Thursday, December 30, 2004
We're Number 49! We're Number 49!
Remember when Willard Mitt wanted to create a civilian intelligence network (aka - Rat Patrols) to help uncover terrorist plots? At the time Romney said that "we've fallen into complacency. We need to engage the citizens as part of a prevention effort." His $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman compounded the fraud by saying one of Romney's "primary concerns is that we focus on prevention and the role of the state and local governments in the intelligence-gathering network." (source: Boston Globe, 9/17/2003)
Well, sign us up. And as our first order of duty we'd like to rat out Team Reform for not creating their promised civilian intelligence network that would help foment intelligence gathering.
Happily, the Fraud Governor is not the only critic of the Fraud Governor's emergency preparedness. The Trust for America's Health recently issued a report identifying Massachusetts as one of the worst offenders of basic bioterrorism detection, diagnosis and response capabilities. (Associated Press, 12/14/2004)
In a nationwide survey examining the amount of spending allocated to public health, flu vaccine rates, and biochemical testing capabilities, Massachusetts came in dead last. Actually we were tied for dead last with Alaska.
Cool. Massachusetts, a state with over 6 million people, has the same level of preparedness as a state with the population of Boston.
Wait a minute. Isn't Willard Mitt supposed to be some kind of security wunderkind? Isn't he on one of George W's Homeland Security Task Forces? After all, Romney's purportedly spent February 5th, June 16-17th, and September 21 in DC at Homeland Security meetings. (source: Boston Herald, 12/7/2004) And for this we get a last-place-tied-with-Alaska-no-offense-to-the-fine-people-and-assorted-wild-life-who-make-up-the-Alaska-census Security rating?
Of course, looking back, we should have seen this coming. After all, back in July, when George W's Homeland Security Czar Tom Ridge came to Boston to hawk duct tape, Willard Mitt went to Washington to hawk Timothy Robinson's book under the aegis of giving a weakly received speech titled "Presidential Politics: A View from the States" to the National Press Club. (source: Boston Herald, 7/16/2004)
Instead Romney left the security thing to Ed "Easy on Crime" Flynn, who "reversed the homeland security strategy of former Gov. Jane M. Swift (R-Flagbearer) by deploying officers and surveillance in a way largely invisible to the public." (source: Worcester T&G, 7/6/2004)
Looks like we may need a few more invisible security forces there, Ed.
But there we go again. Always looking for that dark cloud around the silver lining. If we put our mind to it, mayhaps this 'we're as bad as Alaska' thing may not be such a negative after all; it could even be flipped into a marketing scheme:
"Visit Massachusetts - no safer, but a whole lot warmer than Alaska!"
Or
"Vote McCain - Stop Romney From Doing to Your State What He Did to Massachusetts."
Remember when Willard Mitt wanted to create a civilian intelligence network (aka - Rat Patrols) to help uncover terrorist plots? At the time Romney said that "we've fallen into complacency. We need to engage the citizens as part of a prevention effort." His $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman compounded the fraud by saying one of Romney's "primary concerns is that we focus on prevention and the role of the state and local governments in the intelligence-gathering network." (source: Boston Globe, 9/17/2003)
Well, sign us up. And as our first order of duty we'd like to rat out Team Reform for not creating their promised civilian intelligence network that would help foment intelligence gathering.
Happily, the Fraud Governor is not the only critic of the Fraud Governor's emergency preparedness. The Trust for America's Health recently issued a report identifying Massachusetts as one of the worst offenders of basic bioterrorism detection, diagnosis and response capabilities. (Associated Press, 12/14/2004)
In a nationwide survey examining the amount of spending allocated to public health, flu vaccine rates, and biochemical testing capabilities, Massachusetts came in dead last. Actually we were tied for dead last with Alaska.
Cool. Massachusetts, a state with over 6 million people, has the same level of preparedness as a state with the population of Boston.
Wait a minute. Isn't Willard Mitt supposed to be some kind of security wunderkind? Isn't he on one of George W's Homeland Security Task Forces? After all, Romney's purportedly spent February 5th, June 16-17th, and September 21 in DC at Homeland Security meetings. (source: Boston Herald, 12/7/2004) And for this we get a last-place-tied-with-Alaska-no-offense-to-the-fine-people-and-assorted-wild-life-who-make-up-the-Alaska-census Security rating?
