Columnists

Caitlin Rhodes

Martha Bauman

Chris Bosak

Paul Croteau

Steve Gilbert

Owen Houghton

Garisson Keillor

Kevin Landrigan

David Proper

June Fuerderer

Don Flood

Previous Columnists Headlines

March 17th, 2010

Obama and the terrorism trials

In the first week of his administration, President Obama announced that he would close the Guantanamo detention facility within a year — part of a larger repudiation of George W. Bush’s policies in the war on terror. Today, however, Guantanamo is still open, and Obama is reportedly considering reneging on what would be the most powerful assertion possible of U.S. commitment to the rule of law — civilian trials for Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and other alleged 9/11 conspirators. If this is a trial balloon, it deserves to be punctured.

Let’s imagine the consequences of a national DNA database, by Clarence Page

As if President Obama didn’t have enough on his platter, he’s calling for accused criminals to have their DNA samples collected and stored in a national database, whether they’re convicted or not. He’s a brave man to open that can of worms.

Saudi Arabia’s ways with child brides

Saudi Arabia has a serious child-marriage problem.
March 16th, 2010

Can’t government do anything right?

It has become fashionable to believe that government can’t do a blessed thing right.

Alaska’s Iditarod race should be relegated to the history books, by Jennifer O’Connor

People everywhere watched in awe recently as Olympic athletes skied for miles, skated for hours and performed amazing physical feats. But even gold medal winners wouldn’t be equal to what the dogs in the Iditarod will be forced to do in the next few weeks.

The great American debate restarts

This country began with a fierce debate, and it does not appear to be over. The folks rallying to the tea party campaign espouse a program that goes right back to the Articles of Confederation. Whatever we think of it, the movement is as American as apple pie. And its followers think so too, calling themselves “patriots” rather than Republicans or Democrats.
March 15th, 2010

Postal Service reform isn’t going to be easy, by the Hartford Courant

Faced with rising costs and vanishing revenue due to a staggering decline in the amount of mail delivered — 36 billion fewer pieces in 2009 than in 2006 — the U.S. Postal Service has to reinvent itself.

Unlocking information in Washington

During the presidential campaign of 2008, it was not usual for then-candidate Barack Obama to talk about transparency and the importance of open government.

Brazilian president for U.N. chief?

Ashort news item in Brazil’s news magazine Veja this week suggested that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is considering running for U.N. secretary-general after he leaves office at the end of this year. If true, that would explain a lot of things.

Good news in Iraq is not absolute

Nearly seven years after President George W. Bush initially proclaimed success, the American mission in Iraq finally seems as close to being accomplished as it may ever be. But doubts will remain if it was worth the massive cost in lives and treasure.

It’s nearly time for spring’s surge of sightings, by Sentinel birding columnist Chris Bosak

Last week, I wrote about spring slowly making its appearance. This week let’s take a look at what that means for the bird world and what can we expect in the next few weeks.
March 14th, 2010

The Iraq election brings new hope

It wasn’t pretty, but it worked. Nearly two-thirds of Iraq’s voters turned out despite bombings, religious feuds and fragmented politics.

In praise of the rotation of power

As the Afghanistan War intensifies — Marja, soon Kandahar, and the steady arrival of 30,000 new American troops — it has come to be seen as Obama’s war.

Eyeing hospital costs, by Paul Spiess

It is time for the state to act on health care costs. That is why it is critically important for the legislature to take a look at Senate Bill 505 creating a cost commission to review hospital costs and pricing mechanisms.

Older Americans Act is critical to quality of life

Why should we care about the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act? Simply because it’s the major federal vehicle for the delivery of social and nutrition services for older persons. Imagine New Hampshire seniors without:

A SLICE OF LIFE: Taking time out can be restorative

It began on a whim and grew into a tradition, my own rite of spring. A lucky rite of spring. It started 11 years ago when my daughter Lauren was in 5th grade. Avid Red Sox fans, we decided on a father-daughter trip to Fort Myers, Fla., for a few spring training games. It was the first time I had ever done it.

There’s a marigold for you

Marigolds are easy to grow and need a minimum amount of care.

VA puts ‘stay’ on claims for new Agent Orange presumptives

According to the Web site www.vawatchdog.org, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is now dragging its feet on claims for the new list of presumptive diseases caused by Agent Orange.

Be wary when planning a vacation

The snow is melting in the woods of North Carolina and the kudzu is greening up. This ravenous pea-like vine was introduced to prevent soil erosion and now it is devouring the South, which goes to show you that some solutions are worse than the problem. Likewise, the judge in Yolo County, Calif., near Sacramento, who sentenced a man to seven years in prison for stealing a $3.99 bag of shredded cheese.
March 13th, 2010

A matter of definition

“The president is a person, not a product.”

How to reduce postal costs, by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Americans’ love-hate relationship with the U.S. Postal Service is about to be tested again.

How much more can I take?, by Elayne Clift

I never thought I’d say this, but I think I’m becoming a hedonist.
March 12th, 2010

Federal gun rights should continue to exist, as should gun regulations enacted by the states

State governments can and should enact gun regulations that increase the public’s safety, but Americans do have an individual right to own them.

Revising the public arts funding pledge

We know it wasn’t easy for our City Council, which has shown its commitment to support local artists in both words and deeds, to reverse its decision to spend $37,000 for a new piece of art at the fire station under construction on Lafayette Road.

Feminists rightly decry the behavior of men, by Jonah Goldberg

In Cameroon, some mothers “iron” their daughters’ breasts to delay or prevent them from having sex. The procedure often involves grinding a very hot rock into the chest of the girl, but sometimes kerosene or hot plantain peels will do the trick. The practice, which permanently disfigures the girls, starts with adolescence because that’s when girls start becoming attractive to boys.

twitter Feeds

Today's Weather
Keene, NH



Paid Advertisement







Special Sections
No publications or editions were found!

more >>