Thomas Jefferson's beloved Monticello will hold a grand opening on Wednesday, April 15 to commemorate the opening of a new museum. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, 125 miles southwest of Washington, DC, the Thomas Jefferson Visitors Center and Smith Education Center boasts 42,000 square feet of exhibitions. Warren Christopher, Annette Gordon-Reed, author of The Hemingses of Monticello and Michael Bechschloss will speak at the opening ceremony beginning at 11:00 am. Music starts at 10:30. The new film "Thomas Jefferson's World" will debut and the day promises to be a grand celebration of history-centered festivities.
An article in today''s Globe by Peter Canellos details how the estate reveals some of Mr. Jefferson's qualities as a person, in particular, his penchant for order. Mr. Canellos highlights Thomas Jefferson's skills as an architect and how he had a hand in designing both the buildings and the grounds. "And of Jefferson's brilliance there can be no doubt. The mathematical calculations, neatly devised in his tiny handwriting on the architectural plans for Monticello, test out perfectly by today's digital measurements." (March 31, p. A2)
Mr. Canellos also states that Thomas Jefferson was an inventor and a man eager to explore new ideas. "His boundless curiosity extended from meticulous observations of the natural world to the study of music to collecting books in each of six languages that he spoke." (p.A2) Because of his presidential leadership, Lewis and Clark made their famous journey, eventually leading to the opening up of the American West.
Although you might not be able to travel to Charlottesville, VA next Wednesday , you could take a spin through Monticello by clicking on the link below.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, website
http://www.monticello.org/index.html
The Boston Globe, Tuesday, March 31, 2009, "New museum reflects character of nation's 3d president" by Peter S. Canellos, p.A2
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/03/31/new_museum_reflects_character_of_nations_3d_president/
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
It'll Give You Goose Bumps
Have you ever heard the story about the dinner Thomas Jefferson served at his home in June of 1790? William Fowler of Northeastern University wrote a wonderful article for last Friday's Boston Globe in which he talks about that dinner and about how three reasonable, intelligent men were able to work out a solution at a time when the United States was suffering from a financial crisis, due in part to their having printed money to cover war expenses. Alexander Hamilton thought it prudent for the federal government to consolidate and assume the country's debt. Virginia's James Madison, adamantly opposed, was vocal about his position and was working to defeat Hamilton's proposal. One fine spring day in the same year, Thomas Jefferson happened to run into Alexander Hamilton. As a result of that happenchance, Secretary of State Jefferson invited America's first Secretary of the Treasury to come for dinner. He agreed, and Mr. Jefferson then asked James Madison, who also accepted. At the same time, the fledgling country was also trying to resolve the whereabouts of the nation's capital. Naturally Southerners wanted it in the South and Northerners preferred the North.
Professor Fowler and James Madison write eloquently about the dinner. "It was a convivial evening and by the time the port reached the table they had struck a deal. Madison agreed that Hamilton's measure might be 'brought before the House.' Although 'he would not vote for it, nor entirely withdraw from opposition, yet he would not be strenuous, but leave it to its fate.'" Mr. Fowler continues to explain what Mr. Hamilton offered in order to secure Mr. Madison's agreement not to press his case and in addition, to gain support from the South for his financial plan. The government was allocated to the southern United States and the exact location was left to the wise discretion of George Washington.
Mr. Fowler concludes his article with such grace and dignity, as well as common sense advice for the present day. "This was one of the great compromises in American history. Like all political compromises it did not fully satisfy all the parties, nor did it reconcile fundamental differences between Hamiltonians and Jeffersonians. Those debates would continue. But at this moment of great crisis, three of America's greatest political leaders pushed aside politics and ideology to embrace a national vision. Over dinner that evening in June 1790, Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton saved the republic. Perhaps it is time for someone in Washington, our compromise capital, to arrange another dinner."
This is a must-read article for anyone who loves history.
Boston Globe, Friday, March 27, 2009, "Memo to Geithner: Learn from Hamilton" by William Fowler, p.A15
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/27/memo_to_geithner_learn_from_hamilton/
Professor Fowler and James Madison write eloquently about the dinner. "It was a convivial evening and by the time the port reached the table they had struck a deal. Madison agreed that Hamilton's measure might be 'brought before the House.' Although 'he would not vote for it, nor entirely withdraw from opposition, yet he would not be strenuous, but leave it to its fate.'" Mr. Fowler continues to explain what Mr. Hamilton offered in order to secure Mr. Madison's agreement not to press his case and in addition, to gain support from the South for his financial plan. The government was allocated to the southern United States and the exact location was left to the wise discretion of George Washington.
