Maine Senate Republicans criticize LePage’s comments, actions in upcoming OpEd | Bangor Daily News

AUGUSTA, Maine — A handful of Maine Senate Republicans are publicly criticizing Gov. Paul LePage for his frequent controversial comments and actions.

An OpEd column written and signed by at least eight Maine GOP senators, which will be published Monday in some Maine newspapers, indicates growing displeasure with LePage’s conduct.

“We feel compelled to express our discomfort and dismay with the tone and spirit of some of the remarks coming from him,” states the piece, which was provided to the Bangor Daily News. “Were this an isolated incident and not a pattern, we would bite our collective tongues, because we are all human. But, unfortunately, such is not the case. We feel we must speak out.”

The Republican senators further criticize LePage for demeaning others who disagree with him and diverting attention from real issues.

Click here for the rest of the story by Eric Russell in the Bangor Daily News.

Coffeehouse observation No. 295 – Caressing those keys like a jackhammer

I read somewhere not too long ago that the average life expectancy for a laptop is about three years. After all, lap tops are portable … and drop-able. The guy sitting at a nearby table is caressing the keyboard on his laptop like a jackhammer, slamming down each key in staccato fashion. I think he is affecting the curve and bringing down the life expectancy average.

By the way, I don’t get the feeling that he is angry – at the laptop or in general – but merely mindlessly abusive to the laptop.

Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.

Coffeehouse observation No. 294 – Recycling made sexy

On the way to the coffeehouse I noticed a woman collecting cans and bottles from a trashcan and she was putting them into a Victoria’s Secret bag she was carrying. I suppose that makes recycling sexy.

Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.

‘Heartbroken’ Maine artist responds to mural controversy| Bangor Daily News

‘Heartbroken’ Maine artist responds to mural controversy| Bangor Daily News

Maine warden pilot remembered at funeral | Bangor Daily News

Maine warden pilot remembered at funeral | Bangor Daily News

Holyoke: Pilot’s death illuminates harsh reality of warden work | Bangor Daily News

Governor orders flags flown at half-staff to honor warden pilot who died in plane crash | Bangor Daily News

‘Without him, a lot of lives would not have been saved’ | Bangor Daily News

Missing mural, empty wall: Art depicting Maine's labor history stashed at secret location | Portland Press Herald

Missing mural, empty wall: Art depicting Maine's labor history stashed at secret location | Portland Press Herald

LePage’s sudden removal of mural spurs outrage | Lewiston Sun Journal

He dreamed he saw Kim Jong-il | The New York Times

College president rebukes LePage over mural | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

College president rebukes LePage over mural | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Coffeehouse observation No. 292 -- Regretting going without coffee today

I skipped coffee this morning and now I’m regretting it. … Quite bit.

Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.

Thank-you note to my scouting niece

The Girl Scout Cookies are freed from their bondage.

 [I received a fun package yesterday from my scouting niece Sophie. Actually, she is my only niece, but she is in a scouting organization, so she’s also my “scouting niece.” Regular readers may recall that I have lamented in the past that the packages my family sends me from time are full of sugary treats. At my age, who needs the extra pounds. Oy! So, I made my family promise to not send me any more sugary treats. But then the Girl Scouts – well, mostly their mothers – started hitting me up to help fill their cookie quotas. So, I had to send my sister a note to clarify that in no way was my earlier dictate to reflect the Girl Scout Cookie Season. That, I made it clear to her, was not the case. Girl Scout Cookies were OK for my diet. … I have a feeling I will be gaining a few pounds in the next few days. – KM]

Dear Sophie:

I received a package yesterday that you and Mommy sent to me. Inside were very yummy Girl Scout Cookies. I wanted to thank you very, very much. I am sure I will enjoy them. Thank you.

Now, I just have to decide which cookies to start with.

Love,

Uncle Keith

P.S. Please say “Hi” to your brother Max. I miss you both very much.

A package is opened.

A cookie is liberated.

The first bite …

And another ...

Just one more bite left …

And now my hand is free to grasp another cookie.