McCainBlogette has some pictures of the McCain web team. Check them out here.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
summer cleaning
As you may have noticed, MassRoots is going through a little summer cleaning to tidy this place up. We want your blogging experience to be as tidy as possible at MassRoots.
Thanks for reading.
Intern of the Week
Introducing...
Katie Addison
Every morning at 9 a.m. sharp, sometimes sooner, you can find Katie hard at work in the office. She rides her bike 2 miles to work everyday and still beats the rest of us that blow in 1 by 1 off the jam-packed T! For the past few weeks she has been spearheading the national convention plans for our delegates. Her upbeat and persistent attitude keeps us all in check while we fulfill our daily tasks at the GOP. Read on to find out more about the smallest, yet mightiest, of the interns!
School: U Mass
Hometown:
Biggest Accomplishment: Moving to the East Coast
When I grow up I wanna be…a Toys R Us kid
Current Office Project: Assisting Republican National Convention
If you would like to contact Katie please send an e-mail her way at KAddison@Massgop.com.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Kuros for State Representative Kickoff!
Sunday, June 22, 6PM
Sokol Club
405 NE Main St
Douglas, MA 01516
(508) 476-7489
405 NE Main St
Douglas, MA 01516
Also, check out Kevin's website here:
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
RMG $50 drive for Levy
RedMassGroup has organically produced a $50 donation drive to Steven Levy's State Senate campaign.
Give.
Interns Attend McCain Victory Dinner
Last night was the night we’d all been waiting for! It was our very first gop event of the summer, and a exceptional one at that! Senator McCain and Governor Romney teamed up for a victory reception right in our very own backyard at the Westin Copley.
Ten Mass Gop interns joined dozens of fellow republicans to serve as volunteers during registration and the reception. We aided in check-in, meet and greet and the donation collection. For those of you who have not yet sent your checks in, you can look forward to a lovely conversation with an intern! All of that phone banking is going to come in very handy!
The mass reception room was filled with the energy of over 700 generous donors. The extra generous donors even received a souvenir photo op with McCain. A few of our interns even snuck a few “clicks” as the McCain staffers called it. Check out a few of these candids from the night...
The interns dressed to impress!
Intern Robbie and Governor Romney lookin' sharp!
As close as we got to the man of the hour!
After registration we got to sneak in and hear McCain speak a little about his campaign and plans for gaining votes over the next 6 months. McCain’s speech was followed by mingling amongst Republicans and getting to know the party members in the community. We would like to give a special thanks to Tara for giving us this wonderful opportunity to get hands on experience on the campaign trail.
Kinnaman: The Questions We Should Be Asking About Oil
By Matt Kinnaman
Thursday, June 12
http://www.thetranscript.com/columnists/ci_9562317
What if we had a different kind of hearing on Capitol Hill? What if we put our representatives and senators on the hot seat for a change, turned up the lights, rolled the television cameras, and they had to answer the questions?
It might go something like this:
"Honored members of Congress, thank you for joining us at today's hearing regarding rising gasoline prices and America's dangerous dependence on imported oil. We have some questions for you. Please feel free to stop us at any point if you want to respond. Otherwise, we will proceed.
"Question One: You have shown deep obsession about the caribou in Alaska. Interestingly, since major Alaskan oil-production projects began in the 1970s, the Central Arctic caribou herd, which lives in proximity to these oil-production activities, has increased in size from about 5,000 to more than 30,000. Given these numbers and your continued opposition to drilling in Alaska, we just have to ask: What do you have against caribou?
"Question Two: If caribou could vote, we anticipate they would join the super-majority of Alaska's population, who support drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, nearly a
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half-million Americans have signed a petition imploring you to stop blocking access to America's energy resources in Alaska. This oil alone would augment domestic supplies enough to cause an immediate crude price reduction worldwide. With gasoline prices rising faster than ever, do you have anything to say to voters about your refusal to lift this blockade and let America get its own oil, and cheaper gas?
"Question Three: Last month, when you grilled Big Oil executives about their companies' profits, we don't remember hearing that, in the first quarter of 2008, ExxonMobil actually paid more than $29 billion in total taxes, which is almost three times its net profit for that period, and that similar reports were filed by ConocoPhillips and ChevronTexaco. This means that governments are getting more money from these oil companies than the oil companies are making themselves, and that you might therefore see those profits as a good thing. Do you have anything to say about this?
