Friday, January 30, 2004
Cheapened By The Dozen
The Beacon Hill barter system was once effectively described by a state Senator, "Say you’re the chairman of a committee. You get some other chairman to hire your girlfriend. Then you hire his girlfriend." (source: Boston Herald, 1/25/1998)
However, judging by recent events, Willard Mitt appears to have taken the barter system to new and untested heights.
Romney was recently exposed as possibly violating Massachusetts telephone wagering prohibitions. (see RiaF, 1/22/2004) However, even as the Fraud Governor heads to Houston to watch the Super Bowl under a cloud of ethics complaints (source: Boston Herald, 1/29/2004) some are questioning whether Romney was involved in an illegal barter deal with Indiana Governor Joe Kernan.
Prior to the New England Patriots-Indianapolis Colts playoff game, Romney allegedly placed an illegal telephone wager on the outcome of the game with Kernan. After the game, Kernan reportedly sent Romney twelve pounds of pork chops courtesy of the Indiana Pork Producers Association. (source: Associated Press, 1/16/2004)
According to the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission, the Indiana Pork Producers Association are a trade association that is represented before the Indiana State Legislature and executive offices by BoseTreacy Associates, LLC, one of the largest lobbying concerns in that state.
Romney’s reported acceptance of a payoff by an Indiana trade association raises an ethical question: did Romney and Kernan use the occasion of the Patriots/Colts game to ‘barter favors’? Did Kernan direct the Pork Producers Association to pay Romney in exchange for a similar payment from Romney through a Massachusetts trade association?
Is it preposterous to wonder if the Pork Producers Association will get special consideration from Gov. Kernan for their efforts? Is it preposterous to wonder if there is a shadow trade association in Massachusetts in line for similar consideration from the Fraud Governor?
Maybe.
But is it preposterous of Romney to take Super Bowl tickets just days after the state Ethics Commission said he could not do so? (source: Boston Herald, 1/29/2004)
Absolutely.
Everyone purportedly has a price; can the Fraud Governor be bought for twelve pounds of pork chops?
Who knows? But just to be safe, the next time you are scheduled to plead before one of Romney’s policy boards, it wouldn't hurt if you made a quick pre-meeting stop at a butcher shop.
The Beacon Hill barter system was once effectively described by a state Senator, "Say you’re the chairman of a committee. You get some other chairman to hire your girlfriend. Then you hire his girlfriend." (source: Boston Herald, 1/25/1998)
However, judging by recent events, Willard Mitt appears to have taken the barter system to new and untested heights.
Romney was recently exposed as possibly violating Massachusetts telephone wagering prohibitions. (see RiaF, 1/22/2004) However, even as the Fraud Governor heads to Houston to watch the Super Bowl under a cloud of ethics complaints (source: Boston Herald, 1/29/2004) some are questioning whether Romney was involved in an illegal barter deal with Indiana Governor Joe Kernan.
Prior to the New England Patriots-Indianapolis Colts playoff game, Romney allegedly placed an illegal telephone wager on the outcome of the game with Kernan. After the game, Kernan reportedly sent Romney twelve pounds of pork chops courtesy of the Indiana Pork Producers Association. (source: Associated Press, 1/16/2004)
According to the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission, the Indiana Pork Producers Association are a trade association that is represented before the Indiana State Legislature and executive offices by BoseTreacy Associates, LLC, one of the largest lobbying concerns in that state.
Romney’s reported acceptance of a payoff by an Indiana trade association raises an ethical question: did Romney and Kernan use the occasion of the Patriots/Colts game to ‘barter favors’? Did Kernan direct the Pork Producers Association to pay Romney in exchange for a similar payment from Romney through a Massachusetts trade association?
Is it preposterous to wonder if the Pork Producers Association will get special consideration from Gov. Kernan for their efforts? Is it preposterous to wonder if there is a shadow trade association in Massachusetts in line for similar consideration from the Fraud Governor?
Maybe.
But is it preposterous of Romney to take Super Bowl tickets just days after the state Ethics Commission said he could not do so? (source: Boston Herald, 1/29/2004)
Absolutely.
Everyone purportedly has a price; can the Fraud Governor be bought for twelve pounds of pork chops?
Who knows? But just to be safe, the next time you are scheduled to plead before one of Romney’s policy boards, it wouldn't hurt if you made a quick pre-meeting stop at a butcher shop.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Romney Continues to Coddle Criminals
Willard Mitt is loyal – you’ve got to give him that. Unless, of course, you’re that mobbed-up Belmont selectman that Romney dropped like a stone, or those Utah Olympic organizers he tried to steamroll, or Jane Swift, or Jim Rappaport.
Okay, so he’s not loyal.
But when Romney has an idea he sticks with it. Like not approving any transportation projects until he compiles a statewide triage policy. Or not increasing taxes. Or not hiring political insider hacks.
Okay, so he doesn’t stick with his ideas.
But Romney is consistent with his coddling of the criminal set.
Remember how Willard Mitt last year vetoed that $75 annual registration fee for sex offenders? (see Riaf, 7/9/2003) Well guess what popped up in Outside Section 7 (lucky seven!) of Romney’s FY2005 budget proposal? Yep. The Fraud Governor wants to repeal the $75 annual sex offender registration fee. Again. (source: office of (fraud) governor, Fy2005 budget proposal, outside section 7)
This just weeks after promising to get tough on sex offenders. (source: Cape Cod Times, 11/25/2003)
What’s beautiful about Romney’s proposal is that the ‘offending’ section is simply titled “registry fee repeal.” A lazy reporter scanning the 419 outside sections would see that three-word description, assume it was a Registry of Motor Vehicle yawner, and move along.
Imagine the reaction had Romney called that section “Sex Offender Registry Fee Repeal.”
Outrage. Indignation. Invective! Or something.
This is not to say that Romney has not proposed real public safety reform in his budget document. The Fraud Governor is proposing that the Department of Public Safety … be renamed. It will now be called (drum-roll please) the Department of Inspection and Regulation.
Former Gov. Jane Swift (R-FlagBearer), hang your head in shame that you never came up with such a cutting edge reform!
Willard Mitt is loyal – you’ve got to give him that. Unless, of course, you’re that mobbed-up Belmont selectman that Romney dropped like a stone, or those Utah Olympic organizers he tried to steamroll, or Jane Swift, or Jim Rappaport.
Okay, so he’s not loyal.
But when Romney has an idea he sticks with it. Like not approving any transportation projects until he compiles a statewide triage policy. Or not increasing taxes. Or not hiring political insider hacks.
Okay, so he doesn’t stick with his ideas.
But Romney is consistent with his coddling of the criminal set.
Remember how Willard Mitt last year vetoed that $75 annual registration fee for sex offenders? (see Riaf, 7/9/2003) Well guess what popped up in Outside Section 7 (lucky seven!) of Romney’s FY2005 budget proposal? Yep. The Fraud Governor wants to repeal the $75 annual sex offender registration fee. Again. (source: office of (fraud) governor, Fy2005 budget proposal, outside section 7)
This just weeks after promising to get tough on sex offenders. (source: Cape Cod Times, 11/25/2003)
What’s beautiful about Romney’s proposal is that the ‘offending’ section is simply titled “registry fee repeal.” A lazy reporter scanning the 419 outside sections would see that three-word description, assume it was a Registry of Motor Vehicle yawner, and move along.
Imagine the reaction had Romney called that section “Sex Offender Registry Fee Repeal.”
Outrage. Indignation. Invective! Or something.
This is not to say that Romney has not proposed real public safety reform in his budget document. The Fraud Governor is proposing that the Department of Public Safety … be renamed. It will now be called (drum-roll please) the Department of Inspection and Regulation.
Former Gov. Jane Swift (R-FlagBearer), hang your head in shame that you never came up with such a cutting edge reform!
