberate deception, here's the proof...

 Obama strips language shielding Americans from bill

 

A deliberate deception

As soon as December 13, the President will sign NDAA Section 1031 into law, permitting citizen imprisonment without evidence or trial. The bill that passed Congress absolutely DOES NOT exempt citizens. The text of Section 1031 reads, "A covered person under this section" includes "any person who has committed a belligerent act". We only have to be ACCUSED, because we don't get a trial.

- Confusingly, Obama threatened a veto for 1032, but NOT 1031. 1032 is UNRELATED to imprisoning citizens without a trial. He has never suggested using a veto to stop Section 1031 citizen imprisonment -- in fact, it was requested by the Obama administration. Watch the video for proof.

- The Feinstein Amendment 1031(e) is dangerously misleading. Don't be fooled: In the text of 1031(e), "Nothing in this section shall be construed...", the only word that matters is "construed" because the Supreme Court are the only ones with the power to construe the law. The Feinstein Amendment 1031(e) permits citizens to be imprisoned without evidence or a trial forever, if the Supreme Court does not EXPLICITLY repeal 1031.

- Any time you hear the words, "requirement for military custody" this refers to 1032 NOT 1031. We MUST not confuse these two sections. In its statements, the Obama administration has actually contributed to the confusion about 1032's "requirement for military custody", which is COMPLETEY UNRELATED to Section 1031 citizen imprisonment without trial. These tricky, misleading words appear even in major news stories. Don't fall for it!

If we act urgently to tell our friends, family, and colleagues, we may still be able to prevent this. Here is what we can do:

1) Americans must know about this to stop it. Urgently pass this petition as widely as possible: http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-ndaa-section-1031-citizen-imprisonment-l...

2) Spread this C-SPAN video evidence. People deserve to watch this before he signs it.

3) Write and call your Representative and Senator telling them to stop NDAA Section 1031 and the dangerously misleading Feinstein Amendment 1031(e).
Contact your Representative: http://writerep.house.gov/writerep/
Contact your Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

4) Write and call the White House to tell the President you won't sit by and watch NDAA Section 1031 and the dangerously misleading Feinstein Amendment 1031(e) become law: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

Confirmed: Fukushima caused 50 million times normal radiation levels in the ocean‏

There's a lot of breaking news today about Fukushima. For starters, a paper published in a science journal reveals that Fukushima leaked enormous quantities of radioactive material into the Pacific ocean, leading to radiation readings that were 50 million times normal levels.
In addition, it has also now been admitted by TEPCO that Fukushima leaked "26 billion becquerels of radioactive materials" including strontium, an extremely dangerous radioactive element with a half life of roughly 30 years (so it persists in the marine food chain).
Read more in my full report:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034395_Fukushima_cesium_radiation.html

In addition, we received word today that the southern wall of Fukushima reactor unit #4 has collapsed, leading to speculation that the structural integrity of the containment building may be failing, with the possibility of an imminent collapse of the rest of the building. This has not yet been confirmed by multiple sources, but photos have emerged (see link above). Here's our original precautionary alert on this issue, just to be on the safe side:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034387_Fukushima_nuclear_reactor_collapse.html

Have you seen The Vanishing of the Bees? It's an eye-opening documentary about these fast-disappearing pollinators, and it's now available on Netflix:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034393_honey_bees_vanishing_colony_collapse_disorder.html

The feds are trying to turn churches into vaccination centers by teaching church leaders to preach the "gospel" of flu shots:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034394_churches_flu_shots_vaccinations.html

Mark Sircus chimes in today with a hard-hitting story about the coming economic firestorm that has already started to unfold:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034388_financial_system_collapse_debt.html

And big banks that received billions in bailout money are still on the verge of collapse!
http://www.naturalnews.com/034392_too_big_to_fail_banks_bailouts.html

More news continues below on chemo brain, questioning the benefits of beer, energy medicine for improved health, and much more (see below)...

Today's Feature Stories:

Confirmed: Fukushima disaster contaminated ocean with 50 million times normal radiation, leaks still ongoing (NaturalNews) Things are suddenly heating up again with Fukushima. As we reported yesterday, the southern wall of Fukushima reactor #4 apparently collapsed over the past few days, calling into question the structural integrity of the remainder of the...

