If there’s one good thing to come from our confrontation with the new coronavirus it’s that we’re going to learn a lot about science, ourselves and society. Some forced to work from home and take care of their kids 24-7 will probably go nuts from the isolation. Some accustomed to staying in and crosswording and […]
Lakes Region Weekly opinion
Posted inForecaster Opinion
The Universal Notebook: Will the panic be worse than the virus?
There are two very good reasons why I am not going to write a column about the coronavirus begetting mass hysteria. First, I’d feel like a fool if I died of COVID-19 after pooh-poohing it in print. And, second, I couldn’t live with myself if I thought I agreed with Donald Trump about anything. That said, the response to the coronavirus does seem […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Should Mike Bloomberg exist?
“Mayor Bloomberg, should you exist?” asked political reporter Chuck Todd. “I can’t speak for all billionaires,” Michael Bloomberg replied. “All I know is, I’ve been very lucky, made a lot of money and I’m giving it away to make this country better.” Billionaires justify their existences by giving their billions away. That seems to be the prevailing ethic among the very rich. […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Here’s Something: 2020 is a year for anniversaries
This year is shaping up to be quite a year for anniversaries. The oldest anniversary we’ll mark this year is the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth 400 years ago. An estimated 35 million Americans can trace their lineage to the Mayflower. The U.S. Mint will release a coin to mark the occasion, and the United […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Susan Collins must go
The short answer to why Sen. Susan Collins must go is that Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell must go and she is one of their chief enablers. In order to restore the democratic rule of law, it is absolutely imperative that we replace the tyrant Trump and the obstructionist McConnell with elected officials who will […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Windham councilor no dope for opposing pot
The Windham town councilor who resigned last week while the board was debating an ordinance governing retail marijuana stores was right to quit in protest. Some have argued that Rebecca Cummings should have stayed on the board, and in the proverbial political fight, rather than resigning, but I applaud her act. It brought widespread attention […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
The Universal Notebook: And the Oscar goes to … institutional sexism
For many years I hardly ever went to the movies. As a teenager I went to the Star Theater in Westbrook for social reasons. As an adult in the age of DVD, I found it rather pointless to sit in the dark with a bunch of strangers just to see a movie I could watch […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Who’d want to be a millionaire under Sanders?
Socialist Bernie Sanders’ electoral wins in Nevada, New Hampshire, and perhaps Iowa, have left me thinking, who’d want to be a millionaire, let alone billionaire, in Sanders’ America? Not even Regis Philbin, the former host of the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” game show, I dare say. Sanders has long scapegoated “millionaires and billionaires” […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: For freedom’s sake, repeal vaccine law
Besides choosing our favorite presidential candidate during the March 3 primary, Maine voters will also decide whether to repeal a 2019 law requiring vaccinations for all schoolchildren. The issue is a complicated one with wide-ranging impact, but voting yes is the best prescription, since parents – not the state – should determine whether their children […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Impeachment post-mortem
Yes, yes I know, you’re just as sick as I am of all this impeachment business. We knew from the very beginning that Trump was not going to be removed from office. Senators took an oath before God to “do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws,” but only one Republican honored that oath. […]