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Counting Crows, or Idon'tknow Ianno
After promising to go to New Hampshire to do hand-to-hand combat with John Kerry (source: Boston Globe, 1/13/2004), Willard Mitt, the Man From Hype, went north and ... attended a "sparse luncheon" with several women of a local Republican federation. (source: Boston Globe, 1/28/2004)
Romney, who campaigned against affordable housing yet now supports affordable housing, and promised to not raise taxes in Massachusetts then raised taxes in Massachusetts, criticized Kerry for coming down on both sides of several issues.
The Fraud Governor, who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War, also criticized Kerry's position on the war in Iraq. Romney then straddled the political fence by stating that he personally likes the Purple Heart-decorated war veteran.
It is not known whether Willard Mitt regaled the gals with tales of Massachusetts State Republican Committee hitman Don Ianno's powers of prognostication.
Sherman, set the WayBack Machine to July 30, 2003 ....
Hey, look! It's Dead-Eye Dom, himself. Let's listen to what he's mewling.
"The pressure from Howard Dean has created a serious identity crisis for John Kerry, who can't seem to decide where he stands on a number of key issues. It's a growing trend - the more the voters of New Hampshire and the rest of the nation learn about John Kerry's inability to take clear positions on the issues, the more he drops in the polls." (source: Mass. GOP, "Sen. Kerry Continues to slip in polls," 7/30/2003)
Uh, Dom, Kerry won Iowa by six percent, and he won New Hampshire by twelve percent. You can give Angry Eric Kriss back his calculator, now.
And as you spit out your mouthful of black feathers we ask that you keep your chins up, Dom. Your two-state prediction was only off by ... two states.
Close enough for Team Reform work.
After promising to go to New Hampshire to do hand-to-hand combat with John Kerry (source: Boston Globe, 1/13/2004), Willard Mitt, the Man From Hype, went north and ... attended a "sparse luncheon" with several women of a local Republican federation. (source: Boston Globe, 1/28/2004)
Romney, who campaigned against affordable housing yet now supports affordable housing, and promised to not raise taxes in Massachusetts then raised taxes in Massachusetts, criticized Kerry for coming down on both sides of several issues.
The Fraud Governor, who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War, also criticized Kerry's position on the war in Iraq. Romney then straddled the political fence by stating that he personally likes the Purple Heart-decorated war veteran.
It is not known whether Willard Mitt regaled the gals with tales of Massachusetts State Republican Committee hitman Don Ianno's powers of prognostication.
Sherman, set the WayBack Machine to July 30, 2003 ....
Hey, look! It's Dead-Eye Dom, himself. Let's listen to what he's mewling.
"The pressure from Howard Dean has created a serious identity crisis for John Kerry, who can't seem to decide where he stands on a number of key issues. It's a growing trend - the more the voters of New Hampshire and the rest of the nation learn about John Kerry's inability to take clear positions on the issues, the more he drops in the polls." (source: Mass. GOP, "Sen. Kerry Continues to slip in polls," 7/30/2003)
Uh, Dom, Kerry won Iowa by six percent, and he won New Hampshire by twelve percent. You can give Angry Eric Kriss back his calculator, now.
And as you spit out your mouthful of black feathers we ask that you keep your chins up, Dom. Your two-state prediction was only off by ... two states.
Close enough for Team Reform work.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Electronics and Eyes For You
Just in time for the Super Bowl, Romney's Public Safety Secretary, Ed "Easy On Crime" Flynn, wants to sell a plasma television that the former administration bought. (source: Boston Herald, 1/20/2004) According to Flynn, the wide-screen wonder was purchased in June 2002.
Which means the Swift administration used the TV for seven months. Flynn, who was appointed in January 2003, has been using it for twelve months.
And he only now realized he should sell it?
Perhaps the Fraud Governor can hold a 'bakesale' on the Beacon Street sidewalk. Along with the plasma-vid, he can sell the fifteen-ultrasharp flat-screen computer moniters, the $757 color laser jet printer, and the $170 CD-burner that the taxpayers bought his office. (source: Boston Herald, 11/16/2003)
He can also off-load any spare parts that the Medical Examiners office still has floating around.
Team Reform: Audio, video, eyeballs, arm sockets and a boatload of empty rhetoric.
Just in time for the Super Bowl, Romney's Public Safety Secretary, Ed "Easy On Crime" Flynn, wants to sell a plasma television that the former administration bought. (source: Boston Herald, 1/20/2004) According to Flynn, the wide-screen wonder was purchased in June 2002.
Which means the Swift administration used the TV for seven months. Flynn, who was appointed in January 2003, has been using it for twelve months.
And he only now realized he should sell it?
Perhaps the Fraud Governor can hold a 'bakesale' on the Beacon Street sidewalk. Along with the plasma-vid, he can sell the fifteen-ultrasharp flat-screen computer moniters, the $757 color laser jet printer, and the $170 CD-burner that the taxpayers bought his office. (source: Boston Herald, 11/16/2003)
He can also off-load any spare parts that the Medical Examiners office still has floating around.
Team Reform: Audio, video, eyeballs, arm sockets and a boatload of empty rhetoric.
Monday, January 26, 2004
Snow Job
And so it begins: the annual kabuki (or "January snow dance" as one advocate called it (source: Boston Globe, 1/26/2004)) of budgetary good news to fool the headline readers into thinking that all is right with state government.
Willard Mitt recently announced that he would propose a $5.5 million increase in foster care funding for FY2005. (source: Boston Globe, 1/25/2004) Which sounds like a lot of money, until you remember that Team Reform last year granted Manulife Insurance a $7 million tax credit for building on the dilapidated Boston waterfront. (source: Boston Globe, 1/25/2004)
Riddle us this: the Manulife tax credit was approved in May 2003, during what Angry Eric Kriss called the worst economic period since the Great Depression. Yet Kriss has since claimed that the economy is improving, that the worst has passed. (Boston Herald, 12/10/2003) So shouldn’t Romney be able to give foster parents in 2005 at least as much as he gave Manulife back in the dark days of 2003?
Let’s look at this a different way: Manulife, which recently merged with John Hancock, has already announced it will cut its operating budget by $255 million over the next three years (source: Boston Herald, 10/7/2003) and perhaps slice its Massachusetts workforce (source: Boston Globe, 9/29/2003; Boston Herald, 9/30/2003) and they get a $19,000-a-day tax cut, yet each of the state's approximately 5,400 foster homes will receive merely $2.79 more per day?
Looks like the waterfront is not the only thing that's dilapidated in Romney's world.
And so it begins: the annual kabuki (or "January snow dance" as one advocate called it (source: Boston Globe, 1/26/2004)) of budgetary good news to fool the headline readers into thinking that all is right with state government.
Willard Mitt recently announced that he would propose a $5.5 million increase in foster care funding for FY2005. (source: Boston Globe, 1/25/2004) Which sounds like a lot of money, until you remember that Team Reform last year granted Manulife Insurance a $7 million tax credit for building on the dilapidated Boston waterfront. (source: Boston Globe, 1/25/2004)
Riddle us this: the Manulife tax credit was approved in May 2003, during what Angry Eric Kriss called the worst economic period since the Great Depression. Yet Kriss has since claimed that the economy is improving, that the worst has passed. (Boston Herald, 12/10/2003) So shouldn’t Romney be able to give foster parents in 2005 at least as much as he gave Manulife back in the dark days of 2003?
Let’s look at this a different way: Manulife, which recently merged with John Hancock, has already announced it will cut its operating budget by $255 million over the next three years (source: Boston Herald, 10/7/2003) and perhaps slice its Massachusetts workforce (source: Boston Globe, 9/29/2003; Boston Herald, 9/30/2003) and they get a $19,000-a-day tax cut, yet each of the state's approximately 5,400 foster homes will receive merely $2.79 more per day?
