I decided to give myself a break today. I stayed away from the television and newscasts on the radio. It’s gotten to the point that I know about 20 U.S. Representatives by the sounds or accents of their voices. I needed time away from it all. It’s not that I don’t care. These hearings should […]
American Journal Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal
Letter: A thank you to community leader Phil Spiller
Now that the dust has settled from the recent elections, I wanted to thank one mayoral candidate who has been an incredible supporter and promoter of our local businesses for many years now. In addition to assisting with my own business opening four years ago this December – and helping me try to overcome various […]
advertisement
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: R.I.P. GOP
As I watched the impeachment hearings, I kept thinking that there must be some Republicans left in Congress who understand the threat the Trump administration poses to American democracy, but alas, all those who spoke just repeated lies from the conservative echo chamber, accusing Democrats of everything Trump does daily. Jeb Bush got trashed. John […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Christmas gives Scrooges a second chance
My goal this Christmas season is to watch as many movie versions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as possible. As with most of my aspirations, I’m lagging far behind. So far, I’ve only seen two – the one with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge, as well as the 1984 classic with George C. Scott. It’s […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Golden age of home delivery is now
We are living in the golden age of home delivery. This time of year especially, delivery trucks are frequent visitors to our neighborhoods, delivering those Christmas shopping deals for online buyers. These modern-day Santa’s helpers include perennial delivery stalwarts: Big Brown, as the United Parcel Service is affectionately called, FedEx and the granddaddy of all […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Universal Notebook: Just another snow job
Trump supporters like to call liberals “snowflakes,” suggesting that we are too sensitive and fragile. We in turn call them “deplorables,” because they are so callous and insensitive. As the first snow fell last week, I was reminded that there really are a lot of snowflakes in Maine, by which I mean people too young […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
Letter: Heartfelt thanks to Mayor Sanphy
It is with much sadness, yet heartfelt gratitude, to bid one of our exceptional modern-day public servants “farewell” from another tour of duty faithfully served to the citizens of Westbrook. Mike Sanphy has now completed a term as mayor to add to his four decades of public service and “retirements” from the Westbrook Police Department, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Help Gov. Janet save the planet
Gov. Janet Mills is going to need Mainers’ help if she is to achieve her plan to make Maine carbon neutral by 2045. It’s time to think big because we have only nine years, maybe 12, to reverse the curse of global warming. It’s time to not only think drastically but act that way, too. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Enjoying the collective unconscious
With any luck, this will be the last column based on my recent illness. As I look back over six months of hospitalization, operations and complications, what I find most interesting is the time I spent unconscious. The mind plays tricks on us. When Carolyn drove me to the hospital in Brunswick, I remember driving […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Balancing grief and gratitude
People in my town leave the scenes of accidents. Neighbors in the nearest city fight over shelter sites. The opioid epidemic grows statewide. Mass shootings sweep the country. Climate despair goes global. Countries compete in the space race. When I expand outwardly from here to there, this to that, often I see only the mess […]