From the March 7 issue of the Biddeford Gazette | Reader levels charge of news bias, editor disagrees
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor
A former Biddeford resident who now lives in Ada, Mich., recently sent an email to the Biddeford Gazette complaining that we have been “unfair and biased” toward the University of New England.
In his March 6 email, Bernard Roy – a 1971 Biddeford High School graduate – expressed disappointment regarding the Gazette’s coverage of issues connected to UNE.
Roy also expressed outrage that the Gazette “ignored” a letter-to-the-editor he sent to us on Feb. 28, somehow missing the fact that his letter was actually published by the Biddeford Gazette three days later, on March 2, 2026. LETTER | City is Treating UNE Unfairly
The Gazette regularly and frequently publishes a high volume of news focused on the city of Biddeford. Thus, it is understandable how Roy could have missed seeing his letter published on our site.
The Gazette strongly encourages and promotes transparency and reader feedback regarding our coverage. Go here to submit your own letter
In the interests of transparency and full disclosure, the Gazette is sharing its unedited emailed response to Mr. Roy today, March 7.
“I would advise you to tread carefully before you accuse me and/or the Biddeford Gazette of any negative “bias” toward the University of New England.
1.) We did, in fact, publish your letter to the editor on Monday, March 2, which coincidentally was my birthday and a very busy news day. Here is the link to your piece in the Gazette: LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE
2.) I did feel compelled to attach an “editor’s note” to your submission. I know that you grew up in Biddeford and graduated from Biddeford High School (Class of 1971) so I was quite surprised that you would complain about how poorly your sister was treated by parking enforcement at Goose Rocks Beach. Most Biddeford folks know that Goose Rocks Beach is located in the town of Kennebunkport, not in the city of Biddeford. I also was left scratching my head, trying to figure how that particular incident has any bearing on the issue at hand . . .
There was a time when I had tremendous respect for former Portland Press Herald Reporter Ted Cohen.
But given some of his recent screeds as a contributing columnist for the Maine Wire, I am now forced to reevaluate my prior opinion of the veteran journalist who earned an enviable reputation as a hard-working, tenacious, boots-on-the-ground reporter.
In fact, I think I should be retroactively tested for rampant drug abuse that distorted both my judgment and world view.
As is common knowledge in Maine’s rather incestuous community of former and current journalists, the Press Herald gave Cohen the boot several years ago, following an internal argument regarding a scoop he uncovered about George W. Bush’s youthful indiscretions near the Bush family’s summer compound in Kennebunkport.
Ted Cohen’s Facebook profile. where he has a whopping 123 followers
Cohen wrote a book about it, and then promptly earned his CDL license — gave up typing and covering tedious town council meetings — all for the better working hours of being a commercial truck driver.
Now — nearly 30 years later — Cohen has seemingly rebounded and is today penning an occasional column for the Maine Wire, a digital publication that matches Cohen’s unapologetic style for making government officials and the beautiful people squeamish.
But Cohen — with every opportunity he gets — routinely floods Facebook and other social media outlets with rampant complaints about his former employer, the Press Herald, Maine’s largest daily newspaper.
Tainted Love | When journalistic envy raises its ugly head
Cohen – despite his vicious critiques — is not just somewhat obsessed with his former employer. It seems that he is also a bit fixated on yours truly.
Cohen and I were colleagues and competitors back in the mid-1990s, when I was then working for the weekly Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier.
Our offices were located about 75-feet apart on Main Street in Biddeford, until the Press Herald opted to shutter their regional Biddeford bureau several years ago.
Ted and I got along nicely. I looked up to him as a more experienced and wiser competitor. He sort-of took me under his wing and offered me lots of sage advice.
But that all came to a screeching halt about two years ago.
Examples of Cohen trolling my social media accounts are almost too numerous to count. (I suck at math as much as I suck at writing).
“You should just shut-the-fuck up on social media and go back to being a full-time journalist covering the city of Biddeford,” Cohen wrote. “Nobody really cares about that crap.”
He also described me last year as “a Facebook blogger,” revealing that he has a rather loose grasp on the subtle differences between posting on Facebook and blogging.
Somehow, Cohen missed the fact that I had launched the Biddeford Gazette — a non-profit, digital media outlet — several weeks prior to his latest rant about me and my lack of journalistic ethics.
But here’s something really strange.