Feds urge churches to peddle flu shots to members, partner with drug stores to sponsor flu clinics (NaturalNews) Every year, the federal government and its pawns in state and local governments get a little bit more aggressive in their push for full compliance with the flu vaccine agenda. And this year, they are targeting faith-based groups and the...

NaturalNews suggestion for your Netflix queue: The Vanishing of the Bees (NaturalNews) "Vanishing of the Bees" provides a fascinating perspective on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). The film looks at the mysterious affliction which has destroyed honeybee populations at many bee farms in the US, leaving hives deserted, yet with...

Big banks still 'too big to fail' after getting largest bailout in U.S. history (NaturalNews) Americans were assured that congressional financial reform legislation passed in the wake of the 2008 credit and monetary crisis would end the concept of banks and financial institutions being "too big to fail", and thus, end any possibility...

Study confirms that many survivors of breast cancer chemotherapy treatments suffer from brain damage (NaturalNews) Just like they often do in response to the numerous health problems brought about by things like Morgellons Disease and the HPV vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix, doctors commonly deny that the cognitive problems reported by breast cancer patients...

Challenge studies that encourage moderate alcohol consumption for health and longevity (NaturalNews) Alcohol consumption's health consequences have been a subject of epidemiological studies throughout the western world. The consensus from several studies is: Those who drink moderately have better health than those who drink heavily, and...

What to do if alternative health choices and supplements become more limited (NaturalNews) The dark clouds of health tyranny are moving in. Yet, it's important to not stress. Stress is acknowledged as a major source of all disease. Prepare now by looking into energetic options that reduce stress and heal if supplements and herbs...

Burning down the house - the coming global financial firestorm (NaturalNews) This week a fire might start that will burn the western financial system down to the ground. Important people like George Soros warned, "The current global financial system is in a self-reinforcing process of disintegration, the developed...

Red alert: Fukushima nuclear reactor 4 possibly collapsing, say sources, mass evacuations may be necessary (NaturalNews) After enduring many months of total information blackout on the situation, an intelligence source connected with NaturalNews has just informed us that Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor 4 may now be on the verge of collapsing, and...

Did you know? Microwave popcorn gives off a toxic, lung-damaging gas when cooked (NaturalNews) You might be reassured to learn that the buttery flavor in microwave popcorn typically comes from a chemical actually found in butter, but you shouldn't be. This chemical, called diacetyl, is so toxic that it commonly destroys the...

“Shaking Up Maine’s News Cycle: Introducing The Maine Wire"

Please Join Us for

“Shaking Up Maine’s News Cycle:

Introducing The Maine Wire”

Please Reserve Your Space Today

If You Have Not Already Registered

Portland

Thursday, December 15, 2011

DiMillo’s On the Water

  25 Long Wharf

Luncheon

 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mr. Lance Dutson

Chief Executive Officer

Lance Dutson will be presenting our latest project: the launch of our own

State House news bureau. Slated to launch this month, TheMaineWire.com

will be a major shake up to Maine's media landscape.

Click Here To Register

MHPC Member: $17 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity.  Non-Member: $22

For more information or reservations, please contact Amanda Clark

at aclark@mainepolicy.org or 207-321-2550.

All I Want For Christmas - HMS OCEAN ,,, WELCOME TO YOUR HOMES SAILORS!

All I Want For Christmas - HMS OCEAN

After lots of time away last year (214 days) -- planned for 7 week deployment exercise with other nations

Diverted to Libya and further operations

Back 9 Dec after 7½ months away - 225 days with 176 at sea

400 people onboard (at peak during the amphibious exercises just under 900 onboard but approx 650 during Op Ellamy)
Steamed just over 40,000 miles
Burned approx 6,000 tonnes of fuel
Operated 16 different type of aircraft off the deck

Realities of deploying:

15 babies born while the ship has been away (fathers did get home to see mum and baby)
5 people were sent home so they didn't miss their own weddings.
1 sailor whose son's third birthday is on homecoming. Family meeting ship

Ships company have missed:

Summer holidays.
Children's exam results
Children finishing school and starting university
The Padre missed his daughter's graduation.

