And Now for Something Completely Different...

a post from Blue Mass Group...very funny stuff


http://bluemassgroup.com/diary/18031/and-now-for-something-completely-different

Newburyport Results

Newburyport Results

Dems

Coakley 1250

Capuano 757

Khazei 436

Pagliuca 241

Republicans

Brown 679

Robinson 40

onward!

Democratic Senate Election Roundup

Yes, vote on Tuesday, Dec 8th.

Where do you vote?
Look here

Candidate Websites:
http://www.mikecapuano.com/
http://marthacoakley.com/
http://www.alanforsenate.com/
http://www.stevepagliuca.com/


Here are endorsements from the candidate websites to help you think through your decision if you haven't already made it. In alphabetical order:

Mike Capuano
Unions
Elected Officials and Ed Cameron
Newspapers and Bloggers


Martha Coakley
Organizations, Elected Officials, Leaders, Media

Alan Khazei
Media

Steve Pagliuca
Media

May the best Democratic Candidate win! Then, onward we go to Jan 19 for the final election against the Republican nominee.

Khazei

Posted per request of NDCC Member Nancy Peace....

BOSTON GLOBE

GLOBE EDITORIAL

For Democrats - Alan Khazei for Senate

November 29, 2009

ONE MAN’S talents and fame are not the only reasons why the US Senate seat being filled in January is legendary. The seat is the vehicle for promoting the ideas of a vast network of Massachusetts leaders in fields as varied as health care, science, law, and, of course, politics. Just as this state is a testing ground for national policies, a senator from Massachusetts should be a leader and an innovator, and an exemplar of the Commonwealth’s tradition of progressive values and independent thought.

The chance to replace one of history’s greatest legislators, Ted Kennedy, attracted a diverse field of Democrats. Predictably, none matches Kennedy’s ability to represent both evergreen values and futuristic thinking. Each comes from a different strand of Massachusetts’ leadership network: business, law, government, and citizen activism. Each represents a cylinder of the state’s policy engine but not the whole machine.

Any new senator will have to grow in the job. Voters must decide who has the capacity to become a great senator in his or her own right, and fully vindicate the interests of their Massachusetts constituents.

With high hopes, the Globe endorses Alan Khazei, the prime mover behind national-service policies, as Massachusetts’ best chance to produce another great senator.

The 48-year-old Khazei offers a strong vision for success in the Senate, channeling the energy of activist groups and private-sector policy incubators while dedicating himself to the laborious task of building legislative coalitions.

He offers a time-tested and relevant example of this approach: his two decades of work bringing together politicians of both parties and citizen-activists to develop a national service plan. The recent service bill named for Kennedy and providing for 250,000 volunteers in a domestic Peace Corps is largely the fruit of his labors.

Khazei promises to apply the same principles to other issues, believing that building a grass-roots network for change while demonstrating both commitment and a willingness to compromise in pursuit of common ground can break down political barriers. This isn’t just hopeful rhetoric. Khazei speaks admiringly of streetwise education reformers who, having seen challenging conditions in urban classrooms, dreamed up such innovations as charter schools and Teach for America. Along the way, these activists had to elbow their way around established interest groups that tried to squeeze them out of the policy debate. With the support of an energetic and idealistic senator, public policy can flourish.

Extended to issues like health care, the environment, energy, and job training, this entrepreneurial model of progressive politics offers hope for real improvements. It moves away from Reagan-era skepticism about government without relying on traditional government programs to provide all the answers.

In supporting Khazei, the Globe believes that this state’s future depends on new ideas. The next Massachusetts senator should be the person who best embodies forward-looking thinking, and not the traditional paths to power.

All of Khazei’s Democratic rivals are impressive in their own realms. Representative Michael Capuano proudly combines a bring-home-the-bacon approach to politics and a steadfast independence exemplified by his votes against the Iraq war and the Patriot Act.

Capuano traces his virtues to his working-class roots. Despite his close family, Ivy League education, and successful career in Congress, he believes himself to be underestimated and type-cast because of his Somerville upbringing. He often expresses a sense of class-based anger. Any such us-against-them attitude is inherently divisive, and makes a deeply admirable quality - his desire to stand up for average people - seem more like personal grievance. Capuano could well broaden his approach in the Senate, but his decision to base his current campaign on populist anger suggests that he doesn’t really want to change.

Attorney General Martha Coakley, by contrast, is measured and analytical. An exemplary public servant, Coakley has spent her life in law enforcement, as a prosecutor and, for the past three years, as the state’s top public advocate.