Looks like the waterfront is not the only thing that's dilapidated in Romney's world.
Friday, January 23, 2004
MASSInc sinks Romney tax pledge
Willard Mitt?s "I will not raise taxes" is a phrase that will live, if not in infamy, in repetition, at least on this page. (see RiaF, 1/19/2004)
Especially when an organization like MASSInc shows Romney to be a fraud.
MASSInc is famously non-partisan (although they did "gush" when Romney's rapidly-diminishing Public Safety Secretary Edward Flynn was first appointed. (source: Boston Globe, 2/18/2003)) As such, the think-tank's findings are respected as fair.
So it's no small matter when MASSInc reports that Willard Mitt wants to impose an internet sales tax. (source: Commonwealth Magazine, Winter, 2004)
Just one week after promising not to raise taxes.
The tax hike was confirmed by Romney's loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman, who said, "for us, it's a matter of enforcement. We already have a use tax that applies to transactions over the Internet. We would prefer to collect the tax directly from the retailer."
Except the tax is now not being collected by the retailer. And before Team Reform came to town, the Commonwealth did not have a use tax line on the income tax form!
(Which reminds us: Romney also said "I will not raise taxes next year" in 2002 (source: Boston Globe, 10/25/2002), then signed off on the use tax change in 2003. This guy can't help himself.)
The internet sales tax has long been opposed by Massachusetts business interests, and public policy makers. Former Gov. Jane Swift (R-FlagBearer) said the economic benefits from the growth of the high-tech sector more than offset any potential lost tax revenue. (source: Boston Globe, 5/5/2001) And the Mass High-Tech Council lists "opposing new taxes to protect competitive policy gains" as one of their chief fiscal policy goals.
Of course, Romney is already on record as saying he wants to help the high-tech sector prosper. (source: Boston Globe, 9/16/2003)
And of course, Romney vetoed much of the economic stimulus bill that was crafted, in part, for the high-tech sector. (source: Boston Herald, 1/6/2004)
Which is why, after Team Reform's latest attack, the Mass. High-Tech Council may list a new chief policy goal: to have the Fraud Governor go help someone else!
Willard Mitt?s "I will not raise taxes" is a phrase that will live, if not in infamy, in repetition, at least on this page. (see RiaF, 1/19/2004)
Especially when an organization like MASSInc shows Romney to be a fraud.
MASSInc is famously non-partisan (although they did "gush" when Romney's rapidly-diminishing Public Safety Secretary Edward Flynn was first appointed. (source: Boston Globe, 2/18/2003)) As such, the think-tank's findings are respected as fair.
So it's no small matter when MASSInc reports that Willard Mitt wants to impose an internet sales tax. (source: Commonwealth Magazine, Winter, 2004)
Just one week after promising not to raise taxes.
The tax hike was confirmed by Romney's loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman, who said, "for us, it's a matter of enforcement. We already have a use tax that applies to transactions over the Internet. We would prefer to collect the tax directly from the retailer."
Except the tax is now not being collected by the retailer. And before Team Reform came to town, the Commonwealth did not have a use tax line on the income tax form!
(Which reminds us: Romney also said "I will not raise taxes next year" in 2002 (source: Boston Globe, 10/25/2002), then signed off on the use tax change in 2003. This guy can't help himself.)
The internet sales tax has long been opposed by Massachusetts business interests, and public policy makers. Former Gov. Jane Swift (R-FlagBearer) said the economic benefits from the growth of the high-tech sector more than offset any potential lost tax revenue. (source: Boston Globe, 5/5/2001) And the Mass High-Tech Council lists "opposing new taxes to protect competitive policy gains" as one of their chief fiscal policy goals.
Of course, Romney is already on record as saying he wants to help the high-tech sector prosper. (source: Boston Globe, 9/16/2003)
And of course, Romney vetoed much of the economic stimulus bill that was crafted, in part, for the high-tech sector. (source: Boston Herald, 1/6/2004)
Which is why, after Team Reform's latest attack, the Mass. High-Tech Council may list a new chief policy goal: to have the Fraud Governor go help someone else!
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Dialing for Dummies
Back in 1981, Willard Mitt was arrested after a lakeside fracas with a park officer. (source: Boston Globe, 5/5/1994) Twenty years later, Romney has finally had his revenge on the MDC, but it would appear that he has yet to gain an appreciation for the law.
Recently the stout, Reese Witherspoon-wanna-be dye-job aide to Romney’s loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman issued a press statement detailing how the Fraud Governor placed a wager with Indiana Governor Joseph Kernan over Sunday afternoon's AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. (source: office of (fraud) gov, "Romney wagers on Patriots game with Indiana governor," 1/16/2004)
The statement went on to describe how the Fraud Governor "sealed the deal in a phone call with Kernan this morning."
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding. Paging Tom Reilly.
According to chapter 271, section 17A of the Massachusetts General Laws, "Whoever uses a telephone for the purpose of accepting wagers or bets or for placing all or any portion of a wager with another, upon the result of a trial or contest of skill, speed, or endurance of man, beast, bird, or machine, or upon the result of an athletic game or contest … shall be punished by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year."
And Romney "sealed the deal in a phone call."
Uh, Reese, you may have gotten your boss busted.
Arrested in 1981; illegal gambling - would someone please tell us again why Willard Mitt is supposed to be such a paragon of moral virtue?
Although this does clear up why Romney’s Secretary of Public Safety recently announced that Team Reform was dropping the state's policy of being tough on crime. (source: Boston Globe, 10/29/2003) He was likely afraid he’d end up sending his scofflaw boss up the river.
Note to anyone who gets pinched over the next week for making an illegal wager on the Super Bowl: COP (Corner Office Precedent) a plea!
Back in 1981, Willard Mitt was arrested after a lakeside fracas with a park officer. (source: Boston Globe, 5/5/1994) Twenty years later, Romney has finally had his revenge on the MDC, but it would appear that he has yet to gain an appreciation for the law.
Recently the stout, Reese Witherspoon-wanna-be dye-job aide to Romney’s loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman issued a press statement detailing how the Fraud Governor placed a wager with Indiana Governor Joseph Kernan over Sunday afternoon's AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. (source: office of (fraud) gov, "Romney wagers on Patriots game with Indiana governor," 1/16/2004)
The statement went on to describe how the Fraud Governor "sealed the deal in a phone call with Kernan this morning."
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding. Paging Tom Reilly.
According to chapter 271, section 17A of the Massachusetts General Laws, "Whoever uses a telephone for the purpose of accepting wagers or bets or for placing all or any portion of a wager with another, upon the result of a trial or contest of skill, speed, or endurance of man, beast, bird, or machine, or upon the result of an athletic game or contest … shall be punished by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year."
And Romney "sealed the deal in a phone call."
Uh, Reese, you may have gotten your boss busted.
Arrested in 1981; illegal gambling - would someone please tell us again why Willard Mitt is supposed to be such a paragon of moral virtue?
Although this does clear up why Romney’s Secretary of Public Safety recently announced that Team Reform was dropping the state's policy of being tough on crime. (source: Boston Globe, 10/29/2003) He was likely afraid he’d end up sending his scofflaw boss up the river.
Note to anyone who gets pinched over the next week for making an illegal wager on the Super Bowl: COP (Corner Office Precedent) a plea!
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
All-of-a Premium Twist
How do you define “household?” Two adults with 3.5 kids? One adult with four children? How about a 78-year old grandmother and a 24-year old unemployed PlayStation wizard?
All good choices. Unless you’re Team Reform.
To Willard Mitt and his minions, a household includes … one child, and not much more.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Last year, the Legislature and the Fraud Governor increased the Children’s Medical Security Plan (CMSP) premium. CMSP is a managed care program that provides insurance to uninsured dependent and adopted youths from birth to age eighteen. (source: workworld.org) The new premium was to equal $45.32 on households earning between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. (source: MGL, C 118E, S 10F(a))
Which meant that applicable households would pay $45.32, right?
