Author: John Scott
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“Todd Webb in Africa” Exhibition Captures Hopeful Era of African Progress
“Outside the Frame: Todd Webb in Africa” is a captivating new exhibition at the Portland Museum of Art in Maine that I had the opportunity to visit last month. Although my annual vacation to Mount Desert Island in August usually takes me to Maine, I hadn’t been to Portland since 2019 when I wrote a…
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Texas lawmakers pass bill clarifying abortion laws
Texas lawmakers from both sides of the aisle came together during a contentious legislative session to pass a bill clarifying abortion laws in the state. The bill, which passed unanimously in the Texas senate and with a 128-12 vote in the house, does not change existing laws but provides greater clarity on how Texas’s abortion…
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Is Michigan Headed for Another “Lost Decade” under Governor Whitmer?
Michigan’s “Lost Decade” during the Aughts under former Governor Jennifer Granholm saw the state suffer a severe economic downturn and population losses. Although Granholm is not to blame for the Great Recession, Michigan fared worse under her leadership than most other states, experiencing uninterrupted job losses until the last year of her tenure. Michigan was…
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Discover the Story behind the Juan de Pareja Portrait at the Met
“Juan de Pareja: Afro-Hispanic Painter” is a new exhibition at the Met that is topical, revelatory, succinct, smart, and scholarly. The exhibition features eight, possibly ten, paintings by Diego Velázquez, including his famous 1650 portrait of Pareja. This portrait, which depicts Pareja, Velázquez’s assistant and former slave, is a splendid piece and holds a significant…
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The Importance of Good Stewardship in Higher Education: A Critique of the President of the College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross holds a special place in the heart of many of its alumni, including the author of this article. He met his wife there, sent his daughter there, and has made lifelong friendships. He believes that the college has an important role to play in American life as the nation’s…
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Iowa’s Conservative Reforms: A Model for Other States
Iowa has long been recognized for its first-in-the-nation caucuses during election season, but when it comes to policy, the state has traditionally gone unnoticed. However, after Republicans gained unified control of Iowa’s house, senate, and governor’s mansion in 2016, the state has begun to implement strong conservative reforms, setting it on a path of limited-government-policy…