When I was a freshman in college, I got very involved, and very invested in the upcoming presidential race in 2000. Being a young, politically minded student, forming opinions and wishing to express them, I decided to try out column writing for The Maine Campus, the University of Maine's student newspaper.

Locked away. Out of sight. Out of mind. Out of luck. Kids are left in prison because there’s no place else for them to go. Men with autism are living in hospital emergency rooms, no other bed to be had. A child is locked up, gets sick and never gets better.

If your ancestor was naturalized how do you find the records? It’s important to determine where your ancestor was living at the time he was naturalized. Prior to 1906 any court could perform a naturalization ceremony. Your ancestor could have been naturalized in a municipal, county, state, or federal court, so having an idea where he lived at the time is of great importance.

Some teens are raised to know the value of a dollar, some aren’t, radio talk show host Laura Ingraham said this morning. I agree.

White hot rage. That's what I, a fairly devoted Catholic, felt when I read the grand jury report last Tuesday that detailed horrific abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses -- Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument will celebrate its second birthday with a hootenanny this weekend. And there is plenty to celebrate.

Were your ancestors naturalized American citizens? Naturalization isn’t something new on our national horizon. Even in the 17th century, the English colonies required an oath of allegiance to the English crown or confirmation from a Protestant minister that the alien was in good standing with the church before he could become a citizen of a colony.

At age 35 I first developed a serious interest in politics, government, public policy, and how those three interests actually worked together in the real world. I was tired of being ignorant, more confused than informed by daily news stories.

It is a brave new world out there, ladies and gentlemen, and I don't think it is a better one. Omarosa Manigault Newman, a former contestant on Donald Trump's old show, "The Apprentice," who later became a campaign aide and staffer in the West Wing, has dominated the news cycle this week for taping conversations in the White House, and now making them public. Several of those conversations portray the White House in an unflattering light, and the Trump administration is having a difficult time fighting back.

President Donald Trump and his administration didn’t invent attacks on the free press, but they have taken them to incredible and dangerous new levels.

Music is my first love, but I don’t listen to music when I’m working, neither do I listen much to music while I’m driving. When I listen to music I prefer giving music my full attention. That’s true even when I listen to music while sleeping. I focus my attention on one instrument, block out the rest, and I’m soon asleep.

Susan Patten is full of surprises. We’ve known each other through various incarnations in Maine's news business. Mostly, Susan was a radio news broadcaster; I was communications director for legislators or political campaigns.

I have a confession to make, which is sure to set the teeth gnashing of my conservative brethren. I was once a proverbial "card carrying member" of the American Civil Liberties Union. Not something you hear a lot of Republicans admit, I grant you.

When it comes to ignoring the law, Gov. Paul LePage is a habitual offender. Throughout his nearly eight years in office, the governor has shown an unusual willingness to break state law, disregard the Maine Constitution, violate his oath of office and toss aside the norms of government.

It wasn’t so long ago that almost everyone belonged to a fraternal, religious, lineage, literary, or musical society. They enjoyed the meetings, socializing with friends, gossiping among themselves, and doing good along the way. They worked hard but made time to attend meetings of the Grange, Masons, Elks, Knights of Pythias, the DAR, or any of a number of other groups.

Andrew Harris said the last time David Mallett performed at DeerTrees Theatre in Harrison was about 20 years ago. Mr. Harris, DeerTrees’ Artistic and Executive Director, was speaking to the July 21 audience — including me — waiting to hear a live concert from “David Mallett and Friends,” with Michael Burd (bass), Robby Coffin (guitar), Roy Clark (keyboard) and Susan Ramsey (violin, viola, background vocals).

Trevor Noah isn't funny. Since he took over for Jon Stewart at “The Daily Show,” I have long since stopped watching.

It’s not often that I can write a column thanking the Trump administration, but this week is the exception. Breaking news out of the US Department of Interior has given me the chance to return to my school years and write about what I did on my summer vacation.