Despite my lack of journalistic ethics and the amateur nature of my latest endeavor – Cohen saw fit to submit a guest column about the city of Biddeford . . . in the Biddeford Gazette — just a few months ago.
Cohen, apparently, is a regular reader and subscriber of the Gazette.
Cohen’s reporting about this so-called war lacked both cohesion and common sense, leaving several glaring omissions of fact and nearly zero context.
Any editors on duty? (A favorite Cohen quip about the Press Herald).
For all of his wailing and gnashing of teeth about journalistic integrity, Ted let his emotions trump his reporting. It’s okay. It happens to the best of us sometimes.
For example, Ted only mentions one side in this alleged “newspaper war.” Kinda the equivalent of saying, “Someone bombed Iran, but fuck the details.”
Apparently, Ted is too insecure to mention my name or the name of my publication.
A newspaper war in Biddeford? Oh my!
Cohen describes the Biddeford Buzz, a relatively new media upstart as “wildly popular” in the Maine Wire’s headline. In reading the unapologetic hit piece, it becomes clear that Cohen justifies “wildly popular” by the number of people who “follow” the Buzz on Facebook.
Disclosure: The Biddeford Buzz – only seven months old – has more than double the number of followers of the Biddeford Gazette (2.1k).
I cannot accurately reveal the number of people who follow the Biddeford Buzz. They have me blocked from seeing their Facebook page.
Using Cohen’s logic, does that mean that I am more than 16 times as friendly as Ted Cohen because I have nearly 2,200 Facebook friends compared to the 123 people who follow Cohen on Facebook, where he describes himself as a “digital creator?”
In his hit piece, Cohen makes no bones about the fact that he was unable to determine (or reveal) who exactly is behind the Biddeford Buzz — even though it is rather common knowledge in Biddeford.
If you visit the Biddeford Buzz website, you will note that they are trying really hard to be a lot like the Biddeford Gazette, though the bulk of their “content’ is reserved for their Facebook feed.
There are, however, a few key — perhaps nuanced — differences between the two digital publications.
The Gazette uses bylines and attribution in all of our stories;
The Gazette tries to steer clear of ‘cutting and pasting” press releases, and then passing them off as “news;”
I opined that the Biddeford Buzz serves a valuable role in my hometown, providing Biddeford people a viable alternative to the status quo of local journalism.
Apparently, I have enough reporter curiosity to ferret out who is actually behind the Buzz, another individual who really does not like me and trolls my social media accounts.
If Cohen bothered to actually visit Biddeford again, he could find Wolfe sitting in the front row at almost every city council meeting.
This could be fun
Both Cohen and Wolfe may be interested to know that I will soon — once again — be teaching my Introduction to Journalism class via the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Adult Education program. They be interested in a refresher course?
I still like Ted. I just don’t trust him.
Hey, Maine Wire – any editors on duty?
________________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is a nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford, Maine. He is a veteran journalist and a jazz aficionado. He is also the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette, a non-profit digital media outlet that focuses on the city of Biddeford. Send your praise, angry comments or inquiries about journalistic ethics to randy@randyseaver.com
I got spanked hard today by a spokesperson in U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ Washinton, D.C. office.
Let’s just say that Phoebe Keller is no longer a big fan of Randy Seaver or his rag-a-muffin digital publication, the Biddeford Gazette.
Within less than five minutes after posting my exclusive story regarding Collins and the $3.5 million in federal funding that she helped secure for the University of New England, Keller picked up the phone and gave me a piece of her mind.
Specifically, Keller was clearly bullshit that I included the following sentence in my story:
Phoebe Keller, a spokesperson for Senator Collins, told the Gazette today that the senator’s office would be unable to provide any “on-the-record” comments regarding this story.
Keller thought my specific use of her words “on the record” were inflammatory and intended to paint a negative connotation of Maine’s senior senator.
Two things, in my defense:
Firstly, Keller’s off-the-cuff, poorly-thought-out comment only underscores the main point of the story: Collins’ office has been much less than cooperative in providing public information about the above-referenced federal grant.
Secondly, (and here’s a valuable tip for all PR folks) when talking to a reporter – especially via email – you should be very, very careful about the words you use.
