In a Beacon Hill brasserie just feet from the State House, where oysters on the half shell will set most back a tank of gas, Sen. Dianne Wilkerson slithered a greased palm up her cardigan and stuffed $1,000 in bribe money into her bra, federal prosecutors allege.
On any given weekday, No. 9 Park is the place for an ambitious legislator to be seen chewing the fat. But on June 18, 2007, Wilkerson, 54, was apparently unaware that the government informant who’d just handed her 10 $100 bills allegedly in exchange for her twisting the arms of a who’s who of political powerbrokers to obtain one liquor license had brought a hidden camera to lunch, as well.
In the months before her September primary loss, it wasn't uncommon to see Wilkerson standing with Democratic leaders. At a news conference announcing the repeal of a 1913 law, she was praised by House Speaker Sal DiMasi and Gov. Deval Patrick.
On Tuesday, Gov. Patrick issued this statement: "The initial reports are both troubling and sad. These are very serious charges and I will trust the judicial process to take them seriously."
Mayor Thomas Menino, according to the affidavit, was lobbied by Wilkerson on behalf of someone who was allegedly bribing her.
I'm voting "Yes", even though it's about as futile a gesture as one can make. The reason I'm so pessimistic is that in 2000 we had a binding referendum question on the ballot rolling the state income tax back to 5.0% from 5.75%. It passed overwhelmingly, yet when it came time to implement the rollback, the legislation elected to ignore the will of the people entirely. The rate was finally reduced, but only to 5.3%, not 5% even.SUMMARY
This proposed law would reduce the state personal income tax rate to 2.65% for all categories of taxable income for the tax year beginning on or after January 1, 2009, and would eliminate the tax for all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010.
The personal income tax applies to income received or gain realized by individuals and married couples, by estates of deceased persons, by certain trustees and other fiduciaries, by persons who are partners in and receive income from partnerships, by corporate trusts, and by persons who receive income as shareholders of “S corporations” as defined under federal tax law. The proposed law would not affect the tax due on income or gain realized in a tax year beginning before January 1, 2009.
The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.A YES VOTE would reduce the state personal income tax rate to 2.65% for the tax year beginning on January 1, 2009, and would eliminate the tax for all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010.
A NO VOTE would make no change in state income tax laws.
Question 2 revolves around the penalties for possession of marijuana:
I am also voting "Yes" on this question, as it's one step closer to decriminalization, which is the first step to legalization. I cannot fathom how alcohol can be legal and marijuana is not. It boggles the mind that alcohol, which one can purchase at virtually any corner store, is perfectly legal to purchase, consume, etc. whereas marijuana will get you arrested. There is no logical reason for this - marijuana is no more addictive, altering, or dangerous than alcohol. Physically, the dangers of smoking marijuana center mainly on the actually smoking part; long term damage, aside from smoking, is far less pervasive (and open to interpretation) than even moderate alcohol consumption.SUMMARY
This proposed law would replace the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties, to be enforced by issuing citations, and would exclude information regarding this civil offense from the state's criminal record information system. Offenders age 18 or older would be subject to forfeiture of the marijuana plus a civil penalty of $100. Offenders under the age of 18 would be subject to the same forfeiture and, if they complete a drug awareness program within one year of the offense, the same $100 penalty.
Offenders under 18 and their parents or legal guardian would be notified of the offense and the option for the offender to complete a drug awareness program developed by the state Department of Youth Services. Such programs would include ten hours of community service and at least four hours of instruction or group discussion concerning the use and abuse of marijuana and other drugs and emphasizing early detection and prevention of substance abuse.
The penalty for offenders under 18 who fail to complete such a program within one year could be increased to as much as $1,000, unless the offender showed an inability to pay, an inability to participate in such a program, or the unavailability of such a program. Such an offender's parents could also be held liable for the increased penalty. Failure by an offender under 17 to complete such a program could also be a basis for a delinquency proceeding.
The proposed law would define possession of one ounce or less of marijuana as including possession of one ounce or less of tetrahydrocannibinol ("THC"), or having metabolized products of marijuana or THC in one's body.
Under the proposed law, possessing an ounce or less of marijuana could not be grounds for state or local government entities imposing any other penalty, sanction, or disqualification, such as denying student financial aid, public housing, public financial assistance including unemployment benefits, the right to operate a motor vehicle, or the opportunity to serve as a foster or adoptive parent. The proposed law would allow local ordinances or bylaws that prohibit the public use of marijuana, and would not affect existing laws, practices, or policies concerning operating a motor
vehicle or taking other actions while under the influence of marijuana, unlawful possession of prescription forms of marijuana, or selling, manufacturing, or trafficking in marijuana.
The money received from the new civil penalties would go to the city or town where the offense occurred.A YES VOTE would replace the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties.
A NO VOTE would make no change in state criminal laws concerning possession of marijuana.
