A wonderful reunion was held Thursday, a celebration of the 20-year history of John and Diddy Cullinane's stewardship of Black & White Boston Coming Together. They have published a book commemorating the contribution of that organization and of many civic and business leaders to the economic and spiritual health of Boston, a community with still-open …
Who is Bruce Poliquin, and why we should care
U.S. Sen. Angus King (Ind.) says the House-passed health care bill, "the most ill-conceived, damaging and downright cruel piece of legislation that I have ever seen," will cost Maine people their health insurance. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is concerned about its impact on older and rural Americans, of which Maine has a disproportionate share. …
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Final Kirby Perkins “A+” scholarship awards given
Kirby Perkins was a Channel 5 reporter with a breadth of interests who especially loved politics and sports. The station’s “High Five” series of profiles has long celebrated high school athletes. But Kirby thought that academic performance should be equally honored. His efforts led to WCVB's "A+" series, highlighting students who achieved academically while overcoming some …
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Free speech, incitement and civil discourse
Both House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Speaker Paul Ryan issued stirring calls to unity following the horrific shooting this week of Republican Congressman Steven Scalise and several others at an early morning softball practice in Virginia. At the same time, others, including former Speaker Newt Gingrich, are now blaming the Democrats, the media and …
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Fair Harvard got it right
I've written often that college students need to hear more, not fewer controversial points of view, that they need to learn how to function in the marketplace of ideas. That's what college is all about and how kids grow from being part of vigorous debate among the student body. Students shouldn't be protected by trigger …
Getting around Trump obtuseness on climate
First, President Trump is wrong on the facts. The Paris Accords did not treat the United States unfairly. Under the agreement, targets for greenhouses gases are voluntary, and every country can change how it will alter its plans for controlling carbon emissions. And, if its articulated goals are not met, there are no penalties for …
One Thing Donald Trump Is Good For
No, no, don't click off. President Donald Trump is good for one thing. He is challenging me to expand my vocabulary. How many new ways can I find each day to say ignorant, childish, incurious, narcissistic, malignant, erratic, dangerous, insensitive, capricious, backward? Take this morning, for example. Two of the more outrageous and aggravating stories …
Hillary Clinton at Wellesley College: the beautiful bubble
Hillary Clinton's return on Friday to her alma mater (and mine), Wellesley College, was triumphant. Her speech was powerful. She was warm and down to earth, funny and inspirational. Except for a dozen or so ("lock her up") trolls on social media, she was enthusiastically received. In this blog, I've often decried life in the bubble, …
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Setti Warren for Governor?
The sun shone brightly on Saturday's Beaumont Avenue block party in Newton, complete with kids, dogs, tee shirts and balloons. Setti Warren, the Garden City's two-term mayor, was announcing for governor in front of the house in which he grew up. The mood was warm; the mayor's message, visionary and upbeat. After his speech, some of …
Impeachment, the 25th Amendment or neither?
It’s too early to talk seriously about Presidential impeachment. Increasing reports about apparent obstruction of justice or enrichment of Donald Trump's own and family businesses in violation of the emoluments clause are still at the fact-gathering stage, especially now that former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been named Special Counsel to investigate all things Russian. Building a case for impeachment …
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Marjorie Arons-Barron 