It may be legal for Gary Friedmann to hold both town and state offices. And it may serve Friedmann's self interest. But it is a disservice to town and state residents. Friedmann should be grateful for the House nomination and respectful of the demands of the job. Wanting to hold two offices is greedy poor judgement. And the compromised Bar Harbor Town Clique needs new members to function as a council.
Gary Friedmann has a poor record on government transparency and respecting the participation of community members and the rights of residents. Whatever his policy agendas, as a councilor Friedmann's been party to dubious procedural actions - the abuse of Executive Sessions to hide council activities and attempts to silence community members he does not agree with.
Friedmann is a senior member on a Town Council which has disgraced itself in its unconditional support for a Town Manager who came with civil rights violations red flags, lived up to them and worse, until the council disappeared him overnight with a platinum parachute and a non disclosure agreement. The council continues to mightily disgrace itself in its cruise ship shenanigans.
That said, regarding the Maine State House seat. Given the state of the Republican party, good governance depends on keeping a Democratic majority. Especially with the Republican wrecking crew demolishing Federal protections for civil rights. Keeping a Democratic majority may be the only reason to vote for Friedmann, but it is more than sufficient reason. It is essential. We'll just have to be diligent in keeping an eye on him to see what he's up to in Augusta.
"that the USA not only inspired the Nazis, but is in reality the Fourth Reich."
It is possible to assemble some facts and twist them into an absurdity. It is possible to undermine a possibly useful critique by resorting to fantastical hyperbole. It is easier to stand on the sidelines and spew than to institute better policy.
Biden is navigating between those who cry antisemitism at any criticism of Israeli policy and those who cry genocide at any support of Israel. In February he issued National Security Memorandum 20 to strengthen the Leahy laws. Now it is not only up to Defense and State to establish that a nation that's receiving military aid has violated international law, but nations in line for aid must first provide credible evidence that they are in compliance. Having now gathered evidence about the Netanyahu regime, it looks like Sec. Blinken is on the verge of pausing delivery of military aid to Israel. Now as by law that aid goes to American industries that provide equipment and services, the pause may indeed impact American workers. It gets complicated. We need a military industrial complex. We need Bath Iron Works. And we need mechanisms for effective oversight. That, I suggest is where we need to make improvements. That is done through government and ultimately that involves our political choices. Sitting on one's hands doesn't keep them clean. Ignoring the reality of party politics and following purity tests, pipe dreams, and Pied Pipers gives the power to those who vote together as a tactic to take power.
Fiedmann is running for town and state office. Neither of which involve the foreign or national policies you mention. He has a record of speaking of environmental and economic sustainability, and supporting social services. A Democratic legislative majority at the state and national level is essential to moving towards better policy. The alternative is Republican rule - which as we've seen, means gutting essential and emergency services while overturning civil rights protections.
Once again, you fail to mention why Young is the FORMER police chief. Much more relevant than your comments on some of the other candidates.
Here is what I wrote on May 4, 2023, before the last election. https://theqsjournal.substack.com/p/portrait-of-a-council-candidate-cop
I've publicly noted his history three times. I hope people like you don't vote if you aren't prepared to be better informed as a citizen.
The more things are forbidden, the more popular they become. - Mark Twain
It may be legal for Gary Friedmann to hold both town and state offices. And it may serve Friedmann's self interest. But it is a disservice to town and state residents. Friedmann should be grateful for the House nomination and respectful of the demands of the job. Wanting to hold two offices is greedy poor judgement. And the compromised Bar Harbor Town Clique needs new members to function as a council.
Gary Friedmann has a poor record on government transparency and respecting the participation of community members and the rights of residents. Whatever his policy agendas, as a councilor Friedmann's been party to dubious procedural actions - the abuse of Executive Sessions to hide council activities and attempts to silence community members he does not agree with.
Friedmann is a senior member on a Town Council which has disgraced itself in its unconditional support for a Town Manager who came with civil rights violations red flags, lived up to them and worse, until the council disappeared him overnight with a platinum parachute and a non disclosure agreement. The council continues to mightily disgrace itself in its cruise ship shenanigans.
That said, regarding the Maine State House seat. Given the state of the Republican party, good governance depends on keeping a Democratic majority. Especially with the Republican wrecking crew demolishing Federal protections for civil rights. Keeping a Democratic majority may be the only reason to vote for Friedmann, but it is more than sufficient reason. It is essential. We'll just have to be diligent in keeping an eye on him to see what he's up to in Augusta.
"that the USA not only inspired the Nazis, but is in reality the Fourth Reich."
It is possible to assemble some facts and twist them into an absurdity. It is possible to undermine a possibly useful critique by resorting to fantastical hyperbole. It is easier to stand on the sidelines and spew than to institute better policy.
Biden is navigating between those who cry antisemitism at any criticism of Israeli policy and those who cry genocide at any support of Israel. In February he issued National Security Memorandum 20 to strengthen the Leahy laws. Now it is not only up to Defense and State to establish that a nation that's receiving military aid has violated international law, but nations in line for aid must first provide credible evidence that they are in compliance. Having now gathered evidence about the Netanyahu regime, it looks like Sec. Blinken is on the verge of pausing delivery of military aid to Israel. Now as by law that aid goes to American industries that provide equipment and services, the pause may indeed impact American workers. It gets complicated. We need a military industrial complex. We need Bath Iron Works. And we need mechanisms for effective oversight. That, I suggest is where we need to make improvements. That is done through government and ultimately that involves our political choices. Sitting on one's hands doesn't keep them clean. Ignoring the reality of party politics and following purity tests, pipe dreams, and Pied Pipers gives the power to those who vote together as a tactic to take power.
Fiedmann is running for town and state office. Neither of which involve the foreign or national policies you mention. He has a record of speaking of environmental and economic sustainability, and supporting social services. A Democratic legislative majority at the state and national level is essential to moving towards better policy. The alternative is Republican rule - which as we've seen, means gutting essential and emergency services while overturning civil rights protections.