I was delighted to read that MassGOP, under the direction of newly-elected Chair Jennifer Nassour, held a gas tax protest in front of the State House this past Wednesday. By keeping the GOP visible and up front, Ms. Nassour demonstrates the Party's relevance and involvement with real issues that affect peoples' daily lives. With the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority voting increases in the tolls, Ms. Nassour's gas tax demonstration was not only pertinent but also timely. Word from the Turnpike Authority is that the higher tolls are provisional and that their continued existence will be based on the outcome of the amount of the gas tax. Since when have raised fees been lowered?
The T & G gave the Republican protest some good press on p.1 of Thursday's edition, as did The Boston Globe in the "Metro Section" on p.B4. The Globe also included an OpEd piece from the Dukakis Center that spoke in favor of the gas tax, indicating we either pay now or pay later and that if roads projects are delayed, the costs not only for construction but also to individual car owners will be higher.
Jen Nassour deserves to be commended for taking the leadership role in organizing last Wednesday's gas tax protest. She appears to be making a good start as GOP Chair.
Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, p.A1, "Drivers jeer gas tax hike" by Glen Johnson of the Associated Press
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090226/NEWS/902260636
The Boston Globe, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, p.B4, "Patrick says he's flexible on size of gas tax hike" by Noah Bierman and Matt A. Viser
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/02/26/patrick_says_hes_flexible_on_size_of_gas_tax_hike/
The Boston Globe, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, p.A15, "Gas tax: Paying cents to save big bucks" by Barry Bluestone and Stephanie Pollack
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/02/26/gas_tax_paying_cents_to_save_big_bucks/
Telegram & Gazette, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, "Mass. drivers faceTurnpike toll increase" by Glen Johnson, AP political writer
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090224/APN/902241574
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Let's Keep Looking
Can you remember how you felt in high school? Picture yourself in your school auditorium at an assembly where a friend, someone you like but are not especially close to, is giving a speech to your entire grade. You like this person but don't always hang out with him. Oh sure, he's smart enough, but he could never cut it in any of your honors classes. Nevertheless, you sincerely want him to succeed. So there you are in your seat, surrounded by your best friends and there he is on the stage. As he begins to speak you immediately become uncomfortable and by the end of his second sentence, you're squirming . As he goes deeper into his talk you become more and more fidgety and start crossing your fingers, arms, legs and eventually even your toes in your mind. As he continues, your friends give you worried glances. You return those glances, trying to smile, but your smile looks fake. Now you feel as though you and your friend, The Speaker, are about to fall off a cliff and the only way out is for him to stop talking. Finally, after what seems an enternity, he ends his speech and your shoulders rise up and down in an ultimate sigh of relief.
How did you feel during the official Republican response to President Obama's address Tuesday evening?
How did you feel during the official Republican response to President Obama's address Tuesday evening?
Monday, February 23, 2009
National Governors Association and Beyond
So the Governors met over the weekend, and in the process, according to the Telegram and Gazette, some of the Republicans used that forum to position themselves as possible 2012 preidential candidates. Those Republican Governors mentioned in Beth Fouhy's AP article as possible GOP contenders are Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, South Carolina's Mark Sanford, Florida's Charlie Crist and Mississippi's Haley Barbour. Governor Sarah Palin was at home working with the Alaska Legislature on her state's budget, but was characterized in the article as being "arguably the Republican Party's biggest star." If Sarah Palin is the Party's "biggest star" then the GOP runs the risk of becoming irrelevant.
Nominating Palin as the next Republican presidential candidate would have disastrous consequences to the Party and the country. We need and the country needs an intelligent, articulate woman or man who has the ability to project into the future, analyze various situations and streams of data and reach solid, well-grounded conclusions. The Republican presidential nominee should be someone who has studied history and understands other nations and their cultures. Although the Republican Party is in a shambles across the U.S. and throughout Massachusetts, we should be able to come up with a presidential candidate whose main qualifications are not confined to appearance and personality. If by 2012 we are not able to succeed at this, we may dissolve into true irrelevancy.
