GLAD: Life After SKIPs
Written on 15 May 2008 by MarieGreater Lowell Area Democrats (GLAD) will hold its regular monthly breakfast meeting this Saturday May 17, 2008 at 8am at Skip’s on Rte. 110 in Chelmsford. The agenda items for discussion include: report on the May 10th State Committee meeting/election of add-on delegates to national convention; reports from town/ward committees; the ongoing but winding down Presidential Primary/Caucus season; update on June 2008 MDP Convention in Lowell; and other items of importance to area Democrats. Of special interest will be a “primer for delegates” planning to attend to Lowell Convention and a discussion about the site and logistics for future GLAD meetings. Members of the Lowell Democratic City Committee are expected to attend the meeting. Members, Associates and interested Democrats are welcome. Contact Marie Sweeney, Chair at sweeney133@comcast.net if you have any questions.
Sweetie
Written on 15 May 2008 by Tony“Hold on one second Sweetie”…
That’s what Senator Barack Obama tells a TV reporter at a Chrysler assembly plant in Michigan…When reporter Peggy Agar asks the presumptive Democratic nominee what he is going to do to help American autoworkers Obama responds, “Hold on one second sweetie”. This video clip is making the rounds on the “far right” talk shows. They are saying it is another example of Obama’s condescending attitude.
My question…Is Obama being condescending to a female reporter here, or is this just an innocent expression? At the end of the video “sweetie” (the reporter) effectively punches home her feeling. Let me know what you think.
A vote for pay-as-you-throw
Written on 14 May 2008 by DickHWith trash disposal costs accounting for $3 million of the anticipated budget deficit for the coming fiscal year, the city is contemplating two courses of action. One would raise the trash disposal fee from the current $100 per household to $175. The other would institute a “pay-as-you-throw” system that charges a per bag fee for trash disposal (although it might include a minimum amount at no charge). Left-in-Lowell has a good discussion on this issue in progress.
The city should adopt the “fee per bag of trash” approach. I’ve never been a fan of this system because I felt that non-compliance – that is, people putting out trash in bootleg bags and containers that would not get picked up – would quickly create serious health problems not to mention unsightly litter. But those concerns are now secondary to this cost issue and to the horrendously low level of recycling we see in the city. My own experience with recycling is that doing it aggressively is a time consuming undertaking that requires some significant modifications to the simplest phases of everyday life. Without the financial incentive of a pay-as-you-throw system – meaning that the more you recycle for free, the less you pay to have picked up as trash – there’s no reason for people to change their behaviors. Individual concern about the environment will only motivate you so much. So here’s a vote for pay-as-you-throw. Hopefully the city will implement it soon.
Bob Barr for President
Written on 14 May 2008 by TonyHave you ever heard of Bob Barr?
No,
Well, you will…
Bob Barr is a former Republican Congressman from Georgia. He served on Capital Hill for 12 years and gained a reputation for being a strong conservative voice.
Ah, a conservative…and so what?, there are plenty of them, like that “Rush” guy.
Yes, but this conservative has decided to throw his hat into he presidential ring,… not as a Republican, but as a Libertarian. Barr announced this week that he will seek the Libertarian nomination for president (against Mike Gravel)…
Who cares?
John McCain cares, that’ who!
According to pollster John Zogby…
“This could be the outlet for conservatives who don’t want to vote for McCain, but have to have a comfortable place to go”(Boston Globe).
Zogy’s poll even shows Barr with the potential to capture 3% of the vote…enough to effect a close Democrat/Republican election. Tight presidential races are expected in Colorado, Florida, Georgia (Barr’s home state), Nevada, North Carolina and Virginia…the addition of a third party candidate in these states could tip the results.
What do the Republicans think? Do they really think Barr’s third party candidacy will make a difference?
Barr claims that some officials in the Republican Party “pleaded with him not to run” (Globe). What does that tell you?
Russert’s Numbers
Written on 12 May 2008 by TonyIn this video Tim Russert explains the presidential numbers the old fashion way, simply. After watching this you’ll know why Obama has shifted his campaign’s attention from Hillary Clinton to John McCain.
