Alice Kelley: Yes!

David P Frasz: Yes!

Happy Fourth of July to you....and to everyone else.

Ms. Kelly - Please, do your research before you pass on the liberal kool-aid. Just a couple of quick points: 1) there are more trees being planted than being harvested. This has been true for the past 40 years. 2) The actual global temperature has dropped over the last 10 years. You in Maine should realize that because the last two winters have been long and cold. 3) More and more scientists are rebutting global warming and man's effect on any global climate change at all. 4) (not a fact, but a belief) God made this earth and nothing man can do can destroy it.

As for Dr. Boone - How can he "correctly note variability in Earth’s temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in the last 400,000 years"? There is still no conclusive evidence that the earth is that old because the accuracy of carbon dating is limited to 2,500 years. After that, logerithms and unproven equations are used to estimate. Besides, who's been keeping the 400,000 years of stats he used? Nonesense.

David Frasz - Why does the left always bring up Republicans and Christians that mess up? Oh, I guess that's because liberals and Democrats have no morals, so they can't mess up. Your logic is messed up.

EJ. We would leave the reps alone if they would leave the rest of us alone.

Stanley Abraham - Absolutely right. The truckers have used their influence over our state to their advantage to great effect. What would be ideal of course is if we could find a way to get them off the road completely but I can't think of any way we could do that successfully. Too many tragic accidents are caused by those giant death traps and often times the truckers gets off or even worse gets punished with nothing more then a slap on the wrist. Great letter, and very very true.

David Spaulding - I have a hard time feeling too much sympathy for any of you who just now switched to digital. It is not like this was out of the blue they have been talking about this for years.

Paul Lucey - Nice tribute. Maybe a better place to put this would be on an obituary page but nonetheless.

Alice Kelley - I did not read his piece nor did I read much of yours honestly. We can all google info from both sides and say that what we got is fact and everything else is wrong (surely somebody will and copy and paste it on here) but the fact of the matter is if this whole global warming thing helps our country become more energy efficient then thats fine by me. I could care less if it is fact or fiction if it leads to that outcome, and it seems it does. Why if it could result in being more energy efficient would anybody have a problem. I mean knowing our country needs to be more energy efficient is not a liberal or conservative stand it seems pretty much universally accepted by all with a brain.

Alison Johnson - Yea I can't help but immediately notice a tone of bitterness in your voice, granted it is typed but it just seems like you are bitter you mention her line about why she doesn't home school and then tell us you home school your kids. Maybe I am way off but I see it as you being bitter she made a good point about not home schooling and you took offense. I didn't read it but I doubt she meant it to be offensive so if you were relax, and if I am wrong well I would say it isn't the first time but...

David P. Frasz - Gay mar... borrrrrrrrrrinnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg! Am I the only one who thinks this so 2005?

Sorry I forget to post this earlier Happy Fourth of July to all of you, (yes even those of you I don't agree with). Hope you all enjoy a good BBQ and some good fireworks hopefully. The ones in Bangor last year were OK the year before though they were AWFUL. And a special thank you to all who have defended and fought for our country with honor. God Bless.

Liberals and Democrats "have no morals".!! You are very arrogant sir. Yeah, all the conservatives these days have great morals? You must not live in the real world. And that "liberal kool-aid" phrase is absurd and getting old. It is really laughable. The more I hear you and another on here and your tone, it makes me more and more glad to be "in the company" I keep. However, I also know some nice conservatives as well as some really good people who are "liberal."

Alison Johnson: I am sure Sarah Smiley is a good mother and wife. She was writing in a kind of light-hearted style, but in her columns, it is evident she is very much a family person.

robine56: Have a nice weekend and holiday.

Sorry. My comments were in response to Mr Parson's remarks but my thoughts were really not directed to just one person.

Happy 4th to Mr Parsons, robin56 and cm1113....and everyone else.

You too, chersully2000, enjoy your day

Alison Johnson- cultivate a sense of humor!

Alice don't look up the sky is falling.I am worried that with all this heat from global warming that it may kill big foot.And i wonder how this will affect UFOs.MORONS

David Frasz, A better approach would be to work on fixing what's wrong rather than adding to the problem. Exposing more people to the sickness as you suggest has never been the best practice to curing an illness.

Global Warming believers need to be provided an easy retreat from their indefensible position that the sky is falling.

We need to let them save face gracefully or this debate will never end.

Happy 4th to everyone. Don't light the wrong end of your fireworks. And don't forget to thank one of the many in uniform that help keep us free so we can celebrate Independence Day.

cm1113 What a stooge!! I wonder if you are aware that every store of every type will go out of business if your wish comes true? You may want to check your facts again. How often is the truck driver at fault? Here's a thought,... let's see how long after all the trucks are off the road until you are brcause there isn't any gas to power your car.

