What a Card

Testifying last Thursday, at a House sub-committee meeting on terrorism, Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff, David Addington, elicited a nasty and inappropriate reply from our own Congressman, Bill Delahunt. When the discussion moved into specific interrogation techniques authorized for use, Addington pointed out that he was unable to go into detail as the hearing was being televised on C-SPAN thereby providing Al Qaeda with inside information.

Delahunt responded: "Right, well, I'm sure they are watching, and I'm glad they finally have a chance to see you Mr. Addington."

Delahunt's staff tried to quickly put a positive spin on these remarks, but the ketchup was already out of the bottle. If you have any doubts, click Here for the report from Fox News. This site also includes a link to a video of the actual exchange.

I suppose we should be glad that, at least Delahunt isn't still in Venezuela with his buddy Hugo Chavez, but you have to wonder just what was he thinking here? If being "glad" that a government official is being spotlighted by Al Qaeda, is his idea of humor, old Bill needs a refresher course at the Henny Youngman Institute.

Like so many political jokes here in the bluest of blue states, however, the real punch line is sobering. With the fall elections approaching, it looks like Delahunt will be running for re-election unopposed.

Those Pesky Health Care Costs

The Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse has proposed HB 4423 which, if enacted into law, will mandate that health insurers expand the coverage for certain non-biological based mental illness, such as substance abuse, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress. The primary sponsor of the bill is Ruth B. Balser (D-Newton), chair of the Committee and also a practicing Clinical Psychologist. Under present law, such disorders have limited coverage. At a time when the high costs of health care are of concern to all, it might be helpful consider some of the implications of this bill.

According to an article in today's Globe, no one seems to know how much this additional coverage will cost. Perhaps some people really think that this means that the insurance companies will thus assume the cost, whatever it may be. Not exactly. Insurance companies manage risk, they are not sources of public benevolence. The insurance companies will add the cost, whatever it may be, of this coverage to the premiums that we all pay for our health insurance. So, at the end of the day, so to speak, we will all be paying for additional benefits that we may not want. That's not to say that a case can't be made for treating these disorders, but they collectively fall into the same category as such coverages as Chiropractic care, acupuncture and infertility treatments that seem outside the mainstream of necessary medicine.

It is also helpful to ask who is demanding these coverages, heretofore considered unsuitable for inclusion in basic health coverage, be mandated by law. It seems highly unlikely that the legislators are being motivated by throngs of citizens demanding that they be allowed to pay more for benefits they neither want or need. What does seem likely is the influence of lobbyists representing the providers of such services. Call me old fashioned, but isn't there a conflict of interest inherent in a Clinical Psychologist sponsoring a bill that will increase the income of mental health practitioners?

And as far as those who think that business will pick up the cost, it's time to think again. The community in which I reside hires third-party contractors for property maintenance. Late last year, one of our primary contractors asked for an increase in his fees. The primary reason given was the new requirement that he provides health insurance for his employees. This example stands out for the direct linkage between the cause and effect of what has become our higher prices. But don't think for a minute that this same buck-passing hasn't occured in virtually every business in the state. So who is really paying for the government's largess?

Fed up with the high price of health insurance, this would be a good time to let your State Rep know how you feek about HR 4423. Tell him, or her, that you do not want to pay higher premiums for coverage you don't want.

Fighting those Summer Doldrums

With the warm winds of summer finally arriving, we need to be careful not to miss the opportunity to do the important groundwork now for the November election. Many view summer as the chance to put off the heavy lifting until after Labor Day. With the emergence of Barak Obama as the Democratic presidential nominee, the let down in the national campaign coverage is almost palpable. Here are a few suggestions for maintaining the momentum over the next few months.

To overstate the obvious, the Internet has become a major link in our daily communications. I am constantly amazed at the volume of e-mail jokes that are forwarded among my email buddies and these are not seventeen year old wire heads. To their credit, items of broader and more useful nature are also being pounded out on the electronic jungle drums. Lets use the summer months to spread the word about our Republican candidates. The McCain campaign even has a web site that can be used to recruit individuals for Team McCain. let's spread the word and set those grass roots on fire.