Notes from the DSC Meeting
Written on 11 May 2008 by MarieYesterday nearly 300 members of the Democratic State Committee gathered at the Dorchester IBEW digs under the watchful eye and gavel of DSC Chair John Walsh. In addition to the regular business of the DSC, attendees also voted to fill out the ranks of the Massachusetts Delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention scheduled for August in Denver. Meeting highlights:
- Former MDP Executive Director Sue Thompson (Clinton activist) was elected as one of the 2 female MA members of the DNC - ousting longtime member Marty Xifaras (Obama activist). Sue joins re-elected veteran Diane Saxe. The current male DNC members - Tewksbury native David O’Brien and Westford resident Gus Bickford – more than held off the challenger Bob LeBlanc of Methuen.
- AG Martha Coakley was unopposed for the female uncommitted delegate slot while DSC member and North Shore grass roots activist Arthur Powell defeated Treasurer Tim Cahill and activist “Tootsie” Russell for the uncommitted male seat.
- The 12 PLEOs – Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials – were divided 7-5 between Clinton and Obama based on the February Primary results. Clinton delegates by acclamation: Sheriff Andrea Cabral, Speaker Sal DiMasi, Auditor Joe DeNucci, Secretary Bill Galvin, Senator Joan Menard (former party chair), Mayor Tom Menino and Senate President Therese Murray and elected Obama delegates: Senator Wilkerson, Rep. David Linsky, Rep. Linda Dorcena Ferry, Phil Johnson (former party chair) and AFL-CIO leader Robert Haynes.
- The 20 At-Large delegates were alloted 12-8 between Clinton and Obama with each getting 3 alternate slots. After multiple ballots and lots and lots of speeches which extended a meeting that began before 10am to an adjournment at/around 7pm - the Clinton delegation now includes: Carol Aloisi, Pat Armstrong, Kate Chang, Deb Goldberg, Rep. Lida Harkin, “Toody” Healey (Westford), Mary O’Brien, Lois Pines, Senator Karen Spilka, Lynda Tocci, Rep. Alice Wolf and Rep. Hank Naughton along with Alternates Cathy Dwyer (Tewksbury), Lucy Rivera and George Barnowski – while the Obama delegation includes: Rep. Willie Mae Allen, Sarah Compton, Ania Carmargo, Christina Wu, Christina Yoon, Hannah Banks, Cathy Ashton and Tom Barbera along with alternates Leon Braithwaite and Mushtaque Mirza.
There was a bit of a dust-up when during a lull in the proceedings as members awaited a vote count, State Senator, DSC member and Clinton supporter Marc Pacheco went to the mic and proposed a motion that the DSC direct its DNC members to support the seating of Florida and Michigan delegates. It certain livened up the afternoon causing interesting exchanges at the mic, the podium and out in the audience. After the dust settled, the members agreed to a motion letting the DNC Rules and the Credentials Committee know that the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee wants the Florida and Michigan delegations fairly seated.
The Civic Center in Springfield was the unanimous choice of the Site-Selection Committee and approved by the members for the June 5-6 2009 State Democratic Convention. The Chair announced the keynote for the 2008 Convention scheduled for Lowell to be Van Jones: “Preserving the Planet is a Democratic Value.” More on the Lowell Convention events, logistics and nomination processes later. Remember “There’s a lot to like about Lowell…”
Back by Popular Demand
Written on 10 May 2008 by DickHI’ve been writing on this blog for 15 months and the post that resulted in the most feedback was the one containing pictures of our new puppy. Well, she’s 12 weeks old now and here are some new photos with background music courtesy of the Lowell High School Jazz Band:
Daily Kos Throws MA 5th CD Under the Bus
Written on 8 May 2008 by MarieThe Daily Kos blog is boasting or posting a series of commentaries on all 50 states as part of a look at the 50-state Democratic strategy. Today’s focus falls on Massachusetts. While the post is quite positive - in fact listing our “Blue” Massachusetts as #1 of the 50 states, it’s disturbing to read the view that the 5th CD is so expendable and should be the CD to go when as expected the Commonwealth loses a Congressional seat after the next census and inevitable redistricting. The rationale is as follows:
REDISTRICTING MASSACHUSETTS: It’s worth a mention, since we’ll probably lose a seat next time around, and will run the table on how it is to be done. I expect the lost seat will be the 5th district, which is as close as MA gets to a “conservative” district, which is contiguous to four other districts, and which is held by the most junior member of the delegation to boot.
