Higher education prides itself on two overarching values: supporting the marketplace of ideas and academic freedom. But there has been an increasing and unremitting effort to eliminate conservatives and conservative thought in the humanities and social sciences in the American academy. Channeling the late civil rights advocate President John F. Kennedy, who said, “Are we […]
Ben Bragdon
Staff Writer
Ben Bragdon is managing editor of the Sun Journal. Prior to that, he was deputy managing editor for news at the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. Ben was previously editorial page editor for those newspapers and Central Maine Sunday for more than 10 years. Before that, he was managing editor for weekly newspapers at Current Publishing in Westbrook. He began his career as a reporter at the Piscataquis Observer in Dover-Foxcroft and editor at the Moosehead Messenger in Greenville. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Boston University.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Wheelchair athlete should be allowed to compete alongside teammates
The MPA should reverse its decision on Jonathan Schomaker, a 15-year-old sophomore at Leavitt Area High School.
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Posted inEditorials, Opinion
View from Away: Sanctions can still work – here’s how
Do economic sanctions serve U.S. policy objectives? An important new report from the Government Accountability Office raises the question, but supplies an unsatisfactory answer: Although the departments of Treasury, State and Commerce all pay close attention to the impact of specific sanctions on their targets, there’s no reliable way to assess whether — or even […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor, Opinion
Pouliot big part of Augusta’s renaissance
In community discussions and in the papers, at the State House, and in each corner of our great state, Augusta’s “cultural renaissance” is what everyone is talking about. Augusta is a city on the move with a bustling downtown, incredible financial and volunteer investment, and home to many well-attended community events. These things don’t just […]
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Proud state watching as Meir prepares to make history
The 42-year-old Maine native is scheduled to take part in the first all-female spacewalk Thursday or Friday, NASA says.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
View from Away: Protect democracy against social media manipulation
The United States may not be the only target of Vladimir Putin’s social media warfare, but many Americans do seem particularly vulnerable to Russian agents’ tricks. Consider Russian operatives’ malicious use of social media platforms to upend our democracy and influence the 2016 election, outlined in a Senate Intelligence Committee report released last week. Despite […]
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
View from Away: Beto O’Rourke embraces divisions by wanting to tax religious organizations
When Beto O’Rourke ran for U.S. Senate in Texas last year, he presented himself as someone who could reach across the political divide and work with those he disagrees with. Now as he runs for president this year, Candidate Beto is embracing the politics of sharp divisions. That’s how we read his response to a […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Maine Compass: Invest in students to secure future workforce
I am a proud, lifelong Mainer. I was born in Maine, attended undergraduate and business school in Maine, have built a career in Maine, and will eventually retire in this great state. As both the CEO of one of Maine’s largest companies and as a resident, I worry about the future of Maine’s workforce and […]
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: New holiday a chance to tell new stories
Everyone knows the story of Christopher Columbus, but the history and cultural impact of Native Americans has been brushed aside.