AND ANOTHER THING …

It just wouldn’t be the holidays without the cheery gatherings of family and friends, the joyous music, the festive foods, the incessant squabbling over whether public decorations that even hint at religion violate the Constitution’s disestablishment clause. Different communities deal with this issue in different ways, but few in as ingeniously depressing a way as Portland – a new policy there will allow such symbols as Christmas trees and menorahs to occupy public property provided they are shrunk to a size small enough not to offend the small minds that are offended by them.

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In another heartwarming example of people pulling together for the common good, five church leaders in the Falmouth area are complaining to town officials about the annual Sportshoe Center Maine Marathon, saying the several thousand runners and spectators who clog the roads the first Sunday morning in October inconvenience parishioners trying to get to services. The racers say such events are always held on Sunday mornings because traffic is lightest and suggest the congregations break with routine one Sunday a year and join in the event, which raises money for the Jason Program, a hospice for terminally ill children. The church leaders reject that proposal – it’s not the kind of exercise of religion they have in mind.

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When the Legislature created the Task Force to Study the Impact of a Tribal Casino last spring, the 18-member panel of lawmakers, experts, advocates and opponents was given $6,800 and four meetings to answer seven key questions about such an enterprise. The group adjourned this week after spending all the money, running out of time and, in addition to not answering any of the seven questions, coming up with four more for the incoming Legislature. Next time, we’ll know to start with a Task Force to Study the Impact of Studying the Impact of a Tribal Casino.

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Two years after the state restructured its electric industry, a survey finds that 88 percent of Mainers are unaware that the change occurred, haven’t a clue that utilities got out of the generation business and are completely in the dark about how to choose an energy supplier. Still, that family of cartoon light bulbs (remember the Wattsons?) the state created to educate the public on restructuring was awfully cute.

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OK, so Gov. King’s budget bill, the one hurriedly approved by lawmakers last week, to patch a $240 million hole has its flaws. It shoves some huge debts off until next year. It shifts state obligations to towns and is certain to drive up local property taxes. It chips away at vital services for the most sick and disadvantaged. It relies on increases in federal funding that probably won’t come through. It borrows heavily from the Highway Fund that has a deficit of its own to deal with. At least we’re relying on the gimmicks of years past.