Move the 2d west into the 1st, and the 1st east to the 5th; move the 4th west into the 3rd and the 3rd north into the 5th; move the 6th southwest into the 5th; move the 10th, 9th and 8th north into the 7th, and the rest of the 7th takes up what is left of the 5th.
So there you have it. Seven out of ten incumbents getting absolute freebies in November, and the other three facing sacrificial lambs. A safe Senate race and 12 safe EVs for President. A state legislature with the biggest supermajority cushion in the nation, and a Democratic Governor not even facing the voters. Massachusetts has won everything already, and the other 49 states are green with envy.
It doesn’t seem so long ago that I was involved with many others in rallying all aspects of the 5th-CD community - and yes it included Democrats and Republicans - who banded together in a successful effort to “Save the Fifth”. (Remember Speaker Finneran’s message to Marty Meehan?) Addressing the coming redistricting will certainly be a challenge to any effort to keep the core of the CD while growing it to accommodate the new reality. The community needs to come together again to “Save the Fifth” and all that it implies both legislatively and politically. While Niki Tsongas may be the most junior member of the delegation, she is the first woman to serve in nearly 25 years. Stay tuned.
Do read the full post at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/8/103259/5334
Victory Gardens
Written on 8 May 2008 by DickHCorn, of all things, plays a major role in our current economic woes. The high price of oil and government mandates to find alternative fuels has raised the price of corn, leading mega-farmers to plant more of it and sell most of it for ethanol. With gas creeping towards $4 per gallon, I’m not sure how much ethanol is doing to hold down the amount it costs me to fill my tank with gas. But with the increased acreage devoted to corn squeezing out other crops, and much of the corn harvest going for non-food uses, the remainder of the crop is much more expensive. But we don’t eat that much corn, you might say. Well if you drink soda or almost any other processed food, or if you eat beef, pork or poultry, you consume an enormous amount of corn in the form of sweeteners or feed for meat producing animals. The dilemma is that if you cut back on ethanol production, the price of gasoline will go up. But if you use ethanol to lessen the high cost of fuel, the price of food goes up.
Maybe there’s a third way and for that, we can look back to World War Two when our national policy was for each household to plant it’s own Victory Garden as a way of increasing the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables and keep down their prices. Why couldn’t we do the same thing today? Yesterday’s New York Times showed how urban farmers in the heart of New York City, Detroit and other non-rural settings are establishing thriving farms on city owned vacant lots, not only to supplement their own groceries, but to sell to their neighbors at urban farm stands. This “proof of market” experience has drawn farmers on the outskirts of these metropolises to bring their produce into the inner city. New York City is even allowing WIC checks to be used at these urban farmers’ markets.
Why not give it a try? The time is right. So on Sunday, besides the cut flowers and box of chocolates you pick up for Mother’s Day, grab a package of seeds or a six-pack of seedlings for your Twenty-First Century Victory Garden. You’ll eat healthier and you can use the money you save over the course of the summer to top off your gas tank come Labor Day.
Save the Date! Lowell Cemetery Remembrance
Written on 8 May 2008 by MarieThe Lowell Cemetery’s Annual Memorial Day Remembrance scheduled for Sunday May 18, 2008 will honor the memory of Paul E. Tsongas. Over the years this event has become renown for its excellent program, music, military and service participation. The parade kicks off at 12:30pm at the Belvidere Gate on Knapp Avenue. The full list of participants is available at http://www.lowellcemetery.com/. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and State Senator Steven Panagiotakos will address veterans. Other participants include Honor Guards from the Lowell Police and Fire Departments, the State Police, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department, Air Force Jr. ROTC MA-771, and various mounted units, antique military vehicles and state and local dignitaries. The will be a military Fly Over by a Black Hawk heliocopter that will land and remain on display. A concert by the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty, Colonial Brass Band will open and close the event. Kudos to the Lowell Cemetery Trustees, staff and volunteers who work so hard to present this highly regarded Memorial Day celebration.
