News

Our journalism echoes our politics

If the press reflects the times, which way will it go now?
Why won’t the Maine press inquire deeply into major issues?

By LANCE TAPLEY | August 03, 2009

Freelance in Maine

Four decades of advocacy journalism
" Stop the press!" The press stopped.

By LANCE TAPLEY | August 03, 2009

Greens see red, must seek more green

Campaign planning
In a move Maine Green Independent Party leaders say unfairly targets them, but that Maine Democrats say is simply protecting taxpayer money, the Legislature last month passed a law requiring gubernatorial candidates to raise tens of thousands of dollars from private donors before qualifying for public support.

By JEFF INGLIS | July 29, 2009

Personal fouls

ESPN's odd double standard on sex
The biggest story in sports media last week was the discovery of surreptitiously shot nude-video footage of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, whose comeliness has made her a favorite — and sometimes a fetish — of the online sports commentariat.

By ADAM REILLY | July 29, 2009

Local Sprouts dig in

Venue watch + more
For two years, the Local Sprouts Cooperative has been creating a name for itself as a sustainable and healthy catering and meal cooperative in Portland. Hanifa Washington, a worker-owner and chef, likens it to "Superman in slo-mo," saying that the organization has experienced a "steady advance" since its inception in 2007.

By DEIRDRE FULTON | July 29, 2009

Press Releases: Memo to Rich Connor

Press Releases
Memo to Rich Connor

By JEFF INGLIS | July 29, 2009

Happy together

Politics and other mistakes
There's an easy way to make everyone happy.

By AL DIAMON | July 29, 2009

How much rock would a Woodstock stock if

Three-day festival of peace and music
Hopes are high among the quartet of rock entrepreneurs – John Roberts, Joel Roseman, Michael Land, and Arnie Kornfeld – who think they can succeed where George Wein, Newport promoter, has not.

By ELEANOR WEBER | July 23, 2009

Federal investigation requested

More prison turmoil
Stirred into action by the murder of a wheelchair-bound prisoner, human-rights activists have asked the federal Department of Justice to investigate the treatment of Maine State Prison inmates.

By LANCE TAPLEY | July 22, 2009

The sunny side of the street

Politics and other mistakes
It's good to be known as an optimist. It keeps people from realizing you're actually a boob.

By AL DIAMON | July 22, 2009

Me, myself, and race

Diverse City
I have been told by many different people at many different times that I put too much thought into race, that perhaps I overreact and see race as a factor when it might not be.

By SHAY STEWART-BOULEY | July 22, 2009

Cyberchondriacs

Online health info can make you crazy
Last year, a co-worker (who shall remain nameless to save her from additional embarrassment) discovered a bug bite on her leg. It was slightly different than a typical mosquito bite; it was more bruise-like, and a bit painful to the touch. Not having any insect-bite specialists on hand, my colleague turned to the Internet for help identifying the source of her ailment.

By DEIRDRE FULTON | July 22, 2009

Sarah Palin, Inc.

The biggest brand name in conservative politics is about to enter the burgeoning right-wing marketplace — and she's perfect for it. Ka-ching!
Confused commenters have no clue as to the opportunities that await Palin — because few understand the extraordinary, multi-billion-dollar marketplace that has developed for movement conservatives.

By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | July 17, 2009

Filling a legal void

Arts and the law
One thing many artists don't have a lot of is legal expertise. Another is money. And in most cases, you need one to get the other. That's where the Maine Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts comes in.

By DEIRDRE FULTON | July 15, 2009

Hot Toddy

YouTube mystery to go live in Portland
The uncredited, audio-only, blank-screen video debuted on YouTube in October 2007, but didn't start getting known until the middle of last year. Its popularity has grown steadily since: the original posting still hasn't topped even 10,000 views — and yet, it seems everybody's heard it by now. Soon, you might get to see it performed live.

By RICK WORMWOOD | July 15, 2009

Fat city

Talking Politics
You wouldn't buy a suit from a tailor who wears ill-fitting clothes. You wouldn't take suggestions for summer-reading from somebody who's illiterate. You wouldn't cast your ballot for a candidate who's completely clueless.

By AL DIAMON | July 15, 2009

Thunder Road

Balls, pucks, and monster trucks
Whether young or old, sick or healthy, celebrities have been dying at a hell of a clip: David Carradine, Farrah, MJ, Karl Malden, Steve McNair, Ed McMahon, Sky Saxon, even Robert McNamara (yet, somehow, Mickey Rooney and Abe Vigoda live).

By RICK WORMWOOD | July 15, 2009

The 12th Annual Muzzle Awards

A look at the dishonorable enemies of free speech and personal liberty in New England.
With the era of repression and secrecy fostered by George W. Bush and Dick Cheney finally over, this should be the best of times for freedom of expression, open government, and civil liberties. Yet change comes slowly.

By DAN KENNEDY | July 10, 2009

Muzzle Awards: Collegiate Division

New England campuses muzzle free speech
In a 1957 Supreme Court decision upholding the free-speech rights of university professors ( Sweezy v. New Hampshire ), Justice Felix Frankfurter quoted prominent South African scholars on the importance of academic freedom.

By HARVEY SILVERGLATE | July 10, 2009

Robert McNamara, RIP

Memories of Vietnam should speed Obama's exit plans for Iraq and Afghanistan
As secretary of defense under President Lyndon B. Johnson, Robert McNamara prosecuted the Vietnam War on a day-to-day basis, just as Donald Rumsfeld orchestrated the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq for George W. Bush.

By EDITORIAL | July 08, 2009