Page 2 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Thursday, March 17, 2011
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Student’s rant against Asians fuels firestorm
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LOS ANGELES — When Alexandra Wallace recorded her rant about Asian students using cellphones in the library at the University of California, Los Angeles, she was alone, speaking to her computer. But since she posted the threeminute video to YouTube, Ms. Wallace, a third-year political science student at UCLA, has achieved a sudden, unwelcome celebrity: her video has been viewed by millions of people, and she has become the subject of nationwide condemnation and the catalyst of a debate about racial intolerance and free speech. “Please expel this ignorant woman immediately,” Kiki Gyrle wrote on Facebook, where there are many posts about Ms. Wallace, some too profane to print. “Tolerating such discourse of hate and racism is now being construed as policy to condone such tirades.” In the video, Ms. Wallace complains about Asian students in the school library using their cellphones to call family members after the tsunami in Japan. At one point, she mimics people speaking an Asian language. Robert Hernandez, a professor of Internet journalism at the University of Southern California, said Ms. Wallace’s story served as a reminder of the need to be aware of your “digital footprint” in the Internet age. “People feel a false sense of privacy on the Internet that isn’t there,” he said. Ms. Wallace has removed her video from YouTube, and issued an apology to the UCLA student newspaper. She could not be reached for comment. Still, others have reposted the video online, along with parodies, remixes and responses, and diatribes against Ms. Wallace have continued. She has also received threats by phone and e-mail. On Monday, UCLA’s chancellor, Gene Block, released a statement that deemed the video “thoughtless and hurtful” and called for a more civil discourse. Officials said the university was looking into possible disciplinary action against Ms. Wallace.
Today High: 51 Record: 62 (1990) Sunrise: 6:50 a.m.
Tomorrow High: 53 Low: 29 Sunrise: 6:48 a.m. Sunset: 6:51 p.m.
Tonight Low: 40 Record: -3 (1967) Sunset: 6:49 p.m.
Saturday High: 39 Low: 26
DOW JONES 242.12 to 11,613.30 NASDAQ 50.51 to 2,616.82 S&P 24.99 to 1,256.88
LOTTERY#’S
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DAILY NUMBERS Day 3-7-2 • 4-1-1-4 Evening 7-8-6 • 0-4-0-0
MORNING High: 9:28 a.m. Low: 3:12 a.m. EVENING High: 10:03 p.m. Low: 3:48 p.m.
1,503 U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan.
-courtesy of www.maineboats.com
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More people like LePage than voted for him, poll finds BY CASEY CONLEY THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
About 38 percent of Maine voters supported Gov. Paul LePage in last November’s gubernatorial election, but a new poll released this week suggests the Republican has an approval rating higher than that vote count. But most of the state still does not approve of the governor. In a survey conducted between March 3 and March 6 by Raleigh, N.C.based Public Policy Polling released this week, 43 percent of Mainers said LePage they approved of LePage’s performance as governor, while 48 percent did not approve. Another 9 percent had no opinion. The poll surveyed 1,247 Maine voters, and
has a margin of error of 2.8 percent. LePage narrowly defeated four other candidates last fall, receiving 38 percent of the vote. Independent candidate Eliot Cutler was closest, with 37 percent of the vote. Less than 20 percent of voters supported Democrat Libby Mitchell. Perhaps not surprisingly, the conservative LePage rates worst among those who consider themselves “very liberal” or “somewhat liberal,” with 88 percent and 79 percent, respectively, saying they disapprove of his performance. Of those who call themselves somewhat or very conservative, 74 and 86 percent of respondents approve of the governor’s performance, the poll finds. LePage rates poorly with moderates, likely a key constituency in any re-election campaign, according to the survey. Some 57 percent of self-described moderates disapprove of LePage’s job performance job thus far, while 32 percent approve. A spokesman for LePage did not immediately
return a call seeking comment on the poll. Maine’s two U.S. senators and U.S. congressmen all rate higher than the governor. Democratic U.S. Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree had 54 percent and 45 percent favorability ratings, according to the poll. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, has a 56 percent approval rating. She has the highest support from those who self-identify as “somewhat liberal” and “moderate,” with 66 percent and 71 percent approval, respectively. Some 27 percent of “very conservative” survey takers approve of Collin’s job performance. PPP says Collins’ approval is still not as popular as fellow Republican senator Olympia Snowe, whose approval numbers were not released as part of this poll. The poll also finds that a plurality of respondents support gay marriage, though still not a majority. Some 47 percent of respondents support legalizing gay marriage, while 45 percent oppose such a measure and eight percent weren’t sure how they felt about it.
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Officials in Cape Elizabeth, looking to generate revenues to offset maintenance costs at Fort Williams, are moving closer to a vote that would allow food vendors at the townowned park, the Portland Press Herald is reporting. The town council could finalize the plan as soon as next week. As proposed, five permits allowing sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages would be awarded to vendors in three locations in the park, the paper is reporting. Permits are expected to cost at least $2,000 each.
under a townhouse that also houses French pre-school. The space lacks a full kitchen, and diners in need of a restroom must enter a back room that also houses a dish washing station. The new space, formerly home to the furniture store Utopia Designs, will have seating for more than 50 people, and a full kitchen that will allow for an expanded menu, the paper says. Renovations at the new space, formerly home to the furniture store Utopia Designs, are expected to cost $200,000, the paper says. It’s not immediately clear whether the restaurant, one of Portland’s only BYOB establishments, will continue that practice at the new location.
Miyake Japanese restaurant moving to the Old Port
Roast beef eatery in Monument Square closing
Miyake, the popular Japanese restaurant that’s known for its exotic sushi rolls and for allowing patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages, is moving from its current West End location to the Old Port, MaineBiz is reporting. The restaurant, which is moving to 468 Fore St. in May, will also apply for a license to serve alcohol and beer, potentially ending its permissive BYOB rules. Four the past four years, Miyake has operated out of a 31-seat space at 129 Spring St.,
Henry VIII’s, a restaurant that specializes in roast beef sandwiches, has announced plans to shut down April 1, according to the Portland Press Herald. The restaurant’s owner tells the paper that increasing food prices and not enough customers made it impossible to cover expenses. Alice Olcott, who bought the business in 2006, tells the paper she is also planning to close another Henry VIII’s location she owns in Kennebunkport. A Henvy VIII Carvery
Food vendors considered for permits in Fort Williams
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located in the Cabela’s plaza in Scarborough, which has different owners, has no plans to shut down, the paper said. Olcott tells the paper she has been contacted by potential buyers, but does not expect the store will remain open. Five employees will be affected when the Portland store closes.
CMP accused of bullying smart-meter opponents Maine’s consumer advocate is asking the state Public Utilities Commission to intervene on behalf of customers who report being bullied by electric utility Central Maine Power into accepting so-called smart meters, according to the Associated Press. The wire service says Eric Bryant, senior counsel in the Public Advocate’s Office, wants the utility to stop pushing customers to use the meters. CMP argues that it’s not forcing any property owners to use smart meters, which are currently being installed for 620,000 customers in across Maine. Foes of smart meters say the devices, which give off wireless signals, pose a health risk, AP reports. CMP denies that. AP reports that PUC officials are urging a compromise that would allow some CMP customers to keep their traditional electric meters.
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