Massachusetts
updated
2:20 p.m.
In what was expected to be a photo opportunity to announce funds for summer jobs turned spontaneously engaging as Governor Deval Patrick left the stage and ventured into the audience to answer random questions from Lowell High School seniors. After making his points about the need for more jobs for kids and his commitment to helping with that—which [...]...
Jackie Doherty - 2:20 p.m.
Following September 11, I remember seeing a bumper sticker that read "So Glad I Voted for Bush." The Worst President Ever was somehow credited with leadership after that day. Aside from the corporate media's desire to portray a strong leader in charge, I never understood. Then we went into Iraq. Things went from the ridiculous to the sublime. We essentially toppled the Ba'athist goverment of Sa...
Granby01033 - 2:20 p.m.
Our miniscule state GOP has done the expected and filed ethics complaints against Speaker DiMasi for the ticket thing, the loan thing, and so forth. Sal is striking back with a letter direct to the press: As a state representative, member of the House leadership and, for nearly four years as the Speaker of the House, I have made many decisions based solely on the interests of my constit...
Blue Mass. Group - 2:18 p.m.
And what does John Kerry 's GOP opponent stand for? Apparently, the answers are Mr. Not-John Kerry , and Being Not-John Kerry . Although he loves John Kerry's website design so much, he copied it. What positions does John Kerry 's GOP opponent hold, and which issues are important to him? Well, going by the lack of an Issues page on his website, NONE and NONE! But he do...
Blue Mass. Group - 2:18 p.m.
Williamstown, MA - Peter Lawson-Johnston, a member of the Guggenheim family's fifth generation, will discuss his memoir Growing Up Guggenheim on Sunday, May 18, at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. This free lecture begins at 3 pm. Following......
Greylock News - 2:18 p.m.
North Adams, MA - Noted local historian Paul W. Marino has announced his 2008 schedule of historic walks in and around the city of North Adams, MA. Except where noted, all dates are Saturdays and walks start at 2:30 pm.......
Greylock News - 2:18 p.m.
North Adams, MA - Mill City Productions, a North Adams based community theatre will be holding a monthly play reading series, starting Thursday, May 22nd with a dramatic reading of the Agatha Christie mystery, “The Mousetrap”. Each month, a different......
Greylock News - 2:18 p.m.
Williamstown, MA - A special feature of the Williamstown House of Local History House Tour on Sunday, May 18, will be the appearance of Dwight Kelly as an historic interpreter at The 1753 House on Field Park. A high school......
Greylock News - 2:18 p.m.
Jim Gordon is not a pirate, as suggested by April 25 letter writer John Finnerty Jr. Mr. Gordon would pay us for a lease for ocean space for the benign purpose of generating electricity we all use. He'd remove nothing from the Sound....
Clean Power Now - 10:44 a.m.
The Walpole Peace and Justice Group will be showing the documentary, “Why We Fight,” at the Walpole public library on May 13 at 7:30 PM. “Why We Fight,” which was a Grand Jury Prize winner at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival , is an unflinching look at the anatomy of American war making. Granted unparalleled Pentagon access, the film launches a nonpartisan inquiry into the forces – political, eco...
Walpole Peace - 10:42 a.m. - 3 clicks 
Seriously, no . No! A group of antitax activists launched a campaign over the weekend to abolish the state income tax, setting the stage for a contentious public battle if the measure is added to the ballot this fall. The ugliest part? How would the state cut $12 billion? That's three times the sum the state sends cities and towns for public schools. Laying off every state employee would on...
Ryan's Take - 10:42 a.m.
--$35 million? Not worth recuperating , when you're the Mittster. "Governor Romney has no plans either now or in the future to raise money so that he can retire his debt," says spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom. --The fulfillment today of the hotly anticipated (well, if you listened to me, anyway) announcement that former congressman Bob Barr is running for the Libertarian Party Presidential nominatio...
Talking Politics - 10:42 a.m. - 2 clicks
It's so much fun to watch irony play out in real time. Today's installment: Bob Barr, one of the leaders of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, has now decided that he's going to do the Democrats the biggest favor possible. He's running for president . Barr has a enough of a national profile that he could prove a real annoyance to John McCain. Barr won't win any states...
Blue Mass. Group - 10:42 a.m.
Carla Howell must have sent out a press release this weekend, because the Globe's got a big story on The Dumb Idea to get rid of the income tax. How Dumb Is It? Community, political, and business officials are grasping for words such as "chaos," "devastating," and "catastrophe" to describe the scenario that would unfold if the measure passes. I'd say that pretty much is the def...
Blue Mass. Group - 10:42 a.m.
A couple items of interest on tomorrow night’s agenda. First, under Unfinished Business, the Cultural Office vote is coming up again, having been postponed until Bernie came back. It should pass this time (it needs 6 votes), as all cronies have been reassured that their feathered nests - er, I ......
Left In Lowell - 10:41 a.m.
Someone unearthed this vintage footage of O’Reilly on an old show, trying to do a taped take. His very uncool reaction (warning, some pretty bad swearing) really gives you a sense of the man - and his way of dealing with problems. It’s too bad he doesn’t do this live ......
Left In Lowell - 10:41 a.m. - 4 clicks
"The good thing is we are going to be living within our means." -- Selectman Bryan F. Hauschild According to the Republican , approximately $17.1 million spending plan to come up for approval calls for using up only about $166,000 in free cash. This is good news, considering the fact that in previous years, we've used between half a million and a million dollars of dump revenue to balance...
Granby01033 - 7:05 a.m. - 2 clicks
The Boston Globe has an article on The Committee for Small Government petition drive for a ballot question to eliminate the state income tax. Before signing on, however, it's important to consider that it is not a committee for small government, it's a committee for no government. Led by wingnut Carla Howell, who incidentally bills herself as a singer-songwriter , The Center for Small...