Of course, looking back, we should have seen this coming. After all, back in July, when George W's Homeland Security Czar Tom Ridge came to Boston to hawk duct tape, Willard Mitt went to Washington to hawk Timothy Robinson's book under the aegis of giving a weakly received speech titled "Presidential Politics: A View from the States" to the National Press Club. (source: Boston Herald, 7/16/2004)
Instead Romney left the security thing to Ed "Easy on Crime" Flynn, who "reversed the homeland security strategy of former Gov. Jane M. Swift (R-Flagbearer) by deploying officers and surveillance in a way largely invisible to the public." (source: Worcester T&G, 7/6/2004)
Looks like we may need a few more invisible security forces there, Ed.
But there we go again. Always looking for that dark cloud around the silver lining. If we put our mind to it, mayhaps this 'we're as bad as Alaska' thing may not be such a negative after all; it could even be flipped into a marketing scheme:
"Visit Massachusetts - no safer, but a whole lot warmer than Alaska!"
Or
"Vote McCain - Stop Romney From Doing to Your State What He Did to Massachusetts."
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Reform Christmas
I'm dreaming of a Reform Christmas
Just like that which was promised me.
Where no hacks are hired
Or workers fired
For reasons but of policy.
I'm dreaming of a Reform Christmas
Where full-day k-school is proposed.
And $10 mill not vetoed
Or schools torpedoed
Because a 'loop-hole' wasn't closed.
I'm dreaming of a Reform Christmas
Where five percent becomes the tax.
And where Fraudo's word is not gas.
For on that he said that he may pass.
I'm dreaming of a Reform Christmas
And hoping Romney gets a raise,
'cause each dime to which he says 'nay'
is one more his Spokesman gets to play.
Have Yourself A Team Reform(er) Christmas
Have yourself a Willard Romney Christmas.
Don’t drink any beer.
Try to pretend looking like you are sincere.
Have yourself a Kerry Healey Christmas.
This is what we mean:
Do whatever you want you will not be seen.
(Loathsome Spokesman stay close to home.
Get thee near a phone. Be true.
Never know when that Joe Malone
Will seek out a job, from you.)
As for you, failed state rep. Judith Judson
You're our answered prayer;
Now that you're in all the others will compare.
They're sure to cause an Angry Eric Kriss-mess time.
I'm dreaming of a Reform Christmas
Just like that which was promised me.
Where no hacks are hired
Or workers fired
For reasons but of policy.
I'm dreaming of a Reform Christmas
Where full-day k-school is proposed.
And $10 mill not vetoed
Or schools torpedoed
Because a 'loop-hole' wasn't closed.
I'm dreaming of a Reform Christmas
Where five percent becomes the tax.
And where Fraudo's word is not gas.
For on that he said that he may pass.
I'm dreaming of a Reform Christmas
And hoping Romney gets a raise,
'cause each dime to which he says 'nay'
is one more his Spokesman gets to play.
Have Yourself A Team Reform(er) Christmas
Have yourself a Willard Romney Christmas.
Don’t drink any beer.
Try to pretend looking like you are sincere.
Have yourself a Kerry Healey Christmas.
This is what we mean:
Do whatever you want you will not be seen.
(Loathsome Spokesman stay close to home.
Get thee near a phone. Be true.
Never know when that Joe Malone
Will seek out a job, from you.)
As for you, failed state rep. Judith Judson
You're our answered prayer;
Now that you're in all the others will compare.
They're sure to cause an Angry Eric Kriss-mess time.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Inflationary Rhetoric
Not too long ago we pointed out that Team Reform was using a state employee, Natalie Waczko, to staff Mrs. Willard Mitt. Not that we have any desire to criticize the First Family, but it did strike us as slightly ironic that the cost-cutting Fraud Governor would charge the taxpayers to staff a private citizen.
No big deal. We moved on.
Then we saw that the Fraud Governor was charging the taxpayers to bring his wife to political meetings. Seems Massachusetts taxpayers paid to fly Ann Romney to the Republican Governor's Association meetings in 2004. (source: Boston Herald, 12/18/2004) This political group's meetings are hardly a state function.
So why is Mrs. Romney jetting on the public dime? Tut tut, tutted Team Reform. Besides, they reasoned, Fraudo's expenses don't equal the annual $150,00 salary he declined. (source: Boston Herald, 12/17/2004)
Wait a minute. Back in January 2003, Team Reform was bleating that the absurd salaries Willard Mitt was paying his staff, (i.e. his $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman) were not absurd as they were being funded, in part, by the annual salary that Romney and his Lightweight LG Sherry Kerry loudly declined. (source: Boston Globe, 1/1/2003)
But now the declined salaries are offsetting political travel?
