Today’s Globe front-pager is an entirely different matter from the Citicall and the drapes. And it suggests that there is something deeply wrong with the State House operation at the Globe.
The story reports that Governor Patrick’s administration has hired Paul Buckley, a former District Court Judge, assistant District Attorney, and practicing lawyer, to be commissioner of the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). The DIA is the state’s worker’s compensation agency — among other things, it handles claims from workers who have been injured on the job, oversees the worker’s comp insurance system and the DIA’s dispute resolution process, and manages the Industrial Accident Board, which employes administrative judges who adjudicate worker’s comp claims when the parties have been unable to settle them.
Huh, you say to yourself. Dispute resolution, administrative judges, an insurance operation … actually, a former judge, prosecutor, and practicing lawyer sounds like a pretty good fit. Is there really a story here?
Yes, according to Andrea Estes, who penned today’s masterpiece. Because, you see, Buckley is married to Senator Marian Walsh, who endorsed Patrick for Governor. Furthermore, if Buckley stays in his new job for three years, he will receive a larger state pension than he otherwise would. And finally, back in 2003 Buckley apparently tried to get the legislature to pass a bill that would have changed the pension laws in a way beneficial to him (and others similarly situated). Buckley served in the army during the Korean War, but apparently judges — unlike most other state employees — cannot count military service toward their pensions. (Support the troops!) The bill made it through the House but not the Senate.
So the story appears to be this: Patrick hired someone who is well qualified for the job of DIA Commissioner, who is married to a Patrick ally, and who also, by virtue of his past state employment, will receive a larger pension when he retires than he otherwise would have, if he stays in his new job for three years. ScanDAL!
Pardon my French, but big fucking deal. Buckley has many years of state service. If he keeps his current job, he’ll have a few more, and because of the pension rules, he may end up with a bigger pension when he retires. Was that a motivating factor in his seeking his current job? Maybe. Let’s even say probably, though that’s being generous to Estes. But so what? The pension rules are what they are. They naturally encourage people to seek out ever-higher-paying state employment. But the point is that the job Buckley now holds is a perfectly legitimate job; he will earn the money he’ll be paid; and he’s apparently well qualified to hold the position. So this story is nothing like Eric Fehrnstrom’s sneaky shot at a state pension via light duty at the Brookline Housing Authority, nor is it anything like Marie Parente trying to bump up her pension based on her parking space.
And yet, despite the story’s evident non-newsworthiness, and despite the fact that it almost certainly resulted from someone in the legislative branch dropping a dime to Estes, this story shows up on the front page? Above the fold?? This story is more important than a federal judge ordering immigration agents to stop forcibly transporting detained workers in New Bedford to Texas? More important than the broad daylight murder of a young woman near a school in Dorchester? Obviously not.
I have no idea what new political editor Jennifer Peter thinks the function of the State House press corps is supposed to be, but here’s a suggestion: you don’t have to front-page every little tip that some disgruntled hack sends your way. It’s pretty obvious by now what is going on: certain elements in the legislature smell blood in the water, and they’re doing their level best to keep it flowing, anticipating that by doing so they will gain leverage in the budget process to, among other things, re-insert earmarks that the Governor’s budget proposal did not preserve. They have found willing partners in this project in certain State House reporters.
It’s clear enough why the lege would go this route — they want their earmarks, and they believe that weakening a Governor who has spoken publicly against earmarks helps them in that quest. What is less clear is why the press would so willingly and, if I may say so, mindlessly, go along with it.
So just because the new DIA guy aspires to a higher-payed job [he wouldn’t aspire to the post because it is a welcome challenge, oh no, that never happens], that somehow induces Patrick to hire him? What bullshit. If that were the case, Patrick would be hiring everyone who applies for any state job that pays better than their last, just cuz they voted for him. Good call, David. SOmeone(s) really have it out for Deval.
Andrea Estes has instructed us that Patrick may only hire people who
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– Openly opposed his election, and
– Earn no job benefits
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You know, like she does. I’m sure she got her job by calling her boss an asshole, and has refused all pay and 401(k) benefits for her work.
