The Mayflower Commentary

"The regulars are coming!"

2011-04-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

This past Friday, as a kick-off to Lexington and Concord's annual celebration of Patriot's Day, Minute Man National Historical Park sponsored a re-enactment that dramatized the moments surrounding the capture of Paul Revere by British soldiers, or "regulars". This included a half-hour vignette based on two letters Revere wrote about his ride. The weather was clear and the moon not quite full, much as it was that night of April 19th, 1775.

Revere left Boston by boat at 10:00pm on April 18th and reached the Charlestown shore where he waited for the custodian of the Old North Church to give him the signal. Soon two lights shone in the steeple and Revere rode off on the horse the Colonialists had waiting for him, as he shouted word that "the Regulars are coming". Another rider, William Dawes, had taken the land route south around Boston and the two met on the Bay Road, now known as Battle Road.

Dawes and Revere rode to Lexington where they alerted Hancock and Adams about British movements. While there they ran into Dr. Samuel Prescott who was on his way home after having spent the evening visiting his fiancee. The result of their conversation was that Prescott agreed to join Dawes and Revere on their mission.

Along the Battle Road in Lincoln they were abruptly halted by British soldiers who were out patrolling. While Paul Revere engaged his British captors, Dawes saw an opportunity and made a daring escape on horseback, only to fall off his horse later, preventing him from continuing. Prescott, pulling away before the British had even had a chance to actually capture him, vaulted over the stone wall and galloped away along the route through the woods back to Lexington which he knew because he lived there. Prescott went to ask for help from his brother, who then joined him on the night ride.

Dr. Prescott and his brother would be the only ones to make it to Concord. The British held Paul Revere for about two hours, then released him but kept his horse. Revere walked to Lexington where he arrived before dawn.

I was very impressed by Paul Revere's bravery as well as that of Dawes and Prescott. At the outset of the capture, one of the Redcoats yelled, "Stop or I'll blow your brains out!" In spite of this treatment and even after the British became aware of who they had captured, a Son of Liberty no less, Revere remained confident, even defiant and did not waiver in the least. This re-enactment was based on Revere's representation of the events of April 19th, 1775, and although he may have expected his account would become historical evidence, one thing besides the night air was clear. Paul Revere, along with William Dawes and Samuel Prescott, were true American patriots.

Information was taken from signage at the Paul Revere Capture Site on the Battle Road in Minute Man Historical Park, from the video presentation at the Lincoln Visitors Center, 250 North Great Road and from the re-enactment of Paul Revere's Capture, performed Friday, April 15, 2011 at the Bloody Angle in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

For more information about Minute Man Historical Park visit their website at
http://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm

April 19, 1775

2010-04-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

Around 2:00am along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775, Paul Revere was detained by British soldiers. William Dawes, another night rider, witnessed the capture from a safe distance and was therefore able to skirt the Redcoat hazard and continue with his mission, which was the same as Revere's. The British held Revere for awhile and then released him, however they kept his horse. Adding a twist of irony to the story, Paul Revere had borrowed that horse for the occasion.

Credit for this information goes to signage at the Paul Revere Capture Site and a volunteer working at the Hartwell Tavern in Lincoln, Massachusetts at a demonstration at the Bloody Angle in 2007.

2010-04-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

"Pressure makes diamonds."

During a telephone call with an employee from MassGOP this morning, I learned a new phrase, pertinent to the political environment enveloping Massachusetts and the people involved in those campaigns. When asked to whom the quotation is attributed, the gentleman at the Boston office suggested that perhaps a life insurance salesman back in the 1950's might have come up with it as a way of dealing with the stress of his job. Just before we said good-bye he added, "Women really like it".

2010-02-24T04:45:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, February 23, surrounded by family, friends and supporters, Lewis Evangelidis formally declared his candidacy for Sheriff of Worcester County. Showing he cares about the communities within the district, Mr. Evangelidis traveled north, south, east and west to make his announcement.

Read Representative Evangelidis' press release, along with accounts of the day in the Telegram & Gazette and the Milford Daily News.

EVANGELIDIS ANNOUNCES RUN FOR SHERIFF

Worcester - State Representative Lew Evangelidis (1st Worcester District) held a press conference outside his childhood home, a triple-decker located at 52 Tower Street in Worcester this afternoon to announce his campaign for Worcester County Sheriff. Evangelidis was joined by former Colonel of the State Police, Reed Hillman, who was on hand to make Lew's introduction.

Evangelidis is a former assistant district attorney, assistant state attorney and spent more than a dozen years working in the private sector before being elected to the House of Represnetatives in 2002. Evangelidis said, 'I am committed to being a professional, independent and innovative Sheriff who will keep the families in Worcester County safe. I believe that the job of Sheriff does not end at the four walls of the jail but extends to the four corners of Worcester County.' Evangelidis, who has the smallest staff of any office on Beacon Hill added, 'I'm not part of the old Worcester County political machine and I have not made nor will I make any job promises during our campaign. I will not accept campaign contributions from employees of the jail and the only criteria to be considered for a job promotion will be merit. Nothing else.'

Evangelidis has laid out a strong vision for the future of the Worcester County Sheriff's Department with several innovative initiatives aimed at reducing the instance of repeat offenders by returning productive and responsible former inmates back to our neighborhoods. Evangelidis believes that by cleaning up our neighborhoods we can bring increased business investment and job growth into Worcester County. Evangelidis pledged to develop crime, drug and cyber bullying prevention programs to be implemented in every school throughout the County. He has also pledged to crack down on disability and pension abuse at the jail.

When asked about the skyrocketing cost of incarceration Evangelidis said he will maximize any opportunity to save the taxpayers money, including swiftly deporting criminals who are in our country illegally rather than housing them at over $32,000 per year.

In the Legislature Evangelidis led the battle to toughen drunk driving laws with the passage of Melanie's Law. Melanie's grandfather, Ron Bersani said, 'I was fortunate to have Lew Evangelidis on my side in the fight for Melanie's Law. His passionate support during the contentious House debate was crucial in thwarting efforts to gut the bill.'

As a member of the Judiciary Committee, Evangelidis led the battle on Beacon Hill to increase the public's access to sex offender information, pass Jessica's Law to increase penalties for crimes against children, as well as efforts to repeal the Commonwealth's outdated insanity defense laws.

Reed Hillman, former Colonel of the State Police, added the following, 'I have worked with Lew Evangelidis for several years and I support his candidacy for Sheriff. He will bring an extraordinary level of professionalism and independence to the position of Sheriff of Worcester County.'

Visit Lew's website at
http://www.lewforsheriff.org/

Horn, Danielle M. "Evangelidis Makes Sheriff Bid Official." Telegram & Gazette 24 February 2010: B3.
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100224/NEWS/2240401

McHugh-Power, Shannon. "Evangelidis To Run For Sheriff." Milford Daily News 24 February 2010
http://www.milforddailynews.com/highlight/x739958619/Evangelidis-to-run-for-sheriff

A Groundhog Day Event in Littleton

2010-02-04T04:44:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, February 2, in Scott Brown's shadow, Mike Hruby and his support group once again put on a marvelous nuts 'n bolts session, offering speeches from a host of good, common sense candidates, as well as advice on raising campaign funds. Marty Lamb, contender for U.S. Congress, explains his Third Congressional Distrct spans from North Fall River to Princeton and out to Holliston, his home town. Marty pointed out that 59% of the voters in his district went for Scott Brown.

Mindelynn Young, Finance Director for Mary Connaughton, used a small business analogy to describe some general ideas in approaching donors, who she termed "investors".

"Build relationships, tell them what you're going to spend the money on, create a sense of urgency and follow up," advises Mindelynn.

"An auditor running for auditor. Go figure," says Mary Connaughton.

Mary Connaughton, former board member of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, presented solid, practical reasons why she, a Republican, should hold the office of State Auditor.

Mike Hruby introduces Mary Connaughton, featured speaker of the evening.

Jim Gettens of Sterling details his military background. Jim is running for State Representative in the 12th Worcester District.

Two other candidates vying for State Representative in their respective locales also spoke but are not pictured. Paul Avello of the Second Middlesex District and Kurt Hayes of the 37th Middlesex District.

Pictures Of A Celebration

2010-01-24T17:04:00.000-08:00

Scott Brown Victory Party

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Boston Park Plaza Hotel

Confetti flies through the air.

Resting quietly against the ceiling..

Everyone in the room waited for this moment when the balloons were first released.

United States Senator-Elect Scott Brown

The crowd, along with Uncle Sam, delights in confetti, balloons and of course, Scott Brown.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele pokes his head in through the door to scope out the situation.

His Name Is Scott Brown. He Lives In Wrentham, And He Drives A Truck.

2010-01-20T02:54:00.000-08:00

Vote Today

2010-01-19T03:40:00.000-08:00

This truck could be seen parked between Town Line Garage and Princeton's own Mechanics Hall on Route 140 throughout the Martin Luther King holiday weekend.

Seen From The Street

2010-01-18T06:05:00.000-08:00

Dick Callahan, Chairman of Holden RTC, paints pictures of vitality and zest as he campaigns for Scott Brown.

Thing about standing out for a great candidate is it's fun and invigorating.

Dick Callahan at the center of Holden on a crisp, cold Saturday in January.

Our Hearts Cry For You, Haiti

2010-01-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

Although all of us Central Massachusetts GOP-ers feel a keen sense of urgency associated with the U.S. Senate campaign, it is important to step back for a moment and remember the people of Haiti who are enduring unimaginable agony. To be sure, words cannot adequately portray their suffering, that is, if one was fortunate enough to have even survived. Our hearts and prayers reach out to our Haitian brothers and sisters in this, their desperate hour, which will, by everything I have observed, stretch to weeks, months and years. As media attention fades, let us continue to remember Haiti's extreme adversity and help as we are able.

For those wishing to make a financial contribution, I suggest Church World Service. I have given to them in the past, and my daughter sent money to CWS that she and others raised for the tsunami victims of Thailand in 2004 -2005. Church World Service is religiously affiliated, however it is an organization that seems to make excellent use of dollars donated. Click on the second link to learn more about CWS' record of money in/money out.

Church World Service, home page
http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer

Church World Service, donation page. Scroll down for a quick and easy to read pie chart.
http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=how_donate

Johnson, Carolyn Y., "Big Fault Known To Span Region." Boston Globe 14 Jan. 2010: A9.
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2010/01/14/major_fault_is_known_to_straddle_region_geologists_say/

No online link found.
Katz, Jonathan M. (of Associated Press) "Ruin, Desperation In Haiti." Boston Globe 14 Jan. 2010: A1.

2010-01-02T05:52:00.000-08:00

From where I sit in the crow’s nest of “The Mayflower Commentary”, I am able to gaze across the vast ocean of politics, and as a result of that view, I humbly offer four recommendations, as we embark on a new year, on how to improve the GOP in Massachusetts. The operative word improve, in this case, means to win elections.

#1. Consider 2010 a priority year, a time to step out and put yourself on the front lines, an eleven month span to the day in which to act. There seems to be a confluence of events that are bending favor in our direction. Folks in general appear to be “fed up” with what is happening, at both the federal and state levels. The current Governor has proven disappointing, even and perhaps more importantly, especially to his base. Taxes seem to be multiplying like swamp mosquitos and the Obama Administration continues to push hard for more governmental entitlement programs.

With a favorable wind blowing, we need to act. As Marshall Horwitz, Vice-Chairman of the Holden Republican Town Committee says, “Do what you enjoy.” Simple. Straight forward. Marshall points out that if everyone does something he enjoys, whether that be making phone calls, holding a sign, calling into talk radio shows or writing letters, then the work that needs to be done will get done. The catch is that every Republican needs to quit complaining and moaning about the state of affairs and instead, do something constructive.

#2. “If you and another Republican agree on 90%, then forgive the other 10%”. State Representative Jeff Perry, astutely spoke those words on October 26, 2009 at a joint meeting of the Princeton and Holden RTC’s. No two people believe exactly the same, and there is not one candidate with whom anyone would agree with everything “under the sun”. Many times Republicans get caught up in that which divides and forget about the shared core value of fiscal responsibility.

#3. Be civil in your manner of speaking. Incendiary language has no place in Massachusetts politics. Republicans should be leading the way, setting good examples as it were. If our goal is to gain leadership positions, then we should be speaking as honorable, upstanding citizens, being cognizant not to use words meant to inflame . Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe wrote an article titled, “New adventures in incivility”, published the last day of 2009. In his piece, Mr. Jacoby muses how maltreatment of the opposition on the American political scene is common and even expected. He concludes with this pessimistic thought. “Gross and abusive rhetoric was a hallmark of the 2000’s. I shudder to think how low public discourse will go in the 2010s.” (12/31/09, p.A15). Work to prove him wrong.

#4. Focus on the fiscal. Drop the social issues. In order to win seats in the Legislature, candidates must appeal to Independents and will also need the full support of Republicans. Abortion and gay marriage divide. Fiscal conservatism unites.

In conclusion, my fellow GOP Mates, to start the New Year and the new decade, let’s swab the deck, heave the anchor, hoist the mainsail and get under way, and as sailors in the U.S. Navy say to those setting out on a voyage, “Fair winds and following seas.”

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/12/31/new_adventures_in_incivility/
Jacoby, Jeff, “New adventures in incivility.” Boston Globe 31 Dec. 2009: A15.

Perry, Jeffrey Davis. My GOP . East Sandwich, MA: Perry Books, 2009.

Friends, Old And New, Gather At The Bagel Inn, The Saturday Before Christmas

2009-12-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning get-togethers are proving to build friendships and foster a spirit of community within Holden and throughout the surrounding area. Pictured from left to right are Dick Callahan, Chairman of Holden RTC, State Representative Lew Evangelidis, Christian Ollenborger, Co-Chair of the Fitchburg City Committee, Marshall Horwitz, Vice-Chairman of Holden and Andrea Neale, Co-Chair of Fitchburg.

2009-12-26T07:42:00.000-08:00

What It's All About

Jim Knowlton, Chairman of the Worcester Republican City Committee, presents a check for $560.00 as well as seventy-three pounds of food, to Jean MacMurray of the Worcester County Food Bank. Pictured along with Mr. Knowlton and Ms. MacMurray are State Rep.Lew Evangelidis and Joe Manzoli. Mr. Manzoli represented Christy Mihos, who matched contributions dollar for dollar.

Didwell -- Jim Knowlton and Tina Hood.

2009-12-24T05:23:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, Wachusett Area GOP"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."

"He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot."

From "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore

Kaboose: Kids' online Christmas stories
http://holidays.kaboose.com/xmas-stories-niteb4.html

Holiday Fare -- WRCC Style

2009-12-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

This past Wednesday, December 16, the newly rejuvenated Worcester Republican City Committee put on a party at Fiddler on the Green, 19 Temple Street, behind Union Station. The spotlight was shared between the candidates and the Worcester County Food Bank, with the price of admission being either a non-perishable food item or $2.00. Tickets were sold for a raffle, which helped boost the total collected for WCFB.