Zounds. So how many times will Team Reform spend the Fraud Governor's declined salary? And wouldn't it be cheaper just to to pay Willard Mitt a full check and decline some of his staff's pay?
And they say the US dollar is growing weaker. Not in Romney's Corner Office!
Not too long ago we pointed out that Team Reform was using a state employee, Natalie Waczko, to staff Mrs. Willard Mitt. Not that we have any desire to criticize the First Family, but it did strike us as slightly ironic that the cost-cutting Fraud Governor would charge the taxpayers to staff a private citizen.
No big deal. We moved on.
Then we saw that the Fraud Governor was charging the taxpayers to bring his wife to political meetings. Seems Massachusetts taxpayers paid to fly Ann Romney to the Republican Governor's Association meetings in 2004. (source: Boston Herald, 12/18/2004) This political group's meetings are hardly a state function.
So why is Mrs. Romney jetting on the public dime? Tut tut, tutted Team Reform. Besides, they reasoned, Fraudo's expenses don't equal the annual $150,00 salary he declined. (source: Boston Herald, 12/17/2004)
Wait a minute. Back in January 2003, Team Reform was bleating that the absurd salaries Willard Mitt was paying his staff, (i.e. his $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman) were not absurd as they were being funded, in part, by the annual salary that Romney and his Lightweight LG Sherry Kerry loudly declined. (source: Boston Globe, 1/1/2003)
But now the declined salaries are offsetting political travel?
Zounds. So how many times will Team Reform spend the Fraud Governor's declined salary? And wouldn't it be cheaper just to to pay Willard Mitt a full check and decline some of his staff's pay?
And they say the US dollar is growing weaker. Not in Romney's Corner Office!
Thursday, December 16, 2004
The Man With the Golden Contract
What would you do for a living if your name was James Bond? Travel exotic places? Shake down resident evil-doers? Build an empire of riches? Well, according to some, James Bond is currently doing all three as head of (insert dramatic music here!) the Central Parking System of Massachusetts.
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
James Bond is alive and well and whistling country music.
But don't feel too bad for him. Because according to a report by the state Auditor's Office, Bond's Central Parking Inc., which recently absorbed Kinney and Allright Parking, took in $16 million in parking fees from MBTA commuter's over the past six years, during which time the T collected a total of $300,000. (source: Boston Globe, 12/14/2004)
This largess is the result of a contract signed in 2002 by Transportation hold-overs of Team Weld/Cellucci. Remember those orange "Privatization is a Weld Scam" stickers? Yeah, we don't either.
Part of the problem appears to be that Central Parking may have been the only bidder when the contract was let. As such, competitive market forces did not force much of a competitive market.
Team Reform, however, remains unimpressed with the problem. A spokesman yawned that "between now and 2006 the MBTA will find out what it needs to do to stimulate interest in order to foster more competition." (source: Boston Globe, 12/14/2004)
The Fraud Governor has yet to jaw-bone action on the issue.
Too bad the MBTA parking lots weren't being run by a consortium of unionized members of the higher education workforce. The Fraud Governor could simply direct his minions on the MBTA to refuse to recognize or pay the contract.
What would you do for a living if your name was James Bond? Travel exotic places? Shake down resident evil-doers? Build an empire of riches? Well, according to some, James Bond is currently doing all three as head of (insert dramatic music here!) the Central Parking System of Massachusetts.
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
James Bond is alive and well and whistling country music.
But don't feel too bad for him. Because according to a report by the state Auditor's Office, Bond's Central Parking Inc., which recently absorbed Kinney and Allright Parking, took in $16 million in parking fees from MBTA commuter's over the past six years, during which time the T collected a total of $300,000. (source: Boston Globe, 12/14/2004)
This largess is the result of a contract signed in 2002 by Transportation hold-overs of Team Weld/Cellucci. Remember those orange "Privatization is a Weld Scam" stickers? Yeah, we don't either.
Part of the problem appears to be that Central Parking may have been the only bidder when the contract was let. As such, competitive market forces did not force much of a competitive market.
Team Reform, however, remains unimpressed with the problem. A spokesman yawned that "between now and 2006 the MBTA will find out what it needs to do to stimulate interest in order to foster more competition." (source: Boston Globe, 12/14/2004)
The Fraud Governor has yet to jaw-bone action on the issue.
