Lawmakers tout new ‘revenge porn’ bill amid police probe into explicit posts

Good morning from Augusta on this third consecutive day of national politicians coming through Maine. It started with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul on Tuesday and continued with Maryland Democratic Rep. John Sarbanes on Wednesday.

Carly Fiorina, who visits Portland today, probably doesn’t want to be counted as a politician, though the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard is running for the Republican nomination for president. Part of Fiorina’s appeal, after all, is that she comes from outside the political bubble. 

That is part of the reason for state Sen. Amy Volk’s endorsement of Fiorina on Wednesday, as reported by the Sun Journal’s Scott Thistle. Though Fiorina has scant support in the polls and wasn’t included in a prime-time Fox presidential debate, she has been garnering attention for her outside-the-bubble message. 

“I think America is ready for that and I think that’s where a lot of the interest in [Donald] Trump is coming from,” said Volk. 

Fiorina is making several private campaign stops in Maine today, including a luncheon hosted by the Maine Heritage Policy Center.

Importance of ‘revenge porn’ bill highlighted by sicko sought by police

The police search for whoever is responsible for a Facebook page that depicted explicit photos of underage girls from Maine high schools has underscored the importance of a bill enacted this year that makes such postings punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

According to police, whoever is responsible has urged the submission of nude photos of former girlfriends or boyfriends. The photos have depicted girls from at least 14 municipalities in Maine.

Revenge porn has a somewhat loose definition but it essentially refers to people posting photos or videos of their former lovers.

“This is exactly the type of act that this law will make criminal in Maine,” said Rep. Ken Fredette, R-Newport, who sponsored the bill. “We live in the era of social media and unfortunately that means we live in a world where this type of behavior is taking place.”

Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, who cosponsored the Legislation, called the perpetrators “dredges of society.”

“This is a cowardly act by someone hiding behind a shroud of anonymity who would never have the courage to do it if their name and face were made public as they have so publicly made the photos of these young Maine girls,” said Russell.

The new law takes effect on Oct. 15.

GOP leader to be featured in national documentary ‘Next Step Run’

Assistant House Minority Leader Ellie Espling, R-New Gloucester, will be featured in a documentary film titled “Next Step Run,” which highlights four women from across the U.S. running for their state legislatures. Along with Espling, the film features women from Arkansas, Michigan and Oklahoma.

Espling said she participated in the documentary in part to encourage more women into politics.

“Living in a state like Maine, with a citizens Legislature, it’s important that we get a diverse mix of people to serve and that means finding more women to run so our voices can be heard,” said Espling in a news release. “This documentary highlights a group of four strong women as we enter what has historically been a male-dominated process.”

Next Step Run will air on MPBN at 10 p.m. on Oct. 8 and at 11 a.m. on Oct. 10. Watch the trailer by clicking here.

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‘Well the traaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiinnn come in the staatioooooonn…’

Today in rock history: A 1965 Rolling Stones concert in Dublin, Ireland, ends in a riot and in 1977, heralded recording studio engineer Keith Harwood was killed in a car crash shortly after leaving a recording session with the Stones.

It’s not a good anniversary day for Mick and the boys, so let’s listen to some of their live blues from 1972, extra stinky, and hope midnight comes without any tragedies.

Keith, are you OK? — Christopher Cousins

Christopher Cousins

About Christopher Cousins

Christopher Cousins has worked as a journalist in Maine for more than 15 years and covered state government for numerous media organizations before joining the Bangor Daily News in 2009.