Telegram & Gazette, Feb. 23, 2009, A1, "GOP governors lay groundwork" by Beth Fouhy, Associated Press
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090223/NEWS/902230295/1116/NEWSREWIND
Boston Globe, Feb. 23, 2009, p.A10, "Some governors torn over stimulus" Associated Press
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/02/23/some_governors_torn_over_stimulus/
Nominating Palin as the next Republican presidential candidate would have disastrous consequences to the Party and the country. We need and the country needs an intelligent, articulate woman or man who has the ability to project into the future, analyze various situations and streams of data and reach solid, well-grounded conclusions. The Republican presidential nominee should be someone who has studied history and understands other nations and their cultures. Although the Republican Party is in a shambles across the U.S. and throughout Massachusetts, we should be able to come up with a presidential candidate whose main qualifications are not confined to appearance and personality. If by 2012 we are not able to succeed at this, we may dissolve into true irrelevancy.
Telegram & Gazette, Feb. 23, 2009, A1, "GOP governors lay groundwork" by Beth Fouhy, Associated Press
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090223/NEWS/902230295/1116/NEWSREWIND
Boston Globe, Feb. 23, 2009, p.A10, "Some governors torn over stimulus" Associated Press
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/02/23/some_governors_torn_over_stimulus/
Friday, February 20, 2009
Lessons from Lincoln
Call me idealistic, but I can picture a United States of America, particularly under the influence of President Barack Obama, where people with unlike ideas respect each other enough to use civil discourse. Too long this country has been living with an "Us Versus Them" mentality. Too long Republicans and Democrats have been trying to score political points with their clever, cutting comments, many times directed at humiliating the other side. That kind of rhetoric and separatism divide us. We need to be brought together as "one nation under God".
That is not to say Democrats and Republicans should agree on every issue under the sun. On the contrary, in this age of democratic dominance and especially within our own state, standing up for what we believe to be true and just is not only the right thing to do, it's patriotic and reinforces our system of checks and balances. But when we make our stand, let us be absolutely sure to be civil. Rather than taking meaningless party line jabs and stabs at one another, stick to the item at hand.
Abraham Lincoln served as President when our country was torn apart by war, geography and ideology. He brought us together under incredibly difficult, trying circumstances and truth and honor shone through in the end. Let us resolve as Republicans to honor our 16th President, not just on his birthday but throughout the year by approaching our fellow Dems with civility and respect. By doing so, we will indeed be putting our "country first". (John McCain)
That is not to say Democrats and Republicans should agree on every issue under the sun. On the contrary, in this age of democratic dominance and especially within our own state, standing up for what we believe to be true and just is not only the right thing to do, it's patriotic and reinforces our system of checks and balances. But when we make our stand, let us be absolutely sure to be civil. Rather than taking meaningless party line jabs and stabs at one another, stick to the item at hand.
Abraham Lincoln served as President when our country was torn apart by war, geography and ideology. He brought us together under incredibly difficult, trying circumstances and truth and honor shone through in the end. Let us resolve as Republicans to honor our 16th President, not just on his birthday but throughout the year by approaching our fellow Dems with civility and respect. By doing so, we will indeed be putting our "country first". (John McCain)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ideology Versus Emotionalism
Just when I thought we had come to a spirit of bipartisanship and respect I pick up the paper today and read Derrick Jackson's column in The Boston Globe. Mr. Jackson seems unable to separate emotionalism from ideological differences and attributes republicans rejecting the stimulus package to uncaring and lack of compassion. Consider how he starts his article titled, "Republican obstinacy: How's it working?" on p. A15. "Not even the stimulus bill stimulated the Republican Party into any human feeling. It heard not the screams of 4 million people losing their jobs in the last year, not the slamming doors of shuttering factories, nor the shrieks at kitchen tables from Saco to Sacramento as working Americans open their mail to see they've lost 40 percent and more on the 401ks." His article degenerates from there.
Mr. Jackson speaks about Bush's low poll numbers. Agreed, but how do Bush's low ratings relate to republicans rejecting the stimulus bill? He points out that 13% of Americans polled by CNN felt Bush "brought the kind of change the country needed" and uses that figure to catapult to President Obama's election and of course, "the change we need." I highly respect President Obama, and realize he is very popular, but our country is founded on a system of checks and balances. Republicans now have that critical role of examining decisions, asking questions and voting no when wrong moves are likely to be made.