The ship's company made a Christmas DVD when they heard they would be home for Christmas.

 

 

 We humbly thank you all for your service.

 

Submitted by: Rufus

Takes A Great Deal Of Courage To Do Anything In Lisbon, Good Luck!

‘Circle of Courage’ healing envisioned

By Darcie Moore, Times Record Staff

Published:

Monday, December 12, 2011 2:13 PM EST

LISBON — For years it has been Nathan and Meghan Deveau’s dream: a place for at-risk children — including those labeled as “troubled” or outcasts — to not only heal, but to learn the skills and values needed to become successful citizens in society.

Standing at the end of the roughly cleared road stretching from Ferry Road and looking through a muddy area and then up a long incline to a clearing, Nathan Deveau can see the center’s future building in his mind on a knoll.

“I see kind of a barn shape, an all-glass front when you’re driving up, so you can see kids actually doing stuff,” he said. “And when parents are walking around, having these kids doing outside sculptures and having an opening when people can come,” to check out the center.

He and his wife, a paralegal by day, have talked about having the kids paint a mural on the backside of the building.

Please continue reading the rest of the story here.

Lisbon's School Committee Has Issues To Solve

Lisbon school board to elect leaders

Published:

Monday, December 12, 2011 2:07 PM EST

LISBON — The Lisbon School Committee is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. today in the town office to elect leaders for 2012, then dive into a full agenda.

After electing a chairman and vice chairman, the School Committee is scheduled to consider the following committee appointments: Traci Austin and George Caron to the LEA Negotiations Committee; Austin and Pete Reed to the LESP Negotiations Committee; Austin and Reed to the LAA Negotiations Committee; Caron to the Drop Out Prevention Committee; Austin and Kathi Yergin to the Building Needs Committee; Caron as the Legislative Contact; Caron to Adult Education Advisory; Yergin to the Sick Leave Bank; Austin, Reed and Yergin to the Finance Committee; Caron and Reed to the Audit Committee; Marcey Crosskill to the Curriculum Steering Committee; Caron to the Comprehensive Education Plan; Reed to the LRTC Committee; Austin to the Technology Committee; Yergin to the School Safety Committee; Crosskill to the Wellness Committee; Crosskill to the Looping Committee Grades 5-6; Yergin to the Looping Committee Grades 8-9; and also Drummond, Woodsum & MacMahon as the school attorneys.

Please continue reading the rest of the story here.

They are asking to spend a lot of money on bogus items but read for yourselves.

Recap of December 6th Town Council Meeting

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

The last Town Council meeting was the inauguration of the newest members voted into office in our last election.  This event was done very well and all new members, minus Norma Wells, took their oath of office.  Lisa Ward was sworn in and took her place on the Town Council.

In a dramatic turn of events, Councilor LaRochelle was voted in as this year’s Chairman of the Town Council.  Apparently, puppet master Bowie did not have confidence enough in Pomelow for her to become Chairperson.  I totally agree with him since her screw-up with the Council Working Rules and her short temper with residents.  However, Bowie did allow her to remain as Vice Chair.  Congratulations Fern. 

The town received their annual audit presentation and passed with flying colors.  Keep in mind this was not a forensic audit.  Also the audit team does not review the Economic Community Development Department to ensure individuals receiving loans met the criteria for the type of loan received.

The Ethics Panel Chairman David Bowie gave the panel’s summary of findings and recommendation to the Town Council on whether or not there is a conflict of interest with Bowie.  You all know the results and my feelings.  No more needs to be said.

The Town Manager, who never provided on the town web site, the topics he was going to discuss.  It will be impossible to comply with the Councilor Working Rules if the citizens have no idea what is going to be discussed.  Is the new Chair going to force the Town Manager to post his agenda on the town web site or allow the people to address their comments during “Other Business”?  We shall see how Chairman LaRochelle will handle this problem.

Finally, there was two Agenda’s post on the town web site.  One was posted on Friday and the other one was posted on Monday.  It was amazing because Monday’s agenda did not have “Corrected Copy” on it so if you were not paying close attention one would never realize the changes.  A simple act such as putting “Corrected Copy” at the top of the agenda would have eliminated any confusion.  Instead of paralegal training, why not send our people for simple administrative procedures training.  When can the people expect simple administrative procedures to be followed in this town?