Wrong. But thanks for asking.
On November 1, your Department of Public Health announced that families enrolled in Plan would be required to pay a monthly premium of $45.32 … per child. (source: Daily News Tribune, 1/9/2004)
Pesky advocates complained, saying that Team Reform was breaking the law, that the premium was supposed to be per household, not per child, and that the increased dunning could cause families to drop coverage.
But DPH spokespersons demurred, saying, "something had to be done to be sure that we could continue to deliver this important service to children" and "we don't have any evidence that anyone will drop out." (source: Daily News Tribune, 12/17/2003)
Then, four weeks later, flip-flopped and capitulated. And yes, when we say 'capitulated' we mean 'admitted they lied.'
DPH announced that the CMSP premium was being "reduced," and charged per household, rather than per child. And proving once again that they have no shame, Team Reform took every ounce of credit for the change, saying "this decision was made on behalf of working families who were struggling to keep up with the premiums and would have had to drop out of the program." (source: Daily News Tribune, 1/9/2004)
Uh, wait a minute, didn’t you just tell us that the premium was necessary to preserve the very program from which no one would be dropping out?
Who's in charge at DPH these days, Mr. Bumble?
Hey Fraudo, rather than focusing your energies on Washington DC, try spending a little more time on Washington Street.
Because when it comes to competency in public health, please sir, we want some more.
How do you define “household?” Two adults with 3.5 kids? One adult with four children? How about a 78-year old grandmother and a 24-year old unemployed PlayStation wizard?
All good choices. Unless you’re Team Reform.
To Willard Mitt and his minions, a household includes … one child, and not much more.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Last year, the Legislature and the Fraud Governor increased the Children’s Medical Security Plan (CMSP) premium. CMSP is a managed care program that provides insurance to uninsured dependent and adopted youths from birth to age eighteen. (source: workworld.org) The new premium was to equal $45.32 on households earning between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. (source: MGL, C 118E, S 10F(a))
Which meant that applicable households would pay $45.32, right?
Wrong. But thanks for asking.
On November 1, your Department of Public Health announced that families enrolled in Plan would be required to pay a monthly premium of $45.32 … per child. (source: Daily News Tribune, 1/9/2004)
Pesky advocates complained, saying that Team Reform was breaking the law, that the premium was supposed to be per household, not per child, and that the increased dunning could cause families to drop coverage.
But DPH spokespersons demurred, saying, "something had to be done to be sure that we could continue to deliver this important service to children" and "we don't have any evidence that anyone will drop out." (source: Daily News Tribune, 12/17/2003)
Then, four weeks later, flip-flopped and capitulated. And yes, when we say 'capitulated' we mean 'admitted they lied.'
DPH announced that the CMSP premium was being "reduced," and charged per household, rather than per child. And proving once again that they have no shame, Team Reform took every ounce of credit for the change, saying "this decision was made on behalf of working families who were struggling to keep up with the premiums and would have had to drop out of the program." (source: Daily News Tribune, 1/9/2004)
Uh, wait a minute, didn’t you just tell us that the premium was necessary to preserve the very program from which no one would be dropping out?
Who's in charge at DPH these days, Mr. Bumble?
Hey Fraudo, rather than focusing your energies on Washington DC, try spending a little more time on Washington Street.
Because when it comes to competency in public health, please sir, we want some more.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
WWW(M)D?
What will Willard Mitt do?
Back when everyone who believes the Boston Globe thought the presidential hopes of Sen. John Kerry were dim and dimmer, Willard Mitt mounted his Shetland pony and promised to campaign in New Hampshire for the pension rights of Andrew Natsios. (source: Boston Globe, 1/13/2004)
But now that the state of Iowa has confirmed Scot Lehigh’s status as an analytical zombie (source: Boston Globe, 11/12/2003) Romney is in the dicey position of either staying home and breaking his promise to the White House or heading north to the Flinty State to try to beat Kerry.
So why should Romney think twice about trying to take down Kerry? If things work out, Kerry will be president, and in a position to greatly help the Commonwealth.
Romney claims to love Massachusetts. (source: speech to Worcester Regional Research Burea, 6/11/2003) So let’s see what he puts first, his obligation to the welfare of the people of Massachusetts, or his ego to play on a larger stage.
Besides, what’s the worst that anyone will say if Romney does to the New Hampshire GOP what he did to Arnold “Horndog” Schwarzenegger? That he broke a promise?
We’d guess he's heard it before.
What will Willard Mitt do?
Back when everyone who believes the Boston Globe thought the presidential hopes of Sen. John Kerry were dim and dimmer, Willard Mitt mounted his Shetland pony and promised to campaign in New Hampshire for the pension rights of Andrew Natsios. (source: Boston Globe, 1/13/2004)
But now that the state of Iowa has confirmed Scot Lehigh’s status as an analytical zombie (source: Boston Globe, 11/12/2003) Romney is in the dicey position of either staying home and breaking his promise to the White House or heading north to the Flinty State to try to beat Kerry.
So why should Romney think twice about trying to take down Kerry? If things work out, Kerry will be president, and in a position to greatly help the Commonwealth.
Romney claims to love Massachusetts. (source: speech to Worcester Regional Research Burea, 6/11/2003) So let’s see what he puts first, his obligation to the welfare of the people of Massachusetts, or his ego to play on a larger stage.
Besides, what’s the worst that anyone will say if Romney does to the New Hampshire GOP what he did to Arnold “Horndog” Schwarzenegger? That he broke a promise?
We’d guess he's heard it before.
Monday, January 19, 2004
Classification Clarification
It may be a modern day record. Not even one full day after renewing his pledge to not raise taxes, the Fraud Governor raised taxes.
On Thursday, Romney stood before the Commonwealth and said, “in case anybody has any other ideas: I will not raise taxes.” (source: office of (fraud) gov, State of the State address, 1/15/2004)
Note he did not say ‘I will not raise new taxes’ or ‘I will not raise sales taxes’ or ‘I will not raise sin taxes.’ He said, “I will not raise taxes.”
Then Friday, Romney signed a tax classification bill that will “ease property tax increases for residents in about 50 communities - by as much as 50 percent in the city Boston - at the expense of business, some of which will pay more.” (source: SHNS, 1/16/2004)
Wait a minute. You think we’re being unfair because the bill necessary? It doesn’t really matter, does it? Because Romney did not say ‘I will not raise unnecessary taxes,’, he said “I will not raise taxes.”
According to the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Romney’s latest tax hike could lead to company operations being downsized, fewer jobs being available, cuts in employee benefits and tenants relocating to lower cost tax jurisdictions. (source: aimnet.org, 12/30/03)
Wait a minute. You think we’re being unfair because Romney had no choice but to support the legislation.
Sherman, set the Wayback Machine to November 2003. What's that Romney is saying? "I will reserve my support for any legislation the commission recommends due to my concern that this measure has the potential to create an adverse impact on business opportunities and job creating in the Commonwealth." (source: Boston Herald, 11/29/2003)
Gosh. And he signed the bill. Which means he supports the legislation.
Now, in Romney’s defense, the property classification tax increase was the first time he’s raised taxes since … November - when the unemployment tax on employers was increased by $1.4 billion dollars. (source: office of (fraud) gov, “Romney allows UI bill to become law without signature,” 11/25/2003)
And as the UI tax increase press release title states, Romney let the bill to become law without his signature.
Which means he took the coward’s way out. He could have vetoed the bill (to stay true to his promise not to raise taxes) but he chose not to.
Wait a minute. You think we’re being unfair because, after all, the Fraud Governor never promised “I will not lie.”
You have us there.
It may be a modern day record. Not even one full day after renewing his pledge to not raise taxes, the Fraud Governor raised taxes.