Granby01033 - 7:05 a.m. - 7 clicks
instead of the dishonest conservative shill he has become nigh this election year. Where is the stern Arizona progressive who once railed against phony tax cuts, low congressional ethics and the government's ominous "torture policy"? Where is that straight-talkin' liberal who fought a lonely fight for campaign finance reform? I mean who let this panderer into the room? Now, the closer we get to No...
Chimes at Midnight - 7:02 a.m.
In this video Tim Russert explains the presidential numbers the old fashion way, simply. After watching this you’ll know why Obama has shifted his campaign’s attention from Hillary Clinton to John McCain. ...
Richard Howe - 6:11 a.m.
Town meeting is both an event and a governing body of the town. If the Select Board is the executive branch of our town government, town meeting is the legislative branch. No board or committee can spend money that is not approved first by town meeting. Much of annual town meeting is spent spending (or not) the town's money. A warrant is always published for a town meeting. It lists articles, whi...
Granby01033 - 6:11 a.m.
I normally don't bother with Dan Shaughnessy. In fact it took me years to figure out what CHB stands for. I saw his contrarian streak a long time ago. But as a native Clevelander (and a loyal, non-band wagon Celtics fan) I was drawn to his stuff recently -- especially Sunday's non-slap at the erstwhile Mistake on the Lake. So I started out on today's column , and made it no farther the fift...
Massachusetts Liberal - 6:10 a.m.
You can now access Superintendent Baehr’s recommended FY09 budget for the Lowell Public Schools online. Also online is the re-examination report of the district conducted in 2007 by the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (EQA). This most recent report by the state agency praises Lowell schools for significant improvements while also indicating areas of continued concern. [......
Jackie Doherty - 3:18 a.m. - 8 clicks
I don't know about Barbara Anderson, but repealing the Massachusetts income tax would mean real money in my pocket. A lot more than the 18 bucks she envisions getting. And a lot more than the 30 bucks that most folks would see from Hillary's gas tax holiday. And when you look at the people circulating and signing the petitions, you can't help but notice they are normal moms and dads -- no extr...
Massachusetts Liberal - 3:18 a.m. - 7 clicks
Yesterday nearly 300 members of the Democratic State Committee gathered at the Dorchester IBEW digs under the watchful eye and gavel of DSC Chair John Walsh. In addition to the regular business of the DSC, attendees also voted to fill out the ranks of the Massachusetts Delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention scheduled for August [...]...
Richard Howe - Sun 9:42 p.m. - 11 clicks
Bay State Bombast hits the Massachusetts Republican Party when they are down: The incredible shrinking Mass GOP is contesting only 29 percent of the 200 state legislative seats in November. At the very least, a new party slogan is in order. Here are some suggestions: • Massachusetts GOP: The party that believes size doesn't matter. • Admit it. You were just as blo...
Blue Mass. Group - Sun 9:41 p.m. - 10 clicks
With Obama now being the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party many have asked, or will ask that question. The New York Times ran a pretty good story on Senator Obama today, with a focus on his evolution from a constituency of "reformers" as he began his political life, to ......
Bill Manzi - Sun 7:33 p.m. - 2 clicks
Some folks have wondered why the ban on gift giving to physicians extends beyond pharmaceutical companies to medical device makers. For the answer, see this article in the May 19 Business Week: In February, spine surgeon Dr. Charles D. Rosen stood before the Senate Special Committee on Aging and chastised the medical device industry for [...]...
A Healthy Blog - Sun 7:32 p.m.
A Poem in Honor of Mother's Day Although my throat has hurt all day You want me to read you another story. You nestle, your curls still moist from your bath. You smell of baby shampoo. The rocker creaks, as I begin The Little Engine that Could. My voice sounds Like an old car A block away, in the snow. Your eyes half close, your body softens, and I tuck your blanket around you. R...
Blue Mass. Group - Sun 7:31 p.m.
With the number of questions begged in their average education editorial, the Boston Globe's Editors could be arrested for panhandling. I wouldn't mind if their squeegees actually washed away some from the accumulated grime on the state of American educational discourse, but I've given up waiting for it to happen. Having no idea what they don't know, showing no inkling of desire to learn, they ...
Granby01033 - Sun 4:25 p.m. - 14 clicks
Annual Town Meeting is Monday, May 12. For the second year in a row, the Town of Granby will not seek a budget override. For years, the Finance Committee has been warning of drastic cuts and/or override votes. These events are still on the horizon, but this year, an increase in state aid and a little dump revenue have held off drastic changes. In the last fiscal year, we were able to f...
Granby01033 - Sun 4:25 p.m.
Just got home from the DSC Delegate and DNC member Elections...Hillary Clinton picked up some unexpected extra delegates today at the DSC Elections and more than a few "messages" were sent in the process. Losers: Ted Kennedy- His longtime banner-carrier Marty Xifaris (Obama supporter) was ousted from her DNC member slot by Sue Thompson (Hillary Clinton organizer/coordinator). It didn't help Mar...
Blue Mass. Group - Sun 1:29 p.m. - 17 clicks
in which he argues that Reaganism is a sort of bastard offshoot of American Liberalism. He further asserts that liberal social engineering initiatives (busing in other words) impelled Saint Ronald to desert his youthful liberalism and gave hm his big chance to fetch the proverbial blue collar "Reagan Democrats" for the GOP. Yeah that is an interesting thesis, but let the record show, that Ronald R...
Chimes at Midnight - Sun 1:28 p.m. - 2 clicks
While we can argue endlessly about liberal versus conservative journalists and media bias, I am willing to give one point in that debate: journalists (pundits in particular) and Democrats tend to fight the last war. Case in point: Joan Vennochi's lament that Barack Obama is a politician (horrors!) who, now having been exposed by his former pastor will dissolve into a Dukakis-Kerry-like puddle o...
