Blue Mass Group

From the Arlington Democratic Town Committee Web Site: Wednesday, July 16 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Community Room, Lower Level Robbins Library 700 Massachusetts Ave. The meeting will include an informal session with both Democratic candidates for the 4th Middlesex Senate seat, Ken Donnelly and Jack Hurd, who will speak briefly and answer questions. All Arlington Democrats are cordially invited. Since this also hit the Lexington DTC email list, I assume (hope) that all 4th Middlesex Democrats are invited.

This is really something.  Check out David Corn on a week that John McCain would really like to forget.  I’ve added the links so that you can watch the hilarity yourself.  Enjoy! John McCain’s Very Bad Week: A Cheat Sheet I was asked to appear on Hardball on Friday to discuss John McCain’s week–that is, his very bad week. It’s been tough to keep track of all that’s gone wrong for him–all the self-inflicted wounds–in recent days. So I made a cheat sheet. Here it is. * McCain adviser Phil Gramm remark: Americans who worry about the economy are “whiners” and there’s no problem with the economy, just a “mental recession.” McCain response: Gramm doesn’t speak for me. But, um, that day Gramm was speaking for McCain, explaining McCain’s economic policies to the Wall Street Journal editorial board [NB: might've been the Washington Times.  Doesn't really matter. -ed.]. * Called the fundamental funding mechanism of Social Security a “disgrace,” essentially attacking the whole program. * Released list of 300 economists who supposedly support his economic plan. Guess what? Not all of them do. * Became visibly uncomfortable when asked whether health plans that cover Viagara should also cover birth control [...]

From Ben Alper: Secretary of State William Galvin certified 12,000 signatures on a petition to put the initiative to abolish the state income tax on the ballot. In a related move, the Legislature voted to abolish the words “initiative” and “ballot.” Convenience store tycoon Christy Mihos is talking about running for governor again – a daring move for someone whose chances are Slim Jim to none. From Daniel Kurtzman: “The Democratic convention is being held at a 20,000 seat arena in Denver, but Barack Obama has decided to give his acceptance speech at Denver’s 80,000 seat football stadium. Yeah, 80,000 seat football stadium, that’s pretty impressive. Yeah, meanwhile, Ralph Nader will be giving his acceptance speech at a Foot Locker.” –Conan O’Brien “I don’t think Jesse learned his lesson, because today he was overhead saying he wanted to cut off John McCain’s Medicare.” –Jay Leno “The Democrats are now preparing for their convention in Denver, and they have hired the first ever director of greening. They say that this year that everything about their convention will be green, including nominating a candidate who’s only been a senator for a couple of years.” –Jay Leno “Barack Obama is campaigning very hard, [...]

Does anyone who is coming to the service happen to have a way to record the service?  Someone who can’t attend has especially requested audio.  Thanks so much! I apologize for the short notice, but there has been a lot going on.  

July 11, 2008 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) are encouraging people to contact the Boston Herald and ask editors to apologize for the paper’s offensive slurs and sensationalistic coverage of transgender people.

Dear Friends, I am writing to let you know that I filed legislation yesterday to explore bringing a shared-bike program to Boston.  I want to recognize that Mayor Menino and his administration have already begun the process for launching such a program, and I look forward to hearing from City leaders on their efforts to bring a shared-bike program to fruition. I am hoping that a hearing will present the opportunity for the public and any experts to discuss the best model for such a program, the necessary infrastructure, and the best ways to ensure a successful shared-bike program in Boston.  I will keep you updated on the scheduling of the hearing.  As Chair of the Council’s Environment & Health Committee, I am making every effort to promote a greener city that includes more sustainable transportation options like a shared-bike program.   Thanks, John R. Connolly Boston City Councillor At-Large P.S.  While I’ve been a BMG reader since I first met David Kravitz in 2004, I’ve never posted.  For background, I am the newest member of the Boston City Council, elected in November and sworn into office six months ago.  I chair the Council’s Environment & Health Committee where I [...]

The Obama campaign is rumored to be lining up to sponsor a car for entry in NASCAR’s top level series: the Sprint Cup.

We’ll give him an A for effort, but it might be considered a token, tone-deaf effort to NASCAR fans because…

A commenter on Altercation noted the following (quoted in its entirety,… emphasis mine): Name: Dan Hometown: Bloomsburg, PA Another “Straight Talk” moment with John McCain: 1. John McCain in an interview with Pittsburgh’s KDKA on July 9, 2008, describing how he tricked his Vietnamese captors: “When I was first interrogated and really had to give some information because of the physical pressures that were on me, I named the starting lineup — defensive line — of the Pittsburgh Steelers as my squadron-mates!” 2. John McCain in his autobiography “Faith of My Fathers” describing how he tricked his Vietnamese captors: “Pressed for more useful information, I gave the names of the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line, and said they were members of my squadron.” I guess when telling your personal POW story citing the Green Bay Packers works nationally, but changing it to the Pittsburgh Steelers is better for getting votes in Pennsylvania!

Gov. Patrick signed H 4905 into law on July 8, 2008.  There is a first ray of sunshine into the darkness and secrecy shrouding the Massachusetts child welfare system in the striking of Sec. 38, and enactment of a new Sec. 38 and 38A.  From now on, when the DCF [what used to be DSS] wants to end medical treatment and “pull the plug” on a child, that hearing is now open to the public and the press.  Governor Patrick’s July 8, 2008 Press Release states:

The opening of court proceedings for end-of-life treatment of certain children in DCF custody to the public, requiring the submission of written expert opinions to the court, clarifying the DCF commissioner’s role in determining the agency’s recommendation, allowing for the recommendation of the child’s parent or guardian and appointment of a guardian ad litem on behalf of the child; and allowing for an interlocutory appeal of these end-of-life court orders.

This quote refers to the amendment of G.L. c. 119 Sec. 38 by striking the former section 38 and inserting a new Section 38 and Section 38a.  The actual wording of the law is:

Pelosi has finally allowed the door to open a crack. Anybody who doesn’t think Bush should be impeached for the lies leading up to the Iraq War needs to read Vincent Bugliosi’s book “The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder”. Bugliosi, hardly a “left-wing fanatic”, is the former prosecutor who was able to secure a murder conviction for Charles Manson, despite the fact that Manson did not physically kill anybody and was not present at the Tate-LaBianca murders. Here’s a little deal: any conservative out there who pledges to read Bugliosi’s book from cover to cover can assign me a conservative tome of your choice, which I pledge to also read from cover to cover, in the interest of promoting a fair exchange of ideas. John Conyers owes it to the more than 4000 soldiers who have died in Iraq to at least hold hearings on the charges against Bush, among which are that he deliberately made statements he knew to be false about the threat to America presented by Saddam Hussein, statements upon which public and Congressional support for the Iraq war was predicated.