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

Child Sex Trafficking In Lisbon Falls, What A Sick World

Maine gets an F for child sex trafficking laws

By Mal Leary, Capitol News Service

Posted Dec. 11, 2011, at 3:12 p.m.
Last modified Dec. 12, 2011, at 6:11 a.m.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine has been given an F by a national advocacy group for its laws dealing with sex trafficking of minors. One lawmaker says he will try to address some of the concerns of the group in legislation that will be considered in January.

Attorney General William Schneider said he had not seen the analysis of Maine’s sex trafficking laws, but said the state should consider whether Maine should make trafficking in child sex a separate crime with tough penalties.

“Something with the distinctive character like sex trafficking probably deserves to have its own statute under criminal law to make the specifics of that activity a crime,” he said.

Schneider said there have been sex trafficking cases in Maine and some have been prosecuted under federal law by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including a recent case based in Lisbon Falls.

“It is a terrible problem and one that has the attention of state attorneys general across the country,” he said.

Please read the entire story here.

He says "probably deserves to have its own statue".  Are you kidding me?  This is disgusting.  With the recent raids on Chinese food establishments in Lewiston, Waterville, Brewer, and God knows where else that they are keeping quiet about. 

We have this guy from Durham, rolling around the halls of Augusta with the likes of Lisbon's own Dale Crafts and Lisbon even has their own Senate Rep. none other then Gina Mason's son and this is what you are getting out of them?  But you have such a greatly funded Police department for what, child molesting?

Remember the Asian Massage parlor with the happy endings in their fortune cookies in Lisbon Falls?  Right under Brooks' nose and those of the landlords and it was "busted" by outside agencies.  

 Remember this article?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Town Employee Arrested For Growing Pot

Jon Paul was arrested last week in the town office and escourted out in hand cuffs for an alledged illegal activity.  Paul who is the town's computer technician, was arrested for an illegal pot growing operation.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Maine State Police and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.  It was stated that the Lisbon Police Department was not involved.  

It's tuff being Green in Lisbon.

Hmmm,,,  Chief David T. Brooks  how do you explain this one?   Right under your nose again.   Boy, is the town getting their money's worth with you, NOT.

Gives merit to comments made by residents earlier and really discredits the value of any dialogue from Brooks and his support group.

What will we have next, another self promoting benefit dinner to name the name for the new name that noone wants to name...When councilor Mason has to ask other councilors to sign the certificates she created for herself!

Wake Up Lisbon Residents.  YOU have been hoodwinked and bam boozled long enough don't you think?

You have councilors that are only interested in protecting the interest of themselves and their questionably unscrupulous, unethical, and illegal activities of the past.

The damned Attorney General's office can't even come to a conclusion of the fraud of $32,500 from the Town's economic development fund.  Who signed that check?  What a Joke!

And for those keeping score, I wrote this.

Signed,

Todd Comber
A Lisbon Concerned Citizen founding member and Proudly a former resident.




And you have this lavishly funded Police Force in Lisbon for What?

Haven't seen anything in local papers about this yet have you? 

Lisbon residents how much more will you take?  

Peter Reuter

Do you have symptoms of Artificial Sweetener Disease? CDC runs vaccine task force teams and more‏

A chemical flavoring ingredient used in microwave popcorn can destroy your lungs. It's still used in many flavored snack foods today.
Find out more about this chemical and how to avoid it:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034386_microwave_popcorn_diacetyl_lungs.html

Here's how to produce less trash during the holidays:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034375_holidays_trash_landfill.html

Story update: Tennessee cannery backs off initial claims of fed asking for customer list, while local news channel confirms state agents are going door to door, questioning citizens about their stored food:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034381_Tennessee_cannery_stored_food.html

Television can cause seizures! Here's the official warning about how TV can seriously alter brain function:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034385_television_seizures_neurology.html

The CDC operates vaccine "task force" teams to visit houses and intimidate parents into subjecting their children to potentially deadly vaccines:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034379_vaccines_task_force_CDC.html

Do you have symptoms of Artificial Sweetener Disease? Here's what you need to know:
http://www.naturalnews.co/034378_artificial_sweetener_disease_ASD_aspartame.html

Today's Feature Stories:

Did you know? Microwave popcorn gives off a toxic, lung-damaging gas when cooked (NaturalNews) You might be reassured to learn that the buttery flavor in microwave popcorn typically comes from a chemical actually found in butter, but you shouldn't be. This chemical, called diacetyl, is so toxic that it commonly destroys the...