Massachusetts Liberal - Sun 10:04 a.m. - 14 clicks
Did you know that May is National Bike Month? In Massachusetts we also have “Bay State Bike Week” (May 12-18) which tries to get folks to rethink their daily transportation choices and opt for two wheels instead of four. In can be a challenge to bike in city traffic, but if you follow the rules and [...]...
Jackie Doherty - Sun 3:47 a.m. - 24 clicks
It's a mistake to equate the American Jewish vote with Far Right support of Israel. Like any other Americans, Jews are a diverse group, and while Israel remains an important and heartfelt issue among most, they do not monolith. For every Bill Kristol or Michael Savage, there is an Eric Alterman, Ezra Klein, Noam Chomsky, or Robert Reich. Nevertheless, the average American voter, regardless of eth...
Granby01033 - Sat 11:49 p.m. - 3 clicks
I’ve been writing on this blog for 15 months and the post that resulted in the most feedback was the one containing pictures of our new puppy. Well, she’s 12 weeks old now and here are some new photos with background music courtesy of the Lowell High School Jazz Band: ...
Richard Howe - Sat 7:51 p.m. - 23 clicks
Hi everyone, I hope you’re all looking forward to a great summer, and thank you so much for reading Innermost Parts and making us more successful in our first full semester than any of us thought possible. Over the past few days, I’ve been talking to Sahar about what our summer posting schedule should look [...]...
Innermost Parts - Sat 4:16 p.m. - 2 clicks
The latest MassHealth Enrollment Snapshot report (Excel download here) shows that total MassHealth enrollment grew by 14,272 people during March. The growth comprised 7,505 adults and 6,765 children. Most of the growth in March was among the lower-income categories. MassHealth Standard, which generally covers parents below 133% of poverty and kids below 150%, grew by [...]...
A Healthy Blog - Sat 1:38 p.m. - 2 clicks
Deval Patrick's staffer Doug Rubin has come on BMG a couple of times to provide updates and discussion on the administration's progress to date. In the comments under his most recent post, he asked the community for suggestions on how to communicate with this community. I thought about the question and I do have a suggestion (pardon me if it ends up as a ten-point plan). My suggestion: first, fig...
Blue Mass. Group - Sat 1:38 p.m. - 23 clicks
There's a theory in public relations that the best way to minimize coverage of bad news is to dump it late on a Friday afternoon. Fewer reporters may be paying attention and smaller, less well-read Saturday papers make it less likely that people will notice. The most glaring example I was involved with came in 1986, when Republican gubernatorial candidate Royall Switzler decided to take a sleep...
Massachusetts Liberal - Sat 11:05 a.m. - 2 clicks
Since they were four years old, my children have attended the Lowell Public Schools—my oldest is now at the Freshman Academy at LHS and my youngest is in middle school. Thursday, I attended events at the Bartlett, a K-8 school; the Stoklosa Middle School; and the Daley Middle School. On Monday, I attended Special Olympics [...]...
Jackie Doherty - Sat 5:52 a.m. - 24 clicks
Safety, Lives of LGBT Moldovans Under Immediate Threat; Action Needed Now! A C T I O N A L E R T | Your Help Urgently Needed The safety and human rights of LGBT people in the Eastern European nation of Moldova are under threat right now. The government of Moldova is threatening to arrest Rev. Elder Diane Fisher and Eastern European LGBT activist Florin Buhuceanu if they hold worship services...
Live, Love and Learn - Fri 9:07 p.m. - 3 clicks
As many of you know, Deval Patrick promised on the campaign trail to be Governor of the whole state. During his first 16 months in office, he has worked hard to keep that promise, visiting cities and towns across the commonwealth, holding cabinet, anti-crime council and readiness project meetings in different parts of the state, and opening a western Massachusetts office. Most recently...
Blue Mass. Group - Fri 9:06 p.m. - 24 clicks
With my election earlier this week to the West Brookfield Board of Selectmen, I am thinking carefully about my priorities. While I do that, I have decided to put The Eisenthal Report on hiatus. I have not decided how -......
Eisenthal Report - Fri 9:05 p.m. - 2 clicks
The state of Texas is a state of mind. To truly be a Texan, you have to love Texas. The Lone Star state of mind also comes with an adamant belief in right and wrong, no matter how wrong it is. Criminal defendants executed in spite of grossly inadequate representation? Hey, Texas is tough on crime. Texas teenagers have sex at a higher rate than the national average. Texas has the highest teenage ...
Granby01033 - Fri 7:39 p.m. - 2 clicks
Michelle Kwasney does a great job with my children. They love art and they love the projects they do in class. In 2004, Ms. Kwasney made news when she published her young adult novel Baby Blue. The DHG reports : Michelle Kwasney wanted to illustrate children's books. The elementary art school teacher had long been a fan of the drawings and artwork in children's literature and took some illust...
Granby01033 - Fri 7:39 p.m. - 2 clicks
The talking heads keep talking but they aren't saying anything. Polls showing Sen. John McCain running neck and neck with Sen. Hillary Clinton give the heads (and Clinton) something to talk about, but they don't mean much says He Who Must Be Read : Political scientists, by and large, believe that what happens on the campaign trail, while it gives talking heads something to talk about, is more o...
Granby01033 - Fri 7:39 p.m. - 2 clicks
"...I think, in the 2000 election, I think [the media] were fairly brutal to Al Gore. I think they hit him hard on a lot of things like inventing the Internet and some of those other things, and I think there was a generalization they bought into that, if they had done that to a Republican candidate, I’d be going on your show saying, you know, that they were being biased..."." --Joe Scarborou...
