*[new] The abortion threshold is being lowered on a daily basis...
The mere utterance of the word 'abortion' used to give people the shivers. Then along came the rights activists and demanded that abortions be allowed when the life of the mother is threatened, or the child was a product of incest or rape. Then suddenly ALL women had a 'Constitutionally protected right' to an abortion based on some lunacy from the US Supreme Court decision having to do with protection of privacy. Now our courts have taken steps to order the forced abortion of a healthy child in which the health of the mother is not threatened. This because someone other than the mother is requesting it.
The decision by District Court Judge Christina Harms should be a wake up call to all decent human beings. Courts are now taking steps to determine who lives and who dies, based on third party testimony.
And yet when Sarah Palin claimed Obama wanted to implement 'Death Panels' as part of his Obamacare program all the liberals laughed and said 'how silly'. Yet here we are folks....
We are baby steps away from having a government that decides who can give birth and who can not give birth. The decision will be based on economic convenience, or perceived emotional or mental ability to care for a child. 'Gee, that lady doesn't quite have a high enough IQ, we better terminate her kid!'. 'Gee, that lady over there doesn't earn a very good living, better end her ability to have children!'.
This is the Deval Patrick and Barack Obama hopey changey, 'Yes we can' kind of government.
Yet another reason why Jim Lyons is my favorite member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, yesterday he called on the Department of Mental Health to explain why it supports forced abortions. The Boston Herald has the story:
"I am requesting both a meeting and an opportunity to review all documents pertaining to the case, which I am legally allowed to view," he wrote in a letter to DMH Commissioner Barbara Leadholm.
The agency has defended its efforts to arrange the court-ordered abortion for the schizophrenic woman, 32, saying the request was made in the patient's best interest and at the behest of her parents and doctors.
Now-retired District Court Judge Christina Harms sided with DMH and the woman's parents, ruling the woman could be " 'coaxed, bribed, or even enticed . . . by ruse' into a hospital, where she would be sedated and an abortion performed," the appellate ruling states.
The appellate court struck down the order, which also directed any medical facility that performed the abortion to sterilize the woman too.
I'm more than sure that the communist Chinese government believes they are "acting in the [woman's] best interest" as well. That forced abortion is even considered shows how far we as a nation have degenerated in the 39 years since the Roe v. Wade decision. Liberals aren't content with killing their own children, they want to use the government to force other women to do the same.
The Column Blog written by the Lowell Sun's Christopher Scott is reporting that 15 indictments are about to drop in the Massachusetts Probation Scandal.
Word out of Boston is that indictments are close and will hit close to home for the Legislature, as two sitting senators and two sitting representatives could face criminal charges. Plus, one former state legislator and 10 outsiders.
The count seems to be going up. I've thought for a while that the federal prosecutors were working on more indictments, hence why it is taking so long, but 15 wow!
Over the past couple of weeks we've heard countless officials talk about the "fixed cost", and "mandatory spending" problem we face as a Commonwealth. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We don't have a problem of that magnitude, because under our constitutional system a crisis of that type cannot exist. What we have is a cowardice on the part of leaders to take on a rapidly spinning out of control model of government.
The Massachusetts constitution is clear. The legislature appropriates, each year, the spending of the Commonwealth and the Governor approves it. No where in the constitution does it say that we must outlay anything of a mandatory nature.
The "fixed costs" that Governor Patrick, and his administration carp about are statutory requirements of law. Laws which can be changed at any time, if our leaders had the courage to do so.
The growing ranks of Republican legislators on Beacon Hill would do well to remind the governor and his Democratic allies in the legislature of this fact as budget season progresses. It would show the public that the GOP is pushing for real change.
Continuing down the path we are on is not "mandatory". It is cowardice on the part of those we elect to actually lead.
