As legions of you noted in emails to me, Thursday morning’s Maine Wire newsletter malfunctioned. As the political aphorism goes, mistakes were made. By way of explanation, we’re actively working on ways to improve our website and our email newsletter, so there are going to be some bumps in the road. We’re good at exposing corrupt politicians and vast foreign criminal conspiracies, but it turns out email newsletters are more challenging. Bear with us, because I can assure you our goal is to improve and streamline the delivery of our news product. As always, you can direct your complaints, tips, and suggestions to me directly at Robinson@themainewire.com.
The top political news item in America continues to be the fallout from the 2nd presidential debate, which was the first time former Republican President Donald Trump squared off against newly-installed Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. It’s fair to say the debate didn’t go as well as Trump would have hoped—thanks largely to wildly one-sided moderation from ABC. Trump seemed to acknowledge as much on Thursday when he said officially that he won’t be signing up for another debate. Polymarket, an election prediction website that allows users to stake real money on the outcome of the election, currently has the odds at 49-50, with Harris as a slight favorite.
Ever since he was ousted from the Democratic ticket against his will, President Biden has spent a lot of time on vacation and precious little time being president. But the Commander-in-Chief was spotted on camera long enough to don a MAGA hat. The internet was wild with speculation as to why Biden would wear the Trump campaign symbol, with many concluding that there might be more than a little truth to Trump’s claim during the debate that Biden secretly loathes Harris.
From the Maine Wire
Snowflake Authoritarianism: In another story from UMaine, we have the inexplicable firing of a 37-year employee, Amos Cline. Cline was subjected to a Kafkaesque inquisition for inane comments he allegedly made that were so benign the employees he made the comments to didn’t even participate in his disciplinary proceedings. Cline’s union alleges that he was unjustly fired, and we would challenge our readers to find a reason to disagree. Just like Cavalry Chapel wouldn’t have lost out on the opportunity to buy that property in Belfast, we strongly doubt Cline would be unemployed if he were a religious or ethnic employee, or trans.
Chinese Massage Parlors: More Chinese prostitution houses in Maine have been put out of business, thanks to an investigation by the Lewiston Police Department. Edward Tomic has the latest on Richard Qiu, a Brooklyn man, who operated a series of so-called massage parlors in Maine. Qiu was apprehend in Boston on Sept. 6 and now faces several charges, including sex trafficking and forced labor.
Chinese Gun Crime: It feels like there is a theme developing here… The Department of Justice announced on Thursday a seizure of more than 350 websites that it claims have been used to import devices used to illegally modify firearms. The devices included switches that can turn popular models of handguns into fully-automatic weapons, which are illegal in the United States without a rare and hard-to-obtain license. The devices also included products sometimes marketed as automotive parts that actually functioned as suppressors (sometimes incorrectly described as silencers).
Maine’s Minimum Wage Creeps Up: As part of the automatic cost-of-living adjustments built into Maine’s minimum wage law, residents of Maine are now prohibited from offering their work for anything less than $14.65 per hours — which is about $4.65 more than I used to make when I was milking cows and throwing hay as a kid. The auto-adjustment will also increase the tipped minimum wage to $7.33.
Urban Drone Patrol: In another indication that we’re hurtling toward some dystopian techno-nightmare future, the city of Portland took a break from debating whether used heroin needles are a public health threat to discuss whether the Portland PD needs drones to help with surveillance of large crowds. Portland Police Chief Mark Dubois first presented the department’s proposal to the City Council committee in July, saying that the department is “significantly understaffed” and that they need to “utilize technology to the fullest extent” in order maintain public safety.
Court Room Brawl: Video of a Winterport man attacking the guy who was convicted for murdering his sister went viral online earlier this year. Now, in a happy turn of events, it turns out the brother will not be prosecuted. The Bangor Daily News reports that Clifford Warren won’t be prosecuted for his court room antics because he didn’t cause any serious harm.