Granby01033 - Fri 7:39 p.m. - 2 clicks
Two recent stories direct from HCFA’s Hepline: An angry woman named Jan* called the Helpline on Tuesday to express her furor regarding health reform. She said health reform was making it impossible for hard-working, self-employed people like her to live in the state. After the Helpline Counselor asked a few quick questions about Jan’s [...]...
A Healthy Blog - Fri 7:39 p.m. - 2 clicks
Local newspapers all across the state are full of stories about Proposition 2½ . Read as single-serving, town-by-town, vote-by-vote media blurbs, they don’t pack much of a punch. Take a minute to browse through the ONE Massachusetts News Roundup , however, and a much larger story emerges. Residents in towns and cities across the Commonwealth are talking with their friends and nei...
Blue Mass. Group - Fri 7:38 p.m. - 22 clicks
Gas prices are going up, folks, and two presidential candidates, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain, have proposed a solution: a gas-tax holiday. But, Susannah wants to know, what about more environmentally-friendly alternatives? Read more — including Bob’s response and an homage to my own greater Boston MBTA — in the latest episode of [...]...
Opposite Fields - Fri 4:31 p.m. - 23 clicks
As you may have read, the feds recently raided the man I once dubbed "Bush's House Homophobe," Office of Special Counsel (OSC) head Scott Bloch. I'll have more to write about this journalistic gift who keeps on giving, but one item for now. Back in August 2005, Bloch's then-#2 guy authored a lengthy opinion memo of OSC "findings" supporting allegations brought by Richard von Sternberg, ...
Talking Politics - Fri 4:29 p.m. - 2 clicks
Newton Mayor David Cohen announced today that he will not be seeking reelection to a fourth term next year. As discussed here just last week, Cohen has seen his popularity plummet recently in the wake of the Newton North High School construction project. This announcement brings a number of questions to mind: 1) What effect will this have on the hotly contested override vote scheduled for M...
Blue Mass. Group - Fri 4:29 p.m. - 23 clicks
BOSTON The state would open up ocean sanctuaries to renewable energy development under a legislative agreement that could allow a controversial wind farm in Buzzards Bay to be built under certain conditions. A six-member conference committee of House and Senate members reached consensus on the bill this week, avoiding more drastic House legislation that critics say would have opened up Buzzards...
Clean Power Now - Fri 10:18 a.m. - 18 clicks
The Merrimack Repertory Theatre season is coming to a close, but you can still catch their likeable last play, The Four of Us, until May 11th. The MRT has many creative ways to buy tickets for the upcoming, 2008-2009, season, including a flexpass or customized season pass. Highlights for next year include the Broadway hit musical, The Fantasticks, and another [...]...
Jackie Doherty - Fri 10:18 a.m. - 2 clicks
Gay-marriage amendment likely dead for year in Pennsylvania Wednesday, May 07, 2008BY JAN MURPHY Of The Patriot-News : An effort to add an amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution banning gay marriage was dealt a major setback in the state Senate on Tuesday. The Senate was expected to consider legislation to limit marriage to a union between one man and one woman, and not recognize any ot...
Live, Love and Learn - Fri 10:18 a.m. - 2 clicks
NORTH ADAMS, MA For the first time, students at (MCLA), along with Dr. Tony Gengarelly, chairman of the Fine and Performing Arts Department, have produced a major publication. A project of the advanced museum studies class, the book, Exploring......
Greylock News - Fri 10:17 a.m. - 14 clicks
Williamstown, MA – We are building history every day and this year the Williamstown House of Local History’s Historic House Tour celebrates the architecture and building techniques of the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries in the seven private homes......
Greylock News - Fri 10:17 a.m. - 2 clicks
As a boomer, I grew up knowing Americans were supposed to be the good guys. Oh, yeah, and that we cherished our liberties, models for the world. So, how is it that got to the point that we actively torture people and take the most basic freedoms from our citizens? At the seminar/panel on torture last weekend, several speakers dealt with just those questions. The answers were not satisfying,...
Marry in Massachusetts - Fri 10:16 a.m. - 2 clicks
The proposal to tax the largest university endowments is -- let's see, how can I put this tactfully -- one of the stupidest ideas to recently emerge from the statehouse, as the Globe rightly editorializes today. But it does bring to mind an intriguing proposal put forward by Chris Gabrieli during his recent unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign. The idea is to encourage companies...
Talking Politics - Fri 7:18 a.m. - 23 clicks
Nice to see that Rep. Ron Paul is still in there trying to throw haymakers against Senator John McCain. His followers are a funny lot, whirling derverishes, consecrated saints, rag-sale holy-men and college students, college students and more college students as far as the eye can see. Gideon's Army indeed...all seemingly unaware of the gruesome racist sentiments he has flung at American black m...
Chimes at Midnight - Fri 7:17 a.m. - 2 clicks
As we get closer to the final weigh in for Latitudes "biggest loser" competition it has become obvious that my competition, Mayor Michael Sullivan is begining to crumble under the pressure. As Tom Duggan has reported at www.tommyduggan.com Mayor Sullivan has been spotted by my spies enjoying vast quantities of ......
Bill Manzi - Fri 6:11 a.m. - 20 clicks
Congressman Stephen Lynch is requesting submissions for the 27th annual Congressional Art Competition. The 9th District-Out of Iraq Coalition is contacting art teachers in the public schools and urging a theme of peace/not militarism in the Middle East. U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-9th, announced the opening of An Artistic Discovery, the 27th annual Congressional Art Competition. This compe...
Below Boston - Fri 6:11 a.m. - 12 clicks
Want to know why the Massachusetts Republican Party is starting to resemble a dinosaur? How about legislation aimed at helping to sell more cigarettes ? A Republican-sponsored amendment stuck inside the Massachusetts Senate's corporate tax reform law would eliminate a minimum pricing law tacked on in 1945. Opponents say it would negate the cost of the $1 per pack planned cigarette tax increase a...