"Question Four: Almost all of our continental shelf on both coasts is subject to government moratoriums on oil drilling, and more than 40 federal policy actions stand in the way of further development of natural gas projects. If these restrictions were lifted, American energy supplies would rapidly expand, and energy costs would drop, but you've been opposed to considering this. Do you think it's possible that the positions you've taken to continue these policies constitute an impediment to the future strength and security of our population?
"Question Five: As you gather your thoughts, let's talk briefly about nuclear power, a technology pioneered by American scientists. It is the cleanest and most efficient energy resource ever discovered, but U.S. regulatory roadblocks have made it virtually impossible to expand its use to meet the growing power supplies required for a healthy economy. Your biggest criticism about nuclear power is that it is dangerous. Here is our question: In the history of nuclear power generation in the United States, how many people have died from accidents, safety breeches or malfunctions? We'll give you a clue; it is equal to the number of answers you've provided in today's hearing thus far. But let's get back to our oil questions.
"Question Six: We have learned that Congress recently enacted a ban on the recovery of oil-shale resources in the American West -- resources equal to almost a trillion barrels of oil, triple the amount in all of Saudi Arabia. American oil companies are ready to invest in the economically viable production of these domestic oil supplies. If you lift congressional prohibitions against it, the United States would move dramatically closer to energy independence, worldwide financial markets would respond favorably, the economy would be strengthened, prices would fall, Americans would have more money in their pockets, and terrorists who celebrate our dependence on foreign oil would lose their primary strategic strength. Why do you oppose this?
"That concludes our questions for today. This hearing will now stand in recess. We implore our legislators to embrace the historic opportunity we have. If Congress does the right thing, America will end its dependence on foreign oil by simply using our own resources. Senators and representatives, for many of you, this will require a whole new level of political honesty and leadership."
Now, that would be a change we can believe in.
Go Johnny Go!
John McCain was in Boston last night where he spoke about a strong national defense, less taxes, and smaller government. It was a great event - even former Governor Mitt Romney was there!
Put a Scare Into a Democrat!
| Scare a Democrat This Friday the 13th, donate between now and Midnight tomorrow (6/13/08) to Republican Steven Levy It is time to show what the Republican Grass Roots can do. In the next 36 hours, we need to donate what we can, on line, to Steven Levy! Steven Levy is a great candidate! He is a City councilor at Large in the Largest city in the district, but he needs our help! More over, his opponent is the poster child for liberal insiders on Beacon Hill. They priorities are special interests. Donate $10 to $500 to Steven Levy NOW at the link below. https://co.clickandpledge.com/... Find out more about Steven Levy at: I am sure you will like what you see! This is being done without Steven knowing, but once he sees an influx of donations between now and Midnight tomorrow, the only one scared on Friday the 13th, will be Levy's Democrat opponent. |
Fall River GOP Food Drive!
In launching a series of Veterans Outreach events, the Fall River Republican City Committee will be holding a Veteran's Pantry Food Drive on Saturday June 21st from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Shaw's Supermarket at 4171 No. Main St. Fall River. Non-perishable pre-packaged meals are preferred. Cash donations and Shaw's Gift Certificates are welcome as 100% of the proceeds will go to The Veterans Association of Bristol County, Inc. at 755 Pine St. in Fall River. To find out more about our Veteran's Outreach Program and how to become a volunteer, go to http://www.fallrivergop.org/.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Jeff Beatty - AP
Here is a great story of Jeff Beatty in the AP:
"Beatty entered the Army as an infantry officer in 1974. He served in Panama, then attended flight school, and later petitioned to join the Delta Force. His cousin had been shot down in Vietnam and Beatty had dreamed of being part of a rescue mission.
He got his chance when American medical students became trapped during a 1983 palace coup on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Beatty was among the thousands of US troops sent to restore order. His helicopter was shot down. He was one of 16 wounded, but still managed to help complete the mission of rescuing the students.
Beatty left the Army to join the FBI, when he worked with a hostage rescue team during the Los Angeles Olympics. From there, Beatty joined the CIA to help run counterterrorism in Europe and the Middle East until 1992."
and
"'We will make the case that we want them to support Beatty’s campaign,' Torkildsen said. 'You’re always running as an underdog as a Republican in Massachusetts, but John Kerry is very unpopular. He has high negatives.' "
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Intern of the Week
Introducing...
Shawn Burke
Shawn Burke
When it came time to choose the first ever “Intern of the Week” there were no second thoughts. Shawn joined the Mass GOP in early April and has learned the ropes of the office in and out. We think of Shawn as the father of the interns and he is definitely our go-to guy. He walks in every day with a smile on his face (usually sun burnt as a result of marching in his weekend City Council parades). Get to know a little bit more about the man who sets the standards for the rest of the interns!