On Thursday, Romney stood before the Commonwealth and said, “in case anybody has any other ideas: I will not raise taxes.” (source: office of (fraud) gov, State of the State address, 1/15/2004)
Note he did not say ‘I will not raise new taxes’ or ‘I will not raise sales taxes’ or ‘I will not raise sin taxes.’ He said, “I will not raise taxes.”
Then Friday, Romney signed a tax classification bill that will “ease property tax increases for residents in about 50 communities - by as much as 50 percent in the city Boston - at the expense of business, some of which will pay more.” (source: SHNS, 1/16/2004)
Wait a minute. You think we’re being unfair because the bill necessary? It doesn’t really matter, does it? Because Romney did not say ‘I will not raise unnecessary taxes,’, he said “I will not raise taxes.”
According to the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Romney’s latest tax hike could lead to company operations being downsized, fewer jobs being available, cuts in employee benefits and tenants relocating to lower cost tax jurisdictions. (source: aimnet.org, 12/30/03)
Wait a minute. You think we’re being unfair because Romney had no choice but to support the legislation.
Sherman, set the Wayback Machine to November 2003. What's that Romney is saying? "I will reserve my support for any legislation the commission recommends due to my concern that this measure has the potential to create an adverse impact on business opportunities and job creating in the Commonwealth." (source: Boston Herald, 11/29/2003)
Gosh. And he signed the bill. Which means he supports the legislation.
Now, in Romney’s defense, the property classification tax increase was the first time he’s raised taxes since … November - when the unemployment tax on employers was increased by $1.4 billion dollars. (source: office of (fraud) gov, “Romney allows UI bill to become law without signature,” 11/25/2003)
And as the UI tax increase press release title states, Romney let the bill to become law without his signature.
Which means he took the coward’s way out. He could have vetoed the bill (to stay true to his promise not to raise taxes) but he chose not to.
Wait a minute. You think we’re being unfair because, after all, the Fraud Governor never promised “I will not lie.”
You have us there.
Friday, January 16, 2004
W Sleaz-Y
What a pompous, holier-than-thou, loud-mouthed mo-ron. What a complete and utter phony. What a fraud.
It’s one thing to mess with our politics, but it’s something else entirely to mess with our news. And morning radio "newsman" Gary LaPierre has been living a lie for the past couple of years, pretending to broadcast from Boston while he was actually in Florida. (source: Boston Globe, 1/15/2004)
Tell us, did WBZ really use LaPierre’s voice for those ‘news you can trust’ promos?
Here’s hoping that WBZ-AM lets Gary LaPierre loose … for good.
Oh yeah, and yesterday Willard Mitt gave his State of the State address. Thankfully the Fraud Governor did not, this time, praise any terrorists.
How very nimble of him.
What a pompous, holier-than-thou, loud-mouthed mo-ron. What a complete and utter phony. What a fraud.
It’s one thing to mess with our politics, but it’s something else entirely to mess with our news. And morning radio "newsman" Gary LaPierre has been living a lie for the past couple of years, pretending to broadcast from Boston while he was actually in Florida. (source: Boston Globe, 1/15/2004)
Tell us, did WBZ really use LaPierre’s voice for those ‘news you can trust’ promos?
Here’s hoping that WBZ-AM lets Gary LaPierre loose … for good.
Oh yeah, and yesterday Willard Mitt gave his State of the State address. Thankfully the Fraud Governor did not, this time, praise any terrorists.
How very nimble of him.
Thursday, January 15, 2004
High Times in Holyoke
Willard Mitt is concerned about drugs. Not concerned enough to fully fund drug treatment and education programs in Framingham, Boston or Quincy, which his FY03 budget crippled (source: Boston Globe, 10/11/2003) but concerned enough to ask Holyoke students if their school has a heroin problem. (source: Springfield Republican, 1/12/2004)
Sadly the students were unable to answer Romney’s questions. According to local police, there has never been a heroin arrest or drug confiscation in the Holyoke Public Schools.
(Nice job on the briefing book, Reese.)
The Chimes have a nice take on Willard Mitt’s weirdness.
But could this plumb a darker issue?
By querying students about heroin, Willard Mitt can claim to be concerned about drug abuse, despite the fact that when he headed Bain Capital, Romney reaped profits from Nutraceutical International, which marketed ephedra-based products. (source: Boston Herald, 3/27/2003)
Now we don’t know exactly how many people are said to have died from ephedra, but we do know that the federal government has taken steps to ban the drug. (source: Associated Press, 12/30/2003)
So, do you think Willard Mitt still has investments in Nutraceutical? (source: Boston Herald, 5/27/2002)
And do you think that Neutraceutical executives are still raising Romney campaign contributions? (source: Boston Herald, 8/19/2002)
If so, there may have been a drug problem in Holyoke last week, but it left town when the Fraud Governor’s motorcade hit the Turnpike.
Willard Mitt is concerned about drugs. Not concerned enough to fully fund drug treatment and education programs in Framingham, Boston or Quincy, which his FY03 budget crippled (source: Boston Globe, 10/11/2003) but concerned enough to ask Holyoke students if their school has a heroin problem. (source: Springfield Republican, 1/12/2004)
Sadly the students were unable to answer Romney’s questions. According to local police, there has never been a heroin arrest or drug confiscation in the Holyoke Public Schools.
(Nice job on the briefing book, Reese.)
The Chimes have a nice take on Willard Mitt’s weirdness.
But could this plumb a darker issue?
By querying students about heroin, Willard Mitt can claim to be concerned about drug abuse, despite the fact that when he headed Bain Capital, Romney reaped profits from Nutraceutical International, which marketed ephedra-based products. (source: Boston Herald, 3/27/2003)
Now we don’t know exactly how many people are said to have died from ephedra, but we do know that the federal government has taken steps to ban the drug. (source: Associated Press, 12/30/2003)
So, do you think Willard Mitt still has investments in Nutraceutical? (source: Boston Herald, 5/27/2002)
And do you think that Neutraceutical executives are still raising Romney campaign contributions? (source: Boston Herald, 8/19/2002)
If so, there may have been a drug problem in Holyoke last week, but it left town when the Fraud Governor’s motorcade hit the Turnpike.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Romney Salutes … ME
After years of saying that the problem is leadership, not lucre, Willard Mitt recently flipped, admitted that quality follows quids, and announced he would 'solve' the management problems of the state Medical Examiners office by … increasing its budget.
He explained his change in philosophy by saying "The Chief Medical Examiner's Office has been chronically underfunded for more than a decade. This additional funding in my budget will allow the office to purchase new lab equipment and make other sorely needed upgrades to bring the office into the 21st century." (source: office of (fraud) gov, “Romney proposes increased funding for Medical Examiner, 1/12/2004)
Quality will follow increased funding in the medical examiners office? Wow.
Would quality also follow increased funding in municipal libraries? Then why is Team Reform "solving" library under-funding by increasing the number of waivers that towns can get to avoid having to meet state funding standards? (source: Boston Globe, 1/8/2004)
Or does quality only follow increased funding in agencies that lose their client’s heart or eyeballs? (source: Boston Globe, 12/2/2003)
But Romney didn’t stop there.
The Fraud Governor blamed the mess-in-the-ME’s office on his predecessor, former Gov. Jane Swift (R-FlagBearer) saying "in case you hadn't noticed, the Executive Office of Public Safety and all the agencies that report to it had a lot of reform that they had to go through. This thing has been a mess a long time and we are going to get it right."
Team Reform has been on charge for over a year, yet the disarray in the ME’s office is not their fault because "it had a lot of reform that they had to go through"? (source: Boston Globe, 1/13/2004)
Translation – it’s not Romney's fault. He is simply mopping up.
