While the inhabitants of Washington, D.C., sit in the worst political gridlock the nation has seen in a lifetime, amazing things are happening all around the country — without the blessing of those who get paid to do the public’s bidding.

Mired in accusations of sexual harassment, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain told reporters, “(D)on’t even bother me asking me all of these other questions that you all are curious about. Don’t even bother.”

Of all the sins of omission committed by Penn State University in its alleged mishandling of sexual assaults, perhaps the most unforgivable was the failure to find the young boy who was seen being victimized in 2002.

With another hotly contested election now behind us, it’s time to take a fresh look at the way campaigns are financed — and how the money that’s raised and spent affects the outcome, not to mention the tone, of a campaign.

We remain skeptical about the “Occupy” wherever/whatever movement, here in Maine and around the country. What’s the point? What are these people trying to achieve? What’s the end game? Is there, in fact, a point? A goal? An end game?

Finally, it’s Election Day. You’ve seen the ads. You’ve read the news stories, the op-eds, the letters to the editor. Ready or not, it’s time to vote.

Maine and Saudi Arabia have nothing in common, save one thing: An utter dependence on oil, with the price of it having a drastic effect on their residents and economies.

One of my early attractions to newsrooms was the intriguing collection of characters and rogues who practiced their craft in settings that were mostly dark and dingy, but somehow conveyed an energy that was both raw and fine-tuned.