Massachusetts Liberal - Fri 3:12 a.m. - 21 clicks
Everything seemed pretty normal on Comm. Ave. tonight as a strolled up to a sub shop to grab a sandwich while Mrs. OL was working late. The only thing that seemed unusual was the street cleaner making endless passes on a street that is usually neglected. That and the six TV satellite trucks parked on the median to the service road and across the way in front of Comm. Ave Associates. At least ther...
Massachusetts Liberal - Thu 9:55 p.m. - 13 clicks
The Connector Board met today to discuss current and future priorities for Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice, and engaged in a robust discussion on allowing individuals with unaffordable employer-sponsored insurance to join CommCare. The Board also voted and approved a new contract with Health Management Systems which will conduct insurance investigations on CommCare applicants and enrolle...
A Healthy Blog - Thu 9:55 p.m. - 2 clicks
This Saturday, May 10, Jason Lewis is opening up his campaign office here in Stoneham. We've just moved into the office here and I want to invite the BMG community to the grand opening. This will be a chance to talk to Jason, check out the new office, meet the staff, have some food and refreshments, and hear about how the campaign is going. We'll begin the festivities with a ribbon cutting cer...
Blue Mass. Group - Thu 9:54 p.m. - 9 clicks
Hoo lordy, this is just plain desperate: As part of the health care cost-control plan, Sen. President Murray has proposed to eliminate pharma companies' bribes gifties to doctors. And now WAAAAATCH OUT! Glaxo's gonna pull up stakes and ship right out! It's so obvious: Our health care waste-spending is someone else's revenue stream. But make no mistake -- this j...
Blue Mass. Group - Thu 9:54 p.m. - 2 clicks
Jay Tea at Wizbang has prompted me finally to do something I should have done a week-and-a-half ago -- to thank Wavemaker (former state rep Peter Morin) for having EaBoClipper, Jay Tea and myself to talk to his blogging/politics class at Tufts. Lots of fun -- terrific, probing, and unexpected questions from the class and Peter ... and that's not even to mention the pizza, the NH doughnuts...
Blue Mass. Group - Thu 9:54 p.m. - 2 clicks
Rep. Jamie Eldridge invites you to join him, Governor Patrick, Senator Pam Resor and former Senator Bob Durand in Hudson on Monday, May 12. Jamie is kicking off his campaign for State Senate. The Kick-off begins at 6:30 PM at the Hudson Portuguese Club at 13 Port Street. This should be a fun event and a chance to hear our Governor and a great candidate. In addition to the free ev...
Blue Mass. Group - Thu 9:54 p.m. - 9 clicks
I have said time and time again that Hillary Clinton will do or say anything to win the presidency. Including race baiting. Don't believe me, well can you tell me who, "hard-working Americans, white Americans" are? She will do anything. I'm just waiting for the July surprise when the Clinton campaign goes nuclear. You ain't seen nothing yet. ...
Blue Mass. Group - Thu 9:54 p.m. - 2 clicks
I admit I play chicken with my car: when the dashboard light warns me I need gas, I keep driving—especially these days with price an upwardly moving target. This morning I broke all records and paid $71.46 to fill the tank. It wasn’t the first time I felt the personal pain of soaring costs, but [...]...
Jackie Doherty - Thu 4:13 p.m. - 2 clicks
Corn, of all things, plays a major role in our current economic woes. The high price of oil and government mandates to find alternative fuels has raised the price of corn, leading mega-farmers to plant more of it and sell most of it for ethanol. With gas creeping towards $4 per gallon, I’m not sure [...]...
Richard Howe - Thu 4:13 p.m. - 2 clicks
The Daily Kos blog is boasting or posting a series of commentaries on all 50 states as part of a look at the 50-state Democratic strategy. Today’s focus falls on Massachusetts. While the post is quite positive - in fact listing our “Blue” Massachusetts as #1 of the 50 states, it’s disturbing to read the view [...]...
Richard Howe - Thu 4:13 p.m. - 26 clicks
In his dotage, one of my great uncles began to lose his short term memory. Something that happened a day or a week ago was unlikely to find a home in his mind. He had lived a long, full life, and though he never lost his mind, his mind revolved around a handful of seminal events in his life. Any conversation with him was bound to return to talk of one of these events. When it comes to the Globe...
Granby01033 - Thu 4:13 p.m. - 3 clicks
MassResistance is now touting that the Massachusetts Legislators are "disconnected". MassResistance is so far right that even conservative Republicans are dissing them and yet they say that the legislature is out of touch!!! ROFLMAO! Commentary [Updated]: What we must do now The Massachusetts Legislature really doesn't get it. These public officials are disconnected from reality. MassResistance...
Massresistance Watch - Thu 4:12 p.m. - 19 clicks
The Lowell Cemetery’s Annual Memorial Day Remembrance scheduled for Sunday May 18, 2008 will honor the memory of Paul E. Tsongas. Over the years this event has become renown for its excellent program, music, military and service participation. The parade kicks off at 12:30pm at the Belvidere Gate on Knapp Avenue. The full list of participants is available [...]...
Richard Howe - Thu 1:50 p.m. - 21 clicks
--Here's my take. Barack Obama was able to rack up a huge number of delegates, and become the presumptive nominee, by February 12th (the 'Chesapeake' or 'Potomac' primaries, a week after Super Tuesday), without ever really being properly vetted as a candidate at this level. That was because A) he came in remarkably un-vetted compared to most Presidential candidates; B) the GOP nomination race to...
Talking Politics - Thu 1:48 p.m. - 3 clicks
NORTH ADAMS –TALKING WITH by Jane Martin will be performed at Main Street Stage, 57 Main Street, North Adams Produced by Melissa Quirk, this cast features many of the talented members from the Town Players’ production held at BCC in......
