Bob Neal: The Countryman: Is it OK to be American?

I blame Democrats for making politics about our condition of birth rather than about getting along in the world. But Republicans have made a weapon of identity, putting their cards on the table of white resentment.

John Henderson: Franco Center can make changes – but its name shouldn’t be one of them

The Franco American Heritage Center must create meaning for individuals of Franco heritage, as well as us in the "general public." Why should anyone be proud to be Franco? If the center can answer that question effectively, it will prosper as it is currently named.

Jim Lysen: Let’s work together to solve the housing crisis

Housing is not affordable for a huge number of Mainers, and that puts tens of thousands of Mainers at risk of homelessness, including veterans and seniors. Nowhere in Maine can median-income renters even afford the median rent.

Clarence Page: Insurrection? Let Tucker explain what you think you saw

I only find it darkly amusing that the right wing’s ferocious demands for strict “law and order,” especially regarding hoodlums who attack police, remarkably soften when confronted with cases of such lawbreaking by fellow right-wingers.

Froma Harrop: Warren was right before she corrected herself

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has issued serial apologies for saying, when asked whether Joe Biden should keep Kamala Harris as his running mate, "I really want to defer to what makes Biden comfortable on his team." She went on to say, "I like Kamala," which is what we call "damning with faint praise."

Cal Thomas: A hard pill to swallow

While it is increasingly difficult to launch successful boycotts against large companies, pro-lifers can take their business to Walgreens that don’t dispense the pill, or to independent pharmacies. It may not change the way most do business, but it can satisfy one’s conscience that they are not part of what some consider a modern version of child sacrifice.

A treaty to protect the world’s oceans enriches us all

We have a lot to thank the ocean for. It has also helped to mitigate climate change, absorbing 93% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases and about 30% of the carbon dioxide emitted by burning fossil fuels so far.

The housing market will test parents — and kids

Clarence Page: Chicago politics still ‘ain’t beanbag,’ but try to keep it civil

Today, we see race, ethnicity and gender continue to be issues in Chicago, but fortunately the voters seem to have gotten a little better at focusing on issues that affect all colors of Chicagoans.

Rich Lowry: In defense of Reagan

Donald Trump's forces are going to try to make Ron DeSantis' roots in the party of Reagan disqualifying. Instead, played correctly, it can be a strength.