Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Coakley channeling the NSA? New wiretapping bill would legalize mass wiretaps at switching stations

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At a time when rolling back federal surveillance programs seems particularly challenging, we can still have a major effect here at the state level. Recently, Attorney-General Martha Coakley proposed a new bill that would actually … [Read more...]

Reflecting on Aaron Swartz’s Death

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Aaron's death teaches us an important lesson about how the law operates here in 21st-century America. He was not the only local activist to be unnecessarily persecuted by government agencies. Laws relating to our Internet activities have … [Read more...]

On Living Up To Your Words, Or, Tornado? That’s Not In The Constitution.

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"...For that was not true; his attitude was not to be explained by greed, or at any rate by greed alone, but rather by the touchiness which his great labors and their complete unsuccess had bred in him." --From the story "The Village School … [Read more...]

DADT Update: The Service Chiefs Report, The Republicans Fret

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The Governments of the States Parties to this Constitution on behalf of their peoples declare: That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed; That ignorance of each … [Read more...]

On Monday Morning Philosophy, Or, Founders Tell America: “You Figure It Out”

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"...you see, all the majesty of worship that once adorned these fatal halls / was just a target for the angry as they blew up the Taj Mahal..." --From the song "Gasoline", by Sheryl Crow The reason this is coming up today is because I've … [Read more...]

On Taking It Back, Or, Wisconsin Recalls, Explained

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"I will tell you this: Any business where two partners don't trust each other, any business where one party says, 'You need to do X, Y and Z because I told you,' is a business that is not only not run well, it is a business that can never … [Read more...]

On Being A Titan, Part One, Or, See It, Say It, Sue It

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We have tomorrow Bright before us Like a flame. Yesterday, a night-gone thing A sun-down name. And dawn today Broad arch above the road we came. We march! --From "The New Negro", by Alain Locke So here's the deal, as it sits today: for a … [Read more...]

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