Bob Lashua animatedly recruits phone callers for Scott Brown, while Bill McCarthy looks on.
Representative Lew Evangelidis, Marty Lamb, potential candidate for the Massachusetts Third Congressional District, gubernatorial hopeful Christy Mihos and Bob Lashua from the Brown camp, were among the speakers.

Mindy Hebert, along with her friend, Maria Sheehan, are shown beaming with pride while displaying The Cornucopia of Dental Delight!
Representative Evangelidis won a gift of Christmas cheer, but the best prize was a super-sized basket, spilling over with an assortment of oral care products -- travel-size toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash and the like. When Mindy's award-winning number was called, she screamed with glee and ran up to the table to claim the jackpot.

Giver and Receiver, both with healthy, toothy grins

Thank you Jim Knowlton, Tina Hood and Company for serving up energy and enthusiasm from the Worcester Republican City Committee, and for focusing attention on such a worthwhile cause as the WCFB. Thank you Marshall Horwitz, for your generosity and vitality.

For more information about the Worcester County Food Bank, click on the link below.

WCFB-Worcester County Food Bank
http://www.foodbank.org/

Leominster Hits One Out Of The Park

2009-12-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

This past Friday, December 11, Leominster, along with State Representative Lew Evangelidis, hosted a fundraiser for Scott Brown, candidate for U.S. Senate. Energy, life, and enthusiasm permeated the room, and a down home spirit predominated. John Souza, Chairman of the Leominster Republican City Committee, and Frank Ardinger, Vice-Chairman, planned the occasion. What may have contributed to their success of packing renovated Mason Hall? Each of the 230 people who received e-mail invitations from Mr. Ardinger also got at least one follow-up phone call, plus Rep. Evangelidis got behind this event and promoted it.

John Souza opened the meeting with stirring comments which he said afterwards, "came from the heart." Bob Lashua talked about the importance of making phone calls for Scott Brown and invited everyone to stop by Headquarters in Worcester. Representative Evangelidis spoke eloquently about his Grandmother coming to America and laying her eyes on the Statue of Liberty as she sailed into New York Harbor. He then introduced Scott, who voiced many common sense concerns he has about this country, especially involving governmental fiscal responsibility in this economic downturn.

Didwell to John Souza and Frank Ardinger.

Read about Leominster's gathering in today's Sunday Telegram.

Owen, Paula J. "Brown vows to rein in spending." Sunday Telegram 13 Dec 2009; B3.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091213/NEWS/912130432/1101/NEWSREWIND

On The Way To Mike Hruby's

2009-12-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Sterling Common Decked For The Holidays
On Tuesday, December 1st, Mike Hruby hosted a gathering in his home where he asked everyone to bring a list of accomplishments of their Republican Town Committees. Mike called this sharing of Things Done Skillfully a "Didwell Meeting."

What follows is a sampling of Didwells noted by Republicans from Boxborough, Holden and Princeton.

Representative Jeff Perry wrote My GOP and travels around the State, not just talking about his book but spreading the idea that if you agree with another Republican on 90%, then forgive the other 10%.

Mike Hruby, Christine Doucette and Marjie Brandon presented a practical lesson on collecting and using voting data. Marjie and Mike have been compiling information through the years and as a result, now have an historical record with which to target voters. As their sophistication and expertise increase, so does their personal approach.

"Jenn Nassour, for separating the party from social issue linkage, making both value groupings free to gain broader acceptance for themselves across more of the political spectrum."
~Mike Hruby's third Didwell

Although not on anyone's original list, Bob Dumont, Chair of the Sterling Republican Town Committee, deserves special mention. Bob has already made arrangements for Sterling to caucus for the business of electing convention delegates, complete with a date and a snow date. In his e-mail to the SRTC, sent after the December 1st get-together, he also outlined priorities for 2010, including supporting Scott Brown, winner of the December 8 Senate primary and Jim Gettens, the Republican who is opposing Harold Naughton. Didwell to Bob Dumont.

In his second Didwell, Mike Hruby congratulates Lew Evangelidis for bringing the regional service organization and the Wachusett Area Town Committees together. Compliments are also in order for Mike Hruby for following through with Lew's suggestion and intiating contact.

A Silhouette of Blue

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, in May of 2007, May 20th to be exact, Marshall Horwitz and I met for the first time, at the Dunkin' Donuts in Holden, where, on the back of a napkin, we planned a fundraiser for Lew Evangelidis, an event that took place three weeks later. Although at the time Marshall & I were prepared to eat $900 worth of hors d'oeuvres by ourselves, we instead raised a couple thousand dollars and hosted about 80 guests. Since the '07 fundraiser, Marshall & I have been able to share appetizers with about 100 people in 2008 and nearly 200 folks in 2009.

Dick Callahan said it best on his Didwell list.

"Bonnie Prescott recruited Marshall Horwitz three or four years ago. Every organization needs a Marshall."

A Thanksgiving Offering

2009-11-25T04:39:00.000-08:00

The Mayflower II in Plymouth Harbor

It all started in a small town in Nottinghamshire County in the years 1605 – 1606. Scrooby is where a core group of the Separatists, having had their full of King James I imposing His Majesty’s Church on them, decided to leave England for The Netherlands. Amsterdam was merely a stop-over, however, as they soon relocated to Leiden, where they lived for more than ten years.

The Mayflower II at Sunset

After living a decade in Leiden, the would-be colonists, concretely sensing the passing of time and understanding that they were perhaps growing old beyond their useful years, became anxious to begin their new lives, so embarked upon a project of acquiring access to the New World. In 1617 this was no small feat, as they needed more people, a charter to give them legal access to the land and, as is true to this day regarding any endeavor, money. Because of their desire to launch their plan, the Separatists agreed to an arrangement that was less favorable to them from Thomas Weston, the leader of a group of English merchants. The deal would mean that for seven years, this band of "adventurers" [A Little Commonwealth by John Demos, p.5] would owe the company store. Nevertheless, they accepted, procured the legal right to the land near the Hudson River and swelled their ranks with like-minded and some not so like-minded folks from East Anglia, London, Kent as well as a few soldiers who were stationed in Leiden at the time, including Myles Standish.

This picture shows the characteristic shape of the Mayflower.

And thus began the journey of 102 Pilgrims, who referred to themselves as such, and who, after suffering a year of hardship, would recall a thanksgiving holiday they celebrated in The Netherlands which commemorated the ending of the assault on Leiden on October 3rd, 1574. A little more than half the congregation would live to enjoy the feasts and games at harvest time in 1621, but those that did were extraordinarily grateful.

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, October, 2009, "Pilgrim Fathers" by Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs
http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/themes/93/93695.html

A Little Commonwealth, Family Life in Plymouth Colony, by John Demos, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000, Second Edition, pp.2-11.

Massachusetts, A Concise History, by Richard D. Brown & Jack Tager, University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, MA, 2000, pp. 21-26.

Plimoth Plantation website
http://www.plimoth.org/features/mayflower-2/

"'It's not about protecting police officers, it's about protecting the community as a whole.'" ~Officer Ralph LeBlanc

2009-11-23T04:28:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, Representative Lew Evangelidis held a press conference on legislation he will be filing that would replace the current verdict of "not guilty by reason of insanity" with "guilty but insane," a major difference pertaining to punishment of criminals convicted of murder. Rather than six months at Bridgewater State Hospital with an annual follow-up review, ten years would be the minimum time served. Rep. Evangelidis is quoted in Friday's Telegram & Gazette as saying, "'It is outrageous that a murderer could be released from incarceration after only a few months or years of treatment in a hospital setting without any criminal record whatsoever.'" (p.A4)

The proposed change, called "Jupin's Law" arose as a result of the shooting of a Westminster police officer, Lawrence M. Jupin. Detective Ralph LeBlanc spoke to the Telegram about the events of May 10, 1999 when his partner was shot, leading to his resultant death in 2002 after having been in a coma for those three years, as being "'surreal'". Mr. Evangelidis elaborates in his November 20 press release. “'Just like the thousands of police officers who protect our communities each and every day, Officer Jupin risked his life for the better of our society and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve. This tragic death and subsequent trial of Mr. Rivers did magnify the inadequacies of our insanity laws which must be rectified. There is a fine line to balance when dealing with defendants who are mentally ill, but I feel as though this legislation is a fair solution to protect public safety while safeguarding the rights of mentally ill criminals.'”

Read Representative Evangelidis' full press release below and beneath that, click on the link to watch NECN's coverage.

EVANGELIDIS TO FILE “JUPIN’S LAW” CHANGING INSANITY DEFENSE LAWS

Worcester- On May 10, 1999, Officer Lawrence Jupin of the Westminster Police Department responded to Route 31 in Westminster to assist another officer. An individual had approached the other officer while he was conducting a motor vehicle stop. The man was wearing camouflage clothing and carrying a back pack when he appeared out of nowhere on the desolate roadway. When officers attempted to speak with him, the suspect fled. Officer Jupin and the other officer quickly pursued him into a nearby wooded area. Officer Jupin was shot three times with a stolen handgun by Jason Rivers of Fitchburg. After receiving extensive treatment for brain damage suffered as a result of the shooting, Officer Jupin died in November of 2002 at the age of 34.

After years of medical examinations and evaluations at Bridgewater State Hospital, Jupin’s assailant finally faced a Judge and was found not guilty by reason of insanity on September 1, 2009. Under current Massachusetts Law, an individual who is found not guilty by reason of insanity can only be committed to Bridgewater State Hospital for a period of six months. Following this initial commitment, the individual can be re-committed in one year increments following subsequent evaluations.

State Representative Lew Evangelidis will be filing legislation to change the Commonwealth’s insanity defense laws to ensure that individuals who have committed these serious crimes are committed to Bridgewater State Hospital for at least ten years, rather than the current system that could allow someone like Jason Rivers to be released after six months. Evangelidis’ legislation would remove the current defense of “not guilty by reason of insanity” in cases of murder and replace it with “guilty, but insane.” Under the proposed legislation by Evangelidis, an individual found guilty except insane would be committed to a period of confinement for at least ten years, with subsequent commitments occurring every year.

Evangelidis said, “I believe that the current laws that allow someone to be found not guilty by reason of insanity are simply crazy. It is outrageous that a murderer could be released from incarceration after only a few months or years of treatment in a hospital setting without any criminal record whatsoever.”

“Just like the thousands of Police Officers who protect our communities each and every day, Officer Jupin risked his life for the better of our society and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve. This tragic death and subsequent trial of Mr. Rivers did magnify the inadequacies of our insanity laws which must be rectified. There is a fine line to balance when dealing with defendants who are mentally ill, but I feel as though this legislation is a fair solution to protect public safety while safeguarding the rights of mentally ill criminals” said Evangelidis, who is a former Assistant District Attorney and Assistant State Attorney.

Officer Ralph LeBlanc, who initially made the inquiry concerning Mr. Rivers on Route 31 in Westminster in May of 1999, added the following, “After the courts ruling on September 1, 2009 I was horrified that a person could be found not guilty of murder based on their mental status. This discovery took almost 10 years for doctors to come to a conclusion about and even though the judge said Jason Rivers was, without a doubt, to blame for Larry’s death. After the ruling, I began looking into how other states deal with such cases of mental competency and discovered the “Guilty Except Insane”. I believe that a change in the existing insanity laws will address both sides of the issue. The safety concerns of society where a person who is responsible for killing someone, will be supervised with guidelines in place to keep society safe. As well as, provide necessary psychological treatment for the offender in the appropriate setting. My quest to see a change in this law will never affect the person who is responsible for the death of my friend Larry. Though, it could address similar issues that may affect other citizens throughout our state. It’s not about protecting police officers, it’s about protecting the community as a whole.”

Senator Jen Flanagan, who has also expressed her support for Jupin’s Law said, “Certainly my background and my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, allows me to understand the very complex issues surrounding mental illness. What happened in Westminster was an absolute travesty and my heart goes out to the Jupin family and to the members of the Westminster Police Department. I have supported this legislation because the trial of Mr. Rivers did bring to light the glaring shortcomings in the current statute. Keeping in mind the intricate nature of this issue, I am supportive of the efforts to remedy what lacks in the current law.”

This legislation will be filed with the House Clerk after other legislators have the opportunity to co-sponsor the bill. Jupin’s law has been officially endorsed by the Fitchburg Police Department, Leominster Police Department, Ashburnham Police Department, Princeton Police Department, Gardner Police Department, Clinton Police Department, Lunenburg Police Department, Oakham Police Department, Hubbardston Police Department, Devens Federal Prison Union, Worcester County Sheriff's Union, Central Mass Chiefs, and Mass Chiefs. Verbal endorsements have been received by the Massachusetts Correctional Officer's Union, State Police Association of Massachusetts, Boston Police Association, MPA and MassCop.

New England Cable News, Thursday, November 19, 2009 (original posting) "Mass. lawkmaker works to change insanity legislation." by Kenneth Craig.
http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/2009/11/19/Mass-lawmaker-works-to-change/1258670567.html

Telegram & Gazette, Friday, "Bill would eliminate 'not guilty by insanity'" by Gary V. Murray, Friday, November 20, 2009, p.A4.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091120/NEWS/911200350/1052

"If Scott wins, we'll break their filibuster-proof majority." ~Eddie Bracebridge

2009-11-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

The Rutland Republican Town Committee Springs Into Action for Scott Brown

Eddie Bracebridge leads the Rutland RTC this past Tuesday at the Community Center on Glenwood Road. First order of business was pledging allegiance to the flag.

Eddie Bracebridge interviews State Representative Lew Evangelidis throughout a good chunk of the meeting. Mr. Bracebridge, with his calm demeanor and knowledge of politics, proved he would make an excellent talk show host.

Although mobilizing for Senator Brown played heavy on the agenda, the future of the First Worcester district was a concern to many. Representative Evangelidis answers one of the various questions posed to him during the meeting.

Eddie Holds Up "Dear Friend Cards" Designed by Members of the Rutland RTC

"Let's Roll" ~Todd Beamer

2009-11-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, ground was broken near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, marking the official beginning of construction of a memorial honoring the victims of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11th, 2001. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar opened the ceremonies by quoting Todd Beamer, the leader of the passengers. Upon learning what had happened at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, this heroic group of individuals voted to take back the plane from the terrorists. Mr. Salazar said that those brave souls on Flight 93 represented democracy up until the end, something the hijackers could never comprehend.

A chapel with 40 chimes, representing each of the fallen heroes, will be built near the entrance of the park with wildflowers planted on the crash site, open only to family members.

Telegraph.co.uk, "Work on 9/11 memorial park begins" by Tom Leonard, November 8, 2009
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6526806/Work-on-911-memorial-park-begins.html

A Paradox

2009-11-05T04:58:00.000-08:00

Mike Hruby opens Tuesday's meeting of the regional service organization at the J. V. Fletcher Library on beautiful Westford Common.
Ordinarily, when the topic of utulizing statistics and consumer information is mentioned, the mind zooms directly into the clinical and impersonal, that is, the more sophisticated the technology, the less interaction between you and me. However, on Tuesday evening, November 3rd, Mike Hruby and his group demonstrated the opposite. They not only showed warm and welcoming hospitality, they also offered practical advice on using compiled data in ways that help build the community.

