Editorials - Piscataquis Observer

Editorials

Risk everything, even if it means sacrificing money from China

Unfortunately, in 2019, most of the people who post quotes like these on social media are not interested in actually living by those quotes. Instead, they wish to be seen signaling their own virtue, and by associating themselves with great and inspiring figures like Dr. King, hoping they too will be viewed as profound.

Wrong turns should not land infants in jail

It wasn’t a wild animal that distracted me. It was a wild phone call, an argument about work, no less. I wasn’t paying close attention to where I was. I wasn’t driving with the care we all should expect of one another. And I made a mistake.

Sharks, octopuses, and missing Maine

Looking through the sliding glass doors out over the Atlantic Ocean, 3:15 in the morning, I can see a solitary white light on the dark horizon. It’s probably a commercial fishing boat. The almost full moon, nearly hidden behind clouds, casts moonlight enough to see white foam on cresting, crashing waves roll up the beach and disappear in the sand.

A tale of two China scandals

On two separate occasions this week, Americans have offended China, and prompted the country to react.

Save some outrage for injustice close to home

Outrage is in right now. And there’s plenty to be outraged about: The president has asked other countries to help him smear a political opponent, he’s abandoning Kurdish allies in Syria and he continues his relentless attacks against LGBTQ people.

Is your family tree ever ‘done’?

Is there ever a time to stop working on your genealogy and declare it done? The answer is, it depends.

My letter from Patrick Henry

I recently visited Red Hill, Patrick Henry’s last home in Virginia, and was surprised to learn Mr. Henry left me a note. Written not long before his death, Patrick Henry tucked the letter into a small bin on his writing desk.

Democrats will be hurt by rush to impeachment

Let's be honest, this was always the way this was going to happen. As we all know by now, on Aug. 12, a whistleblower complaint was filed with the inspector general of the intelligence community by a CIA officer who had worked at the White House. The complaint, as we now know, alleged wrongdoing by President Donald Trump.

Lives of transgender people on trial at the Supreme Court

I’m nervous about next week. Really anxious. The US Supreme Court will hear arguments on three cases that have the potential to upend the lives of LGBTQ people across the country.

Last swim of the season

With the orange stand-up paddle board under my right arm, my swim gear and paddle in my left hand and under my left arm, I walk down the weathered wood steps to the sandy beach. It’s a short hop to the water’s edge. I step in, ankle deep, lowering the SUP board onto Bear Pond.

Why there is skepticism of climate change

On Monday, the United Nations held its 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, which was intended to push the world into advancing "climate action" on greenhouse gas emissions. It featured government officials, speakers, activists, intellectuals and academics, and of course plenty of scientists.

Deceptive people’s veto tactics don’t work in elections

Signers beware. That’s the first lesson all Mainers should take away from the recent people’s veto effort targeting vaccine regulations in the state.

Communicating comes down to the heart

Here’s a contrast in the speed of communications: I am reading “James Marshall: Definer of a Nation,” by Jean Edward Smith. Marshall was, among other things, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, largely responsible for shaping that court and, to a great extent, our nation.

Outrage culture claims Shane Gillis’ job

I will admit that I have not been a regular viewer of “Saturday Night Live” for a long, long time. In my opinion, it has been about 15 years since it was consistently funny and featured cast members whom I actually like. But I do still keep track of what they do occasionally, and will check in once in a while to see whether they've turned a page and it is worth my watching again.

Democrats’ aren’t just dreaming about health care reform

We no longer have a two-party system in American Democracy. We have an asymmetrical system where one party continues to comport itself largely along traditional lines with deference to the law, the Constitution and Democratic norms, and the other has declared total and complete war on any institution or check that would constrain its power.

Beware of sharing family trees freely

You have to be wary of what you post online these days and that is also true for genealogists.

With the Freeport Flag Ladies, 9/11/2019

This past Wednesday, September 11th, Eileen and I were in Freeport, ME, standing an hour in the rain for the farewell watch of the great Freeport Flag Ladies. The three ladies — Carmen Footer, Elaine Greene, and JoAnn Miller — stood on their Main Street corner every Tuesday, for 18 years, commemorating 9/11.

As our memory fades, so too does our understanding

I don't remember Pearl Harbor. Nor should I. I was born in 1980, three days after the 39th anniversary of the event. I wasn't alive when it happened. I didn't see it. I didn't feel it. My knowledge of Pearl Harbor comes from news footage, dozens of documentaries, and some famous lines uttered by an American president.

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