Too bad the MBTA parking lots weren't being run by a consortium of unionized members of the higher education workforce. The Fraud Governor could simply direct his minions on the MBTA to refuse to recognize or pay the contract.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Porno for Tyros
What is it about Republicans and sex? Former US Sen. Bob Dole humps Viagra on late-night TV. Prior to becoming Fraud Governor, Willard Mitt sat on the Board of Marriott which has long offered a pay-for-porn service.
And now it looks like pornography may have helped fund the state GOP's bally-hooed but belly-up 'Reform Campaign.'
First, let's take a quick survey: how many of you have retirement monies in Fidelity's International Small Cap Fund? How about Fidelity's Focus Consumer Industries Fund? Or Fidelity's Nasdaq Composite Index Tracking Stock fund? Well wash your hands before you eat dinner because you may own shares in Private Media Group Ltd. which "distributes adult media content directly through a network of local affiliates, as well as through independent distributors and multiple channels, including newsstands, video rental stores, travel retail and adult bookstores; mail order catalogues; cable, satellite and hotel television programming." (source: finance.yahoo.com)
Interestingly enough, in 2001, Private Media entered into an agreement with Quadriga Worldwide, a leading European hotel entertainment and service provider. Among Quadriga's key customers were ... Marriott Hotels. Yes, the same Marriott Hotels upon whose Board Willard Mitt sat.
We're sure, however, that Romney, who resigned from the Board one year later, was absent from any discussion of that partnership. Despite the fact that he was described as "an active, hands-on director." (source: Washington Business Journal, April 2002)
But we digress.
So Fidelity owns a porn merchant. This matters?
Not to us, it doesn't. We're pretty hep on the First Amendment. But then, we haven't set ourselves up as the Morality Police. Team Reform, on the other hand, who publically claim that marriages of all but forebearers of Fraud Governors should involve one man and woman, look a wee stiff standing next to the Ron Jeremies of the world.
But again, is this an issue?
Well, since 2002, Fidelity fund managers, directors and sundry investment personnel have given Romney/Healey Inc over $6,000. (source: OCPF) (Okay, so they gave Romney slightly over $5,500 and Healey slightly around $100. But add both together and round up ....)
More importantly, however, in 2004 - the year the state GOP funded so many legislative 'reform' candidates, Fidelity Investment fund managers, investment advisers and staff gave a combined $60,000 to the Republican State Committee.
So where did these monies go? And did the recipients know they were getting money that may have come from investments in adult entertainment?
Now we are reasonably confident that none of the Fidelity donors who are listed as having given to the state GOP are personally involved with the Private Media Group. In fact, according to the Boston Herald, Fidelity made it very clear that company owners Ned and Abby Johnson were not responsible for buying into the porn company. (source: Boston Herald, 12/7/2004) But does this mean that their company is not involved in its financing?
We say that, to be safe, Romney and the Republican State Committee should refund Fidelity its blue notes.
Unless Team Reform is comfortable with dirty money.
Which would explain Team Reform's affinity for that plasma TV.
What is it about Republicans and sex? Former US Sen. Bob Dole humps Viagra on late-night TV. Prior to becoming Fraud Governor, Willard Mitt sat on the Board of Marriott which has long offered a pay-for-porn service.
And now it looks like pornography may have helped fund the state GOP's bally-hooed but belly-up 'Reform Campaign.'
First, let's take a quick survey: how many of you have retirement monies in Fidelity's International Small Cap Fund? How about Fidelity's Focus Consumer Industries Fund? Or Fidelity's Nasdaq Composite Index Tracking Stock fund? Well wash your hands before you eat dinner because you may own shares in Private Media Group Ltd. which "distributes adult media content directly through a network of local affiliates, as well as through independent distributors and multiple channels, including newsstands, video rental stores, travel retail and adult bookstores; mail order catalogues; cable, satellite and hotel television programming." (source: finance.yahoo.com)
Interestingly enough, in 2001, Private Media entered into an agreement with Quadriga Worldwide, a leading European hotel entertainment and service provider. Among Quadriga's key customers were ... Marriott Hotels. Yes, the same Marriott Hotels upon whose Board Willard Mitt sat.
We're sure, however, that Romney, who resigned from the Board one year later, was absent from any discussion of that partnership. Despite the fact that he was described as "an active, hands-on director." (source: Washington Business Journal, April 2002)
But we digress.