Greylock News - Thu 1:48 p.m. - 25 clicks
North Adams, MA - Northern Berkshire Creative Arts is seeking donations of Art objects in good condition, including: paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculptures, tapestries, weavings, quality ceramics, and art posters for their May 24 Moving Art Tag Sale to benefit......
Greylock News - Thu 1:48 p.m. - 20 clicks
North Adams, MA - Northern Berkshire Creative Arts is offering a teen/adult workshop on Wearable Art: Handmade Paper Jewelry taught by Robin Brickman on Sunday, May 18, from 2pm to 4pm. Tuition is $45. Using sculpted paper techniques, participants will......
Greylock News - Thu 1:48 p.m. - 25 clicks
North Adams, MA - Northern Berkshire Creative Arts and the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) will collaborate for NBCA's monthly Family Art Day, May 17, from 1-3 PM. River habitats and inhabitants will be the subject of sculptures, masks and......
Greylock News - Thu 1:48 p.m. - 20 clicks
This is not a joke… really. Brandeis Students At Odds Over Israel Yes, that’s right, our tiny little campus scandal has turned into a major scandal! Soon CNN analysts will be discussing how the UJ will rule, and how the result will affect the world. I find it pretty silly that the Globe is touching this. It’s such [...]...
Innermost Parts - Thu 10:40 a.m. - 22 clicks
I've been contemplating the possibility of taxing private college endowments since I read an article in the WSJ last year about how elite college endowments are now being managed like hedge funds. Simply, this is not behavior fitting for a non-profit tax entity. So I'm pleasantly surprised to read today what the House is up to : Massachusetts lawmakers desperate for additional revenue ...
Blue Mass. Group - Thu 10:37 a.m. - 20 clicks
Let there be wrinkling and wringing of neckties... ...and so it was at the seminar/panel on torture last weekend. Lost to most of us in the coverage of enhanced interrogation techniques and euphemisms for inhuman and inhumane torture by the United States is the role of mental-health professionals, primarily psychologists. Aren't those the good guys, who help people out of emotional distress ...
Marry in Massachusetts - Thu 10:37 a.m. - 3 clicks
Everyone paying attention knows about McCain’s pandering to Hagee, though you’d never know it from the mainstream media, which largely ignored it. However, sucking up to crazy far right wing preachers appears to be an integral part of McCain’s strategy: Edit: Update on Hagee: He reneges his “Katrina happened because NOLA ......
Left In Lowell - Thu 10:37 a.m. - 3 clicks
Employees at Lifelinks, Inc, a Lowell and Chelmsford group that provides care to those with developmental disabilities via both day and residential programs, will go on a one-day strike on Monday. Strikers are demanding better wages and training. They cite high turnover as detrimental to the clients of Lifelinks, and ......
Left In Lowell - Thu 10:37 a.m. - 21 clicks
Annual Town Meeting is Monday, May 12. For the second year in a row, the Town of Granby will not seek a budget override. For years, the Finance Committee has been warning of drastic cuts and/or override votes. These events are still on the horizon, but this year, an increase in state aid and a little dump revenue have held off drastic changes. In the last fiscal year, we were able to f...
Granby01033 - Thu 7:03 a.m. - 3 clicks
Jim Ogonowski, a potential GOP candidate for the US Senate this fall jumps the gun a bit with a commercial decrying John Ker ry's "lack of local roots". Waaa-al ah swan...but up in Arlington we can't seem to get away from Senator Kerry, I swear he has a crash pad on the DL up on Mount Gilboa. Citizen Ogonowski's website also makes the following claim: He (JK) has passed "no bills of his own t...
Chimes at Midnight - Thu 7:01 a.m. - 21 clicks
Hillary Clinton sent this message out at 5:40PM yesterday. I picked it up on her campaign blog… Today in every way that I know how, I am expressing my personal determination to keep forging forward in this campaign. After a come from behind victory in Indiana, there are just 28 days of voting left. But we’ve [...]...
Richard Howe - Thu 5:48 a.m. - 2 clicks
Captain Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca? Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters. Captain Renault : The waters? What waters? We're in the desert. Rick: I was misinformed --Casablanca (1942) Unlike Rick, Phil and Alice Dennette didn't go to Casablanca for the waters. They've been traveling ever since I can remember, and r...
Granby01033 - Thu 5:47 a.m. - 18 clicks
Baby steps, yes, but the move toward equality takes a step forward today as New York officially acknowledges the obvious: Couples married outside of New York are recognized as married under New York Law. Gay marriage advocates have won a partial victory in New York , as the state's highest court has left in place a lower court ruling that recognized a lesbian couple as being married. ...
Live, Love and Learn - Thu 5:47 a.m. - 3 clicks
Michigan is the latest, but certainly won't be the last. The hurt-the-queers laws and amendments will in reality leave a lot of collateral wounds. The short of is that the state Supreme Court ruled 5 to 2 that wording the state DOMA-style amendment prevented businesses and schools from continuing to offer benefits to same-sex partners. Over at Leonard Link, he is right on this with his anal...
Marry in Massachusetts - Thu 5:46 a.m. - 2 clicks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: May 7, 2008 Matt Kraunelis 978-983-8508 Mayor Manzi Discharges Police Chief Today, I have informed Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon that, effective immediately, he is discharged from his position as Chief of Police. This follows as seven day long disciplinary hearing which commenced on February 19, 2008 and concluded ......
Bill Manzi - Thu 4:02 a.m. - 17 clicks
Just when you think Deval Patrick may have turned a corner and figured out how not to run his administration into the ground, he comes up with a doozy. Patrick told the Brookline Chamber of Commerce that ideas killed in one legislative session can often resurface in another -- pointing to casino gambling as an example. That is true. But a word to the wise, don't be the source of the legislatio...
