Social media especially Facebook and Twitter and other technology has brought a added dimension to celebrating and sharing the Lowell Folk Festival. Personally, my thanks to Facebook friends who posted spectacular photos from the opening parade and kick-off of the 28th Annual Lowell Folk Festival! Deb Belanger, Phil Lupsiewicz , Jennifer…
The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons-Barron’s own blog. President Obama said again today that Israel has a right to defend itself against the 1500 missiles Hamas has recently lobbed from Gaza into Israel and tunnel incursions to kill and capture Israeli citizens. But this morning he expressed concern…
This is a re-post from July 2013, pulled from the richardhowe.com archives—PM The media coverage of family friction involving the owners of the Market Basket supermarket empire sent me back in the Time Tunnel to the mid-1960s, maybe 1965, when the Ford Mustang was the sports car of the moment…
The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons-Barron’s own blog. A sovereign nation must be able to control its borders. The United States cannot simply throw open the gates and let anyone come in, even children. That said, there needs to be a humane approach to the nearly…
The news about Gov. Deval Patrick seeking ways to aid children caught in a crisis situation along the southern border of the U.S. reminded me of an example of a member of Congress from Lowell trying to help children in distress during WWII. This is an excerpt from my essay…
The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus (1849-87) Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From…
On Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m.- noon, the Lowell CanalWaters Cleaners will hold their annual Pre-Folk Festival cleanup. The group will meet at Mack Plaza, at the corner of Market and Shattuck Streets. Depending on the number of volunteers, we can spread out to other areas to help the…
John Edward teaches economics at Bentley and UMass Lowell. He’s a frequent contributor of columns on economic issues. Here is his latest: Here’s an idea – off with their heads! First came the Enlightenment. Then came the Revolution. The French stormed the Bastille 225 years ago today. Soon, Louis the…
The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons-Barron’s own blog. When the cat’s away, the mice will play. In terms of congressional financing, the cat is public disclosure. Given the do-nothing Congress’ indifference to its abysmal public image, I probably shouldn’t be shocked that the House has just…
Our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering in Lowell tonight. To help survivors of the Branch Street fire and the families of our seven neighbors who died in the fire, donations can be made by sending a check or money order to “Branch Street Fire Victims Relief Fund,”Jeanne D’Arc…