Mr. Fowler concludes his article with such grace and dignity, as well as common sense advice for the present day. "This was one of the great compromises in American history. Like all political compromises it did not fully satisfy all the parties, nor did it reconcile fundamental differences between Hamiltonians and Jeffersonians. Those debates would continue. But at this moment of great crisis, three of America's greatest political leaders pushed aside politics and ideology to embrace a national vision. Over dinner that evening in June 1790, Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton saved the republic. Perhaps it is time for someone in Washington, our compromise capital, to arrange another dinner."
This is a must-read article for anyone who loves history.
Boston Globe, Friday, March 27, 2009, "Memo to Geithner: Learn from Hamilton" by William Fowler, p.A15
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/27/memo_to_geithner_learn_from_hamilton/
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The One That Got Away
My great grandfather Andrew Byron Chase was a sea captain. He commanded the ship the Pardon G. Thompson, a three-masted coastal schooner, which sailed up and down the east coast in the early 1900's. The Pardon G. Thompson transported freight -- wood, coal and even pineapples from Barbados. Before Andrew Chase ventured into buying his own ship, possibly with financial assistance from stock holders, he embarked on a different kind of adventure, as a crew member on a whale ship. In 1920 (?) he published an account in the New Bedford Standard Times of his one and only whaling voyage. Below is a portion of my great grandfather's story, written by the Captain himself.
"A Narrow Escape" by Captain Andrew Byron Chase
"We kept on our course to the western grounds for the second time, and, while cruising around during my trick at the mast head one day, I made out what I took to be a school of whales and sung out, 'There she blows!'
'Where away?' called the captain.
'Two points off lee bow, sir!' I answered.
Upon nearer approval the cause of the excitement proved to be a school of killers, a specie[s] of whale equipped with a large fin near the small of the back. All hands were called to man three boats. Then the chase began.
Distance was soon narrowed down. The boat steerer gave one of the lot two irons, and the captain gave orders to hoist and swing the bow boat as the school was close to the ship. The rest of the boats were in pursuit of the school, and the bow boat I was in was sent to help the second mate out. In a few minutes the killer went into a furry.
Instead of keeping astern of the mate's boat as we should, we pulled ahead and the fish, in his dying moment made a final breach clear out of the water, came down and struck the gunwhale of the boat. The whale missed killing the entire boat crew by only two feet. The boat was badly stoved and it was only by taking the shirts off our backs and stuffing them into the hole that we managed to reach the ship in safety.
During the pull to the ship with the dead killer, the mate had to stand by and use his spade to keep off the rest of the whales who, like a company of soldiers clamored for their dead companion. The killer was hoisted aboard and tried, our making: four barrels."
Captain Chase writes about other exciting experiences, including swimming through waters "infested with some pretty large sharks". Family concensus is Great Gradnpa may have exaggerated the shark part a bit. He ends his story this way.
" My first and last whaling voyage was at an end, and I was soon among friends at home relating incidents of what seemed to me one of the most eventful voyages after oil and blubber that ever a man took."
I picked up the paper this morning and read a different kind of fish story. Joan Vennochi wrote in today's Globe about Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner saying he was unaware of the AIG retention bonuses until March 10th. The crux of her article centers around how unbelievable that claim is and she backs up her questioning by listing a chronology of events as reported by the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The facts she details make Mr. Geithner's claim of being in the dark on the bonus issue until March 10 seem nearly impossible.
There's also the "he did/they did/I didn't/they didn't" angle. Ms. Vennochi points out that some are saying Connecticut's Senator Christopher Dodd wanted the bonuses put into the stimulus package, although Senator Dodd states the Treasury Department asked him to include them. Mr. Geitner says his staff added those bonuses.
Swimming with sharks may seem unlikely, but perhaps that is easier on the imagination than the U.S. Treasury Secretary claiming ignorance about the AIG bonus fiasco until such a late date.
The Boston Globe, Thursday, March 26, 2009, "Obama's blind faith in Geithner" by Joan Vennochi, p.A19
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/26/obamas_blind_faith_in_geithner/
"A Narrow Escape" by Captain Andrew Byron Chase
"We kept on our course to the western grounds for the second time, and, while cruising around during my trick at the mast head one day, I made out what I took to be a school of whales and sung out, 'There she blows!'
