Anyone who has ever dreamt of being the one on the playground who stepped in to help a bullied child — the one who had the courage to stand up against a clear wrong — needs to show that courage now. Just as Maine Sen. Margaret Chase Smith did in her “Declaration of Conscience” 75 years ago. A Republican herself, she spoke out against Republican Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the dishonesty and cruelty of his “anti-Communist” campaign.

We’ve heard that Republican members of Congress are scared of retaliation from Donald Trump, the most openly corrupt president in American history. Listing his crimes and cruelties — along with the lies, crimes and ignorance of his administration — would fill this entire page. Judges who try to halt him are ignored.

With others on Peaks Island, we have prepared buttons simply reading “Courage” and sent them to our Maine congressional delegation, and to our courageous Gov. Janet Mills, urging them all to wear them and to urge them on others. Our Maine congressional delegation have by now found five Courage buttons in their office mail. One to wear and to celebrate courage with four others. Gov. Mills can wear hers with pride.

Rhonda Berg
Eleanor Morse
Peaks Island