President Obama took to the rostrum at State of the Union last night and called upon Congress to pass legislation to prevent Congressional Insider Trading. The notion is a rare instance of something that should rightly attract bipartisan support. Our Senator, Scott Brown, was the first member of Congress to author a comprehensive bill on the subject, and last night President Obama expressed his support for Brown's measure. After finishing his State of the Union Address, Obama expressed to Brown in the well of the House while on national television that he'd tell Harry Reid to "get it done".
Will the President and Majority Leader Reid make good on their promises of bipartisanship and support the Brown bill as promised? Will the press hold them to this commitment?
UPDATE Official Transcript:
U.S. SENATOR SCOTT BROWN: My insider trading bill is on Harry's [Majority Leader Harry Reid] desk right now. Tell him to get it out.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: I'm going to tell him. I'm going to tell him to get it done. How's your daughter?
The Massachusetts Transportation Dashboard (click pic to take it for a spin and tell us what you think (paging EdFactor!))
With talk of T fare increases and some calling for a gas tax hike, we think you deserve to know whether our state transportation leaders are wisely managing your billions in tax and fare dollars. So, we teamed up with Northeastern to present "The Massachusetts Transportation Dashboard," a graphical snapshot of how MassDOT is doing at reducing congestion, increasing on-time performance, and improving the safety of roads and bridges across the state. Click the graphic to check out the dashboard, and read this brief guide, Introduction to the Massachusetts Transportation Dashboard and our press release here.
Education Commissioner Mitch Chester stepped in it again. This week, he put a Fitchburg charter school on probation based on the very AYP accountability measures that state education leaders are seeking federal waivers for. Then the Board voted to take the school off probation. This arbitrary decision-making smells as rotten as what went on with the Gloucester charter mess last year, and as Jamie Gass noted here it "has created a crisis of confidence in the commissioner's ability to handle charter-school evaluations fairly."
Charter schools have done more than any education policy to bridge achievement gaps in Mass. - so why is the Patrick Administration chipping away at this successful model? Check out Jim Stergios' blog here.
Enter Pioneer's 2012 Better Government Competition for your chance to win $10,000! We want your ideas for this year's theme - federal programs that can be devolved to the states across the following policy areas: Education, Healthcare, Regulations, Urban Redevelopment, Transportation, Interstate Commerce, Banking and Finance, and any others you can think of.
Click here to learn more about the contest and three easy ways to enter!
Save these dates!
› Removing the Barriers: Virtual Schools and State Regulations (March 1, 2012)
› No More Know-Nothing Laws: School Choice in Massachusetts (March 15, 2012)
http://www.pioneerinstitute.or...
If you are a Republican, or libertarian, activist in Massachusetts especially Worcester County, you've met Brad Wyatt. I am lucky to count Brad as one of my friends. He has been a tireless activist and supporter, giving activistsa clubhouse in worcester to hold meetings and gatherings, and selflessly giving his time, never asking for anything in return.
If he's touchedor helped you, he could use your support this weekend. After a lengthy illness his father passed away this weekend. If you have the time this Friday, consider stopping by the wake in Worcester, the details of which are at the bottom of this post. Below you will find his dad's obituary.
Peter Francis Wyatt, 77 West Boylston -
Peter Francis Wyatt, age 77, of West Boylston, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 24th at the Oakdale Nursing Center. His death was related to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Lewy Body Disease, illnesses that he quietly fought over his last seven years.
Peter is survived by his wife of 42 years, Barbara (Nowak) Wyatt; son Bradford Wyatt and wife Duffie of Boylston, MA; daughter Dr. Carrie McAdams and husband Shaun of Plano, TX; son Zachary Wyatt of McLean, VA; grandchildren Bradford and Hannah Wyatt, and Sage, Jade, Drake, and Pierce McAdams. Peter was born on January 19th, 1935 in the Richmond Borough of New York City. Peter was raised by the nuns at Brightside Orphanage in Springfield, MA; at age 13 he moved to Spencer to live with his maternal grandfather, Peter LaPlante, and aunts, Ida, Leonie, and Anna LaPlante.