'Where away?' called the captain.
'Two points off lee bow, sir!' I answered.
Upon nearer approval the cause of the excitement proved to be a school of killers, a specie[s] of whale equipped with a large fin near the small of the back. All hands were called to man three boats. Then the chase began.
Distance was soon narrowed down. The boat steerer gave one of the lot two irons, and the captain gave orders to hoist and swing the bow boat as the school was close to the ship. The rest of the boats were in pursuit of the school, and the bow boat I was in was sent to help the second mate out. In a few minutes the killer went into a furry.
Instead of keeping astern of the mate's boat as we should, we pulled ahead and the fish, in his dying moment made a final breach clear out of the water, came down and struck the gunwhale of the boat. The whale missed killing the entire boat crew by only two feet. The boat was badly stoved and it was only by taking the shirts off our backs and stuffing them into the hole that we managed to reach the ship in safety.
During the pull to the ship with the dead killer, the mate had to stand by and use his spade to keep off the rest of the whales who, like a company of soldiers clamored for their dead companion. The killer was hoisted aboard and tried, our making: four barrels."
Captain Chase writes about other exciting experiences, including swimming through waters "infested with some pretty large sharks". Family concensus is Great Gradnpa may have exaggerated the shark part a bit. He ends his story this way.
" My first and last whaling voyage was at an end, and I was soon among friends at home relating incidents of what seemed to me one of the most eventful voyages after oil and blubber that ever a man took."
I picked up the paper this morning and read a different kind of fish story. Joan Vennochi wrote in today's Globe about Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner saying he was unaware of the AIG retention bonuses until March 10th. The crux of her article centers around how unbelievable that claim is and she backs up her questioning by listing a chronology of events as reported by the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The facts she details make Mr. Geithner's claim of being in the dark on the bonus issue until March 10 seem nearly impossible.
There's also the "he did/they did/I didn't/they didn't" angle. Ms. Vennochi points out that some are saying Connecticut's Senator Christopher Dodd wanted the bonuses put into the stimulus package, although Senator Dodd states the Treasury Department asked him to include them. Mr. Geitner says his staff added those bonuses.
Swimming with sharks may seem unlikely, but perhaps that is easier on the imagination than the U.S. Treasury Secretary claiming ignorance about the AIG bonus fiasco until such a late date.
The Boston Globe, Thursday, March 26, 2009, "Obama's blind faith in Geithner" by Joan Vennochi, p.A19
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/26/obamas_blind_faith_in_geithner/
Monday, March 23, 2009
Bluebirds Are Back
A pair of bluebirds flew ahead of me in the woods along the road and alighted on separate trees. The male turned, giving me the unexpected pleasure of being able to gaze at his head with his rusty brown throat patch until his mate left for a higher perch on a wire, where he joined her at some distance. They stayed on the wire what seemed a long while, when, without warning, the male flew high into the bright sky that closely matched his shade. Blue on blue. He flew so far up he disappeared into that ethereal blue.
Nothing related to politics today except to say that I returned from my walk with the distinct feeling that America will make it through to the other side.
I can't give you a look at a real bluebird or the guarantee that all will be well in the United States after a defined period of time, but I can offer you a beautiful poem written by Emily Dickinson, who appears to have studied the habits of the bluebird.
THE BLUEBIRD
by Emily Dickinson
BEFORE you thought of spring,
Except as a surmise,
You see, God bless his suddenness,
A fellow in the skies
Of independent hues,
A little weather-worn,
Inspiriting habiliments
Of indigo and brown.
With specimens of song,
As if for you to choose,
Discretion in the interval,
With gay delays he goes
To some superior tree
Without a single leaf,
And shouts for joy to nobody
But his seraphic self!
Dickinson_Poems 2, Edited by T.W. Higginson & Mabel Loomis Todd, Book III Nature, "The Bluebird" by Emily Dickinson
http://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Dickinson/Dickinson_Poems2.htm#81
Nothing related to politics today except to say that I returned from my walk with the distinct feeling that America will make it through to the other side.
I can't give you a look at a real bluebird or the guarantee that all will be well in the United States after a defined period of time, but I can offer you a beautiful poem written by Emily Dickinson, who appears to have studied the habits of the bluebird.
