Worcester County Freedom Trail

Last year, Yahoo! gave the Chinese government key documentation about the pro-democracy efforts of two Chinese reporters. The reporters were subsequently tortured and jailed. Now the reporters are suing Yahoo for the role it played in the horrific events that transpired. This from News.com:

The case hinges on a lawsuit filed in April in the U.S. District Court for Northern California. Plaintiffs Shi Tao, Wang Xiaoning — two pro-democracy advocates–and Yu Ling (Wang’s wife) charged Yahoo and its Hong Kong subsidiary with allegedly divulging information about their online activity and pro-democracy writing to Chinese authorities, an act that ultimately caused their arrest and prosecution, according to the filing. Both men were sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In a 51-page motion to dismiss, filed with the district court, Yahoo argued that the case has no merit.

“This is a lawsuit by citizens of China imprisoned for using the Internet in China to express political views in violation of China law. It is a political case challenging the laws and actions of the Chinese government. It has no place in the American courts,” according to Yahoo’s motion.

I know the lawyers are simply doing their job, trying to get Yahoo off the hook. And legal experts expect Yahoo will win this lawsuit. Personally, I hope they don’t. Shame on them for the role they played in exposing these reporters. Virtually everyone knew what the outcome would be. Yet Yahoo barely stopped to think before they handed over the incriminating files. I think we need to send their management team back to school to take an ethics course.

Massachusetts is now exporting gay marriage to other states. This from the National Catholic Register’s August 26th issue:

In July, Massachusetts Registrar of Vital Records and Statistics Stanley Nyberg advised city and town clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples from New Mexico. Nyberg’s office is under the state Department of Public Health, whose commissioner, John Auerbach, is “married” to his male friend.

“New Mexico’s laws do not prohibit marriage between parties of the same gender,” Nyberg wrote in his memorandum, which came in response to questions from Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).

Apparently Gay advocates are focusing their efforts on states that do not have a law that prohibits gay marriage. According to Michael Glatze, co-founder of Young Gay America magazine and advocate of the homosexual lifestyle until he denounced the lifestyle this summer, New Mexico is just the beginning. Homosexual activists plan to vigorously exploit that loophole.

“Since a lot of the courts are steeped in ’separation of church and state’ dogma, and have ACLU lawyers ready to do absolutely everything, without scruples, it seems clear that it’s possible for the radical ‘gay’ agenda to entirely overpower all courts in this land.

“Ultimately, it’s the church who is going to have to stand firm on this issue or else it’s over,” he said. “The church needs to be aware just how easily its freedoms can be taken away from it by these people using the law.

“Remember, because gay is a lie, it has to completely annihilate the truth that reminds it that it’s a lie. They will stop at nothing and will not end their fight until all mention of homosexuality being wrong is completely eradicated from all public life. They will go so far as to outlaw the reading of portions of the Bible.”

We knew this was coming. Gay advocates will attempt to censor any and all talk that’s not 100% positive about the gay lifestyle. The Bible will be outlawed as hate speech, priests will be forced to marry gay couples, and sex ed will begin in Kindergarten. ::sigh:: I think it’s time to move to Australia.

The race for Worcester City Council is a bit over the top this year. There are about 20 candidates running because the general sentiment around town is to throw most of the bums out.

I can’t say as I disagree. With the exception of Mayor Konnie Lukes, who’s trying to keep the lunacy to a minimum, the rest of the City Council should be swept out of office. They can’t stop their spending-spree long enough to balance a budget. And now we’re going to stop enforcing the law regarding illegal aliens? Give me a break.

This is an interesting statement from City Council candidate Bill McCarthy, a terrorism expert and former State Trooper:

Dr. Bill McCarthy, candidate for Worcester City Council, announced that he will push for a Zero Tolerance Policy on Illegal Immigration in Worcester.  McCarthy sees the issue of illegal immigration as one that threatens our local economy, security, public safety and the city’s fiscal well being.

“For years we have waited for the federal government to take action on this issue.  Meanwhile the population of illegal immigrants continues to grow and strain our city’s budget.  The next city council must take aggressive action and I plan to lead on the issue,” stated McCarthy.  “Our city’s fiscal health is in jeopardy along with the public safety of our citizens, if we don’t.”

McCarthy’s Zero Tolerance Plan includes:
•    Making English the official language of Worcester,
•    Limiting the number of families living in single-family homes and fining landlords who rent to illegal aliens,
•    Passing a city ordinance that only allows two cars per household to be parked on city streets overnight,
•    Enacting a city ordinance requiring police to impound a car and fine a driver without a license or insurance $500,
•    Mandatory employer verification of worker eligibility or employer jeopardizes various city permits,
•    Lobbying the state and federal government for more law enforcement

Works for me!