Peter held several jobs as a teenager; he worked at a five-and-dime store, a shoe factory, and even a bowling alley where he manually set up the pins. Peter graduated from St. Mary's School and received his GED without attending high school - as he liked to say, "I never dropped out because I never dropped in." At 18, Peter enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a radio operator during the Korean War. After the Air Force, Peter returned to Worcester and graduated from the New England School of Accounting in 1959.
In 1964, Peter used a personal loan to co-found New England Diamond (N-E-D) Corporation; he worked there for the rest of his career, retiring as President in 2005. Peter helped build N-E-D into one of the largest privately-owned American manufacturers of diamond tools, with over 100 employees and six service centers across the United States. He was always proud to put "Made RIGHT in USA" flag labels on Worcester-manufactured products. He held a patent for a "high-pressure, robotic water-jet stone cutting method" and was closely involved in the stone industry, serving as a member of Allied Stone Institute and the North America Monument Builders Association, as well as a Past-President of Stone Expo Association.
Within the community, Peter was a member of the Worcester Rotary Club for 38 years, an elected selectmen for the town of West Boylston from 1990 to 1993, a member of the Sodality of Our Lady at Holy Cross College, a trustee of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Foundation, and a long-time supporter of the Salvation Army; he rang the bell by the red kettle every Christmas for many years.
Peter and Barbara were married at St. Christopher's Church on June 21st, 1969. Shortly after, they moved to West Boylston, where they raised their three children in the same home they purchased as newlyweds. Peter enjoyed traveling and saw the world with his family. He also enjoyed swimming laps in the morning and taught his children and grandchildren how to swim. His family, friends, and co-workers will miss his quick sense of humor, thoughtfulness, honesty, and generosity.
Calling hours will be held from 4pm to 7pm, Friday, January 27th at the Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave, Worcester. A funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 am, Saturday, January 28th at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 111 Worcester St, West Boylston. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army at 640 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 or the Be-Like-Brit Foundation, which is building an orphanage in Haiti, Britney Gengel's Poorest of Poor Fund, Inc, PO Box 355, Rutland, MA 01543, http://belikebrit.org. www.ricefuneralhome.com
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) was recently presented the 2011 "Legislator of the Year" award from the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) during their annual convention in Boston.
Citing his many accomplishments throughout the previous legislative session, the MMA named Representative Jones as Legislator of the Year as a result of his tireless work to send $65 million in unrestricted general government aid back to cities and towns across Massachusetts.
"I am extremely honored to accept the 2011 'Legislator of the Year' award from the Massachusetts Municipal Association," said Representative Jones. "In these trying economic times, we must remain cognizant that municipalities and local taxpayers often bear the brunt of increased financial burdens. It remains my top priority to provide our cities and towns with as much help as I can."
The MMA is a non-profit, nonpartisan association that provides advocacy, training, publications, research and other services to Massachusetts cities and towns. The MMA is the only state-wide organization that brings municipal officials together to establish unified policies, to advocate these policies, and to ensure the effective delivery of services to community residents.
Proposed: In 2020, the Democratic party will seriously consider nominating Nancy Pelosi for President of the United States. (Set aside the fact that in 2020 Mrs. Pelosi will be eighty years old and humor me, okay?)
Most voters would scoff at that notion. Sure Pelosi has her fans. But to the vast majority of the mainstream American electorate Pelosi is nothing so much as the personification of acerbic, far left political extremism.
So bad were Pelosi's personal approval ratings as she entered what would be the last year of her Speakership, in fact, that CNN's headline writers employed a handy bit of shorthand to describe them - an appellation that even casual political observers would be sure to recognize as describing the worst of the worst, the absolute slime-coated barrel bottom: "Pelosi facing Gingrich-like approval ratings."
Before Tim Murray's phone tag buddy Mike McLaughlin became a household name for his $360K housing authority salary, he was at the center of a town scandal in Dracut. A scandal that involves Deval Patrick's appointment of an alleged McLaughlin ally to the Dracut Housing Authority. Colleen Garry is seen as a central player on McLaughlin's side in the controversy surrounding the appointment of Brian Bond. The Globe's Glen Johnson reported in November.