Margie Brandon (center) of the Acton Republican Town Committee, wowed the audience with her computer know-how and her understanding of statistical analysis. Christine Doucette, (left) Chair of Boxborough RTC, talked about how to take these dispassionate numbers and get down to the personal level.

Mike Hruby gave a show 'n tell presentation on "How to Get and Use Voter Lists", complete with hand-outs and props. He also explained, from a marketing perspective, the value of gathering this data, available to all rtc's in Massachusetts through the town clerk's office, for free.

Mike Hruby's Definition of "Voting Blocks"
Mike began his segment of the evening by quoting Charlie Baker who said, "'Politics is additive.'" He then took Charlie's idea and varied it, noting that "Politics are also subtractive."

To learn more about this organization, e-mail Mike Hruby. mike.hruby@comcast.net

A Trick on the Eyes But a Treat for the Town

2009-11-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

After years of planning, preparing, calculating and fighting lawsuits, John Fitch, PMLD Manager, has, on behalf of Princeton, purchased and installed two giant windmills on the southwest side of Mt. Wachusett. John deserves a big thank you (as big as the windmills) from Princeton residents for his persistence and perseverance in this matter. So well known was the dispute surrounding the acquisition of the windmills that Director John Stimpson included that controversy as an underlying theme in his 2006 movie, "The Legend of Lucy Keyes."

In spite of the news coverage, it was with great surprise that while hiking along the Harrington Trail on Halloween, I happened upon one of the new windmills. "How could anyone stumble over something so large," you might ask. After all, the blades are 134 feet long and are perched 230 feet above ground where they are connected to a hub large enough to comfortably hold two standing men . Before I give the answer, consider this. While looking at the first windmill, the second was not visible, something I found curious, given their size. The other peculiarity was that the windmill I could see appeared to be rather small, at least compared to pictures in The Landmark. I continued along the path which curved towards the northeast and there, on the side of the trail, was the other windmill. At the time, however, I thought I was looking at the same one I had just seen because as I was hiking, it had temporarily disappeared from sight behind a tree-covered hill.

The explanation to these oddities is that the windmills are so enormous that given the right vantage point, they create optical illusions. Their size and placement create a deceptive image, making the windmills appear smaller than they are and making me think I was looking at the same windmill as opposed to two at separate times. Nearing the top of Wachusett Mountain and looking across the valley at them, their actual size became obvious and both were visible at the same time. The trick was on the eyes, but the treat will be the substantial amount of power the windmills will provide without using any resources other than wind.

Expect the windmills to begin operating within the next two weeks. Many thanks to John Fitch and Princeton Municipal Light Department.

http://www.thelandmark.com/Current/Princeton_News/ [Must be a subscriber to access.]
The Landmark, October 29, 2009, "Second windmill is up at PMLD wind site" by Phyllis Booth, Princeton News, p.12.

http://www.thelandmark.com/news/2009/1029/Editorials_Opinions/
[Must be a subscriber to access.]
The Landmark, October 29, 2009, "As the mill turns" Editorial, p. 4.

http://www.thelandmark.com/news/2009/1022/princeton_news/025.html
The Landmark, October 22, 2009, Photograph in Princeton News, p.8.

2009-10-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

A Round Table Discussion Between A Mayor, Two State Reps. and Gardner High School Students
Burt Gendron hosted a first class event last Thursday evening, October 22 at the Elks Club in downtown Gardner. Students in John Gardella's honors class asked discerning questions and provoked thoughtful answers from the three panelists, Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke and Representatives Bob Rice and Lew Evangelidis.

The students set the tone with the seriousness of their questions, with Burt Gendron adding just the right amount of liveliness and humor to the evening.

Rep. Lew Evangelidis adjusts the mike before the event while Rep. Bob Rice looks out at the audience, well attended by students.

2009-10-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

Turn to page B4 of today's Boston Globe and you will find a large photograph of Charlie Baker surrounded by individuals gathered for a business lunch at Boston's Seaport Hotel. Concerning the financial mess Massachusetts is in, Globe writer David L. Ryan says that at that event, Mr. Baker "asserted that the administration raided the state's rainy day fund 'before it started to rain'" and that "'People are treating it like a toothache and hoping it'll go away.'" No question. Charlie Baker gets the big picture.

The Boston Globe, Friday, October 23, 2009, "Making His Case" Photo with caption by David L. Ryan. Page B4. No online picture found.

"'Daddy, you won the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is Bo's Birthday.'" ~Malia Obama

2009-10-14T16:58:00.002-07:00

Discussing whether President Barack Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is premature or not is counterproductive to the ultimate goal which The Prize symbolizes. Rather, as suggested in Saturday's Globe editorial, what is worth debating is what we can do to actively speed up the process of spreading calm throughout our individual worlds. "Instead of getting caught up in quarrels about whether the Peace Prize is justified, Obama's fellow politicians would do well to reflect on what he and they must do to endow the award with an after-the-fact justification." (Boston Globe, 10/10/09, p.A14)

Whereas the article aims the question at "politicians", I prefer to re-direct that idea towards every concerned American. None of us will be mediating a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but each of us has the power to bring harmony into our own lives, with our families, our friends, our co-workers. My hope is that if all of us help promote peace in whatever way we can, then perhaps that cumulative tranquility, taken together, might eventually add up to be enough to express itself, and that we, as a country, could then grow into that most illustrious honor the Nobel Committee bestowed upon our President.

The Boston Globe, Saturday, October 10, 2009, "Job just begun, Obama wins Nobel," by Susan Milligan and Michael Kranish, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/10/10/job_just_begun_obama_wins_nobel/

The Boston Globe, Saturday, October 10, 2009, "Honor for president comes with praise and pressure," by Gregory Katz of the Associated Press, p.A10
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/10/10/honor_for_president_comes_with_praise_and_pressure/

Telegram & Gazette, Saturday, October 10, 2009, "Daughters excited over win" Associated Press, p.A7, no online article.

Telegram & Gazette, Saturday, October 10, 2009, "Kudos, gasps at Obama selection" by Karl Ritter and Matt Moore of the Associated Press, p.A1. Note: no T & G online article --link to Timesleader.com.
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Politics/Obama_selection_draws_criticism_10-10-2009.html

The Boston Globe, Saturday, October 10, 2009, "Now Obama needs to earn the prize he won too soon," Editorial, p.A14
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/10/10/now_obama_needs_to_earn_the_prize_he_won_too_soon/

2009-09-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

State Representative Lew Evangelidis deserves to be applauded for taking the initiative and putting himself on the line when he filed a letter with Deval Patrick Thursday requesting the Governor look into the constitutionality of waiving the usual 90-days after a law is passed in order to immediately fill the vacant U.S. Senate position. The Telegram & Gazette (9/24/09) tells the story in a front-page article written by John J. Monahan. Earlier in the week House and Senate Republicans raised the issue of the legality of appointing an interim senator without waiting the specified time period, especially in light of the fact that the House had not garnered the two-thirds needed to enact the emergency provision that had been tacked onto the bill. Because the majority vote was lacking, the Senate did not take up the issue.

Of course we know the rest of the story, how MassGOP, in light of the House rejection of the emergency clause, tried to block the appointment on Friday by challenging the Governor's authority in declaring this an emergency situation. Their request was denied by Judge Thomas Connolly who wrote that the Republicans could not cite any prior cases supporting their claim. Nevertheless, MassGOP and the Republicans did the right thing in pursuing the postponement of the swearing in of Paul Kirk for 90 days, something which appears to be the normal custom in the passage of new laws but was deliberately skirted in order to provide that much sought-after 60th vote for health care reform.

Other State Representatives who signed the letter with Lew Evangelidis should also be commended and thanked: Karyn Polito, Daniel Webster of Hanson and Jeff Perry from Sandwich.

Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, September 24, 2009, "Eyes on Kirk to fill seat" by John J. Monahan, p.A 1. No online article found.

Telegram & Gazette, Saturday, September 26, 2009, "Paul Kirk sworn in as senator" by Jessica Leving, p.A1
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090926/NEWS/909260331/1052

The Boston Globe, Saturday, September 26, 2009, "Judge rejects GOP request to block Senate appointment" by John R. Ellement and Andrew Ryan. p.B3
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/26/judge_rejects_gop_request_to_block_kirk_appointment/

" a pathetic distraction'" ~ Michael Steele

2009-09-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

It appears we have sunk lower in our discourse than I could possibly have fancied, and as a musician and lover of the arts, I have a healthy and very active imagination. I'm not simply referring to a lack of civility and respect in our discussions, as demonstrated by Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina, I'm talking about something much deeper and insidious, perhaps even planned. On "The Nightly News" on NBC this past Tuesday, former President Jimmy Carter said he thinks racism could be the impetus driving some individuals to protest against President Obama's policies, in particular, his health care bill. Robert Gibbs, White House Spokesman, disassociated and distanced the Obama administration from Carter's outlandish view and for that I am thankful.

Is shouting no longer enough? Must we label people who disagree with us racists? Or perhaps this is another example of that subtle manipulation written about in the previous blog posting (9/15/09)? What if President Carter has an idea to plant doubt in the minds of some White folks who may not be quite secure with themselves in terms of how they feel and relate to African-Americans? What if the same people begin to perceive themselves as possibly having some racially motivated reasons behind their disagreement with the President? Although having perfectly valid arguments, these self-questioners might stop objecting, so as to avoid the appearance of bias.

Again my musicial background comes into play and as I listened to the segment about President Carter on Wednesday's "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, " I came to the sudden realization that I'd heard this song before -- during the lead-up to the vote on gay marriage. Shortly before the Massachusetts Legislature was to act on this issue, supporters turned it into a civil rights matter and started a campaign in which they portrayed anyone against legalizing gay marriage as a bigot. What happened, as a result of their push, is that thoughtful dissenters stopped voicing their discontent out of fear of being branded a homophobe. Could this be the same tactic now deliberately being used by the Democrats over health care? Can you picture this? By Jimmy Carter's reasoning, shall we say, that anyone who is against President Obama's health care plan is a racist, not a thoughtful citizen who cares deeply about his country and is worried that enacting this pushed through piece of legislation would be a tremendous, costly mistake?

The ultimate irresponsible comment was made by Georgia Representative Hank Johnson before the vote taken Tuesday to formally reprimand Joe Wilson. Rep. Johnson is quoted in the Political Notebook section of The Boston Globe (9/17/09, p.A11). "'I guess we'll probably have folks putting on white hoods again. That's the logical conclusion if this kind of attitude is not rebuked." Lest I leave you with that horrible thought, consider what Michael Steele said (as quoted in the same article) as he brings the voice of reason into the debate. "'This isn't about race. It is about policy. This is a pathetic distraction by Democrats to shift attention away from the President's wildly unpopular government-run health care plan that the American people simply oppose. . . Characterizing Americans' disapproval of President Obama's policies as being based on race is an outrage and a troubling sign about the lengths Democrats will go to disparage all who disagree with them.'"

The Washington Post, Wednesday, September 16, 2009, "Carter Cites 'Racism Inclination in Animosity Toward Obama," by Garance Franke-Ruta, online edition
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/09/15/carter_cites_racism_inclinatio.html

The Washington Post, Wednesday, September 16, 2009, "9/12: Race, the Tea Party Protesters and a Battle of Interpretations" by Garance Franke-Ruta, online edition
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/09/13/912_the_battle_of_interpretati.html?wprss=44

The Boston Globe, Thursday, September 17, 2009, "Carter roils lawmakers by calling Obama critics racist" Political Notebook, p.A11. No link found. After you read the article, flip to page 14 and check out the editorial cartoon. The Boston Globe appears to be aligned with President Carter.

Subtle Manipulation. . . or Not So Subtle?

2009-09-15T04:41:00.000-07:00

Scott Brown is going for the vacant Senate seat and last Saturday publicly stated his intentions to do so. The Boston Sunday Globe covered his announcement, but considering the placement of the article, it appears folks at The Globe are disappointed no Kennedy is running. Above the piece about State Senator Scott Brown is a story about Ted Kennedy Jr. who has not entered the race but is promoting his father's book, True Compass, reviewed in the same publication on pageK6. The Globe focus in terms of the Senate race is clearly on the Kennedy son and the author laments her plight of not having him as a contender for the Seat. Jenna Russell wistfully writes, "For a time, his story seemed destined to unfold in politics." (p.B6)

Coverage on Kennedy begins at the top of page B1 and continues on p. B6 with over half a page more text and pictures. On the front page of the Metro section where the write-up begins, directly above the article about Scott Brown, Ted Kennedy Jr. is pictured wiping a tear from his face as he spoke at his father's memorial service. Instead of publishing a photograph of the person who is putting himself on the line in this election, The Globe included a picture on that same page of someone who is not even involved. I will grant that on p.B4, under the fold, State Senator Brown is shown announcing his candidacy.

WGBH's "Greater Boston" Friday evening program, "Beat the Press" offers analysis of how events of the week were discussed and publicized. On that show (9/11/09) it was brought out that "the media wants a Kennedy to run." How can and do television, newspapers, talk show radio and the internet influence our thinking and in turn, our votes? We need to take care to sort through the mounds of information that are out there in order to get to the kernel of truth in order to make informed decisions.

Boston Sunday Globe, September 13, 2009, "Brown to make US Senate bid" by Peter Schworm, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/13/scott_brown_to_run_for_us_senate/

Boston Sunday Globe, September 13, 2009, "The Kennedy Mantle/ Son shuns spotlight, but not duty" by Jenna Russell, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/13/ted_kennedy_jr_shuns_spotlight_but_not_duty_to_fathers_memory/

Boston Sunday Globe, September 13, 2009, "Something to prove" by Matthew V. Storin, p.K6
http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/09/13/ted_kennedys_memoir_recounts_his_achievements/

2009-09-08T02:55:00.000-07:00

A hearing on the Democrats' proposal to change the law, handing power to the governor to choose an interim replacement for the vacant Senate seat, is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:00pm in Gardner Auditorium at the State House. Jennifer Nassour, Chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, is organizing a protest to take place at the same time, same location. She asks those interested in participating to arrive at 11:30am.

Below is a portion of an unpublished letter Marshall Horwitz submitted to the Telegram & Gazette in December, 2008. Dr. Horwitz wrote this letter in support of State Representative Lew Evangelidis, who at the time, was running for House Minority Leader. In his letter, Marshall points out the need for a two-party system in Massachusetts. Could he have been any more clairvoyant?

With Joe Kennedy out of the running for his uncle's seat, the dynamics of the race change, however one-party dominance remains, allowing the Democrats on Beacon Hill to do nearly whatever they wish. Attend the hearing of the Joint Committee on Election Laws tomorrow.