This is the exact language from the email I received from Keller today at 12:02 p.m. | “We won’t be able to get you an on-record comment but on background would just note that Sen. King also submitted the CDS request and UNE is supportive, would encourage you to contact their president if you haven’t yet. Please let me know if we can be helpful on this moving forward.”
When talking to a reporter – especially via email – you should be very, very careful about the words you use.
I get why Keller is bullshit angry with me.
It’s quite likely that she is going to get her ass chapped later today by a senior staff member in Collin’s office, if not Collins herself.
It’s really not a good look for a U.S. Senator – even the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee — to repeatedly decline comment about a publicly funded grant.
Ms. Keller’s rage continued.
“I have been doing this for a decade,” she reminded me, saying she has never been treated so poorly by a reporter, especially a small-fry hack like yours truly.
Since Ms. Keller felt it necessary to compare dick sizes, I responded:
“Well, I have been doing this for three decades,” noting that her frothy rebuke was one of the more notable exchanges in my 30-year career as a reporter.
Keller left me with this rather dire warning: “It will be difficult for me to provide you with any background information in the future.”
What a blow! How will the Gazette move forward?
Do I look scared?
The late Neil Sedaka once sang that “breaking up is hard to do.”
Well now I know that it’s true.
Don’t expect to read any more juicy details from Collins in the Biddeford Gazette, a publication that is hyper-focused on the city of Biddeford.
I invited Ms. Keller to share her concerns in a letter to the editor. I won’t hold my breath waiting for that email.
UPDATE: Within 15 minutes of posting this story, I was again contacted by Phoebe Keller, politely asking if she could provide an update to the news story I published earlier today.
“Sen. Collins and Sen. King secured $3.5 million for the University of New England to construct a coastal research deployment facility to be located somewhere in Biddeford,’ Keller wrote. ”The senators do not determine the specific location of the project, which is set by the grantee in coordination with all relevant local and state authorities.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is a nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford, Maine. He is a veteran journalist and a jazz aficionado. He is also the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette, a non-profit digital media outlet that focuses on the city of Biddeford. Send your praise, angry comments or veiled threats to randy@randyseaver.com
Exhibit 101: Why I regularly blog about my own mental illness and stigma
You may remember him from his classic role as Lewis Skolnik in the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds. But what you probably didn’t know was that actor Robert Carradine battled with bipolar disease for nearly two decades.
Photo: Wiki Fandom
This week, Carradine, 71, died from suicide. It’s important to talk about this stuff. It’s important to break-down barriers.
It’s important to end stigma.
If you’re struggling, reach out. Get help. There are resources. You can learn more by visiting my blog and checking out some local resources.
You will be missed, Mr. Carradine. Rest In Peace.
________________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is a nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford, Maine. He is a veteran journalist who has been annoying politicians, pundits and his peers since 1981, when he served as an unpaid student intern at the former Journal Tribune. He is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette, a non-profit digital media outlet that focuses on the city of Biddeford. Send your praise or angry comments to randy@randyseaver.com
Although I am no longer working as a political/PR consultant (Thank Christ), I still find the subject matter intriguing, especially when it’s literally taking place in my own back yard.
Today, I am pretty much consumed with running the Biddeford Gazette, a non-profit media outlet hyper-focused on covering the city of Biddeford.
As part of our ongoing news coverage, the Gazette is beginning its coverage of this year’s various legislative and county races in the Biddeford area.
I am currently working on a preview piece about the race in State Senate District 32, which includes Biddeford and its surrounding communities of Arundel, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman.
The seat is currently held by Henry Ingwersen, a nice enough guy and a retired beekeeper from Arundel.
Ingwersen is today facing challenges from at least two lesser-known candidates, Jason Litalien, an unenrolled Biddeford attorney and political newcomer John Salamone, a Republican who recently moved to Hollis from Portland.
I personally know both Ingwersen and Litalien, and I will be writing much more as we continue the march toward the Nov. 2026 election, but today I’m focusing on the reportedly brash GOP candidate trying to make a splash in the sleepy hamlet of Hollis,
IngwersenLitalienSalamone
According to his social media accounts, Salamone is a “digital creator,” just like thousands of 16-year-olds on Tik-Tok.
His campaign website is fairly standard: it’s clean, easy to navigate and provides detailed information about the candidate’s policy concerns. But there is one rather glaring, missing piece of information: There is no contact information. Zip. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
Do digital creators just communicate via telepathy?