School: Formally
Hometown:
Favorite Republican: Ronald Reagan
Biggest Accomplishment: Working on the Mike Huckabee campaign in South Carolina & Working towards John McCain's victory in Massachusetts.
When I grow up I wanna be…the next Karl Rove.
Current Office Project: Distribution of McCain stickers
If you would like to contact Shawn please send an e-mail his way at SBurke@Massgop.com.
- LizUpdate
There has been a lot going on at the MassGOP and I want to give you all a brief update. First, we have been strengthening town committees by empowering them with better tools and technology. We offer town committees a way to get online quickly at no cost with a personalized logo (and we encourage them to do so). Voter vault, a tool primarily reserved for campaigns, has now been given to town committee chairs as a tool to build the committee. Town committees are not social clubs waiting around for Republicans to knock on their door – we are community organizations that are active and voter vault enables you to recruit and identify new members. We have had success across Massachsuetts; from Dalton to Somerville, Reading to Nantucket, town committees are more sophisticated in their outreach. This is the essential core of our party. Vibrant town committees mean not just more candidates, but better candidates. Vibrant town committees mean more activists to help the campaigns with volunteer work. Vibrant town committees mean more data and more registered voters. Vibrant town committees mean more watchdogs on the Democrat incumbents to hold them accountable for their liberal voting records. Vibrant town committees mean Republicans active in their local community, making a difference. Vibrant town committees now, will mean a stronger Republican party in the future. Our number 1 targeted town without an existing town committee, has recently been organized. Our Action Packet has been a huge success – the party used to send out a 90 page manual for town committees to read. We scrapped this verbose guide and drafted our 13 page Action Packet, consisting of 15 bullet points that the committees can be doing right now.
The current crop of Republican candidates, although not large, is one of the best the party has seen in recent memory. These candidates have great backgrounds as members of their community and they have been attending our trainings.
Speaking of which, the party has done a record amount of trainings (with a staff 1/3 the size as it was in 2006) with over 12 trainings in 2007. In 2008 we have already logged in 10 trainings with more to come. Do not assume that all trainings are equal. Gone are the days of powerpoint slides with ham sandwiches, potato salad concluding with a paper packet of the slides as you walk out the door. We are bringing the RNC style of training across Massachusetts. Our trainings are interactive with a hands-on approach. You don't just learn about voter id, you do voter id. You don't hear about door knocking, you print out precinct walking lists. You don't watch a few slides on voter vault, you log in and use voter vault. You don't hear how to blog, you build your own blog. We want you to roll up your sleeves and complete the process from beginning to end. The goal is to have you leave the training, not with vague concepts, but with real skills and knowledge. We have opened up a training center at the MassGOP HQ in Boston for any town committee or campaign to rent. Just give us a date and time and we will have a personalized training prepared for your town or district. We have 6 computers available in the training center but you can bring laptops and tap into our wireless.
We are about to roll out some important issues that we want to fight for. The Issues Committee has met once, and will soon meet again to develop this platform. To date, the trainings have been my favorite part of the job because it's quantifiable progress – real skills are being taught. But we need to couple these skills with a reason to fight and the Issues Committee will soon develop a Massachusetts-centric platform. This is the whole reason that I got into politics and it's an exciting time to be Growing Our Party in Massachusetts.
Finally, we have a great group of interns this summer and they will be communicating with you on MassRoots about their projects. See Liz Grimm's post below. These interns are the future leaders of the Republican Party and we are lucky to have them.
If you have any questions or concerns – compliments or complaints – send them to our opinion line at GOPinions@massgop.com and we would love to hear from you. We have already received a lot of feedback and it's a great way for the grassroots to speak directly to the MassGOP headquarters in Boston.
-Rob
Monday, June 9, 2008
Intern Update
You’re about to enter a whole new world with our new intern cam! See the world through the eyes of a Mass Gop Intern as we stuff your mailers, update your records on voter vault and bond over canoli’s in Boston’s North End!
Today the interns insisted on taking me to lunch to celebrate my birthday. It was the perfect opportunity to test out our new camera to give you insight into our daily routine. Today, Emil, our new intern joined us and before he knew it he was cracking political jokes right along with us at lunch. The team here at the Mass Gop is amazingly supportive and welcoming as new interns and volunteers join us weekly!