Further along in the article Mr. Jackson throws in the race card, albeit in a suggestive rather than outright manner, causing the reader to think Judd Gregg may have withdrawn his nomination as commerce secretary due to his anticipated lack of control over how the census will be carried out in terms of minority people. Not sure why I continued, but I read more and got to this line that equaled Karl Rove's America-splitting rhetoric. "No, they [Republicans] run around calling the stimulus garbage, even as maggots keep crawling out of the carcass of the last administration."
There is one very important quality I see Barack Obama bringing to the Presidency and that is a sense of civility. President Obama has courteous words for just about everybody, except terrorists. When Chief Justice John Roberts messed up his inaugural vows, Obama very kindly said something to the effect that "We were both very nervous," knowing full well it was Justice Roberts' slip. Barack Obama is forever gracious. Having read Derrick Jackson's column over time, I gather he appears to look up to his President. My suggestion to Jackson is to take some lessons from the man you so much admire.
If you want to get your blood boiling, read Derrick Jackson's article.
The Boston Globe, Wed., Feb. 18, 2009, p.A15, "Republican obstinacy: How's it working?" by Derrick Z. Jackson
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/02/18/republican_obstinacy_hows_it_working/
Mr. Jackson speaks about Bush's low poll numbers. Agreed, but how do Bush's low ratings relate to republicans rejecting the stimulus bill? He points out that 13% of Americans polled by CNN felt Bush "brought the kind of change the country needed" and uses that figure to catapult to President Obama's election and of course, "the change we need." I highly respect President Obama, and realize he is very popular, but our country is founded on a system of checks and balances. Republicans now have that critical role of examining decisions, asking questions and voting no when wrong moves are likely to be made.
Further along in the article Mr. Jackson throws in the race card, albeit in a suggestive rather than outright manner, causing the reader to think Judd Gregg may have withdrawn his nomination as commerce secretary due to his anticipated lack of control over how the census will be carried out in terms of minority people. Not sure why I continued, but I read more and got to this line that equaled Karl Rove's America-splitting rhetoric. "No, they [Republicans] run around calling the stimulus garbage, even as maggots keep crawling out of the carcass of the last administration."
There is one very important quality I see Barack Obama bringing to the Presidency and that is a sense of civility. President Obama has courteous words for just about everybody, except terrorists. When Chief Justice John Roberts messed up his inaugural vows, Obama very kindly said something to the effect that "We were both very nervous," knowing full well it was Justice Roberts' slip. Barack Obama is forever gracious. Having read Derrick Jackson's column over time, I gather he appears to look up to his President. My suggestion to Jackson is to take some lessons from the man you so much admire.
If you want to get your blood boiling, read Derrick Jackson's article.
The Boston Globe, Wed., Feb. 18, 2009, p.A15, "Republican obstinacy: How's it working?" by Derrick Z. Jackson
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/02/18/republican_obstinacy_hows_it_working/
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
It's "Entirely Continental" --General Washington
On January 1, 1776, General George Washington issued a decree that his army, though comprised mainly of New Englanders, should be, in his words, "'a new army, which in every point of view is entirely continental.'" (p.69) The name stuck. To punctuate that order, our first Commander-in-Chief raised a flag never before seen. David McCullough writes eloquently of this account.
"With the crash of a 13-gun salute, he raised a new flag in honor of the birthday of the new army -- a flag of thirteen red and white stripes, with the British colors (the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew) represented in the upper corner. When the British in Boston saw it flying from Prospect Hill, they at first mistook it for a flag of surrender." (p.69)
"1776" by David McCullough, Simon & Schuster, New York, 2005, chapter 2, "Rabble in Arms", pp. 20 - 69.
