The BDN’s interactive commentary feature ClickBack this week sought reader thoughts on Vice President Dick Cheney, the lottery and the school year. Among the comments made at the ClickBack feature on BangorDailyNews.com are:

Vice President Dick Cheney, when told by a TV news reporter that most Americans viewed the invasion of Iraq as a mistake, replied: “So?”

So?! Cheney and Bush care no more for our Constitution, or the rule of law, than they do about what Americans think or want. McCain will be more of the same, and worse. He’s so eager to be a “war president” and bomb, bomb, bomb Iran that it’s practically oozing out of him.

– Bia

We elect representatives to do what? All together now, “represent us.” Not lie to us and in turn send our nation and its once good name down the drain. This is exactly why we still need to impeach, at the very least, Mr. Bush. To say to the rest of the world that we do care and are to some extent trying to right our wrong.

– gottaryde

No, I don’t think the government should ask the people. The popular thought for World War II was isolationism and look what that got us. If Congress is supposed to reflect voters opinions and beliefs Vice President Dick Cheney was right to say “So?” I am getting sick of people blaming the president for the war and its failures. Media has programmed the masses with TV and movies that resolve things in two hours or less. War is a real issue and not one that can be fixed in 30 minutes.

– Adam Winslow

This “So?” comment by Mr. Cheney just exemplifies the arrogance of this administration; their big brother position, that they know what is best for you. I think not, the government should always consider public opinion when it is making decisions that affect us all.

– my name is tom

Of course public opinion should matter. A public that is given the correct facts will be able to articulate clear and relevant responses. Our current administration likes to uplift public opinion when it supports their ideas, and ignore it when the opposite occurs. What is crucial, in order that public policy does not become an oxymoron, is an independent media that is given full access to all the facts of any given issue. As long as secrecy and manipulation of information prevails, the question of “should public opinion count” is intriguing but irrelevant.

– 2nd Thoughts

The unmitigated gall of the vice president is astounding. “So?” It’s like the man never left grade school.

– cagord

Vice President Cheney’s “So?” was revealing but not surprising given the arrogance of this administration, and Cheney’s long-held desire for a powerful “unitary executive” that doesn’t have to be held accountable. Opposition to the war is not a “fluctuation” but has been growing steadily over the last few years, and our leaders should pay attention.

– mcpd

State lottery officials are hoping to boost annual revenues from $50 million to $60 million and are using focus groups to learn how to lure more people to buy lottery chances. Can – and should – the state lottery commission work to increase sales?

I doubt there is a state out there that has reduced the amount of gambling – in this case lottery sales – once they have started down that path. Gambling is an irresponsible behavior that the state is backing to help make up for shortfalls in revenues. Remember what they say about lotteries; they are “taxes for those that can’t do math.” Because losers will always outnumber the winners.

– xynysidid

The message from the governor and the referendum results were implicitly that “gambling is bad.” Now, state officials are using our tax dollars to conduct focus groups so you will buy more scratch tickets. The dictionary defines “hypocrite” as “the false assumption of an appearance of virtue.” Once again, Down East people suffer terribly while the high-minded people in Augusta espouse virtues but [spend] excessive fees on consultants promoting more gambling benefiting the state’s coffers to the tune of $60 million, but no racino for Washington County. That’s unconscionable.

– fredlaw1

With all the snow days used by Maine schools this winter, many won’t close for summer vacation until June 20. Should the state waive the snow days and end school at the usual date? Should the U.S. go to year-round school?

It’s embarrassing that Maine has one of the shortest school schedules in America. It’s extreme to think of a year-round calendar, but we absolutely need to add a few weeks.

Our kids lose so much during the summer that teachers spend a month in September playing review and catch-up.

– texatabow

Kids need the summer months to learn about real life. And if Maine does have one of the shortest school years we must be doing something right. Maine is ranked fifth in the nation for education.

– Adam Winslow

The make-up days should be waived. To believe that any type of useful learning would be gained is a pipe dream. If we want to compete in a global economy our children need more education and a year-round education policy is essential.

– rustymike