If you’re a candidate for public office, don’t you want the media — and voters — to be able to contact you?
Look, let’s get real. I’m an old-school hack born on the cusp between Boomer and Gen. X.
My own websites — this blog and the Biddeford Gazette’s landing page — are both rather perfunctory and pedestrian– not a lot of pizazz. Web site design is not my forte, but I do know enough to have a visible “Contact” link.
Call me old school, but most people still enjoy using email, telephones and text messaging.
Finally, on a somewhat unrelated note, who is advising this guy? His campaign photo shows him scowling and not looking at the camera (translated: not looking at potential supporters) He comes across as an angry millennial about to kill the neighbor’s dog.
Like I said at the top, my days as a campaign consultant (an 82.3% win ratio) are behind me. So, what do I know?
Good luck to Mr. Salamone, but maybe you should try cracking a smile and don’t make it so difficult for us pesky journalists to contact you.
_______________________
Randy Seaver is a nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford, Maine. He is a veteran journalist who has been annoying politicians, pundits and his peers since 1981, when he served as an unpaid student intern at the former Journal Tribune. He is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette, a non-profit digital media outlet that focuses on the city of Biddeford. Send your praise or angry comments to randy@randyseaver.com
For a lot of people, it means stress, extra work and financial strains. For others, it means awkward obligations to attend family events.
On the other end of the spectrum, many people are facing the prospect of being alone with no place to go on a day that is supposed to be merry and bright.
Well, let go of that stress and let’s make Christmas fun again!
You are now invited to the ninth annual Seaver Christmas Chaos Event on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. This is a free, community event with zero obligations, no expectations and no formalities!
There are no strings attached, no gifts, no expectations. Just fun, laughter and camaraderie. Stop by for an hour or two or stay the entire day.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. we will open a fully-stocked bar and my famous Bloody Mary Cocktails that include giant shrimp and bacon. Plenty of soft drinks and other beverages will also be available.
Appetizers, including Laura’s world-famous stuffed mushroom caps, deviled eggs, spicy meatballs, shrimp, finger sandwiches, baked spinach balls, pickles, crackers and chips. will be available throughout the day.
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE: We will not do a sit-down dinner this year. We want flexibility for our guests and give Laura more time to enjoy the festivities.
Thus, there is NO need to RSVP. Come when you like, leave when you want.
You are welcome to bring a guest (or two, or three . . . whatever. This is a dog-friendly home. Each year, we have more participants, the more, the merrier.
This is a great way to decompress and have some fun. You don’t need to bring anything. If you choose, however, we will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Biddeford Food Pantry.
Come meet new friends and see old friends! This event gets more popular each year. We look forward to seeing you!
WHEN: December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day) 10:30 a.m. to midnight.
Many moons ago, Mick Jagger and the boys made a whole lot of money singing about a lack of satisfaction.
But on this particular weekend, I am feeling nothing but satisfaction, patting myself on the back for a job well done and celebrating the one-year anniversary of when former Biddeford City Manager James Bennett finally ran out of excuses and found himself no longer able to play the proverbial victim card.
Former Biddeford City Manager James Bennett performing as a Shriner’s clown
Yup, it was one year ago, when Bennett found his back against the wall. The growing public pressure had grown to a critical mass. Even Mayor Marty Grohman and former mayor Alan Casavant could no longer defend the egomaniacal tyrant who ran City Hall as his own personal kingdom.
Looking back over the course of my career in journalism and public relations, there are a few professional achievements that stand out. Moments when I can say, “yeah, I did that.’ Moments that still bring me a sense of pride and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Getting Jim Bennett out of City Hall was one of those moments.
I had absolutely nothing to gain by dedicating myself to Bennett’s ouster. I was not being paid. In fact, I had to give up being a reporter for a few months to avoid a glaring conflict of interest.
I created The Bennett Files and was relentless, hammering away almost daily at the city manager cloistered in his fortress of solitude at City Hall. I interviewed people across the state. I pored over media reports that followed Bennett’s 40-year-career in eight different communities. I filed FOIAs. I pressured city councilors.
I was dogged and relentless. I was a man on a mission.
What drove me was the stories people shared with me. I heard from municipal officials from all over Maine. I heard from investors who were considering business deals with the city of Biddeford. I heard from former employees and current employees. Current and former city councilors. The stories were always the same.
