CLICKBACK ON BEAR, STIMULUS

This week’s ClickBack, the BDN’s editorial page interactive feature, solicits your thoughts on the bear shooting in Bangor on Saturday, Sen. Barack Obama’s trip to Iraq, Afghanistan and Europe, and the possibility of another government stimulus check. To participate, go to bangordailynews.com and click on the ClickBack logo.

Should the bear in Bangor have been shot and killed?

No lions and no tigers, but a bear was found wandering around a residential neighborhood in Bangor on Saturday, and – oh, my! – the response was swift and final. Did the Warden Service handle the matter correctly? Should game wardens have ready access to tranquilizer darts? Do Maine’s black bears pose a threat to people’s safety? Should police carry boxes of doughnuts to appease bears in such instances?

Sen. Obama’s trip to the Middle East – substantive or PR stunt?

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama tours Afghanistan, Iraq and Europe this week as part of a mission to assess U.S. interests abroad. Or is it to boost his stature as a potential commander-in-chief? Is it appropriate for a candidate to meet with foreign leaders? Is Sen. Obama making promises? Or is he laying the groundwork for better foreign relations?

A second federal stimulus check is being contemplated – would it heal the economy?

Maine’s congressional delegation is supportive of another stimulus check. But is this borrowing from our children and grandchildren? Or is it a justifiable expenditure? Would devoting federal money to state infrastructure improvements be a better investment? Did the first stimulus check work? What did you spend it on?

Go to bangordailynews.com to post your thoughts. Some reader responses may be featured on Friday’s OpEd page.