Sickness? Illness?

Man, you really are stuck in the Dark Ages aren't you?

Good grief.

Raise the truck limit!! The weight limit is dangerous, it routes large trucks onto smaller roads, creating a dangerous needless burden on hardworking truckers. It also inhibits business margins.

EJParsons, well stated on the Global warming issue, it's a scam and it is amazing it has gone this far. Collegiate propaganda needs to have something to justify their psuedo-scientific bloated agenda. I am all for high standards cleaning up trash, and I consider myself an environmentalist in keeping a clean landscape and appropriating working resources for proper disposal of refuse and emissions, but this 'global warming' nonesense is going too far! It's a politcal marketing scam, that has now become a taxing burden disrupting progress. If these hyped up Global warming students up at the university want to make difference, have them take up a job at the landfill. Also, the push for solar is hypicritical, the factories that make the solar panels and recharging devices for electrical means also have toxic draw backs, such as increased need for the disposal of battery acid. The new light bulbs are great sure, but they also pose a mercury issue for the plant workers. The factory workers in China are getting sick! Al Gore is a riding a scam, and what a hypocrite, his personal electric bill would rival the city of Brewer!

Global Warming CO2 Scam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwCqbzM-g_I

John Coleman weather channel founder says global warming is a scam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNO2VuLk-Ow&feature=related

Al Gore sued by over 30.000 Scientists for Global Warming fraud / John Coleman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfHW7KR33IQ&feature=related

We've had clean air laws in place for several decades and they work quite well. The global warming scare is just a way for the rich to get richer and for government to take more power over the weak minded. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the whole thing is a scam. And it doesn't take an economist to see that we can't affort another high tax fiasco like this cap and tax act. Then we have to deal with the unconstitutional health care bill and we haven't even felt the full effect of the also unconstitutional bail out. We're in deep kimchi, and we're not doing enough to stop it. The Dems realize that if you put a frog in warm water and turn up the heat, the frog won't even realize it's being cooked until it's too late. As far as the left is concerned, ALL AMERICANS ARE FROGS! I want out of the water. I want my country back. I want my freedom. Send Obama and the Dems packing in 2010.

I want my country back too, and my freedom, clean out the rest of the republicans, well except for Olympia, and well maybe Susan.

robin56 - You know not what you ask for. And for your information, Snowe and Collins are not real Republicans. They never have been. You see, the Dems have been in charge of Maine for quite some time, and they've messed the state up. If you want them to stay, then you are dooming Maine. Open your eyes to the mess you're in. I say get rid of them all and start over with real American patriots that love this country, love Maine, and love their fellow man more than they love themselves.

I love America, I love Maine. I loathe Democrats and Republicans equally as they are two sides of one coin... One wants to be Mommy and one wants to be Daddy and frankly, I need neither.

Let's get some new currency.

robin56: I am with you. And if you want dignity and rights for all......regardless of your status , well you know where you will get more willingness and openness with that. And Senators Snowe and Collins are hard-working Senators who are not in it for some kind of personal gain or notoriety. Most know that. And they are just as "real" as the other politicians.

Got to run. Have a good one.

Robin - I assume you live in Maine where for the last 40 yrs the DEMS are the ONLY ones 'doing' anything to the rest of us !

Interesting that I read this from Australian paper: Antarctic ice is growing, not melting away

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25348657-401,00.html

For years I've believed that the destruction of the rain forsts in Brazil were and still are the problem effecting the climate if at all.

What happened to that issue?

And because we can influence/punish our industries not other causes, we are out of whack. Why do we use coal to produce electricity when nuclear power is prevalent in all advanced counties?

etc etc etc -- too many of our problems are caused by the interference of govt not the lack of govt.

It is amazing that "facts" are disputed, and that no one even mentions it. 10 of the hottest years on record are in the late nineties, and the 2000's

that is simply not disputable. Global warming? Climate change? I'm not a scientist so I don't know, BUT with ten hot years in the last 15, something is happening.

Trucks of 100,000 pounds weight destroy roads, and present an unsafe situation for smaller passenger cars. Something must change. Heavy trucks, 1% of all traffic, are involved in 15% of all vehicle fatalities. That is a higher percentage than Teenagers (3%/15%) or older drivers (6% 10%) Maine unilaterally raised the weight limit for trucks on State roads, now they claim because they did this (against the advice of highway planners) that the Feds should raise the limit on their roads in Maine.

I agree with Tedlick, Democrats and Republicans are two branches on the same tree, and neither is working for those who employ them.