She combines a no-nonsense courtroom demeanor with a down-to-earth reasonableness - a personality that would play well in the Senate. But she hasn’t displayed as much policy drive and legislative energy as her rivals; her approach to a proposed second stimulus plan is to wait and test the effectiveness of the first one. It’s a responsible, perhaps even refreshing, instinct, but one more befitting an AG than a senator confronting the worst job picture since the Great Depression.

Private-equity partner Stephen Pagliuca promises to apply his business acumen to the economy, and if he were running for governor, his experience sizing up companies would be directly transferable to the public realm. As a senator, he would be in a position of advising his colleagues on business and health care policy, another of his specialties.

A wealthy man, Pagliuca sincerely wishes to give back to his community, a spirit that animates both his part-ownership of the Boston Celtics and his commitment to helping build a life-sciences center in Allston. He comes across less as a senator than as a builder or entrepreneur. Pagliuca would be a valuable adviser to the next senator, but an imperfect fit for the job itself.

Khazei, for his part, is also a risk. His policy background is unconventional, and he was unknown to most voters before launching his short campaign. But in choosing a senator who could end up serving a long time, Massachusetts should concentrate on a candidate’s potential, as much as any other single factor.

All four Democrats are likely to vote the same way on most major issues. The differences lie in leadership and personal style. In both, Khazei’s brimming potential stands out.

At this moment, he is more of an impassioned amateur than a seasoned pro. But his energy, idealism, and intelligence - combined with a grounded sense of how the Senate works - is unusual, and gives voters a chance to support a new, home-grown approach to politics. He isn’t trying to line up just enough constituencies to eke out a win; he’s asking voters to sign on to a vision - a less top-down, less programmatic way of improving people’s lives. His emphasis on capturing the energy of private initiatives and translating it into the conventions of the Senate feels rooted in Massachusetts and the Kennedy legacy, but also appropriate to this moment in history.

Senate Candidate Profiles on WBUR

Some WBUR stories on the candidates.... Apparently they haven't run a story on Khazei yet so I've included the profile from WBUR.

Mike Capuano: The Pragmatic Reformer

http://www.wbur.org/2009/11/25/capuano-profile

In High-Profile Prosecutions, Martha Coakley Made Her Name

http://www.wbur.org/2009/09/09/martha-coakley-background

Alan Khazei (D)

Alan Khazei

Alan Khazei is a community activist whose efforts have received national attention.

• In 1988, co-founded City Year, a Boston-based organization that engages young people across the country in a year of service to their communities. Former President Bill Clinton used City Year as a model to create the Americorps program.
• Attended Harvard Law School, but never practiced law. Instead, he created City Year to give people an opportunity to give back.
• After 20 years at City Year, Khazei left to found Be the Change, a group devoted to building a broad-based online movement that promotes active citizenship.
• Never ran for public office

Campaign Web site:Alanforsenate.com

Stephen Pagliuca: A Study In Contrasts

http://www.wbur.org/2009/11/24/senate-defining-situation-pagliuca

Charter Commission Meeting

The nine new Charter Commission members have met and have chosen Steve Cole as Chair, Kathleen Bailey as Vice Chair, and Sheila Mullins as Clerk.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday November 24 at 7 p.m. at the City Hall Auditorium. The meeting is open to the public as will be all Charter Commission meetings. The public is most encouraged to attend.

Charter Commission Candidate Forum

The Newburyport Democratic City Committee will be sponsoring a forum for all Charter Commission Candidates on Tuesday, 10/27 at 7PM at City Hall Auditorium. This will be nonpartisan much like the event for Mayoral and Council candidates sponsored by the Newburyport Republicans earlier this fall.

Hope to see you there.

The Newburyport Charter Review blog is at http://newburyportcharterreview.wordpress.com/

And please check out the new page "The Candidates" which features short bio's for all 20 candidates.

Please spread the word on Question 1 on the Newburyport Ballot!!!

Obama for Deval

http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/17415/president-obamas-comments-at-governor-patricks-reception

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT GOVERNOR PATRICK FUNDRAISING RECEPTION

Westin Copley
Boston, Massachusetts

1:58 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody!

AUDIENCE: Hello!

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you hear a lot of politicians saying they're
going to be quick -- (laughter) -- and then they go on and on. They
say, "One last thing," "In conclusion." Deval is a man of his word.
(Laughter.) He says he's going to be quick and he's quick.
(Laughter.)