THE BLUEBIRD
by Emily Dickinson
BEFORE you thought of spring,
Except as a surmise,
You see, God bless his suddenness,
A fellow in the skies
Of independent hues,
A little weather-worn,
Inspiriting habiliments
Of indigo and brown.
With specimens of song,
As if for you to choose,
Discretion in the interval,
With gay delays he goes
To some superior tree
Without a single leaf,
And shouts for joy to nobody
But his seraphic self!
Dickinson_Poems 2, Edited by T.W. Higginson & Mabel Loomis Todd, Book III Nature, "The Bluebird" by Emily Dickinson
http://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Dickinson/Dickinson_Poems2.htm#81
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Boiling Point
First we learn that Transportation Secretary James Aloisi's sister is collecting $60,000 a year for allegedly doing no work. Then we find out that Massachusetts taxpayers have been footing a $14,000 weekly bill to keep eleven of Sal DiMasi's staffers on the books since he resigned in late January. Pay without work. What a sweet deal! (Compliments to The Boston Globe.) The former Speaker of the House supports paying his staffers, claiming through his lawyer, Thomas Kiley, that "[Their experience and knowledge] provide[s] continuity and the professionalism that is so necessary to the work of the Legislature. I am justifiably proud of the staff I assembled and it would be a shame were they all to be forced out of public service because of my personal decision." (March 20, "DeLeo to terminate DiMasi aides 'in relatively short order'" p.B3) Finally there's the new highly paid (try $175,000 a year) appointee, state senator and early supporter of Patrick, Marian Walsh, now assistant director of the Health and Education Facilities Authority, a job left unfilled for the past twelve years.
How much more abuse of the system are we going to put up with? How much more money are we willing to fork over to people doing no meaningful work? Considering the dire straits of many who are unemployed, why aren't we outraged, not necessarily at those politically connected individuals, but more to the point, at the politicians who are enabling and actively engaged in milking the trough of public monies until it runs dry, while at the same time, cutting funds where they are needed most, to the cities and towns across the Commonwealth?
Throw on top of all this, the Governor's response when questioned about Ms. Walsh's appointment to the previously vacant job. "One of the challenges in life is concentrating on the meaningful and letting the trivial take a back seat. And I sometimes feel like I'm in a profession now where that is completely upside down. We are trying to concentrate on what's meaningful." (March 20, "Patrick defends embattled Aloisi" p.B3)
What is "meaningful", Governor Patrick, is maintaining trust with the people who put you in office and respecting them enough to handle their money as though it were your own.
The Boston Globe, Friday, March 20, 2009, "DeLeo to terminate DiMasi aides 'in relatively short order'" by Andrea Estes, p.B3
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/20/deleo_to_terminate_dimasi_aides_in_relatively_short_order/
The Boston Globe, Friday, March 20, 2009, "Patrick defends embattled Aloisi" by Matt Viser, p.B3
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/20/patrick_defends_embattled_aloisi/
Boston Sunday Globe, March 22, 2009, "Will this House speaker get it right?" by Joan Vennochi, p.K9
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/22/will_this_house_speaker_get_it_right/
How much more abuse of the system are we going to put up with? How much more money are we willing to fork over to people doing no meaningful work? Considering the dire straits of many who are unemployed, why aren't we outraged, not necessarily at those politically connected individuals, but more to the point, at the politicians who are enabling and actively engaged in milking the trough of public monies until it runs dry, while at the same time, cutting funds where they are needed most, to the cities and towns across the Commonwealth?
Throw on top of all this, the Governor's response when questioned about Ms. Walsh's appointment to the previously vacant job. "One of the challenges in life is concentrating on the meaningful and letting the trivial take a back seat. And I sometimes feel like I'm in a profession now where that is completely upside down. We are trying to concentrate on what's meaningful." (March 20, "Patrick defends embattled Aloisi" p.B3)
What is "meaningful", Governor Patrick, is maintaining trust with the people who put you in office and respecting them enough to handle their money as though it were your own.
