The flow of emails over the transom here at Storyteller Central has slowed a bit now that our summer visitors (sometimes known affectionately as summer complaints) have packed up and gone home. But people from away are still sending emails, mostly in hopes of getting an answer to one question or another. For example, Peter […]
American Journal Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
Condition of dams warrants actions sooner, not later
When the Mill Street dam in Sanford was last the subject of a state inspection, in 2003, an engineer noted the structure was beginning to show wear. “Of concern was the movement, settlement and material deterioration of the L(eft) toe … concrete dike wall,” said the report, obtained by the Maine Center for Public Interest […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
THE FACTS – Assessing the re-election chances of LePage, Obama
Will being incumbents help President Barack Obama when he runs next year and Maine Gov. Paul LePage, should he seek re-election in 2014? History suggests that Obama may get less from incumbency than LePage. The governor could benefit also from a three-way race, an unlikely event on the national level. Political wisdom is that incumbency […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Web
THE FACTS – Assessing the re-election chances of LePage, Obama
Will being incumbents help President Barack Obama when he runs next year and Maine Gov. Paul LePage, should he seek re-election in 2014? History suggests that Obama may get less from incumbency than LePage. The governor could benefit also from a three-way race, an unlikely event on the national level. Political wisdom is that incumbency […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
Protection for victims of domestic violence needs strengthening
When her husband became violent, Amy Lake did everything she was supposed to. When her husband threatened the family with a gun, Lake sought and received a protection from abuse order. She filed for divorce, took the couple’s two kids, and moved to another town. She sought out support and help from friends, social workers […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
POLITICS AND OTHER MISTAKES – Paid to play
In a recent national survey that I totally made up, thousands of people were asked which of the following they would prefer to find between their sheets: A. Casey Anthony. B. bed bugs. C. a lobbyist. Not surprisingly, the lobbyist finished dead last. As one fictional respondent put it, “You can call the parole board […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Web
QUINN'S CORNER – Stats and such for consideration
Cut and pasted from various sources are these factoids: Efficiency rewarded: Since 1972 the productivity of U.S. workers has increased 114 percent. During that same period wages have declined by 6 percent. Where the money goes: CEOs in 299 U.S. companies earned $3.4 billion in 2010 – an increase of 23 percent from 2009 – […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Web
EDITORIAL – Smoking bans walk a thin line
Earlier this month, spurred by a group of local students, the South Portland City Council banned the use of tobacco products from city-owned parks, beaches and recreation facilities. Around the same time the South Portland council was debating the merits of the smoking ban, officials at the Los Angeles Unified School District were eliminating flavored […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
QUINN'S CORNER – Republicans and the Reagan Myth
The New Webster Collegiate defines “myth” as: “a story in pre-literate societies dealing with supernatural beings or heroes.” A contemporary example can be seen in the effort the GOP is making to create a myth of Ronald Reagan. They are making him hero by naming a major public site in every state after him, and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
QUINN'S CORNER – Republicans and the Reagan Myth
The New Webster Collegiate defines “myth” as: “a story in pre-literate societies dealing with supernatural beings or heroes.” A contemporary example can be seen in the effort the GOP is making to create a myth of Ronald Reagan. They are making him hero by naming a major public site in every state after him, and […]