Dr. Horwitz writes:

The most glaring need for a visible minority opposition can be seen in the events surrounding the 2004 and 2008 presidential election. In 2004, with Sen. John Kerry likely to become President, the state legislature stripped then Governor Romney of his authority to appoint an interim replacement for Senator Kerry’s seat. The Democratically controlled legislature sounded the populist clarion that so much power concentrated in the hands of the governor would deny the people of the Commonwealth the right to chose Senator Kerry’s successor. So a special election would be called. This charade, of course, was done to preclude Governor Romney his option to choose a member of the Republican Party, which he surely would have done. Just a few months ago, with Senator Kerry a potential nominee for the position of Secretary of State, the legislature floated the idea of returning the very same power removed from Governor Romney to Governor Patrick. There can only be one of two reasons for such a reversal of thought. Either the legislature has decided that the voters are not now qualified to make an intelligent decision in a special election, or since Governor Patrick would certainly choose a member of his party to replace Senator Kerry, it would be advantageous to avoid an election where even the remotest chance of a win by a Republican could exist. Clearly the latter is a far more logical explanation. The unchecked legislature once again carries on its own little fiefdom with no regard or respect for the people.

Just a few days ago, Senator Kennedy surrendered his post as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His ill heath makes it a possibility he might not complete his term which expires in 2012. Certainly the issue of his replacement could come up. And if it does, the strong money is on the legislature launching a pre-emptive strike and passing a bill allowing Governor Patrick to choose an interim senator.

The Boston Globe, Tuesday, September 8, 2009, "Kennedy says no, and race is on" by Frank Phillips, p.A1

2009-09-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

Once more Charlie Baker is in the news and again he talks common sense. After being criticized this past Thursday by Deval Patrick's spokesperson, Steve Crawford, for being silent on the issue of appointing an interim for the vacant Senate seat, Charlie Baker was vindicated by an article published in today's Telegram & Gazette, showing the current Governor's office was mistaken with their information. Glen Johnson of the Associated Press revisited an August 28th interview with Charlie Baker in which Mr. Baker offered his opinion about the controversy swirling around Kennedy's proposal to change the law. "'We have news coming out of (the Department of Revenue) that tax collections aren't living up to expectations. We have cities and towns with desperate budget situations with a myriad of proposals before the governor to more effectively manage their affairs. And we have senior-driver legislation that's been stalled for the better part of a year. Those feel like every bit as important an issue that probably deserves expedited attention, yet compared to this Senate discussion, they seem like an afterthought.'" (T & G, 9/5/09, p.A10) From that quotation it is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Baker has a handle on The Big Picture, a quality that defines a responsible and judicious chief executive.

Take a moment on this lazy Labor Day weekend to read Glen Johnson's full report in the T & G.

Telegram & Gazette, Saturday, September 5, 2009, "Succession talk spills into gov.'s race" by Glen Johnson of the Associated Press, p.A10
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090905/NEWS/909050519/1052

Representative Evangelidis To Host "Jordan Levy Show" Today

2009-09-03T05:06:00.000-07:00

Tune in to AM 580, WTAG, to listen to State Representative Lew Evangelidis host "The Jordan Levy Show" today from 3:00 until 6:00 pm. Call in with a question at 508/755-0058.

2009-08-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

While walking along the road today I chanced upon a pumpkin plant growing haphazardly over a stone wall. This is the third consecutive year a pumpkin has grown in that same spot, seemingly unplanned by any gardener, so perhaps my encounter wasn't truly based on luck. The yellow flowers, just beginning to bloom, many of them still closed and green, will soon produce their orange fruit, but for now remain empty.

Something about the air was different -- possibly it was the cool temperature or maybe the cloudy sky. Whatever the cause, a change in the atmosphere was unmistakable.

The end of August. That in between time. That disconnected juncture when the season starts to shift, when summer begins fading, yet cold days and nights remain somewhere in the distance.

Ovenbirds are yellow-brown "wood-warblers," (Sibley, p.448) with streaking on their bellies and a beautiful orange stripe on the crown of their heads. You must have a stroke of luck to see not only that orange stripe, but also the bird itself, as they like to scrum around in the underbrush of the forest floor. I didn't see an ovenbird on my walk, but its uneasy message, as spelled out by Robert Frost, was plain and as obvious as a barren pumpkin flower.

The Oven Bird

by Robert Frost

There is a singer everyone has heard,
Loud, a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird,
Who makes the solid tree trunks sound again.
He says that leaves are old and that for flowers
Mid-summer is to spring as one to ten.
He says the early petal-fall is past,
When pear and cherry bloom went down in showers
On sunny days a moment overcast;
And comes that other fall we name the fall.
He says the highway dust is over all.
The bird would cease and be as other birds
But that he knows in singing not to sing.
The question that he frames in all but words
Is what to make of a diminished thing.

The Poetry of Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Lathem, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1969, pp.119 - 120.

The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2001, p.448

2009-08-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion”. Henry David Thoreau, 1817 - 1862

http://thinkexist.com/quotation/i_would_rather_sit_on_a_pumpkin-and_have_it_all/162161.html

from Thinkexist.com

". . . as big as the end of your thumb," ~Robert Frost

2009-08-05T05:24:00.000-07:00

Representative Anne Gobi, Democrat from Spencer, has written legislation that if passed, would create a position for a state poet laureate. In uncertain times, people look for inspiration and comfort, or for something larger and beyond themselves. Not only that, but Massachusetts not having a special person appointed to direct our attention to poetry seems out of sync with who we are as a Commonwealth, especially considering our history of fostering poets, as Craig Semon pointed out in his front page article in yesterday's T & G.

The main assignment of this unpaid position, as stated in Ms. Gobi's proposed bill would be to "'act as a public emissary and advocate for poetry in the state'". Francine D'Alessandro, past president of the Worcester County Poetry Association, suggests that the person selected "'needs to be someone who will celebrate poetry from one end of the state to the next,'" according to the T & G, 8/4/09, p.A8.

Mr. Semon begins his story on p.A1 by quoting Robert Frost, a New England poet. "'A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom.'" Although the blueberries shown above aren't all necessarily at their prime picking stage, when photographed last week they were a feast to the eye and to the taste. Reading on you will discover that Robert Frost's poem "Blueberries"enriches and sweetens the mind and the soul, and if you look closely enough you might discover a political thought intertwined in his lines as well, particularly towards the close.

Let's start the search for the new Massachusetts Poet Laureate.

Blueberries
By Robert Frost

“You ought to have seen what I saw on my way
To the village, through Patterson’s pasture today:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!
And all ripe together, not some of them green
And some of them ripe! You ought to have seen!”

“I don’t know what part of the pasture you mean.”

“You know where they cut off the woods – let me see –
It was two years ago – or no! – can it be
No longer than that? – and the following fall
The fire ran and burned it all up but the wall.”

“Why, there hasn’t been time for the bushes to grow,
That’s always the way with the blueberries, though:
There may not have been the ghost of a sign
Of them anywhere under the shade of the pine,
But get the pine out of the way, you may burn
The pasture all over until not a fern
Or grass-blade is left, not to mention a stick,
And presto, they’re up all around you as thick
And hard to explain as a conjuror’s trick.”

“It must be on charcoal they fatten their fruit.
I taste in them sometimes the flavor of soot.
And after all, really they’re ebony skinned:
The blue’s but a mist from the breath of the wind,
A tarnish that goes at a touch of the hand,
And less than the tan with which pickers are tanned.”

“Does Patterson know what he has, do you think?”

“He may and not care, and so leave the chewink
To gather them for him – you know what he is.
He won’t make the fact that they’re rightfully his
An excuse for keeping us other folk out.”

“I wonder you didn’t see Loren about.”

“The best of it was that I did. Do you know,
I was just getting through what the field had to show
And over the wall and into the road,
When who should come by, with a democrat-load
Of all the young chattering Lorens alive,
But Loren, the fatherly, out for a drive.”

“He saw you, then? What did he do? Did he frown?”

“He just kept nodding his head up and down.
You know how politely he always goes by.
But he thought a big thought – I could tell by his eye-
Which being expressed, might be this in effect:
‘I have left those there berries, I shrewdly suspect,
To ripen too long. I am greatly to blame.’”

“He’s a thriftier person than some I could name.”

“He seems to be thrifty; and hasn’t he need,
With the mouths of all those young Lorens to feed?
He has brought them all up on wild berries, they say,
Like birds. They store a great many away.
They eat them the year round, and those they don’t eat
They well in the store and buy shoes for their feet.”

“Who cares what they say? It’s a nice way to live,
Just taking what Nature is willing to give,
Not forcing her hand with harrow and plow.”

“I wish you had seen his perpetual bow –
And the air of the youngsters! Not one of them turned,
And they looked so solemn-absurdly concerned.”

“I wish I knew half what the flock of them know
Of where all the berries and other things grow,
Cranberries in bogs and raspberries on top
Of the boulder-strewn mountain, and when they will crop.
I met them one day and each had a flower
Stuck into his berries as fresh as a shower;
Some strange kind – they told me it hand’t a name.”

“I’ve told you how once, not long after we came,
I almost provoked poor Loren to mirth
By going to him of all people on earth
To ask if he knew any fruit to be had
For the picking. The rascal, he said he’d be glad
To tell if he knew. But the year had been bad.
There had been some berries – but those were all gone.
He didn’t say where they had been. He went on:
‘I’m sure – I’m sure’ – as polite as could be.
He spoke to his wife in the door, ‘Let me see,
Mame, we don’t know any good berrying place?’
It was all he could do to keep a straight face.”

“If he thinks all the fruit that grows wild is for him,
He’ll find he’s mistaken. See here, for a whim,
We’ll pick in the Pattersons’ pasture this year.
We’ll go in the morning, that is, if it’s clear,
And the sun shines out warm: the vines must be wet.
It’s so long since I picked I almost forget
How we used to pick berries: we took one look round,
Then sank out of sight like trolls underground,
And saw nothing more of each other, or heard,
Unless when you said I was keeping a bird
Away from its nest, and I said it was you.
‘Well, one of us is.’ For complaining it flew
Around and around us. And then for a while
We picked, till I feared you had wandered a mile,
And I thought I had lost you. I lifted a shout
Too loud for the distance you were, it turned out,
For when you made answer, your voice was as low
As talking – you stood up beside me, you know.”

“We shan’t have the place to ourselves to enjoy –
Not likely, when all the young Lorens deploy.
They’ll be there tomorrow, or even tonight.
They won’t be too friendly – they may be polite –
To people they look on as having no right
To pick where they’re picking. But we won’t complain.
You ought to have seen how it looked in the rain,
The fruit mixed with water in layers of leaves,
Like two kinds of jewels, a vision for thieves.”

The Poetry of Robert Frost , edited by Edward Connery Lathem, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1969, “Blueberries”, pp. 59 – 62.

Telegram & Gazette, Tuesday, August 4, 2009, "Roses are red, budgets are blue . . . " by Craig Semon, p.A1
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090804/NEWS/908040393/1160/SPECIALSECTIONS04&source=rss

2009-07-30T04:46:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the sales tax hike and with the current Governor's ratings spiraling downward, Charlie Baker confidently stepped onto the state stage when he signed papers yesterday at the Office of Campaign and Political Finance in Boston. Why can I not stop smiling? Is it because I see a viable future, a path being made clear and a leader who will rally the Republican Party in Massachusetts? Is it because I see reasonableness and monetary sensibility being renewed? Is it because I see common sense and good government returning to our Commonwealth? Or is it because I see the possible revitalization of social moderation coupled with fiscal conservatism? I dare say it's all of the above.

Don't just take my word, however. Read what John Walsh, Chairman of the Democratic State Committee, said about Charlie Baker. Although he continues with criticism, Walsh is quoted in yesterday's T & G as saying, "'He's tall and blonde and handsome and articulate and smart, and all those things..'" (p.A4) Need I say more?

Watch Charlie Baker tonight at 7:00 on "Greater Boston" with Emily Rooney, channel 2, WGBH and be sure to visit his new website at http://www.charliebaker2010.com/

Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, July 30, 2009, "Baker begins governor's race not tied to national GOP" by John J. Monahan, p.A4
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090730/NEWS/907300688/1052

Telegram & Gazette, Wednesday, July 29, 2009, "Baker launches Web video spot" by John J. Monahan, p.A4
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090729/NEWS/907290380/1052

The Boston Globe, Wednesday, July 29, 2009, "Baker depicts himself as turnaround artist" by Martin Finucane, p.B5
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/29/baker_campaign_video_paints_image_of_turnaround_artist/

Boston Sunday Globe, July 26, 2009, "Patrick support plummets, poll finds" by Frank Phillips and Matt Viser, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/26/globe_poll_shows_patricks_approval_rating_falling/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 30, 2009, "For starters, Baker jabs at Patrick" by Matt Viser, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/30/for_starters_baker_jabs_at_patrick/

2009-07-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

Whereas many times I disagree with Derrick Jackson's interpretations of events, I must say that on the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr., he has some very worthwhile and insightful thoughts, ideas that seem to wrap up the situation, at least for me. In his Globe editorial Saturday titled "All right everybody, let's all cool off," Mr. Jackson writes, "While it is a serious cautionary tale that we are not in 'post-racial' America, it does not invoke a 911 call on racism that throws out the baby of generally improving race relations with the shampoo of this bad hair day." 7/25/09, p.A13

Front page of the same edition of The Boston Globe pointed out how police officers have to operate within an air of suspicion, lest things go bad, something I had not considered before posting blog entry and comments of 7/23/09. Since then it has come out that Officer Crowley is "exemplary," in his field, Barack Obama's word for him. Following the President's lead, I apologize for assuming Professor Gates had fallen victim to racial profiling. I, along with President Obama, who is humbly acting as National Conciliator, evidently spoke too soon. Derrick Jackson writes, "Regarding Cambridge police, I think I have a pretty good idea of what constitutes a rogue cop, having once covered police brutality in New York City. Cambridge is not a corrupted city of rogues and monsters." 7/25/09, p.A13

The links below connect to yet another slate of articles on the case. Lest you are tempted to tire of the subject, I say re-think that idea, as while race relations have dramatically improved within the past ten years, much work remains to be done. Americans need to continue to discuss the issue, as open and thorough conversation is one avenue that could potentially offer a course to that elusive, sought-after "post-racial" society all of us dearly long for. Ending with Mr. Jackson's sage advice, "Now, after nearly a week of incendiary charges back and forth, it is time for this scholar on race and the cop who teaches on racial profiling to show how smart they truly are. Perhaps the next PBS special produced by Gates should be of him and Crowley discussing how it all went wrong. That might help the rest of us get it all right."