The Boston Globe, Friday, March 20, 2009, "DeLeo to terminate DiMasi aides 'in relatively short order'" by Andrea Estes, p.B3
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/20/deleo_to_terminate_dimasi_aides_in_relatively_short_order/
The Boston Globe, Friday, March 20, 2009, "Patrick defends embattled Aloisi" by Matt Viser, p.B3
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/20/patrick_defends_embattled_aloisi/
Boston Sunday Globe, March 22, 2009, "Will this House speaker get it right?" by Joan Vennochi, p.K9
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/22/will_this_house_speaker_get_it_right/
Friday, March 20, 2009
Rep. Evangelidis Pushes for Storm Relief
According to yesterday's Landmark (p.17) Representative Lew Evangelidis continues to work hard to secure money from the state to pay for ice storm costs and transportation. As reported by Danielle Ray, Rep. Evangelidis spoke out against this year's budget when it was being bantered about last summer at the State House. Everyone reading this blog knows that at the time, he called those numbers "unsustainable and unaffordable" and clearly, he was right. Lew presses on for our priorities and is determined to get funding for local aid, the PILOT program, regional school transportation and education. In the article, he also cautioned about becoming dependent on the stimulus aid since two years from now those federal dollars stop flowing. Rather than looking closer at costs with the intention of reforming and restraining, cities and towns, relieved that little needs to be cut, may simply accept the money and continue on with business as usual. Ms. Ray quotes Mr. Evangelidis, summarizing in this common sense way. "'With difficult economic times comes the opportunity to look extra hard at all our budgets and see where we can save.'"
The Landmark, March 19, 2009, "Evangelidis looks for transportation, storm aid" by Danielle Ray, p.17
The Landmark, March 19, 2009, "Evangelidis looks for transportation, storm aid" by Danielle Ray, p.17
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Prime Performance v. Not So Prime
Yesterday evening at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Russian National Ballet Theatre presented Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake'. The costumes and dancing were exquisite and presented a beautiful sight to behold. The theater was packed, perhaps even sold out, as I overheard one patron say to another. Ballet-goers streamed across Southbridge street from the parking garage to catch their seats before the curtain lifted. Little girls in long, flouncey dresses appeared to be in their environment and everyone was anxiously awaiting to get a glimpse of the ballerinas in their tutus. And the prima ballerina? Maria Poliudova's dancing was art in motion. While she was on stage I could not avert my eyes from her, so delicate and expressive she was.
On this particular day, writing about any number of issues needing to be fixed would be easy. Take for instance, the Governor's Advisory Council forum held in Fitchburg yesterday. This meeting served as a venue for illegal immigrants to detail the difficulties of living in Massachusetts. Miguel Marino, whose opinion seemed to represent others in attendance, expressed his frustration with getting a driver's license, (See today's Telegram article, p.B4). Then there's Transportation Secretary James Aloisi's sister Carol, who, according to The Boston Globe, (p.B3 and A 19, 3/19) appears to have a $60,000 a year job without any work to do -- zilch. Or we could talk about enacting same day voter registration and how The Telegram is voicing support for it, with a few stipulations to avoid voter fraud (p.A11, 3/19/09).
However, instead of ranting about the state of affairs on this last day before Spring, I chose to focus on the beautiful and how the Hanover Theatre is a bright spot in Worcester, bringing something positive and wonderful, namely the arts, to Central Mass. at a time when their existence in schools may be threatened by lack of funding. Let's not forget about the many things needing to be changed in Massachusetts government, but once in awhile it's nice to think about the good stuff.
If you want to get frustrated, read the bottom four articles, or you could search the internet for a site that's playing Tchaikovsky and think about spring.
Sunday Telegram "Living" section, March 15, 2009 "Tradition endures in 'Swan Lake'" by Richard Duckett, p. 3 (Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts website)
http://www.thehanovertheatre.org/news/pressRelease.php?releaseID=118
Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, March 19, 2009, "Verify, then vote" editorial page, A11
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090319/NEWS/903190614/1020
Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, March 19, 2009, "Illegals tell of hardship living in state" by Paula J. Owen, p. B1
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090319/NEWS/903190621/1101
The Boston Globe, Thursday, March 19, 2009, "Patrick doesn't get the politics of outrage" by Joan Vennochi, p.A19
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/19/patrick_doesnt_get_the_politics_of_outrage/
The Boston Globe, Thursday, March 19, 2009, "Aloisi issues apology to Globe" by Matt Viser, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/19/aloisi_issues_apology_to_globe/
On this particular day, writing about any number of issues needing to be fixed would be easy. Take for instance, the Governor's Advisory Council forum held in Fitchburg yesterday. This meeting served as a venue for illegal immigrants to detail the difficulties of living in Massachusetts. Miguel Marino, whose opinion seemed to represent others in attendance, expressed his frustration with getting a driver's license, (See today's Telegram article, p.B4). Then there's Transportation Secretary James Aloisi's sister Carol, who, according to The Boston Globe, (p.B3 and A 19, 3/19) appears to have a $60,000 a year job without any work to do -- zilch. Or we could talk about enacting same day voter registration and how The Telegram is voicing support for it, with a few stipulations to avoid voter fraud (p.A11, 3/19/09).