I remember meeting with one employee in my backyard. They were shaking and on the verge of tears while telling me an all-too familiar story. We were meeting in my back yard because this person feared that Bennett would fire them if he found out they were talking to a reporter.
Marty Grohman was not happy with me. He pulled me aside at a Chamber of Commerce event in July 2024. He was frustrated. “Why are you doing this to me?” he asked, trying to defend the city manager who seems to leave every job he’s held under a cloud of doubt.
It’s no secret that former mayor Casavant and I are good friends. I ran Alan’s campaign in 2011 and 2013. We’re still friends, but that friendship was strained because Alan was one of Bennett’s biggest supporters. In fact, Alan made it a priority to consistently push for Bennett’s contract to be extended in three-year increments.
I risked friendships and a job in my pursuit of getting Bennett out of Biddeford.
I risked friendships and a job in my pursuit of getting Bennett out of Biddeford.
And now — one year later — I can tell you with confidence that it was worth it.
Truc Dever, Biddeford’s new city manager, is a breath of fresh air. She is the exact opposite of Bennett. She is curious and she listens. She is friendly and transparent. She does not run rough-shod over the council. She is accountable and ready to lead. She is a coach, not a bully.
I swear to God, you can almost literally feel the difference when you walk into City Hall today.
Sadly, Dever, Grohman and many others are still cleaning up the mess that Bennett left behind more than eight months ago. The city finally showed some courage and showed Bennett the door on February 20, two months ahead of his “phased” resignation.
Bennett did NOT retire. He resigned in the middle of his contract, leaving a $15,000 retention payment on the table.
He had no choice. He was finally exposed, leaving the city’s finances in disrepair with a blistering report from financial auditors.
Bennett has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that the city violated his contract. The city answered by pointing out several questionable things that Bennett did during his stint in Biddeford.
Make no mistake. Jim Bennett has big balls. Unfortunately, taxpayers — you and me — are still paying for his mistakes, mismanagement and out-of-control ego.
But let’s focus on the good news, Jim Bennett is finally gone.
You’re welcome.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Once again, it would seem that many of Maine’s most ardent Democrats cannot see the forest for the trees.
And that’s saying something, especially since Maine is the most forested state in the country.
Matt Dunlap, Maine’s former secretary of state, decided to end his four-day titillating tease, ceasing the media foreplay — will he or won’t he — make a primary challenge against incumbent Rep. Jared Golden, a much more moderate Democrat?
U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (photo: Wiki Commons)
Maine’s Second Congressional District offers a virtual smorgasbord of political ideologies. Despite the common misconceptions of southern Maine folks, CD2 is not just a swath of God-fearing, gun-toting and Bible-thumping rednecks, it is also home to progressive enclaves such as Belfast, Lewiston and Bar Harbor.
Over the last four years, Golden has figured out how to saddle the district that is almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.
Victories for Golden have been hard fought and razor-thin, but never since winning his first election to the U.S. House in 2018 has Golden been challenged by his own party – – – until now.
Less than a year ago, Golden eked out his re-election campaign with only 50.3 percent of the vote over Republican newcomer Austin Theriault, who lost by a little more than 3,000 votes with 49.7 percent of the vote,
Folks, federal elections don’t come much closer than this.
But that was 2024, when Trump supporters were campaigning with a fevered pitch. Still, Golden held strong and put on a clean flannel shirt for the cameras on Election Day.
Golden won his first term as a U.S. Representative in 2018, facing incumbent Bruce Poliquin. That race was telling. Golden won, but it was no landslide: 50.9 percent to 49.4 percent.
For a while, it seemed that Maine Democrats had learned their lesson, suffering back-to-back losses in CD2 when progressive candidate Emily Cain was propped up by her party to take down the evil Poliquin. The short, balding guy with a creepy grin beat her twice, in 2014 (45.2 percent) in a three-way contest; and again in 2016 (54.8 – 45.2 percent)
I believe it was the 2016 election when Democrats were finally willing to admit that a more moderate approach would be needed if they wanted to capture Maine’s Second Congressional District.
In fact, Golden – though acting like a political maverick right out of the gate – did not face a primary challenge in 2020, 2022 and in the 2024 race.
But many Democrats said they were simply holding their noses when casting a ballot for Golden. The balance of power in Washington was shifting. Republicans had gained a lot of ground.