Telegram & Gazette, Saturday, July 25, 2009, "Obama playing racial peacemaker" by Nancy Benac, p.A1
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090725/NEWS/907250534/1116

The Boston Globe, Saturday, July 25, 2009, "Obama moves to quell Gates furor" by Jonathan Saltzman and Brian MacQuarrie, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/25/obama_moves_to_quell_gates_furor/

The Boston Globe, Saturday, July 25, 2009, "All right, everybody, let's all cool off" by Derrick Z. Jackson, Opinion page A13
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/07/25/all_right_everybody_lets_cool_off/

Boston Sunday Globe, July 26, 2009, "No surprise in Cambridge" editorial, p.C8, Ideas section
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/07/26/no_surprise_in_cambridge/

Boston Sunday Globe, July 26, 2009, "Gates case strikes nerve, stirs racial debate" by Peter Schworm and Jazmine Ulloa, Metro Section, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/26/gatess_arrest_stirs_discussion_of_race_and_class/

The Boston Globe, Saturday, July 26, 2009, "In risky field, suspicion is key tool, officers say" by Maria Cramer, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/25/in_risky_field_suspicion_is_key_tool_officers_say/

Telegram & Gazette, Sunday, July 26, 2009, "Officer, prof confrontation is a guy thing" by Dianne Williamson, Local & Regional news, p.B1
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090726/COLUMN01/907260445

They Looked Suspicious . . . Why???

2009-07-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

On the arrest of distinguished professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., there are many angles to view this telling incident, as evidenced by the myriad of links below. For one minute, consider this case from the perspective of the caller. If my front door was jammed, as many times happens, and my daughter and I (both of us white with blond hair) were taking a few moments to push it open, no one would phone the police. Non-incident. No second glances. Non- starter. Nothing.

Some people muse that perhaps we've reached a "post-racial society". Sisters and Brothers, to get to that plane, we have "miles to go before [we] sleep," as Robert Frost writes in his "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening" poem. President Obama was joking, but correct in my view, when he said last night at his press conference, that if the front door to the White House was stuck and he stood there, shouldering it open, "'Here, I'd get shot.'" (Boston Globe, 7/23/09, p.A12)

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

~by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

We have "promises to keep," Folks.

Choose an article. Each one has a different take. Then again, you might prefer to dwell on Robert Frost's poem instead.

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 23, 2009, "Obama scolds Cambridge police" by Joseph Williams, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/07/22/obama_says_police_acted_stupidly_in_arrest/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 23, 2009, "Professor is down-to-earth, friends say" by Tracy Jan, p.A12
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/07/23/friends_say_skip_gates_rides_no_high_horse/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 23, 2009, "Machismo and the Gates incident" by Joan Vennochi, Opinion Page A17
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/07/23/machismo_and_the_gates_incident/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 23, 2009, "Officer at eye of storm says he won't apologize" by Jonathan Saltzman, John R. Ellement and Erica Noonan, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/23/officer_at_eye_of_storm_says_he_wont_apologize/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 23, 2009, "Gates's neighbor captured the moment" by Jack Nicas, p.A13
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/23/birth_of_a_flashpoint_gatess_neighbor_captured_the_moment/

The Boston Globe, Wednesday, July 22, 2009, "No charge, but Gates case seethes" by Tracy Jan, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/22/no_charge_but_gates_case_seethes/

The Boston Globe, Wednesday, July 22, 2009, "Racial profiling is alive and well" by Carol Rose, Opinion pageA11
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/07/22/racial_profiling_is_alive_and_well/

The Boston Globe, Wednesday, July 22, 2009, "The unfinished work of equality" by Georgianna Melendez and Robert L. Turner, Opinion page A11
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/07/22/the_unfinished_work_of_equality/

The Boston Globe, Wednesday, July 22, 2009, "A Professor's arrest" editorial, p.A10
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/07/22/a_professors_arrest/

The Poetry of Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Lathem, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1969, "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening" pp. 224-225

I'll Take a Pair of Hot Pink Stilettos With A Cloth Bow Around The Heel, If You Please

2009-07-21T05:10:00.000-07:00

On page A3 of yesterday's edition, the Telegram & Gazette published a picture of a group of pretty ladies running in stilettos down a street in Tel Aviv. According to the AP, this was actually a promotion for "gel cushions" that were embedded in the shoes, proving they make any type of shoe so comfortable, you can run in them, even stilettos.

On page B7 of the same T & G publication was a picture of Timothy Geitner who is making a pitch for US "treasury bills, notes and bonds." Martin Crutsinger, also of the Associated Press, writes, "They hold nearly half of the government's roughly $7 trillion in publicly traded debt." Secretary Geithner is on the road trying to convince people in China, Saudi Arabia and Europe to continue purchasing these commodities by assuring them the dollar is strong and that the current administration's plans to reduce the deficit will work.

Both Timothy Geithner and the women in stilettos are pushing a product. I wish I could have located an online picture of the 50 meter stiletto dash because these women were racing and marketing with joy, made particularly obvious by the one with the biggest smile who was running on a completely rolled over left ankle!

Mr. Geither may be having more difficulty convincing his audience than the cushion sales ladies. Couple public perception with this fact released by the Congressional Budget Office. Based on the budgetary actions set in motion by President Barack Obama, the federal deficit will not be able to be reduced to any less than $633 billion over the next ten years!

According to Martin Crutsinger, "When Geithner told a packed auditorium at Peking University that Chinese investments in the U.S. were safe, his comment was greeted by laughter. The students appeared to be laughing more at the quickness with which Geithner had responded to a question, not at what he said. Still, the reaction did highlight underlying skepticism."

Comparing the two advertising campaigns, it appears the stiletto racers in Tel Aviv have a much easier, more enjoyable and more believable sell. I wonder if they got to keep the shoes?

To see my choice of stiletto, click on the link below.
Shoes for her.com
http://www.sg1dev.com/shoesforher/wsau.asp

Telegram and Gazette, Monday, July 20, 2009, "US Treasury bills are becoming a hard sell" by Martin Crutsinger of the Associated Press, Money section, p.B7
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090720/NEWS/907200336/1002

Telegram and Gazette, Monday, July 20, 2009, Associated Press picture "Cushy Soles?" p.A3

2009-07-17T05:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's Globe told about a ceremony that took place in Veterans' Hall at the State House this past Wednesday. According to Matt Collette, author of the article, former marines Kenneth Isaksen and Dominick King are implementing an idea of theirs to establish a sort of "clearinghouse" for returning troops who are in the process of sorting their way through government benefits. OIF/OEF (Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom) Veterans of Massachusetts, will open an office on the 5th floor at the State House and in addition, a memorial will be placed in honor of those who have given their lives.

Considering the tremendous amount of wasteful spending running amuck these days, this is something truly worth funding. Protecting and helping returning soldiers is what we should be doing, especially considering the sacrifices they are making for us and for our country.

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 16, 2009, "Memorial honors veterans who have died since 9/11" by Matt Collette, Metro section, B4
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/16/memorial_honors_veterans_who_have_died_since_911/

2009-07-15T04:30:00.000-07:00

Are you beginning to get the idea that whatever or whoever Charlie Baker advocates for, that individual, town, company or state will prevail? That doesn't mean getting everything on a wish list, but being much better off as a result of the association. Since Mr. Baker declared one week ago, The Boston Globe has interviewed a number of Swampscott residents on their thoughts and feelings about him as selectman. The gist of the Globe's research was quite positive, as expressed by the subtitle, "Many in Swampscott recall his budget savvy, ability to listen". (Steven Rosenberg, 7/14/09, p. B1)

In his article, Steven. Rosenberg writes about how, during his tenure as selectman (2004 - 2007), Charlie Baker worked and was successful in helping Swampscott build a new high school. Mr. Rosenberg quotes Arthur Goldberg, then school committee member. "'He was very influential in getting us before the School Building Assistance Bureau. Swampscott was one of the last schools to be considered. He opened the door so that the ducks could march through the gate.'" (p.B4) David Driscoll, who was Education Commissioner for the Department of Education at the time, recalls his experience with Mr. Baker on that issue. "He was advocating for it. He was very knowledgeable and proactive. He was really working hard to get it. 'I said 'You've got to have your ducks in a row.' and I think Charlie understood that and got them in a row.'" (p.B4)

Read about Charlie Baker, as viewed through the lens of a sampling of citizens from his home town.

The Boston Globe, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, "Baker left his mark as a selectman" by Steven Rosenberg, Metro section, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/14/in_swampscott_baker_is_recalled_as_a_savvy_selectman/

"I Feel It In Me Bones" ~ anonymous sailor

2009-07-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

An air of "intellectual conservatism" is on the verge of wafting through Massachusetts. Since Charlie Baker announced on Wednesday, story after story about him, his role at Harvard Pilgrim and the race for governor has been published in the Boston Globe . Cap the week off with the lead piece on the first page of The Sunday Globe's Ideas section about conservatism by Drake Bennett and there could have something new stirring in the state, call it thoughtful republicanism perhaps.

The author writes that "Some of the most prominent voices in the broader conservative coalition have begun to worry that the movement is suffering from a problem it hasn't had for generations: intellectual fatigue. In op-eds and articles and blog posts and speeches, these thinkers worry that last fall's electoral defeats signaled that conservatives are no longer articulating persuasive modern ideas that translate into compelling politics. " (Bennett, p.C1) Mr. Bennett highlights four "thinkers"and their ideas, Luigi Zingales, W. Bradford Wilcox, Megan McArdle and Reihan Salam.

Although I do not agree with everything said, I find the fact that conservative ideas are beginning to be bantered about and taken seriously as refreshing as a summer breeze.

Boston Sunday Globe, July 12, 2009, Ideas section, "The next conservative thinkers" by Drake Bennett, p.C1
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/07/12/the_next_conservative_thinkers/?page=1

The Coverage Continues

2009-07-11T04:04:00.000-07:00

Two more. Page 1 of the Metro section in the Globe and front page of the Telegram & Gazette feature stories about Charlie Baker, albeit the T & G focus is on State Representative Karyn Polito as a possible candidate for lieutenant governor.

Today's Globe ends with this quotation by Herbert E. Pope, an 87 year-old Republican from Braintree, who up until this week, was unfamiliar with Charlie Baker. "'I figure that if he has given that up, a great job and the security, he feels strongly about the policy of conservatism and the state. I don't need to know anything more about him. That's my man.'" (p.B11)

The Boston Globe, Saturday, July 11, 2009, "Charlie who?" by Nandini Jayakrishna & Jasmine Ulloa, Metro section, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/11/most_voters_dont_know_much_about_charlie_baker/

Telegram & Gazette, Saturday, July 11, 2009, "Polito open to invitation" by Elaine Thompson, T & G staff, p.A1
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090711/NEWS/907110333/1116

2009-07-10T05:48:00.000-07:00

Day 3 and he still makes the front page -- below the fold today, but nevertheless, front page news. Add to that two editorials; one titled, "The race is on". (p.A19) The Boston Globe is declaring that with Charlie Baker's announcement Wednesday the contest of who will be the next governor of Massachusetts has begun. That speaks to how qualified he is for the job and of course, how serious a candidate he is. Sure, The Globe also mentions Cahill and Mihos, and even Patrick, but the overall impression given is that Charlie Baker's declaration in those two small words, "I'm in," is so significant, that he has officially kicked off the 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

The Boston Globe, Friday, July 10, 2009, "Is Baker ready for tough choices?" by Scot Lehigh, p. A19
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/07/10/is_baker_ready_for_tough_choices/

The Boston Globe, Friday, July 10, 2009, "Baker bid for governor rallies struggling GOP" by Matt Viser, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/10/baker_bid_for_governor_rallies_struggling_republican_party/

The Boston Globe, Friday, July 10, 2009, "The race is on" editorial, p.A18
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/07/10/the_race_is_on/

"a policy wonk with charisma" ~The Boston Globe on Charlie Baker

2009-07-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

"'I'm in.'" Charlie Baker is quoted in today's Boston Globe, front page, above the fold! Glancing at the list of links below, it is evident that Mr. Baker's decision is big news and that is great news for the Republican Party and Massachusetts.

Former Governor William Weld speaks about Charlie Baker in the Globe's headline article which continues to page 10. "'I consider myself a Baker Republican. When I was in office, I would turn to him in private after virtually every meeting and say, 'What do you think we should do?' I don't recall he and I ever disagreeing. He knows more about government than I do or ever did.'"

Read about Charlie Baker and the tremendous sacrifice he is making for our common wealth. It'll make your heart sing!

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 9, 2009, "GOP's Baker leaps into race against Patrick" by Andrea Estes and Matt Viser, p.A1 [above the fold!]
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/09/gop8217s_baker_leaps_into_race_against_patrick/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 9, 2009, "Candidate tempers achievements with down-to-earth style, goals" by Eric Moskowitz, p.A10
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/09/baker_tempers_dazzling_achievements_with_down_to_earth_goals/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 9, 2009, "The challenges for challenger Charlie Baker" by Joan Vennochi, p.A14
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/07/09/the_challenges_for_challenger_charlie_baker/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 9, 2009, "Politicians ready to party like it's 1990" by Matt Viser and Andrea Estes, p.B1 [above the fold!]
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/09/politicians_ready_to_party_like_its_1990/

The Boston Globe, Thursday, July 9, 2009, "Smooth turnover vowed at insurer" by Robert Weisman, p.B7
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/wellesley/articles/2009/07/09/choice_of_bullen_eases_transition_at_harvard_pilgrim/

It's positively patriotic -- and economic!

2009-07-03T04:22:00.000-07:00

Never did I expect to write about something so far afield as China on the 3rd of July. George Washington at Trenton would have been a suitable topic, I thought, or perhaps Thomas Jefferson and his Declaration of Independence, in other words, something patriotic. However, after reading David Brooks' New York Times article published yesterday, I have come to realize that the relationship the United States has with China is vital to the future of our country and that considering the working out of that affiliation is indeed patriotic. In his article, David Brooks states that he recently attended the Aspen Ideas Festival where two views about the U.S./China association were propounded. Harvard's Niall Ferguson cautions China could become a potential adversary, whereas James Fallows, writer from The Atlantic, suggests an "integrated" connection between the two countries might develop.

Based on James Fallows' talk, Mr. Brooks points out some enlightening economics. "China did the making, and the United States did the buying. China did the saving, while the U.S. did the spending. Between 1995 and 2005, the U.S. savings rate declined from about 5 percent to zero, while the Chinese savings rate rose from 30 percent to nearly 45 percent." Now that flow has changed and Chinese officials are aware. So how will the U.S. and China work out this erstwhile lopsided arrangement?

What is most interesting is that both Fallows and Ferguson recommend the same course of action, that is, get money owed in control. David Brooks wraps up. "This conversation, like many conversations these days, gets back to America’s debt. Until the U.S. gets its fiscal house in order, relations with countries like China will be fundamentally insecure."

New York Times, July 2, 2009, "Chinese Fireworks Display" by David Brooks
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/opinion/03brooks.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

"...one drop of giant rain" ~Emily Dickinson

2009-07-02T05:11:00.000-07:00

Written in the nineteenth century, Emily Dickinson's poem seems to be describing today, or perhaps the month of June? Please, not July. Please.