Although many delegates may not know this, interns are putting in 8 hour days organizing and planning schedules to ensure a successful trip to the convention in Minnesota Saint Paul in September. So for all of you delegates out there you can think of us when you are snacking on airline peanuts and using hotel shampoo!
In addition to the national convention, we have been focusing on local events as well. As interns we have been invited to volunteer this Wednesday at a McCain event for the victory committee. Stay tuned for more photos and exciting stories about meeting senator McCain and his local supporters!
We have also been calling Republicans inviting them to attend the Norwood Republican Town Committee fundrasier (wine tasting!) which will be on June 12th at the Fiddlehead Theater in Norwood. It's only $10 - what a deal, support the GOP and drink wine for only $10?!?!
Mike, Maggie, Shawn, Lauren, Robbie and Emil hard at work in the Mass GOP training room.
Congratulations to Jacob Ventura
Jacob Ventura, former Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans & one of our Dartmouth Republican Town Committee members, just recently returned from a college-related trip to Germany and he's leaving soon to work this summer in Washington DC. However, in-between he presented the Second Annual Dartmouth Republican Town Committee Scholarship of $500.00 to Amy Medeiros of Dartmouth High School & soon to be a freshman at Bridgewater State College.
Congratulations and best wishes to both Ms. Medeiros & Jake Ventura for their pursuit of higher academics!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Congratulations Jeff!
Today, we congratulate Jeff Beatty on becoming the Republican nominee to challenge John Forbes Kerry for the U.S. Senate. We also thank Jim Ogonowski for running a brief, but spirited campaign. Jeff and Jim both spoke of need for change in Washington D.C., with that change beginning with the election of a new U.S. Senator to represent Massachusetts.
"Now that we have a nominee, the Massachusetts Republican Party offers its full support to Jeff Beatty. John Kerry and Deval Patrick are living proof that one-party monopolies are a disaster for our Commonwealth.
-Peter Torkildsen
Thursday, June 5, 2008
DiMasi + Ticket Brokers
From the Boston Globe:
Defying an order from Secretary of State William F. Galvin, Charlestown accountant Richard D. Vitale will refuse to appear at a hearing today to answer questions about allegations that he lobbied on behalf of a group of Massachusetts ticket brokers.
Vitale's lawyer sent a letter yesterday to Galvin's office saying that Vitale was refusing to comply with the order and answer questions under oath because, in the lawyer's opinion, the secretary of state appeared to be overreaching.
"That is an indisputable fact," Galvin said. "They clearly were paid by an entity that had an interest in legislation, and that legislation received affirmative treatment in 2007.
"When you cut away all the fancy legal talk it comes down to this: Mr. Vitale is not above the law. We have laws that say that people who get paid to influence public decisions need to tell us not only what they were paid but for what they were paid. Mr. Vitale needs to comply with the law."
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Inagural MASS GOP Blogpost
It's the summer before an intense presidential election. Local senate and house campaigns are putting together strong campaign teams and the national conventions are just months away. What better place to be than the Republican Party headquarters in Boston!
Here at the GOP there is no such thing as a "typical day in the office". Interns find themselves doing everything from phone banking and candidate research to collecting data and rubbing elbows with John McCain on the campaign trail.
You're probably asking yourself, why intern at the GOP in a state with a notorious liberal affiliation? Personally, we like to think of it as a challenge we aren't afraid to tackle!
Many may be surprised to find out that our summer intern staff is comprised of 15 college students with diverse backgrounds and interests. Over the next few months we will be featuring profiles on the Mass GOP interns where they will share their stories and experiences. Throw your republican stereotypes out the door and get ready to meet the leaders in your Republican community!
We are excited and ready to get to work and make the Massachusetts Republican Party proud! On behalf of the intern staff, we look forward to hearing from you!
Here at the GOP there is no such thing as a "typical day in the office". Interns find themselves doing everything from phone banking and candidate research to collecting data and rubbing elbows with John McCain on the campaign trail.
You're probably asking yourself, why intern at the GOP in a state with a notorious liberal affiliation? Personally, we like to think of it as a challenge we aren't afraid to tackle!
Many may be surprised to find out that our summer intern staff is comprised of 15 college students with diverse backgrounds and interests. Over the next few months we will be featuring profiles on the Mass GOP interns where they will share their stories and experiences. Throw your republican stereotypes out the door and get ready to meet the leaders in your Republican community!
We are excited and ready to get to work and make the Massachusetts Republican Party proud! On behalf of the intern staff, we look forward to hearing from you!
