The buzzword of the day is “branding.” Which is odd, because the concept of infusing a product with a distinct identity has been around since prehistoric times (“Fire By Ogg: Twice The Heat For Half The Effort”) and has been actively used for centuries by the advertising industry and (somewhat less painfully) by cowboys and […]
American Journal Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Web
DOWN THE ROAD A PIECE: What the well-dressed Mainer is wearing now
When I’m not sitting at my computer writing, I spend a lot of time traveling around New England, entertaining at banquets and conventions. Over the years I’ve noticed – among many other things – a change in what people choose to wear to such events. Not too long ago, if there was a nice dinner […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS: See you at the Senior Expo
We remember the first Senior Expo we attended with a couple of reluctant, but senior, friends. It took me a week to persuade them to go – but I think they’ve returned several times since that day we spent tasting healthy food, getting our vision checked and listening to Don Doane, a local (and swinging) […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
Maine second-worst in real income growth
The state had the smallest rate of growth among 49 states from 2011 to 2012. Only South Dakota had negative growth.
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
ON THE RIGHT LANE: Santa’s getting tired
“The welfare state is not really about the welfare of the masses. It is about the egos of the elites.” Thomas Sowell It is truly a shame that programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) have fallen under the spell of political bloodsuckers who use them for […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
EDITORIAL: Westbrook community deserves accountability
In the last several weeks, as more information has become available from those directly involved with the student-athlete suspensions last fall in Westbrook, a few things are becoming clear. One is the obvious black mark the botched process has given Westbrook. When school administrators failed to equitably impose disciplinary action required of the student-athlete code […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
Indie Film: ‘Particle Fever’ comes to Space Gallery
You don’t have to be a physicist to enjoy this file, and that’s a testament to the filmmaking.
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
E-cigarette industry in FDA’s crosshairs
With the market rapidly expanding, the agency has decided it is time to establish some rules and regulations.
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Web
GUEST COLUMN: Canada’s oil sands: Separating fact from fiction
There is a lot of information circulating about Canada’s oil sands, not all of which is accurate. As Mainers examine this issue, it is important that this be done objectively, and based on fact and science. There are also numerous environmental, economic, security and safety dimensions to consider, all of which deserve a closer look. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Web
POLITICS & OTHER MISTAKES: Dead can dance
In case you missed it, Ed Muskie last month endorsed independent Eliot Cutler for governor. This is remarkable for a number of reasons. For one thing, Muskie – the former governor, U.S. senator and secretary of state – was one of the founders of the modern Democratic Party in Maine. His loyalty to its nominees […]