Pope Francis’s message to the United Nations, the U.S. Congress and the American people could not have been much clearer. His message was one of compassion for the poor and for refugees, of economic justice and defense of the environment. Except for the single misstep of meeting secretly with evangelical county clerk Kim Davis, he […]

Let me say at the outset that I am not opposed to the use of citizen initiative to address critical land-use issues. Twenty-five years ago a citizens initiative protected Portland’s working waterfront. The move toward wall-to-wall condos was halted. An enlarged Maine State Pier, a new International Marine Terminal, Eimskip’s growing container shipping activities, new […]

I don’t want all your guns. In fact, I hope never to see your guns. I hate guns. I accept, however, that guns are the accessory to some people’s hobbies and sweet dreams. Target practice at a gun range. Hunting. Something in your bedside table to give you peace of mind about a hypothetical home […]