"With the crash of a 13-gun salute, he raised a new flag in honor of the birthday of the new army -- a flag of thirteen red and white stripes, with the British colors (the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew) represented in the upper corner. When the British in Boston saw it flying from Prospect Hill, they at first mistook it for a flag of surrender." (p.69)
"1776" by David McCullough, Simon & Schuster, New York, 2005, chapter 2, "Rabble in Arms", pp. 20 - 69.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
His Excellency George Washington
On July 3, 1775, General George Washington assumed charge of the army that was gathering in Cambridge, Massachusetts. First called "the New England army or "the army at Boston," (p.24) what we now know as the Continental Army was a rag tag collection of untrained men wearing all kinds of dress. There were a few exceptions, however, one being our first Commander-in-Chief. According to an eye witness, James Thacher, a doctor who had just set foot on the scene from his home town of Barnstable:
"'His Excellency was on horseback, in company with several military gentlemen. It was not difficult to distinguish him from all others. His personal appearance is truly noble and majestic, being tall and well proportioned. His dress is a blue coat with buff colored facings, a rich epaulet on each shoulder, buff underdress, and an elegant small sword, a black cockade in his hat.'"
--p.34
Above was taken from the book, "1776" by David McCullough, Simon & Schuster, New York, 2005, chapter 2, "Rabble in Arms" pp. 20 - 69.
"'His Excellency was on horseback, in company with several military gentlemen. It was not difficult to distinguish him from all others. His personal appearance is truly noble and majestic, being tall and well proportioned. His dress is a blue coat with buff colored facings, a rich epaulet on each shoulder, buff underdress, and an elegant small sword, a black cockade in his hat.'"
--p.34
Above was taken from the book, "1776" by David McCullough, Simon & Schuster, New York, 2005, chapter 2, "Rabble in Arms" pp. 20 - 69.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Some Thoughtful Ideas On Conservatism
The Boston Globe announced that former Governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be writing on occasion for The Washington Times' new column, "Reinventing Conservatism". In that same column this past Wednesday, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House, published an article titled, "Where does the conservative movement go from here?" Mr. Gingrich focuses on principles, not party lines, and presents a credible view of where he thinks the GOP should be headed.
Keep tabs on The Washington Times for Mitt Romney. In the meantime, Newt Gingrich's article is well worth the read.
The Boston Globe, Feb. 12, 2009, p.A15, "Time in the limelight for Jindal -- A new venue for Romney's views" Globe staff
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/02/12/time_in_the_limelight_for_jindal/
The Washington Times, Feb. 11, 2009, Gingrich: "Where does the conservative movement go from here?" by Newt Gingrich
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/11/where-does-the-conservative-movement-go-from-here/
Keep tabs on The Washington Times for Mitt Romney. In the meantime, Newt Gingrich's article is well worth the read.
The Boston Globe, Feb. 12, 2009, p.A15, "Time in the limelight for Jindal -- A new venue for Romney's views" Globe staff
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/02/12/time_in_the_limelight_for_jindal/
The Washington Times, Feb. 11, 2009, Gingrich: "Where does the conservative movement go from here?" by Newt Gingrich
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/11/where-does-the-conservative-movement-go-from-here/
Thursday, February 12, 2009
200 Years
Abraham Lincoln was born 200 years ago today. I set out to write something to honor "the tall one in the stove pipe hat" (Boston Globe, Feb. 12, p.A23, David W. Blight) and my search began with The Boston Globe. I landed on the Opinion Page, where I discovered the perfect tribute, an article written by David W. Blight, quoted above. Mr. Blight, of Yale University, has written a book, "A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom, Including Their Narratives of Emancipation." He starts his Globe article by informing his readers that he is going to spend today in Cohasset, a town on the South Shore, where former slave John Washington is buried, the purpose being to honor him on Lincoln's birthday. Mr. Washington lived at the time of Abraham Lincoln and was freed on April 18, 1862. Many years after the Civil War he moved to Cohasset after having lived in Washington, DC for a time.
Mr. Blight deftly weaves his story through pieces of Mr. Washington's life and intertwines the connections between the former literate slave and the 16th President. The author discusses how John Washington achieved his freedom, on a Friday, the same day of the week Mr. Lincoln was shot. He talks a bit about Washington's time in Washington, D.C., where he lived blocks from Mr. Lincoln and the White House. Mr. Blight discusses how the two men held in common the love of reading and writing.