Low-income residents in the Merrimack Valley town accused the authority's board of directors of ambushing the popular Karabatsos, after they abruptly voted in late August to seek new applicants for her job as executive director.
They were especially galled that one member, Brian Bond, joined in the vote, even though he was at his first meeting after a last-minute appointment by Governor Deval Patrick.
The seniors feared the fix was in for some politically connected applicant. And they suspected the strings were being pulled by McLaughlin, a longtime area politico who, at the time, was serving as executive director of the Chelsea Housing Authority.
When the Globe ultimately asked Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray - Patrick's liaison to such boards - whether McLaughlin had spoken to him about getting Bond appointed in Dracut, Murray stammered.
The controversy has fueled a challenge for Garry according to the Lowell Sun
Since first being elected nearly two decades ago, Garry has had a pretty easy time of it every two years, like many other reps from the Greater Lowell area.
This time around, however, she is seen as politically vulnerable on a number of fronts, including her relationship to Mike McLaughlin, the disgraced pol and former head of the Chelsea Housing Authority.
The other matter that has landed Garry in hot water was her support for Brian Bond as the governor-appointed commissioner to the Dracut Housing Authority.
With absolute no history, one of Bond's first votes was to side with commissioners Ken Martin and Ken Cunha in not renewing Executive Director Mary Karabatsos' contract.
McLaughlin, who still lives in Dracut, was said to have engineered the entire fiasco, a charge he denied.
According to OCPF records, Garry has received $800 in donations from McLaughlin since 2002, including $400 in October of 2010. In November of 2012, Coleen Garry may be one of the first casualties of McLaughlin's activities.
I was on Broadside with Jim Braude last night for two segments. The first was talking about the presidential primary. The second followed Sean Murphy of the Boston Globe's explanation of his investigation. I made one point that is being lost by those that say Tim Murray did nothing wrong, that this is all McLaughlin's fault. The point is, Mike McLaughlin didn't make his own picks to housing authorities across the state. Deval Patrick made those picks, under the advice of Tim Murray at McLaughlin's request. That is the quo, in the alleged quid pro quo. It will be the most damning part for Murray, and possibly Patrick.
Citing political differences with the President, Tim Thomas the Boston Bruins Goalie, has declined to meet with President Obama today. Yahoo reports:
"Everybody has their own opinions and political beliefs. He chose not to join us," said Neely. "We certainly would have liked to have him come and join us but that's his choice. All the guys came except for Tim. It's his decision and his choice."
While his politics aren't common knowledge among many hockey fans, Thomas hasn't hidden his political leanings. He's a fan of former Fox News Channel host Glenn Beck, once saying he aspired to appear on Beck's talk show as a guest.
Big Government, a website founded by conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart, celebrated Thomas as a "true Tea Party patriot" for having "In God We Trust" and the Gadsden flag on his mask. From Big Government:
In addition to displaying his support for the Tea Party on the ice, Thomas is a FreedomWorks donor, giving generously right before the historic November 2010 elections, according to the FEC.
Chiarelli said he hoped Thomas's decision not to attend the White House event wouldn't overshadow the Bruins' day.
I'd have gone, Obama is still the President after all, but I can understand why Thomas hasn't. In addition it's great to know Thomas is a conservative!
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JAN. 23, 2012.... Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray on Monday sought to distance himself from a report that disgraced former Chelsea Housing Authority Executive Director Michael McLaughlin illegally raised money for his campaign, calling McLaughlin's alleged actions "outrageous."
Under scrutiny for his political relationship with McLaughlin, Murray's campaign committee delivered a letter to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance asking for an investigation into "alleged improprieties on the part of McLaughlin."
The letter, signed by Murray, indicated that Paul Johnson, legal counsel to Murray's political committee, would be in contact on Monday with OCPF Director Michael Sullivan, and the Citizens Committee to Elect Tim Murray would "co-operate (sic) fully in connection with this matter."