Sounds strangely like … the Beacon Hill Salute, which Willard Mitt described as "when you point to someone else when things go wrong and to yourself when it goes right." (source: Boston Herald, 9/25/2002)
Wow. In office for just a year and Romney is saluting like a pro.
No wonder he wants to be called "Ike." (source: Boston Globe, 1/21/2003)
After years of saying that the problem is leadership, not lucre, Willard Mitt recently flipped, admitted that quality follows quids, and announced he would 'solve' the management problems of the state Medical Examiners office by … increasing its budget.
He explained his change in philosophy by saying "The Chief Medical Examiner's Office has been chronically underfunded for more than a decade. This additional funding in my budget will allow the office to purchase new lab equipment and make other sorely needed upgrades to bring the office into the 21st century." (source: office of (fraud) gov, “Romney proposes increased funding for Medical Examiner, 1/12/2004)
Quality will follow increased funding in the medical examiners office? Wow.
Would quality also follow increased funding in municipal libraries? Then why is Team Reform "solving" library under-funding by increasing the number of waivers that towns can get to avoid having to meet state funding standards? (source: Boston Globe, 1/8/2004)
Or does quality only follow increased funding in agencies that lose their client’s heart or eyeballs? (source: Boston Globe, 12/2/2003)
But Romney didn’t stop there.
The Fraud Governor blamed the mess-in-the-ME’s office on his predecessor, former Gov. Jane Swift (R-FlagBearer) saying "in case you hadn't noticed, the Executive Office of Public Safety and all the agencies that report to it had a lot of reform that they had to go through. This thing has been a mess a long time and we are going to get it right."
Team Reform has been on charge for over a year, yet the disarray in the ME’s office is not their fault because "it had a lot of reform that they had to go through"? (source: Boston Globe, 1/13/2004)
Translation – it’s not Romney's fault. He is simply mopping up.
Sounds strangely like … the Beacon Hill Salute, which Willard Mitt described as "when you point to someone else when things go wrong and to yourself when it goes right." (source: Boston Herald, 9/25/2002)
Wow. In office for just a year and Romney is saluting like a pro.
No wonder he wants to be called "Ike." (source: Boston Globe, 1/21/2003)
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Lightweight LG Under Wraps?
She's baaack. Sort of.
Lightweight Lieutenant Governor Sherry Kerry Healey recently came back from vacation and hit the public relations trail.
Perhaps she should have stayed in Florida.
Last week, Healey, whom Willard Mitt calls his 'criminal justice expert' (source: Lawrence Eagle Tribune, 8/26/2002), announced a $4 million tax package to help create a safe house for victims of domestic violence, then proceeded to pinpoint the exact street address of the future domestic violence safe-house. (source: office of (fraud) governor, “Healey announces $4.6M to house domestic violence victims,” 1/9/2004)
Note to criminal justice expert Sherry Kerry: domestic violence safe-houses are safe because their locations are not disclosed to the public.
This week, Team Reform tried again, sending Healey to Lynn to “recognize the importance of business investment and job creation.” The accompanying press release, authored by the stout, Reese Witherspoon-wannabe dye-job aide to Romney’s loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman, showed how much faith the Fraud Governor has in his titular second-in-command. It was titled “Romney Honors Traditional Breads with Inner City Award” despite the fact that Romney was nowhere near Lynn when the ‘honor’ was bestowed. (source: office of (fraud) governor, “Romney honors Traditional Breads with Inner City Award,” 1/12/2004)
Which only proves the point that, as far as Team Reform is concerned, even when Sherry Kerry is front and center, please don't bother tryin' to find her - she's not there.
She's baaack. Sort of.
Lightweight Lieutenant Governor Sherry Kerry Healey recently came back from vacation and hit the public relations trail.
Perhaps she should have stayed in Florida.
Last week, Healey, whom Willard Mitt calls his 'criminal justice expert' (source: Lawrence Eagle Tribune, 8/26/2002), announced a $4 million tax package to help create a safe house for victims of domestic violence, then proceeded to pinpoint the exact street address of the future domestic violence safe-house. (source: office of (fraud) governor, “Healey announces $4.6M to house domestic violence victims,” 1/9/2004)
Note to criminal justice expert Sherry Kerry: domestic violence safe-houses are safe because their locations are not disclosed to the public.
This week, Team Reform tried again, sending Healey to Lynn to “recognize the importance of business investment and job creation.” The accompanying press release, authored by the stout, Reese Witherspoon-wannabe dye-job aide to Romney’s loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman, showed how much faith the Fraud Governor has in his titular second-in-command. It was titled “Romney Honors Traditional Breads with Inner City Award” despite the fact that Romney was nowhere near Lynn when the ‘honor’ was bestowed. (source: office of (fraud) governor, “Romney honors Traditional Breads with Inner City Award,” 1/12/2004)
Which only proves the point that, as far as Team Reform is concerned, even when Sherry Kerry is front and center, please don't bother tryin' to find her - she's not there.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Romney Courting Ethics Charge?
According to those who know, Willard Mitt went to the New England Patriots playoff game against the Tennessee Titans, and sat in Donald Trump's box. (source: Boston Herald, 1/11/2004)
Wait a minute. Not four months ago, Romney was on WFXT proclaiming that politicians should not have special access to sporting event tickets. (see RiaF, 10/9/2003)
We hope the Fraud Governor has a cancelled check, showing he paid full and fair market value for those ducats.
Particularly since the Donald has long had his eye on building a casino in Massachusetts - and Romney has been decidedly casino friendly. And while Willard Mitt's gambling guise has slipped as of late, Trump also has a history of helping sponsor Indian casinos. (source: Boston Globe, 4/6/2003) So it is not a stretch to say that he and Team Reform could be determining state gaming policy in the very near future.
Which could be fodder for some fairly interesting discussions.
According to those who know, Willard Mitt went to the New England Patriots playoff game against the Tennessee Titans, and sat in Donald Trump's box. (source: Boston Herald, 1/11/2004)
Wait a minute. Not four months ago, Romney was on WFXT proclaiming that politicians should not have special access to sporting event tickets. (see RiaF, 10/9/2003)
We hope the Fraud Governor has a cancelled check, showing he paid full and fair market value for those ducats.
Particularly since the Donald has long had his eye on building a casino in Massachusetts - and Romney has been decidedly casino friendly. And while Willard Mitt's gambling guise has slipped as of late, Trump also has a history of helping sponsor Indian casinos. (source: Boston Globe, 4/6/2003) So it is not a stretch to say that he and Team Reform could be determining state gaming policy in the very near future.
Which could be fodder for some fairly interesting discussions.
Friday, January 09, 2004
Fine Whine
RSC strongman Darrell Crate, upset at the date set to elect a new Senator for the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex seat, stammered that "legal play is not the same as fair play." (source: Boston Herald, 1/8/2004)
Kind of reminds us of that quote by Willard Mitt in Scot Lehigh's paean to the Fraud Governor: “Who said politics is fair?” (source: Boston Globe Magazine, 12/28/2003)
RSC strongman Darrell Crate, upset at the date set to elect a new Senator for the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex seat, stammered that "legal play is not the same as fair play." (source: Boston Herald, 1/8/2004)
Kind of reminds us of that quote by Willard Mitt in Scot Lehigh's paean to the Fraud Governor: “Who said politics is fair?” (source: Boston Globe Magazine, 12/28/2003)
Thursday, January 08, 2004
“F” is for Cash Grab
The American Lung Association recently gave Team Reform an “F” for failing to fund tobacco prevention and control programs, or doing enough to keep tobacco out of the hands of minors; over 24 percent of the state’s high school students smoke. (source: Associated Press, 1/6/2004)
The Association “lauded” a smoke-free workplace law that the Legislature recently enacted, but panned Willard Mitt’s overall stewardship, noting that Massachusetts spent less than 59 percent of its settlement monies on prevention programs, unlike other states which spent upwards of 90 percent.
