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Friends –
Thanks again for checking in on my blog here on Patch. And thanks to Patch for making open discussions possible online.
This Thursday, we will be a mere seven weeks away from Primary Day. Indeed, Primary Day will fall on a Thursday this go around, on September 6th. This change in voting will, more than likely, cause a sharp decline in primary voters, making these last seven weeks all the more critical.
With that in mind, I have been working my DUFF off, hitting every corner of this enormous district. Each place I go, the folks I speak with have a similar outlook on the political scene: they want someone they can rely on to do an honest job on their behalf. They want someone who truly understands their needs and the needs of their friends, family and neighbors. To the average Joe, governing, and how to govern, is common sense. That's why I think my campaign has such sustained momentum. After years of pounding the pavement, I know the wants and needs of the cities and towns of the Fifth District better than anyone in the race, and I believe the people of this district are always eager to vote for someone they can trust to carry their concerns to Beacon Hill.
We've had a blast visiting with voters across the district thus far. As I previously mentioned, I've been visiting senior centers and farmers markets, and the response has been incredible. This past week, I was privileged to attend the Light of Cambodian Children benefit in Lowell after being invited by a great supporter of mine, Lowell City Councilor Vesna Nuon. The work being done by Lowell residents of all backgrounds to ensure that kids are active in the summer and after school is commendable, and I am grateful for the reception I received by the attendees.
Additionally, I took in a day at the Greek Picnic in Ipswich. What an event, and what a turn out! The Greek community has always been so generous with their time and effort on behalf of our cities and towns, and the organizers of this event really outdid themselves. The food was incredible, and Greeks and non-Greeks alike turned out en masse to take it all in. Great job to everyone in Ipswich!
We'll be out and about these next seven weeks hammering home the reasons why I believe I am the best candidate in the race. I believe it is not about being a lawyer, but about who has worked hardest on behalf of this district. And it seems the great people of the Fifth District agree with me!
I'll see you out on the trail!
Sally Brooks
1:19 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sorry Eileen, I can not vote for some one like you and the other guy from Salem that will be completely controlled by the Gay and Lesbian PACS! The last thing we need are more hard left activist judges! As a devout Methodist Christian, we need a complete change in this state as we have lost our moral compass. We need candidates that are conservative and have strong religious and family values! I am deeply troubled by the hard left turn the majority of elected officials and the democratic party have take here in Mass. I will be voting for DONALD BUMILLER for Council--a good Christian and a reasonable man. He is not a left wing extremist like so many in Salem, Cambridge and Boston. I ask you all--please vote for DONALD BUMILLER FOR GOVERNORS COUNCIL!
5:40 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
No. First of all, you have no evidence of Duff being a "left-wing extremist." Secondly, you are making accusations with absolutely nothing to suggest anything you are saying. It's not an effective way to make your campaign pitch.
7:58 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I have to agree completely with Sally here. She said nothing at all mean or prejudicial. If you go on line, do some basic research and ask some people in the area as I have,you will come to the same conclusion. Duff and Eppley are hard left extremists with a totally different vision for this country--I spoke to at least 6 people in the area who concur. I am one of a number of residents here in Mass that plan to peacefully resist the massive power that the Gay and Lesbian Political Action Committees have acquired here in Mass under Duval Patrick. I admit you liberals are in the majority here. People like me and Sally who are Christian conservatives and believe in strong family values are in the distinct minority. But this election is about standing up for ones core beliefs against these powerful and dishonest special interest groups.The last thing we need, I agree with Sally, is more hard left activist judges like the horrible crew that Patrick has appointed. Remember this advice from the Apostle Paul--"Abstain from every form of Evil." 1 Thess. 5:22 We must always remember that our Lord Himself instructed us to constantly beseech our Heavenly Father to "deliver us from evil". I am not a bigot or racist. My Baptist faith tells me that homosexuality is wrong and is a sin. I will not apoligize to anyone for believing in my faith and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not know much about Bumiller, however I will not be voting for Duff or Eppley and urge others to do the same!
10:01 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
The best evidence I could find of Eileen Duff being an extremist was the comments you made on several other Patch websites against other candidates, arguing the same points with a continued lack of proof. If you truly want to show that Duff is this dangerous person you claim her to be, post links, evidence, facts. At this point, without any knowledge of the candidates and based solely on your series of posts, I can't and probably won't vote for Bumiller.
Janet Marino-Johnson
11:49 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I challenge Duff water carrier running green all the way and agree wholeheartedly with Sally and TJ. Because of their sexual orientation, it is obvious to anyone with an internet browser who Eppley and Duff are and what they are about. Pushing the gay and lesbian agenda as mindless tools of these left wing hate groups, as their hero Duval Patrick has done. They would love nothing better than to continue the fine Patrick legacy of confirming nothing but extremist gay and lesbian judges like Barbara Lenk to the bench. Hey runnning yellow or is it green. Did you know that Patrick has appointed more gays and lesbians to judgeships and state agencies than any governor in history? I concur with the minority here. Here is the the Patrick agenda that the outnumbered Christian conservatives will peacefully fight with support from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. No to legalized drugs, no to late term abortion and abortion on demand, no legalized sodomy and gay marriage. Christianity and Judaism state clearly that these are wrong and are a mortal sin. How dare you tell me or anyone else to renounce our faith to fit your warped world view. It is striking that the left constantly seeks tolerance--except when Christian Conservatives take a stand and dare to public oppose them. Then they attack us viciously! Eppley and Duff symbolize everything wrong about politics in this state. Christian conservatives everywhere pray that Patrick, Murray, Eppley and Duff are defeated forever!
Robert E
12:57 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The bible is not an excuse for bigotry and hate. Religious bigotry and hate is still bigotry and hate. It really does not matter what the source is. Don't make excuses for homophobia that you wouldn't make for racism. Just imagine a Christian saying:
I have a deep conviction in the authority of the Bible. And the Bible clearly approves of slavery, and in fact commands it in some cases (Exodus 22:3; Deuteronomy 20:10-11, 14). Furthermore, I belive, based on Genesis 9:25-27, that the descendants of Ham are to be the slaves of the descendants of Shem and Japheth, and after deep reflection I've concluded that Africans are the modern-day descendants of Ham. So please don't call my support for enslaving Africans bigotry. It's not. It is a working out of deep convictions.
Bigots will be just as free to hate same sex marriage when it's legal as they did when it was not. The difference is that nobody will be legally obligated to give a crap what they think.
4:39 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sally, are you trying to say that Gays and Lesbians can't have "Strong religious and family values" ??? That's just disgusting. We need less judgemental people in office and more people who are willing to stand up for the rights of everyone, NOT just those with Christian beliefs. Separation of Church and State.
6:46 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Gays have strong family moral values too , you don't need to be a churchgoing Republican to have those bases covered!
