Blue Mass Group

Well, except the Republicans.  I have furniture that would do a better job governing the state than Healey.  And it’s pretty dumb, even for furniture.

But about our Democratic brethren, I mean it.  No, seriously. Really, I do.

There’s a lot of negativity as people are noting lately round here, something to which I’ve confessedly contributed.

And my attacks have been in reference mainly to Deval Patrick and his campaign, a man with whom I agree probably 80-90% of the time.  I wish I agreed with certain people in my personal life that much (can’t say more…she may read this someday).

I’m a Reilly man, as I’ve explained in the past.  I like Gabrieli a lot, and Deval Patrick not.  But there is a lot to admire about Deval, and in the name of civility, I do want to offer a list of genuine things that I truly admire about him.

Adam Reilly’s article in this week’s Phoenix [NOTE: I've been able to access the Phoenix's web site only sporadically for the last two days - your results may vary] is called “The incompetence candidate: Tom Reilly stumbles again.”  Don’t hold back now, Adam – tell us how you really feel! The article is mostly about Ray Rogers and Killer Coke, particularly the Reilly camp’s ham-handed efforts to help Rogers out, which efforts embarrassingly wound up in a Joan Vennochi op-ed column.  Adam recognizes that, in the great scheme of things, the Killer Coke story isn’t exactly front-page news (though he has some interesting thoughts on why neither the Globe nor the Herald has been terribly impressive in its coverage of the story).  But here’s his bottom line: Even so – and even if the Killer Coke story peters out – the whole episode bodes poorly for Reilly’s political future.  The e-mails Vennochi obtained were apparently sent to a few members of Reilly’s inner circle, including top advisers Will Keyser and John Stefanini.  These messages may have leaked out inadvertently.  ["Whoops!  Accidentally hit the "send to Joan Vennochi" button again!" --ed.]  But it’s more likely that they were disclosed intentionally, as [...]

With a fundraising reporting deadline coming up on August 23, I wanted to fill BMG readers in on the Congressional race in NH-02, where Democrat Paul Hodes is attempting to knock off Charlie “Catch and Release” Bass.  If you are so inclined, you may donate to Paul’s campaign at the netroots ActBlue page.  [Or at the BMG Act Blue page! --ed.] [Sorry, should have mentioned that.  What happened to the link? -DaveMB] The last poll on the race from UNH was disappointing, giving Bass a 53-25 lead.  This post, from a blogger named NH-02 Progressive, puts the most positive possible spin on the result.  The poll shows that Hodes’ name recognition is still very bad, and that voters are not yet identifying Bass with Bush.  Hence, Hodes needs money — he has a significant amount but needs DCCC help and a lot more donations. Rahm Emmanuel just did a big fundraiser for Hodes in Boston and the people at Swing State Project are sounding a bit more excited about the race.  Some netroots money may help keep the momentum going.  If you are within driving distance of Keene and feel like canvassing, the Cheshire County Democrats are doing some there [...]

There was an interesting quote in today’s Boston Globe, from the story, “Gay rights advocates question Patrick” by Globe Staff Writter Michael Levenson that had me thinking. (Boston Globe, August 18, 2006, City & Region Section, pages B1 then to B4)

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“The United (Airlines) case, first reported in the Boston gay newspaper Bay Windows, is particular (sic?) sensitive for Patrick, a former NAACP attorney and assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration. Patrick has been touting his support of gay rights in the governor’s race* and lists several prominent gay legislators among his supporters. (*emphasize mine)

“I don’t think Patrick can have it both ways, which is to tout his position on civil rights as a board member and duck the issue, ” said Mary Breslaurer, a prominent gay rights activist who supports Christopher Gabrieli in the  Governor’s race.

I guess I can’t understand why a campaign that claims it likes “to ask the tough questions”, gets so upset when questions are asked about their own touted record?

Deb’s first commercial just ran, 5th inning tied Yankee-Sox game.  Obviously she learned from the Convention…sure got my heart strings going. Thoughts?? UPDATE (by David): Here ya go: Thanks to alert commenter gradstudent for finding it on YouTube.

From State House News, a photo of the newly-refurbished main public entrance to the State House: My caption is the title of this post.  Drop yours in the comments!

That’s not the headline the Globe chose today – they chose, instead, “Gay rights advocates question Patrick; Domestic partner benefits at issue.”  But the 16th paragraph of the 16-paragraph story says: United became the first US airline to grant domestic partner benefits to its employees and retirees worldwide. Huh – interesting.  That’s not the impression you’d get from reading the first 15 paragraphs.  There’s additional detail in a longer piece in Bay Windows (which preceded the Globe article), describing the decision by United Airlines in September 1999 to institute a groundbreaking company-wide domestic partnership program that offered a package of benefits to the same-sex partners of its employees that was equal to the benefits offered to the spouses of its married employees. The airline also undertook a major ad campaign in the LGBT press touting its commitment to the community. The issue in both articles is Deval Patrick’s role as a United Air Lines board member in UAL’s provision of domestic partnership benefits to gay employees (MavDem has already discussed the Bay Windows story). The facts, based on the Globe and the Bay Windows stories, are these.  Patrick joined the UAL board in October 1997.  Prior to that time, San [...]

Virginia Buckingham goes to a Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young show at the Tweeter Center and is shocked, just shocked, that they would include an anti-war message! CSNY made their names and fortunes as anti-war crooners… But they shouldn’t have the freedom to lure lovers of their music into a venue on a warm summer night expecting “Guinevere” and getting a playlist with accompanying video that could easily have borne the label “We hate America.” One dope-slap for the columnist, please. Has there been any prominent artist who has worn his politics on his sleeve more than Neil Young in the last, oh, 35 years? “Alabama”? “Ohio?” “Impeach the President”? And she just expected him to do the pretty songs that she liked — presumably without words, and certainly without the multi-media presentation. Has she been living under a rock? Virginia — take it from a singer: It’s hard to sing without opening your mouth. UPDATE: Hey Virginia — do check out Neil’s website. You were expecting polite and a-political??

Do terrojihadifasciocrats scare you? They will until you ask your doctor or lobbyist about  Dubyadrol.

I just received a big, fat faith-based grant to design a new drug. It will make you feel better, vindicating any transgression perpetrated against you. Most importantly it will make you feel safer. There aren’t any side effects and it will start working in minutes bringing pure comfort. You won’t have a fear in the world. Those terrorists that I know are lurking under your bed and behind your drapes with exploding bottles of Breck will disappear forever.

So tough as nails, crime reporter, Harley ridin’, Herald writer, Michelle McPhee went after Sen. Wilkerson today. The reporter with the comical photo continues to carry the water for the BPD. Today she wrote that Dianne Wilkerson referred Milena Del Valle’s family to a reputable and capable law firm through her son’s live-in girlfriend/mother of her grandchild, who was an ADA but offered a job there a few months back. Got that? Wilkerson, who is an attorney, could have gotten a hefty referral fee for herself from scores of competant personal injury lawyers in Boston. Instead,she did what parents do.  She thought, I imagine ‘this would be a nice case to start out with’. There is nothing wrong with having a nice civil case lined up when you leave for the private sector. People don’t leave a job until they know where they are going. Even state employees. The young attorney called the law office to see if the job was still available and confirm the fee policy for cases she brings to the firm. Like the new personal injury case. Michelle of course needs to create turmoil and thus sees a possible crime. She writes…. ” It remains unclear [...]