It’s difficult not to be amused at Graham Platner’s political trajectory, reminiscent though it is of the Challenger space shuttle. All the rabid progressives in the Democratic Party who saw him as their messiah, and castigated his critics for their attacks on him, now recant and revile him …
Ever feel like you’re speaking Chinese at a gathering of deaf and mute people? Eaton, wǒmen bìxū qiángyìng qǐlái. That’s Mandarin for “Eaton, we need to get tough” (as he pounds his right fist into his left hand).
Last month, the Supreme Court permitted Donald Trump to remove members of regulatory agencies and to curtail efforts of migrants to win asylum in the United States. In the last several days, the president has lectured NATO partners and described citizens of a longtime American ally as “hopel…
What do wells and washed out roads have in common? Water, sometimes not enough and sometimes too much. Recent rains that did so much damage to the roads in and around Madison are examples of too much rain in too short a time, creating a situation that tore up many unpaved roads and driveways…
Those not living in a bubble are well aware that Christian nationalism is infiltrating and corroding our institutions. These folks are big-time misogynists and homophobes, and more often than not they're racists. Christian nationalists are truly the antithesis of Christians.
Thirty-five years ago, I developed a reputation for debunking popular myths, at least about the Civil War. The Sons of Confederate Veterans did not appreciate it when I dug into recently released census records to demonstrate that all 12 of the last media-recognized survivors of the Confeder…
Already it must be said: The semiquincentennial has all the makings of a dud.
One of the more troubling things happening in American life today is not simply that people disagree. People have always disagreed, and in a healthy democracy they should. What feels different now is the amount of information, commentary, accusation, opinion, rumor and reaction coming at us …
Last week, a friend forwarded me a month-old video entitled "Fitz John Porter: When Politics Destroyed a War Hero." In something over 13 minutes, it summarized my 2021-vintage biography of Porter — adopting my interpretation of his story in its entirety, without attribution. Slight mispronun…
A smart editor once gave me an admonition about writing a column: Aim to give your readers something nobody else will offer them. I feel quite sure that this summer 2026 column about two speeches Gerald Ford delivered a half-century ago will qualify.
It’s been a bad couple of weeks. We lost a war. Signed a treaty that gives the enemy hundreds of billions of dollars in exchange for reopening Hormuz as it was before we attacked. And after a couple of months, there’ll probably be tolls for letting ships through the strait. We promised them …
I almost didn’t run again for state rep, here’s why I’m staying in the game
The Conway School District has two simultaneous failings. The first is academic, and the other is financial. It would be deplorable enough if students’ assessment results had dropped as low as they have over the past dozen years, even if the cost to taxpayers were not so onerous. At the same…
Dear Dad,
In Maine we are being barraged with the most horrific and vile attack ads to which I've ever been subjected. The RNC is so desperate to retain Susan Collins' Senate seat that it's pouring obscene amounts of money — money that could be used to buy food for hungry children in Maine or to keep …
There’s a new Eaton Posse in town. And this time, I’m in it. And you should join too (even if you’re not from Eaton) because Eaton is in the fight of its life and this is an all-hands-on-deck moment for our town.