However, instead of ranting about the state of affairs on this last day before Spring, I chose to focus on the beautiful and how the Hanover Theatre is a bright spot in Worcester, bringing something positive and wonderful, namely the arts, to Central Mass. at a time when their existence in schools may be threatened by lack of funding. Let's not forget about the many things needing to be changed in Massachusetts government, but once in awhile it's nice to think about the good stuff.
If you want to get frustrated, read the bottom four articles, or you could search the internet for a site that's playing Tchaikovsky and think about spring.
Sunday Telegram "Living" section, March 15, 2009 "Tradition endures in 'Swan Lake'" by Richard Duckett, p. 3 (Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts website)
http://www.thehanovertheatre.org/news/pressRelease.php?releaseID=118
Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, March 19, 2009, "Verify, then vote" editorial page, A11
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090319/NEWS/903190614/1020
Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, March 19, 2009, "Illegals tell of hardship living in state" by Paula J. Owen, p. B1
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090319/NEWS/903190621/1101
The Boston Globe, Thursday, March 19, 2009, "Patrick doesn't get the politics of outrage" by Joan Vennochi, p.A19
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/19/patrick_doesnt_get_the_politics_of_outrage/
The Boston Globe, Thursday, March 19, 2009, "Aloisi issues apology to Globe" by Matt Viser, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/19/aloisi_issues_apology_to_globe/
Monday, March 16, 2009
Two Events Tonight
Republicans are taking their push to counter Governor Deval Patrick's 19 cents more a gallon gas tax on the road to press the point, reform before revenue. According to the Sunday Telegram (p.B1), the first of five "listening tours" will be held tonight at 7:00 pm at the Auburn town hall. State Rep. Lew Evangelidis will be joined by Representatives Karyn Polito, George Peterson and Paul Frost to discuss reasons why now is not the right time to be extracting money from the citizens of Massachusetts. In addition to tonight's event in Auburn, the GOP will hold simultaneous forums in Sandwich and Attleboro, one in Middleton on March 18 and Westfield on the 24th.
Sunday Telegram, March 15, 2009, "Listening tour by the GOP" by Priyanka Dayal, p.B1
http://wtedit.sx.atl.publicus.com/article/20090315/NEWS/903150382/1101/LOCAL
The Sterling Republican Town Committee will hold a dinner meeting tonight, beginning with a social time and cash bar at 6:00 pm at the Twin Oaks Restaurant on route 12 in Sterling. If interested, contact Loret Schur at loret.schur@gmail.com.
Sunday Telegram, March 15, 2009, "Listening tour by the GOP" by Priyanka Dayal, p.B1
http://wtedit.sx.atl.publicus.com/article/20090315/NEWS/903150382/1101/LOCAL
The Sterling Republican Town Committee will hold a dinner meeting tonight, beginning with a social time and cash bar at 6:00 pm at the Twin Oaks Restaurant on route 12 in Sterling. If interested, contact Loret Schur at loret.schur@gmail.com.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A Not So Easy Button
According to The New York Times, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton offered her Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, a present, meant as a joke, before having dinner with him yesterday in Geneva. As Mark Landler author of "Lost in Translation - A U.S. Gift to Russia" put it, "Before the appetizer was served, the diplomatic first date had gotten off to an awkward start because of a gag gift gone awry." (p.A7) Looking very similar to the Staples "Easy Button," the word 'reset' is printed at the bottom with the Russian 'peregruzka' at the top. In between the two is a red button that fills most of the yellow plastic square. The joke refers to Vice-President Joe Biden's comments at the conference in Munich about a month ago where he quoted President Obama as saying it was time for the U.S. and Russia to press the "reset button" and get their relationship back on track. The unfortunate twist, however, is that 'peregruzka' means 'overcharged' rather than 'reset'. In spite of the mishap, Mr. Landler leaves the reader with the feeling that Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Lavrov had a good exchange, at least of words.