I am so thrilled to be here today with the Governor and Lieutenant
Governor. And at the outset I just want to say -- tell people a
little story -- I may have mentioned this to some other people before.
I had just been elected to the United States Senate -- and when I
first started running for the U.S. Senate not a lot of people knew me
and, let's face it, none of you could pronounce my name. (Laughter.)
When I came to Boston to speak at the convention everybody said "Huh?"
You know, "Why him?" and all those questions.

But I will tell you, Deval Patrick knew my name; in fact, he had
supported me, one of my earliest supporters outside of Illinois during
that race. We had become friends because of some associations that he
had with the Justice Department and we had had a chance to meet. And
I immediately thought, this is just a class act -- and the fact that
he had some Chicago roots and had worked himself up from -- you know,
from tough circumstances to achieve the extraordinary things that he
achieved I think made him that much more appealing to me.

Anyway, I win the race and I'm in Washington, I've just gotten my
office set up. And suddenly Deval says, listen, I want to come down
and just talk to you about some things. He comes down and he says,
I've decided to run for governor. And I'm thinking to myself, now, he
took a chance on me when I didn't have a chance and, frankly, I don't
think he has a chance. (Laughter.) But what could I do? I mean, he
had already, you know, put himself out there in one hopeless cause,
the least I could do was reciprocate. (Laughter.)

The truth is, though, actually, the minute he started getting
organized I said to myself, he is going to win. And the reason was is
that there's a core integrity about Deval, a sense that he wants to do
the right thing and he is going to be tenacious in pursuit of the
right thing; that he's going to speak truth to power -- (applause) --
that he's not going to back down; that besides being extraordinarily
gracious and just a good man, he's somebody who has a vision for the
future that can excite people.

And so I slowly watched here in Massachusetts as this incredible
grassroots movement began to build and people from all walks of life
and all corners of the commonwealth started to converge and say, you
know, we thought he was Irish -- "Patrick" -- (laughter) -- he's not,
but we like him anyway. (Laughter.)

And now what you've seen in addition to a extraordinary campaigner and
an extraordinary campaign culminating in victory, are the fruits of
that labor. The fact of the matter is, is that since Deval took
office he has performed extraordinary things under extraordinarily
difficult circumstances. There's not a tougher time to be governor
than right now. And yet without losing his cool, without losing that
steady inner calm that he has, Deval has gone about the business
pushing through historic ethics reforms here in Massachusetts, working
with his terrific lieutenant governor he's made sure that education
isn't shortchanged, that this commonwealth ends up being a leader in
clean energy and biotech and all the innovative areas that are
ultimately going to determine how well we're able to compete around
the world.

And as a consequence there really should be no doubt that this guy
gets a second term. (Applause.) There really should be no doubt that
this guy gets a second term. (Applause.)

But having said that, let's be honest -- this is going to be a tough
race. Reelection is not a foregone conclusion, because times are
tough and Deval is the first one to acknowledge that there are a lot
of people hurting out there. And although he and I are partners in
making sure that we are continuing to fund basic research and we're
continuing to fund education and we are implementing health care
reform in a way that works for ordinary families, the fact of the
matter is, is that when people look at a high unemployment rate and
they look at tough budget decisions that have to be made the argument
that, "Well, things would be a lot worse if it weren't for Deval" and
"things are going to be a lot better as a consequence of Deval" --
that argument is a tough one to make.

It's a lot easier to be irresponsible. It's a lot easier to push off
tough decisions. It's a lot easier to just say, let's just manage the
status quo as best we can and spend a lot of time pointing fingers and
blaming others for why we're not getting things done.

And so the question I guess that I'm going to have for all of you --
and I'm going to have a chance to speak to the larger group so I'm not
going to make this a long speech -- but to these folks here who are
some of the core supporters, early investors in Deval's vision, the
question I have for you is, were you in this just for the glamour and
the excitement? (Laughter.) Were you along for the ride just when it
was easy? Or did you really believe in what Deval was talking about?
Did you really believe that, you know, there was a gap between what
could be accomplished in this state and the status quo and an
understanding that it was going to take an enormous amount of effort
and there were going to be a lot of ups and downs in order to close
that gap.

