Are you as sick and tired as I am of COVID-19 news, and nothing but, 24-7? I ask this even as I embark on yet another coronavirus commentary, this one looking forward to what we may have to look forward to. While state and federal health officials caution against optimism, the Trump administration seems hell-bent […]
Lakes Region Weekly opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Trump virus
America is suffering from a sickness that has the potential to forever change the way we live. No, I’m not talking about the coronavirus. That’s a natural occurrence. I’m talking about the Trump virus. That’s not. Watching the nightly pandemic briefings on television I get the sense that there is a huge and potentially fatal […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Signs of the times are everywhere
Housebound Mainers may not know it, but there are plenty of signs of hope out there. While many have been held prisoner in their own homes under threat of $1,000 fines and six months of imprisonment by Gov. Janet Mills’ executive order banning all “non-essential” work and travel, there have been many encouraging signs – […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Fear itself
For reasons having to do with both inherent skepticism and defiant denial, I have been slow to embrace social distancing as anything more than mass hysteria. Over the past two weeks, however, I have evolved from “This is way overblown” to “This could kill me.” I have had this gradual change of heart as people […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: We can only panic for so long
The Greek god Pan must be rubbing his hands and licking his lips in perverse delight watching Americans respond to COVID-19. While the word “pandemic” isn’t derived from Pan (it comes from the Greek words “pan” meaning “all” and “demos” for “people”), the word “panic” does originate from Pan, who caused frightened humans to “flee […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Viral reaction ‘at the point of absurdity’
People’s true nature comes out during times of trial. And while COVID-19 is bringing out the best in some, it’s bringing out the worst in others. The same is true for state governments. Many are forcing their residents to shelter in place with threats of fines and imprisonment for those who want to go for […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: The curse of the Mook and the GOAT
As we hunker down and hope not to get sick, one of the things I miss the most about life as usual is sports. Sports, perhaps because they are not important in and of themselves, generally provide a welcome diversion from troubled times. Not now. New England sports fans, of course, have just suffered, along […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Put your freedom to good use – stay home
Why do we have such a hard time sitting still? I have family members, unable to stay inside another minute, who are going on unnecessary trips. They’re visiting public places such as the mall, post office, grocery store and even an accountant’s office when they don’t really need to. I’m guilty of the same unnecessary […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Biden can’t become president fast enough
All of the Democratic presidential primary candidates had issues, but I was surprised when, in the end, I settled on Joe Biden, Good Old Joe. And what it came down to was a desire for normalcy. I know Joe has said and done some stupid things, but I found that in the end I did […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Letter: Democrat-led ‘outcry’ over ICE facility is ‘bogus’
The “outcry” over the planned placement of an ICE facility alongside the Vet Center in Scarborough is totally misplaced and bogus (“ICE asked to halt plans for new facility in Scarborough,” March 6, 2020). It is nothing more than the continuing demonization of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and an ongoing effort to limit and even […]