Bob Neal: The Countryman: Who took ‘service’ out of the ‘service economy?’

One reason stores put a worker at the self-checkout aisle is to stop thievery. The thievery that doesn’t get stopped raises losses and prices the rest of us pay to cover the loss to thieves.

Bob Neal: The Countryman: Finding the truth will take time

Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry may have been the most forthcoming official so far. On Wednesday, he said in the Sun Journal, “We should never be afraid to challenge ourselves. Can we do better? Was there anything we missed?” He added, “We need to answer those questions.”

Bob Neal: The Countryman: Rot at the heart of college sports

Big money so dazzled the chairman of the University of Oregon Board of Trustees that he didn’t even interrupt his golf game while holding a Zoom meeting to OK the shift to the Big 10.

Bob Neal: The Countryman: A long view of the Supreme Court rulings

Supreme Court Justices are basically the only high federal employees with no code of ethics.

Bob Neal: The Countryman: The timelines that separate us

While there are divisions of class and economics and education in this country, scenes are now playing out that represent a division of time, between the past and the future.

Bob Neal: The Countryman: The Will Rogers curse

Divided by religion; divided from religion

Bob Neal: You’re getting warmer

In praise of dead armadillos

Homer Simpson is in charge. Do’h!