If you really believed, if you understood fully the scope of Deval's
vision, what he was talking about in terms of moving Massachusetts
forward, then this should be an energizing moment. This should be a
time where you are really feeling good. Because you are ready then to
enter into battle on behalf of that vision. It's going to take a lot
of work. We're going to have to make sure that the same kind of
excitement, the same kind of energy that was displayed the first time
around is replicated on behalf of governance. And campaigning before
you're governor is always easy because everybody projects onto you
whatever it is that they think should happen. Governance, that
involves detail, that involves making tough choices, that means
inheriting problems and having to grapple with them.

It means -- governing means that you are having to prioritize. And
you also begin to recognize that transformation doesn't occur
overnight. I was having a conversation I think with some world
leaders at the G20 summit, and the discussion was around climate
change and the fact that we're now moving, the United States, to the
forefront, to leadership, as opposed to being in the caboose when it
came to trying to deal with climate change. And some countries were
feeling a little bit impatient, "Can't you get this done now?" "Why
haven't we already affirmed the science that exists out there?"

I said, look, the United States is like an ocean liner. It's not a
speed boat. If we make a shift of five degrees or 10 degrees, 10
years down the road, 15 years down the road you're going to look back
and we're going to be in a very different place than we otherwise
would have been. And we have to have that long-term vision about
where we're going.

Well, states are just like the country as a whole. And I am
absolutely confident that as a consequence of the tough decisions that
this governor is making right now, Massachusetts five years, 10 years,
15, 20 years down the road is going to be a much better place. And
that's what we're fighting for. (Applause.) We're fighting for --
what Deval is fighting for here is the same thing we're fighting for
all across the country. Some pretty simple things -- complicated to
execute, but pretty simple concepts.

We want every child in America to have a world-class education so they
can compete for any job in the world. That's goal number one.
(Applause.) We want a health care system that is efficient and
effective so that people are actually getting their money's worth,
that families are not bankrupt because they get sick and governments
are not bankrupt because all the money is going to insurance companies
and drug companies. (Applause.) We want to make sure -- we want to
make sure that we are at the forefront of clean energy and producing
millions of jobs in solar and wind and biodiesel. (Applause.) We
want to make sure that we are creating jobs for the future -- not
low-wage jobs, not just jobs at the bottom rungs of the service
sector, although we want to make sure that those jobs are paying a
living wage and have decent benefits. But we also want to make sure
that we're creating the jobs, building a new smart grid and laying
broadband line all across this country.

That's the vision that we're looking for. We want to make sure that
everybody can retire with some dignity and some respect. And all
those things are achievable, but it's going to take some work. So I
just want all of you to understand that the road between now and next
November is going to be long, there are going to be lots of ups and
downs. Because Deval is continuing to govern he's not just going to
shift into political mode, even though some of his political advisors
may tell him to -- this is actually one of the few flaws of this man,
is he doesn't always take direction -- (laughter) -- as well as he
should.

So he's going to still be governing, he's still going to be making
some choices. Some of them may not be popular. But if all of you
recognize that his core vision is right, that his integrity remains
intact, that he is not tired, he's energized, he's ready to go, he's
still fired up -- if all of you have that same spirit then I'm
absolutely confident that this team right here is going to win.
(Applause.)

And I just want you to understand -- and the last thing I'm going to
tell you, I want everybody to understand this, that what happens in
Massachusetts is going to have implications all across the country. I
cannot succeed as President unless I've got good partners at the state
level. And frankly, people on Capitol Hill, they watch the tea
leaves, and they say, well, gosh, if the kind of governor who's
implementing universal health care in Massachusetts, and if the kind
of governor who's making sure that education funding is flowing
steadily, if the kind of governor who is prioritizing clean energy and
basic research and technology -- if that kind of governor isn't
rewarded then maybe I shouldn't, as a member of Congress or as a
senator, take some chances and take some tough stance in pursuit of
that same vision.

And when the people of states reward courageous, hardworking governors
like that, that has implications for our national politics as a whole.
So I just hope everybody here understands what a precious thing you
have in Governor Deval Patrick, and that you are going to be working
as hard as you can and as sustained a way as you can in the months to
come in order to make sure that he has another four years to do
extraordinary service for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Thank you, everybody. (Applause.)

This Sunday: U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum

U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum

Sunday, October 18, 2009, 2:30-5:00PM

Rogers Center, Merrimack College, North Andover MA

Hear from the candidates in person and question them about their positions on critical issues facing our state and our country. Each candidate will have 30 minutes to address the audience and will take moderated questions from the audience and local media.

Admission to the forum is free, but if you would like to reserve seats, please email NorthAndoverDems@gmail.com.