"I am outraged and frustrated by Mr. McLaughlin's actions and . . . I feel like I've been misled," Murray said on Monday morning. "I feel misled," he said again. "I wish I had known more, maybe asked more, but as candidates for elected office and elected officials people volunteer, they offer to help and you take people at face value."
An OCPF official declined comment when asked whether an investigation would be launched.
Though Murray denies any knowledge of McLaughlin's fundraising actions and has downplayed his relationship with the veteran political organizer, his ties to the former housing official appear to have damaged him politically three years away from a governor's race in which he could be a candidate.
The following is an email from GOP candidate Bill Hudak to his supporters. While critical of his fellow GOP opponents, Hudak recognizes the obvious: He can't pull as many votes as former Senator Richard Tisei in the Sixth District.
Dear Hudak Supporters:
It is with a heavy heart that I write to advise you that I have decided to suspend my campaign for Congress for 2012. I intend to continue the fight in 2014.
I do not make this decision lightly - in fact, it is the most difficult I have made in 2-1/2 years.
Running for Congress is an extremely costly venture, as you all know. A business opportunity has presented itself to me, which in addition to my active law practice will involve substantial amounts of my time and effort for the balance of the year. This will allow me to recoup what my family has invested in this race so far, and then some - allowing me to return stronger than ever in 2014.
A run for Congress involves a full-time, focused commitment. While I can continue to raise awareness of issues, and relish the opportunity to debate Richard Tisei and John Tierney vigorously, you have the right to expect that your efforts and donations will be rewarded by the very best effort I can put forth. At this moment, I cannot promise that to you. Which means that my effort would leave things incomplete - and you deserve nothing but the best.
Although my family is fully supportive of my continued run, there are needs here too as I have put my campaign first, too often at their expense. And they need to be first for awhile.
The prospect of not following through and forcing Richard Tisei to be honest with his true record and motivation for running was one of my most difficult struggles in coming to this decision. I relish the opportunity, and will in 2014, because I'm sure you all know that little will change if he is elected. Worse, I know that this leaves most of you no real choice at all in this District in 2012.
I heartily and openly endorse and ask all of you to turn all your attention for the next six weeks to help three candidates for State Committee running on March 6, 2012: Kim Incampo (North Andover), Carlos Hernandez (Saugus), and Rob Aufiero (Wakefield).
Also state reps: Dwight Caufield (Lynn area) and Karin Rhoton (North Andover area). The party appears not to care about them, as it should.
I also heartily endorse Scott Brown. Put aside everything - and remember that he stood up when no one else in Massachusetts had the character to do so. He was not a career politician (yet), and has the character and fortitude to stand on his values and defend the votes he takes. For that, he has earned my respect, even if I disagree.
Besides, Elizabeth Warren, if elected, promises only to render Massachusetts uninhabitable.
I will be calling as many of you as I can, if you don't call me first, to thank you personally and tell you what I am doing, and why I am doing it.
I need you to know that I am humbled by the outpouring of support, offers to mobilize, donate, and do everything possible to insure that we win this race; and, we will - just two years later than anticipated.
No matter what the Boston Globe revealed about Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray's dealings with former Chelsea Housing Commissioner Mike McGlaughlin, he'll be OK in the minds of our Democratic friends. It could have been much worse for Murray, he could have used PayPal to accept campaign donations, or worse still his parents and brother could have given him legal gifts and paid all applicable federal and state taxes on them.
I am of course referring to the Democrat Party's hilarious attempts over the past year to paint Republicans as corrupt over minor transgressions of campaign finance law, while their party tries to see how fast it can fill up the Danbury Federal Correctional institute.