MassGOP HQ Training Center
Yesterday we had a MassGOP training at our HQ in Boston from 9AM to 1PM. It went really well and if you are interested in reserving our training room, please contact us at info@massgop.com
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
State Senator Marzilli Arrested
STATE SENATOR ARRESTED IN LOWELL ON FIVE CHARGES
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JUNE 3, 2008…. Democratic state Sen. James Marzilli was arrested in downtown Lowell today on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, police said.
Marzilli was also charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, attempt to commit a crime, and obstruction of justice, according to police.
Marzilli was accused of sexual assault earlier this year, but Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone did not pursue the case, saying there was insufficient evidence.
Marzilli, an Arlington progressive in his first term in the Senate, tried to resist arrest by fleeing through the city’s downtown, police said.
Kevin Lombard of the Lowell Police Department said Marzilli was arrested on Middle Street in Lowell.
Marzilli was not immediately available for comment late Tuesday.
By Jim O’Sullivan
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Monday, June 2, 2008
Some Good Press For Paul Avella
From The Lowell Sun (6/1/08) PAUL AVELLA, a Republican candidate to succeed Democrat Geoff Hall as representative from the 2nd Middlesex District, has picked up an endorsement from Valerie Wormell, the recently re-elected chairman of the Westford Board of Selectmen. Surrounded by supporters at Westford's Apple Blossom Festival on May 19, Wormell cited Avella's record of service, both in the U.S. Air Force and Littleton School Committee. She listed Avella's priority of greater local aid while improving the district's economy as reasons for her support. "Paul's New England values of thrift, industry and fortitude exemplify the district's character. I will be supporting Paul Avella for state representative to the 2nd Middlesex District because he shares my values and those of my friends and neighbors. I ask that you join me, building a strong and lasting relationship with our next state representative, Paul Avella," said Wormell. Avella thanked Wormell for her support and looks to earn the respect of voters in Chelmsford, Littleton and Westford. "Working together with the various boards in different towns, we are going to prosper." It's Avella's second endorsement by a sitting selectman. He previously was endorsed by Eric Dahlberg of Chelmsford.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
RTC Conference
In about 30 minutes we will be starting the RTC conference in Westborough at the DoubleTree hotel. People are coming in and I just took this picture of Kurt Hayes, candidate for State Representative. Check out Kurt's website here.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Kerry's Gaffes
In case you've forgotten - here are some famous ones we reminded the Press about today...
Kerry's History of Gaffes:
In 2006, Kerry said that if you don't do well in school you'll wind up "Stuck in Iraq": "According to the Pasadena Star-News: "Kerry then told the students that if they were able to navigate the education system, they could get comfortable jobs - "If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq," he said to a mixture of laughter and gasps.'' (Boston Globe, 10/31/06)
- Kerry initially refused to apologize for his statement: "My statement yesterday, and the White House knows this full well, was a botched joke about the President and the President's people not about the troops," Kerry said at a press conference in Seattle. "The White Houses attempt to distort my true statement is a remarkable testament to their abject failure making America safe. Kerry continued: "I'm sick and tired of a whole bunch of Republican attacks, most of which come from people who never wore the uniform and never had the courage to stand up and go to war themselves." (Boston Globe, 10/31/06)
In Philadelphia, Kerry Asked For Cheesesteak With Swiss; “Was Caught Nibbling Daintily At His Sandwich.” “If Sen. John F. Kerry’s presidential aspirations melt like a dollop of Cheez Whiz in the sun, the trouble may well be traced to an incident in South Philadelphia on Monday. There, the Massachusetts Democrat went to Pat’s Steaks and ordered a cheesesteak -- with Swiss cheese. If that weren’t bad enough, the candidate asked photographers not to take his picture while he ate the sandwich; shutters clicked anyway, and Kerry was caught nibbling daintily at his sandwich -- another serious faux pas.”(The Washington Post, 8/13/03)
Kerry also called Green-Bay's Lambeau field "Lambert Field": "Forget soccer moms and NASCAR dads. The most important demographic in these parts transcends gender and geography -- it's Green Bay Packers fans. Both candidates are targeting them with the ferocity of a Brett Favre bullet, but only John F. Kerry has fumbled the name of the hallowed grounds on which the Packers play, the frozen tundra of Curly Lambeau Field. At a campaign event last month, the Democratic presidential nominee called it Lambert Field -- a slip of the tongue carried on television, in papers throughout the state and on ESPN's Web site." (Washington Post, 9/14/04)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
North County GOP Meeting!