Wayne Sullivan
9:17 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sally - it's not very Christian like to be so prejudice! Your religious values should tell you that there is a place for all people in this world. I won't vote for this person just because of your message. If you truly want to help this candidate as much as you say you do, I would suggest you tone down your message. I don't want extremist candidates as you portray either, but your way of thinking as an alternative isn't knocking my socks off either! I would let Donald fight his own battles here, but you extreme attitude is going to hurt his campaign.
9:27 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Just because she has a different opinion from you does not mean she is prejudiced. Each of us has a right to our own beliefs.
Bill Kelly
8:16 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
TJ you spoke to 6 people who agree with you. Are they all family members ? 6 doesn't do much in terms of a opinion group- it takes at least 10 people to form a Jewish prayer group for example. One thing I find disconcerting is the language and tone of so called Christian conservatives is usually one of intolerance of views different from their own. I don't think the message of Jesus was one of intolerance. He actually was a reformer, one who sought to help the poor and sick, today he would be called a progressive in my opinion.
9:32 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Bill. You are using a familiar tactic of the left. Attack the messenger and avoid discussing the issue because you cant win. Your point of view is the majority here. As a Christian Conservative, I am in a distinct minority. I am one of the few you will find in Mass that will continue to peacefully oppose the tremendous and deeply troubling political power that the Gay and Lesbian Political Action Committees have acquired here. The game plan is to use the courts--google Barbara Lenk and left wing activist judges to proclaim that homosexuality is normal behavior. Then use the public school system--google California Senate Bill 50--to encourage young healthy children to become homosexuals, in order to keep their numbers up and maintain their political base. Eppley and Duff will carry out this hard left marching order and I choose to peacefully and publicly protest this hidden agenda. My Baptist faith teaches me homosexuality is wrong and is a sin. It is my right to firmly, respectfully put forward my views in a public forum and even though you and your fellow leftists out number me here in Mass by a wide margin. Instead of attacking me, I would like you to address my message. My tactic is quite simple. I am attempting to rally the remaining people of faith in the area, NOT to vote for Eppley or Duff because of their hard line left wing agenda and refusal to be honest with the public! It is quite troubling that you and others on the left-do not respect Christian Conservatives.
2:05 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
"The game plan is to use the courts--google Barbara Lenk and left wing activist judges to proclaim that homosexuality is normal behavior. Then use the public school system--google California Senate Bill 50--to encourage young healthy children to become homosexuals, in order to keep their numbers up and maintain their political base."
Wow...We can't even teach California's kids to read, but we can make them gay??
Geez I've heard it all now...LOL....thank GOD you're in the minority and by "his" will will stay that way..no I guess I don't respect Christian Conservatives when they spew conspiracy theory, hatred and frankly, a twisted version of how Jesus would want us to live. I would look twice in the mirror at your own clergy before bringing up sodomy and marriage on the Patch when HUNDREDS of your own victimizing priests are deeply plagued by much deeper problems than many in our gay community. Go have your religious beliefs humbly, quietly and any way you want them, but keep them out of my legislature and don't try to use them as as the basis of limiting my freedoms--or those of my children AND YOURS.. Boy, would I hate to come out of the closet in your house--
Bryan McGonigle2
8:54 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Went to the website - I couldn't really figure out why the candidate wants to be on the Governor's Council. The candidate says that she'd keep an open mind but doesn't say too much about why having her open mind would be better than anyone else's.
If I ran for Governor's Council, I would also keep an open mind but I would also tell you where the current Governor's Council is lacking and why I'd be the person to improve the situation.
Telling us that you're going around the district meeting people isn't that impressive. Rep. Torrisi walked his entire district ringing every doorbell when he first ran. Now some call him Where-is-he Torrisi.
7:01 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Good golly. Why so much focus on gay rights here? Unless the government tells your church that it has to host same-sex weddings, or unless the government tells you that you have to marry someone of your own gender, you shouldn't be bothered by fair and equal treatment of a small portion of the population.
I've met all three of these candidates and they were all quite willing to answer some tough questions about the need for a Governor's Council and how they will each approach the job. I actually like that Ms. Duff isn't a lawyer and that her background is more in policy. I think that all of the candidates are qualified, decent, hard-working people with years of experience, but Ms. Duff is coming into the field with a unique perspective and I like that.
7:35 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
i agree with both Sally and TJ comments above. The Gov is pro- Gay and Lesbian Political Action Committees as is other activist legislators and judges. Nationally the GLT PACs are extremist left who rarely square with the average American voter. Special interest groups are just that - special interest. Eileen Duff has done, nor said anything to the contrary. The GLT special interest groups in MA is the reason the public has not had a ballot referendum on gay marriage. Eileen Duff comes from that perspective. Sorry, cannot vote for her.
8:28 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Hi Guest,
I'm still not sure how LGBT issues affect you if you aren't gay. Can you please explain. I am unaware of any kind of government program that costs taxpayers anything. Could you please clarify?
I do know that churches make their own policies regarding marriage ceremonies. As far as I know, straight people are not being forced to marry people of their own genders.
How does same sex marriage affect you? I'm sorry but I just don't understand why you should care.
Heather McNeil
11:02 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I do believe that people are all on their own spiritual path, and I have no right to tell anyone else what to believe. And Christian Conservatives do not have that right either, to impose their beliefs on others. We are all in this world together and need to respect one another despite our differences. LGBTQ issues are the civil rights issues of our time. They should have all the rights that everyone of us enjoys, and we should support and celebrate with them together.
Bob Rauseo
11:21 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
To Heather McNeil:
Thank you very much for your post.
I agree with you, especially that LBBT issues are the civil rights issues of our time.
Dave Miskinis
12:42 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Are you in any way affiliated with Duff beer?
Melissa E.
1:15 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I am appalled at the amount of "the bible tells me so" excuses people will stand behind to spew out such hateful and non-loving words and phrases. I do not believe that Jesus/God or whatever Spiritual path you are on would want such horrid behavior amongst their followers. True Christians accept and love everyone and do not blame races, creeds or orientations of people for what is wrong with this country. It's the hatred that is causing this country to divide and I think our ancestors would be appalled. Frankly I knew nothing about Ms. Duff until I read this piece, and frankly those that said such things about her and other candidates would force me to vote for them just to vote against the "Christians". Oh and for the record, I am a married, Catholic heterosexual woman with 2 children, not some "hard left activist". I believe in treating others onto how you want to be treated and frankly I am disgusted by the "Christianity" that was displayed here. Separation of church and state....remember?
5:20 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
JR, I'm not gay but I care--if my son or daughter are gay and have a partner for 27 years like Sally ride, they will not be able to benefit by social security, pension or any other benefits straight married couples AND their children would otherwise enjoy... By your theory, disabled people make up a small percentage of the population, should we stop making buildings accessible??? If people want to legally and financially commit to one another why are people so afraid?? It's pure hatred. What I don't care about is religion, because it drives other peoples' beliefs right into my government laws.
