Albany Times Union Archives - Mark Marchand blog

Albany-area residents view the April 8 solar eclipse. (Photo credit: Times-Union, Albany, NY)

Guest commentary on the 4/8 total solar eclipse

Post published:April 16, 2024

(The Times-Union daily newspaper of Albany, N.Y. accepted and published my guest commentary on the April 8 total solar eclipse:) Commentary: All eyes on the sky The total solar eclipse was an opportunity to live in the moment, no cellphone required — except for taking photographs By Mark Marchand April 14, 2024 In those low-tech pre-internet days, I was often called upon as a Verizon spokesman to relate how world events affected phone call volumes. Two of my favorite happenings were the O.J. Simpson trial verdict in 1995 and the 1981 wedding of…

The panel at the Times-Union of Albany HQ Nov. 15, 2023 (l-R: Kenneth C. Crowe II, Casey Seiler, Jon Schleuss, Judy Patrick, Margaret Sullivan, Mark Vinciguerra, and NY Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.)

Why we need local journalism more than ever

Post published:November 21, 2023

When Virginia became the 10th and final necessary state to ratify the Bill of Rights on Dec. 15, 1791, those founding fathers probably didn’t realize that 232 years later part of the first of those 10 constitutional amendments would still be so important … yet struggling to thrive. Throughout our nation’s history, freedom of the press has been a firm guidepost for our country and how the news media can and should be used to hold governments and others accountable to American citizens. And while this fundamental right has survived many threats…

Commentary: Don’t mistake tweeting for activism

Post published:April 11, 2023

(Editor's note: This commentary I wrote appeared in the Times-Union daily newspaper of Albany, N.Y. on April 11, 2023) Sub-head: After a tragedy like a mass shooting, we post, share and break out the sad emoji. That's fine — but if we want things to change we can't stop there. Mark Marchand April 11, 2023 Has social media “venting” replaced meaningful action? The posts, reactions and tweets start within seconds after the latest tragedy. Within hours, the posts pick up speed, galloping through the Wild West that is social media. The latest…

The opioid crisis: words matter

Post published:March 12, 2020

This is an Op Ed I researched and wrote, which appeared in the Times-Union newspaper of Albany, N.Y. today. A link to the original post is at the end. Words and language are powerful tools at our disposal. That’s why I’ve spent a fair amount of my life writing, reading, teaching, and studying our amazing English language. Coupled with multiple platforms we use to exchange words – ranging from print to social media to the internet itself – we swap ideas, information, thoughts, multi-media and so many other forms of communication instantly…

The 50th anniversary of landing on the Moon – A personal reflection

Post published:July 22, 2019

It’s been a half century since we landed on the Moon. It was an important moment in my life and, I suspect, for millions of others. I have spent years studying the nine-year NASA program, leading up to the Apollo 11 landing on July 20, 1969. During that time, I have read hundreds of historical records, books, and other accounts of this amazing achievement for humankind, attempting to find some sort of personal meaning. I wrote about it in this Op Ed published last weekend in the Times-Union daily newspaper in Albany,…