I see this little episode as illustrating how sensitive representatives of the United States must be when relating with people of other cultures, especially when different languages are involved.
The New York Times, Saturday, March 7, 2009, "Lost in Translation - A U.S. Gift to Russia" by Mark Landler, p. A7
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/07/world/europe/07diplo.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=March%207,%202009,%20before%20discussing%20resetting%20U.S.%20relations&st=cse
I see this little episode as illustrating how sensitive representatives of the United States must be when relating with people of other cultures, especially when different languages are involved.
The New York Times, Saturday, March 7, 2009, "Lost in Translation - A U.S. Gift to Russia" by Mark Landler, p. A7
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/07/world/europe/07diplo.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=March%207,%202009,%20before%20discussing%20resetting%20U.S.%20relations&st=cse
Friday, March 6, 2009
Sterling RTC to Meet March 16
The Sterling Republican Town Committee will hold a dinner meeting on Monday, March 16 at Twin Oaks restaurant on route 12 in Leominster, beginning with a social hour at 6:00 pm and dinner at 6:30. State Representative Lew Evangelidis will speak at 7:00, followed by a business meeting at 8:00. Anyone interested should contact Loret Schur at loret.schur@gmail.com. Cost is $17.00 per person and a cash bar is available.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Michael Steele is RNC Chairman, not Rush Limbaugh
An article in yesterday's Globe written by their staff (p.8) indicates that Rush Limbaugh may have appointed himself GOP spokesman. Those moderates among us who care about the future of the Republican party, must not allow him to assert himself as leader, nor can we allow the party to be hijacked by ultra-conservatives. I will admit I have never listened to an entire Limbaugh show, nor do I ever want to. Catching bits of his nonsense as I walk into a service station is more than I care to hear. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure which I find more offensive -- Rush Limbaugh's words or the girly poster calendar hanging on the wall of the garage.
Now Rush is taking issue with Michael Steele, the new Republican National Committee Chairman. As Mr. Steele rightly points out, "Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer." What Rush says should be given about as much value as anything portrayed on a sit-com. Limbaugh may have a large audience but what he says can be "incendiary," as RNC chairman Michael Steele said. Yesterday evening on the PBS Newshour with Jim Lehrer, Mr. Steele was quoted as having softened those remarks. I say to you, Mr. Steele, you got it right the first time. What I worry about are people who are hoodwinked into believing that what Rush says has any significance, value or truth. Don't let someone who entertains for a living speak for the Republican party or you. We need to re-build and move towards the center, not the right. As Dick Callahan, Chairman of the Holden Republican Town Committee says, "Fiscally conservative. Socially moderate." That should be our mantra.
The Boston Globe, March 3, 2009, "Limbaugh, Steele face off in tiff over GOP leadership" written by staff at the Globe. [Scroll down to access this article.]
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/03/03/obama_says_155m_in_health_funding_means_jobs_too/
Boston Sunday Globe, March 1, 2009, "RNC chairman plans turnaround for battered party" by Joseph Williams, p.A8
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/01/rnc_chairman_plans_turnaround_for_battered_party/
Now Rush is taking issue with Michael Steele, the new Republican National Committee Chairman. As Mr. Steele rightly points out, "Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer." What Rush says should be given about as much value as anything portrayed on a sit-com. Limbaugh may have a large audience but what he says can be "incendiary," as RNC chairman Michael Steele said. Yesterday evening on the PBS Newshour with Jim Lehrer, Mr. Steele was quoted as having softened those remarks. I say to you, Mr. Steele, you got it right the first time. What I worry about are people who are hoodwinked into believing that what Rush says has any significance, value or truth. Don't let someone who entertains for a living speak for the Republican party or you. We need to re-build and move towards the center, not the right. As Dick Callahan, Chairman of the Holden Republican Town Committee says, "Fiscally conservative. Socially moderate." That should be our mantra.
The Boston Globe, March 3, 2009, "Limbaugh, Steele face off in tiff over GOP leadership" written by staff at the Globe. [Scroll down to access this article.]