6:21 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
You may have misunderstood me. Or I wasn't clear enough.
I am 110% in favor of equal rights for the LBGT community, including marriage and the immediate repeal of DOMA. I'm not gay either, but I have several friends who are. I treasure them and have had the honor of attending weddings in recent years that wouldn't have been possible before the SJC decision. Those weddings were some of the most meaningful I've ever attended.
I was challenging these so-called "Christians" about their vitriolic opposition to same sex marriage. Why should it bother them (or anyone) if two people who love each other are allowed to get married (as they should be)? It shouldn't.
My use of "why should you care" in my post to "Guest" was an attempt to challenge him or her. Perhaps I made a poor choice of words.
I know that he or she doesn't have a real, viable argument to support his or her position, but I guess I wanted to try to get them to think about it a little more carefully and to recognize that equal rights for the LBGT community will NOT have any kind of negative effect on anyone. There can only be positive outcomes from equal treatment of all under the law.
So, in reality, my theory is that everyone should be treated equally regardless of how small a portion of the population their demographic is (including disabled people, and people of all religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.)
I am sorry for any confusion I may have caused here.
Walter White
6:22 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
call it what you want...the bottom line is... it isnt normal
6:43 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Neither is discriminating against another group based on one sole characteristic that they do not control.
8:02 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Yes it is normal. In every culture, every population, every race, people have been homosexual in a consistent percentage. Normal like green eyes, left-handedess, and red hair. Is it normal to have freckles? How about dimples? Or a voice like Adele? Is it normal for girls to play hockey? Or a black man (or a Mormon!) to be president?
Mr White
10:27 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@Thomas, in extrapolating your argument, here is where your "normal" falls off the rails.
In every one of your examples, if the entire human race possessed any or all of those characteristics everything/body would continue to be just fine.
However, if the entire human race were homosexual, the human race would cease to exist.
Does that sound "normal" to you?
A problem I find with many liberals is their inability/unwillingness to see the forest beyond the trees.
8:33 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Mr. White,
Your extrapolation doesn't make any sense. Thomas was just pointing out that we are all different, that we all have something different about us and that sexuality can be one of those differences.
Using your logic, if all humans were straight men, the human race would die out. Again, using your logic, straight men, therefore, aren't "normal."
Sexuality is just one feature of humanity that can be different from one person to the next.
Cheryl Buono
7:53 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
boy parts don't fit in boy parts. Sam is correct, IT'S NOT NORMAL.
4:46 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
once upon a time it wasn't "normal" for women to work or vote. It wasn't normal for blacks to mingle with whites...it wasn't normal for an interracial couple to get married. Times change. 20 years from now gay marriage will be normal and those that opposed it will be whining about something else that doesn't affect them.
4:47 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
and Cheryl--- you show your closemindedness by bringing sex into the picture...allowing gays to marry is more about love and rights than it is about SEX. No one is in your bedroom keeping count of where boy parts are placed, so why does it matter to you what someone else does in their bedroom?'
John P
3:11 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
There are other ways to achieve rights in such unions, such as power of attorney, trusts, etc. OK, lets' leave sex out of it and then why not allow parents and children or siblings to marry each other?
Jay Burnham
6:03 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Sorry, Mr. White...when you expand or "extrapolate" your argument to the ridiculous ("if the entire human race...") your argument more than just "falls off the rails".
Bill. S
8:23 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Mr White is 100% correct. of course it is not normal nor are people "born that way" Most every creature on the planet lives for one reason and that is to re-create and continue the species. That comes natural to the normal
Dave Miskinis
7:20 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Mr. White.....I usually enjoy your comments, however, you are wrong about the human race ending. There are many, many G&L unions having children - and who do a hell of a job raising them by the way. Population growth would slowly increase in your scenario.
Erika J.
9:42 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Sounds like the campaign trail is going well! I wish you the best of luck!
Wilmington's Farmer's Market is on Sundays 10:30-1:30, our town would love to have you there
Jim Smith
12:14 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I agree with Anne Sweeney !
Mr. White and Jay, If the Human Race were only homosexual from the very evolution of our species, we would have died out early as you stated. If their was a gene that only had same sex with same sex ? I doubt the species would even get off the ground. Obviously the Heterophobs will never admit to anything but the exception rather than to give credence to self evident facts of science. Keeping religion out of the scenario on that point but also recognizing that priests, when in court admit that they are Gay Priests, whether or not they prey upon children is irrelevant. Their basic proclivity is their motivation, as is with heterosexuals who are predators upon female children. Both deviations are equally repulsive, which is why I find Jay Burnham on the wrong side of where he should be, ethically.
Jim Smith
12:18 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Next, To all of the Above you will be advocating for NAMBLA ? You are all repulsive and disgusting. Mr. White is right, I am sure that some kind of superbug, pandemic will wipe out most of the human race. The re-set button will be pushed and we'll all start over again. However I doubt that Humanity will ever get it right, so long as there is perversion and deviation from the historical norm, which laid the foundation for our humanity over the past ten thousand years.
8:31 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Mr. Smith, you have made quite the assumption. I dispute the notion that anyone who supports gay marriage also approves of NAMBLA (the North American Man/Boy Love Association, for anyone who doesn't watch the Daily Show). Gay marriage involves two consenting adults. NAMBLA, on the other hand, involves a man engaging in questionable activities with a juvenile male, which is a crime. It is similar to if a man was to become involved with a young girl. Yet, I do not assume that anyone who supports the traditional view of marriage also supports that kind activity. Be careful with making such large leaps in logic. Also, you can make your point without calling your opponents "repulsive" and "disgusting".
Parson Weems
9:42 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
OK, Jim Smith if same sex marraige and gay rights supporters are in fact NAMBLA devotees then doesn't logic dictate that the so-called "gun rights" groups in the USA, the NRA and others are in fact supporters of mass murder??? B follows A after all...or does it.....hmmm maybe something's not right there....but take right wing logic out of it, which is easy enough to do and all anyone really has to remember is gays are "repulsive" and "disgusting" whereas, presumably, guns are sacred ....
Kevin Mac
8:40 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
What position is she running for? The queen of the Southie parade. I believe we have bigger issues than homosexuality or whatever she stands for.
10:03 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Kevin Mac,
Ms. Duff is running for Governor's Council. They are involved in the decision making process in the appointment of judges in the state.
I think the issue of same sex marriage came up here because of the SJC's 2003 decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health.
I also think the issue came up here because there are people who are intensely focused on this one issue whether out of fear or something else ... I don't know.