Epilepsy Foundation warning shows that television, movies can reprogram brain neurology (NaturalNews) Rapidly flashing lights and other fast-moving visual effects in movies, television, and video games can trigger sudden epileptic seizures and other neurological disorders in humans, and a recent warning by an epilepsy group confirms this...

Exposing the hidden epidemic of crippling, painful neurological adverse effects of antibiotics (NaturalNews) The adverse reactions from a certain specific class of antibiotics resemble the crippling adverse reactions of the vaccine injured. But there is much less notoriety among these agonized and debilitated victims of the Medical Mafia, except...

Green tea consumption linked to improvements in total and LDL cholesterol (NaturalNews) Numerous studies have confirmed the health-supportive benefits of green tea consumption, as the ancient Chinese drink helps to prevent many forms of cancer and lowers the risk from cognitive decline and dementia. The result of a systematic...

Congressional staffers tweet lurid details while partying on taxpayer dime (NaturalNews) To the hard-working residents and the swelling ranks of indigents in Washington, D.C., the nation's capital isn't really known as "Party Central." That's because they are too busy trying to make a living in one of the most expensive cities...

Update: News channel 5 confirms door-to-door questioning of food supplies in Tennessee while canneries downplay initial reports (NaturalNews) Citizens in Tennessee are being asked by government workers to divulge details about their preparedness plans in a door-to-door "assessment" program reported by Janet Kim from local news channel 5 (http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15948523/door...

Gingrich wants what never was and can never be - a more aggressive drug war policy that works (NaturalNews) Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is rising in the polls and could very well wind up being the next Republican presidential nominee. Like him or despise him, one knock against him is ...

CDC establishes vaccine 'task forces' in local communities to intimidate parents of unvaccinated children, coerce them into compliance (NaturalNews) Obviously unnerved with the growing number of parents that are choosing to avoid vaccinations for their children, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has decided to establish localized vaccine "task force" squads that...

Artificial Sweetener Disease; a new breed of sickness (NaturalNews) Artificial Sweetener Disease (ASD) is sweeping across America, affecting tens of thousands of consumers, and Western medicine calls it anything but what it really is, so that doctors can prescribe expensive pharmaceuticals and set up "check...

International organ mafia coercing poor into donating kidneys to wealthy Israelis (NaturalNews) The demand for healthy, functioning body organs is high, as the number of organ patients far exceeds the number of willing and available organ donors. The result of this imbalance is an ever-growing black market for organs where international...

Pro-active breast health prevents cancer (NaturalNews) Protecting your health requires more than a good diet and regular exercise. It also involves having the courage to look beyond the received wisdom of the day. This is especially true in avoiding diseases which have reached epidemic proportions...

Low impact holidays: less trash (NaturalNews)For many of us, the first snow is on the ground, night skies are star-studded and a holiday spirit is in the air! Holidays, as much fun as they are, have a tendency to bring out some of our most entrenched bad habits. The holidays should...

The dark side of smoking - what Big Tobacco doesn't want you to know (NaturalNews) The truth is that most pack-a-day smokers are hooked and cannot figure out how to quit, mainly because most cessation methods don't address the true depth of the addiction, and most are just scams that are marketed by "Big...

Science identifies powerful rejuvenating substance - Nitric Oxide (NaturalNews) Human beings have always been looking for the perfect regenerative tonic. In my book the The Tao of Rejuvenation I detail the ancient search and identify some of the great elixirs that have been used to restore health and extend life...

Twenty-seven years bring no deaths from vitamins but three million from pharmaceuticals Despite mainstream medical establishments and media outlets portraying multivitamin supplements as worthless and oftentimes toxic, vitamins have led to 0 deaths over the past 27 years. In contrast, pharmaceutical drugs were responsible for...