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/03/03/obama_says_155m_in_health_funding_means_jobs_too/
Boston Sunday Globe, March 1, 2009, "RNC chairman plans turnaround for battered party" by Joseph Williams, p.A8
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/01/rnc_chairman_plans_turnaround_for_battered_party/
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Massachusetts Needs an Economist
At the same time as Governor Deval Patrick is taking his idea for a gas tax hike on the road to garner support, he has also announced he wants to tack on an extra parking fee at Logan. Logan just increased parking by $1.00. Governor Patrick would like to raise that by $2.00 and is calling those extra $2- a "carbon fee". According to yesterday's Globe article by Noah Bierman, if Governor Patrick gets what he wants, then one half hour of parking at the airport would cost $6.00. In addition, getting to Logan may involve another increased amount in driving through the tunnel, which may be raised to $7.00, depending on whether the amount of the new gas tax is high enough or not. Let's say for instance, (as Mr. Bierman humorously points out in his article) that you're picking up a friend at the airport and her plane is later than expected, causing you to have to wait for her for three hours. You'll be paying $18.00. If you're taking a trip and plan on leaving your car all day at Logan? Have $26.00 ready to shell out.
I'm not an economist, but it seems to me that raising the gas tax, raising airport parking fees, raising tolls on the MassPike and in the airport tunnel, and taxing candy and beer are not the kinds of things that will move Massachusetts out of a recession.
The Boston Globe, Monday, March 2, 2009, "Logan parking costs may soar" by Noah Bierman, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/02/logan_parking_costs_may_soar/
The Boston Globe, Monday, March 2, 2009, "Patrick pays house call to talk up gas tax" by John C. Drake, p.B2
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/02/patrick_pays_house_call_to_talk_up_gas_tax/
I'm not an economist, but it seems to me that raising the gas tax, raising airport parking fees, raising tolls on the MassPike and in the airport tunnel, and taxing candy and beer are not the kinds of things that will move Massachusetts out of a recession.
The Boston Globe, Monday, March 2, 2009, "Logan parking costs may soar" by Noah Bierman, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/02/logan_parking_costs_may_soar/
The Boston Globe, Monday, March 2, 2009, "Patrick pays house call to talk up gas tax" by John C. Drake, p.B2
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/02/patrick_pays_house_call_to_talk_up_gas_tax/
Monday, March 2, 2009
Big Government Spending Leads to BigGovernment Spending
At the end of last week, the Political Conservative Action Conference met in Washington, DC. Ordinarily this gathering acts as an occasion for conservatives to get together and bat around fresh ideas . This year, however, according to Susan Milligan, author of a Sunday Globe article, the event "had the air of a group therapy session . . . as thousands of conference-goers assessed their diminished power in Washington." (p.A9) Rather than looking forward, the feeling from the write-up was that people seemed to be thinking back over the last eight years and laying blame for big government growth and spending at the heels of George W. Bush. President Obama's actions were viewed as mere extensions, bringing what was initiated by the Bush administration to its natural conclusion. Comments by Newt Gingrich were highlighted in the article, as he compared the current administration to the previous."We didn't get real change. We got big spending under Bush, now we have big spending under Obama."
Trevor Ford, age 24, an attendee, summed up the state of the GOP this way. "[Republicans 'have turned it into a big-government Republican party. Clearly, that's not what the American people want. . . If you're not doing your job well for that many years, it's bound to happen.'"
A s part of the conference, a straw poll is taken of potential presidential candidates. The results typically help push the winner forward onto the national scene. As he did two years ago, Mitt Romney finished first with 20%. Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana received 14%. Ron Paul tied with Sarah Palin at 13%. My take on the straw poll and the candidates is the Republican Party has not found their shining star and needs to keep searching.
Boston Sunday Globe, March 1, 2009, p.A9, "Reeling conservatives assess damage" by Susan Milligan
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/01/reeling_conservatives_assess_damage/
Trevor Ford, age 24, an attendee, summed up the state of the GOP this way. "[Republicans 'have turned it into a big-government Republican party. Clearly, that's not what the American people want. . . If you're not doing your job well for that many years, it's bound to happen.'"
A s part of the conference, a straw poll is taken of potential presidential candidates. The results typically help push the winner forward onto the national scene. As he did two years ago, Mitt Romney finished first with 20%. Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana received 14%. Ron Paul tied with Sarah Palin at 13%. My take on the straw poll and the candidates is the Republican Party has not found their shining star and needs to keep searching.
Boston Sunday Globe, March 1, 2009, p.A9, "Reeling conservatives assess damage" by Susan Milligan
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/01/reeling_conservatives_assess_damage/
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