Clearly, the appointment of judges affects much more than private relationships between consenting adults that shouldn't be anyone else's business.
I'd love it if the discussion would focus on crime rates, judicial oversight ... anything. But sometimes fear has to be challenged.
10:08 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Anne and Mr. Smith, you are as disturbed as your logic, you blame policy instead of individuals and that breeds the hatred and anger we have. It also breeds the special interest groups who are encouraged to unite, vote and financially defeat small minded (sometimes religious) people like you both. I live and work in two of THE most diverse and free thinking towns in America. No I do support NAMBLA or any other that victimizes children so how dare you confuse fringe elements of society with more than 2 percent of the world's population who are gay NATURALLY...Society IS and will continue to progress learning to live peacefully and without hatred for others as I am trying to do with both of you. Eileen WILL win because of people like you, keep on spewing...
10:17 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
@Jim, so what's the "historical" norm?? LOL
War?, Incest? Priest pedophilia? Porn?
Child labor? Slavery? Separate but equal? Jim crow?
Nope I'll have to pass thanks, I would like a tolerant, civilized world for my kids and my students--people like you ARE the dark side--I'd rather move forward
Heidi Zweigle
9:44 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wow. I was raised Protestant (which, by the way, is Christian). We believe in an all loving, all forgiving God. Have you ever heard the phrase "Judge not, lest ye be judged."?
The people spewing their venom on here, hiding behind Christianity, should be ashamed of themselves, and their non-Christian behavior.
I ask you "Christians", have your marriages changed at all in the last eight years becauses of the SJC decision? I doubt it.
It seems to me that we have bigger issues to concern ourselves with, than two consenting adults, who love each other, having the right to get married.
What happened to the separation of church and state?
Mind your own business, and keep religion out of politics.
Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. I will be castiing my vote for Eileen Duff.
8:29 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Removing her views on what has caused the uproar on the this forum, what has she done that has made your cast your vote for her?
Jim Smith
2:40 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
A homosexual savage Andrew Goodman found guilty of 48 counts of criminal sexual acts--the rape of young boys! Instead of life with out parole, New York State Judge Martin Murphy gave this animal just 2 years! Murphy has a lifetime job as they do in Mass--how about term limits for judges or the ability to recall them after an egregiously wrong decision like this one. NY media reported Murphy has a habit of being soft on child predators and homosexual attackers. I hope you would never approve a guy like Murphy--sadly Patrick has appointed many like him here--who love to legislate from the bench."
9:59 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Hi Tom,
I may be misunderstanding CommonSenseCitizen, but I think that what he or she is saying is that we don't have a state religion.
Jim Smith
11:46 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
The organizations Chick-Fil-A support are pro-marriage, pro-family and anti-redefinition of marriage. There are many things that have helped to weaken marriage to this point ("no-fault divorces", increase in cohabitation, etc....). Homosexual "faux-marriage" is the latest in a long line of culture battles designed to further weaken the core foundational institution of society.
Also, this article is very subtle, but the message is clear. Keep your ethical & moral beliefs behind the 4 walls of your church where it can remain irrelevant. Out here in the "real world" where societal change is affected, secular humanists, atheists, progressives, etc... will only stand to have their values reign supreme within the law structure of our society. They will not tolerate another ethical law order. My hope is that at least a lot of Christians will wake up to the reality that there is no neutrality. That is a myth that has been foisted on them to disarm them. Just like statements such as you cannot bring your ethics and thus law structure into the public square while others go ahead and do the same for their "ethics" and resulting change in laws. If not, maybe Christians will finally wake up when we are getting hauled of to court or put in prison for proclaiming our stance on issues such as marriage. I am not under that delusion nor are those who are pro "faux homosexual marriage". They will push until there goal is reached. There is no neutral ground.
12:33 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
I would agree with you if you were only arguing for the right of Christian churches not to grant gay marriages. Religious orders have the right to follow their beliefs if they do not infringe on the well-being of others. However, you are pushing for a ban on all homosexual marriages. This country, as guided by the beliefs of the Founding Fathers, does not recognize any religion as the driving force for the state. This is done so no religious order has any say over non-believers. What right do you have to determine the rights of non-believers and members of other religions? Christians have no pre-determined right to judge and determine the affairs and rights of all citizens (and this is coming from a Roman Catholic).
As one Founding Father said, "The United States is in no sense founded upon the Christian doctrine."
6:23 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Jim, your right to religious freedom is equivalent to my right to freedom from your religion. Unfortunately, that's what most on the religious right fail to remember.
Out here in the real world, humanity is finally starting to wake up from the sleep of mindless dogma. You say that there is no neutral ground, and on this point I fully agree with you.
There are two sides to this: one that wants to impose its religious beliefs on society (nevermind all that bothersome separation of church and state stuff); and a side that believes that religious beliefs belong solely within the four walls of the church/mosque/temple/tabernacle that preaches about them.
Again, your beliefs don't just stop at my front door, they stop at the front door of your church.
Bryan McGonigle2
8:22 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
FYI - There's a new "Mike" on the Patch. Just in case avoiding confusion with the original Mike - yours truly - might matter to some, I have changed my profile name to MikeA.
Jim Smith
3:37 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Why not call it Marriage for Heterosexuals and a Marital Union for everyone else. I think all these disagreements would come to an end, if the Gay Community could bend over of this issue, of what to name Civil Unions ? It's already legal so I don't get it ? Why take away something from Heterosexuals ? Leave them alone and come up with something innovative on your own and call it what you like ? All you women and men stir up so much controversy over describing a Legal Union ? Religion has nothing to do with it, What do Gay and Lesbian Muslims call it ? What do Africans call it, what do the french call it, what do the British call it ? Are not Gay and Lesbian Unions allowed or legal in European countries. And if they are, What do they call it ?
6:12 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Jim, the Google search to definitively answer your underlying question took 0.29 seconds. Each of the links below will explain the significant differences between civil unions and civil marriage.
Jim Smith
7:07 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Your Hubris shows a lack of intelligence and a divisive angst.
By the way, I'm an Atheist, so stop throwing or shoving religion down my throat just because I choose to argue both sides to see if any of you have the dignity and integrity to find common ground. I am sorry to report that the above proves only one thing. This will probably play out in the streets at some point in our future. Like in Syria some issues cannot be resolved in a civil manner. They could have by calling it Civil Unions, but they chose to push Heterosexuals over the line and kept on pushing, when you push and push and bully and push, what results can you possibly expect ? From a culture which over the past 2012 years has defined marriage as between one man and one woman. Anything short of that is asking for trouble ? Think if you have that ability Christine and Mike, your inability to meet and find common ground on this issue is similar to why our world can never find peace. War is caused by your pointing and calling against religion, I am an Atheist and wanted to prove this point to my students Christine. You and Mike are not even Pragmatists as Obama is, you are purely Heterophobic and won't give an inch on the Marriage/Civil Union issue. We all know that the world has many Gay people co-existing peaceably with the rest of us in society, my brother is Gay, He would rather have Civil Unions as long as it comes with all the benefits and amenities which go with traditional marriage.