Massachusetts Liberal - Thu 4:01 a.m. - 16 clicks
All I can think of is, he’ll talk about fighting this battle again, but not the local options low meals tax battle, a far more worthier one and something most of his base supports whole heartedly? Just, please don’t make us go through this again. I hope this quote is pulled ......
Left In Lowell - Thu 2:14 a.m. - 3 clicks
I said it last night - wondering out loud whether or not enough Republicans were “voting” for Clinton in the Democratic primary in Indiana in keeping with the Rush Directive to “keep the Democrats in chaos.” I had seen some - admittedly - anecdotal evidence from voters on the ground ......
Left In Lowell - Thu 2:14 a.m. - 2 clicks
Whenever I order cage-free eggs at Usdan, they force me to use styrofoam trays. Why? Because in order to make sure I pay the extra 20 cents, cafeteria workers have to write ‘cage-free’ on my food, and marker doesn’t take well on ceramic plates. Isn’t that something? A victory for animal rights is negated by increased environmental [...]...
Innermost Parts - Wed 4:54 p.m. - 2 clicks
Today, the drug industry leveled its newest response to the proposed ban on gifts to health care providers (passed by the Senate last month) – more of a threat than a response. In a letter reported in today’s Herald, GlaxoSmithKline accused the state of being mean to the industry and told the Governor and [...]...
A Healthy Blog - Wed 4:53 p.m. - 2 clicks
From today’s Kaiser Health Policy Report via the Wall Street Journal: The “boom” of walk-in health clinics at pharmacies, supermarkets and retailers “is showing signs of slowing.” As of May 1, there were 963 retail clinics in the U.S., compared with 125 three years ago. However, some retail clinic operators recently have closed 69 clinics in [...]...
A Healthy Blog - Wed 4:53 p.m. - 3 clicks
On June 4 & 5, oral health providers, advocates, and community leaders will convene at the Sturbridge Host Hotel for an important dialogue about oral health in Massachusetts. Oral health is a critical part of overall health; you can’t have a healthy body without a health mouth. Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood [...]...
A Healthy Blog - Wed 4:53 p.m. - 25 clicks
Ryan Sorba, he appears to be the savior of the young Republicans everywhere, well, at least according to radical Right. MassResistance has been talking up his "book" on the born gay theory and tailing him so closely that...(you can use your own methaphor). By now, some of you have heard about the demonstration at Smith College when Sorba spoken about his "upcoming" book (uncoming doesn't have a ...
Massresistance Watch - Wed 4:52 p.m. - 25 clicks
We were all wondering whether she had been kidnapped and taken away. Alas, our hopes were dashed when after being silent for a month, MassResistance reared its ugly heads to write about an "incident" at Smith College: Yes, the homofascists would like our latest expose of the lesbian riot at Smith College last week to just go away (see the revealing videos.) . . . because it's about someth...
Massresistance Watch - Wed 4:52 p.m. - 24 clicks
More than 460 people attended last night’s annual Celebration of Teaching Awards—one of the largest since the program started eight years ago. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lowell, the dinner has become an annual way to celebrate the many caring teachers in the Lowell Public Schools, as well as provide them with the opportunity [...]...
Jackie Doherty - Wed 1:45 p.m. - 21 clicks
The Connector Board’s next meeting is tomorrow, Thursday May 8th at 9am on the 21st floor of One Ashburton. Neither materials nor an agenda has been posted as of 2:30 pm Wednesday. When posted, the materials will be here. The one item we know will be under discussion is the question of permitting individuals [...]...
A Healthy Blog - Wed 1:44 p.m. - 3 clicks
First: What is Health 2.0? According to “The Wisdom of Patients: Health Care Meets Online Social Media,” issued by the California HealthCare Foundation, it can be defined as, “the use of social software and its ability to promote collaboration between patients, their caregivers, medical professionals, and other stakeholders in health.” At Wednesday’s E-Health [...]...
A Healthy Blog - Wed 1:44 p.m. - 2 clicks
I don't hate the conservative Pioneer Institute , I really don't. I've quoted their stuff here liberally. They've done interesting work on housing vis-a-vis zoning, did a nice report on crumbling bridges ... all fine and well and interesting. Unfortunately, the two bigwigs at Pioneer, Charles Chieppo and Jim Stergios, recently wrote a tendentious and uninformative piece ...
Blue Mass. Group - Wed 1:44 p.m. - 2 clicks
Oh for the love of Pete can't he just stop it already! According to the Globe Patrick says casinos may live to play another day He had the perfect out. He could let it die and move on. Instead he's prepared to resurect the beast. Please Governor Patrick, move on. ...
Blue Mass. Group - Wed 1:44 p.m. - 21 clicks
Energy costs are skyrocketing. With regular gas at $3.60 to $4.60 per gallon on the Cape and Islands, gassing up is a numbing experience. Some experts forecast crude oil will cost $150 a barrel by 2010 and $200 a barrel in 2012. The Federal Reserve ratcheted down its interest rate from 5.25 percent last August to 2 percent today to keep the economy and jobs viable. Exxon-Mobil reported record fir...
Clean Power Now - Wed 10:41 a.m. - 3 clicks
On your April 25 editorial page you highlighted an excerpt from a letter written by John Finnerty Jr. accusing Jim Gordon of Cape Wind of committing piracy. I was offended that you would indulge so easily in something akin to slander. Mr. Gordon is my friend, and for many thousands of us on the Cape and Islands Jim Gordon represents leadership that is decent, creative and right....
Clean Power Now - Wed 10:41 a.m. - 2 clicks
Sen. Hillary Clinton is lucky she has over $6 million to lend to her campaign. Clinton seems to think her campaign needs the cash after a double-digit primary loss to her rival, Sen. Barack Obama, in North Carolina on Tuesday and an underwhelming victory over Obama in Indiana the same day. Clinton, the New York [...]...