SUMMARYI'm voting "Yes" on this question as well - three "Yes" votes in a row. I'm not an animal person - I am extremely allergic to animal dander, meaning basically that even short-term exposure to cats, dogs, mice, hamsters, etc. leaves me literally gasping for breath. I've never had a cherished childhood pet, never bonded with a four-footed housemate, never felt the stinging pain of loss when a lifelong friend slipped away.
This proposed law would prohibit any dog racing or racing meeting in Massachusetts where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of dogs occurs.
The State Racing Commission would be prohibited from accepting or approving any application or request for racing dates for dog racing.
Any person violating the proposed law could be required to pay a civil penalty of not less than $20,000 to the Commission. The penalty would be used for the Commission’s administrative purposes, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature. All existing parts of the chapter of the state’s General Laws concerning dog and horse racing meetings would be interpreted as if they did not refer to dogs.
These changes would take effect January 1, 2010. The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.
A YES VOTE would prohibit dog races on which betting or wagering occurs, effective January 1, 2010.
A NO VOTE would make no change in the laws governing dog racing.
I haven't the foggiest idea if this will pass or not. I suspect not, as there are numerous dog tracks around the state, and one riiiight over the border in Seabrook NH that will be more than happy to take all the dog racing dollar$ MAholes want to spend. Plus the general consensus lately has been to allow more gambling rather than less, and one of the ways they've tried to stave off allowing casinos has been to allow some slot machines at dog tracks...
State Representative Michael Costello, the Newburyport Democrat who co-chairs the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, said yesterday that he plans to draft a bill that would ban anyone younger than age 21 from firing an automatic weapon.
"This isn't a knee-jerk reaction; it's a common sense reaction," he said. "We should take swift action to provide some reasonable restrictions on this type of unreasonable practice. It's almost indescribable that within a year of leaving a booster seat, an 8-year-old can be holding a submachine gun."
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sens. Mitch McConnell and Elizabeth Dole are two top Republicans lawmakers who find themselves fighting to hold on to their Senate seats.
They're also two reasons why Democrats are talking 60 -- the number of seats needed to secure filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
"We are feeling really good that we are going to pick up a successful amount of the larger number of seats and have a successful election. As for 60? It is possible," said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who runs campaign operations for the Senate Democrats.
WASHINGTON (AP) — First there was Joe the Plumber. Is Joe the Hothead next?
Joe McCain said Friday he'll withdraw from campaign activities for his brother, GOP presidential nominee John McCain, after calling 911 to angrily complain about traffic. Joe McCain has apologized for making the call.
The candidate's younger brother, who lives in Alexandria, Va., told Washington radio station WTOP he was returning from a campaign event in Philadelphia around 2 a.m. on Oct. 18 when he got stuck in traffic on Interstate 495 at the Wilson Bridge. Police say the call was made about 1:30 a.m. Oct. 21.
Frustrated because of the traffic, Joe McCain called 911 to find out what was going on. The operator asked him to "state your emergency."
1. 1975 AMC Pacer - Just look at that... that... thing. A car so hideous that it rends the very fabric of space and time, sowing discontent and malaise wherever it appears. Oh, wait, that's Time Bandits. Well the Pacer is ugly enough to warp time, I think we can all agree on that.
2. 1976 Chevrolet Chevette (1977 shown) - let's see... ugly headlight assembly borrowed from the Pacer? Check. Odd, "melted" looking rear hatchback? Check. Crappy whitewalls and economy hubcaps? Check. This is one 'Vette you don't want Prince to sing about...
3. AMC Gremlin - why on earth American Motor Corporation thought naming a car after the small mythical creatures thought to plague early aircraft was a good idea is anyone's guess. Designing it to look like a door wedge didn't help, either... Interesting side note: the Gremlin was introduced on April Fool's Day 1970.
4. Ford Pinto - hmm... sense a trend here? Yes, American "compact" cars of the 1970s really were this bad. Acres of rear glass = ugly in any incarnation. SRSLY. Throw in the propensity of the car to explode if rear-ended wrong, this is the very automotive definition of Made Of Fail...SALEM, N.H.—Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, a Republican, is endorsing Democrat Barack Obama for president, citing the senator's steady leadership, good judgment and ability to unify Democrats, Republicans and independents.
"Senator Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate who will transform our politics and restore America's standing in the world," Weld said in a statement released Friday. "We need a president who will lead based on our common values and Senator Obama demonstrates an ability to unite and inspire.
(CNN) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband will provide depositions Friday to the state Personnel Board, which is looking into whether Palin unfairly fired Alaska's public safety director this summer, the couple's attorney told CNN.
Thomas Van Flein said he will be present for the depositions by the governor and her husband, Todd Palin. Each deposition will be done separately, with Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, giving hers in St. Louis, Missouri, a campaign adviser said.
Can you expand on how you came up with your target mag quantities? Just curious about your thinkin'.
"The only way time you have too much ammo is if you have to carry it all".
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― Vandals defaced the garage at Sen. Norm Coleman's home, his campaign and police said Wednesday.
Five other Minnesota politicians -- including both Republicans and Democrats -- were similarly targeted with vandalism, according to authorities.