9:05 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Jim, it's not hubris to counter homophobic nonsense with common sense. I posted links that show you why civil unions are not equivalent to marriages in all jurisdictions, and why there's such a push for them. Please educate yourself by reading them to understand why your question was so ludicrous.
So, now on to the main course: "War is caused by your pointing and calling against religion, I am an Atheist and wanted to prove this point to my students Christine." Putting aside aside for a moment the screwy syntax and hopelessly fractured punctuation, that convoluted attempt at a sentence appears to suggest that you're oblivious to the fact that religious strife is one of the major drivers of conflict -- and has been for thousands of years.
Your statement "We all know that the world has many Gay people co-existing peaceably with the rest of us in society" is as quaintly wrong as the rest of your posts, as if they were uttered by some Ward Cleaver wannabe. Gay people are part of society, not some shameful side group skulking in the corners.
If you want to start dredging up nonsense about biblical definitions of marriage, I'll start reminding you about what's actually in the bible...
7:11 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
I would like to take this moment to point out that a blog post from a candidate for the Governor's Council has turned into a no-holds war over gay marriage. Maybe it's time we get back to the other issues at hand. I know that you believe gay marriage is one of the big issues in this race, but the comments here have become ugly. Let's get back to a civil debate and stop the mudslinging, please. Thank you.
Cheryl Buono
7:48 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Let's adopt the values of the "Religion of Peace". They are very open to "alternative" views and lifestyle. BTW, what's their position on gay marriage? I don't recall any outrage from Mumbles Menino when he gave them land for the Mosque at a reduce rate in exchange for taking care of a nearby park. No cries of "separation of church and state" ( a phrase that IS NOT in the US Constitution) then. But Reading can't plow church parking lots even though at least one is designated as an emergency site for a public school.
Cheryl Buono
7:49 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
BTW, Just got back from Chick-fil-a. Yum :) I'll be going there more often.
6:28 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
menino's hypocrisy still doesn't justify your ignorance Cheryl... it's as normal for people for people to be gay as it is for people like you to breed... Thank god people like you don't define anything in my world... And soon, my government.... We are progressing as a society... Enjoy your chik-fil-a...
6:39 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
@ Janet, you are a meanspirited, ugly person inside-- not governed by any god worth worshipping-- try thinking for yourself and you might see why acceptance and kindness toward your fellow man makes all the world a better place...
7:03 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
Cheryl, Mayor Menino may have been wrong about this one. He may have crossed a line with his letter, but people who choose to boycott Chick-fil-a in response to hateful rhetoric are well within their rights.
Your post drips with fear and distaste. I feel sorry for you.
6:47 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
Good Grief Anne. You just compared minority populations in the US to the Nazi party. Once again, you should be ashamed of yourself for that.
Many - perhaps all - of the comments made against the LGBT community were made by people asserting their own religious beliefs.
Nobody has suggested that all religious people are wrong. It has simply been suggested that using your religion or the bible to support hateful ideology is wrong. It has also been suggested that no single religion should be used as a state religion. We just don't have a state religion.
Civil laws shouldn't be based on one set (or two or three sets) of religious beliefs. There are many religious people and organizations who believe in equality, who support equal treatment under the law of all people.
We are all well aware of the tax exempt status of churches. You might be interested to know that that tax exempt status is also extended to Unitarian Universalist churches, who embrace equality and who support same sex marriage.
7:25 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
Thanks J.R..... this whole "movement" of the country paranoia is such ridiculous drivel made worse by the media-- some people are prone to narcissism and negativity.. and thinly veiled anger and hate ... happy people always see the good in civil rights.. And if she were half a woman, Anne would remember from history that her gender was and is still fighting for those same freedoms from discrimination that gays are now, and
other minorities still are .... What would you do Anne if your own baby was gay, married interracially, was transgenger
7:28 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
Transgender, or was discriminated upon for JUST BEING who they are by nature? ....... You'd change...
Eddie Doyle
9:03 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
@cheryl and Ann
Enjoy you Chik Fila now cause once Mayor Menino executes his action plan to uphold the rights of gays and lesbians according to the 14th Amendment, you will be driving to some 'narrow minded' Conservative State. For all the other Mayors in Mass will follow suit! Remember, the residents of Massachusetts can see through lies, deceit and distortion like clear glass. Kudos to the Good Mayor for having 20/20 vision to see through the Cathy family Religious Right CRAP! They come off as God fearing Americans, who love everyone, but donate MILLIONS to anti-gay hate groups!
My suggestion for you two is to try eating at local establishments, such as Land and Sea, Rizzos, Kelly's, Bill and Bobs, Big Fred's, or Brothers, just to name a few. These places have good food, employ locals, and by giving them your business they support the local economy, and more importantly donate their hard earned money to local non-profits such as youth sports, unified arts for kids, the homeless, boy & girl scouts, cures for diseases, and veterans groups! I challenge you two, to procure a donation from the Cathy Family and their business for your favorite non-profit or charity. Don't hold your breath waiting for a check in the mail!
9:43 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
Eddie, You are so right.
The community connections you mentioned are so important.
I want to add Prince on Route 1 to your list of businesses that are devoted to their local communities. The Castraberti family has been remarkably generous over the many years they have been in business.
Walter White
1:24 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Sooooo sorry to burst your bubble Eddie...there are already Chik Fil A's in this state. Menino is already back pedaling. What about that Mosque in Boston that Menino was all for and gave them a sweet land deal Eddie? Do you know what Muslims do to gays Eddie? What about Catholic churches Eddie? Should Menino ban them also since they dont believe in same sex marriage?? BTW...I like Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream....do I like their politics? NO....And I dont think they should be banned from anywhere because of that.
Bryan McGonigle2
9:37 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
IMHO - This political fight, like many others, is about government rights and government regulations. (Unlike many others, its not directly about government spending).
Do we argue that there are too many Chinese restaurants and too few Indian? Or that, my neighbor's house is too much nicer than mine? Or that your tall child is a fantastic basketball player while my kid could use help tying his shoes?
But once government gets involved, we all feel entitled to fight for our piece of pie or for some right that others have that we should have.
If government wasn't so involved in our lives, we'd get along a lot better because we wouldn't be fighting as much.
1:54 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
she is not from Wilmington...Hamilton patch...she just loves too spewww her craziness everywhere...ignore
Mike Schulze
9:37 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Yikes! The Klan is alive and well in Essex County! Seems to be led by 2 candidates who have people with pretty women on there code names.Note: the CODE WORDS!