So why do we care about this? After all, tobacco settlement monies appear to be a natural non-tax-revenue grab for Team Reform.
Or do they?
Back in October 2002, when former Gov. Jane Swift (R-Flagbearer) cut tobacco control programs, Willard Mitt said, if elected, he would restore program funding. At least one Boston newspaper wrote that Romney’s (now) loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman said the Fraud Candidate ‘wants to fully fund the program and believes he will be able to do so by restructuring the state's finances.’ (source: Boston Herald, 10/12/2002)
Swift cut program funding to $4.8 million. Romney proposed funding the program at $1.7 million. (source: tobaccofreekids.org)
Now THAT’S what we call restructuring.
For the record, not every Romney-phile believed Team Reform’s spoken position on tobacco settlement monies. Boston Globe neo-con Scot Lehigh wrote:
“Meanwhile, budgeteers have insisted on socking away for the future between 20 percent (the Senate) and 50 percent (the House) of the state's annual tobacco-settlement money - even though each such dollar held in reserve effectively means a dollar that must be raised in taxes. . . . And that's why it's vitally important that Mitt Romney remain on the ballot.” (source: Boston Globe, 6/12/2002)
Thanks for the warning.
The American Lung Association recently gave Team Reform an “F” for failing to fund tobacco prevention and control programs, or doing enough to keep tobacco out of the hands of minors; over 24 percent of the state’s high school students smoke. (source: Associated Press, 1/6/2004)
The Association “lauded” a smoke-free workplace law that the Legislature recently enacted, but panned Willard Mitt’s overall stewardship, noting that Massachusetts spent less than 59 percent of its settlement monies on prevention programs, unlike other states which spent upwards of 90 percent.
So why do we care about this? After all, tobacco settlement monies appear to be a natural non-tax-revenue grab for Team Reform.
Or do they?
Back in October 2002, when former Gov. Jane Swift (R-Flagbearer) cut tobacco control programs, Willard Mitt said, if elected, he would restore program funding. At least one Boston newspaper wrote that Romney’s (now) loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman said the Fraud Candidate ‘wants to fully fund the program and believes he will be able to do so by restructuring the state's finances.’ (source: Boston Herald, 10/12/2002)
Swift cut program funding to $4.8 million. Romney proposed funding the program at $1.7 million. (source: tobaccofreekids.org)
Now THAT’S what we call restructuring.
For the record, not every Romney-phile believed Team Reform’s spoken position on tobacco settlement monies. Boston Globe neo-con Scot Lehigh wrote:
“Meanwhile, budgeteers have insisted on socking away for the future between 20 percent (the Senate) and 50 percent (the House) of the state's annual tobacco-settlement money - even though each such dollar held in reserve effectively means a dollar that must be raised in taxes. . . . And that's why it's vitally important that Mitt Romney remain on the ballot.” (source: Boston Globe, 6/12/2002)
Thanks for the warning.
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Omneyray is an Audfray
When last we looked at transit crime, MBTA Police Chief Joseph Carter was complaining that his staff was too small to provide adequate protection. (see RiaF, 7/13/2003)
But as our friends at Bad Transit astutely point out, Carter’s concerns should no longer be a, uh, concern because the T is hiring. And to make sure that the new hires do not upset the man-to-manager ratio, Carter has promoted several insiders, despite Team Reform’s pledge to not reward insiders. (source: Boston Globe, 9/19/2003)
And apparently, Carter and Company are still on the prowl for new patrols. The MBTA website even provides a link to show how YOU, the RiaF Reader, can join the MBTA police force. Unfortunately, the instructions are in Latin.
Worse, they are in plagiarized Latin.
Willard Mitt’s MBTA police seemingly stole their web text from the Memorial University of Newfoundland.
This is from “How to join the MBTA Police Force” on the MBTA site:
“Fylosophi Greca appellatione uocantur, que Latine amatores sapientiae interpretantur. Est enim filosophus qui diuinarum et humanarum rerum scientiam habet, et omnem bene uiuendi tramitem tenet. Nomen philosophorum primum a Pithagora fertur exortium.”
And this is from the Memorial University of Newfoundland’s unexpurgated web-site:
“Fylosophi Greca appellatione uocantur, que Latine amatores sapientiae interpretantur. Est enim filosophus qui diuinarum et humanarum rerum scientiam habet, et omnem bene uiuendi tramitem tenet. Nomen philosophorum primum a Pithagora fertur exortium.”
We’re not sure if the Memorial University of Newfoundland is seeking new transit police, but we trust they’d be happy to share linguistic services.
They can start with a Latin-to-English translation of "please stop stealing our web-site."
When last we looked at transit crime, MBTA Police Chief Joseph Carter was complaining that his staff was too small to provide adequate protection. (see RiaF, 7/13/2003)
But as our friends at Bad Transit astutely point out, Carter’s concerns should no longer be a, uh, concern because the T is hiring. And to make sure that the new hires do not upset the man-to-manager ratio, Carter has promoted several insiders, despite Team Reform’s pledge to not reward insiders. (source: Boston Globe, 9/19/2003)
And apparently, Carter and Company are still on the prowl for new patrols. The MBTA website even provides a link to show how YOU, the RiaF Reader, can join the MBTA police force. Unfortunately, the instructions are in Latin.
Worse, they are in plagiarized Latin.
Willard Mitt’s MBTA police seemingly stole their web text from the Memorial University of Newfoundland.
This is from “How to join the MBTA Police Force” on the MBTA site:
“Fylosophi Greca appellatione uocantur, que Latine amatores sapientiae interpretantur. Est enim filosophus qui diuinarum et humanarum rerum scientiam habet, et omnem bene uiuendi tramitem tenet. Nomen philosophorum primum a Pithagora fertur exortium.”
And this is from the Memorial University of Newfoundland’s unexpurgated web-site:
“Fylosophi Greca appellatione uocantur, que Latine amatores sapientiae interpretantur. Est enim filosophus qui diuinarum et humanarum rerum scientiam habet, et omnem bene uiuendi tramitem tenet. Nomen philosophorum primum a Pithagora fertur exortium.”
We’re not sure if the Memorial University of Newfoundland is seeking new transit police, but we trust they’d be happy to share linguistic services.
They can start with a Latin-to-English translation of "please stop stealing our web-site."
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Cast Away
Who does Willard Mitt like less, the elderly or fishermen? Because despite making fuzzy comments on behalf of both, when the rubber meets the road, Romney seems more likely to drive over these interest groups than to their rescue (see RiaF, 10/15/2003)
The latest case in point: Romney’s Massport Authority has neglected the Fish Pier to such a degree that it is in danger of being shut down - a situation that would greatly harm the local fishing industry. (source: Boston Herald, 12/24/2003)
Could the Fish Pier be yet another victim of this, the worst economic period since the Great Depression (cough)? Nah. While the pier rots, Massport has been spending cash to build a park for the Canadian insurer Manulife's Seaport office tower.
Besides, in past years, Massport actually offered to provide upwards of $400,000 in development aid.
Note the key phrase, 'in past years.' That, of course, was before Willard Mitt (aka, the Fishermen's Friend) took office.
Said one critic, "Massport is just not maintaining the kind of investment they need to make if they want to keep the Fish Pier a going concern." (source: Boston Globe, 12/24/2003)
There have even been printed references to "a secret agenda" that Massport may or may not have to "drive fish industry firms out and redevelop the site” for commercial uses. (source: Boston Herald, 12/24/2003)
So, has the Fraud Governor flown back from vacation so that he can hold a press conference to assure us that he is doing everything to keep fishermen safe from … the Massachusetts Port Authority?
We have no idea. But if you’re over 80 years of age and like to walk around with a fishing rod, we suggest you steer clear of the Fraud Governor, his loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman, Angry Eric Kriss or other members of Team Reform; they’ll have you cleaned and gutted in no time.