Opposite Fields - Wed 10:41 a.m. - 4 clicks
Here's to those gluttons for punishment who like to call themselves political junkies. Swampscott's Town Meeting is worth reading about because it illustrates that good government, transparency and efficiency is on the rise. Last night's session saw Town Meeting approve, for the first time ever, a tax "Debt Exclusion," which is putting a question on the ballot to pay for certain projects on a o...
Ryan's Take - Wed 10:38 a.m. - 19 clicks
Lots to talk about what with Indiana, North Carolina, and all. But there's still stuff going on here that's noteworthy! There will be a public meeting on Boston University's scary-virus biolab next Friday: A panel investigating the safety of a controversial research laboratory being built by Boston University will hold a public meeting next week at the State House. The panel, commissi...
Blue Mass. Group - Wed 10:38 a.m. - 18 clicks
The delightfully impotent Catholic Action League of Massachusetts is in the corner sputtering again. I insist on calling it CLAM instead of CALM. The apparently sole member, C.J. Doyle, is not pacific. He is emotional and strident, insistsingon sending out rabid, alarmist electronic press releases, and failing at everything, including stopping same-sex marriage, in the legislature or courts. ...
Marry in Massachusetts - Wed 10:37 a.m. - 20 clicks
Surely every blogger from Roslindale, JP or West Roxbury wants to put a face with some other particular bloggers from these parts. We can do that next week. Our first area blogger social gathering — in a bunch, in a bunch — will be Wednesday, May 14th, at Doyle's. We'll gather in the big back room around 7 p.m. Doyle's location and a link to directions are here . I guess I'm co-host. Adam ...
Marry in Massachusetts - Wed 10:37 a.m. - 22 clicks
If one of my friends or loved ones was serving in Iraq, and wounded, I would have the utmost confidence in our medical staff's ability to get them home alive. --Sgt. Jason Leonard The Leonard family has certainly done its part for Uncle Sam. All three of Gregg and Kathy Leonard's children have served in the military. At present, their son Jason Leonard (GHS '01) is serving in the 3...
Granby01033 - Wed 7:58 a.m. - 3 clicks
It is been a privilege to have served the past nine years as a member of the Granby School Committee. I am excited to be a candidate for my fourth term. The past nine years have been challenging for the School District. Tight funding has resulted in many difficult decisions at budget time. I am proud to state that despite budgetary pressures the School Committee in concert with the Administration...
Granby01033 - Wed 7:58 a.m. - 3 clicks
Hi liberal drinkers, Join us tonight for great drinks and liberal politics! CAMBRIDGE DRINKING LIBERALLY Every Wednesday, 7 - 8:30 People's Republik, 876 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge MA http://cambridge.drinkingliberally.org This week, with Indiana and North Carolina in the books, have we reached the end of the Democratic Primary? Meanwhile, there's a lot goin...
Cambridge Drinking Liberally - Wed 7:56 a.m. - 21 clicks
because from what I can tell, Don Imus' new show is the dullest most inane radio offering since the glory days of Cardinal O'Connell groaning the rosary into the mike down at the old WHDH. The I-Man has a real life African American in his crew to help ward off any of his racist tendencies and if that isn't bulwark enough against controversy there is Don's predilection for fawning over "daddy memoi...
Chimes at Midnight - Wed 7:56 a.m. - 4 clicks
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton weren’t the only two Candidates running for election last night. The Town of Westford held its annual election with hotly contested selectmen and school committee races. Kelly Ross (1435 votes) and Valerie Wormell (incumbent-1355 votes) won seats on the Board of Selectmen. David Keele (1474 votes) and Birgit Erika Kohl [...]...
Richard Howe - Wed 5:02 a.m. - 5 clicks
I caught the end of a story on the channel 5 TV news this morning (nothing on their website yet). It featured a Lowell police officer saying that the department had exhausted it’s budget for fuel already (the fiscal year runs to the end of June) and that vehicle patrols will soon have to be [...]...
Richard Howe - Wed 5:02 a.m. - 17 clicks
It can end easy or it can end hard. Easy would be by preparing her supporters for accepting that the race is essentially over; hard would be by signalling that there will be a credential fight for seating the Michigan and Florida delegations. We should get a sense of which path she has chosen later today or in the next few days. ...
Below Boston - Wed 5:02 a.m. - 2 clicks
I don't get it. Voters in one town vote a $6.2 million tax increase and the Globe gives it a full story. The Massachusetts Senate follows the House's lead and passes a nearly $500 million plan raising cigarette taxes and closing corporate tax loopholes and it gets buried at the bottom of a briefs package. One tax increase affecting one town is more significant? Editors would probably argue ...
Massachusetts Liberal - Wed 3:52 a.m. - 19 clicks
These Tuesdays are starting to get boring. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are offering up the National Democratic Beat Your Brains Out Tour, careening from state to state, trading charges and jabs and victories. Not a pretty sight. Obama should have quelled a lot of his recent, new found critics with a resounding 56-42 victory over Clinton in North Carolina , while holding her to 51-49 in I...
Massachusetts Liberal - Wed 3:52 a.m. - 4 clicks
I was elected yesterday to the West Brookfield Board of Selectmen. On a beautiful spring day, 621 of West Brookfield's 2,159 registered voters, about 28 percent of the total, went to the polls - a very impressive turnout for a......
Eisenthal Report - Wed 3:51 a.m. - 4 clicks
this is good news . I mean just how much more do the rest of us have to pay at the pump til Jeff Jacoby and Jonah Goldberg and all the rest finally feel all tuff and studly inside? For that fact $120 a barrel is just a drop in the proverbial crude oil bucket, imagine the price spike when the USA starts bombing suspected Iranian nuclear sites. Booo-oy yer gonna wanna own stock in Exxon on that da...
Chimes at Midnight - Wed 3:51 a.m. - 3 clicks