These candidates should be ashamed of themselves.Eileen Duff and David Eppley are 1000 times better people than these looney's! I am an American and a veteran,Go back to you church in Kansas!!!!
10:11 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
hopefully Anne sends her kids to public school, then they get a nice liberal public education in public college, too-- then her lunacy will be undone....nothing undoes HATE like meeting a widely diverse group of people living happily in one world... LOL...I'm off this thread too...good luck Duff and Eppley although you won't need if Anne stays here... and BTW went on Don's page and he just ignored me...what does that tell you?
Edward Frankel
10:16 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Mr. Schulze,
You shouldn't assume that comments made by people on this post are coming from the other candidates. As your fully aware there are people out there that thrive on this issue and will find any available forum to show there displeasure.
I guarantee the other candidates do not support these comments. Please do not use this issue as an agenda when you do not know the other candidates personally.
Mike Schulze
2:18 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Mr Frankel,
You are right.I got my feeling about this as they only seem to support one senate and one Governors Councillor. I would hope these candidates respond and say they do not agree with these people.Let them state their opinion! That way you and I can guarantee they do not support these comments.These people are using their names! You are right! Have the candidates respond!
liz hunt
8:51 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Yikes! You people are from my little town? All this hatred and intolerance? Glad I don't know you because I don't want my children poisoned by the hatred and intolerance spewing from this crazy thread. I'll keep you all in my prayers. Blessings!
A Patch
9:42 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
"Straight Answers: Exposing the Myths and Facts About Homosexuality," October 8, 2003. (As of December, 2001, 45 percent of all AIDS cases involved men who were exposed to the disease through having sex with other men while 4 percent of the cases were among men who had heterosexual contact.)
But, hey, as long as they're happy we should leave them alone.
Same for alcoholics and drug addicts. They are a "normal" part of the population, so why do we try to cure them?
9:46 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Way to use 11-year-old irrelevant data to add absolutely nothing to an argument! Fantastic job, friend!
Laura Savage-Carr
6:43 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
@Mike, based on your logic, "9/11" is irrelevent.
6:51 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Laura, although I can't speak for Steve myself, I think you intentionally took his words out of context. He is referring to medical data on AIDS , which does typically have a relatively short life span. I doubt he is saying that every event over the past 11 years is irrelevant. I would not use an event like 9/11 in discussing an issue like this.
Cheryl Buono
7:30 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
@RunningGreen, I can't speak for Laura, but I took her comment to mean that events of the past can impact our lives and behaviors. Thanks to Richard Reid's attempted shoe bombing (BTW also 11 yrs ago), we have to take our shoes off when going through airport security. Gays, IV drug users and the out-of-marriage sex crowd behave differently now that they know how HIV spreads. When it comes to infectious diseases, no data is too old.
Mike Schulze
10:30 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
The court system gave these people the right to desecrate Veterans funerals. Can you believe it? I still say Eppley and Duff are 1000 times more American and better people and better Christians and better human beings,than these people! Where is Toto? Click your heels! Liz they are not from your little town!
Jim Smith
1:44 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Under Darwin's process of natural selection, all "beings" — as opposed to the outmoded religious idea of "creatures" — are continually adapting to their natural environment in order to have a better chance of surviving. The weakest and most poorly adapted die off, while the strongest and most improved survive long enough to mate. Their offspring inherit their genes, and thus the species improves from one generation to the next.
Darwin "noted that successful species produce more offspring in each generation than are needed to replace the adults who die . . . The species would thus have changed or evolved to favor traits that favor survival and reproduction," MedTerms explains.
This means that not only must these beings be able to reproduce sexually, they must actually do so, for evolution to work as posited. Under evolution, then, successful reproduction is the key. Homosexuals would cease to exist because their sexual practices are such that they do not produce natural offspring.
Jim Smith
1:45 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Therein lies the quandary, then, for the gay activist seeking to make his intellectual case for respectability based on science and genetics. These secular gods have abandoned him to oblivion. By their iron laws of Natural Selection, he cannot possibly exist, let alone be genetically preserved and determined.
This poses a huge dilemma for both the homosexuals and the evolutionists. Are the evolutionists willing to weaken their dogma by accepting the homosexuals as a genetically determined subspecies? If evolutionists accept homosexuals, the whole Darwinian argument falls apart.
6:21 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
You're not correct. There is actually a specific model of Darwinism that can explain male homosexuality. Here's a specific passage from the report below.
"These findings provide new insights into male homosexuality in humans. In particular, they promote a focus shift in which homosexuality should not be viewed as a detrimental trait (due to the reduced male fecundity it entails), but, rather, should be considered within the wider evolutionary framework of a characteristic with gender-specific benefits, and which promotes female fecundity. This may well be the evolutionary origin of this genetic trait in human beings."
8:21 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Jim, that was an excellent use of silly and discredited information to set up an inane straw man argument that did nothing but further expose your deep-seated homophobia.
You are going above and beyond, sir. Please continue!
liz hunt
10:29 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Crazy!! It just keeps getting crazier! How about a little haldol? Ask your doctor about it!
10:47 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
The comments section for this has certainly become... interesting. Just educate yourself on the issues in the campaign, make a decision based on what you think is best for the state, and vote. There's not much else to it. And avoid using mental illnesses to criticize those who don't agree with you. Thanks.
Antoine M. Boisvert
11:18 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
I've never seen anyone get so excited about the Governor's Council before. Possibly including the councilors themselves.
3:46 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Rule of thumb: A book that says it's OK to keep slaves but a sin to eat a lobster is not a good source for what constitutes "normal behavior".
Randy Winslow
8:43 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
In the 1800s it was legal to beat your wife withe a stick as long it was no thicker than you thumb.
4:17 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
this is a generational event that will take a lifetime to evolve, if to become a natural way of life.
our grand kids-kids, may look back and wonder why there ever was an issue.
8:51 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Our kids already wonder why there is an issue!!! They have already evolved....ask a 20 something
Mr White
10:25 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
That is only due to the ongoing indoctrination they receive from when they are 4 yrs old in our current "public" education "system".
Those educated in a parochial environment know why there is an issue.
It has nothing to do with "evolution".
4:05 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
Mr. White, the only possible indoctrination that I received as a 4-year-old was to treat everyone fairly and with respect. In my eyes, as long as people are not hurt physically or mentally, I have no right to judge a person on his or her lifestyle. Of course it makes sense why you would take issue with gay marriage if you went through a Catholic school system. Unfortunately, it seems like there are people, including some commenters here, who treat homosexuals as lesser human beings because of their sexuality. Just because you may not agree with their lifestyle doesn't give you the right to degrade them.
Virginia Banks
8:42 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
Why do people feel it necessary to evaluate candidates on one issue only? There is more to Eileen than her sexual orientation. How many of you have actually met her? Have you spoken to Eileen to find out what she wants to accomplish if she succeeds? You might not agree with her on this one issue but take time to learn about the whole candidate.