The North County GOP is having a regional meeting on Thursday, June 12 2008 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held in Room 9a at the Leominster Campus of Mt. Wachusett Community College. It is in the same area as the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The parking and entrance to the building is on the side facing BJ's Wholesale Club. Please make an effort to join us as we will be discussing and organizing "A Tribute to the Honorable Mary Padula", an event that will be taking place on Oct 5.
Republicans Full Of Optimism
Read About It Here:
"Dover - There may be only 19 Republicans sitting in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and a mere five in the state Senate, but don’t tell local GOP members their party is in trouble. Come this November, they think they will be just fine."
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Richard Baker For Congress
Click Here To Donate - Invite Below:
Please join us in celebrating the start of our campaign for Congress from the
Thursday, June 12, 2008
7-9 PM
Sylvan Street Grill
Light Dinner and Cash Bar
Tickets: $35 Adults, $20 Children
Order tickets online or send payment to:
Richard Baker for Congress
Middle Street
West
Stretching the Facts
Democrat Congressman Kanjorski: "That if we won the Congressional elections, we could stop the war. Now anybody was a good student of Government would know that wasn't true. But you know, the temptation to want to win back the Congress, we sort of stretched the facts...and people ate it up."
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
GOP Town Committee Conference!!!
This weekend, Town Committees from across Massachusetts will be attending the GOP Conference in Westboro.
If you want to transform your members into activists, then this is the conference for you. Learn how to build your committee and to promote the GOP in your community!
For more information, click here.
Friday, May 23, 2008
What Is This Guy Doing?
Boston Herald has this article about Deval Patrick increasing his office budget by 80%.
“We know the governor had a goal of creating 100,000 new jobs in his first term, we just didn’t know he was going to create them all in the Corner Office,” said Sen. Michael Knapik (R-Westfield).Added State Sen. Scott Brown (R-Wrentham): “People in my district are asking, ‘What is this guy doing?’ They get 1 to 2 percent increases for their schools, and he gets almost 80 percent? How do you explain that?”
Still, Republicans succeeded in winning approval of a measure in the overwhelmingly Democratic Senate that would force Patrick to post online the job titles and duties of all employees in his office.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Welcome Chatham GOP Online!
The Chatham GOP has just launched a blog-esque website ChathamRepublicans.com. Pay them a visit!
Cutting Government
From the state house news service:
DEMS DEFEND PATRICK D.C. OFFICE FROM GOP ATTACKSenate Republicans sparred with Democrats Wednesday night over funding for Gov. Deval Patrick’s administrative operations, pointing to an increase of 78 percent, putting the governor far ahead of previous administrations. “You guys would be screaming bloody murder if there was a Republican governor and he escalated the budget by nearly 100 percent,” said Sen. Michael Knapik. Senate Ways and Means chair Sen. Steven Panagiotakos said about $3 million of the roughly $9 million in Patrick’s line item came from the Commonwealth Corps volunteer initiative that Patrick touted early in his first year. The GOP ridiculed Patrick’s $453,000 filing for his Washington D.C. office, questioning why Patrick kept adding jobs to his administration. “They’re hiring new people from everywhere,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei. Democratic senators defended Patrick’s D.C. operation, saying the office had helped with funding for fisheries, Medicaid, and small businesses, among others. The GOP effort to strike funding for the office was defeated on a 5-33 roll call. Later, Republicans succeeded in adding an amendment they said would promote transparency within the administration, requiring the online posting of a detailed organizational chart. Senate Democrats also turned back the minority party’s effort to strip the Lottery Commission of its $10 million advertising budget, pointing to shortfalls in Lottery funding and the prospect of creating more gambling addictions. Panagiotakos defended the account, pointing to the Lottery’s success relative to other states’ systems. Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) voted against the amendment, but said he thought the state should re-examine the way the Lottery distributes the money.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Norwood Republican Town Committee Wine Tasting!
Norwood Republican Town Committee invites you to
WINES OF SUMMER A WINE TASTING
EVENT
at The Historic Fiddlehead Theater
109 Central Street - Norwood Center
Thursday - June 12, 2008 - 7:00 pm
Hors d'oeuvres - Entertainment - Taste the Wine costumes of the period
Tickets: $10 in advance - $12 at the door To purchase tickets call:
Patricia Sterritt (857) 719-8018
Barbara Martin (781) 254-2485
Marion Gaw (781) 762-6064
WINES OF SUMMER A WINE TASTING
EVENT
at The Historic Fiddlehead Theater
109 Central Street - Norwood Center
Thursday - June 12, 2008 - 7:00 pm
Hors d'oeuvres - Entertainment - Taste the Wine costumes of the period
Tickets: $10 in advance - $12 at the door To purchase tickets call:
Patricia Sterritt (857) 719-8018
Barbara Martin (781) 254-2485
Marion Gaw (781) 762-6064
Saugus RTC Event!