It’s not often that I heartily agree with Dianne Williamson. But this time she hit the nail on the head. Once again, shame on Senators Kennedy and Kerry for a pure political play regarding the appointment of Reed Hillman as US Marshall. He is supremely qualified for this position. Kennedy and Kerry just can’t stand the thought of a Republican appointment. This from the Dianne’s column in the Worcester Telegram:

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s objection to the politically-driven process of appointing a U.S. marshal would be admirable, if it weren’t so politically driven.

“It is important for the people to have confidence that political considerations are not unduly affecting law enforcement, and I look forward to hearing from you on how we can work together,” Mr. Kennedy wrote to President Bush in March.

It’s also important for “the people” — that’s us — to understand that Mr. Kennedy is laying it on with a trowel, that his letter came well after the media reported in 2005 that Reed V. Hillman’s name had already been submitted to the White House for consideration as U.S. marshal for Massachusetts.

Mr. Kennedy seemed to have had no such qualms about political patronage in the 500 years he’s served in the Senate. Only, now that the ultraqualified Mr. Hillman has been nominated for U.S. marshal, has Mr. Kennedy and his junior senator lap dog voiced opposition to the appointment and a disingenuous desire for a non-politicized process.

The controversy could be viewed as tiresome if not for the disheartening partisan politics at play. Quite simply, the Republican Mr. Hillman is not qualified in the eyes of our two Democratic senators because he belongs to the wrong party. There’s no other reason. And this relatively small issue raises a bigger question — can we ever move beyond the growing polarization of our political parties and regain some trust that our leaders mean what they say — that their words are linked not to partisan calculation but to political clarity? 

Sadly, looks like our compatriots in Britain are chickening out even faster than I expected. Now that Tony Blair is no longer Prime Minister, looks like Gordon Brown is going to take the easy way out when it comes to resolving the world’s terrorist problems in the Middle East. This in The Independent:

Senior military commanders have told the Government that Britain can achieve “nothing more” in south-east Iraq, and that the 5,500 British troops still deployed there should move towards withdrawal without further delay.

Last month Gordon Brown said after meeting George Bush at Camp David that the decision to hand over security in Basra province – the last of the four held by the British – “will be made on the military advice of our commanders on the ground”. He added: “Whatever happens, we will make a full statement to Parliament when it returns [in October].”

Governor Mitt Romney made it very clear when he left office that there was a small surplus and that if the new administration toed the line on spending and resisted the urge to tax us to death, we’d be OK. But Gov Deval Patrick wasn’t in office 5 minutes before he started bemoaning a deficit of billions of dollars.

Well, guess what. Patrick lied. Most likely just so he could look  like the hero when the numbers came in at the end of the fiscal year. This in Sunday’s Worcester Telegram:

Lucky for the Beacon Hill crowd, the short-term memory of the Massachusetts electorate is about 3 1/2 minutes, give or take a few seconds. How else to explain why the astonishing news that the state ended fiscal 2007 with a $440 million budget surplus caused barely a ripple of public reaction?Can this be the same state that, according to the newly installed governor, was facing a $1 billion-plus shortfall, inherited from his predecessor?

Is this the same state that had to tap rainy-day funds, risking Wall Street’s wrath, to balance the 2008 budget?

No wonder skeptical taxpayers conclude that the January deficits were concocted to enable the administration to claim to have solved the problem in July.

These tidbits were found in Chip Faulkner’s CLT mailing for the Friday Morning Group gathering this month:

Apparently Denver, Colorado, now has a law requiring that every dog be neutered unless the owner gets a government permit allowing the animal to reproduce! One the left, even sex is becoming taboo.

And Iowa is now worried about water. The billions of gallons of water per year needed to produce ethanol has Iowa state officials worried about possible water shortages. The state has 27 ethanol plants and produces 1.9 billion gallons of ethanol. Each gallon of ethanol produced for vehicle fuel needs about four gallons of water. Not to mention the tremendous amount of corn that’s being kept out of the hands of hungry people.

Here’s some interesting data. Yes, it assumes a lot of things will go right for the opponent over the course of the next year, but there is no doubt in my mind that Sen. John Kerry is at his most vulnerable this year. Since he ran for Prez, he’s sniped and insulted his way around the globe. Time for him to retire.

Just  60 days after forming an exploratory committee to defeat John Kerry for  the US Senate in 2008, Jeff Beatty (www.JeffBeatty.com) is receiving  favorable support from voters across Massachusetts. A  poll conducted in July by the renowned Zogby organization shows Jeff  Beatty to be in a virtual tie with the junior senator and former  presidential candidate.