Organized by the North Andover Democratic Town Committee in partnership with WCAP 980AM and sponsored by the 1st Essex-Middlesex Coalition, Greater Lowell Area Democrats, and Democratic City and Town Committees across the North Shore and Merrimack Valley.

14

Dear Friends,

14

That is the number of times Republican Governor Mitt Romney signed an "emergency letter" to make a law passed by the legislature effective immediately. 14 times he used his rightful and legal authority to immediately enact a law rather than wait the usual 90 days.

But even Romney's well-known history of signing emergency letters couldn't stop his own Party, the Massachusetts Republican Party, from trying to get a court injunction when Governor Patrick signed the critical one that ensured Massachusetts would have two voices in the US Senate.

No, instead the Republican Party once again chose politics over principles and brought forth a lawsuit. Fortunately, the Superior Court rejected their case, based on the law, not politics.

The Republicans failed actions were a serious disservice to the people of our state. Massachusetts needs two, strong voices in the Senate to help us create jobs, protect our health care coverage and work with constituents who need help. That work cannot wait until next month or next year. The people of Massachusetts deserve to have their interests represented in Washington until they decide on a new senator in just a few short months.

With this action today, the Republican Party and its candidates have proven that they will always be the party that just says no: no to new jobs, no to protecting health care, no to dealing with our climate change issues, and no to any citizen who may need the help of two US senators.

Sincerely,

John Walsh
Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party

Who wants to be a senator? - The Boston Globe

Who wants to be a senator? - The Boston Globe

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Will Special Interests Stymie Health-Care Reform?

Will Special Interests Stymie Health-Care Reform?

Message from Congressman Tierney on the special election for U.S. Senate

September 14, 2009

Dear Edward,

Since the passing of Senator Kennedy, a great number of people have kindly urged me to run for the United States Senate. Such an opportunity comes open perhaps only once in one's life time.  I have given the matter serious consideration and, while thankful for all of the confidence shown, determined that, at this time, I can best be of service in the U.S. House of Representatives – continuing to work to make education more affordable and accessible, to build and strengthen our nation's workforce, to enact meaningful health care reform and to ensure we have a pragmatic foreign policy. These and other serious matters must be addressed in the coming weeks and months and they, along with my constituents, warrant my full attention. Today I am stating that I shall not be a candidate in the special election for the U.S. Senate.
 
I love my present job and am very proud of the constituent service work that has, I believe, earned my office the reputation as one of the most responsive and effective. I am equally proud of the policy work done in the past and now in progress. Over the years, the people of the 6th District have honored me by allowing me to serve, and, in turn, I have been able to engage in and positively impact the important issues facing this district, Massachusetts, and the country. My seniority, position on committees, strong relationships, and experience create the ability to weigh in on significant matters.
 
On the Education and Labor Committee, I have been able to help shape education policy from pre-K through college and adult learning, and was able to be one of the key authors of the re-authorization of the Higher Education Act that increased affordability and access for students and made campuses more accountable to families. The Green Jobs Act, authored with now Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, was passed and recently funded to ensure workers today are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. More important work remains to retrain and equip workers in new industries. To that end, I am thoroughly involved in modernizing the Workforce Investment Act and other policies to address our country's economic situation.
 
As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and as Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Policy, I have been deeply involved in national security issues concerning our safety here at home and our involvement in the world community, including Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ensuring the safety of Americans at home, and overseeing the expenditure of a sizable national security budget exposed to potential and real waste, fraud, and abuse is an ongoing responsibility. Legislation I introduced led to the creation of the Commission on Wartime Contracting. Subsequently as Subcommittee Chairman, I worked to improve the conditions for our injured service members at Walter Reed and other military hospitals. This important work continues.
 
While it is no doubt an honor to serve in the Senate, I consider it every bit as much of an honor to serve in the "People's House," and I do not think it best to divert attention at this crucial time from those responsibilities over many months as would be required by a candidacy.
 
I want to thank everyone who so generously encouraged me to consider the race, and who continue to support me in my efforts in the House. I look forward to continuing the serious work there, and at the appropriate time to offering myself again for re-election as representative of the terrific people in this district. Finally, of course, I thank my wife, Patrice, and all of my family for their continued support.

With warmest regards,

John Tierney

Paid for by John Tierney for Congress

Tierney for Congress
P.O. Box 8013
Salem, MA 01970

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From Blue Mass Group: Weekly Joke Revue

Gotta love that Glenn Beck

http://bluemassgroup.com/diary/16747/weekly-joke-revue

Tierney considers Senate run - Peabody, MA - North Shore

Tierney considers Senate run - Peabody, MA - North Shore Sunday

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City Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the Newburyport Democratic City Committee is Wednesday, September 9 at the Newburyport Public Library at 7pm.

