Editorials - Courant.com

Report Clears Meriden Cop, But More To Come

Wed, 30 May 2012 21:02:00 GMT

Excessive force, favoritism inquiry not the last word

A so-called independent investigation commissioned by the city of Meriden does not put to rest allegations that a police officer used excessive force against suspects and was treated favorably in disciplinary proceedings because he is the chief's son.

Prescription Drug Tracking System Worth Keeping

Wed, 30 May 2012 21:02:00 GMT

Keeping track of medical prescriptions for controlled substances such as narcotic-based painkillers is important, and it isn't an issue that can be handled by pharmacies or by doctors alone. Both must act in concert to make sure that such medicines aren't over- or under-prescribed, and that no one acquires multiple prescriptions to abuse the system.

Teacher Evaluation Planning Belongs In The Open

Tue, 29 May 2012 21:38:18 GMT

Why were numerous meetings held behind closed doors?

State Department of Education committees acted illegally in meeting numerous times behind closed doors on one of the most important parts of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's education reform plan, how teacher and principal evaluations will be done.

Drinking And Boating Don't Mix

Tue, 29 May 2012 21:38:05 GMT

State sees increase in alcohol-related boating deaths

Boating under the influence of alcohol is as dangerous as — in some situations more dangerous than — driving under the influence. This should be obvious, but apparently it is not, at least to some pickled skippers.

Connecticut On Right Side Over Wrongful Convictions

Tue, 29 May 2012 21:28:27 GMT

Exonerations Registry: National archive highlights miscarriages of justice

Convicting an innocent person of a crime is profoundly unjust; it is one of the most heinous mistakes society can make. It deprives an innocent person of freedom, often for years, while a real criminal remains on the loose.

Poetry's Rock Stars Light Up Sunken Garden

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:30:00 GMT

A Connecticut literary treasure for 20 years

When hundreds of people showed up for a outdoor poetry reading in Farmington in 1992, causing a traffic jam, "it dawned on us," said an organizer, "this was going to be a yearly thing." That was an understatement.

A Dissident Reminds Us Of Memorial Day's Value

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:29:00 GMT

Chen Guangcheng was beaten, imprisoned for exercising freedoms Americans take for grante

Memorial Day is — and should be — about remembering American sacrifices in war. It therefore may seem odd to look to a Chinese man as the exemplar of the holiday's meaning. But it is by no means a stretch.

Time To Prepare: Rising Sea Levels Threaten Connecticut Coast

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:26:00 GMT

Tropical Storm Irene hammered the houses in the low-lying Cosey Beach area of East Haven last August. Now, according to town officials, most of those homes are being rebuilt.

CT Race For Cure Hurt By Planned Parenthoood Flap

Fri, 25 May 2012 21:49:00 GMT

When the Susan G. Komen Foundationdecided to defund Planned Parenthood earlier this year, the Connecticut affiliate was the only one in the country with the courage to immediately — and publicly — stand up to that stupidity.

Ernie Newton Shouldn't Run

EDITORIAL — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Former Senator: Convicted bribe-taker is giving Bridgeport and the legislature a giant headache

Ernie Newton's winning the Democratic Party endorsement Monday night for his old Bridgeport-centered state Senate seat is disquieting news. What are Democrats thinking?

State Police OT Dilemma: High Price Of Protecting Governor

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:10:38 GMT

Last October, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced a laudable goal of reducing state overtime payments by 10 percent, which would save $25 million over the previous year. Although the Malloy administration has made real progress — overtime payments are down by 5 percent — there are still some pockets of resistance, some agencies where overtime is rampant.

State Police Should Skip No-Confidence Vote

Wed, 23 May 2012 22:12:00 GMT

Call center plan is sensible; union should not object

The Connecticut State Police Union should rethink its plan to conduct a "no confidence" vote against Public Safety Commissioner Reuben Bradford and state police Col. Danny Stebbins. It will accomplish nothing.

Editorial: What Are Democrats Thinking Endorsing Ernie Newton?

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:26:20 GMT

Convicted bribe-taker has begun a comeback

Ernie Newton's winning the Democratic Party endorsement Monday night for his old Bridgeport-centered state Senate seat is disquieting news. What are Democrats thinking?

Cheers For Trinity Lacrosse Champs

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:20:00 GMT

Lacrosse Champs Players miss graduation to bring home the prize

Trinity College President James Jones interrupted commencement this past weekend to note that five members of the graduating class were absent because they were with the women's varsity lacrosse team, which was vying for the Division III national title. The crowd sitting outdoors beneath the elms roared its approval.

Right Direction: Bike Path Part Of Busway

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:34:34 GMT

One of the least publicized aspects of CTfastrak, the project formerly known as the New Britain-Hartford busway, is that the 4.4-mile section between downtown New Britain and Newington will have a multiuse trail.

At Long Last, Hartford-New Britain Busway In Gear

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:48:00 GMT

It took more than 15 years and spanned the terms of three governors, but CTfastrak, nee the Hartford-New Britain busway, is now under construction.

Anointed Candidates Hate Them, But Primaries Are Good

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:59:00 GMT

Party Primaries Endorsed candidates and party bosses don't like them, but so what?

Political party bosses and activists — party elites, to use a popular term — hate primary elections, which they view as expensive and divisive. So do convention-endorsed candidates. They'd just as soon get on with the main show — the campaign against the other party's nominee that culminates in the November general election.

Revolutionary? Where? State Has To Help Tourists Find Historic Sites

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:59:00 GMT

Connecticut's new marketing campaign, "Still Revolutionary," with its mix of history and innovation, is a good first step to attract tourists. Studies show that travelers want to absorb the culture and history of their destinations.

New Start For Old Building Housing Renowned School For The Deaf

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Ground-breaking The American School for the Deaf begins a new era today

The American School for the Deaf had to face reality. Its majestic old building was rundown and unsafe.

No Wine In Wilton, Beer In Bridgewater, Sold Sunday

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:51:36 GMT

Town ordinances still hold sway, as would-be beer buyers in Bridgewater will find

Connecticut's centuries-old fierce defense of home rule influences many aspects of state life, from the variable quality of towns' schools to our equally variable forms of town government. Now, it has manifested itself in the way the new liquor-sales-on-Sunday law works — or doesn't work.

Higher Ed Costs Choke Students, Economy

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:51:32 GMT

Skyrocketing Costs The rising price of higher education is unsustainable — and unjustifiable

The needless political crisis of an interest rate hike on student loans threaten the financial well-being of millions of young Americans. But the trillion dollars of college debt facing them is also a serious threat.

New Hartford Police Plan Breaks The Silos

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:45:14 GMT

Chief Rovella focuses on violence, quality-of-life offenses

Many have wondered why Hartford can't get its crime problem under better control, when the city is relatively small and presumably manageable. One reason is that the responsible agencies don't always work together.

Trail-Blazing Former Hartford Mayor Ann Uccello Turns 90

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:45:03 GMT

As the story goes, the young executive at G. Fox went to her boss, Beatrice Fox Auerbach, in 1963 and said she'd like to run for Hartford city council. Since the council met on Mondays, a day the famed department store was closed, Mrs. A gave her blessing.

Fiscal Future Now Less Scary Thanks To Health Care Changes

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:26:00 GMT

Health Care Connecticut starts to meet its obligations to future state retirees

For years, Connecticut has been promising future retirees good health care benefits but failing to sock away any money to pay for them.

Higher Ed Costs Choke Students, Economy

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:20:00 GMT