Zogby  initially polled Beatty and other well known Massachusetts Republican  against Kerry.  Kerry, who is  seeking his fifth term in office, beat Beatty, Kerry Healey (former  Lieutenant Governor and unsuccessful 2006 Gubernatorial candidate) and  Andy Card (former Bush White house Chief Of Staff) in this initial  horserace poll.

But  then came exciting good news for the Beatty Committee.  After Zogby provided basic  biographical information on John Kerry, Jeff Beatty and other well known  Republicans and then asked the “who would you vote for?” question, the  results in the head to head competition were:

First                  Kerry 48 %      Beatty  45%      (3  point margin – error margin 4.1% = a tie)

Second              Kerry 56 %      Healey  37%     (19  point loss)

Third                 Kerry 61%       Card  29%         (32 point loss)

Against Jeff Beatty, the incumbent’s vote  percentage plummeted below 50% while Beatty skyrocketed to a virtual  tie.  In the other two races,  Kerry gained over Republicans.   Beatty has rapidly become the front runner and clearly the most  likely to defeat John Kerry.

The  Zogby survey consisted of 41% Democrats, 20% Republicans and 38%  unenrolled or independents.   What is it about Beatty’s bio that appeals to these  voters?

It  appears that Beatty’s biographical information, his impressive credentials  and experience, made the difference with voters.

Jeff  Beatty, who only entered politics last year, is a decorated veteran and  Purple Heart recipient.  He is  the first person to have served with 3 of our most elite Anti-terrorism  Units.  He was a Delta Force  Officer in the first Blackhawk shot down.  He was a Special Agent of the FBI,  advising the FBI National Hostage Rescue Team and he was a CIA  Counter-terrorism Officer with half a dozen years of service, mostly in  Europe and the Middle East running successful operations against  Terrorists and Nations hostile to the United  States.

Since  leaving government service, Jeff Beatty has been an active small  businessman and homeland security consultant designing training programs  for over 500,000 Americans to help keep our citizens safe.  His clients have included  Logan  Airport,  The MBTA, The Superbowl, The Statue of Liberty and other local and  national organizations.

Beatty is considered to be one of the most capable  in the world in the areas of National Security, Homeland Security and  Anti-Terrorism.  When news  breaks about terrorism, America  wants to know what is happening and they turn on their TV’s.  It is likely they will see Beatty,  a familiar face with over 250 appearances on FOX News, CNN and all the  other major networks.

How interesting. Senator John McCain appears to have realized the error of his ways when he backed the “what security?” immigration bill recently proposed and voted down by the Senate. Senators Graham and Kyl seem to have changed course as well. Here’s the story on GOPUSA:

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Thursday backed a scaled-down proposal that imposes strict rules to end illegal immigration but doesn’t include a path to citizenship.

The move away from a comprehensive measure is an about-face for the Arizona senator, who had been a leading GOP champion of a bill that included a guest worker program and would have legalized many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. It failed earlier this year.

”We can still show the American people that we are serious about securing our nation’s border,” McCain said in a statement, adding that the new bill would ”provide an essential step toward achieving comprehensive reform in the future.”

McCain’s immigration position has been a campaign liability among Republican voters and hurt his efforts to raise money. Other GOP presidential candidates, fellow Arizona Republicans and immigration opponents throughout the country have loudly decried his position.

Observers said McCain’s switch was political. ”He recognizes his position on the issue is killing him,” said Steven Camarota, research director at the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors vigorous immigration enforcement.

McCain’s co-sponsors include Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jon Kyl of Arizona. All three were leading advocates for the unsuccessful comprehensive immigration measure and were bombarded with criticism for their support.

Not sure how the plan stacks up overall, but at least they’re starting to listen to the voice of the people!

The Boston Herald has expanded its payroll database of municipal employees. Now you can search Worcester employee compensation data at http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/payroll/worcester/.

Looks like most of our tax dollars are going to James Caradonio, the Superintendent of the Worcester Public School system. 2006 earnings were $161,599. Based on the state of our public schools, not so sure he’s worth it.

Gary Gemme, Chief of Police, took in $157,902. I’m happy to pay for a more secure city.

Next in line is Michael O’Brien, City Manager, at $138,385. We’ll see how he does with the $21 million deficit.

Robert Moylan, Commisioner of Public Works was at $129,488. You’d think we’d get a few more potholes fixed for that kind of money!

Helen Friel, Assistant to Caradonio, took in $122,813. Man, that’s a lot of overhead at our public school system!

In total, you can review the compensation of 9035 employees.