Today, when we give tribute to those who have served in our armed forces, many Maine veterans are struggling. Too many returning veterans are out of work, unable to translate their military skills into civilian employment.

As farming shifts from large commodity farming to local farms that actually produce food that is good for you, it would be great if we still had enough land around us to produce our food.

Today, Veterans Day, we pay tribute to those who defend our country and give so much to preserve our way of life.

The world’s population hit 7 billion people this past week, according to United Nations estimates, launching another round of debates about “overpopulation,” the environment and whether more people means more poverty. As we mark this demographic milestone, let’s dispense with some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the number of humans on the planet.

A 16-year-old, straight-A student who wanted to be an engineer was killed by a blow to the head during a football game in New York on Oct. 14.

It was dismaying but not entirely surprising to learn the results of the Commonwealth Fund’s recently released analysis of international health care performance. The report ranked the United States last among industrialized nations in providing timely and effective to prevent deaths.

Because this column is so fabulous and attracts fabulous readers like yourself, the point being made today comes in the form of a fable.

Last month I wrote about “civic disaster behavior” and what we could each do to counteract it. Here’s a great opportunity — Election Day is Tuesday!