So Fidelity owns a porn merchant. This matters?
Not to us, it doesn't. We're pretty hep on the First Amendment. But then, we haven't set ourselves up as the Morality Police. Team Reform, on the other hand, who publically claim that marriages of all but forebearers of Fraud Governors should involve one man and woman, look a wee stiff standing next to the Ron Jeremies of the world.
But again, is this an issue?
Well, since 2002, Fidelity fund managers, directors and sundry investment personnel have given Romney/Healey Inc over $6,000. (source: OCPF) (Okay, so they gave Romney slightly over $5,500 and Healey slightly around $100. But add both together and round up ....)
More importantly, however, in 2004 - the year the state GOP funded so many legislative 'reform' candidates, Fidelity Investment fund managers, investment advisers and staff gave a combined $60,000 to the Republican State Committee.
So where did these monies go? And did the recipients know they were getting money that may have come from investments in adult entertainment?
Now we are reasonably confident that none of the Fidelity donors who are listed as having given to the state GOP are personally involved with the Private Media Group. In fact, according to the Boston Herald, Fidelity made it very clear that company owners Ned and Abby Johnson were not responsible for buying into the porn company. (source: Boston Herald, 12/7/2004) But does this mean that their company is not involved in its financing?
We say that, to be safe, Romney and the Republican State Committee should refund Fidelity its blue notes.
Unless Team Reform is comfortable with dirty money.
Which would explain Team Reform's affinity for that plasma TV.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore
On Tuesday, the non-partisan Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women released a report titled "Real Cuts - Real People - Real Pain, The Effects of the Fiscal Crisis on Women & Girls in Massachusetts." (source: MCSW, 12/7/2004)
According to the report, since 2002 the Commonwealth implemented almost three billion dollars in budget cuts that have disproportionately impacted women through changes in access to education, job training, child care, and health care.
So will Lightweight LG Sherry Kerry Healey, the state's highest ranking elected woman, help address some of the problems highlighted by the non-partisan Commission?
Hardly. Not that Healey is disinterested. In fact, we hear she wanted to help write the report - namely the title.
According to someone who purports to know these things, it appears that Healey did not have a problem with the report's conclusions. She just didn't like the fact that the non-partisan Commission fingered Team Reform's cuts as the tipping point - and boldly said so above the fold.
Back in 2002 when she was trying to wheedle her way into the then Fraud Candidate's shadow, Healey stood before the Republican State Convention and sputtered that "(Willard) Mitt has the management background to run our state and to create opportunity in Massachusetts. I have the background in social issues to put that opportunity within reach of every citizen." (source: Boston Globe, 4/7/2004)
Two years later her background is less important than the fact that she has disappeared into the background.
Time for a new Commission: the non-partisan Massachusetts Commission on the Status of the Disappearing Woman.
On Tuesday, the non-partisan Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women released a report titled "Real Cuts - Real People - Real Pain, The Effects of the Fiscal Crisis on Women & Girls in Massachusetts." (source: MCSW, 12/7/2004)
According to the report, since 2002 the Commonwealth implemented almost three billion dollars in budget cuts that have disproportionately impacted women through changes in access to education, job training, child care, and health care.
So will Lightweight LG Sherry Kerry Healey, the state's highest ranking elected woman, help address some of the problems highlighted by the non-partisan Commission?
Hardly. Not that Healey is disinterested. In fact, we hear she wanted to help write the report - namely the title.
According to someone who purports to know these things, it appears that Healey did not have a problem with the report's conclusions. She just didn't like the fact that the non-partisan Commission fingered Team Reform's cuts as the tipping point - and boldly said so above the fold.
Back in 2002 when she was trying to wheedle her way into the then Fraud Candidate's shadow, Healey stood before the Republican State Convention and sputtered that "(Willard) Mitt has the management background to run our state and to create opportunity in Massachusetts. I have the background in social issues to put that opportunity within reach of every citizen." (source: Boston Globe, 4/7/2004)
Two years later her background is less important than the fact that she has disappeared into the background.
Time for a new Commission: the non-partisan Massachusetts Commission on the Status of the Disappearing Woman.
Monday, December 06, 2004
A Bridge Too Fraud
Shortly after Team Reform's 2004 Election Day Drubbing, Romney's $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman spat that "(Willard Mitt) is the only bridge Massachusetts has to the White House and a strengthened Republican majority in both houses of Congress." (source: Boston Globe, 11/4/2004)
So that explains it.
