Weeks into the DiMasi trial the Democrats are desperate to change the subject. In Federal Court, we have seen the way business gets done on Beacon Hill. There is a code of silence in the Democratic machine. They think if they don't talk about it, it will go away. Well, it's not going away. We've already been through Wilkerson, Galluccio, Buonomo, and Marzelli. Up next after the DiMasi trial will be the probation department scandal and the mess in Lawrence City Hall. The DiMasi trial has shown us how state contracts get rigged, and the probation scandal will show us how political contributions grease the skids for state jobs.
The legislative leaders who voted to re-elect DiMasi as speaker even as federal agents were closing in cannot hide their vote. Those legislators who promoted applicants for state jobs with one hand and took campaign cash with another will not be able to hide. Those who supported the election of Mayor Lantigua in Lawrence, including Governor Patrick, Lt. Governor Murray and House Speaker DiLeo, will need to explain their continuing support and failure to act in the face of a federal investigation.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Editorial: Mr. Markey - Let my People Go!
The next time Joe Kennedy delivers oil to the elderly and the poor on behalf of his Citizens Energy, he should invite Congressman Markey to accompany him. For several years, Congressman Markey has been in the forefront of opposition to offshore and onshore oil drilling and oil and gas exploration studies. He has also voted against the construction of new oil refineries (there are no oil refineries north of New Jersey). Several years ago, he tried to shutdown the Seabrook nuclear plant but Congress voted against his proposal.
For "protectors of the environment" (who must delight OPEC) like Representative Markey, drilling in Alaska is a no-no, even though it could provide the nation with several years of crude oil independence and an eight-year supply of natural gas. All this by providing access to only 2,000 of Alaska's 20 million acres, - a mere 1/10,000th of the total area.
It should have been no surprise that drilling out a sea at depths at up to 5,000 feet is more dangerous and prone to catastrophe than doing so in the hundreds of safe sites closer to shore that Markey, Pelosi and their allies made off limits.
Weaning ourselves off foreign oil is essential to our national security. Last year, the U.S. consumed 300 billion gallons of oil, nearly two-thirds imported. About 86 percent of the world's oil is produced by foreign state-owned oil companies (as in Egypt and Libya). Exxon Mobil, the world's largest privately-owned oil company, owns only 1.08 percent of the world's oil reserves. Yet Markey consistently attacks them and hampers their oil exploration.
As the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, he circulated a memo to reporters in February stating: "Global unrest shows that oil is still a global commodity, with supplies still concentrated in the Middle East. Increased drilling in the United States would do nothing to immediately impact prices." Maybe so, Representative Markey, but with heating season only four months away how long would you like us to wait?
For "protectors of the environment" (who must delight OPEC) like Representative Markey, drilling in Alaska is a no-no, even though it could provide the nation with several years of crude oil independence and an eight-year supply of natural gas. All this by providing access to only 2,000 of Alaska's 20 million acres, - a mere 1/10,000th of the total area.
It should have been no surprise that drilling out a sea at depths at up to 5,000 feet is more dangerous and prone to catastrophe than doing so in the hundreds of safe sites closer to shore that Markey, Pelosi and their allies made off limits.
Weaning ourselves off foreign oil is essential to our national security. Last year, the U.S. consumed 300 billion gallons of oil, nearly two-thirds imported. About 86 percent of the world's oil is produced by foreign state-owned oil companies (as in Egypt and Libya). Exxon Mobil, the world's largest privately-owned oil company, owns only 1.08 percent of the world's oil reserves. Yet Markey consistently attacks them and hampers their oil exploration.
As the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, he circulated a memo to reporters in February stating: "Global unrest shows that oil is still a global commodity, with supplies still concentrated in the Middle East. Increased drilling in the United States would do nothing to immediately impact prices." Maybe so, Representative Markey, but with heating season only four months away how long would you like us to wait?
Friday, May 20, 2011
Barbara A. Laskey
Barbara A. Laskey a long-time member of the Medford Republican City Committee and Ward One Republican Committee died on Thursday May 19th. Beloved wife of committee member and Voter Registrar Richard M. Laskey, she was 77 years of age. Barbara was the mother of Frederick Laskey, Mother-in-Law of his wife Donna and Grandmother of Daniel, Christopher, Mathew and Geoffrey Laskey all members of the Ward Eight Republican Committee.
Barbara was also survived by her sons Richard M. Laskey Jr. and his wife Josephine, Kenneth Laskey and his wife April, and daughter Elizabeth Monteforte and her husband Alexander. She was a sister of Roland Johnson, Edward Johnson, the late Muriel Johnson, Robert Johnson and Hazel Newcomb. Barbara was also Grandmother to Richard III, Alexander, Kirsten and Emilee.
Funeral Services will be conducted in the First Congregational Church 26 County Road in Chelsea on Saturday May 21st at 11:00AM. Visitation hours will be held from 9:00 to 11:00AM at the church. Services will then conclude at the church. Regrets and sympathies are extended on behalf of the Committee to the entire Laskey family.