Quoting Mr. Blight who goes on to quote John Washington, "Washington wrote with creative grammar and spelling. But when it came to remembering his night of freedom, he reached for an eloquence Lincoln would have admired: 'A most memorable night that was for me the soldiers assured me that I was now a free man. . . Before morning I had begun to feel like I had truly escaped from the hand of the slaves master and with the help of God, I never would be a slave no more . . . I began to feel that life had a new joy awaiting me . . . This Was The First Night of my freedom. It was good Friday indeed the Best Friday I had ever seen.'" What tribute could be more fitting to President Lincoln than that testimony?
"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." November 19, 1863 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Some facts and the above quotation are from the Abraham Lincoln Research Site
http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln77.html
Take time this Lincoln's birthday to read Mr. Blight's article.
The Boston Globe, Feb. 12, 2009, p.A23, Opinion Page, "Lincoln and the former slave" by David Blight
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/02/12/lincoln_and_the_former_slave/
Mr. Blight deftly weaves his story through pieces of Mr. Washington's life and intertwines the connections between the former literate slave and the 16th President. The author discusses how John Washington achieved his freedom, on a Friday, the same day of the week Mr. Lincoln was shot. He talks a bit about Washington's time in Washington, D.C., where he lived blocks from Mr. Lincoln and the White House. Mr. Blight discusses how the two men held in common the love of reading and writing.
Quoting Mr. Blight who goes on to quote John Washington, "Washington wrote with creative grammar and spelling. But when it came to remembering his night of freedom, he reached for an eloquence Lincoln would have admired: 'A most memorable night that was for me the soldiers assured me that I was now a free man. . . Before morning I had begun to feel like I had truly escaped from the hand of the slaves master and with the help of God, I never would be a slave no more . . . I began to feel that life had a new joy awaiting me . . . This Was The First Night of my freedom. It was good Friday indeed the Best Friday I had ever seen.'" What tribute could be more fitting to President Lincoln than that testimony?
"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." November 19, 1863 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Some facts and the above quotation are from the Abraham Lincoln Research Site
http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln77.html
Take time this Lincoln's birthday to read Mr. Blight's article.
The Boston Globe, Feb. 12, 2009, p.A23, Opinion Page, "Lincoln and the former slave" by David Blight
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/02/12/lincoln_and_the_former_slave/
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
It's All About Ideas
Ken Manchester of Princeton and John Macdougall of Westboro are in Washington, D.C. today to be honored for their inventive work. Their creativity led them to develop "ion implantation, a process that changes the electrical conductivity of certain areas of silicon" and according to an article in the Telegram & Gazette (Feb. 11, p.B10) by Priyanka Dayal, this "process they discovered is used today in just about every modern electronic device, from computers to cell phones, TVs to radios." They started with a good idea, got the funding and followed through with it, and although they are receiving awards at the National Inventors Hall of Fame, they remain humble and seem to pass off their accomplishments.
Contrast Mr. Manchester and Mr. Macdougall's life stories with Governor Patrick's response to our state fiscal crisis. When asked about the gas tax hike, Mr. Patrick is quoted as saying, "The range of options is all about how much reform we're prepared to pay for." [Feb. 11, T & G (p. A8)] Since when do we have to pay for reform? Shouldn't reform take away from the cost rather than add to it, or am I missing something here?
Massachusetts needs forward thinkers, people like Ken Manchester and John Macdougall to come up with a few good ideas and follow through with them.
Read about Governor Patrick's 27 cents more per gallon gas tax idea, along with his idea to set up toll booths coming into Massachusetts from New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Then read about Mr. Manchester and Mr. Macdougall's semiconductor ideas.
