One of the great things about Maine government is the citizen’s petition, which allows private citizens to bypass the legislature and present a question directly to the voters at large.

I don’t know why the town of Damariscotta is sending out questionnaires and holding meetings to see how the town wants to go in the future. I think they made it abundantly clear when they let themselves be led around like a puppy dog on a leash by two wealthy women from away.

It is correct to view gay marriage in the context of “perpetuation of the species,” but analyses showing that gay marriage will somehow decrease or denigrate our society’s ability to perpetuate itself show little grasp of real social and economic forces and lead to the wrong conclusion.

I find the television ads about curriculum changes that may happen in Maine if the new law allowing same sex marriage is not stopped very scary.

It is the position of this newspaper that the current same sex marriage debate is a divisive battle of semantics.

While we respect leaders, even those we disagree with, we really think the legislature dropped the ball.

Sen. Olympia Snowe is a small, frail looking woman who looks like she never gets enough sleep or enough to eat.

However, Snowe is a leader worthy of the national stage and as her historic vote on the Senate Finance Committee Oct. 13 shows, she is not afraid to take a position when she has to.

There has been so much talk about the swine flu in the media lately. To add to the stress I recently learned that Governor Baldacci has the authority to order that all Mainers be vaccinated.

A rainy day and I have to go to the transfer station because my bag was full of lobster shells and I couldn’t wait until Friday. I do want to say now the people that use the Bristol transfer station are very aware of things going to trash. When you drive in, you never know what awaits you.

The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices on Oct. 1 ordered an investigation of Stand For Marriage Maine Political Action Committee and its primary funder, the National Organization For Marriage (NOM).

It may be legally correct for the Great Salt Bay Sanitary District Board of Trustees to dispose of district property as they see fit.

A note to the pros and cons on what some consider socialism, aka health reform.

I don’t want to take sides but what amazes me is the clowns we elected down in D.C. and the latest bill some are in a hurry to push through. Better check on it!

In regards to Paul Kando’s letter to the editor in last week’s paper, I would also like to recognize Sal Bartolotta, LeeAnna Hutchings, and Gary Brackett of the Great Salt Bay Sanitary District for their help successfully connecting temporary water to the residents of Church and Vine Streets.

The guys would look at Playboy magazine. It seemed at the time that Hugh Hefner set the standard, the ideal, of what every normal man wanted women to represent. I always objected to this on the grounds that love should be accepted in any bodily form or color.

I wish to compliment the extremely well-crafted letter against homosexual marriage rights by Michael Bourland of Newcastle (“Marriage redefinement is the wrong approach”, Page 4, 10/1/09).