President Bush and his administration are on the defensive. They’re on the defensive about the prison abuse scandal. They’re on the defensive about the economy, even though it’s improving. And they’re on the defensive about whether Iraq was involved in the attacks of Sept. 11.When the Sept. 11 commission issued a staff report saying that […]

AUSTIN, Texas – Heads up, team, the voting machine situation requires sustained attention, but not panic or paranoia. There is time to act, but act we must.Yes, it is high time to “view with alarm” (an editorial page cliche rivaled only by “point with pride”), and with bipartisan alarm at that. It’s in everyone’s interest […]

WASHINGTON – Here’s how area members of Congress were recorded on major roll call votes in the week ending June 25. HOUSE 2005 miliary appropriations The House on June 22 approved, 403 for and 17 against, $417 billion in U.S. military appropriations for fiscal 2005. In part, the bill (HR 4613) includes $25 billion for […]

You always promised yourself you weren’t going to say it.You hated when it was said to you and you swore that when you had children, you’d never say it to them. Then comes a day when the little monsters have you encircled like the wagon train in an old Western. Having been told they can’t […]

Bangor Daily News , June 22 With another plan for restoring Atlantic salmon in Maine and another call for a lot of money to do it, policy-makers are at a critical juncture. A draft salmon recovery plan, released by the federal government last week, calls for a variety of steps to be taken to boost […]

AVCOG loses again.Auburn’s Board of Assessment Review rejected a tax appeal by the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Wednesday night.It was the right decision, and once again affirms the organization’s obligation to pay property taxes to the city.AVCOG has never paid taxes on its property in Auburn. Beginning in 1997, the city assessed the taxes, […]

Bill Clinton told “60 Minutes” in his promotional appearance for his book, “My Life,” that he wears his impeachment as a “badge of honor.” As far as honors go, it’s a far cry from the Distinguished Service Cross or the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But Clinton has to pretend to cherish it. It is imperative […]

WASHINGTON – Suppose there’s an alligator in your neighborhood. He’s been around for years, and he hangs out at the far end of your street, feeding on chickens that the local children bring him. The alligator’s been there so long, and caused such little inconvenience, that he’s receded to a small place in your mind; […]

Government meetings should be conducted publicly.The intent of Maine’s Freedom of Access law is clear and, while it may sometimes be inconvenient, lawmakers should not try to carve out exemptions with clever syntax and dubious names.On Tuesday, Gov. Baldacci held a meeting with what his office has called an “informal working group” to discuss prospects […]

I find myself in the unpleasant position of defending Larry Bird.Guy shreds my heart in the 84 Finals, his evil Boston Celtics defeating my valiant Los Angeles Lakers, and now, just 20 years later, here I stand between him and the torches and pitchforks of the mob. Still, Larry Legend is getting a bum rap […]