All Newburyport Democrats are welcome to attend. Democrats wishing to be become members from their respective wards are welcome.

For further information, email Ed Cameron, Chair of the Newburyport City Committee, at edcameronNBPT@gmail.com.

Accomplishments of Senator Kennedy

From the Senate website:

Senator Kennedy has authored more than 2,500 bills throughout his career in the United
States Senate. Of those bills, several hundred have become Public Law. Below is a sample of some
of those laws, which have made a significant difference in the quality of life for the American
people.

Click on the link here:

http://kennedy.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Kennedy%20Accomplishments.pdf

Ted Kennedy Arrangements

Dear Democrat:

Yesterday was a very sad day for all of us. Senator Kennedy's passing makes us all pause to remember fondly times when he or his work impacted us personally. Over the course of the last 24 hours, the State Party's office has been inundated with calls requesting information and people looking for ways to express their love for Senator Kennedy. As a Democratic leader, I am sure you are also receiving these kinds of requests so I wanted to be sure you have all the information you need and to alert you to opportunities to remember Senator Kennedy.

Arrangements

For all updated information regarding arrangements and to celebrate the life and work of Senator Edward M. Kennedy please visit www.tedkennedy.org. Motorcade information is below.

The public is invited to participate in services in honor of Senator Kennedy. The Massachusetts Democratic Party would like to ask you to join us today along the motorcade route as we pay tribute to Senator Kennedy.

The motorcade will depart the Cape at 1:00 PM and travel north to Boston on Route 93. They will exit at Government Center, and travel down Hanover St. into the North End, past St. Stephen’s Church, where his mother Rose was baptized and her funeral Mass celebrated.

Continuing down Hanover St. and crossing over the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, the park Senator Kennedy joined community leaders in creating that gives mothers and their children green space in the heart of the city. The park sits on the same land young Rose Fitzgerald enjoyed as a child. Senator Kennedy will pass Faneuil Hall where Mayor Menino will ring the bell 47 times.

Continuing to Bowdoin Street, Senator Kennedy will pass 122 Bowdoin, where he opened his first office as an Assistant District Attorney and President Kennedy lived while running for Congress in 1946.

He’ll pass the JFK Federal Building where his Boston office has stood for decades, and then travel to Dorchester Street into South Boston and to the JFK Presidential Library.

People who wish to honor Senator Kennedy are urged to line the motorcade route at the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, City Hall Plaza and the Boston Common, in front of the State House on Park Street.

Books of Condolence

At least three options exist for people to send their best wishes to the Senator's family:

The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum - In remembrance of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the library will have condolence books available until Friday September 4th for the public to sign during normal Museum operating hours, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Massachusetts State House - In remembrance of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Secretary of State William Galvin has placed a condolence book at the State House in the Hall of Flags for the public to sign during normal business hours through Friday August 28th.

Democratic Leaders - If getting to Boston is not easy for you, the Massachusetts Democratic Party is collecting the thoughts, memories and condolences of citizens from around the country and we will deliver them to the Kennedy family. You can do so online by [clicking here] .

Thank you,
John Walsh

Ted Kennedy's Humanity by E. J. Dionne

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/26/AR2009082601895.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR

Ted Kennedy's Humanity

By E.J. Dionne Jr.
Thursday, August 27, 2009

Ted Kennedy was treasured by liberals, loved by many of his conservative colleagues, revered by African Americans and Latinos, respected by hard-bitten political bosses, admired by students of the legislative process, and cherished by those who constituted the finest cadre of staff members ever assembled on Capitol Hill.

The Kennedy paradox is that he managed to be esteemed by almost everyone without ever becoming all things to all people. He stood for large purposes, unequivocally and unapologetically, and took hard stands. Yet he made it his business to get work done with anyone who would toil along with him. He was a friend, colleague and human being before he was an ideologue or partisan, even though he was a joyful liberal and an implacable Democrat.

He suffered profoundly, made large mistakes and was, to say the least, imperfect. But the suffering and the failures fed a humane humility that led him to reach out to others who fell, to empathize with those burdened by pain, to understand human folly and to appreciate the quest for redemption.

That made him a rarity in politics. Never pretending that he knew everything, he had a magnetic draw for talented people who stayed with him for years. He trusted them and gave them room to shine. Their guidance and his own intelligence and feverish work made him one of the greatest senators in history.