Telegram & Gazette, Feb. 11, 2009, p.A8, "Gov. now backs I-93 toll" by Glen Johnson of the Associated Press
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090211/NEWS/902110400
Telegram & Gazette, Feb. 11, 2009, p.B10, "'Ion' inventors" by Priyanka Dayal
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090211/NEWS/902110329/1002/BUSINESS
Contrast Mr. Manchester and Mr. Macdougall's life stories with Governor Patrick's response to our state fiscal crisis. When asked about the gas tax hike, Mr. Patrick is quoted as saying, "The range of options is all about how much reform we're prepared to pay for." [Feb. 11, T & G (p. A8)] Since when do we have to pay for reform? Shouldn't reform take away from the cost rather than add to it, or am I missing something here?
Massachusetts needs forward thinkers, people like Ken Manchester and John Macdougall to come up with a few good ideas and follow through with them.
Read about Governor Patrick's 27 cents more per gallon gas tax idea, along with his idea to set up toll booths coming into Massachusetts from New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Then read about Mr. Manchester and Mr. Macdougall's semiconductor ideas.
Telegram & Gazette, Feb. 11, 2009, p.A8, "Gov. now backs I-93 toll" by Glen Johnson of the Associated Press
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090211/NEWS/902110400
Telegram & Gazette, Feb. 11, 2009, p.B10, "'Ion' inventors" by Priyanka Dayal
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090211/NEWS/902110329/1002/BUSINESS
Monday, February 9, 2009
Raymond & Jonathan
Raymond Dennehy, Princeton selectman and Republican Town Committee member, is featured, along with his brother, on the front page of the local section of today's Telegram & Gazette. Paula Owen writes about Raymond and his brother Jonathan, also a selectman, in her article, "Brothers' public service rooted in childhood." According to Ms. Owen's article, Raymond and Jonathan attribute their desire to be involved to their parents' lifetime of service in Ashburnham, where Jonathan serves as a selectman.
Jonathan Dennehy talks about the values instilled by his parents. "We were raised to understand that living in a small town you got the benefit of a very supportive community largely [run] by volunteers. We were taught part of the deal was you yourself got involved to contribute and help support the community. It didn't matter what you did as long as you got involved and helped."
Ms. Owen captures the spirit of playfulness between the two brothers by featuring this quotation said by Jonathan regarding his brother. "We have a pretty healthy sibling rivalry." Raymond fine tunes that idea by adding how the political relationship he has with Jonathan is cooperative and helpful. "It is a unique situation to have two selectmen in two different communities in one family. It does come up and we do compare notes, but it is not competitive as much as helping each other out."
To read the full article about our devoted selectman Raymond and his younger brother Jonathan, click on the link below.
Telegram & Gazette, Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, p.B1, "Brothers' public service rooted in childhood" by Paula J. Owen
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090209/NEWS/902090337/1101
Jonathan Dennehy talks about the values instilled by his parents. "We were raised to understand that living in a small town you got the benefit of a very supportive community largely [run] by volunteers. We were taught part of the deal was you yourself got involved to contribute and help support the community. It didn't matter what you did as long as you got involved and helped."
Ms. Owen captures the spirit of playfulness between the two brothers by featuring this quotation said by Jonathan regarding his brother. "We have a pretty healthy sibling rivalry." Raymond fine tunes that idea by adding how the political relationship he has with Jonathan is cooperative and helpful. "It is a unique situation to have two selectmen in two different communities in one family. It does come up and we do compare notes, but it is not competitive as much as helping each other out."
To read the full article about our devoted selectman Raymond and his younger brother Jonathan, click on the link below.
Telegram & Gazette, Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, p.B1, "Brothers' public service rooted in childhood" by Paula J. Owen
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090209/NEWS/902090337/1101
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A New Era of Diplomacy
"'It's time to press the reset button.'"
Vice President Joe Biden, quoting President Barack Obama yesterday in Munich about the need for restoring a healthy relationship between NATO and Russia.
Read three articles of interest speaking about foreign policy under the new administration.
Boston Sunday Globe, February 8, 2009, p.A3, "Biden says US is willing to engage Iran, Russia" by Craig Whitlock of The Washington Post
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/02/08/biden_says_us_is_willing_to_engage_iran_russia/
Boston Sunday Globe, February 8, 2009, p. L1, "Ideas" "Down to Earth" by Drake Bennett
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/02/08/down_to_earth/
Boston Sunday Globe, February 8, 2009, p.A3, "North Korea expresses openness to nuclear talks" from the Associated Press
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2009/02/08/north_korea_expresses_openness_to_nuclear_talks/
Vice President Joe Biden, quoting President Barack Obama yesterday in Munich about the need for restoring a healthy relationship between NATO and Russia.