In 2002-2003 Massachusetts received $90.2 million from the federal goverment for fuel assistance, but will only receive $74.2 million in 2003-2004. The maximum fuel assistance grant in 2002-2003 was $745; it will equal $527 this year. (source: Boston Globe, 12/5/2005)
And Romney is the only bridge between Massachusetts and Washington DC. Now that's funny.
Since the Fraud Governor took office, there has been a Republican President and a Republican congress. Looks like the Romney Bridge needs some serious maintenance. Someone should place it on Team Reform's long-promised-yet-not-delivered rank listing of capital spending projects throughout the Commonwealth.
The Not-Quite-Long-Enough Romney Bridge will nicely compliment the Weld/Cellucci/Romney Leaky Tunnel.
Shortly after Team Reform's 2004 Election Day Drubbing, Romney's $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman spat that "(Willard Mitt) is the only bridge Massachusetts has to the White House and a strengthened Republican majority in both houses of Congress." (source: Boston Globe, 11/4/2004)
So that explains it.
In 2002-2003 Massachusetts received $90.2 million from the federal goverment for fuel assistance, but will only receive $74.2 million in 2003-2004. The maximum fuel assistance grant in 2002-2003 was $745; it will equal $527 this year. (source: Boston Globe, 12/5/2005)
And Romney is the only bridge between Massachusetts and Washington DC. Now that's funny.
Since the Fraud Governor took office, there has been a Republican President and a Republican congress. Looks like the Romney Bridge needs some serious maintenance. Someone should place it on Team Reform's long-promised-yet-not-delivered rank listing of capital spending projects throughout the Commonwealth.
The Not-Quite-Long-Enough Romney Bridge will nicely compliment the Weld/Cellucci/Romney Leaky Tunnel.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Southern (Warning) Bell
Even by the standards of the do-little Romney Administration the "Romney signs toughest-in-the-nation film piracy law" press release was a strange piece. (source: office of (fraud) gov, 11/17/2004)
Film piracy? This is what Team Reform has become? Or is Willard Mitt angling for that Hollywood campaign cash already?
The press release led one wag to muse, 'why are they so intent to prove that they are doing something?' And another muse to wag, 'why are they so intent to prove that they are in Massachusetts?'
Because as the scant few who cared knew, Willard Mitt and his entourage spent November 17 pulling up stakes and heading for the Republican Governor's Association (RGA) meeting in New Orleans. (source: Boston Globe, 11/16/2004)
Not including family, Romney's posse included four staff members and two state troopers. (source: Boston Globe, 11/19/2004) Officially, that is.
We hear one or two may have hid in the luggage bin and skipped the crowd counter.
Ironically, while Willard Mitt was in the Big Easy, his press office kept up the charade that it was business as usual in Boston. On November 18, Romney's $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman released a missive describing how Lightweight LG Sherry Kerry had signed a "Law Regulating (the) Use of Motorized Scooters." (source: office of (fraud) gov, 11/17/2004)
Which made the Film Piracy thing look hard-hitting. And which made said Loathsome Spokesman look like he was in Boston. One day later Team Reform issued another release, this on Willard Mitt's becoming vice chair of the RGA. This was also purportedly released in Boston by ... Romney's $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman.
Okay, this is getting boring. Let's cut to the chase.
Sources say that while Romney's official entourage numbered four staffers (and two cops) at least five staffers are said to have high-tailed it to N'awlins. So did all file statements of disclosure with the Ethics Commission? That's not what we hear.
The disclosure would have been filed to preclude the appearance of a conflict of interest. The RGA was a political event, and as everyone knows, state employees may not participate in political activities while being paid by the state least they fall under that pesky using "public resources" for political purposes thing. (source: MGL, chapter 268A) The disclosure would dispel the "political" connotations of participating in the event.
Oh yeah, the disclosure is meant to be filed in advance to ward off potential issues. It advises that the employee will NOT be on state time while participating in the political event.
Mouseketeer Roll-Call!
Did Romney's $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman head south? He couldn't have. He was issuing press releases like there was no tomorrow.
Did the flack formerly known as the stout, Reese Witherspoon-wannabe dye-job aide to Romney’s loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman tag along? Please. She issued a release on November 17. Besides, how many press flunkies does an itinerant Fraud Governor need?