Complete Poems

by Emily Dickinson

Part Two: Nature

XXXVII

THE WIND begun to rock the grass
With threatening tunes and low,—
He flung a menace at the earth,
A menace at the sky.

The leaves unhooked themselves from trees
And started all abroad;
The dust did scoop itself like hands
And throw away the road.

The wagons quickened on the streets,
The thunder hurried slow;
The lightning showed a yellow beak,
And then a livid claw.

The birds put up the bars to nests,
The cattle fled to barns;
There came one drop of giant rain,
And then, as if the hands

That held the dams had parted hold,
The waters wrecked the sky,
But overlooked my father’s house,
Just quartering a tree.

Emily Dickinson's Complete Poems, Part Two: Nature, #37, found on Bartleby.com
http://www.bartleby.com/113/2037.html

"Tax-heavy and Reform-light" ~ Lew Evangelidis

2009-07-01T05:03:00.000-07:00

State Representative Lew Evangelidis wrote an article published in today's Telegram & Gazette in the "The People's Forum" where he explains why he voted against next year's state budget. He offers so much common sense I wonder why the rest of the Legislature can't see things that way. Why do they raise taxes when cutting expenses is the more reasonable, logical and prudent course, and as Rep. Evangelidis states, would come at a most opportune time?

Representative Lew Evangelidis is articulate and right on target in his article, "A chance to return to values".

AS I SEE IT

By Lewis G. Evangelidis

A recession is a terrible thing to waste. With this economic downturn comes a tremendous opportunity for our state government to transform itself and return to the core principles of what state government is supposed to be. To me those core values are to educate our students, provide public safety, and help those who cannot help themselves, such as the disabled and the elderly. This can be done for far less than our current $27.4 billion budget.

Over the past few decades our state government has become more and more about taking care of the special interest groups that take care of Beacon Hill. The state has become a wholly owned subsidiary of those special interest groups. It is clear that we have reached the point that our budget is unaffordable and unsustainable in the long run. For years the private sector has been cutting back on employee salaries, vacation time, health benefits and pensions. At a time when layoffs in the private sector have been occurring by the hundreds of thousands, an effort on Beacon Hill to eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day holidays for state employees failed to pass the Legislature.

I fear that the commonwealth is on its way to becoming another California: a state mired in bankruptcy.

Gov. Deval Patrick inherited a budget surplus exceeding $3 billion when he was elected in 2006. As a percentage of our annual budget, this was the largest surplus in the nation. After expanding dozens of programs, hiring thousands of new state employees and addressing the economic downturn, our rainy-day fund is virtually gone. The rainy-day fund would be completely gone except that we immediately spent our federal stimulus money, more of which should have been saved for FY11 and FY12.

On June 19, I voted against the state's 2010 budget. This budget is far too tax-heavy and reform-light. In response to our current economic situation, our state has once again resorted to massive tax hikes on the people of Massachusetts. These regressive tax hikes will hit the pocket of every working family and business trying to make ends meet. A sales tax increase of 25 percent will cost each working family $400 per year. Alcohol will now be subject to a 6.25 percent tax on top of already existing taxes paid by the store. Taxes on hotels, meals and satellite TV are also going up.

The worst time to raise taxes is during a recession. These new taxes will lead to further job losses through increased Internet sales and purchases in neighboring states, which undeniably hurts our border communities. History has shown us, as in last year's cigarette tax increase, that the revenues generated will be far less than projected. Unfortunately, the damage has been done and it will be permanent.

Some reform has taken place but much more needs to be done. We have the most expansive and expensive health care benefits system in America. When this legislation passed in 2005, we were told that uninsured emergency room visits would drop significantly and in the long run this reform would be cost neutral. This has not been the case, and we can no longer afford the hundreds of millions of dollars from our state budget to support this unaffordable program that clearly needs to be reined in. The Pacheco Law has single-handedly handcuffed every town in Massachusetts by forcing them to pay inflated costs for nearly every public project while making savings through privatization nearly impossible. While the Legislature has enacted some pension reform, most of which only applies to future hires, it is obvious that we can no longer afford 80 percent tax-free pensions for retiring state employees. We must consider other options such as individual retirement accounts and 401(k) accounts for our state employees. Additionally, the Legislature must remove all barriers that restrict municipalities and school districts from joining the state's Group Insurance Commission, which provides excellent health insurance while at the same time providing significant cost savings. Finally, it is time for us to impose a state freeze on wages and hiring until this fiscal crisis passes.

Nearly all of us on Beacon Hill have issued warnings that this budget crisis is likely to last for many more years. If we don't enact real reform now, we never will. It is essential that we do not miss the opportunities that are presented because a recession is a terrible thing to waste.

Telegram & Gazette, Wednesday, July 1, 2009, "A chance to return to values" by Lewis G. Evangelidis, p. A6.

Music + Art = Meat + Potato

2009-06-25T05:31:00.000-07:00

The New York Times published an article yesterday about the discovery of a flute dating 35,000 to 40,000 years ago. Found in the Hohle Fels Cave in southwestern Germany, this instrument was crafted by a human living 5,000 to 10,000 years before the last Neanderthal died. It was this group of music-loving Homo sapiens to which the artisan belonged, who filled the Neanderthal niche.

The 5-hole flute, made of a 8 1/2" griffon vulture bone, is expected to have produced a variety of pitches within a fairly large range, given that a wooden reproduction of a previously-found 24,000 year old ivory 3-hole flute, discovered in approximately the same area, came close to the sounds of a modern flute. A sculpture, also from the Stone Age, was unearthed a mere few feet away from the 5-hole bone flute.

Nicholas J. Conrad of the University of Tubingen, along with other archaeologists, speculate that perhaps music helped keep the humans, who survived the Neanderthals, together in community during the Stone Age and that congregating in those bigger groups may have contributed to their longevity . Mr. Wilford quotes the archaeologists. [Music] "'could have contributed to the maintenance of larger social networks, and thereby perhaps have helped facilitate the demographic and territorial expansion of modern humans.'"

Members of the Wachusett Regional School Committee, as well as teachers who voted to accept a sacrifice, deserve to be applauded in their decision to maintain art and music within the district. As can be inferred from John Wilford's NY Times article, the arts are staples, not "frills." Let us all therefore, continue to keep the arts vibrant, alive and taught in the schools, lest we get replaced by a bunch of neanderthals.

Read about the discovery of the 35,000 year old flute and a so-called "Venus" sculpture in the caves of Germany, as well as WRSD's meeting Tuesday evening upholding music and art.

New York Times, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, "Flutes Offer Clues to Stone-Age Music" by John Noble Wilford, Science Section
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/science/25flute.html?_r=1&em

Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, June 25, 2009, "School committee OKs $73M Wachusett budget" p. B8, Local Meeting Roundup Section
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090625/NEWS/906250625/1101/LOCAL

New York Times, May 13, 2009, "Full-Figured Statuette, 35,000 Years Old, Provides New Clues To How Art Evolved," by John Noble Wilford, Science Section
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/science/14venus.html

Boston Globe June 25, 2009, "Hunters, gatherers, musicians" by Carolyn Y. Johnson, p.A1
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/06/25/archaeologists_unearth_oldest_musical_instruments_ever_found/

Perhaps a Gray Figure?

2009-06-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing discussion lately about whether President Obama is doing or saying enough in regards to Iran. Conservative-leaning David Brooks thinks so. As he stated in yesterday's Telegram and Gazette, "At moments like these, policy-makers and advisers in the United States government almost always retreat to passivity and caution. Part of this is pure prudence. When you don't know what's happening, it's sensible to do as little as possible because anything you do might cause more harm than good." (p.A5) I agree with Mr. Brooks in his assessment that a "wait and see" stance is the correct approach. Last thing the U.S. should do is interfere and make matters worse for those facing violent retribution on the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities.

David Brooks writes that the United States and its allies need to engage Iran on many fronts, while at the same time promoting the downfall of the regime, not through military means but by giving positive support to the opposition. Two examples of this type of aid are the media and sanctions. In the author's words, "This approach is like Ronald Reagan's policy toward the Soviet Union, and it is no simple thing. It doesn't mean you don't talk to the regime: Reagan talked to the Soviets. But it does mean you pursue many roads at once."

"Fragile at the Core" is an article well worth reading, however some cautionary notes about encouraging the downfall of Ahmadinejad should be considered. As Americans we tend to place people into good or bad boxes, but Moussavi, rather than being a superhero, may be something in between. After all, what do we truly know about him? Would a Moussavi-led government be much different from the present one, given the clerics' rule extends over all? Should the U.S. be engaged in nation building? Mousavi wants to continue developing nuclear power. What guarantees do we have he will stop with energy and not go after nuclear weapons?

Mr. Brooks profoundly concludes his article by saying, "...election campaigns stoke the mind and fraudulent elections outrage the soul."

Please note there was no access to Mr. Brooks article through the Telegram & Gazette. The same article had been printed four days earlier in the New York Times.
New York Times, June 18, 2009, "Fragile at the Core" by David Brooks
www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/opinion/19brooks.html

Telegram & Gazette, June 22, 2009, "Change stirring in the streets of Tehran" by David Brooks, p.A5

Irony In The Corner Office

2009-06-22T04:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's Boston Globe Magazine featured an article by freelance writer Tom Keane who wrote about the failures of the Patrick administration. At the top of p.6 is a picture of Governor Patrick standing in front of a podium with the words "Together We Can" printed in white over a blue background. That campaign sign is roughly torn in two unequal parts. In the run-up to the election, Mr. Patrick suggested that a Democrat could work better and accomplish more with the Democratic majority than could a Republican. In the rest of the world, that idea certainly fits with common sense, but looking at it through the lens of the State House, the opposite is true. Mr. Keane attributes gubernatorial missteps and miscalculations as contributing reasons for the lack of accomplishment, but in addition to that states that Massachusetts needs a Republican governor to keep the Dems in check. "An insider to the party cannot simultaneously be an outsider. The pressure for jobs, political rewards, and horse-trading are too powerful." He goes on to say the GOP must have a viable candidate and names three. The first is Charlie Baker, CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. As an aside, Mr. Baker recently visited the Wachusett Community at a turn-out fundraiser in Holden for State Representative Lew Evangelidis. Second is Christy Mihos, then Scott Brown, State Senator from Wrentham.

At the close of the article, the author throws out the underwhelming figure of 11.6% of Massachusetts voters being registered Republicans. So how does he think the GOP is apt to get their candidate elected? Highlighted and bolded on p.6, "The key to GOP success in 2010 is independence, not ideology." Focus on fiscal conservativism as opposed to the far right social ideology being presented by some national figures. Mr. Keane states that the three aforementioned potential and current candidates do exactly that.

The subtitle sums up the gist of this article. "Is a GOP governor needed to balance the Democratic Legislature? One Democrat keeps bolstering the case."

Boston Globe Magazine, June 21, 2009, "Together No More" by Tom Keane, p.6
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2009/06/21/is_a_gop_governor_needed_to_balance_the_democratic_legislature/

They Rocked The House

2009-05-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, May 3, the newly formed Princeton Arts Chorale, of which I was blessed to play a small part, put on a magnificent show commemorating the 250th anniversary of the town. Under the spectacular musical leadership of Larry Sigler, the Chorale sang a slate of songs ranging from Patsy Mollica's original composition about the Stimson Farm to a spirited spiritual "Rock My Soul" to the"Battle Hymn of the Republic". The Reverend Thomas Prince (we know him better as Harry Pape) descended from his resting place in the belfry of the First Congregational Church and graced us with glimpses into his life and Princeton Past. Although appearing rather austere in last week's edition of The Landmark, (April 30, p.15), "in real life" Thomas Prince is quite a funny fellow and delighted the audience by sprinkling humor on them throughout the evening. State Representative Lew Evangelidis, complete with stovepipe hat and bow tie, made a "cameo appearance," as artistic director of the show, Denis Coughlin put it, as Abraham Lincoln at his second inauguration. Rep. Evangelidis read a very stirring and somber portion of Lincoln's inaugural address.

The Chorale ended the program with Irving Berlin's Broadway blockbuster version of "God Bless America," and I dare say that during that piece there wasn't one person in the nearly-filled meeting house who was not feeling a sense of patriotism and love for country and for a beloved community once named Prince Town.

Check out this T & G photo of John Stimpson as he appears to catch Irving Berlin's attention from Somewhere back in time.

Telegram & Gazette picture, "Back to the 1920's" Tuesday, May 5, 2009, p.B3
http://telegram.com/article/20090505/NEWS/905050396/1101/LOCAL

The Landmark, "History of Princeton in song," April 30, 2009, p.15

And They're Off!!! . . . or . . . The 2010 Gubernatorial Race Has Begun

2009-04-27T04:31:00.000-07:00

According to Globe writer, Matt Collette, the Republican Party now has a candidate running for governor in 2010, Christy Mihos. (April 27, p.B1) Mr. Mihos, who ran as an Independent against Kerry Healey and Deval Patrick in 2006, wrote an op-ed for the blog "Red Mass Group" dated last Saturday, 4/25 in which he details what he perceives should be done to begin fixing the state's economy. Do away with the capital gains tax, the death tax and the meals tax, lose 8,000 state workers, forget increasing the gas tax and the Turnpike tolls, merge all Massachusetts transportation authorities and drop tolls on the Pike west of Rt. 128. He also suggests eliminating what he terms "the health insurance middle man," i.e.,Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Mr. Collette highlights the last line of Mr. Mihos' blog posting, which is, of course, of huge interest to any self-respecting political junkie. "'Christy Mihos is a businessman, entrepreneur, and a candidate for governor.'" (p.B1)

Mr. Collette also adds that Governor Patrick, through a spokesman, said he will be seeking re-election.

Barney Keller, MassGOP communications director, responds. "'The problem for Governor Patrick in 2010 is that his words and his rhetoric are going to be compared with his record.'" Ending with Matt Collette paraphrasing Barney Keller, "Keller said Patrick will face a tough fight against Mihos, or another Republican candidate, should one emerge." (p.B4)

The Boston Globe, Monday, April 27, 2009, "Mihos sets new run for governor" by Matt Collette, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/04/27/mihos_sets_new_run_for_governor/

Red Mass Group, April 25, 2009: "A Stimulus For The Rest Of Us" by Christy Mihos
http://redmassgroup.com/diary/4253/a-stimulus-for-the-rest-of-us

Too Much v. Not At All

2009-04-24T04:05:00.000-07:00

Sam Allis wrote an interesting piece that appeared on p. 2 of last Sunday's Boston Globe. Titled "Shelve the spam" with a sub-heading, "No way to stop the flood of unsolicited political e-mails," he devotes most of his article to complaining about the barrage of e-mails he receives from the communications director for MassGOP, Barney Keller, who, as Mr. Allis puts it, "can knock off five a day without breaking a sweat." (p.A2) Although based on the premise of annoyance, half-way through the article, one begins to suspect whether the author is truly annoyed over Keller's onslaught of correspondence or not. Having seen Mr. Keller at a recent GOP meeting, though not getting the chance to meet him, (I snuck out early) I noticed that humor seems to exude from him. My feelings were confirmed on both counts as I read on. Consider this e-mail. He sets it within the context of what he calls"Deval's 'Trivial' Pursuit" referring to Governor Patrick dismissing the cadillac and the drapes back when and more recently, the $175,000 patronage job. Under that umbrella, Keller presents a take-off of a MasterCard commercial. "'New hire Robert Rooney as assistant chief engineer - $122,000. Governor Patrick trying to use a traffic jam on the Turnpike to justify a massive gas tax hike? Priceless.'" (p.A2)

Lest the reader walk away with the idea that Mr. Allis is truly upset about Mr. Keller''s e-mails, he adds a twist at the end about what he hears from the Dems. "Proud of his output, Keller asks me when was the last time I got an e-mail from the state Democratic Party. I pause and realize I have never received anything from the Democrats. How restful. I assume I'm not on their mailing list, which must be a good thing." (p.A2) So I pose this question. Does the amount of communication put forth indicate a party's willingness to strive? Kudos, Barney Keller!

