The 300-character limit forced me to make choices, but if I had had more room, I would have mentioned the other costs, from the cost of child care to the cost of parking to much, much more.

Hi, Maine Gun Safety Coalition. I'm thrilled that Question 2 passed, but why did you refuse to help me regarding a dangerous gun problem in Freeport? You said it's a matter for town government. The Freeport Town Council and police won't address it, even though Question 2 won by 78-21% here.

I wrote to Mother Jones earlier this year and asked if you'd consider a story about a dangerous gun situation in our Maine town. I wrote because I thought that, like me, you supported gun control. Why did you refuse to answer me?

Hi, Maine Beacon. You've run many stories about the need for more gun control in Maine. Why did you tell me that a story I suggested about Freeport's refusal to implement even bare-bones gun control "isn't something we'd cover"?

It makes me uneasy, too. A so-called regular guy who owns an arsenal and spends his weekends shooting things is not my ideal candidate.

I'm a Maine progressive who cares about democracy, leadership that serves working people, and all the rest. Which is why I'm frustrated that Platner has repeatedly refused to answer my questions about gun control. I hate to say this, but none of the Democrats currently running has won me over yet.

Hi, Maine People's Alliance. I contacted you to ask for help with a gun problem in Freeport. I would have thought a progressive organization would want greater gun control. Why did you tell me you don't have the "capacity" to help?

Thank you. I understand how some people feel, but that doesn't justify a death wish. Diane tells me, quite rightly, that I shouldn't let it bother me. I'm trying.

See, this is why I'm rarely on Bluesky. There are people on this platform whose impulse yesterday was not to celebrate Diane Keaton but to publicly wish Woody Allen were dead. I find that MAGA-like and reprehensible. Nobody agrees?

Thanks. On a more pleasant note, good luck to the Brewers.

"I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed." (One of my favorite films.)

Also, if I may, can you find out why, when I called the Freeport, Maine, police for help during an hour of terrifying gunfire that shook our house, an officer came to my house instead and, in what I interpreted as an act of intimidation, tried to pressure me into stopping my complaints?

Hi, Rep. Pingree. I'm one of your constituents. Can you find out why the Freeport, Maine, police refuse to stop a gun problem in our town, 20 miles from Lewiston? They know it's occurring, and they know who's doing it, but they won't stop it. The chief won't even answer me. I'd appreciate your help.