In the drowning prevention community, we dread hearing the other F-word: floaties. These seemingly innocuous devices give responsible parents a false sense of security with the assumption that the inflatables will keep their kids safe and help teach them to swim. But in practice, consistent floatie use increases the risks of accidental drowning. With U.S. […]
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 inOp-Eds, Opinion
For an ethical and enjoyable wildlife experience, embrace the space
The opportunity to see fascinating species thriving in their natural environments draws many of us to national parks, waterways and wildlife refuges every year. Almost as alluring is the appeal of getting the perfect picture that captures an animal’s beauty, ingenuity or charisma. But our Instagram aspirations must not be achieved at animals’ expense. Experts […]
advertisement
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Commentary: Why legal weed is one of the most successful — yet disappointing — social movements
Cannabis prohibition remains central to America’s failed war on drugs — upwards of half a million people were arrested for a cannabis offense in the U.S. in 2018, accounting for more than 43 % of all drug arrests. But times are changing: Cannabis reform is one of the most successful social movements in recent memory. […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Community Compass: Why I am proud to support Pride Month
Clearly, we have much to celebrate. But we must also continue working to make it right.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Commentary: The surgeon general acknowledged America’s gun violence emergency. Here’s why that matters
Hey, cheer up: The news is not all bad. The federal government acknowledged for the first time last week that gun violence is an urgent public health crisis. You already knew that, of course. We all knew it. But thanks to the gun lobby’s stranglehold on our political class, it’s been nearly impossible to focus […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Commentary: The supreme hubris of John Roberts
You don’t have to be a big fan of Chief Justice John Roberts to concede that he wouldn’t dream of jet-setting around the country at a conservative billionaire’s expense or hanging outside his home a favorite flag of 2020 election deniers or Christian nationalists. But then why, you must be wondering, was he so unwilling […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Maine Compass: This July 4, let’s celebrate our interdependence as well
In these days of division, it’s easy to forget how much we depend on each other, writes state Rep. Sally Cluchey of Bowdoinham.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Commentary: Not much clarity in the Supreme Court’s immunity decision
Anyone who expected the Supreme Court to give clear guidance on the extent to which former President Donald Trump can be tried (and tried and tried) for the crimes of which he has been accused must surely be disappointed with the complexity of what the justices decided in Trump v. United States. The case was […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Maine Compass: Biden’s accomplishments put him far ahead of his lying, immoral opponent
If overlooking one bad night is not enough for people to understand the difference between the two candidates, we are in bad shape as a country.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Commentary: Biden bumbles, Trump lies and we all lose
There were many firsts attending Thursday night’s mud wrestle between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. It was the earliest presidential debate in history. The first between two candidates of such a ripe age. The only one ever pitting the occupant of the Oval Office against the man he ousted. But for anyone who’s paid even […]