Boston Sunday Globe, April 19, 2009, "Shelve the spam" by Sam Allis, p.A2
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/04/19/shelve_the_spam/?page=1

Stay involved. Get excited.

2009-04-22T05:33:00.000-07:00

Worcester has been chosen as the site of the 2010 Massachusetts Republican Convention, to be held April 16 - 17 at the DCU Center. Active area activists is one factor Jennifer Nassour, head of Massgop, cited as important in the decision-making. In a Telegram & Gazette article, (Sunday, April 19, 2009, John J. Monahan, p.A13), Ms. Nassour is quoted as saying, "'Worcester and the surrounding area is not only a great place to live, but it also contains strong Republican grass roots.'" Those "grass roots" of which Ms. Nassour speaks, are us, Folks. We have come to the attention of our state party leaders. Now we need to rise to the occasion and show her and Massachusetts Republicans that Worcester is indeed the right pick for the location. That means showing up and becoming engaged with events and the issues at hand.

John Monahan mentions in his article that holding the convention in Worcester may help propel two of Worcester County's elected officials. He names Representatives Lew Evangelidis and Karyn Polito as "being watched as potential GOP rising stars" (p.A13). Karyn Polito and Lew Evangelidis are indeed, "rising stars," and in order for them to continue their upward trajectories they need a strong, broad base from which to take off. Concerned, caring Republicans need to stay involved, in spite of the fact that this is a non-election year and a reason for urgency may not be evidently apparent. The more Central Mass. Republicans solidify by becoming active and gathering people to the party, including indpendents, the more momentum will be harnessed for Lew and Karyn.

Says Jen Nassour, "'We had a great tour of the DCU Center and Destination Worcester made a great appeal to us, plus we have so many fantastic Republicans in Worcester, so it was an easy decision.'" (p.A13) The Republican Party in Massachusetts and for that matter, Massachusetts needs you now more than ever.

Sunday Telegram, April 19, 2009, "GOP 2010 convention at DCU" by John J. Monahan, p.A1
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/GOP+2010+convention+at+DCU%3B+Chairwoman+excited+with+Worcester+site.-a0198142015

A Trojan Horse

2009-04-06T04:22:00.000-07:00

Visiting my daughter this weekend at Hamilton College, I happened to pick up a copy of her school newspaper, The Spectator. One article immediately caught my attention, probably because of the picture at the bottom, "Frat Party Protest" by Patrick Hodgens, production editor and student of this year's graduating class. Mr. Hodgens writes about the boycott being planned against Delta Phi's "Mexican Night", scheduled to take place this past Saturday. The reason for the clamor is all about the invitation. A fake Mexican-U.S. border is pictured with a camouflaged guard standing next to a very tall fence. He is looking up at a giant pinata, against which a ladder is propped. Not pictured in The Spectator, but printed on the actual invitation are the words, "proper documents required". According to Mr. Hodgens, a number of campus groups label this invitation discriminating and offensive.

Is this controversy an example of politcal correctness run amuck? When are we going to stop flinching at every word or phrase said about anyone of a different ethnic background if it doesn't fit into our White picture of what "they" want to hear or what "they" want to be called? As far as fraternities go, my daughter and her room mate seem to think the Delta Phi guys would never hurt anyone and that they're just being funny. What worries me is that we have become so attuned to watching our language, we are stifling conversation about ethnic and race relations. Eric Holder called us a country of "cowards". I won't judge the Attorney General for his choice of words, but I agree that the average person seems afraid or at least reluctant to talk about other races. On those rare occasions when I find myself in a conversation about race, I notice my conversational partner lowering his voice or almost looking over his shoulder to make sure no one else is listening. Why? In my opinion, because he's afraid he might say "the wrong thing" or use a word that is not in vogue for the day.

The hubbub over Mexican Night shows we have raised our children into believing that just about every cultural reference that deviates a bit from the standard thinking of what is appropriate and what is not is somehow discrimatory. At the same time, however, I applaud the students organizing the boycott for speaking out against what they perceive is wrong.

Perhaps the truth in what Attorney General Holder was saying is not that Americans are "cowards" but that we are afraid to make a mistake in language. Because of that we are therefore reluctant to discuss racial issues. This is a travesty because talking about our differences and similarities will help bring us together, whereas being afraid to do so and holding back merely broadens the gap.

As far as the party goes, Wally Greene, President of Delta Phi was quoted in The Spectator as saying, "'It's a party . . . it's not meant to be offensive . . . We apologize if we've offended anyone, this is all meant to be in fun.'" I think my daughter and her room mate know the score.

Hamilton College News - The Spectator, April 2, 2009, "Frat Party Protest" by Patrick Hodgens, '09, p.3
http://my.hamilton.edu/Spectator/040209/News/Frat_Party_Protest.html

Seminar on the Economy

2009-04-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

Wachusett Area Republican Town Committees will host an informational seminar on Tuesday evening, April 14 on the economic crisis, the stimulus plan, ramifications and alternatives. This non-partisan, apolitical forum will take place at 7:30 pm at the Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main Street. Guest speaker will be Drew K. Stratton, CFP. Mr. Stratton has a degree in economics from Princeton University and is a Senior Financial Advisor for Ameriprise. Following the presentation, State Representative Lew Evangelidis will speak about the effect the stimulus package will have on the region. Republican town committee members will meet one half hour earlier to discuss business. All are welcome. For more information, contact Yours Truly.

Feel Like Taking a Trip South?

2009-03-31T12:52:00.000-07:00

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/

It'll Give You Goose Bumps

2009-03-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

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/

The One That Got Away

2009-03-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

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/

Bluebirds Are Back

2009-03-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

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

The Boiling Point

2009-03-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

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/

Rep. Evangelidis Pushes for Storm Relief

2009-03-20T04:16:00.000-07:00

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

A Prime Performance v. Not So Prime

2009-03-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

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/

Two Events Tonight

2009-03-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

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.

A Not So Easy Button

2009-03-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

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

Sterling RTC to Meet March 16

2009-03-06T04:28:00.000-08:00

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.

Michael Steele is RNC Chairman, not Rush Limbaugh

2009-03-04T04:12:00.000-08:00

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/

Massachusetts Needs an Economist

2009-03-03T04:39:00.000-08:00

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/

Big Government Spending Leads to BigGovernment Spending

2009-03-02T04:33:00.000-08:00

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/

GOP Protests Gas Tax

2009-02-28T13:12:00.000-08:00

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

Let's Keep Looking

2009-02-26T04:05:00.000-08:00

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?

National Governors Association and Beyond

2009-02-23T11:02:00.000-08:00

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/

Lessons from Lincoln

2009-02-20T12:08:00.001-08:00

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)

Ideology Versus Emotionalism

2009-02-18T06:55:00.000-08:00

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/

It's "Entirely Continental" --General Washington

2009-02-17T07:53:00.001-08:00

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.

His Excellency George Washington

2009-02-14T16:15:00.000-08:00

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.

Some Thoughtful Ideas On Conservatism

2009-02-13T03:58:00.000-08:00

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/

200 Years

2009-02-12T04:03:00.000-08:00

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/

It's All About Ideas

2009-02-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

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

Raymond & Jonathan

2009-02-09T04:18:00.000-08:00

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

A New Era of Diplomacy

2009-02-08T14:41:00.000-08:00

"'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/

Humor From a Founder

2009-02-05T06:21:00.000-08:00

"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

Clairvoyance or Common Sense?

2009-02-04T04:14:00.000-08:00

"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.”

Princeton Has a New Flag!!!

2009-02-02T04:12:00.000-08:00

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.

Down on the Farm

2009-01-26T07:30:00.000-08:00

Republicans can learn a lesson from farmers in terms of building our party from the ground up. The Massachusetts Agricultural Commission held a conference last weekend at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Worcester. Called "Making a Difference in our Communities," this two-day event was covered by Pamela Sacks in Monday's (Jan. 26) Telegram & Gazette. Ms. Sacks focused her article on the lead speaker at the conference, Alexandra Dawson, an attorney who spoke on Sunday. Although the premise that smaller farms are still abundant in the state, hovering around 6100, does not meet the criteria for a complete parallel, both farmers and Republicans are struggling to make their groups thrive and this is where the sage advice Ms. Dawson gave to the commission could be applied to the GOP.

Responding to the question of whether aggie coms should join across the state as conservation commissions have done, Ms. Dawson replied, "A small group of really dedicated people with somewhere to park their computer is all you need." (p.B1) In terms of thinking about organizing a movement, what could be closer to the grassroots level in both the figurative and literal sense than farming? "Agricultural commissions are as close to the ground as you can get. They [opponents] can't figure out who you are and they can't get at you. It's spread out. As all guerilla movements of the last generation prove, you don't know how to get rid of it." (Alexandra Dawson, p.B1)

The wisdom imparted by Ms. Dawson can be applied to Republicans' efforts to re-build the party in Massachusetts. A few dedicated people who truly care, not just about the Republican Party but about the Commonwealth and the Country can start a movement. That small, caring group already exists and I think we can all bank on the fact that each of them owns a computer and has a desk to "park" it .The six Republicans who voted for Lew Evangelidis and of course, Lew, are committed to changing our party. In addition to Lew, they are Reps. Susan Gifford, Don Humason, Jeff Perry, Karyn Polito, Todd Smola and Dan Webster. Let us join with them to re-build the GOP from the ground up and spread our ideas and enthusiasm across the state until it gets to the point that nobody can figure out "how to get rid of [us]."

Telegram & Gazette, Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, p.B1 "Smaller farmers still going strong" by Pamela H. Sacks
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090126/NEWS/901260333/1003/NEWS03

An Odd Time For a Heart-to-Heart

2009-01-26T05:03:00.000-08:00

What else has to happen to prove the dire need for a two-party government? On January 7th, Sal DiMasi was overwhelmingly re-elected by his Democratic colleagues as Speaker of the House. On January 27th he will officially tender his resignation, both as Speaker and as State Representative. I will not pronounce him guilty. How could I? He has not been charged with any crime. What I will point out, however, is the fact that so many Democrats, most likely with the fear of retribution hanging over them, fell in line January 7th and voted for DiMasi. How could a conscientious leader, knowing he is planning on leaving office at the end of the month, lead his following off the edge of a cliff, making them look like a bunch of lemmings? Garnering overwhelming support from his fellow Dems, DiMasi appeared ecstatic on the evening news, and I might add, surprised, although I don't recommend he should consider acting as a third career. Why go to your family and discuss stepping down less than three weeks after being re-elected? Did Mr. DiMasi suddenly decide he misses practicing law and can't wait to return to that? The Telegram quotes him as saying, "This decision was not made lightly and was made for a very simple reason: For me and my family it is time - time to move on, time to return to private life and time to return to my first professional love, the law." But didn't you realize all of that on January 7th, Mr. Speaker?

Now consider the two people most likely to succeed, John Rogers and Robert DeLeo. According to today's Globe article written by Frank Phillips, both men appear to have issues swirling around them, although these accusations are being hurled from one against the other. From p. A6, "Rogers supporters are pointing out that some of the ticket brokers legislation at the center of the state and federal probes was passed by DeLeo's committee, although no one has accused DeLeo of wrongdoing. DeLeo's allies, in turn, have pointed out that Rogers is being dogged by campaign-finance questions. He had made undisclosed monthly payments from his campaign funds to a close friend and political consultant who used the money to help him buy a Cape Cod vacation home they say they co-own." Add to all of that the questionable exits and history of the past two Speakers from the State House and what do you get?

The most unlikely-to-be-believed quotation stemming from Mr. DiMasi comes to us by way of the Telegram on p.A6 and relates to the Speaker's respect for the citizens of Massachusetts. "I never lost sight of the importance of all that we do and I urge you in the difficult fiscal times ahead to maintain this as The People's House." Please, Sal, cut the humor.

Telegram & Gazette, Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, p.A1 "DiMasi to resign under shadow" by Rodrique Ngowi of The Associated Press
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090126/NEWS/901260355/1116

The Boston Globe, Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, p.A1 "DiMasi will resign" by Frank Phillips
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/01/26/dimasi_will_resign/

The Boston Globe, Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, p.A6 "House speaker's relationships contributed to his undoing" by Andrea Estes and Matt Viser
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/01/26/house_speakers_relationships_contributed_to_his_undoing/

What A Difference 3 Days Make

2009-01-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

After three days on the job, President Obama has directed Guantanamo to be closed (albeit within a year), torture to be no more and is aiming for a responsible pull-out of U.S. troops in Iraq within sixteen months. In my mind those numbers add up to a reinvigoration of our Constitution and the reinstatement of our moral authority across the nations of this world.

Let Republicans say, "Amen!" Let Democrats say, "Amen!" Let Independents say, "Amen!"

The Boston Globe, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, p.A1 "Obama changes US course on treatment of detainees" by Joseph Williams and Bryan Bender
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2009/01/23/obama_changes_us_course_on_treatment_of_detainees/

Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, p.A3 "Sources: Obama set to close Guantanamo" by Lara Jakes and David Espo, from the Associated Press
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090122/NEWS/901220584/1052/RSS01&source=rss

The Boston Globe, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, p.A1 "Down to Business" by Joseph Williams and Bryan Bender
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/01/22/down_to_business/

Massachusetts Republicans Thirst For Hope

2009-01-21T04:25:00.000-08:00

Representative Lew Evangelidis may have come up short by two votes on January 7th but he remains firm in his pursuit of changing the way Republicans conduct business on Beacon Hill and throughout the state. Mr. Evangelidis is determined to remake the GOP into something vibrant, active and relevant. He will not stick with the status quo.

"This Is a Day of New Beginnings" is a contemporary hymn with text written by Brian Wren and music composed by Carlton Young. Verse 1 speaks of today.

"This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that's gone."