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I mean, Andrea wouldn’t lie to us.
David, the bad words. Are they some kind of badge of courage? I think their use is nekulturny, sophomoric, and completely unexpressive in this context. Yours, Tom B
Oh goody.
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You know what they say about people who pick on other people’s grammar, spelling, and diction?
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Let’s give it a go:
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People who nitpick other people’s grammar, spelling, and diction are:
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a) lacking sexual potency
b) devoid of original ideas
c) skipping their daily doses of Vitamin S(telazine) (must.find.pretty.blue.pill.)
d) overcompensating for an inability to get the reins on that impulsivity that drives them into the dimly lit cellar for hours on end
e) all of the above.
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Well, that satisfies my snark urge for the time being. Have at it.
Forgot one:
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f) lacking a dictionary–nekulturny?
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Oy.
Essentially, if you call someone “nekulturny” you are calling them a slob and a moron who doesn’t know up from down. Yeah. Ya Russkaya Debushka – Ya znayiou.*
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*transliteration translates to “I am a Russian chick. I oughta know.”
(What can I say? In the Sputnik era, my high school dropped French for Russian – all I still know are the alphabet and my patronymic).
That was the favored insult of his Russian characters in his old Cold War humdingers…that’s where I first saw the term (and the phrase Allah Akbar as well)
when Clancy could actually write. I’ve moved on to vince flynn.
Did you really mean to say all of those things to Charley’s dad?
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I agree the use of the “F” word was gratuitous.
Well, I think I’m evidence that it can’t be (a.)
if you want to get technical. Doesn’t mean it was nekulturny.
The word French is not always gratuitous.
Estes has abandoned even the thinnest pretense of journalistic standards.
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Here’s how she establishes the ominous connection to Patrick:
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Here’s how Estes proves Buckley is a hack:
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Here’s the hacktacular way Buckley can weasel into his pension increase:
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I don’t know what’s going on with her. Her writing suggests intense sexual frustration on her part directed toward the governor. Whatever the reason, Estes needs to be fired immediately.
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I hope you move from documenting to doing something about it. Contact the Globe. Demand not only action, but investigation and revelation.
…to me why the press is going along with this nonsense.
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Deval Patrick made a huge tactical error when, in his first speech after his election last November, he chastised the media for not “getting” his campaign.
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When I heard that comment, I feared that the media would retaliate…and so they have. The media in this town does not like to be lectured to, and they don’t like to be wrong.
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Granted, Deval has given them some ammunition (the drapes, the cadillac, etc.). But the Globe and the Herald have gone after him with unprecedented vitriol. I think they are determined to bring him down.
Lecturing the MA media was a mistake. However I do not think they are trying to bring him down. They will easy up has he gains more political experience and respect for the people he has to deal with. Deval is a good man and he will learn.
David,
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A comment on this from the Red side of the spectrum:
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The first rule of politics, they say, is to shut up while your opponents are tearing each other up, but I enjoyed your post, David (though I also think you should dispense with the F-word). I can’t stop myself from commenting.
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First, the Globe story had some very interesting background you didn’t mention indicating that Walsh and Buckley were willing to push the envelope to absurd lengths in order to secure a bigger pension for him:
I don’t know how true all this is. After all it’s just a Globe story. But if the story is true then this scheme for a sweeter pension was so scuzzy that even our Senate wouldn’t touch it. Frightening to contemplate.
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That information is relevant to the story in that it shows the shameless lengths Walsh and Buckley would go to for the bigger pension (shameless, though not uncommon behavior, for legislators in our Commonwealth or those who are well-connected to them).
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Second, the appointment of Buckley in this context has the appearance of a quid pro quo for Walsh’s support, which is no big deal for an appointed office. But because Patrick spent so much time during the campaign denigrating the culture of Beacon Hill and promising to change it, and has now attacked legislative earmarks, the leges can point to this incident as a case of gubernatorial hypocrisy. Patrick wants to remove their earmarks, but still keep his own.
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I agree that the story sounds like it came from a very strategic set of leakers. C’est la guerre.