Here in Massachusetts, the task is, of course, especially daunting, given the heavy concentration of lefties. At the same time, many believe that there is a large body of moderates who will respond to a candidate offering a cogent alternative to the typical blue state blather. We are fortunate to have such a candidate running to unseat Senator John Kerry. His name is Jeff Beatty and as he gets his message out, he is beginning to gather increasing support. But make no mistake about it, he is waging an uphill battle. He needs all the help he can get to spread his message and let those moderates know that they do have a viable choice in November. Check out Sharilee's post at Red Mass Group and log onto Jeff Beatty's web site and sign up as a supporter. A friendly email to those in your address book, inviting them to do the same, can generate the same grass roots support being developed by the McCain campaign.

Finally, there is an old saying that admonishes us to put our money where our mouth is. I'm sure that this advice also applies to keyboarders as well. The fact that money is the lifeblood of modern politics is unfortunately a stark reality. Send your candidate, especially those running for local office, a check, even if it isn't very big. The left has the advantage of all those unions and PACs filling the Democratic coffers. Don't let the "other guy" do it.

Let's keep the effort grinding away so we can hit the ground running in September.

Tim Russert 1950-2008

Tim Russert helped us better understand the convoluted mire of American Politics. He was bright, inquisitive, humorous, and above all, fair to all sides. In a media venue famous for featuring vacuous talking heads, Tim Russert was the guy we turned to to get the real skinny and he would provide it again and again without a shred of pomposity. We will miss him. A lot.

Tim Russert, RIP

Courting the Enemy

We may not know exactly where Osama bin Laden is hanging out these days, but we do know the whereabouts of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, his former body guard and driver. Ditto for Omar Khadr, who is accused of throwing a grenade that resulted in the death of a US soldier in Afghanistan in 2002. Along with Lakhdar Boumediene, an Algerian terrorist caught plying his trade in Bosnia, and about 265 other suspected terrorists, these men are being held as military prisoners at Camp Delta, located on the shores of scenic Guantanamo Bay. The rules under which they are being held, and under which they will eventually be tried, are essentially those covering prisoners of war, based on war-time precedents. Since The US military operations stemming from the 9/11 attacks (aka, The war on Terror) are much different from wars waged in the past, several major pieces of legislation were passed to ensure proper treatment of captured enemy combatants. And while this process might be moving slowly, it is important to remember that we are dealing with very dangerous individuals, especially in the face of the perpetual hand wringing of the ACLU and its disciples.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited decision in the case of Boumediene v. Bush. In a 5-4 split, the majority opinion argued in favor of granting the Gitmo prisoners the “right” to a hearing in federal court as to the legality of their imprisonment. In other words, they are giving them the right of habeas corpus – the right to a court challenge to their detention by the US Government.

Some lawyers, especially those concerned with the preservation of civil liberties issues above all else, have been busy trying to make sure that the “rights” of the Gitmo prisoners are upheld. We are used to hearing these kinds of arguments in the context of domestic law, but this is an effort at providing the rights of American citizens to individuals with extremely shaky legal standing. Not only are they non-Americans, but they were captured, for the most part, during combat with American troops.


In his majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy emphasizes the importance of preserving the rights granted under our constitution, especially habeas corpus. So far, so good. But then he argues that these rights be extended to our enemies. Joining Kennedy in his opinion were Justices Breyer, Ginsburg, Souter and Stevens, collectively known as the liberal wing of the court. Writing in dissent, Justice Scalia points out the added burden that this decision places on the effort to protect Americans from terrorists. Scalia was joined in the minority by Justices Thomas, Roberts and Alito.

Also at stake here is the court’s impingement on the powers of the Executive Branch. For a good analysis of this issue, see the Wall Street Journal Editorial in today’s newspaper. Its title, President Kennedy, provides a foretaste of the Journal’s view on Kennedy’s over-reaching opinions.

While it seems unlikely that such a reminder is needed, this decision provides a dramatic reminder that the next president is expected to name a number of new Justices during his years in office, thereby shaping the court's decisions for years to come. The decision in Boumediene v. Bush is a stark example of what is at stake.
Recently, a California Court effectively legalized gay marriage over the objection of the state’s voters. This gave those of us from Massachusetts a déjà vu moment as we recalled a similar action by the Massachusetts Supreme Court. The far-reaching effects of decisions handed down by activist judges impact heavily on the fabric of American life. But the fact that these directives come from appointed judges, often serving lifetime tenure, helps allow those judges to avoid full accountability and often minimizes the recourse available.

