WASHINGTON — As the father of two daughters, I want them to live in a world where they are treated with respect and never experience sexual abuse — and if they ever do, they are taken seriously. As the father of two sons, I want them to live in a world where their lives and […]
Op-Eds
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Trump is hastening the arrival of a post-American world
NEW YORK — President Trump’s speech on Tuesday at the United Nations was an intelligent — at times eloquent — presentation of his “America First” worldview. He laid out an approach of pursuing narrow self-interest over broader global ones and privileging unilateral action over multilateral cooperation. But Trump might not recognize that as he withdraws […]
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Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Education funding highlight of 128th Legislature
The 128th Legislature has finally adjourned. History will soon forget the challenges, drama, dysfunction and battles of this Legislature. There were several significant challenges to consider this session, but none more important than funding Maine’s public schools. It is here that we find probably the crowning achievement of the 128th Legislature. As much as Democrats […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Voters must get involved, take back power, restore democracy
In 1788, the nation’s Founding Fathers, understanding the dangers of vesting too much power in one leader, determined that a representative government would best safeguard people’s rights. The Congress and Senate would provide checks and balances on the powers allocated a president. Men and women would be chosen by the people to represent them in […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Perspective, sj-web
Can you benefit if your insurer gains access to your Fitbit data?
Life insurance company John Hancock made a splash last week with the news that soon all of its policies would come bundled with the option to let the company track your fitness – via either a website and app, or through the use of a fitness tracker like an Apple Watch or Fitbit. The move […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Perspective, sj-web
Why the gig economy may not be such a great gig
WASHINGTON — The “gig” economy might not be the new frontier for America’s workforce after all. From Uber to TaskRabbit to YourMechanic, so-called gig work — task-oriented work offered by online apps — has been promoted as providing the flexibility and independence that traditional jobs don’t offer. Yet the evidence is growing that over time, […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Why survivors don't report sexual assaults
During Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination process to the Supreme Court, two (and possibly more) women have come forward to talk about a sexual assault that happened many decades ago and naming Kavanaugh as the offender. That has raised many questions about the motivation of the accusers, the truthfulness of their accounts and why they would […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Does our past matter to you? How about our future?
Where do you think our country stands today as compared to our beginning? Think on these facts — there were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence and they utilized the following phrase: “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” All […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
The assault on Kavanaugh validates Trump
The attempted political assassination of Brett Kavanaugh is bad for the country, but good for a Trumpian attitude toward American politics. The last-minute ambush validates key assumptions of Donald Trump’s supporters that fueled his rise and buttress him in office, no matter how rocky the ride has been or will become. At least three premises […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Are low prices always a good thing?
If you like exploring the great outdoors, as I do, you probably enjoy shopping (or at least looking) in those high-end stores serving campers, hikers and the like. There, the wilderness fantasy rides high: Neat displays of specialized tents, headlamps and fleece jackets. Often a stone-and-wood decor smelling of cedar. And salespeople who know all […]