The political campaign these days often makes it sound as if the ultimate fate of the democracy and the country will be decided in November. It’s now or never. But this year’s election, though of unusual importance, will not represent the last word in American history no matter how much the campaigns raise fears. Of […]

For the first time since the horrific events of June 7 — when a man released on bail in Auburn murdered one person and burned down two houses before being shot to death by police — the newly renamed Maine Commission on Public Defense Services met last week to consider the enormous backlog in finding […]

It suddenly, 70 years later, floated to the surface of my brain in my morning shower, the most common venue for all my important brain surfacings. It was a song I’d been taught as a kid in Music class. A stirring song. Rousing. Inspiring. Weird. These were the words: “Morning comes early and bright with […]

The next four weeks, culminating in the Democratic National Convention, are crucial for Kamala Harris. Half-buried until now in the thankless job of vice president, Harris has an excellent second chance to make a favorable first impression – to successfully define herself and her candidacy, trumping Team MAGA’s tsunami of smears. In the brief passage […]

Globalization’s been getting a bad rap. That’s why Donald Trump picked Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate. He’s trying to capitalize on the discontent Americans living in the critical rust belt swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania feel over the way their jobs have been sent to Mexico and Asia. At one […]

Dozens of Democrats chose to boycott Israeli prime minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress last week, among them Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris. Some 5,000 protesters assembled outside the Capitol. It was an impressive speech, but it raised several important questions. He began: “Our world is in upheaval. In the Middle East, Iran’s axis of terror confronts […]

If Kamala Harris manages to become the 47th U.S. president it will be despite Joe Biden, not because of him. Biden is a decent man and an honorable politician. His record of accomplishments as president is robust. “I’ve given my heart and soul to my nation” he said in a prime-time speech, but he may […]