Members of Congress and the public have diverse views on the proper American reaction. But leaders of both parties have lined up, making strong statements about America’s responsibilities in the face of unacceptable international behavior. The Syrian crisis has revealed some major issues going well beyond dealing with the Assad regime, which it might help […]

For those of us who grew up reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, it might come as a surprise to learn that “one nation” was not originally followed by the words “under God.” The addition was made in 1954, by Congress and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, after the Sons of the American Revolution and the Knights […]

How’s Andrea?” I ask, as we sit down to dinner.“I don’t know,” my friend replies. “Didn’t you see her last night?” I continue. “Well, yes,” she says. “But at some point, I stopped listening.” My friend is neither callous nor mean-spirited; just bored with the one-way street she’s describing. Andrea talks, my friend listens ”“ […]

Whenever I hear someone complaining about NASA’s budget, I feel like clobbering them with one of those Marvin the Martian dolls you win at state fairs. And then I don’t, because that would be dumb. Still, that folks find the space agency overfunded and irrelevant is an irksome fact, particularly if you’re the kind of […]

With a view toward maintaining high educational standards and quality facilities, the Biddeford School Department is planning to invest in a new staff member who will seek funding from sources other than taxpayers. Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray made the pitch for this development/marketing/fundraising position to the school committee on Aug. 27, and we’re glad […]

Thumbs up to the recovery of the bronze plaque that went missing from the Thomas Goodall statue in Sanford’s Central Park. Thanks to a tip, police were able to locate the plaque in a Sanford man’s apartment, and they arrested and charged Zachary Blier, 21, with felony theft. Thanks also goes to Sanford City Councilor […]

New housing starts are down, and the stock market goes up. Bad news produces new profits. That’s kind of a “man bites dog” story. Why does negative economic news stimulate the stock market? And why does the stock market rise to record highs when employment is recovering slowly and new jobs pay less? Before you […]

After years of waiting for approved investments to be spent, Maine voters are expected to have a say on several bond packages this November that the governor has indicated he will actually issue. Last March, Gov. Paul LePage admitted that he was holding hostage $104 million in voter-authorized bonds for transportation infrastructure improvements. That money […]

York County Jail is doing some great work with its inmates. In a recent article, officials told the Journal Tribune about the jail’s gardening program, which has been supplying fresh vegetables to food pantries in Saco, Limerick and York. And next spring, the jail hopes to produce even more food for those in need by […]

All right. So I have to drag a friend into this with me. As always, names will be changed to protect the not-so-innocent. Let’s call her “Mania,” after the Greek goddess that, in myth, helped rule the underworld and personified insanity. Usually I choose an appellation far more benign, but in this case, Mania’s transgression […]