There was another Kennedy paradox: Precisely because he knew so clearly what he wanted and where he wished the country to move, he could strike deals with Republicans far outside his philosophical comfort zone.

He worked with Orrin Hatch, one of his dearest friends, to bring health coverage to millions of children; with George W. Bush on education reform; with Lamar Alexander and Mike Enzi to improve child care; with John McCain on immigration reform. It was hard to find a Republican senator Kennedy had not worked with at some point during his nearly 47 years in Washington.

Kennedy's willingness to cross party lines only enhanced his credibility when he needed to stand alone as a progressive prophet. In early 2003, while so many in his party cowered in fear, Kennedy stood against the impending invasion of Iraq, warning that it would "undermine" the war against terrorism and "feed a rising tide of anti-Americanism overseas."

And for his entire career, in season and out, Kennedy had a righteous obsession with the profound injustices and shameful inefficiencies of an American health-care system that bankrupts the sick and inflicts needless agony on those who cannot cross a doctor's threshold. It would be an unforgivable tragedy if Kennedy's death were to weaken rather than strengthen the forces battling for health-care reform, which Kennedy called "the cause of my life."

Yet Kennedy's liberalism was experimental, not rigid. Principles didn't change, but tactics and formulations were always subject to review. He gave annual speeches that amounted to a report on the state of American liberalism. He always sought to give heart to its partisans in dark times -- "Let's be who we are and not pretend to be something else," Kennedy said in early 1995, shortly after his party's devastating midterm defeat -- but he did not shrink from pointing to liberal shortcomings.

In that 1995 speech, he insisted that "outcomes," not intentions, should determine whether government programs live or die. In 2005, he criticized liberals for failing to harness their creed to the country's core values.

Many who didn't know Kennedy will wonder about the sources of the cross-partisan affection that will flow liberally in the coming days. It goes back to his humane identification with those in pain. Literally thousands of people have stories, and I offer my own.

In 1995, Kennedy was at our church on a Sunday when a call for prayers came forth for a hospitalized member of our family. Kennedy eventually learned that it was my 3-year-old son, James, who was stricken with a rare condition.

I returned home late that night after spending the day at the hospital. Waiting for me was a message from Ted Kennedy. A quiet voice described his own son's youthful illness and expressed a total understanding of the fear and pain I was experiencing.

My son recovered, thank God, and I will never forget what Kennedy did. His compassion was real, not contrived, and it extended to individual human beings and not just to the masses in the crowds who cheered him, and will keep cheering for a long time.

Republicans Propagating Falsehoods in Attacks on Health-Care Reform

Washington Post columnist Steven Pearlstein calls it like it is.

The full column can be found here but here are excerpts:

There are lots of valid criticisms that can be made against the health reform plans moving through Congress -- I've made a few myself. But there is no credible way to look at what has been proposed by the president or any congressional committee and conclude that these will result in a government takeover of the health-care system. That is a flat-out lie whose only purpose is to scare the public and stop political conversation.
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While the government will take a more active role in regulating the insurance market and increase its spending for health care, that hardly amounts to the kind of government-run system that critics conjure up when they trot out that oh-so-clever line about the Department of Motor Vehicles being in charge of your colonoscopy.

-------
the probability that a public-run insurance plan is about to drive every private insurer out of business -- the Republican nightmare scenario -- is approximately zero.
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While holding themselves out as paragons of fiscal rectitude, Republicans grandstand against just about every idea to reduce the amount of health care people consume or the prices paid to health-care providers -- the only two ways I can think of to credibly bring health spending under control.

When Democrats, for example, propose to fund research to give doctors, patients and health plans better information on what works and what doesn't, Republicans sense a sinister plot to have the government decide what treatments you will get. By the same wacko-logic, a proposal that Medicare pay for counseling on end-of-life care is transformed into a secret plan for mass euthanasia of the elderly.

-------

Health reform is a test of whether this country can function once again as a civil society -- whether we can trust ourselves to embrace the big, important changes that require everyone to give up something in order to make everyone better off. Republican leaders are eager to see us fail that test.

Governor Newburyport

Friends:

Governor Patrick will be holding a town hall forum in Newburyport on Tuesday, July 21, 6:30pm – 8:00pm at Waterfront Park which is located off Market Square.

Keeping to his commitment to encourage civic engagement, Governor Deval Patrick will embark on his second annual town hall-style meeting tour. All are encouraged to come and talk directly with Governor Patrick about issues they care about. The event is outside, so bring lawn chairs and blankets!

