Ralph Waldo Emerson once quipped that “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” This week, I offer a solid example in which society is best served from at least a little bit of consistency. State Rep. Maggie O’Neil (D-Saco) has introduced a bill (LD 706) to lower the voting age in Maine from … Continue reading I’m a boy and I’m a man
Category: LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY
Outrageous Fortune
Every time I start to feel a bit of optimism about the future, the reality hammer drops on my head. Today, we learned that restaurants in southern Maine will not be able to re-open as originally scheduled because of ongoing concerns about the Cov-19 epidemic. The social media reaction to this news has been swift … Continue reading Outrageous Fortune
Climate Change: what your parents never told you
‘In the absence of science, religion flourishes . . .’ -Unknown One of today’s most hotly debated public policy matters is the subject of Climate Change, formerly known as “global warming.” Before I go any further with a blog post that will surely divide my followers and Facebook “friends,” let’s get right to the meat … Continue reading Climate Change: what your parents never told you
Political shakeup in Saco
Following the unexpected announcement that State Sen. Linda Valentino (D) will not seek re-election for a third term in the senate, there has been a seismic shift in the city of Saco's political landscape. State Rep. Justin Chenette -- Valentino's protegé -- announced simultaneously that he would seek Valentino's seat. Both moves were kept secret … Continue reading Political shakeup in Saco
Bad News for Saco, Good News for Saco
BREAKING NEWS . . . And this just in from over the transom: According to multiple sources, State Senator Linda Valentino, a Democrat, is expected to announce Sunday (March 6) that she will not seek reelection to the Maine State Senate. Valentino, who has served two terms in the Senate and is now a member … Continue reading Bad News for Saco, Good News for Saco
Gimme back my bullets
There is a good article in today's Portland Press Herald: Maine boosts reporting to FBI database to prevent gun purchases by mentally ill. As an advocate of both mentally ill people and the Second Amendment, I was pleased to see that the newspaper approached the issue is such a comprehensive manner. During gun control debates, … Continue reading Gimme back my bullets
Money for nothing
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
Dog Day Afternoon
Like everyone else in Biddeford, State senator David Dutremble is troubled by the allegations of child sexual abuse that has roiled this city for the past several weeks. On June 23, Dutremble wrote on Facebook: “The more we dig, the sicker I become with my city!!” https://www.facebook.com/#!/ddutremble/posts/10153347027281590?pnref=story I called him out on that post because … Continue reading Dog Day Afternoon
Why I am a Republican
From time to time, my friends on the other side of the political aisle ask me why I choose to be a registered Republican. As the 114th Congress begins to ramp up, and because the debate between "true conservatives" and "mainstream moderates' in the Republican Party once again manifested itself during the selection of House Speaker … Continue reading Why I am a Republican
A hidden message
My friend Alan Caron has some sage advice that each and every newly elected member of the Maine Legislature should read. Alan's column regulary appears in the Portland Press Herald, and an excerpt of his latest piece ( Last election had a hidden message for Maine's leaders) can be found here: "Given the many challenges … Continue reading A hidden message
NOTES TO CARL | LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 