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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

Can't be wrong

Talking Politics
I don't care if my state representative is sneaking off to Argentina to romance some exotic mystery woman. Given my rep's track record at the State House, he's unlikely to be any less effective in pursuing a clandestine international affair than in passing legislation.

By AL DIAMON | July 08, 2009

Low expectations

Talking Politics
There are some important qualities I'd like to see in the next governor of Maine. But they're all pretty boring. So let's get to what I wouldn't like to see.

By AL DIAMON | July 01, 2009

My aim is true

Talking Politics
I believe in having clear and achievable goals.

By AL DIAMON | June 24, 2009

Some kind of salvation

Politics and other mistakes
In 2008, Sean Faircloth, then a state representative from Bangor, lost his bid to become Maine's attorney general, mostly because lots of legislators questioned his credibility. When your credibility is so shaky that even politicians notice, you have a serious problem. It's sort of like if atheists complained about your ungodliness.

By AL DIAMON | June 17, 2009

I've got you under my skin

Politics and other mistakes
The first rule for running a successful race for governor is never to say anything of substance about anything. Taking even the most innocuous of positions (Do you think Maine should have an official state skin disease?) will only cost a candidate votes.

By AL DIAMON | June 10, 2009

Out of the closet

Politics and other mistakes
I don't believe in gay stereotypes. With one exception.

By AL DIAMON | June 03, 2009

Out of office

Just because nobody pays attention doesn't mean a guy can't make a royal mess of things.
It's only fitting the news media seem to have missed James J. Walsh's death. Even when Walsh was alive, the rare instances when he attracted publicity never worked out too well for him. The only reason he had any kind of political career was because he mostly flew so far below the radar that he had to pick earthworms out of his teeth.

By AL DIAMON | May 27, 2009

Bigger is better

A smaller House
You've seen those obnoxious TV ads for phony products promising "natural male enhancement." Now, here's something that does exactly the opposite.

By AL DIAMON | May 20, 2009

Drinking muddy water

Eco-Whacko Syndrome!
There's something in the water

By AL DIAMON | May 13, 2009

Generation Green

Once derided as tree huggers, eco-friendly youth are now the nation's most powerful (and feared) voting bloc. So why isn't the GOP listening?
Republicans have a lot to say about the immorality of saddling the next generation with our national debt. But when it comes to leaving them a wrecked, depleted, and rapidly warming planet, they are taking the exact opposite line.

By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | May 11, 2009

Do it like we used to do

Traditional marriage and values
There's a lot to be said for what opponents of same-sex nuptials call "traditional marriage."

By AL DIAMON | May 06, 2009

Art for art's sake

The creative economy
Apparently, I'm one of those artist-types. Except it's not called "artist" anymore. That term is too, well ... artsy-fartsy. It doesn't adequately convey my critical importance to society.

By AL DIAMON | April 29, 2009

One foot in the grave

The governor's race lurches along
Here's who the Maine Republican Party should nominate for governor in 2010.

By AL DIAMON | April 22, 2009

Equal scary people

Should foreigners -- like folks from NH -- vote in Maine?
I have nothing against people who've had the misfortune of being born in other nations. Unless they're from Chad.

By AL DIAMON | April 08, 2009

Light that failed

How is Maine's term-limits law working?
How has Maine's term-limit law, restricting legislators to eight consecutive years in office, been working since it was approved by voters in 1993?

By AL DIAMON | March 25, 2009

Folie à deux

A fairy tale about government spending
Once upon a time in Unrealityland, there were two senators named Olympia and Susan. They were good senators, always looking out for the Unrealists' best interests.

By AL DIAMON | March 18, 2009

Devotion to unholy creed

Al Daimon insists he ain't a right-wing jerk. Really.
Some of my readers have a warped view of my political bent.

By AL DIAMON | March 11, 2009

Some people have real problems

Politics and other mistakes
Mainers are facing grievous financial burdens. Stores and factories are shutting down. Businesses that stay open are laying people off. Unemployment is rising as fast as the foreclosure rate on homes. And housing prices are sinking like the value of retirement accounts.

By AL DIAMON | February 11, 2009

Chronichitis

Politics and other mistakes
Many of you are suffering from a brain condition called ignorance. Others are infected with a disease called stupidity of the head.

By AL DIAMON | December 23, 2008

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