The Maine Labor Murals-a more "balanced" perspective

Our governor, Mr. LePage seems to think that the murals, depicting the labor history of Maine and which used to be in the Labor Building are too one-sided and had them removed.  This YouTube video tries to correct that.

Hope you enjoyed that.  It lets us see all 11 panels, even if some of the faces have been replaced. I've been following the controversy in daily posts on Facebook, but this is too good not to share more widely.

Maine's RC Bishop Agrees with Glen Beck???

This mornings Portland Press Herald has a long article about the Maine Roman Catholic Diocese withdrawing funding from a social justice program for the poor and homeless.  The group supported No. on 1 last year, supporting same sex marriage. The Preble Street's Homeless Voices for Justice group has lost $17,400 this year and will lose $33,000 next year.  The money not only comes from Maine, but also from a Washington-based Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

The group Catholics for Marriage Equality is starting to replace the funds by raising $17,400 for Homeless Voices for Justice. One of the group's co-founders, Anne Underwood, said Bishop Richard Malone is punishing the homeless because of politics.

"This is petty vindictiveness," she said. "After the election is over, suddenly the money is revoked from poor people because of a political opinion held by the bishop."

Underwood said that many Catholics in Maine will now think twice before donating money to the church to help fight poverty. "People who are homeless should not be used in political games," she said.

..... Preble Street decided to join the coalition that opposed Question 1 because issues of sexual orientation are the single greatest cause of homelessness among youths. 

Comment:  I just shook my head.  I think perhaps the good bishop is listening to Glen Beck.  He seems to be agreeing that the church shouldn't preach social justice.

Marriage Equality in Maine— Question 1 Redux

Question 1 passed and overturned the legislature's vote on marriage equality.  This morning's Bangor Daily News has an article on how the same people who poured tons of money into the state to make this happen are going to target legislators in next year's election.  The National Organization for Marriage has indicated in court filings that it plans to make gay marriage an issue in the coming races for governor and legislative seats. The organization would apparently target legislators who voted in support of a same-sex marriage bill that was ultimately repealed by voters.

And in another paragraph it says:

The intentions of the National Organization for Marriage to stay involved in Maine politics came to light as part of a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland focusing on the substantial financial role that the organization played in defeating same-sex marriage at the polls on Nov. 3.

They still refuse to say where the money came from to support Question 1.  In the most recent court filing that included the sample campaign materials, the National Organization for Marriage argues that requiring disclosure of all donors to a political action committee “will deter donations to NOM from those who otherwise would donate.”


Dr Johnson may have said that Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, but I think secrecy might be just apt in our day.  After all Sydney can appoint bishops that way and they can enable the Jensens to stay in office that way.  Just see Nobel Wolf's post today.

No Gay Marriage in Maine, Alas

I am really upset that Maine did not reject Question 1 and allow marriage for all couples, GLBT or straight.  I've shed a few tears this morning in anger and frustration.  I've looked up the voting statistics in the various counties and I do believe what people have told me is basically true.  There are two Maines.  The only two big(ish) cities, Portland and Bangor voted No, while rural Mainers tended to vote Yes.  Although the town I live in voted NO, the county did not, although the county vote was nearly 50/50.  In addition, the Roman Catholic church still has considerable influence in spite of progressive groups that don't hesitate to question their authority. I am truly sorry for all gay and lesbian Mainers who wanted the choice of marriage for themselves and their families.  I am truly sorry that an opportunity was lost to show the rest of the country what "justice for all" really means.

The Episcopal Bishop of Maine Speaks Out

I lied, I didn't post at all last week, or this week either. Today's press release from my diocese was enough to get me off my duff and post this. Yesterday, The Episcopal Bishop of Maine made a statement during a press conference sponsored by the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine. Although his whole statement may be found on his blog Round Maine with Bishop Lane, in essence what he says is that he supports voting "no" on Question 1 (Question 1 if passed would repeal the work of the Maine legislature permitting same-sex marriage). He says:

It is my belief that the right to marry is a crucial civil right, establishing both protections and obligations that safeguard gay and lesbian couples and their families.

It is core to our Christian belief that we are all children of God, created in God’s image, and, in baptism, we are all full members of the church. In the Episcopal Church, we have also determined that sexual orientation, in and of itself, is no bar to holding any office or ministry in the church, as long as the particular requirements of that office or ministry are met. In many of our congregations, both here in Maine and around the country, faithful same-gender couples and their families are sharing in their local church’s life and ministry and in service to their communities. As full members of our churches and contributing citizens of Maine, these families are as entitled to the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage as any couple.

He ends by reminding us that "Our tagline of many years, The Episcopal Church Welcomes You, has never seemed more important."

I'm proud of my bishop and the clergy and lay people who stood with him at this conference and all the people of faith who spoke. There is a video of the Dean of the cathedral who also stated his view on scripture and marriage equality, which I recommend as well.

Erratum: I changed "Proposition" to "Question". After living in California for so many years, and voting on so many "propositions" I reverted.

"Old White Maine"

The Bangor Daily News has this editorial today.  I just have to look at my parishioners to know the truth to this.  Old, White Maine

Imagine a new store at the mall that angles to get those oh-so-desirable teen and preteen shopping dollars by hanging out a sign that reads, “Whitest and Oldest.” That marketing strategy would scare away customers as quickly as a sign that reads, “Mom wants you to buy the clothes sold here.” In a way, the census data released recently that shows Maine is the “whitest and oldest” state in the nation is like hanging a sign at our border that reads, “Don’t expect much economic vitality here.”

Maine is attractive to retirees because its real estate is a relative value, compared to southern New England and the New York-New Jersey area, and because it has low crime rates. Its recreational opportunities and small-town vibe also are attractive to older folks.

Maine is “whiter” than nearby Massachusetts in large part because of its rural nature; it is difficult for emerging minority groups, such as Hispanics, to land in a small town and find work and affordable housing. Maine’s job market is not as diverse and fluid as that of Greater Boston, and more seasonal, which also makes it difficult for working class folks to make the leap.

But regardless of the reasons, Maine’s old and white status is bad news for its economy.

The age problem affects the state on several fronts. Maine’s median age is 42, compared to 38.6 nationwide. In 2000, the median age was 38.6, so the problem is worsening. People over 40 generally are not starting families, which means they are not consuming as many goods and services as those who are raising children. Maine has 1.3 million people, but because they are scattered across a geographic area nearly equal to the rest of New England, economies of scale are difficult to achieve.

 While older residents who move here require fewer services, and often spend money fixing up old houses or building new ones, they are not inclined to start new businesses or work in professional capacities. “Whitest” is a problem for Maine because ethnic diversity makes for cultural richness, which contributes to quality of life. But it also has economic ramifications. Minorities are not static elements in a region’s economy. When they move into an area they aspire to earn more and climb the class ladder. They also work to provide a better life for their children, and insist that their offspring attain more education. Like the Irish in Boston and New York 100 years ago, new groups initially provide labor for lower skill jobs. Then the Irish, for example, became police officers and firefighters, shopkeepers and trades people before entering the professional realm. 

Although it may sound like a far-fetched idea, Maine could recruit immigrants. Iceland, for example, devastated by the recent financial crisis, might be a place to start looking. Icelanders are acclimated to cold climates, and might find coastal Washington County similar to their homeland. Maine has welcomed such groups before, as evidenced by towns named New Sweden, Poland Spring and Denmark. New Iceland, anyone? 

Comment: The proposed solution is more "white" if not old.  Maine also has towns named Mexico and Peru as well as China.