To RSVP, click here: (Note: you will be required to create an account if you do not already have one on aPebble, our online tool for community organizing.)

Hope to see you Tuesday.

The Deval Patrick Committee

Newbury Democratic Town Committee hosting State Representative Harriett Stanley

The Newbury Democratic Town Committee will be hosting
State Representative Harriett Stanley,
Chair of the House Committee on Health Care Finance at our meeting on Monday, July 20th at 7pm at PITA Hall Plum Island.

Representative Stanley will be discussing the Massachusetts health care system and some of its costs and Benefits. It should be a lively discussion please join us.

PITA Hall is located here.

Contact me if you need directions or have questions.

Thank you

LuAnn Kuder
Chair Newbury Democratic Town Committee
lakuder@hotmail.com
978-465-2704 home
978-270-4816 cell

Analysis: sales tax vote key for Patrick - Boston.com

Analysis: sales tax vote key for Patrick - Boston.com

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Don't Forget

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Sunday Loon Watch: GOP vs. Obama on Iran

Sunday Loon Watch: GOP vs. Obama on Iran

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What The Globe Didn't Tell You

If today's Globe coverage here had you a bit concerned about the Patrick Administration's role in the Cognos-Dimasi scandal, be reassured that the bloggers on Blue Mass Group are on the case. You can read the whole thing here but below is an excerpt from the post written by David Kravitz:

First, here is the full statement from A&F spokesman Joe Landolfi. I have underlined the only parts that made it into the Globe.

The US Attorney's indictment indicates that the initial Cognos matter began in 2004 under a prior administration. Two investigations into this matter have been concluded - by the US Attorney and the Inspector General - and there have been absolutely no allegations by the investigators of misconduct of any kind by any senior Patrick administration official. Patrick administration officials cooperated fully with both investigations. In fact, the Inspector General's report specifically concluded that the decision to award the contract to Cognos was made on the basis of the recommendation of the then-acting Chief Information Officer - an appointee of the prior administration - who withheld information about concerns raised by the procurement team from her superiors. The Patrick administration brought in a new CIO who was made aware of irregularities with the procurement process and the administration referred the matter to an independent investigatory agency, revoked the contract and obtained a full refund of the $13 million paid to Cognos.

We are confident that senior administration officials acted appropriately at all times. In response to inquiries about the role of the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, we believe that the right decisions were made given the information presented at the time. Given that this is an ongoing prosecution, we feel it is most appropriate to not interfere with the judicial process by responding to specific facts in the case until the process comes to a conclusion.

Now, I don't expect the Globe to run the entire statement. But there's some quite useful information in there that I would think readers would like to know about -- specifically, (1) that this began under the Romney administration, and (2) that the decision by A&F Secretary Kirwan to go forward was made based on misinformation relayed by the Romney holdover CIO, Bethann Pepoli. Way down in the bowels of the article, the Globe does report that "administration officials pointed blame for the award at a holdover from the Romney administration, [acting CIO] Pepoli. Pepoli selected the winning bidder and recommended approval to higher-level officials in a bid process that has since been found to be improper." But the Inspector General's report is quite clear that, as Landolfi's statement says, Pepoli gave Kirwan bad information. Whereas the Globe's version suggests that there was some technical flaw in the procurement process, and Pepoli just passed along what the procurement people told her. That's not the case.

Ethics

Here is a WBUR discussion of the allegations against Sal DiMasi:
http://www.wbur.org/2009/06/03/dimasi-analysis

Here is a link to the Governor's Task Force on Public Integrity, which issued a report in January 2009 "outlining comprehensive recommendations to strengthen the state's ethics and lobbying laws."

Task Force members are here. It's an interesting group which includes Charlie Baker, Harvard Pilgrim exec often mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for governor, and Pam Wilmot of Common Cause.

Dear Governor Patrick, Senator Baddour, and Representative Costello:

Please make Ethics Reform a reality! We need it.

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

###

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.

More Tea Parties - Please

The domination of the right in Republican primaries is one of the reasons the party is losing its appeal to the growing contingent of independent voters, a phenomenon that has been particularly evident in California. The number of Americans identifying themselves as Republicans has slipped to a quarter-century low of 21 percent.

Arlen Specter is not the only one who has grown disenchanted with a party that once prided itself as a "big tent" that welcomed divergent views.

see full article from the San Francisco Chronicle