I’m guessing that the French presidential election isn’t high on your current list of interests. If not, I suggest you take a long look at the photos that feature Vladimir Putin communing with one of his favorite goons, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. In the French election runoff on April 24, Le Pen has […]
Times Record Opinion
Columns and opinion news from the Times Record.
Peter Roff: Push for new antitrust rules infested with cronyism?
An unlikely coalition of senators is backing Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar’s bill to drastically overhaul the nation’s antitrust laws. They may want to give her proposal another read, because there are things about it that might not be what they seem. Klobuchar wants to be president and is counting on this legislation, the American Innovation […]
Douglas Rooks: On Anthem, the die was cast long ago
Maine Health, the state’s largest hospital chain, made headlines last week by announcing it would sever its network agreement with Anthem, the nation’s second largest health insurer, at year’s end. This probably won’t happen; these shots across the bow are common, as both entities maneuver for advantage. Maine Health claims $13 million in underpayments, by […]
David Treadwell: Keeping up with our host students
During a recent visit to Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida, we did what we do there: take walks, collect shells, engage with strangers and read books on the beach. While such vacations feed our souls, we’re even more energized by maintaining close ties with young people. While on Anna Maria, we […]
Gordon Weil: The Empire tries a comeback
The Empire returns. It’s not another Star Wars sequel. It’s the dream of Russian President Vladimir Putin. And it’s much more likely than Hollywood’s film fiction. Once upon a time, there were empires. Over the past few centuries, the British, French, Dutch, Germans, Austrians, Ottomans, Russians, Chinese and Japanese had them. Empires are large territories […]
Elwood Watson: Republicans are playing a dangerous game
Just when you though they couldn’t go any lower, some Republicans have taken to labeling Democrats as the pro-pedophilia party. Yes, you read that correctly. On April 5, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jezebel of the conservative far right, during an appearance on Real America’s Voice network, levied the following allegation: “The Democrats are the party of […]
Tom Purcell: Learning to appreciate the regular flu
I recommend the seasonal flu — but please allow me to explain. About a week ago, I felt suddenly rundown and weak. I just wanted to lie down. I thought nothing of it at the time. My family is facing some difficulties at the moment, difficulties we all must face now and again — and […]
Guest column: Banning flavored tobacco will help youth kick the habit
“You’ve come a long way baby.” Many of my younger patients don’t recognize this advertising slogan. But they are experiencing the impact. For years, tobacco companies have extensively targeted women by associating cigarettes with social desirability, independence, weight control, and having fun. Like most other advertisements, they often feature slim, attractive and athletic models, perhaps […]
Jase Graves: Can you do the splits?
According to Livestrong.com, there are nearly 5 million young people participating in gymnastics in the United States, and although only a handful ever make it to Olympic competition, their parents fork over enough cash on lessons, leotards, custom-embroidered gym bags, hair bows, grips – and other equipment my wife didn’t tell me about – to […]
Carl Golden: Biden and Harris present a shaky future for Democrats
In the history of the Watergate scandal of 1972 – arguably the most egregious instance of government corruption in the nation’s history – one of the consistent narratives involves the cold political calculation reached by embattled President Richard Nixon that he was shielded from impeachment because Congress was horrified at the prospect of a President […]