There were a few lessons to be learned this week for campaign operatives and political junkies in Maine. 1.) A financial war chest does not necessarily win an election; 2.) Voters in small communities become weary of aggressive campaigning that lasts for more than two or three months; and 3.) Negative campaign tactics still work, … Continue reading Money for nothing
A plea to responsible gun owners
Note: The following was penned by my friend and former colleague Tobey Williamson who now lives in Hawaii. It is provocative, and I thought my readers may want to consider his point of view. Dear Responsible Gun Owners with Good Hearts: I know more than a few of you, and I want you to keep … Continue reading A plea to responsible gun owners
Orange Crush
There is no doubt in my mind that this blog post is going to cost me some friends. In fact, it may cost me some other things too, but I can't sit here and be silent. I am watching as my country is gripped in fear. I am watching as politicians scream about safety. I … Continue reading Orange Crush
Je suis navré
Over the last 24 hours, many of my Facebook friends changed their profile pictures with a backdrop of the French flag. I did not. I have no criticism for my friends who did this, I can only explain why I did not. What happened in Paris last night was an outrage. Those were cowardly acts … Continue reading Je suis navré
Trick or Treat
Tempus fugit, the Romans would say. Time flies. Another Halloween is upon us, and once again I am reminded how quickly the days go by. I miss those days of watching the boys assemble their costumes. I miss escorting them through our neighborhood in Old Orchard Beach as they collected sacks full of candy. The … Continue reading Trick or Treat
Down to the wire
I am so ready for this to be over. I have been counting the hours for the past two weeks. As of this writing, we have 199 hours, four minutes and 54 seconds to go before the 2015 Biddeford Municipal Elections are over. Nearly 200 hours before we know the results; nearly two hundred more … Continue reading Down to the wire
So proud of my wife
Running for elected office is not easy; not by a long shot. But I am so proud of my wife; proud of her courage, her determination and her fiercely independent spirit. It's the two-week stretch, and no matter the outcome, I have enjoyed watching Laura grow and face her challenges head-on. She'll make one hell … Continue reading So proud of my wife
Teacher, teacher
They say if you stand in one place long enough, the entire world will pass you by. That's how if feels at the Fryeburg Fair, where every single night I run into someone I know or someone I used to know. Such was the case last night when I almost literally bumped into Peter Scontras … Continue reading Teacher, teacher
Every breath you take
When my boys were younger, I drilled into their heads one constant message: Everything is a choice, and every choice comes with either consequences or rewards. Some people will argue that not every thing is a choice: a flat tire, the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. While those things … Continue reading Every breath you take
Pretty Persuasion
Do you argue about politics on social media? Do you find yourself getting angry and often one step away from "unfriending" someone or blocking them? And what happens when you argue about politics with someone right in front of you? Are you able to keep calm or do you feel your blood begin to boil? … Continue reading Pretty Persuasion
NOTES TO CARL | LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 