Maine is in better shape (budget wise) than many other states. I believe we could do even better, but at least we're not California, New York, or Illinois.

Happy Fourth, Hope there will be many more!

DAAVID FRANZ---YOUR RATIONAL IS ONE OF THE MOST RIDICULOUS THINGS I HAVE EVER READ!

Robin - your definition of freedom must be the opposite of freedom !

Today dems SAY freedom, as they pass and IMPLEMENT controls.

In response to On 7/4/09 at 9:56 AM, pufstr- The real stooge is the one who read what he wanted to and disregarded the rest. If you had read the very next line you would know that I said "but I can't think of any way we could do that successfully". As for how often are the drivers at fault - more often then not. It is a stupid comment like yours pufstr that is the reason why this country should enact breeding restrictions.

This new liberal response for everyone with a differing opinion........." this is the reason why this country should enact breeding restrictions"....is that supposed to be considered cute or intelligent by the left?.......

In response to On 7/4/09 at 7:30 PM, Ladyslipper - No merely a phrase I use when somebody says something so blatently stupid in order to not use profanity. Profanity almost always gets removed and if they remove my post I have wasted my time. I am not quite sure when it became a "liberal phrase" and I certainly hope nobody considers it cute. You know ladyslipper for somebody who has said many times that you don't care about what I think you sure always seem to have a response. Fireworks in Bangor were pretty good, probably rushed due to the incoming rain, but short and sweet was good.

David Frasz, Thank You for taking a stand for Gay marriage rights. I and my husband of 36 years, support the equal right of gay and lesbian couples to marry, raise children, and fully participate in society as couples and families. It is the right thing to do and it will make the world a better place.

karenlite: Me too.....think the same as you and your husband about this. I want people to have that dignity and respect and be able to have a committed relationship with the rights and protections that come with that.

Good night.

The same to you, friend. You're good person with a kind heart, I wish you well.

It would not be possible to reduce the weight to 80,000 pounds. The cost of everything would have to go up to cover the loss in weight. For example if a log truck hauled 80,000 pounds to the mill it would not pay the trucking company enough to do it. In return the price of paper would go up to compensate the difference in money to the trucking companies to haul the wood to the mill. Any wood product is sold to the mill by the ton. The price is based on a 100,000 pound load. If you reduced your tonage to 80,000 pounds that woudl be a significant loss to the logging company. The logging company would be hauling the wood to the mill for $400.00 less per load. In many cases it would be even more of a loss than that depending on what kind of wood they are hauling.

In respose to cm1113. I am a truck driver and I disagree with you. Maybe you should come along for a ride with a driver for a day and see how many people cut us off and stop as soon as they do. People pull out in front of us go fifty feet down the road and turn left making us stop unexpectadly. What about the people that cut us off and drive 25 in a 50 mph zone. The trucker is usually at faut because nobody likes trucks so they have to put the blame somewhere. The problem is whenever there is an accident that the driver isnt at fault you never hear about that. The only thing people hear about is when the truck is at fault. The problem is people dont respect trucks and the amount of BS we have to put up with in a run of the day. Lets see how your theary works when they have to put in railroad tracks at the grocery store for you since I havent seen many stores with train access to them. And since rail travel is more expensive and slower production lets see how you like the increased prices and lack of food at the stores.

cm1113. If you raise the weight limit on I-95, you would see less trucks on the roads, because they be on $@#%ing interstate you idiot! Most major trucking companies don't like having to use side routes any more than you like seeing them there! Think about it, the highways would be a much safer medium for what you call these "giant death traps." The "death traps" that provide the shopping lifestyle you enjoy! The truckers work long days to supply your needs, the everyday needs of the public, something you clearly do not understand or appreciate. Truckers have very little influence over the weight limit decision, that's why you see so many big rigs in town, they're forced to haul the loads up 'main street USA' because DOT won't let them on I-95, does that really make sense? No, it's a bloated politcal measure, a burden on the shipping industry. YES, these are big dangerous rigs, and most truckers would rather take the quickest, safest route possible, and the present weight limit makes that difficult. You want to see fewer trucks on the roads?! RAISE the weight limit on I-95 !!!

To chersully2000 -

I would like to back up the assertion that liberals are morally lacking. Liberals support the following:

1) The pro-crime ACLU

2) Abortion. In fact, during his term in the Illinios legistature Mr. Obama stood against the passage of a bill that would protect the lives of those infants born as a result of "botched" abortions, so the charge of his being pro-infanticide is very credible.

3) Using the US government's power to to confiscate the assets of Americans through its onerous ands overly complex tax code.