Left to right: John Blaisdell, candidate State Representative Eighth Essex District, Jeff Beatty, U.S. Senate candidate, Paul VanSteensburg Sr., Chairman SRTC, Richard Baker, candidate U.S. Representative 6th Congressional District, Jim Ogonowski, U.S. Senate candidate, Holly Robichaud, Boston Herald columnist “The Lone Republican”, and State Senator Scott Brown.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sen. Brown and Rep. Polito honored for efforts on Jessica's Law
Last week, State Senator Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) and State Representative Karyn Polito (R-Shrewsbury) were honored for their efforts to try to pass "Jessica's Law" in the legislature. The two law makers were officially recognized by V.O.I.C.E.S. (Voices of Involved Citizens Encouraging Safety) an advocacy group that promotes educating families on the dangers of sexual predators and reforming laws pertaining to sex offenders.
In photo - (l-r) Debbie Savoia of North Andover, Laurie Myers of Chelmsford, Rep. Polito, Sen. Brown, Rachel Eaton of Halifax, Sandy DiBacco of Norfolk.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
New Matt Kinnaman Column
Getting it Right
May 15, 2008
By
Governor Deval Patrick said it’s “a dumb idea.” He called it “irresponsible” and “foolish.” Massachusetts Teachers Association President Anne Wass labeled it “wacky” and “wrong-headed.” What is it? It’s a ballot initiative to eliminate the
In 2002 a similar initiative attracted 45 percent of the vote. This time taxpayers just may be in a mood to go all the way, especially if they remember how the legislature has treated them in the past on taxes.
Background: In 2000, the citizens of the Commonwealth passed a ballot question reducing the income tax rate to 5 percent. After the initiative passed, House Speaker Thomas Finneran said, "The voters have spoken. We'll abide by it. There won't be any attempt to cushion it, modify it, tailor it in any way. I respect their grasp of issues and I respect the position they take on an issue like that. There won't be any problem with us. We'll implement it."
Sounded great. Didn’t happen. The legislature blockaded it, and the best that voters can hope for now is for a 5 percent rate by 2014, if “economic triggers” defined by
Would it be a catastrophe? Or would it be the most powerfully transformative event in
“The most valuable natural resource in the 21st century is brains,” says tech-savvy Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes Magazine. “Smart people tend to be mobile. Watch where they go. Because where they go, robust economic activity will follow.”
They don’t go to
The cost of this exodus is incalculable, but when human capital is appreciating faster than any other resource, it’s something no state can afford when 49 competitors are lined up at the door. Especially when most of those states are much friendlier to taxpayers than
What about the numbers? Income tax receipts in
Is it enough? Let’s go to the historical data. In 1986, before the “Massachusetts Miracle” gave way to the Tax-achusetts exodus, "We were on top of the world," said Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. "The economy was booming and spending growth was in double digits." According to a Boston Globe retrospective on those bright economic times, “The Bay State was Silicon Valley before there was a
At that point, the
Nine states—
Or is it just us?
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Candidate Forum - Saugus
Sponsored by the Saugus Republican Town Committee
May 15, 2008
7-11PM
Hilltop Steak House
Route One South, Saugus
Guest Speaker Holly Robichaud
Columnist, "The Lone Republican" Boston Herald
Special Guest Candidates::
State Senator Scott Brown
Jim Ogonowski for US Senate
Richard Baker for US Representative
Ticket Donations $50.00 Includes Buffet, Door Prize, Cash Bar
Benefits: The Candidates, Local Scholarships. Civic Organizations
May 15, 2008
7-11PM
Hilltop Steak House
Route One South, Saugus
Guest Speaker Holly Robichaud
Columnist, "The Lone Republican" Boston Herald
Special Guest Candidates::
State Senator Scott Brown
Jim Ogonowski for US Senate
Richard Baker for US Representative
Ticket Donations $50.00 Includes Buffet, Door Prize, Cash Bar
Benefits: The Candidates, Local Scholarships. Civic Organizations
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
WGBH, Channel 2
Chairman Peter Torkildsen will be on Greater Boston tonight discussing the recent news stories surrounding Speaker Sal.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Matt Kinnaman on Free Speech
New Article by State Committeeman Matt Kinnaman on free speech (or lack thereof) at Smith College.
Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts is a top-tier school with a remarkable story. It was founded as an all-women's college in 1871, one year before Susan B. Anthony was arrested for attempting to cast a ballot in the 1872 presidential election.
Nearly a half-century before they were guaranteed voting rights by the 19th Amendment, women were blazing a trail to first-class citizenship at Smith College.
It's no surprise that Smith describes itself as "empowering" and transforming." According to its promotional material, the college is "heady, nervy, intellectually exciting." With its history of promoting civil rights even under hostile circumstances, this is clearly not a campus that would blatantly crush free speech.
But on April 29, that's exactly what happened after guest speaker Ryan Sorba arrived to address an audience in the Smith College library. Sorba is the author of "The Born Gay Hoax," which challenges the premise of genetically-based same-sex attraction.
This turned out to be too much for today's Smith College community. Early in Sorba's presentation, student protesters stormed the library, waved signs, shouted him down, chased him from the podium and commandeered the microphone. The speech was canceled. But was the premise of Sorba's presentation outside the bounds of constitutionally-protected expression? Was it outside the bounds of legitimate academic inquiry?
Not according to Simon LeVay, a gay neuroscientist, and one of the world's foremost voices promoting the paradigm of biologically-based homosexual attraction. Even so, LeVay points out that the scientific community is unsettled on the "gay gene" debate, and in a current PBS report about the nature v. nurture controversy, he asks, "Are the positions taken by researchers merely the expression of their own personal attitudes and prejudices -- whether pro- or anti-gay -- that have been dressed up in academic language?"
This is precisely the type of question students at an "empowering, transforming, heady, nervy, intellectually exciting" college ought to confront at a presentation like Sorba's. Instead, they shut it down, violating the spirit of inquiry and academic integrity on which Smith was founded.
In the cacophony after Sorba was driven from the library, an attendee captured the floor for just a moment: "You guys are all cheering and that's great. I understand you're excited. You won. But what did you really win?"
Excellent question. In August of 1814, the desperate British military burned the Library of Congress. In the aftermath, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "I learn from the newspapers that the vandalism of our enemy has triumphed at Washington over science as well as the arts."
The British book-burning rampage was no worse than what happened at Smith last week, because at Smith College the underlying principles of all liberal democratic institutions were trampled in the very halls where they ought to be most protected.
And did it escape the censors' notice that Ryan Sorba's book is still in draft form? His presentation offered the perfect opportunity for listeners to expose flaws in his book through rational critique, prior to its publication. But rational critique has been chased out by a dangerous form of political correctness that threatens the foundations of free inquiry and ordered liberty.
On April 28, the day before Ryan Sorba was silenced at Smith, the American Psychiatric Association provided a foreshadowing when it pulled the plug on a Washington, D.C., conference session titled "Homosexuality and Therapy: The Religious Dimension."
David Scasta, the gay psychiatrist and former APA president coordinating the symposium, said, "It was a way to have a balanced discussion about religion and how it influences therapy. We wanted to talk rationally, calmly and respectfully to each other."
Then the panel's headliner, New Hampshire's Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson, boycotted and forced the event to be canceled. Robinson, who is also gay, claimed that the APA, by including two evangelicals on the panel, was being manipulated by Focus on the Family. Bishop Robinson is quoted as saying, "just my showing up and letting this event happen" would give "credibility" to views he disagrees with.
But isn't "showing up" for the debate integral to our civil liberties? Isn't the guarantee of free speech inseparable from the full enjoyment of first-class citizenship? And isn't censorship of ideas other than one's own a hallmark of totalitarianism?
The answers are powerfully obvious.
Matt Kinnaman's "Getting it Right" column appears every Thursday in the North Adams Transcript.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Sal To Speak?
Speaker Sal said he would soon talk about the ethics investigations. Watch the video here. Apparently, Sal can't talk to the media without an appointment.
Vitale finally registers as a lobbyist. He said previously that he was paid to be a "strategist" on behalf of the ticket brokers. Looks like his "strategy" is to become an official lobbyist.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Protest Cam
Fox News has a stationary camera set up streaming the site where radical Code Pink protesters are out against an USMC Recruiting Station.
Click Here
Grover Norquist
Grover Norquist is in his home state of Massachusetts speaking with the Friday Morning Group.
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