Barbara was also survived by her sons Richard M. Laskey Jr. and his wife Josephine, Kenneth Laskey and his wife April, and daughter Elizabeth Monteforte and her husband Alexander. She was a sister of Roland Johnson, Edward Johnson, the late Muriel Johnson, Robert Johnson and Hazel Newcomb. Barbara was also Grandmother to Richard III, Alexander, Kirsten and Emilee.
Funeral Services will be conducted in the First Congregational Church 26 County Road in Chelsea on Saturday May 21st at 11:00AM. Visitation hours will be held from 9:00 to 11:00AM at the church. Services will then conclude at the church. Regrets and sympathies are extended on behalf of the Committee to the entire Laskey family.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus at MassGOP Fundraiser
On Thursday evening April 28th, various State Committee Members including Second Middlesex State Committeeman Bernie Green, GOP elected officials, State Representative candidate Jim Dixon and his wife Laura, college Republicans, TARS State President Sean Harrington, and activists from across the state were on hand to hear from the RNC's new Chairman Reince Priebus. Priebus who appeared at one of a series of spring state GOP fundraisers highlighted the importance of supporting the MassGOP but not just to further Republican principles. Rather, he stressed that supporting the party is one way we can support our communities and strenghten Massachusetts.
Priebus also discussed the importance of our National Committee Members Jody Dow and Ron Kaufman saying they are both influential to his chairmanship. Charged with the mission of building trust with state parties, contributers and grass roots activists, Priebus noted that the outstanding debts of the RNC had been addressed and he pledged to be a formidable force in the 2012 elections.
Priebus also discussed the importance of our National Committee Members Jody Dow and Ron Kaufman saying they are both influential to his chairmanship. Charged with the mission of building trust with state parties, contributers and grass roots activists, Priebus noted that the outstanding debts of the RNC had been addressed and he pledged to be a formidable force in the 2012 elections.
Investigative Journalism still critically needed, Woodward says
Journalist and author Bob Woodward shared his thoughts and experiences on issues central to the American Presidentcy during at lecture in front of a fully packed Cohen Auditorium on April 25th. Woodward recounted his experiences investigating high-profile stories in Washington and interviewing American presidents and other top figures thoughout his career. The journalist keep his own remarks short in order to make room for extended questions-and-answers with the audience, pairing sobering commentary on serious political issues with humerous anecdotes about famous Washington personalities.
Woodward rose to national prominance for his coverage, alongside fellow Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein, of the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. Woodward told the audience that his biggest concern is "secret government," the concentration of power in the hands of the executive branch and the military and intelligence community that he called "breathtaking."
"Democracies die in darkness, and...if there is no accountability, then we are finished," Woodward said. The Nixon presidency and Watergate scandal, Woodward offered, were symptomatic of this mentality. "The tragedy of that ultimate secret government...was that no one ever said, 'What would be good for the country? What does the country need?"
Woodward spoke about the challenges and responsibilities journalists face in getting around the powerful "message machine" that controls the public face of many political figures, including Presidents. He estimated that the public knowledge of most presidential administrations is only a tiny fraction of the complete picture - "one percent," by former Vice-President Al Gore's calculations, according to Woodward.
Woodward discussed the extent to which journalists , like political figures they cover, can never fully understand the consequences of their actions and their legacies. Woodward added that former President George W. Bush had once commented to him, about his own legacy, "History-we don't know, we'll all be dead."
Several notable persons of interest have come to the Tufts campus in Medford recently after being invited to appear and speak at various venues at the University. Access to most events is limited to the College Students and Faculty, but a few limited opportunities to residents in the community are sometimes available. Among this spring's speakers and lecturers have been entertainer and comedian Bill Cosby, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and journalist and author Bob Woodward. "Of the three" according to Medford City Committee Chairman Bernie Green, "I enjoyed Bob Woodward the most for his insights about various Presidents since Nixon. Cosby was funny, but Pelosi gave a disjointed and boring presentation. I was not impressed by her presence either."
Woodward rose to national prominance for his coverage, alongside fellow Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein, of the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. Woodward told the audience that his biggest concern is "secret government," the concentration of power in the hands of the executive branch and the military and intelligence community that he called "breathtaking."
"Democracies die in darkness, and...if there is no accountability, then we are finished," Woodward said. The Nixon presidency and Watergate scandal, Woodward offered, were symptomatic of this mentality. "The tragedy of that ultimate secret government...was that no one ever said, 'What would be good for the country? What does the country need?"
Woodward spoke about the challenges and responsibilities journalists face in getting around the powerful "message machine" that controls the public face of many political figures, including Presidents. He estimated that the public knowledge of most presidential administrations is only a tiny fraction of the complete picture - "one percent," by former Vice-President Al Gore's calculations, according to Woodward.
Woodward discussed the extent to which journalists , like political figures they cover, can never fully understand the consequences of their actions and their legacies. Woodward added that former President George W. Bush had once commented to him, about his own legacy, "History-we don't know, we'll all be dead."