4) Liberals support of illegal immigration puts the lie to their interest in serving the poor, as illegal immigration burdens the social and medial service networks that are in place to serve Americans in need.

Liberals are against the following:

1. Strong and consistent enforcement of our laws

2) Any reasonable limits to abortion, including partial-birth abortion.

3) Allowing the American taxpayer to keep what they earn so they may then contribute dollars now absorbed by the IRS to those organizations that they believe can effectively serve others. Did you know that the IRS collected only an additional $2.5 million last year in contributions. This is a clear indication that Americans do not have faith that the US government can effectively spend their money. Liberals don't want to pay more, they want everyone to pay more. This is immoral.

4) Reasonable enforcement of our immigration laws. A nation is nothing without its laws and borders, and illegal immigration undermines both.

Liberals cannot seem to accept that evil exists in this world and must be countered through a unified effort of those who love and protect freedom. Their behavior during the Iraq war indicates that consider US conservatives a far gr4at threat than those who commit the most atrocious acts in the name of Allah. These actions have yet again put them on the wrong side of history.

Liberals support some very corrupt politicians, and thanks to their friends in the media, their lack of accountability has led to disatrous outcomes such as the Fannie Mae Freddie Mac collapse.

Please join me in voting every liberal out of power. Thank you.

Yesman: Many smart and good people in this country would disagree. I think what you wrote here is so one sided, it is ridiculous. You don't persuade me of anything.

I am not going to get into naming many corrupt Republican politicans. Many know their names.....I do not have to list them. What is the point.....it is not new knowledge.

Good luck with your agenda,etc. You might have Palin to help you.....a quitter.

If I were you, I would try addressing your comment to someone on here who might think you have a good argument. You failed with me.

I would venture that all people have different ideas of what is "moral" and what is not.

Some have evolved to a more enlightened view of what it is to be "moral" and some folks are stuck in 1500.

Good news is that due to the "moral" standing of Republicans (stuck in 1500), they've turned themselves into laughing stocks.

Palin's recent move to abandon a post (yet again) to promote ancient and outdated "morality" just proves that they're digging the hole deeper.

Keep it up wingnuts!

WellNow: Well-stated.

WellNut: Palin did not show the discipline and focus to finish out her term in Alaska......and she thinks she could manage being President???? Also, this whining about the media and the public eye. Anyone knows that someone who runs for President opens themselves up for scrutiny and lack of privacy. Chelsea Clinton was disparaged and called names when her parents were in office;it is fact. There is no monopoly on this. Hillary Clinton has been criticized, mocked and called names over and over, yet she seems to remain focused and not whine about it. It appears that women many times are put under even harsher criticism in certain ways , but it can happen with any politician. Get over it, or get out of politics.

WellNut: Although I don't agree with her, I don't think it is so much the "morality" (will leave that to others.....and she has a right to her stands on issues ) as that she did not finish out her term, which shows lack of discipline,etc. That is what many, even in the Republican Party, do not look favorably on.

I must have missed something with the "WellNut"... I'm hoping that's not referring to little ole me... but regarding Palin:

As an Alaskan on Wonkette put it:

"She didn't finish her term as mayor, stepping down to run for Lt. Governor. She didn't finish her term on the petroleum board ethics panel, she resigned in protest and then ran for Governor. She doesn't want the office, she just likes running for office. She doesn't want (can't actually) accomplish anything, she just wants to talk about it."

I'm so happy this is the "creme of the crop" for the wingnuts. I really am.

WELLNOW: Sorry......did not mean that. I typed that in wrong......please disregard it! I like your username....WellNow!

Loads of Alaskan citizens are fed up with her. But either way.....guess it is the heck with Palin , as she is very unlikely to be the Republican's candidate in 2012 anyway!

No problems chersully. I honestly thought someone registered a name to mock mine (my husband got a kick out of it).

Oh, and I certainly hope she IS the Republican candidate in 2012.

In response to On 7/5/09 at 9:07 AM, matt2271 - Another moron saying that I said we should get all trucks off the road. You flippin idiots I have said in three posts now, "but I can't think of any way we could do that successfully". That right there destroys your entire argument morons because it is clear you are reading what you want to read and not what is reality.

And just to point something out, people cut me off all the time too yet I never seem to kill anybody, people drive 25 in front of me in a 50mph zone too and like I said I have never killed anybody. SO shut your mouth and keep your eyes on the road and stop thinkin you own the roads.

It is stupid comments like yours Matt2271 that are the reason why this country should enact breeding restrictions. -- You see ladyslipper I probably wont get that post deleted yet everybody who reads it knows perfectly well what I think of Matt2271.