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No, shameless would be glossing over why the bill for veterans was narrowed:
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Shameless would be ignoring that fact that Walsh recused herself from the debate
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Shameless would be failing to mention that Walsh filed a full disclosure as ethics required:
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Now, that would be shameless.
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Oh and this:
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While the wolves are at each other’s throats, it’s probably still a good idea for the hamsters to keep out of the way.
Right off hand I can’t think of anything else that could go wrong other than finding out that the governor is an
embezzler or a wife beater.
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There is absolutely no doubt that there is a huge torpedo sitting in the legislature with the governors name on it and Sal and Trav each have a lanyard in their hands and each is able to launch it independently. In my mind I see the Senate President and the Speaker forcing the governor to resign because he just won’t be able to take it anymore, apparently Governor Patrick’s wife has just had a nervous breakdown (seriously) and after this impacts his entire family the governor is going to figure this isn’t worth it and resign. Trav and Sal step in and Voila! They are in the drivers seat for four years. The Lt Gov will do as he is told!
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Re the Globe—-they’ve had to change their tune or there will not be a Boston Globe in a year. If the Globe goes down the drain it will re emerge as another NY Post—then watch the fur fly!
Evidence?
Who have nothing good to say about the Governor, or any Democrat for that matter? It’s one thing to engage in discussions with long-timers like Ernie and Peter P., who participate in intelligent give and take, and others who just spout off at the mouth.
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Someone should do some research here, this ain’t WRKO.
…if you’re objecting to new people commenting and posting here, I’ll merely remind you that it’s likely do to the advertising of the blog by the Glob–as has been mentioned elsewhere.
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If you want a blog that is merely for the purpose of reinforcing your own preconceive notions, say so. If you want a blog that is for the purpose of heavy-duty give and take on political, legal, scientific issues, that is a substantially different animal.
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When I was posting on FreeRepublic.com, I learned that posting on the Internet required a thick skin and a quick mind. It isn’t for the faint of heart. But you learn a lot from reading from and posting against people who disagree with you–nee, hate you. You get into a window of their mindset.
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Nor Free Republic.
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We suddenly have a lot of right-wing trolls on this site who hijack threads, fling schoolgirl insults at Democrats and prevent any kind of discussion. To a person, they offer neither factual support nor logical argument; they’re a waste of pixels.
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I don’t find that a very interesting way to spend my blogtime.
1. I said that I appreciate the give and take by some of the regulars who post here, so obviously I don’t “want a blog ..for the purpose of reinforcing your own preconceive(d) notions”, correct?
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2. Having said that, this is Blue Mass Group, not Hub Blog or even Universal Hub. One expects a certain progressive tilt here.
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3. You’re probably right about the Globe, nothing sucks like success… :).
I have not seen any criticism of kennedy, markey, frank, meehan, mcgovern, olvar, delahunt, kerry, neal, ….
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Perhaps you can point out the criticism by naming the deomocrats that have been ‘criticized’.
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How does BMG expect to have any influence on democrats if it does discuss the actions of the elected.
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This is a perfect gotcha example. The author doesn’t even care enough about the point s/he is making to even punctuate and capitalize it correctly. Provocations are best, after all, if they are quick.
I think that the problem is one of motivation and use of the site. I really am curious about a lot questions on, what Europeans might call, the center-left. What do we do about taxation, Iraq, education? What do we mean by liberty? With our new Governor and Congressional majorities, we all need to get more curious about such questions, IMHO.
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For the most part, the newly arrived conservatives want to engage in ideological combat with liberals — partly because it’s fun for them and partly because in Massachusetts they need to get good at that to keep ahead of the Green Party. Too many conservatives, after all, regard foreign policy as a game of Risk. (See some of the Iraq threads for a piquant example.) So playing games in this sphere is not far out of character.*
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Discussions of the first type (center-left discussions) can be keenly interesting and deeply informative. Imagine lots of Stomv, Cos, Lightiris, Pablo, HowardJP, and GoldsteinGoneWild diaries.** Think of how smart you’d be!
