And another thing…

David Palmer was unopposed for the Green Independent Party nomination for a Portland House district in the June primary. He gathered the needed signatures. He accepted $511 in public Clean Election money. He did everything a candidate need do except vote for David Palmer. Nor did any other Green Independent in District 37 and, since zero votes is not a plurality, Mr. Palmer will not be on the November ballot. A reminder to political activists – actual activity is required.

Buried in complaints about rude, insulting, even threatening behavior by cab drivers at the International Jetport, the city of Portland is hiring a national management firm to straighten things out. At $100,000 a year, wouldn’t it be cheaper just to put Miss Manners on the payroll?

Disciples of Wilhelm Reich gather at his forest retreat, Orgonon, in Rangeley this week to celebrate the work of the late psychoanalyst who believed the cosmic life force is directly related to sexual orgasm. Among other activities, conferees will conduct experiments with Reich’s orgone accumulator, a device of alternating layers of various fabrics that when wrapped around the user is said to focus those forces and provide a sensation of tingling warmth. A side of blankets we never suspected.

For the last few years, while the new Sagadahoc Bridge was under construction, residents of Woolwich worried that the improved, speedier crossing over the Kennebec would expose their quiet hamlet to development, traffic congestion, increased demand for municipal services and all the other evils of sprawl. Now the bridge is open, sprawl is galloping across the countryside and residents of Woolwich wonder what to do. A Committee to Close the Barn Door might be in order.

The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care will hold a series of public hearings this week and next on the efforts of the last seven months to sort out the complex issues of cost and access. Chairman Robert Woodbury cautions there won’t be “a silver bullet or a magic solution.” With the state’s health care costs rising and the health status of its adults declining, it seems too many Mainers still consider sensible diet and moderate exercise among the supernatural remedies to which Mr. Woodbury refers.