Scarborough is big, big, big in the world of Maine politics, and product testing. We have 22,000 residents. Fourth-biggest municipality in the state? In politics, people from The Borough turn out to vote. High percentages. 65 or 70 percent or more. Politicians salivate. A product tester for a polling company once told me: “If something […]
American Journal Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS: Two programs worth the effort
The phone lines (and email) have been busy this summer with all sorts of people trying to straighten out my credit cards, even though I don’t have any, send me on a vacation, and begging me to help some child somewhere who absolutely will not see another day unless I open my wallet. Here are […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
EDITORIAL: Words do matter in oil-sands fight
For more than a year now, we’ve heard a lot about the future possibility of a heavier, more toxic form of crude oil being pumped through the Portland-to-Montreal pipeline. Some call it “tar sands.” Others call it “oil sands.” Still others refer to it by its more scientific-sounding name, “diluted bitumen” or “synthetic crude.” Either […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Web
Discontented investor quits J.C. Penney board
William Ackman’s exit should quiet the recent drama as the company works to right the ship.
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
POLITICS AND OTHER MISTAKES – Doing the right thing
Ethics laws? According to knowledgeable sources, Maine legislators don’t need no stinkin’ ethics laws. Those sources should know, because they’re all former Maine legislators. “I think the more emphasis you put on [ethics] … the more aspersions you’re going to cast on yourselves,” said then-state Rep. Paul Jacques, a Waterville Democrat, in a 1990 Associated […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
POLITICS AND OTHER MISTAKES – Doing the right thing
Ethics laws? According to knowledgeable sources, Maine legislators don’t need no stinkin’ ethics laws. Those sources should know, because they’re all former Maine legislators. “I think the more emphasis you put on [ethics] … the more aspersions you’re going to cast on yourselves,” said then-state Rep. Paul Jacques, a Waterville Democrat, in a 1990 Associated […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Web
DOWN THE ROAD A PIECE – Down to the last puffs
I was looking through the real estate section of the paper the other day and had the feeling I was on another planet, or in Massachusetts, which is about the same thing. I was struck by the astronomical numbers pasted underneath pictures of very modest looking Maine houses. It’s not that I’m unaware of what’s […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Web
Maine furniture conservers doing a Capitol job
The Brunswick couple will work on-site in the Senate wing, then move some pieces to their studio.
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
‘Elysium’: Sci-fi ripped from the headlines
Neill Blomkamp may be well on his way to becoming the only sci-fi writer-director who matters. And if “Elysium” is more an evolutionary leap than a revolutionary one from his break-out hit “District 9,” it still shows him in great form telling a story from the future ripped from today’s political hot button issues. Blomkamp […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
‘Elysium’: Sci-fi ripped from the headlines
Neill Blomkamp may be well on his way to becoming the only sci-fi writer-director who matters. And if “Elysium” is more an evolutionary leap than a revolutionary one from his break-out hit “District 9,” it still shows him in great form telling a story from the future ripped from today’s political hot button issues. Blomkamp […]