“For a while, it seemed that Maine Democrats had learned their lesson”
Every seat mattered.
According to several of my sources within the Maine Democratic Party, the Dems realized that they had to forsake the perfect to get the good.
But enough is enough, I suppose.
Enter Matt Dunlap and the Golden ticket he apparently found in a Wonka chocolate bar.
Will there be a test?
From all accounts, Dunlap is a decent guy. He is affable, a bit quirky and probably never sat at the cool kids’ table in the high school cafeteria.
Sure, he is currently Maine’s auditor and previously served as Maine’s Secretary of State (both appointed positions by the Legislature) but it seems as if there is not a lot of meat on his 61-year-old bones.
State Auditor Matthew Dunlap
Let’s face facts. Dunlap is hardly a heavy hitter. But his party has called him up from the JV team and coordinated a press conference.
Here’s a fun fact: Dunlap was elected Maine State Auditor by the Maine Legislature and took office on January 4, 2021, but had to give up the position after failing the exams needed to meet the requirements of his new position.
He did later meet the requirements and was selected for the position again on November 14, 2022.
I’m a boy, and I’m a man
Golden, it seems, has gone a bit too far in being a moderate. He consistently refuses to toe the party line all the time. He must be held accountable.
With Trump in the White House, the last thing Democrats want is a representative who is willing to reach across the aisle. You know? A consensus builder . . . a, what do you call it? . . . oh yeah, an “Independent.”
But here’s the deal. Maine is really a purple state.
Former Maine Governor Paul LePage
Chellie (I’ll stay in D.C. until I die) Pingree is a progressive Democrat, and she’s not going anywhere, despite the incredibly stupid move by now Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman who ran as an Independent and tried to beat her.
Yeah, that didn’t work out so well.
Susan Collins, a Republican, is chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. She is going nowhere. Maine’s other senator won’t even call himself a Democrat even though he votes with the Democrats more than 98 percent of the time.
On the heels of Trump’s 2024 victory, Maine Republicans are betting on former Governor Paul LePage to finally knock Golden from his perch.
Trump did well in Maine’s CD2 last year. As expected, Harris won Maine’s 1st Congressional District while Trump won Maine’s 2nd Congressional district.
For Democrats, the question once again becomes are you going to sacrifice the good for the perfect?
If so, I think you’re making a big mistake. But what do I know?
_________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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A homeless encampment in Biddeford that was cleared by the city in 2024 (Seaver)
In a lot of ways, I am probably a lot like you.
I am a middle-aged, married white guy with a mortgage and a modest home in a quiet residential neighborhood with well-manicured lawns and friendly neighbors.
I love living in Maine. I have two grown children. I adore my dog, and I am blessed to have many good friends. I fret about rising property taxes, and it feels as if I am eternally engaged in thermostat battles with my wife.
I work hard, follow the law and pay my taxes. I drive a late-model Chevy Silverado pick-up truck and enjoy camping at both Rangeley and Moosehead lakes.
But there is another part of me that you would likely never guess unless I told you.
From the outside, my life may look almost idyllic or at least average, run-of-the-mill, but I have to work to maintain this stability and my outward appearance.
For more than 40 years, I have struggled with a wide range of mental health issues, from bi-polar depression and severe anxiety to raucous bouts of schizoid-affective disorder.
I recognize and accept my responsibility to manage my mental health, but it’s not always easy. Some of the medications I take affect everything from my libido to my weight. I am one of the lucky ones, I have a good psychiatrist. I also participate in regular counseling with a therapist. My insurance covers the bulk of my prescription costs.
Although hidden from the public view, there is a toll, and I sometimes feel as if my illness is a burden on my family, especially my wife, who is my greatest support and the person who ensures that I am taking my meds as prescribed.
As a young adult in my early 20s, I struggled with stability on every level. My employment was erratic. The few relationships I had were chaotic. At three different times, I found myself homeless, living on the proverbial outer edge of society.
I was reluctant to take medications. I did not want to be controlled or – as I saw it – poisoned by society. I did a lot of couch surfing. I even landed in jail for assaulting a police officer.
I was in and out of various psychiatric facilities both on a voluntary and involuntary basis. I got in trouble with the Secret Service for talking about what I would like to do to President Reagan in 1984.