No go for Ogo

The news this week that Jim Ogonowski's campaign had fallen short of the required number of signatures came as a major disappointment to many of us who were so pleased to anticipate two viable GOP candidates in the running to unseat Senator John Kerry in November. Losing a campaign is always difficult, but a worse heartbreak is having another democratic incumbent go unopposed. Now, failing a long-shot write-in campaign by Ogonowski, it is left to Jeff Beatty to take on Kerry who is running for a fifth term. make no mistake about it, this is an uphill slog. Kerry is well-organized, well-financed and well-loved by a multitude of Massachusetts liberals. At the same time, if we are to inject any semblance of a discussion of the issues and offer an alternative to the blue-state status quo, we need viable candidates. While Jim Ogonowski had impressed many with his strong showing against Nicki Tsongas in the special congressional election, this stumble by him and his organization to fulfill one of the basic tasks of a campaign leaves us wondering if Ogo is ready for prime time.

There is some feeling within the party that Ogo might re-tool for another run at Tsongas. Given his strength in the Massachusetts Fifth Congressional District, this might be a much more achievable goal for Jim and his team. At the same time, this begs a more far-ranging discussion of ways in which the Beatty and Ogonowski camps might cooperate to help this move forward along with a revitalization of the Mass GOP. For an excellent discussion of this issue, see The Red Mass Group's posting by The Angelic One, including the lengthy add-on discussion.

A hat tip to the RMG site for fully airing this development and its implications for the Mass GOP.

The South Shore Writers Club at 15

Tomorrow, the members of the South Shore Writers Club, will gather to celebrate the club's fifteenth anniversary. In keeping with the club's informal collegiality, the day will be blessedly short on ceremony but full of the friendship and camaraderie that characterizes the club's mission of providing support for its membership of aspiring writers. Together they will share their love of writing with family and friends as they enjoy a celebratory luncheon

The showcase of the day will be the introduction of Shore Voices, the club's semi-annual anthology of its members' writing. Each of the twenty one contributors will have the opportunity to read from their work. Shore Voices includes an appealing variety of pieces as described on its end piece:

The collage of stories and poems in this anthology reflects the eclectic potpourri of genre, style and voice of each writer.


Members bring a wide range of divergent backgrounds to the club's meetings and the task of writing, but the common thread is a desire by each to scratch that itch, the challenging desire to express themselves through the written word, that so many feel, but few actually attempt to satisfy. Sitting around the meeting table, members take turns reading from their work and receiving the constructive criticism of the membership. Writing tips along with market news and upcoming events of interest are also shared. Once a year a local published author is invited to speak and share their insights into the craft of writing. Congratulations to the The South Shore Writers Club which for fifteen years has helped bring a sense of supportive community to a practitioners of a calling often characterized by isolation and loneliness.

1000 Achers

For months, the Town of Plymouth has been agog at the prospect of a major film studio setting up shop in Town. The vote on a non-binding referendum, included on the recent municipal ballot, showed voters heavily in favor of the project. And why not. Nearly 1,000 acres of un-used Town-owned land would be added to the tax rolls after being developed for an environmentally friendly purpose with minimal needs for town services. What's wrong with this picture?

As outlined in an article in this morning's Boston Globe, there was indeed something wrong. While the Town was actively marketing the land for development, it was apparently well known that the the land did not have clear title.

According to former long-time Planning Board member, Loring Tripp, "The Town knew the land had title issues for the better part of a decade."

Plymouth Planning Director Lee Hartmann said that officials were aware there were title problems, but didn't appreciate the severity. He went on to say, however, "We never felt comfortable with spending hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers money to deal with the title issues."

The 1,000 acre site is made up of about 7,000 individual parcels, half of which need expensive legal work to clear their legal titles. It is hard to believe that the Town was promoting the land for development knowing clear title could not be provided in a timely fashion. This makes the Town look inept, at best, and perhaps devious in believing that a developer would abide by the cost and delay of the title-clearing process. This puts egg on the Town's face and adds more fuel to the fire for demands for changes to Town government.

But if the average Plymouthean is peeved, imagine how the people at Plymouth Rock Studios feel having already spent a reported $3 million on a site that they now find out is unavailable, at least in a timely and cost-effective manner. On Tuesday night, Studio representatives essentially pulled the plug on the 1,000 acres site, telling the Selectmen that there are still several sites within the Town that might end up with the studio development. After being lead down this path by the Town, the Selectmen might not want to be too quick to pencil in any expected tax revenues from the studio project. Hollywood will probably still establish an East coast beach head, but the "Hollywood East" sign seems unlikely to stay on the Plymouth waterfront.