Our country's 44th President, the first African-American, starts his first day at the new job. Despite enormous complications and problems, Americans across this nation are reveling in the idea that we can once again believe in our government and allow ourselves to hope. Rep. Evangelidis stands ready to offer that same kind of hope to Republicans in Massachusetts. Doing things as they have always been done is no longer acceptable, with the palpable results being 16 Republican reps remain in the House. I would ask the GOP leadership to give hope a chance. Let the flowers bloom with Lew Evangelidis. Give the Republicans in this state something to believe in. Step aside, do what is best for the Republican Party and for Massachusetts and allow hope to thrive with new leadership in Representative Lew Evangelidis.

As part of Representative Evangelidis' ongoing campaign to remake the Republican Party, he and his caucus have formed a new website. Visit "Take Back Beacon Hill" by clicking on the link below. The link is also on the "permanent" side bar on the right under contact information.

http://www.takebackbeaconhill.com/
Information taken from The Chalice Hymnal, Worship Leader's Companion, Chalice Press, St. Louis, Missouri, 1998, #518.

A Wonderful and Spontaneous Realization

2009-01-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

As I was walking into a store with two sets of double doors, an African-American man stepped ahead of me. He opened the outer door for himself, started inside, then quickly realized he had let the door close on me. He stopped, turned, apologized and held the inner door open for me. Our eyes met and we flashed smiles at each other, genuine smiles. As we looked into each others' eyes, I saw something I still cannot completely define. The closest I can come to putting into words what I sensed that brief moment is what I will call mutual post-racial understanding and joy. It was though we were affirming each other with our eyes and with our smiles. I knew that he knew that his black-ness didn't matter to me and he knew that I knew that my white-ness did not matter to him. For a few seconds, we celebrated that we were no longer black and white. Two strangers looked at each other and acknowledged we are now color blind.

May every Republican, every Democrat and every Independent work to support our new President, Barack Obama, and may we join together to rebuild our great country. God bless President Obama and his family. God bless the United States of America.

The House Chambers and The East Room

2009-01-16T04:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening at the State House and at the White House, Governor Deval Patrick and President George W. Bush presented their respective speeches. Both politicians seemed to be engaged in damage control. Governor Patrick began first and after detailing a few successes, delivered harsh news on the state's economy, saying that all Massachusetts citizens should expect to feel the realities of our present fiscal decline. What captured me most was his very calm, assuaging, almost sweet tone of voice, similar to the way a mother would speak to reassure her skeptical child. The Governor delivered the bad news in such a way that one might be fooled into thinking he had something good to share. The fact is the state budget looks bleak and telling children they will no longer be able to study art or music in school because the government was not able to make cuts elsewhere is not reassuring, regardless how that is said.

President George W. Bush, with the hope of establishing at least a lukewarm legacy, used his prime-time spot to try to convince the American public he was a successful President. Early on in his speech he talked about September 11th, a time when Americans rallied behind him. He mentioned areas he considers successes (Iraq and Afghanistan) and emphasized that his decisions were based with the country's best interest in mind. That I believe. What is so sad is that although he was striving to do the right things for our country, he did not surround himself with people with understanding and intelligence. President Bush did not wish to hear disagreements. He wanted support for his ideas, which were misguided and poorly analyzed. True, he did what he thought was right, but what he thought was right was catastrophically wrong.

I offer articles from today's (Jan. 16) Telegram & Gazette and Boston Globe about the State-of-the-State and President George W. Bush's Farewell Address.

In The Telegram: "Governor warning of more cutbacks" by John J. Monahan, p.A1
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090116/NEWS/901160686/1116/NEWSREWIND

In The Boston Globe: "Patrick gently warns of layoffs; urges ethics cleanup" by Matt Viser and Frank Phillips, p.B1
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/01/16/not_the_time_to_lose_either_our_will_or_our_way/

In The Telegram: "Bush's farewell upbeat, hopeful" by Deb Riechmann, p.A3
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090116/NEWS/901160512

In The Boston Globe: "In farewell, Bush says his years made nation safer" by Joseph Williams, p.A2
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/01/16/in_farewell_bush_says_his_years_made_nation_safer/

Representative Lew Evangelidis Has Decried the State Budget as "Unaffordable and Unsustainable" Since Last Spring

2009-01-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

As reported by the Telegram and Gazette, yesterday the Legislature voted to give Governor Deval Patrick authority to cut the state budget and in turn, reduce funds for cities and towns. From before the time the budget was approved, Representative Lew Evangelidis has vocally opposed it, and was quoted in The Landmark, calling it "unaffordable and unsustainable". This idea echoed in the House Chambers yesterday. John Monahan reports in today's Telegram on p. 1 above the fold, "House Republicans argued against the deep cuts to local aid, complaining that the administration and Democrat-controlled Legislature should have begun curbing state spending last spring to avoid such a severe fiscal crisis."

Representative Karyn Polito of Shrewsbury argued that reforming the budget should have been initiated early in Mr. Patrick's term. According to Mr. Monahan's article (p.4) Ms. Polito said, "The governor has been here for two years. Where is the reform? Where is the demonstration that he has wrung out every ineffeciency? Where is the pension reform?" Ms. Polito added that local aid should not be touched.

The vote in the House tallied 131 to 22. Most Republicans voted against giving the governor emergency powers.

Representative Evangelidis issued the following press release detailing his stance on the subject.

EVANGELIDIS OPPOSES LOCAL AID CUTS

Evangelidis said, “Last year I voted against the budget which increased spending by $1.4 billion. It was clear at that time that this budget was unaffordable and unsustainable. I stated at that time 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 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 healt h 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 come the cuts to local aid" by John J. Monahan is on p. 1 in today's Telegram & Gazette.

C-Mass. Republican Legislators Chime in Against Pay Raise

2009-01-09T05:54:00.000-08:00

Kudos to Representatives Lew Evangelidis of Holden, Karyn Polito of Shrewsbury and Todd Smola of Palmer for rejecting a pay raise. Although this increase was built into the Constitution with an added amendment and is scheduled to take place every two years, the timing is quite inappropriate. Rep. Smola was quoted in yesterday's (Jan. 9, P.B4) Boston Globe as saying "It seems ironic that Beacon Hill is preparing to make additional budget cuts that will hurt our cities and towns while accepting a raise in pay at the same time."

Given the economy, people, even legislators have to contend with personal finances and some may be in better circumstances than others, making it more feasible for them to go without the money, however certain Republican legislators in Central Massachusetts are making the good judgment to forgo that raise. This speaks highly of them and they deserve to be commended. In Friday's Telegram & Gazette (Jan. 9, p.A4) Representative Evangelidis expressed his compassion and concerns for those currently suffering as well as for those who could potentially lose their jobs. "I cannot in good conscience accept this legislative pay raise at a time when state revenues are rapidly declining. Every day on the news, and everywhere I go, I hear so many stories of families having difficulty making ends meet. There are also projections that there is an expectation that over 100,000 jobs could be lost in Massachusetts." According to Rep. Polito, in the same T & G article, EMC is on the verge of laying off 600 employees.

To read "Will pols accept raise?" by Steve LeBlanc of The Telegram & Gazette, (Jan. 9, p.A1) click on the link below.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090109/NEWS/901090654/1116/NEWSREWIND
To read "Two dozen lawmakers to reject pay raise" by John C. Drake of The Boston Globe (Jan.9, p.B1) click the link directly below.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/01/09/two_dozen_lawmakers_to_reject_pay_raise/

"The Man in the Arena" by TR

2009-01-09T03:58:00.000-08:00

Theodore Roosevelt said in his "Citizen in a Republic" speech delivered in Paris on April 23, 1910:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

From: www.leadershipnow.com
Source: "Citizenship in a Republic," Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910 The Works of Theodore Roosevelt, Vol XIII, pp. 506-529

The True Leader

2009-01-08T05:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday did not turn out to be what we had hoped, but those of us in the Wachusett area remain optimistic and extraordinarily proud of Representative Lew Evangelidis. On WBZ-TV Channel 4 on the 6 o'clock news (Wed., Jan. 7) Rep. Evangelidis explained the "present" votes received by the Speaker of the House. He spoke with authority for the opposition, saying those votes were an indicator showing discontent with the goings-on on Beacon Hill. Representative Evangelidis continues to prove that regardless of yesterday's outcome, he is the leader and the voice of the minority party, both in the House and throughout Massachusetts.

Time To SayThank You

2009-01-07T05:34:00.000-08:00

Following Marshall Horwitz's lead in his e-mail to area Republicans, I dedicate today's entry to thanking everyone who has contributed to State Representative Lew Evangelidis' campaign for House minority leader. Thank you for writing letters to The Telegram & Gazette, as well as to papers outside the region. Thank you for calling and e-mailing radio talk shows to direct the conversation towards Rep. Evangelidis. Thank you for contacting friends and family throughout the state and encouraging them to write letters to their local papers. Thank you for supporting our great Representative Lew Evangelidis!

A very special thank you goes out to Dick Callahan, Chairman of the Holden Republican Town Committee, who knows how to put it all together and does it. To Marshall Horwitz, Vice-Chairman of the HRTC, who through his example and his words, has taught me the importance of expressing gratitude, I say thank you for that lesson, as well as for the tremendous amount of time, energy and intellectual sweat you've put into this effort in so many ways. Marshall and Dick are exemplary in their commitment to improve the political climate in this state and their understanding of how to enact that change is sound.

To Representative Lew Evangelidis, thank you for being the candidate. Thank you for representing us and for making us proud to be Republicans. Thank you for the tremendous amount and quality of work you do. We wish you the best in today's vote and regardless of the outcome, we consider you the leader, not just of House Republicans, but of the Republican Party in Massachusetts.

Another Two Letters of Endorsement for Representative Lew Evangelidis

2009-01-06T04:23:00.001-08:00

Craig Bovaird is a small business owner who lives in Princeton. Mr. Bovaird writes from a business perspective why he thinks State Representative Lew Evangelidis should be elected minority leader of the House.

Massachusetts ends 2008 with Democrats holding 88% of the Legislature. With the loss of three Republican seats in the House, majority percentage rises to a whopping 89.5%. The long-held governorship now rests in Democratic hands and there are no U.S. Republican congressmen or senators representing Massachusetts. Common sense informs us that having a system of checks and balances is crucial for good government. Representative Lew Evangelidis stands for common sense and good government.

As a small business owner, I understand the necessity of staying within a budget. Spending non-existent money to cover rising costs of materials and production is not an option in sustaining a successful business. Mr. Evangelidis understands these principles and knows how to apply them to setting budgets and living within monetary constraints. He is not afraid to prioritize, something small business owners must understand in order to keep their companies viable. He believes in looking for ways to conserve and to become more efficient and streamlined, versus raising more dollars through higher taxes. Representative Evangelidis is a friend to small business and last year earned an 88% rating with the foremost business advocacy group in the Commonwealth, Associated Industries of Mass.

Massachusetts Republicans need a new leader in the House and Representative Evangelidis has the energy and dedication, the desire to work hard and the fortitude to oppose the Democratic majority’s propensity towards increasing taxes to solve problems. House Republicans would do well to elect State Representative Lew Evangelidis as minority leader.

Robert Dumont, Chairman of the Sterling Republican Town Committee, reacts to Brian Burke's Telegram & Gazette "As You See It" column.

In his piece in "Commentary" on Tuesday, December 30,2008,Republican State Committee man Brian Burke bemoans the current state of the Republican Party in Massachusetts and ends by saying, " Two-party government is the only way out of this mess, but our state's Republicans must find a way to make the voters see it." I suggest that new leadership in the legislature is one big part of the answer. Lew Evangelidis should be elected Minority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives!

Robert C. Dumont

Another Voice Supporting Rep. Lew Evangelidis as Minority Leader

2009-01-05T04:37:00.000-08:00

Mary Fudeman is a former legislative aide to Representative Lew Evangelidis. She writes why he should be the next GOP leader in the House.

We in Massachusetts are fortunate to have many forward-thinking, energetic elected officials representing us at the local, state and federal levels. State Representative Lew Evangelidis is one such official. Since he was first elected to the House in 2002, Rep. Evangelidis has effectively worked across party lines to get things done for his district and for the state of Massachusetts. Now he would like to bring his energy and his enthusiasm to the office of House minority leader. I urge the Republicans in the House to vote for Rep. Evangelidis on January 7. He has consistently put our cities and towns, our schools and our environment at the top of his agenda. As Minority Leader, he will be in a great position to work towards fiscal responsibility in our state while at the same time supporting the services and environmental policies that will keep Massachusetts strong and competitive. He will energize the Republican party in Massachusetts and help bring us back to a two-party system.

Mary Fudeman, Cambridge

Representative Lew Evangelidis for Leader of The House

2009-01-04T03:13:00.001-08:00

I wholeheartedly support State Representative Lew Evangelidis in his pursuit to become the next House minority leader and I strongly urge the other 15 Republican representatives to vote for him. On January 7th, 16 Republicans and 144 Democrats will be sworn into the House, 5 Republicans and 35 Democrats in the Senate. Single party dominance is unhealthy at best; dangerous at worst. It is time for a change.

With his fresh ideas, courage and amazing work ethic, Representative Evangelidis will infuse new energy and life into the Republican Party. Mr. Evangelidis recently proposed adding an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban candidates and politicians from accepting money from lobbyists and special interest groups such as corporations and unions. Proposing changes of this magnitude is bound to anger the Old Guard, but rather than acquiesce to the power brokers, Mr. Evangelidis speaks out against wrongs, all the while fully aware of potential consequences. Representative Evangelidis is that young, energetic leader, the one with The New Voice, who Massachusetts needs to change the course of things-as-they-are.

Advice From a Founder

2009-01-03T05:04:00.000-08:00

In yesterdays editorial section of The Boston Globe, Ira Stoll, through the eyes of Samuel Adams, offers a take on dealing with today's harsh economic realities. (Jan. 2, p. A13) "A revolutionary for our times" is an interesting piece that presents an alternate way of handling financial difficulties. According to Stoll, Adams was not the wealthiest Founding Father, as evidenced by the fact that "before he set out to Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress in 1774, the people of Boston took up a collection to buy him a new suit and pair of shoes." Stoll writes how Adams dealt with modest living by accepting it and devoting the time he had to his country. Adams, in part, attributes the source of his world view to those who came before. In his words, "The virtues of our Ancestors inspires us -- they were contented with Clams & Muscles." (June 1,1774)

Here we sit, 235 years later, on the cusp of a new year, traditionally a time to re-set priorities and focus on improving ourselves. Ira Stoll suggests we look to Samuel Adams for direction in viewing our somewhat sorry predicament, saying that as Americans we tend to look to the Founders for advice on many fronts, why not this? "It's something to consider this year when job-hunting, looking for ways to cut the family budget, or absorbing losses in retirement accounts or brokerage statements. Samuel Adams had an insight that seems especially worth recalling at this moment: There are things, like freedom and equality and family and faith and country, that are more important than money." Rather than feeling sorry for oneself, we would do well to do as Sam Adams did -- be happy with our "Clams & Muscles" and decide to "contribute to the Redemption of [our] Country."

To read Ira Stoll's entire article, click the link below.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/01/02/a_revolutionary_for_our_times/