Blue Mass Group

A noun, a verb, 9/11 & a disclaimer?

The House voted today to expand trade with Peru. Good for them, and good in particular for those Democrats who voted for openness, competition, and improved international relations. Trade is progressive: it builds bridges between communities, creates jobs, and frees people to do what they do best. The history of Massachusetts from the Boston Tea Party, held not coincidentally in our port; to our whalers, and the clipper ships that pioneered trade with China; to our global leadership in finance, technology, education, and health care, among other industries, is a history of trade. Exchanges have made us the second richest state in America, and one of the most prosperous communities in the world. There are costs. Competition produces losers as well as winners. The constructive response, however, is to figure out how to improve one’s game, not stick one’s head in the sand. Ask any ostrich: the real world catches up to one. The NYT reported on the vote as follows: Defying appeals from labor leaders, environmentalists and foes of free-trade, nearly half the Democrats in the House joined today with the Bush administration’s backers to support a trade liberalization agreement with Peru that the White House hopes will lead [...]

As shown on Olberman:

I got a chuckle when I read this story in yesterday’s Herald. It seems each candidate for that Arlington/Burlington Senate seat has major blemishes on the record. Well, at least to David Wedge anyway. Natale, a knucklehead if there ever was one, got into a beef with the Woburn police in his younger days. It appears Natale was in violation of the “fresh bastard statute”. He may of been in the right but his mouth got him in trouble. So the cops gave him a beating. Natale, the fool, sued the cops and lost. His comments in the Herald piece suggests that this guy has not grown-up since joining the House. BTW, why did a female aide of his suddenly quit on him? hmmmm Marzilli and Murphy both took money from ex-convicts. Marzilli from a union thug type and Murphy from a former Burlington state senator who was convicted in the 1970′s of taking a few dollars. (this is a whole ‘nother’ story) So this is the best David Wedge had, or didn’t have, on these guys. Hard hitting stuff Dave. However, Marzilli tasking money from a crooked union member is surprising. But then again, they both may subscribe to [...]

Congratulations to Michael Flaherty, Sam Yoon, Steve Murphy, and, most of all, John Connolly on their election to the Boston City Council. It is sad to see Felix Arroyo go. He is a good man with a real love for this city. He will be missed on the council, but I am certain that his voice and vision will remain.

I am thrilled that John claimed such a decisive victory. He is one of the best candidates to come down the pike in a while and I am certain that he will serve this city with passion, integrity, and energy. We need him and are lucky to have him. I am proud to call John my new city councilor, and more proud to call him my old friend.

Cross-posted at http://mattomalley.b…

Today the Peru Free Trade Agreement passed the House. A majority of Democrats voted against the NAFTA-esque agreement. Many Freshman who campaigned on a fair trade platform, stuck to their principles and opposed the agreement along with the entire MA delegation. But this free trade agreement was brought up for a vote by Democrats in the House Leadership – Pelosi, Rahm, Hoyer. And there’s sure to be loads of corporate cash slushing into their PACs. Read about the debate here: http://citizen.typep… See the roll call vote here: http://clerk.house.g…

An elderly man is beaten to death in his home by a stranger during the day in a small suburban affluent town. The murderer is lose. Police helicopters are circling above. State and local police cars are seen racing around town. K-9 patrols are out and about. All the schools are locked down. A manhunt is underway. Everyone is on edge. At a small local downtown pizza place a man, never before seen by the employees, walks in. He asks the woman at the counter if she could call him a cab. He appears anxious and fidgety. For some reason she can’t. He orders a pizza and goes next door to CVS. He returns. He is wearing a fanny pack which he keeps touching. He still appears anxious. Then he goes into the bathroom and changes his clothes. The woman working there is aware of the manhunt for the murderer. She also knows that it is highly unusual for someone to come in and ask that a cab be called. It is also highly unusual for a patron to use the bathroom to change his clothes. Pants, shirt, and all. She also knows that these two actions would be consistent [...]

Obama, suspected head of the Fuddy Duddy conspiracy to keep Stephen Colbert off of the SC Democratic primary ballot, may now be finding himself the victim of a Fuddy Duddy conspiracy.

To help citizens make an informed choice as they prepare to vote in the primary and general elections for the 4th Middlesex District State Senate Seat, Stand for Children asked the six candidates running to respond to six questions about their views on education and school funding. To see their individual answers as well as a compilation of all responses, click here.

Four days to Election Day in the 4th Middlesex District!  If you haven’t signed up to help out on Jim Marzilli’s campaign for State Senate, now is the time.  We have a lot of different ways you can help out – we’ll be placing lots of phone calls and going door to door this weekend, as well as a big push all day on Election Day this Tuesday.