January 13th, 2011
by Marie
Massachusetts State Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover) / Second Essex Middlesex District
Merrimack Valley State Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover) who represents the Second Essex Middlesex District wrote a column for today’s Eagle-Tribune. In the face of the Tuscon tragedy of last weekend he urges all of us to “to take a step back and evaluate whether what we are saying and how we are saying it is contributing to a healthy democratic discourse.”
Senator Finegold knows Representative Gabrielle Giffords and he shares his thoughts here:
I am deeply saddened by what happened to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords this past weekend. I did not know her well, but we crossed paths from time to time, and as a public official what happened to her hits close to home.
People and political pundits will try to interpret this event in many ways. I don’t believe one thing or one group led to this awful act. We don’t know the facts yet, and it could turn out that this particular attack was not politically motivated. However, this is perhaps the opportunity to take a step back and evaluate whether what we are saying and how we are saying it is contributing to a healthy democratic discourse…
Read the rest of his column here in the Eagle-Tribune.
Election 2010, Greater Lowell | 
6 Comments »
January 12th, 2011
by PaulM
Blogger Robert Wright of the NYTimes writes about the fear factor that’s part of the toxic political talk these days. Read his opinion here. His comments relate to Andrew’s latest post.
Culture, Current Events, Election 2010, History, Lowell | No Comments »
January 9th, 2011
by PaulM
Arizona Republic columnist Linda Valdez today writes about the shooting of the homegrown Congresswoman. I picked up this link from realclearpolitics.com
Current Events, Election 2010, History, Lowell | 1 Comment »
January 6th, 2011
by PaulM
See this boston.com report on Gov. Deval Patrick’s remarks at the swearing-in ceremony for his second term as governor. I recall meeting him one day at UMass Lowell when he was campaigning in the Democratic primary election his first time around. He was by himself, being introduced to people by Brian Andriolo of Tewksbury. I remember the day because he was quoted in the Globe that day as being in favor of the wind power proposal off Cape Cod, not a popular position at the time. I agreed with what I had read and told him I appreciated his political courage. He was a long shot candidate at the time.
Here’s the boston.com report.
Election 2010, Lowell | No Comments »
December 27th, 2010
by Marie
Poised to become the longest serving woman in Senate history, Barbara Mulkoski elected in 1986 has served for 24 in the U. S. Senate representing the state of Maryland. She invited CNN for to her Senate office for an interview to reflect on her tenure — especially her efforts to empower other women.
When she arrived in 1986, Mikulski was one of only two women in the Senate. She was the first Democratic woman elected to the Senate in her own right.
“Other women had served in the Senate, but they had succeeded the unexpired term. They usually had a husband who passed away,” she recalls.
When she is sworn in for a fifth term in January, Mikulski will become the longest serving woman in Senate history, breaking the 24-year record held by the late GOP Sen. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine.
Read the full interview with Dana Bash here.
Election 2010, History, Politics | 1 Comment »
December 23rd, 2010
by PaulM
Read NYTimes columnist Gail Collins today and feel good about our government leaders, at least some of them, working together to get some stuff done and move the sprawling nation forward a few feet just as we get set for another yearly starting line. Read her opinion here, and get the NYT if you want more.
Culture, Current Events, Election 2010, History, Lowell, Politics | No Comments »
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