Bangor Org Teaching Homeless How to Avoid Arrest for Drug Possession, Trespassing, and Public Urination: Although Maine state lawmakers recently opted against legalizing trespassing and hard drug-use, an organization in Bangor is making it clear to homeless individuals throughout the city that both crimes aren’t really crimes if you’re homeless. That’s because the Bangor Police Department, like every Police Department in Maine, is operating under protocol guidance from Attorney General Aaron Frey that says the un-housed shouldn’t be arrested for a litany of crimes.
Anti-Christian Bigotry from UMaine: The University of Maine has officially rescinded the sale of a Belfast property that was originally going to be purchased by a popular Christian church. The taxpayer-funded institution reneged on the sale following a pressure campaign by anti-Christian activists, including professors at the college. It’s safe to say UMaine would never have pulled such a move with a Muslim or Buddhist group looking to buy a property. The brazen display of anti-Christian bigotry follows the Mills Administration’s open lawfare against Christian schools in the state, so should not come as much of a surprise. For example:
- Christian School Files Appeal in Lawsuit Against State of Maine for “Poison Pill” Rules Blocking Access to Town Tuitioning Program
- Maine Christian School Loses Bid to Stop “Poison Pill” Rules from Blocking Access to Town Tuitioning Program
- Email Shows Hermon School Board Member Discriminated Against Christian Church Over Religious Views
Three Dead Mainers, Few Answers: Unsolved Farmington Murders and a Cannabis Farmer’s Suicide Leave Behind a Mystery: If you haven’t read this Aug. 15 story about the still-unsolved Dec. 27 double homicide of Jean Robinson and Joy Cumming, it’s well worth your read. Our reporting revealed new information about the circumstances surrounding the murders and how Robinson’s son’s business endeavors may have played a role. And, without spilling any secrets before they’re ready for publication, I can promise you that you’ll be hearing more on this particular story from the Maine Wire. And soon.
National News Stories
Congressional Drama: While presidential campaign politics continue to suck up all the oxygen in the national media, members of Congress are politicking around a likely Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government. Conservatives have advocated for tying the government funding bill to border security or election integrity policies, but if past is prologue, the most likely outcome is the quiet passage of a short-term funding bill that kicks the fiscal can down the road and past Election Day.
Merrick Garland Breaks Irony: As U.S. Attorney General, Merrick Garland’s tenure has been characterized by aggressive targeting of conservatives, especially anyone connected to former Republican President Donald Trump. At the same time, politically-connected left-wingers, such as President Biden’s son Hunter, get far more lenient treatment. None of that stopped Garland from stating yesterday, with a straight face, that the Justice Department should not be used as a political weapon.
Karen Read Saga: The Maine Wire hasn’t devoted much space to the ongoing police corruption scandal in Massachusetts—mostly because Turtleboy, a.k.a. Aidan Kearney, has an encyclopedic knowledge of the case and his site, TBDailyNews.com, is the only place you should go for updates on this wild tale of crooked cops and a bent judiciary. Turtleboy’s latest update stems from an interview he conducted with one of the Read trial jurors that will lead you to question the very concept of trial by jury.
Adderall Mania: A new study from Mass General Brigham suggests that high dosages of the popular ADD/ADHD medication Adderall can cause mania and psychosis. Who would have guessed?
North Dakota Abortion Ban: In a victory for Planned Parenthood executives, State District Judge Bruce Romanick has struck down North Dakota lawmakers’ second attempt to ban abortion in the state.
Coconut Jubilee: America’s favorite left-wing ice cream makers have officially released their new flavor “honoring” Vice President Kamala Harris. Ben & Jerry’s will be Kamala’s Coconut Jubilee, an apparent reference to Harris’ bizarre but frequent quip about falling out of a coconut tree.
This is way too much info. Keep it to Maine and make it more informative such as what was the specific basis for the UMaine firing
Thankfully there won’t be one. What would be the point? If you haven’t figured it out by now you have a problem.
Steve, a sincere thanks & appreciation for you & your staff/team works.
This likely the only news source that does not rob me of any of the few brain cells still remaining in my head.
Carry on & best wishes.