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Discussions of the second type are just exchanges of “Gotchas!”. There’s high adrenal. There’s duelling (“Back that up, Steverino!”). The new arrivals and some of their older, er, colleagues are extremely good at being provocative. In fact, some of the older members are virtuosi of provocation: The The Ten Things I Hate About You from November was a masterly example of being provocative. Bravo to the author: it got 103 comments. I’m sure its author learned nothing from it and taught us nothing, but many had a “good time”.
** Happily this list of substantive posters is incomplete. Apologies to Shiltone and others.
You should send this blog along to the Ombudsman. This, in some ways, is the worst story yet.
Isn’t it the tiniest bit weird that Andrea Estes is a neighbor of Deval Patrick?
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What contact has she had with him before this?
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Weren’t there articles about how construction on his house was causing complaint from his neighbors?
…The story is silly, of course, but regarding your issue of the placement of the story on the front page above the fold, were there any other stories in the entire newspaper that were worthy of being put there instead? One reason why we stopped buying the fish-wrapper/birdcage-liner version of the Glob was that virtually none of the stories were interesting news stories.
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BTW, the Glob isn’t alone in publishing stories that make mountains out of mashed potatoes. The Washington Post has been criticized by, among others, Josh Marshall, for hiring John Sullivan away from the Associated Press. Sullivan was well known for doing hit pieces, and sometimes downright lying, about primarily Democratic politicians, and he has continued to do so at WaPo.
What about the front page of City & Region with the headline “Patrick’s ratings on podcasts dip: Listeners tune governor out, for now anyway” which also had a hilarious graph that’s not online, which takes one outlying data point and interprets is a trend on with to base the article on. It was frustrating both as a scientist, as a supporter of the Governor, and as a increasingly frustrated subscriber to the Globe.
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The data shown was the first podcast, which had 3000 downloads, then the the next three fluctuated around 1000, (which makes sense as the first was probably a lot of people only mildly interested checking it out), then the last data point is about 500 downloads of the previous weeks podcast, which unlike the other 4 was a rebroadcast of the budget speech instead of a direct address. I know I personally didn’t download it right away because I’d watched it online earlier in the week. And the article takes this being a different format as if it were a trend in change of style, instead of a clear exception: I know a lot of political podcasts who occasionally replace it with broadcasting a recent speech.
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Again, this lack of journalistic maturity and respect for the scientific process, the process of interpreting and understanding observations, is ridiculous and frustrating.
Why must one espouse “the party line” to be respected as a democrat? Certainly Tom Finneran was not an idealogue and offered a cogent arguement for most of his policies.
Marty Meehan is certainly a middle of the roader.
I actually admire many but not all of Congressman Franl’s political positions. That being said, I consider Mr. Delahunt one of the most despicable human beings I have ever met. He gives vermin a bad name! Proof? Many of you folks are not old enough, nor lived in or around Norfolk County. Perhaps you should ask the first Mrs Delahunt!
ideologue
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Frank
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I’d prefer to talk to the first Mrs. Gingrich, or Giuliani, or McCain …. Give it a rest, will ya.
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lol, that was funny 🙂
…complaining about someone’s misssssspelling in a comment thread is bad form. Unless it’s to make a pun, of course.
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We aren’t doing rocket science here. And most people do not compose comments in programs that provide for spell checkers.
the bad spelling was just dessert(s).
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Anyway, there are more important issues in the world ….
evaluated for effectiveness.
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Massachusetts, like other states, has many of these commissions that have outlived their usefulness but linger on because they provide patronage
jobs for friends, under both democratic and republican administrations.
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( is the spelling swipe directed at moi?)
someone has to administer the worker’s comp system.
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Do you know for a fact that the DIA has not been evaluated, as you propose?
what the progressive democratic party position is on all
patronage hideouts aka independent quaisi independent and commissions that have outlived their original mandate.
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The progressive democrat position might, just might, be very different from the position of the entrenched group of democrats running the show behind the scenes.
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that someone made upthread and why you did not comment on that?
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I don’t think personal comments really have a place but since you are one of the founder maybe you can explain why blue mass group seem to ignore them?
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I really find it difficult to understand what the political position of this blog is?