Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

  • Shop
  • Subscribe to BMG
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Front Page
  • All Posts
  • About
  • Rules
  • Events
  • Register on BMG

Two Men who Have Shown they are Serious about Leadership

April 29, 2009 By andytarsy

Two men who have shown they are serious about leadership: Congressman Jim McGovern and Governor Deval Patrick.

Is Rep. McGovern’s act of civil disobedience getting arrested at the Sudanese embassy in protest of the genocide in Darfur an act of leadership? You bet it is. First, because he is dead on right that the attempt by the Sudanese government to destroy groups of its own people simply cannot be tolerated; and second, because even with constituents facing hard times at home, Rep. McGovern is unwilling to shelve important humanitarian issues. Many pols today would skip that event, fearing it would play at home as if he is not focused on the economy. Both McGovern and his constituents are too smart for that and I am inspired by his symbolic and substantive action on Darfur.

Second, Governor Patrick has shown tremendous leadership by laying out for the legislature the urgency of the substantive agenda facing the Commonwealth. He is right to expect action on these issues, especially if we are going to have to raise some taxes to meet expenses in a devastating economy. Is there a reason these change items have not already been thoroughly debated by now, differences negotiated out, and bills passed and signed? No-one should take the Governor’s direct action on this issue as an insult. He is acting in the finest tradition of leadership, refusing to forget that we as citizens have called for action on ethics, pension, finance reform and other key issues.

Thank you Congressman McGovern and Governor Patrick for being leaders in a time when that is exactly what we need. I know there are others in positions of public office who are reading these two stories and wondering when their moment will come to take such a stand. I would strongly suggest that for all of our public officials, that moment is now—on both issues.

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0
0

Filed Under: User Tagged With: leadership, mcgovern, patrick

Comments

  1. scout says

    April 29, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    The comparison of McGovern getting arrested in support of a group of people who are being murdered by the thousands and Patrick putting out a press release and a youtube video in support of a budget based on gas tax as opposed to a sales tax is ridiculous both in terms of the both seriousness of the issue and the level of “leadership” displayed.

    • joets says

      April 29, 2009 at 11:57 pm

      Woohoo, Jim McGovern got arrested.  So…what now?  Nothing.  Granted, you guy hated his guts, but you haven’t had anyone in Congress who pushed more bills for Darfur intervention since Rick Santorum.  

      <

      p>Deval will veto that tax bill.  It might get overridden but it’s doing something – and – it’s effectual.  Jim McGovern can get arrested 7 days a week and nothing will happen.

      <

      p>I’m all in for Deval on this one.

    • charley-on-the-mta says

      April 30, 2009 at 8:10 am

      I don’t believe the poster is drawing any parallel between the issues, aside from the courage that he feels both are displaying. You are the one making comparison between Darfur and reform/taxation.

Recommended Posts

  • No posts liked yet.

Recent User Posts

Predictions Open Thread

December 22, 2022 By jconway

This is why I love Joe Biden

December 21, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Garland’s Word

December 19, 2022 By terrymcginty

Some Parting Thoughts

December 19, 2022 By jconway

Beware the latest grift

December 16, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Thank you, Blue Mass Group!

December 15, 2022 By methuenprogressive

Recent Comments

  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftSo where to, then??
  • Christopher on Some Parting ThoughtsI've enjoyed our discussions as well (but we have yet to…
  • Christopher on Beware the latest griftI can't imagine anyone of our ilk not already on Twitter…
  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftI will miss this site. Where are people going? Twitter?…
  • chrismatth on A valedictoryI joined BMG late - 13 years ago next month and three da…
  • SomervilleTom on Geopolitics of FusionEVERY un-designed, un-built, and un-tested technology is…
  • Charley on the MTA on A valedictoryThat’s a great idea, and I’ll be there on Sunday. It’s a…

Archive

@bluemassgroup on Twitter

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

From our sponsors




Google Calendar







Search

Archives

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter




Copyright © 2025 Owned and operated by BMG Media Empire LLC. Read the terms of use. Some rights reserved.