You remember of course the outrage over Keiko Orrall using one of the most widely accepted forms of funds transfer and payments on the internet to fundraise, right? Orrall used PayPal, which is perfectly legal under the law, but forgot to cross some t's and dot some i's. The Democratic party and Blue Mass Group turned that into a full fledged Watergate. Multiple news stories, blog posts and a mailing making Keiko seem sinister later they finally had to admit that a good portion of sitting legislators on both sides were guilty of the same transgressions. One wonders if, like Keiko, they all contacted OCPF on their own with a plan to make it right?
Then of course we come to the case of Paul Adams (R-Andover). You will remember from last week that over a period of at least ten years, Adams family helped their children with monetary gifts. Those gifts were given with all applicable federal and state taxes paid. The sinister part, according to OCPF and the Democratic Party of Massachusetts is that Representative Adams had the temerity to use what was legally his money to run for office. The horror.
It will be interesting over the next few weeks, as indictments fly, to see what Kevin "Baghdad Bob" Franck, the spokesman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, tries to deflect us with next. Because as we know, minor unintentional violations of law are much more important than the wholesale institutionalized corruption of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Massachusetts Town & City Republican Committee Boot Camp 2012 "Growing Grassroots"
***ALL NEW & UPDATED FOR 2012! Full 65 Page Hardcover Reference Book ***
• GOP History & Why we are Republicans
• Positive Energy; It's Contagious!
• How to grow a Republican Committee
• Why we need Republican Town/Ward/City Committees
• How to re-organize your Committee (Mandatory by MA State Law this April)
• Electing your officers, OCPF filings
• Checking Accounts, Bylaws, Membership List
• Membership Recruitment & Membership Drives
• Calendar, Events, Meeting Locations, Agenda and Speakers
• Technology - A world of incredible free tools!
• Finding and supporting Republican Candidates to run for elective office!
• Candidate Debates, Community Involvement, Voter Registrations
• Fundraising, Donations, Dues
And lots more!
The Massachusetts Republican Party invites the leadership of Republican Town/City Committees, to attend a full day free training class.
In one day you will learn how to GROW your Committee with new members, new ideas and get Republican Candidates elected!
One Day Free Training Class - Your Choice of Dates & Locations (Additional locations/dates to be announced throughout the year)
• Sunday, February 5, 2012- 9 am to 3 pm (With Lunch & Snacks)
Location: Senator Ross Office - 93 Commonwealth Ave, North Attleboro, MA
• Sunday, April 22, 2012- 9 am to 3 pm (With Lunch & Snacks)
Location: Labonte's Auto School - 130 Cedar Street, Milford, MA
• Thursday, April 26, 2012- 9 am to 3 pm (With Lunch & Snacks)
Location: Senator Ross Office - 93 Commonwealth Ave, North Attleboro, MA
• Saturday May 19, 2012- 10 am to 4 pm (With Lunch & Snacks)
Location: North of Boston Area - Venue to be announced
SIGN UP TODAY: There is no cost to attend, although you must sign up by emailing the MASS GOP your name, address, phone, the RTC you are a member of, and the location and date you would like to attend. Email: BootCamps@massgop.com
The program includes a light lunch, snacks, drinks, handouts and a 65 page reference book. Dress is Casual - Plan on Having Fun!
This program is sponsored by the MASSGOP with the support Howard Bibeault and Susan Blais of the Attleboro Republican City Committee. The AttleboroGOP has a long history of local Republican success. For 2012, Elected Republicans representing Attleboro include one Senator, two State Representatives, the Mayor, City Council President, School Committee Chairman and many other elected officials!
The largest unanswered question from yesterday's Globe bombshell regarding Tim Murray and Mike McGlaughlin is, what did Deval Patrick know, and when did he know it? The paper outlined a five plus year relationship between McLaughlin and Murray. Including instances where McLaughlin raised money illegally for Patrick and Murray.
The part of the story, which perplexed most people I talked to yesterday was the use of public resources to bring Chelsea housing residents to a Deval Patrick rally in the closing days of the 2006 election. I find it hard to believe that Patrick missed buses with Chelsea Housing Authority on them at a rally in Everett.
The question the press should be asking of Patrick is what he knew and when he knew it.