Read three articles of interest speaking about foreign policy under the new administration.
Boston Sunday Globe, February 8, 2009, p.A3, "Biden says US is willing to engage Iran, Russia" by Craig Whitlock of The Washington Post
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/02/08/biden_says_us_is_willing_to_engage_iran_russia/
Boston Sunday Globe, February 8, 2009, p. L1, "Ideas" "Down to Earth" by Drake Bennett
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/02/08/down_to_earth/
Boston Sunday Globe, February 8, 2009, p.A3, "North Korea expresses openness to nuclear talks" from the Associated Press
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2009/02/08/north_korea_expresses_openness_to_nuclear_talks/
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Humor From a Founder
"If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?"
Thomas Jefferson
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_jefferson.html
Thomas Jefferson
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_jefferson.html
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Clairvoyance or Common Sense?
"You can’t just hit the button that is green because it feels good."
Representative Lew Evangelidis, June, 2008
Since last Spring, Representative Evangelidis has been calling the state budget "unaffordable and unsustainable." Below is a section from his January 22 newsletter referring to Governor Patrick's budget cuts. Pay particular attention to the words Rep. Evangelidis spoke on the floor of the House last June. The quotation above is from that speech.
Earlier this fall Governor Patrick released over $900 million in retroactive budget cuts to the Commonwealth’s FY09 operating budget. Under the Massachusetts General Laws, the Governor has the authority to reduce spending if the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue reports that revenues will be insufficient to meet expenditures. The Governor has the authority under Chapter 28, section 9C to make reductions to his Departmental agencies, which include the Department of Education, Department of Public Health, RMV, Executive Office of Transportation etc.
Last year I voted against the budget which increased state spending by $1.4 billion for FY09. It was clear at that time that this budget was unaffordable and unsustainable. I stated that this budget would lead us back next session to make painful retroactive cuts due to our overspending. This is exactly what happened. Although the economic crisis has made a bad situation worse, we could have avoided half these cuts if we had passed a responsible budget last year.
When Governor Patrick signed the budget last July his administration publicly stated that they knew this budget was close to $500 million out of balance, but he vetoed only $120 million in spending. The legislature then overrode and spent almost all of those vetoed items. I was one of only a few legislators to support Governor Patrick’s vetoes, even on this minimal amount. Now the legislature has given Governor Patrick the authority to cut local aid to balance our budget. I have always promised my communities that I would prioritize local aid and education funding above all else. For that reason alone I voted against today’s legislation, especially in light of having a state supported health care system that has spun out of control, an unnecessary Governor’s Washington D.C. Office, no pension or transportation reforms, state owned golf courses etc.
Additionally, the Governor did not outline after being requested to do so, what specific cuts he will make with his additional budget cutting authority. In light of all the above, it is completely unacceptable for me to approve any cuts that will affect our communities' local services and education.
Here is my unedited testimony from the House floor regarding our unaffordable budget and my prediction of future 9C cuts in June of 2008:
Rep. Evangelidis of Holden said, “I came to the building five years ago and watched the budget go from $20 billion to $28 billion. All I hear about is extraordinary deficits we face, this year at $1.2 billion. Our reaction to this and the likely recession coming is to decide to increase our budget by $2 billion. That’s what we are doing here today. I feel like we are driving over a cliff right now. When I got elected we dealt with 9C cuts. If we have a structural deficit, we may have to go back and retroactively cut programs we are funding now. I hope I am not up here in one year’s time saying I told you so. We have to act a little more cautiously than we are acting. We see consolidated amendments come down and money added to the $2 billion we added. It’s extraordinary. Extremely important and worthy programs. We added $65 million to three programs. And nine million more than in our Ways and Means budget. There’s no end to our spending folks. I have reviewed the elder affairs consolidated. We all support councils on aging. How much does this amendment add to the bottom line of what we spent last year and to the Ways and Means proposal? You can’t just hit the button that is green because it feels good.”