I dont understand why 100,000 lbs loads are allowed on highway 95 from the south border up to Augusta, but not North of Augusta.

Doesnt seem fair.

Seems Trucks comming into maine can bring in heavy loads, but heavy loads from up north get the short end of the stick.

Why are seemingly intelligent,well-intentioned persons terrified of Sarah Palin?... this ought to be good...

Because she focuses on issues of individual morality as something the government should nose into instead of focusing on things that affect the nation as a whole like the economy, education, health care, and America's place on the national stage. Leave morality to the culture of the nation and let our politicians worry about issues of national importance.

Sorry. That should have read "global stage".

Nothing new today I see... still no evidence of the destruction of mankind by letting gays marry.

Oh well, there's always tomorrow. Somebody HAS to have evidence of our destruction or there wouldn't be so many voices in protest.

Perhaps individual morality is of national import; not that it should (or can) be shaped or compressed by government.

If, when and how does governmental interference with the right to bear arms impinge on the morality or culture of our nation?

Oh, I can answer that one!

Nothing in the least bit immoral about owning a gun. Or 5 or 500.

Morality enters into how you use them

And gun ownership is none of the government's business (unless they fear they're doing such a poor job there will be violent revolt... something to think about).

cm1113....it is true that I have said you have a right to post anything that you want to.....however I also have a right to dissagree or write a post contrasting your opinion....we all have that right...

I never said anybody had no right to disagree with me ladyslipper. You made mention of a line I often use and I gave you an example of why I use it. As for you having a disagreement with me I am sure I care just as little about it as you do

Very interesting Tedlick, but don't go off half-cocked.

I hope most would (after thinking for a bit) realize morality and personal responsibility are intertwined.

As the government incrementally reduces the need for it's citizens to be responsible, for example: carcare, bankcare, mortgagecare, healthcare and forgive me, welfare without realistic guidelines, what are we giving up in the long run?

Sarah Palin may expose a nurtured weakness in many that is easily overlooked.

Personal responsibility and morality are linked only insomuch as if you hurt someone in any way (that's immoral) you're responsible for it.

Who a person sleeps with doesn't make or break our society. What sex that person is doesn't either. Neither does abortion. Any of those can ruin careers... they can even be nasty on individual lives (effects of adultery for example, WHICH I might add, not one fundie on here ever challenges) but they do not destroy a society.

If a man and wife have an open relationship (swingers) it affects the nation not. If two men on a fishing trip have a roll in the hay, it affects the nation not.

When our nation is bankrupt, it's healt care system is in shambles, our educational institutions continue to rot, it seems silly to worry whether or not someone you'll never meet has an abortion.

I'm all for responsibility: I have stated in these forums many times that our greatest weakness is in fact, our loss of responsibility. I don't consider that to be the same thing as telling folks who they can marry... who they can sleep with... what they can and can't do with their own bodies and nonviable growths thereon. Have all the wild sex you want, but you need to be ready for the responsibilities that can result.

Palin failed at all of that frankly. Going into the political arena as a conservative with a daughter that can't keep her legs crossed is incredibly damaging to the Republican party. If she were a Democrat, the Reps would have ripped her limb from limb. In this case, her daughter did something many would call immoral, but she failed to be responsible enough to NOT let that affect her party. By accepting her daughter's plight so lightly (where was abstinence in that situation Sarah darling? How freaking well did it work?) she should have been responsible enough to stay the hell away from the public spotlight. By not doing so, she has damaged the party.

One can be responsible and not share Christian morality. One can share Christian morality and be irresponsible as hell.

EJ, I didn't see a comment "republicans bad sex pigs, democrats clean"...you read partisinship into the letter, your logic is wrong.

cm1113: David is a neighbor of mine. Did you read the same letter? He didn't say the government never warned him, he wasn't saying he wasn't prepared. He has a very high spot in our area and can't get the new digital signal. Why the attack when it is totally off-base?

As for your boring comment, it seems you must have all your rights and aren't disciminated against. For us it is not boring....we pay more in taxes and get less back as second class citizens. Don't vote against us if you find this boring.

ForHim, you are getting tiring, really. You say it is ok to deny civil rights because the ones that have them can't use them properly? You can't possibly be that arrogant, can you? I'm beginning to smell a very small closet......

Tedlick: try libertarians. I'm with you on what we have today.

Tutlehead: it makes perfect sense to most of us. Care to explain?

Karenlite: thank you! We need more intelligent people like you around. My spouse and I (in Mass) have been very happy the last 24 years and all our neighbors love it when we move into a neighborhood and raise property values. We are capable of adding as much to society as any couple. Thanks for recognizing that our happiness and security helps society.