Defending Civil Liberties Pentagon Provides Military Grade Weapons To Local Police

The Posse Comitatus Act was meant to to limit the powers of local
governments and law enforcement agencies from using federal
military personnel to enforce the laws of the land.
 
How does our government get around that without an act of congress?
 
It's simple, turn the 'domestic' police force into a standing army...
 

 Pentagon provides
military grade weapons to local police

A new standing army
 
Local law enforcement has been getting assistance from the Pentagon. The recent militarization of the police at the Occupy protests has proved this true. The Pentagon program is getting military-grade weapons in the hands of local law enforcement in the US to use on American citizens. The Department of Defense has handed over $500 million worth of weapons this year. Is the government gearing up for mainstream to rise up? Max Blumenthal, writing fellow for The Nation Institute, joins us to answer some of these questions.

Assumptions or Facts?

Dear Lisbon Residents,

Since when do we make decisions on Assumptions of Ethical Issues?    

As a lifelong Lisbon Falls resident I am repulsed of the recent Ethics panel's decision.

This sounds like something Mrs. Pomelow would do considering the fact that her dearly beloved husband continues to park his tractor trailer on Scotsdale Avenue in Direct Violation of Winter Parking Rules.

Is this another attempt to keep  Brooks' Budget in place?   No conflict of interest, no violation of winter parking rules by councilors.  The police don't do their jobs because they want to keep their budget in place.

Sooner or later the dike must break.

Merrily,

Mrs. Tugball

The Soldier's Christmas

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
   HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
   IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
   PLASTER AND STONE.
 
   I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
   WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
   AND TO SEE JUST WHO
   IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
 
   I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
   A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
   NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
   NOT EVEN A TREE.
 
   NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
   JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
   ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
   OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
 
   WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
   AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
   A SOBER THOUGHT
   CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
 
   FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
   IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
   I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
   ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
 
   THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
   SILENT, ALONE,
   CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
   IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
 
   THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
   THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
   NOT HOW I PICTURED
   A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
 
   WAS THIS THE HERO
   OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
   CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
   THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
 
   I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
   THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
   OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
   WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
 
   SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
   THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
   AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
   A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
 
   THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
   EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
   BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
   LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
 
   I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
   HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
   ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
   IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
 
   THE VERY THOUGHT
   BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
   I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
   AND STARTED TO CRY.
 
   THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
   AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
   "SANTA DON'T CRY,
   THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
 
   I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
   I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
   MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
   MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
 
   THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
   AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
   I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
   I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
 
   I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
   SO SILENT AND STILL
   AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
   FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
 
   I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
   ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
   THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
   SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
 
   THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
   WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
   WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
   IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
 
   ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
   AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
   "MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
   AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
 
   This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The
  following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....
 
   PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
 
   Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

Best email of the day - God Bless America

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open. The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty-five feet away. I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying: 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot. I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight, and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.' He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside. I saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him. The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman. When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine, too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?' He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal ....... He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card. He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off. For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written: 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.' I sat there motionless, looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help.. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them. America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war.  America is at the Mall. Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid the price, so that you can enjoy what you have today. LET'S DO THIS: JUST 19 WORDS: GOD OUR FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES; AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY;AND PLEASE PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS, AND WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS, WHO ARE DEFENDING THOSE FREEDOMS. AMEN This prayer is so powerful. Pass this prayer to 12 people, including me.  THIS IS BEST EMAIL OF THE OF THE DAY!!!!

Christmas Stress

Subject: Christmas Lights

Hi Sweetheart,

I am sorry about getting into an argument about putting up the Christmas lights.

I guess that sometimes I feel like you are pushing me too hard when you want something.

I realize that I was wrong and I am apologizing for being such a hard-headed guy.

All I want is for you to be happy and be able to enjoy the holiday season.

Nothing brightens the Christmas spirit like Christmas lights!

I took the time to hang the lights for you today and now I will be off to the golf course.

Again, I am very sorry for the way I acted yesterday.

I'll be home later.

Love you…… 

Important Letter To Dear Abby

DEAR ABBY:

‘I have always wanted to have my family history traced, but I can’t afford to spend a lot of money to do it. Any suggestions?’

Sam in California .

DEAR SAM:

'Register as a Republican, and run for public office.’