Our view: More meep nuttiness

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November 23, 2009

Anonymous The Salem News Mon Nov 23, 2009, 06:00 AM EST

Businesses pay big money to get the amount of notice a single word — meep — has generated for Danvers High School.

The story about Principal Thomas Murray's meep ban has gained the school worldwide exposure via the Internet. It's been of great interest to free-speech advocates and Muppets fans alike and has generated a rash of Google searches and cybercomment.

While it's a harmless expression when uttered by Muppets lab assistant Beaker, Murray says "meep" has been used in a harmful fashion by some students. School officials are right to be concerned about bullying behavior by members of the student body. But they appear to have engaged in some of their own by notifying those writing the administration about the controversy that their comments were being "forwarded to the Danvers Police Department."

To their credit, police say they don't plan any action at this time. Indeed, this might be a case best left to Kermit the Frog, Private Eye.

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Opinion

Our view: Bans on drug discounts, doctors' meals should be repealed

Could Massachusetts be shedding its nanny-state image?
Currently, it's the only one of the 50 states that bans the use of coupons for the purchase of prescription medications. Legislators apparently felt their constituents might be too easily swayed by these offers and might go on drug-buying binges aided by their doctors who must write the prescriptions.

The Salem News Thu, May 31
May 31, 2012 5:00 am
Our view: Trailblazing local preservationist wins statewide honor

We suspect few are more anxious to see the Friendship back at her berth at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site than Annie Harris.
As director of The Salem Partnership, she was instrumental in getting the replica of a 1797 East Indiaman built to enhance the visitor experience at the National Park Service-administered site and serve as a symbol of the ties that bind the communities of Essex County. Those efforts eventually led to her appointment as the first director of the Essex National Heritage Commission in 1997, a post she holds to this day.

The Salem News Thu, May 31
May 31, 2012 5:00 am
My View: College: Is it worth it?

A recent AP story reported that one in two new college graduates is jobless. Having just graduated myself, it's an understatement to say this is concerning.
Did I just spend four years of my life and an exorbitant amount of money for nothing? The article seems to indicate that, yes, I did.

Katie Thompson The Salem News Copyright 2012 SalemNews.com, Salem, MA. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Thu, May 31
May 31, 2012 4:45 am
Barbara Anderson: Home's value determined by what tax assessors say it's worth

As we approach another anniversary of the property tax-limiting Proposition 21/2, I'm happy to again celebrate its creation by Massachusetts voters in 1980. But I've recently learned that since the beginning of its July 1981 implementation I've misunderstood one thing about it over the years.

Barbara Anderson The Salem News Copyright 2012 SalemNews.com, Salem, MA. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Thu, May 31
May 31, 2012 4:45 am
Letter: Beloved bookstore's closing a loss for the community

To the editor:
For the last 25 years, the town of Wenham has had the honor of having in its center a unique treasure, the Banbury Cross Children's Book Shop. It was a small oasis of quiet, peace and pure joy to book lovers and busy moms, and a special gift to generations of Hamilton and Wenham children. Banbury Cross Children's Book Shop was dedicated to providing the best in children's literature to all.

Beloved bookstore's closing a loss for the community The Salem News Copyright 2012 SalemNews.com, Salem, MA. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Thu, May 31
May 31, 2012 4:30 am
Letter: Salem cemetery open to some, not others May 31, 2012 4:30 am
Our View: Big test for upstart Senate candidate May 30, 2012 5:00 am
Our View: Time to get rid of Salem council's silly gag rule May 30, 2012 5:00 am
Reg Henry: Dear Friends: Facebook is, like, so lame May 30, 2012 4:45 am
What Others Say: Nanny state alive and well in the Merrimack Valley May 30, 2012 4:45 am
Letter: Great day for Farms community May 30, 2012 4:30 am
Letter: Proposed development threatens another Beverly neighborhood May 30, 2012 4:30 am
Letter: Excessive parking rules threaten Salem's small businesses May 30, 2012 4:30 am
Letter: Goal should be reasonable ambulance rates for all May 30, 2012 4:30 am
Our View: Sports stardom no guarantee of future success May 29, 2012 5:05 am 1 Photo
Our View: For better or worse, this trio helped define our culture May 29, 2012 5:00 am
Letter: Project should provide ownership option for working class May 29, 2012 4:30 am
Letter: St. Mary's: Lifebridge should mend things by finding new home for grotto icons May 29, 2012 4:30 am
Letter: St. Joseph's Church: a legacy for future generations in Salem? May 29, 2012 4:30 am
Our View: A day to honor our military heroes May 28, 2012 5:01 am 1 Photo
Our View: Tourney time a spring treat May 28, 2012 4:59 am
Thanks: Chief made a good impression on her class May 28, 2012 4:55 am 1 Photo
Thanks: Auction raised money for Ipswich Rotary's good works May 28, 2012 4:55 am
Ann McFeatters: It's all about the economy May 28, 2012 4:55 am
Thanks: Many helped honor Marblehead physician May 28, 2012 4:55 am
Thanks: Change in Salem Hall of Fame something to celebrate May 28, 2012 4:47 am
Our View: Transient staff evidence of NOAA's dysfunction May 26, 2012 4:41 am
David M. Shribman: Respect for vets, confidence in military something we all agree on May 26, 2012 4:39 am
Quips & Quotes May 26, 2012 4:38 am
Our View: Time to move forward with Law of the Sea treaty May 25, 2012 4:46 am

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