Flash forward more than 40 years.
Just like you, I was shocked, saddened and angry about the brutal, senseless killing of a young woman on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina last week.
She did not deserve that fate. Her family did nothing to warrant such tremendous loss and heart-breaking grief.
How do we comfort them? How do we reconcile the fact that millions of Americans are living on the edge of society, saddled with a significant illness and a stunning lack of resources?
How do we handle our anger? Our resentment?
Sadly, I do not have any answers. I know that my friends on the political right talk a good game about mental illness in the wake of every mass shooting, but then suddenly get quiet when it comes to legislation that requires increased funding for mental health services.
Just like you, I was shocked, saddened and angry about the brutal, senseless killing of a young woman on a commuter train in Charlotte, N.C. last week.
Meanwhile, my friends on the political left talk a lot about community-based care, often forgetting that there are some people who need to be involuntarily hospitalized.
While I do not have any answers, I do know this: we cannot afford to sacrifice our humanity and our shared sense of decency and compassion.
Our national dialogue has become so vitriolic that a major television network commentator can publicly suggest involuntary euthanasia for homeless people who refuse mental health treatment.
Think about that for just a minute or two.
Set aside the 14th Amendment if you need to.
There is a large group of people in this country who heard Mr. Kilmeade’s statements and simply shrugged.
I was a homeless person who often refused treatment. Did I deserve to be put to death for refusing to take medications?
Have we fallen so far that we are now willing to even entertain the notion of rounding up and killing some of our most vulnerable citizens?
If so, just remember that so-called solution will require rounding up people who look and act a lot like you and me.
_________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He regularly blogs on issues regarding mental health and his own journey toward recovery. E-mail randy@randyseaver.com
I got a lot of angry feedback about my last blog post, which suggested that Democrats and others who despise President Trump need to do a lot more than attend rallies and protests if they really want things to change.
I learned some lessons from that post, namely that I buried the lead of what I was really trying to say.
That post was also way too long, and I learned that you can’t kick readers in the nuts and then ask them to consider the larger picture.
I apologize. So, allow me to try a different tact this week.
Our problems are much greater and complicated than Donald Trump
Although I have never worked professionally on a federal campaign, I do have a pretty good track record when it comes to statewide and municipal campaigns.
So instead of criticizing others, allow me to offer my own unsolicited advice to those who are really concerned about the Trump Administration.
Before we proceed, allow me to ask you a question that I ask of each new client: which is more important to you: your pride or your greed?
Think of that question this way: your “pride” is about how you do things and your ego. Your “greed” is about your objective and what you want.
There is not a right nor wrong answer to that question, but if your pride is more important than your greed you should probably save your time and stop reading here.
I cannot help you if your pride is greater than your greed.
Stop doing this!
If I were king of the DNC
Here is my unsolicited and free advice in five easy steps.
Take a deep breath. Acknowledge the painful loss and allow that disappointment to be the fuel that drives you. Ask yourself and your friends some hard and difficult questions about went wrong.
Protests are fine, but don’t miss the bigger picture. The midterm elections will be here before we know it. Now is the time to develop crisp and clear messaging that focuses on positive messages. Simply bashing Trump on social media or during rallies is not enough. We all learned that lesson the hard way seven months ago.
Do some reconnaissance work. Start watching FOX News. Attend events that you would normally abhor. What are the other guys saying and doing? Go beyond your comfort level and actually listen to what the other guys are saying, no matter how badly you disagree.
We need more voters. The last presidential election was razor-thin. Trump won the popular vote by a margin of only 1.48 percent. We need to peel off the moderate Republicans. Stop catering to the far-left progressives. When it matters, they will line up. Find a candidate (candidates) like Bill Clinton. Someone told me recently that Clinton was his favorite Republican president.
Finally – and most importantly – take the high road. Let your greed trump your pride. Stop ridiculing and name-calling conservatives. Stop making fun of them. Stay on the high road as if your life depends on it, because it does. Do your very best to respectfully engage. Don’t talk to them. Listen. Ask them questions. Find out what’s important to them. Listen. Take notes.
As Ghandi said, you do not help a man see your point of view by giving him a black eye.
I could learn a thing or two from Ghandi. How about you?
For a deeper analysis of what I think went wrong in November, check this piece.
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Randy Seaver is a cranky, nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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