Hell hath no fury like a politician scorned, or so they say.... Enter State Senator Nancy Sullivan, the self-righteous, semi-retired English teacher who desperately wants to keep her state health insurance and can't accept the terms of Maine's term limits law. Sullivan is being forced from the senate because of term limits, so now she wants … Continue reading First blood
The Usual Suspects 2.0
What a difference a day makes. Members of Maine's Democratic Party are breathing a collective sigh of relief today after learning that Biddeford City Councilor Bobby Mills has returned to the fold as a solid Democrat. For those of you playing at home, yesterday Mills announced that he was leaving the Democratic Party and his … Continue reading The Usual Suspects 2.0
The Usual Suspects
In just a few weeks, Biddeford voters will face a rather unique set of choices. For the first time in more than 20 years, all three of the city's incumbent state representatives are facing challenges from members of their own party for the June 12 Primary election --- well . . . up until an … Continue reading The Usual Suspects
The needle and the damage done . . . again
For those of you who think I am a world-class prick, what you are about to read should only confirm your suspicions. It is a recounting of my reaction, more than three years ago, when I was about to learn that my wife, Laura, was diagnosed with MS. The only way I can even begin … Continue reading The needle and the damage done . . . again
We love dirty laundry
It's a strange time for the newspaper industry --- especially here in Maine, where we recently witnessed several seismic shifts in the media landscape. Yesterday it was announced that Donald Sussman's investor group will now own a 75 percent stake in the company that publishes the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, Waterville Morning Sentinel and … Continue reading We love dirty laundry
Like a heat wave
Did you enjoy your summer? I hope so, because now we return you to your regularly scheduled weather for late March in southern Maine. There was rampant speculation about last week's freakish heat wave, an anomaly that shattered local meteorological records and sent scores of disappointed people to Old Orchard Beach in search of Pier Fries. Some … Continue reading Like a heat wave
Stupid is as stupid does
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” -- Benjamin Franklin When we become adults we no longer need our parents to make critical decisions in our lives. We are free to fail, free to succeed, and yes...even free to be flat-out stupid. Freedom, however, does … Continue reading Stupid is as stupid does
Let’s be independent together
Angus King has some problems. I know, I know . . . King is the heir apparent for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated this year by Olympia Snowe. Although the polling data points to a considerable edge for the feisty and "independent" former governor, I'm not so sure that King is a lock … Continue reading Let’s be independent together
I don’t wanna be right
The most vocal supporters of President Obama's push to reform our nation's health care system will invariably say that health care is a "fundamental right." The so-called "right to affordable health care" has become the mantra and favorite talking point for those who say health care in the United States ought to look a lot … Continue reading I don’t wanna be right
Money for nothing
Anyone with a pulse and an IQ exceeding room temperature can likely agree that our nation’s health care system is seriously flawed. But that’s generally where the agreement stops. That’s why I was impressed when Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant posed a series of observations about Maine’s own raging health care debate on his Facebook page. August … Continue reading Money for nothing
NOTES TO CARL | LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 