Self & Society: Uncle Dave Finds a Rat Behind the Baseboard

David Brooks in today’s NYTimes wonders out loud if the contemporary American behavioral trend of heightened self-approval may be weakening the national civic culture. He often asks such “community” questions as he tries to puzzle out the workings of our democratic-republic system. He makes a comment on the connection to toxic partisanship in…

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Doughnut Shops in Lowell

The front cover of today’s Globe food section carries a picture of a young man munching on a delicious-looking chocolate frosted doughnut that made me want to run out and buy a half-dozen. The accompanying story discusses the “best” independent doughnut shops in Greater Boston which got me wondering which…

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Washington Captivates Obama

This painting fascinated President Barack Obama yesterday during his visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Thomas Sully of Philadelphia painted this scene of George Washington preparing his men to cross the Delaware River on a frigid December 25, 1776 night. The original painting measures 17X12 and weighs…

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