In this time of increased political polarization,” writes Bill Clinton, “there is one area where we have a genuine chance at bipartisan cooperation: the over-imprisonment of people who did not commit serious crimes.” Clinton makes this observation in a new collection of essays compiled by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. He’s […]

Even intelligent people can make stupid decisions. For evidence of this, look no further than Thomas Edison, the quintessential scientist and self-made man known mostly for inventing the first practical, long-lasting light bulb. Nobody would dispute his intellectual credentials, yet in the early 1900s, he was embroiled in a debate over which was the safest […]

The month of May is named after Maia, the Roman goddess who is the mother of Mercury and the daughter of Atlas. We are halfway into spring already and our landscape is just beginning to be transformed by the hue of the fresh grass and the tender, light green leaves beginning to show up on […]

Terrorists do their deeds because they want a lot of publicity for their cause. If all major news media were to agree not to speak about their crimes, not give them any attention at all, terrorists would probably stop very soon. In French, when you go to a concert, “On assiste a un concert,” i.e. […]

I got a real kick out of the political cartoon depicting a pistol and an armed drone. Two inanimate objects when left to their own devices would sit there and rot. Does anyone stop to think that it is only human intervention that might cause them to be dangerous or, perish the thought, even necessary […]

The Wells Public Library is happy to announce its grand reopening of the non-fiction section on Monday, April 27. The roof has been repaired successfully, and energy-saving upgrades have been installed, including new LED lights throughout. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support during our downtime, and would like to extend a big thank you to […]

Nearly every educator will agree that, increasingly, children are coming into the classroom facing non-academic challenges that affect the children’s ability to learn. Schools are expected ”“ in fact, mandated ”“ to teach all children, helping them to learn and develop into successful adults, regardless of the challenges the children may be facing outside of […]