Did Natalie Waczko head for fun in the sun? Her title is "Special Assistant to the (fraud) Governor & First Lady." Assistant to the first lady? Isn't the first lady a private citizen? The taxpayers are paying a state employee to staff a private citizen? In this, the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression?
Did super-lobbyist Cindy Gillespie go, too? Howsabout Frank Micciche, Romney's director of state and federal relations? He must have been there, right? And chief of staff Beth Myers?
So, if they went, were they on state time the entire trip?
Who paid their bills?
Did they file disclosure statements?
Okay, so we've narrowed it down to Col. Mustard in the kitchen with a lead pipe. But the question remains, why would someone head to an official conference, but allegedly not file a statement of disclosure that they were heading to an official conference? Unless they had nothing to disclose.
Or too much to disclose.
Operators are standing by.
It's a good thing the official (and unofficial) staffers had the most moral man in Massachusetts as their chaperone. No one would ever suspect that bunch of doing anything wrong. Right?
Even by the standards of the do-little Romney Administration the "Romney signs toughest-in-the-nation film piracy law" press release was a strange piece. (source: office of (fraud) gov, 11/17/2004)
Film piracy? This is what Team Reform has become? Or is Willard Mitt angling for that Hollywood campaign cash already?
The press release led one wag to muse, 'why are they so intent to prove that they are doing something?' And another muse to wag, 'why are they so intent to prove that they are in Massachusetts?'
Because as the scant few who cared knew, Willard Mitt and his entourage spent November 17 pulling up stakes and heading for the Republican Governor's Association (RGA) meeting in New Orleans. (source: Boston Globe, 11/16/2004)
Not including family, Romney's posse included four staff members and two state troopers. (source: Boston Globe, 11/19/2004) Officially, that is.
We hear one or two may have hid in the luggage bin and skipped the crowd counter.
Ironically, while Willard Mitt was in the Big Easy, his press office kept up the charade that it was business as usual in Boston. On November 18, Romney's $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman released a missive describing how Lightweight LG Sherry Kerry had signed a "Law Regulating (the) Use of Motorized Scooters." (source: office of (fraud) gov, 11/17/2004)
Which made the Film Piracy thing look hard-hitting. And which made said Loathsome Spokesman look like he was in Boston. One day later Team Reform issued another release, this on Willard Mitt's becoming vice chair of the RGA. This was also purportedly released in Boston by ... Romney's $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman.
Okay, this is getting boring. Let's cut to the chase.
Sources say that while Romney's official entourage numbered four staffers (and two cops) at least five staffers are said to have high-tailed it to N'awlins. So did all file statements of disclosure with the Ethics Commission? That's not what we hear.
The disclosure would have been filed to preclude the appearance of a conflict of interest. The RGA was a political event, and as everyone knows, state employees may not participate in political activities while being paid by the state least they fall under that pesky using "public resources" for political purposes thing. (source: MGL, chapter 268A) The disclosure would dispel the "political" connotations of participating in the event.
Oh yeah, the disclosure is meant to be filed in advance to ward off potential issues. It advises that the employee will NOT be on state time while participating in the political event.
Mouseketeer Roll-Call!
Did Romney's $150,000-a-year Loathsome Spokesman head south? He couldn't have. He was issuing press releases like there was no tomorrow.
Did the flack formerly known as the stout, Reese Witherspoon-wannabe dye-job aide to Romney’s loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman tag along? Please. She issued a release on November 17. Besides, how many press flunkies does an itinerant Fraud Governor need?
Did Natalie Waczko head for fun in the sun? Her title is "Special Assistant to the (fraud) Governor & First Lady." Assistant to the first lady? Isn't the first lady a private citizen? The taxpayers are paying a state employee to staff a private citizen? In this, the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression?
Did super-lobbyist Cindy Gillespie go, too? Howsabout Frank Micciche, Romney's director of state and federal relations? He must have been there, right? And chief of staff Beth Myers?
So, if they went, were they on state time the entire trip?
Who paid their bills?
Did they file disclosure statements?
Okay, so we've narrowed it down to Col. Mustard in the kitchen with a lead pipe. But the question remains, why would someone head to an official conference, but allegedly not file a statement of disclosure that they were heading to an official conference? Unless they had nothing to disclose.
Or too much to disclose.
Operators are standing by.
It's a good thing the official (and unofficial) staffers had the most moral man in Massachusetts as their chaperone. No one would ever suspect that bunch of doing anything wrong. Right?