Representative Lew Evangelidis, June, 2008
Since last Spring, Representative Evangelidis has been calling the state budget "unaffordable and unsustainable." Below is a section from his January 22 newsletter referring to Governor Patrick's budget cuts. Pay particular attention to the words Rep. Evangelidis spoke on the floor of the House last June. The quotation above is from that speech.
Earlier this fall Governor Patrick released over $900 million in retroactive budget cuts to the Commonwealth’s FY09 operating budget. Under the Massachusetts General Laws, the Governor has the authority to reduce spending if the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue reports that revenues will be insufficient to meet expenditures. The Governor has the authority under Chapter 28, section 9C to make reductions to his Departmental agencies, which include the Department of Education, Department of Public Health, RMV, Executive Office of Transportation etc.
Last year I voted against the budget which increased state spending by $1.4 billion for FY09. It was clear at that time that this budget was unaffordable and unsustainable. I stated that this budget would lead us back next session to make painful retroactive cuts due to our overspending. This is exactly what happened. Although the economic crisis has made a bad situation worse, we could have avoided half these cuts if we had passed a responsible budget last year.
When Governor Patrick signed the budget last July his administration publicly stated that they knew this budget was close to $500 million out of balance, but he vetoed only $120 million in spending. The legislature then overrode and spent almost all of those vetoed items. I was one of only a few legislators to support Governor Patrick’s vetoes, even on this minimal amount. Now the legislature has given Governor Patrick the authority to cut local aid to balance our budget. I have always promised my communities that I would prioritize local aid and education funding above all else. For that reason alone I voted against today’s legislation, especially in light of having a state supported health care system that has spun out of control, an unnecessary Governor’s Washington D.C. Office, no pension or transportation reforms, state owned golf courses etc.
Additionally, the Governor did not outline after being requested to do so, what specific cuts he will make with his additional budget cutting authority. In light of all the above, it is completely unacceptable for me to approve any cuts that will affect our communities' local services and education.
Here is my unedited testimony from the House floor regarding our unaffordable budget and my prediction of future 9C cuts in June of 2008:
Rep. Evangelidis of Holden said, “I came to the building five years ago and watched the budget go from $20 billion to $28 billion. All I hear about is extraordinary deficits we face, this year at $1.2 billion. Our reaction to this and the likely recession coming is to decide to increase our budget by $2 billion. That’s what we are doing here today. I feel like we are driving over a cliff right now. When I got elected we dealt with 9C cuts. If we have a structural deficit, we may have to go back and retroactively cut programs we are funding now. I hope I am not up here in one year’s time saying I told you so. We have to act a little more cautiously than we are acting. We see consolidated amendments come down and money added to the $2 billion we added. It’s extraordinary. Extremely important and worthy programs. We added $65 million to three programs. And nine million more than in our Ways and Means budget. There’s no end to our spending folks. I have reviewed the elder affairs consolidated. We all support councils on aging. How much does this amendment add to the bottom line of what we spent last year and to the Ways and Means proposal? You can’t just hit the button that is green because it feels good.”
Monday, February 2, 2009
Princeton Has a New Flag!!!
On Thursday, January 29th, Princeton presented the town flag to the Commonwealth at the State House. The program was well attended by third, seventh and eighth graders, all three selectmen, Raymond Dennehy, Joe O'Brien and Alan Sentkowski, Town Moderator, Harry Pape and Head Librarian, Wendy Pape, among others.
Representative Lew Evangelidis welcomes his guests from Princeton to the Hall of Flags and announces that the Princeton flag will be lifted to the top tier, second from the left, on the front side of the State House.
The Princeton group, students, teachers and interested citizens, pose on the Grand Staircase after the ceremony. Representative Lew Evangelidis and Town Moderator Harry Pape hold the beautiful new flag.
Harry Pape keeps the program running smoothly and the crowd of over 200 adults and students entertained. Thank you Stacey Belculfini for your many hours of work and for turning the town flag from being a line on a wish list into reality.
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