Op-Ed Columnist

Who Is to Blame for the Next Attack?

By FRANK RICH

AFTER watching the farce surrounding Dick Cheney’s coming-out party this month, you have to wonder: Which will reach Washington first, change or the terrorists? If change doesn’t arrive soon, terrorists may well rush in where the capital’s fools now tread.

The Beltway antics that greeted the great Cheney-Obama torture debate were an unsettling return to the post-9/11 dynamic that landed America in Iraq. Once again Cheney and his cohort were using lies and fear to try to gain political advantage — this time to rewrite history and escape accountability for the failed Bush presidency rather than to drum up a new war. Once again Democrats in Congress were cowed. And once again too much of the so-called liberal news media parroted the right’s scare tactics, putting America’s real security interests at risk by failing to challenge any Washington politician carrying a big stick.

The entire piece http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/opinion/31rich.html

Governor Patrick to Visit Newburyport

May 25, 2009 - For immediate release:

Governor Patrick Announces Summer Town Hall Meeting Tour

Governor will hold 15 town hall meetings across the Commonwealth

BOSTON– Monday, May 25, 2009 – Keeping to his commitment to encourage civic engagement and to be Governor of the whole Commonwealth, Governor Deval Patrick announced today he will embark on a summer town hall meeting tour across Massachusetts, starting on Tuesday, May 26th.

“As we work to overcome the challenges of today, it is important that the citizens of the Commonwealth are involved in the process,” said Governor Patrick. “I look forward to this opportunity to learn how state government can better serve its people.”

The meetings are part of Governor Patrick’s efforts to make state government accessible for all people in the Commonwealth. The Governor will host 15 town hall meetings this summer and he encourages all to come and share in the discussion. Last year, the Governor held town hall meetings in Salem, Hull, Amesbury, Holyoke, Milton, Webster, Rehoboth, Athol, Great Barrington, and Hyannis.

The town hall-style meetings are open to the public, giving residents a chance to talk directly to Governor Patrick about issues they care about most, including the economy, the state’s budget challenges, and the Governor’s efforts to push for reforms on Beacon Hill.For more information, visit www.mass.gov/governor/townhall.

Town Hall Meeting Schedule:

Additional Venues TBA

• Tuesday, May 26^th, 6:30 p.m. Dennis, Village Green (1006 Old Bass River Road)
• Sunday, June 7^th, 5:30 p.m. Randolph, Robert C. Williams Gazebo (corner of North and Pleasant Streets)
• Tuesday, June 16^th, 6:30 p.m. Needham, Town Hall Green (1471 Highland Avenue)
• Monday, June 22^nd, 7:00 p.m. Arlington, Robbin Farm Park (51 Eastern Avenue)
• Monday, June 29^th, 6:30 p.m. Lynn
• Wednesday, July 8^th, 6:30 p.m. Shrewsbury
• Tuesday, July 14^th, 6:30 p.m. Adams
• Thursday, July 16^th, 6:30 p.m. Pembroke
• Tuesday, July 21^st, 6:30 p.m. Newburyport
• Thursday, July 23^rd, 6:30 p.m. Grove Hall
• Wednesday, July 29^th, 6:30 p.m. Wareham
• Tuesday, August 4^th, 6:30 p.m. Groton
• Thursday, August 6^th, 6:30 p.m. Chicopee
• Tuesday, August 11^th, 6:30 p.m. Pittsfield
• Thursday, August 13^th, 6:30 p.m. Sharon

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Democratic infighting escalates as Patrick digs in - The Boston Globe

Democratic infighting escalates as Patrick digs in - The Boston Globe

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Senator Baddour Hosts Round Table Discussion

Contact: Jeevan Ramapriya

(617) 722-1604

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Senator Baddour Hosts Round Table Discussion with Budget Experts

for Local Leaders and Interested Citizens

May 5, 2009, Boston, MA - State Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen) today announced that he is hosting an open forum on the "State of the Economy and the Massachusetts Budget". This event will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, at Northern Essex Community College's Technology Center in Room 103A from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Haverhill. The discussion will be a lively, crossfire-type debate among some of the State's foremost budget authorities including:

State Treasurer Timothy Cahill	Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Prof. Alan Clayton-Matthews	University of Massachusetts at Boston
Michael Widmer, President	Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation

Understanding the Commonwealth is in a fiscal crisis due to global recession, Senator Baddour has committed not to increase the state budget through additional local earmarks. "We're in a fiscal crisis, and we must to act appropriately. Tough times call for tough decisions," Baddour said. "Since everyone will be affected in some way by the budget crisis, it is important that local leaders and concerned citizens learn as much as possible about the difficult decisions that we as a community are facing right now," said Senator Baddour. "I hope that this forum will provide the public an opportunity to learn more about our options and ask some tough questions."

The event is open to the public. Anyone with questions can call Senator Baddour's office at 617-722-1604.

Obama's Approval Ratings

Greater Newburyport Obama's 100 Days, Sat May 2

A splendid time was had by all sign-holders and the vast majority of pedestrians and drivers who gave a honk and/or thumbs up....with the exception of a middle-finger-waving Volvo-driving gentleman. And we do have the photographic proof;-)!




In contrast to the expectations of some commenters to the Newburyport Daily News (see http://www.newburyportnews.com/permalink/local_story_119230428.html), very few "Euro-Socialists" or "Moonbats" were present. Koolaid was not served, but the tea was excellent.