Some background first. Faculty and staff at UMass get no raises except through new contracts, which normally come every three years. If the state doesn't want to pay raises, they can simply stall negotiations and the old … [Read more...]
NH Update: Join the Hordes, Buy a Lawn Sign!
Two weeks ago I did my first canvass for Obama in Keene, NH. Today when I showed up at 10:00 there were at least 50 and perhaps 100 volunteer canvassers! This gave the campaign the capacity to get beyond the small city of Keene … [Read more...]
Robopolled Again! (Rasmussen)
Is it more important to lower energy prices or to safeguard the environment? Environment Who is winning the war on terror, US/allies or terrorists? Neither Is Iraq the central front of the war on terror? Is Afghanistan? I said … [Read more...]
Politics in the Pulpit
[cross-posted to MyDD] My Unitarian Univeralist congregation, the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, has lay-led services over the summer since we largely give the minister the summer off. I've been leading one service … [Read more...]
A UMass student in the House?
The Daily Collegian, UMass Amherst's student-run paper, reports that UMass senior political science major Matt Giancola will enter the Democratic primary for the 4th Middlesex state rep seat now held by Rep. Stephen LeDuc. "The 4th … [Read more...]
I’ve been robopolled!
A machine from WBZ-TV phoned me this evening and asked me a minute's worth of questions for a story to run soon, keyed apparently to Gov. Patrick's big speech on the economy. The questions and my answers, apart from demographics: Do … [Read more...]
JRE closes in Keene
I particularly liked JRE's responses to the three questions. The first was about China, where he vowed to be tougher on trade, safety regulation of imports, environmental and labor standards in trade agreements, etc. The second … [Read more...]
Fear and Loathing in the Great and General Court
The Globe has two stories today on the MA house: First, Frank Phillips reports that sharks are circling in advance of DiMasi's possible departure, and the clearest heir apparent, John Rogers (D-Norwood) has upset DiMasi with his … [Read more...]
John Edwards in Keene
[cross-posted at MyDD]I finally got to see John Edwards in person at today's community meeting in Keene. The audience of about 300 people were serious people -- they looked to me like undecided or leaning Dem primary voters. … [Read more...]
Transcript of UMass meeting last week
The Amherst Bulletin has posted a transcript of last Thursday's UMass Amherst Faculty Senate discussion of President Wilson's announced personnel changes and reorganization. This includes skeptical faculty questions and Sen. Stan … [Read more...]