Coleman and his wife, Laurie, live in the Crocus Hill neighborhood of St. Paul. Graffiti left on the outside of their garage reads: "U R A criminal resign or else"; "Scum," which is written three times; and "Psalm 2."
"Attention. Attention. This is God. Tomorrow has been canceled due to lack of interest. Thank you."
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court is backing Ohio elections officials in an ongoing dispute over allegations of voter registration fraud.
The justices in an unsigned opinion Friday blocked a lower court order directing the Ohio Secretary of State -- a Democrat -- to update the state's voter registration database after information provided by some newly registered voters did not match up with Social Security and driver registration numbers.
But Sarah Palin brings her kids on a trip as AK governor, or Joe the Plumber misses a mortgage payment, and it's front page news three days running.
Nope, nothing to see here, folks. Just go about your business and let the media professionals choose who's going to be President. Oh, and while you wait, we'll be serving up yet another "story" about how Sarah Palin is unqualified to be Vice President, yet ignore that she's more qualified than Barack Obama...
This is what passes for "news" these days, eh? Go figure.
That is all.
1797: Oct. 21 - Although her construction is almost halted by a 1796 peace treaty with Algiers, USS CONSTITUTION is launched-christened by visiting Capt. James Sever using a bottle of Madeira. It is actually the third attempt to launch her; the first was a month earlier, when the ship sticks after moving only 27 feet. Two days later she moves another 31 feet before sticking once again. For the third attempt, workers make the launching ways steeper, which finally enables a successful event. The public, which includes several French aristocrats, is warned beforehand that the launch of such a large ship might cause a dangerously large wave, but none actually materializes during theHappy 211st, Old Ironsides.
event.
Are you a Joe? Say it proud. Leave it on every goddamn newspaper comment section and online forum. Let these pressroom and online thugs know you won't stay silent when they try to destroy the life of a private citizen for speaking his mind -- because for every one of them, there are a million Joe Wurzelbachers. And for that we should all be thankful.I am Joe. Really, actually. (Jay is derived from Joseph). Joe's also my middle name, just like Joe the plumber. I stand with Joe.
PEABODY, Mass. (AP) In what may be a first-of-its kind contract provision, police officers in Peabody will receive holiday pay on Sept. 11.
The new four-year contract between the North Shore city and its police union makes the anniversary of the terrorist attacks a paid holiday, with officers receiving time and a quarter for working on the day.
A priest, a rabbi, and a minister were having coffee one morning and the subject of pest control in the rectory came up. The rabbi complained because he had to have an exterminator come in to rid the temple of mice, and was concerned about having to kill the animals. The minister agreed, noting that they'd recently had to set traps in the food kitchen to stop the infestations.
The priest clucked his tongue and chided his companions. "Gentleman, I implore you to stop these murderous methods. Surely this cannot be G-d's will, killing his creatures like this."
The minister and the rabbi agreed, but argued that they had tried non-lethal methods with no success. They asked the priest how he managed to keep mice out of the rectory without hurting them.
"It's very easy. I baptize and confirm them, and then I only see them at Christmas and Easter."
A Roxbury teen who admitted today he brought the handgun into his home that killed his 8-year-old brother Liquarry Jefferson last year has accepted a plea deal that keeps him out of state prison for involuntary manslaughter and lying to police.
Instead, Jayquan McConnico, 16, has agreed to remain in the custody of the Department of Youth Services until he turns 21. A concurrent nine-year probation sentence meted out by Boston Juvenile Court Judge Stephen Limon requires him to earn a high school diploma, then secure full-time employment or attend college.
To say nothing of the fact that he was prohibited from possessing the handgun in question on two separate fronts - he's got a criminal record, so he cannot own the handgun legally under Federal law; and he's not 21, so he could not own the handgun legally under MA law.
Someone, please, tell me what gun control law could have prevented this?
And then, to top it all off, he gets a slap on the wrist for contributing to his own brother's death. Probation? Now, granted, he's in DYS custody for the next five years; however the Federal firearms charges alone (felon in possession) should be sufficient to hold him indefinitely. What kind of time should he have served?
Had he been convicted by a jury, McConnico faced up to 30 years in state prison.
He committed crimes serious enough to warrant 30 years in jail, and yet he'll spend 5 in juvenile detention then be set free. Let that sink in. This is in MA, land of "the toughest gun laws in the nation" where "You're more likely to live here" (presumably due to the tough gun laws).
Unless, of course, you're some poor child living with gangsters. Then you're SOL.
Someone, please, tell me why we should EVER listen to those that would pass more gun laws. Why? If they are not going to prosecute obvious and clear-cut cases when those gun laws are broken, what possible reason could they have for wanting more laws? Could it possibly be that the real intent behind the gun control movement has nothing to do with reducing crimes committed with fireams, but rather on disarming those that are not inclined to commit crimes in the first place?
I've got a hunch I know the answer. And I don't like what it portends.
That is all.
If you know nothing about guns, computers, or physics, it's not a bad movie.
How about you? Why do you shoot? Why do you carry, if you carry at all?
You've just gotta admit this is cool...