Julia Gentile
9:44 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
I agree that there are other issues to be considered here. Why make it a one issue race?
Vincent DiRico
12:03 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
This candidate was on the forefront of this movement to hijack the definition of "marriage", it shows her willingness/approval of the process used (judicial activism), now when it is needed/convenient many want to forget/erase history.
Informed Citizen
10:15 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
I am an independent. I am not a democrat or a "liberal". I am, however, not blind to the right using social issues to garner support from the evangelicals and ignorant minded. Its much easier to get people to vote for economic policies that don't benefit them by masking it with hate, vitriol and fear. Roe v. Wade was decided 40 years ago yet its still hot button item each election cycle. Some Tea Party republicans would like to do away with social security yet they convince seniors to vote for them based on their bible thumping fear tactics.
Again, I am no democrat. I get angry with EBT scams, I support the 2nd amendment, I believe in a hand up and not a hand out. I don't think that a 2,000 year old storybook should dictate anything when most organized religion throughout history has been a purveyor of hate and leader of hypocrisy.
If Gays want to marry, so be it. It does not affect my marriage, my children, my life.
Laura Savage-Carr
6:50 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Lumping "evangelicals and ignorant minded" together and calling a religious book a "story book." It that not hateful on your part?
Sounds like a liberal speak to me - wanting it both ways.
Dan Kennedy
12:17 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Only thing I want to hear from candidates for Governor's Council is how hard they'll fight to get rid of it. It is a third branch of the legislature, created during Colonial times to keep an eye on the royal governor, and has no place in an era when we're already paying full-time salaries to members of the House and the Senate. So what about it, Ms. Duff? Are you on the side of reform? Or are you going to try to tell us how important the Governor's Council is?
12:36 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
David Eppley has said that he'd be in favor of disbanding.
Anne Sweeney
1:44 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Dan, you have quite a cushy job at WGBH and at the University. Emily Rooney, Callie Crosley and the rest of those who can only see one side of an issue and listen to know one else's opinion. Once Ms. Duff gets in, she will be like the rest. Change is only good when it's the other person losing their job. I thought you might come out with something more interesting, Dan. How are things at Starbucks ?
Kevin Mac
1:05 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Hey Kevin MacDonald, what is your opinion of Miss Duff?
Antoine M. Boisvert
1:17 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I had no idea who was running or what the issues were in the race, but thanks to all the vitriol in this comment stream, Ms Duff has my vote! Hurrah! You go girl! You counsel that governor! Yeah.
Dan D.
4:05 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Why is this council even around? Waste of time, money and people.
Anne Sweeney
1:47 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Informed Citizen, you are not an independent or a pragmatist. You are a registered liberal democrat, don't be afraid to come out ?
Laura Savage-Carr
7:31 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Massachusetts is considering repealing its incest laws because they are "obsolete".
Just kidding, but this was an actual headline in Switzerland a few years ago. Coming to Massachusetts soon? Since some of you don't care what happens in other people's bedrooms, you should have no problem when a father and son go to Town Hall to get a marriage license. Some Massachusetts judge will side with them if they are both consenting adults. Remember, you don't care what consenting adults do. There's no genetic risk to any offspring and it doesn't impact your family, remember. How about mother/daughter, brother/brother, sister/sister? Remember, some of you reminded us with examples of what wasn't "normal" in the past and now is common. Maybe this will be the new normal in a few years. Why stop at same sex incest? With "free" birth control and abortions readily available, opposite-sex partner incest could be allowed as well. Cont'd…
Laura Savage-Carr
7:31 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
…Cont'd What if they promise to only engage in sodomy? No problem, as it won't impact any offspring or your family. Maybe it has nothing to do with sex and a child just wants to add his/her parent, to a healthcare policy, or they want to avoid the death tax, or don't want to have to testify against a "spouse" at a criminal trial. Remember, the new "marriage" definition is just as much about legal rights as it is about love. Consensual incest is already legal in many countries like China, France, Israel, the Ivory Coast, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain and Turkey. So what's stopping the US of A? Maybe Gov. Patrick, Ms. Duff and Massachusetts can lead the way and stop this oppression of consenting adults. Doesn't sound so "normal" or "natural" now, does it?
8:13 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Laura, you are taking an issue and trying to scare people by assuming it will reach an extreme. For example, let's assume we are talking about global warming. There are Republicans who are opposed to energy measures for economic reasons, such as gas emission regulation. In order to try and win supporters, one global warming supporter may say that Republicans will allow factories to dump nuclear waste into oceans and will take away all environmental protection measures. Unfounded allegations such as those are absolutely not true and have no place in a political discussion. To assume that gay marriage will lead to "consensual incest" isn't making a informed argument. It is a deliberate attempt to scare voters by resorting to an unfounded extreme. I can understand (not agree with, though) someone who says that they are opposed to gay marriage because he or she believes marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman. I can't begin to understand someone who is opposed to gay marriage because he or she believe it will lead to things like incest.
John Castelluccio
11:54 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
At this point, just about every related idea has been said on this general topic and then some, so it's time to move on and talk about other things.


text:
"Entertaining and a different kind of "Hero""
Gud listen . . too many location changes for me and can't always keep the character names straight. . . but then I am getting old and senile. Definitely worth the price.
"Finder scores a winner!!!"
Best Joseph Finder book to date! Good plot, even unique in spots, great character development, good reading by Edoardo Ballerini . . .wunder why I haven't listened to him before.
Don't miss out on a good one. Buy this one and prepare to enjoy.
"A Good Sequel"
Good continuity with first book, somewhat ponderous, but a good and interesting listen. I question the need for so much to be made of the "COPPA RING" Look 4 ward to the next follow on.
"Great Yarn"
Good performance, interesting plot, believable characters and good translation
Similar in feel to Nebo and Harry Hole but different enough to hold my interest.
Dick Hill as usual makes the story live a little and I liked that
No one should regret spending the money on this one
"The Cold Cold Ground is HOT"
Great read by a good narrator, good character development, interesting plot and deals with a subject I know little about.
Felt justified in buying this title by a new author that entranced me!
"I dunno bout this one"
Seemed convulted and hard to follow . . . didn't seem to be cohesive in spots. . . did enjoy a lot of it though
"A good surprise from Nora Roberts"
Have listened to a lot of J D R obb and enjoyed but this was the first of the Nora Roberts books I have listened to. Enjoyed as much or maybe more than JDR.
Did get caught up in the story and was "involved" before I knew it.
Nice yarn
"Most enjoyable Mitch Rabb yet"
Liked the story, the locale in which it was told and the intrique within the CIA.