Who does Willard Mitt like less, the elderly or fishermen? Because despite making fuzzy comments on behalf of both, when the rubber meets the road, Romney seems more likely to drive over these interest groups than to their rescue (see RiaF, 10/15/2003)
The latest case in point: Romney’s Massport Authority has neglected the Fish Pier to such a degree that it is in danger of being shut down - a situation that would greatly harm the local fishing industry. (source: Boston Herald, 12/24/2003)
Could the Fish Pier be yet another victim of this, the worst economic period since the Great Depression (cough)? Nah. While the pier rots, Massport has been spending cash to build a park for the Canadian insurer Manulife's Seaport office tower.
Besides, in past years, Massport actually offered to provide upwards of $400,000 in development aid.
Note the key phrase, 'in past years.' That, of course, was before Willard Mitt (aka, the Fishermen's Friend) took office.
Said one critic, "Massport is just not maintaining the kind of investment they need to make if they want to keep the Fish Pier a going concern." (source: Boston Globe, 12/24/2003)
There have even been printed references to "a secret agenda" that Massport may or may not have to "drive fish industry firms out and redevelop the site” for commercial uses. (source: Boston Herald, 12/24/2003)
So, has the Fraud Governor flown back from vacation so that he can hold a press conference to assure us that he is doing everything to keep fishermen safe from … the Massachusetts Port Authority?
We have no idea. But if you’re over 80 years of age and like to walk around with a fishing rod, we suggest you steer clear of the Fraud Governor, his loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman, Angry Eric Kriss or other members of Team Reform; they’ll have you cleaned and gutted in no time.
Monday, January 05, 2004
The Leader of the Back
Boston's broadsheet recently claimed that Willard Mitt’s public approval was close to sixty percent (source: Boston Globe, 12/18/2003), so perhaps this item is more appropriate to the trenchant Silly Globe, but according to Governing Magazine, Team Reform’s titular ‘leader’ ranks dead last in public approval among most governors elected in 2002.
Governing and the University of North Carolina compiled public approval ratings for 15 of the nation’s governors, and this is what they reported:
South Dakota ..... Gov. Mike Rounds ..... 69 percent approval
Maine ..... Gov. John Baldacci .....65 percent approval
New Mexico ..... Gov. Bill Richardson ..... 64 percent approval
Rhode Island ..... Gov. Donald Carcieri ..... 61 percent approval
Michigan ..... Gov. Jennifer Granhold ..... 60 percent approval
New Hampshire ..... Gov. Craig Benson ..... 58 percent approval
Maryland ..... Gov. Bob Ehrlich ..... 55 percent approval
Illinois ..... Gov. Rod Blagojevich ..... 54 percent approval
Minnesota ..... Gov. Tim Pawlenty ..... 49 percent approval
Arizona ..... Gov. Janet Napolitano ..... 46 percent approval
Georgia ..... Gov. Sonny Perdue .... 46 percent approval
Pennsylvania ..... Gov. Ed Rendell ..... 46 percent approval
Vermont ..... Gov. Jim Douglas ..... 43 percent approval
Wisconsin ..... Gov. Jim Doyle ..... 41 percent approval
Massachusetts ..... Fraud Gov. Willard Mitt ..... 39 percent approval
(source: Governing, January 2004)
Which makes Scot Lehigh's most recent paean to Romney look downright ... silly.
Boston's broadsheet recently claimed that Willard Mitt’s public approval was close to sixty percent (source: Boston Globe, 12/18/2003), so perhaps this item is more appropriate to the trenchant Silly Globe, but according to Governing Magazine, Team Reform’s titular ‘leader’ ranks dead last in public approval among most governors elected in 2002.
Governing and the University of North Carolina compiled public approval ratings for 15 of the nation’s governors, and this is what they reported:
South Dakota ..... Gov. Mike Rounds ..... 69 percent approval
Maine ..... Gov. John Baldacci .....65 percent approval
New Mexico ..... Gov. Bill Richardson ..... 64 percent approval
Rhode Island ..... Gov. Donald Carcieri ..... 61 percent approval
Michigan ..... Gov. Jennifer Granhold ..... 60 percent approval
New Hampshire ..... Gov. Craig Benson ..... 58 percent approval
Maryland ..... Gov. Bob Ehrlich ..... 55 percent approval
Illinois ..... Gov. Rod Blagojevich ..... 54 percent approval
Minnesota ..... Gov. Tim Pawlenty ..... 49 percent approval
Arizona ..... Gov. Janet Napolitano ..... 46 percent approval
Georgia ..... Gov. Sonny Perdue .... 46 percent approval
Pennsylvania ..... Gov. Ed Rendell ..... 46 percent approval
Vermont ..... Gov. Jim Douglas ..... 43 percent approval
Wisconsin ..... Gov. Jim Doyle ..... 41 percent approval
Massachusetts ..... Fraud Gov. Willard Mitt ..... 39 percent approval
(source: Governing, January 2004)
Which makes Scot Lehigh's most recent paean to Romney look downright ... silly.
Friday, January 02, 2004
What ME worry?
Wonder who they will blame for this one?
Due to a series of recent mis-steps by the state Medical Examiner's office, the body of a December fire victim was mis-identified and released to a funeral home without a positive identification or name on the death certificate. (source: Boston Globe, 12/31/2003; Boston Herald, 12/23/2003, 1/1/2004)
In the past, Team Reform laid problems at the state ME’s office on Richard Evans, the office's former administrator. However, as Willard Mitt’s Secretary of Public Safety Edward Flynn said on November 26, Dr. Richard J. Evans "is no longer functioning as chief medical examiner.” (source: Boston Herald, 11/26/2003)
Which means that this mess is Willard Mitt's responsibility, now.
But we knew that back in October when Romney’s loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman bragged that Team Reform was cleaning up the ME’s office and that "the (fraud) governor has been working hard to put the Commission on Medico-Legal Investigation into place." (source: Boston Herald, 10/26/2003)
By law, thirteen of the panel’s members are appointed by the governor. (source: MGL, c.6, s.184)
Romney was "working hard" on staffing the Commission in October. 2003.
It’s 2004. Do you know where your Commission on Medico-Legal Investigation is?
So, when can we expect the Fraud Governor to fly back from vacation so that he can hold a press conference to assure us that he is doing everything to keep us safe from … the Medical Examiners office?
Keep up the hard work, Fraudo. We can wait. We're not quite dead yet.
Wonder who they will blame for this one?
Due to a series of recent mis-steps by the state Medical Examiner's office, the body of a December fire victim was mis-identified and released to a funeral home without a positive identification or name on the death certificate. (source: Boston Globe, 12/31/2003; Boston Herald, 12/23/2003, 1/1/2004)
In the past, Team Reform laid problems at the state ME’s office on Richard Evans, the office's former administrator. However, as Willard Mitt’s Secretary of Public Safety Edward Flynn said on November 26, Dr. Richard J. Evans "is no longer functioning as chief medical examiner.” (source: Boston Herald, 11/26/2003)
Which means that this mess is Willard Mitt's responsibility, now.
But we knew that back in October when Romney’s loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman bragged that Team Reform was cleaning up the ME’s office and that "the (fraud) governor has been working hard to put the Commission on Medico-Legal Investigation into place." (source: Boston Herald, 10/26/2003)
By law, thirteen of the panel’s members are appointed by the governor. (source: MGL, c.6, s.184)
Romney was "working hard" on staffing the Commission in October. 2003.
It’s 2004. Do you know where your Commission on Medico-Legal Investigation is?
So, when can we expect the Fraud Governor to fly back from vacation so that he can hold a press conference to assure us that he is doing everything to keep us safe from … the Medical Examiners office?
Keep up the hard work, Fraudo. We can wait. We're not quite dead yet.