Several notable persons of interest have come to the Tufts campus in Medford recently after being invited to appear and speak at various venues at the University. Access to most events is limited to the College Students and Faculty, but a few limited opportunities to residents in the community are sometimes available. Among this spring's speakers and lecturers have been entertainer and comedian Bill Cosby, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and journalist and author Bob Woodward. "Of the three" according to Medford City Committee Chairman Bernie Green, "I enjoyed Bob Woodward the most for his insights about various Presidents since Nixon. Cosby was funny, but Pelosi gave a disjointed and boring presentation. I was not impressed by her presence either."
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tufts to build new Sports and Fitness Center
Tufts University will break ground for the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. The 42,000 square-foot center located on College Avenue in Medford, will feature a dramatic new central plaza leading into the heart of the new facilities, which will adjoin the existing Gancher Center and Cousins Gymnasium.
Click here to read the full story.
Click here to read the full story.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Big Labor fights back in Wisconsin and U.S.
The battle between public unions and taxpayers will define the next decade in most U.S. states, and this past week the union empire struck back in Wisconsin. Big Labor went all-out to seek revenge against Governor Scott Walker's public union reforms, when they made a serious effort to take over the state Supreme Court in that states recent close election between Justice David Prosser and liberal challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg.
At this time it appears that Justice Prosser has won re-election to the state Supreme Court. Until Gov. Walker's collective bargaining reform passed last month, incumbent Justice Prosser was a heavy favorite. Unions then turned it into a grudge match, with the union-backed Greater Wisconsin Committee alone spending $1,363,040 for Ms. Kloppenburg, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. The voter turnout of 1.5 million was nearly double the usual number of voters in a state Supreme Court election. Union efforts were aided by an unfortunate Wisconsin law that lets voters register immediately before casting a ballot. A similiar Minnesota law helped elect Democrat Al Franken narrowly win a Senate seat in 2008. Because identification requirements are scant, the law creates different standards at different polling places and is an invitation to fraud. These problems were apparent long before this last election. In 2008, a 67-page Milwaukee Police Department Report chronicled potentional fraud in the state's tally of voters in the 2004 Presidential election. Questionable voting by absentee ballot, voting by felons and disparities between votes cast and those counted were part of "an illegal organized attempt to influence the outcome of the election," the report noted. Gov. Walker and the GOP legislature blundered by not repealing same-day registration as an early priority.
In the event of a recount, the very liberal state Chief Justice Shirley Abrahanson will decide which circuit court judge will hear the dispute-though she ought to recuse herself. Ms. Kloppenburg interned for her early in her career, and a spat between Ms. Abrahanson and Justice Prosser that included intemperate comments by the latter became campaign foder for Ms. Kloppenburg. The Wisconsin high court is ofter split 4-3, and a Prosser loss will put liberals back in charge. Some Republicans will interpret a Prosser defeat, if it occurs, as proof they should never challenge public union power, but that is precisely what Big Labor wants. Once Prosser began to fight back, he made the race exceptionally close. Unions are never going to easily give up dominence over the public purse. The lesson of Wisconsin is to retool the reform message so taxpayers understand the stakes. The various labor and election reforms being considered or acted upon in other states will clearly be fought across the country for some time to come.
At this time it appears that Justice Prosser has won re-election to the state Supreme Court. Until Gov. Walker's collective bargaining reform passed last month, incumbent Justice Prosser was a heavy favorite. Unions then turned it into a grudge match, with the union-backed Greater Wisconsin Committee alone spending $1,363,040 for Ms. Kloppenburg, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. The voter turnout of 1.5 million was nearly double the usual number of voters in a state Supreme Court election. Union efforts were aided by an unfortunate Wisconsin law that lets voters register immediately before casting a ballot. A similiar Minnesota law helped elect Democrat Al Franken narrowly win a Senate seat in 2008. Because identification requirements are scant, the law creates different standards at different polling places and is an invitation to fraud. These problems were apparent long before this last election. In 2008, a 67-page Milwaukee Police Department Report chronicled potentional fraud in the state's tally of voters in the 2004 Presidential election. Questionable voting by absentee ballot, voting by felons and disparities between votes cast and those counted were part of "an illegal organized attempt to influence the outcome of the election," the report noted. Gov. Walker and the GOP legislature blundered by not repealing same-day registration as an early priority.
In the event of a recount, the very liberal state Chief Justice Shirley Abrahanson will decide which circuit court judge will hear the dispute-though she ought to recuse herself. Ms. Kloppenburg interned for her early in her career, and a spat between Ms. Abrahanson and Justice Prosser that included intemperate comments by the latter became campaign foder for Ms. Kloppenburg. The Wisconsin high court is ofter split 4-3, and a Prosser loss will put liberals back in charge. Some Republicans will interpret a Prosser defeat, if it occurs, as proof they should never challenge public union power, but that is precisely what Big Labor wants. Once Prosser began to fight back, he made the race exceptionally close. Unions are never going to easily give up dominence over the public purse. The lesson of Wisconsin is to retool the reform message so taxpayers understand the stakes. The various labor and election reforms being considered or acted upon in other states will clearly be fought across the country for some time to come.
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