Enjoyed the sequence of events leading to the solution of the problem
Believable characters in a believable scenario!
Good ending.
"Ambitious Undertaking and extremely provocative"
This is my first experience with a translated Japanese author and I think I was overwhelmed. Plot lines good, descriptive, good introduction to a mysterious culture and narrators excellent.
Took me some time to get into it but then couldn't put it down. This author developed his characters in a rewarding way and wish more US authors would do like wise. Lengthy and verbose in places, perhaps necessary, but did not detract and continued to hold my interest.
This will not be my last listen from Haruki Murakami
This offering is certainly worth the price and the investment in time. Trust me . . . read or listen to it.
"Stellar Huston !"
Good to listen to Huston as he changes genre to the Court room. Held my interest thruoghout.
Having been in and around "black ops" over my last 60 years and having held the "Presidential Access" on my security clearance I can honestly say that the plot could happen. Good courtroom dialogs. Well worth the price.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A local Twitter account, @kushLOYALTY420, fires a shot into the social media world seeking information. "Is there any road blocks in Carrollton or Villa Rica?" writes the user, whose real name doesn't appear on the account's profile.
Not long after, another account, @FuzzAlert, tweets, "A new speed trap was set near 201-299 East Montgomery Street, Villa Rica, GA 30180" and links to a map with the location pinpointed. Early the next morning, the account reports another speed trap in Villa Rica, this one on Veterans Memorial Highway near Andy Mountain Road.
click here to read the full story.


text:
Michigan can give businesses a boost with environmental regulatory reform
In a state focused on stimulating economic growth and controlling government spending, business taxes and labor policy rightly attract a lot of attention.
Often overlooked in the debate, however, is that the most important factor in the state's ability to attract jobs may be the environmental regulatory system. Before businesses can locate or expand in Michigan, they must enter through the regulatory gate. Unfortunately, more often than not, they find the gate barred.
Some principles and reforms can help Michigan foster economic growth and at the same time protect the environment. Legislators and regulators should follow four key principles to ensure environmental requirements truly help Michigan:
n Environmental protection and economic development are not mutually exclusive, and both goals can be accomplished by utilizing sound conservation principles.
n State government should perform only core regulatory functions — specifically, making final permit and enforcement decisions, rather than conducting routine administrative tasks that can be performed by the private sector.
n All state regulatory procedures should ensure that law-abiding parties are treated fairly and promptly, rather than being subjected to arbitrary, belated or open-ended decisions by state regulators.
n State regulatory requirements should be set by elected officials — not by state administrative personnel, who are not accountable to voters.
The last principle informs the first group of proposals, which have to do with applying the concept "no regulation without representation." Currently, when the Michigan Legislature passes a bill, it leaves the specifics up to the agency to determine. While the agency's regulations have the force of law, they are created by unelected bureaucrats instead of the people's representatives. Three reforms would end this undemocratic process.
First, the Legislature should pass a statute that strips agencies' power to propose binding regulations. Instead, the agencies should be directed to draft proposed legislation specifying the details necessary to supplement the original bill. The proposed legislation would then be reviewed, amended and approved — or rejected — by the elected representatives in the Legislature.
Second, all regulations that have been promulgated by agencies should include a provision that they will sunset in five years unless they are reviewed and specifically reauthorized by the Legislature prior to the expiration date. All existing regulations should be reviewed on a rotating basis to determine if they have achieved their intended results and have been cost-effective. Continued...
Third, if legislators cannot agree on the above reforms, they should at least pass a law requiring legislative approval for any regulations that are more stringent than federal requirements.
State regulators frequently generate rules that exceed federal restrictions with little or no oversight from elected officials. While it may be appropriate in certain instances to adopt regulations more stringent than federal law in order to protect human health or the environment, this should be done only with explicit authorization from the Legislature and not be left to the discretion of unelected regulators.
I lay out these and other reform proposals in a new Mackinac Center study titled "Environmental Regulation in Michigan: A Blueprint for Reform." Below are a few:
n To ensure residents are served promptly, the Legislature should impose permit issuance deadlines. Agencies should be required to issue permits within 30 days for straightforward cases and within 60 to 90 days for the most complex permits. The Legislature should stipulate that if an agency fails to act within the specified timeframe, permits will be deemed approved and the applicant refunded any permit application fees.
n A state law should be passed that requires fiscal notes on all proposed regulations similar to what Michigan law requires for pending legislation. The notes would estimate the cost of regulatory compliance to business and individuals, thereby making the expense transparent to votes and policymakers.
n To thoroughly protect Michigan residents and the environment, state law should provide for a regulatory bill of rights. This list should stipulate that if a permit applicant meets the requirements of state law, the permit will be issued in a timely manner by the responsible agency. It should also specify that all permit applicants be treated fairly and their applications be adjudicated without political interference.
In addition to these reforms, three additional proposals would amend the regulatory administration itself.
First, the state should establish a single permitting agency. In Michigan the Department of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for the adjudication of environmental permits. The culture in DNRE can foster a negligent attitude toward prompt adjudication of permit applications. The mission of protecting the environment often conflicts with the agency's role of fair and timely permitting. Establishment of a single agency responsible for processing all types of permits and licenses would add accountability and transparency to the permitting process. This one-stop permitting agency could be staffed with existing personnel who are responsible for those functions in other state agencies, negating the need to hire additional employees.
Second, the private sector should be utilized to assist state agencies in environmental permitting. The state should certify a list of firms approved to prepare and review environmental permit applications to ensure that the applicant meets or exceeds all state and federal regulatory requirements. State officials would still maintain final decision-making authority. Privatization of permit functions would shorten permit review periods, save the state money and provide state officials the flexibility to adapt to changes in future workloads without hiring or laying off employees.
Third, the Michigan governor should require the establishment of a report card that tracks the performance of issuing state-required permits and licenses. Aggressive goals that exceed statutory requirements should be established, tracked and reported to the public on a regular basis. Continued...
Any of these proposals would help Michigan at a time when states are in intense economic competition for attracting jobs. Cumbersome state regulatory programs that hinder job creation are a serious problem that requires bold action from lawmakers. States that enact serious common-sense regulatory reform will be able to much better compete for future jobs.
A good quality of life in Michigan requires not just protecting natural resources, but also allowing the state's residents and businesses to prosper as well. Michigan is blessed with abundant natural resources, a skilled workforce, and a substantial manufacturing capacity that should be viewed as an asset and not a liability.
This state can work toward a healthy human environment by adopting common-sense regulatory reform.
Russ Harding is senior environmental analyst and director of the Property Rights Network at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a research and educational institute headquartered in Midland.
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PROSPERITY — It might still be winter but youth baseball is garnering attention as parents in the Mid-Carolina area figure out where their children will play youth baseball.
Prosperity recently announced the formation of a Dixie Youth franchise and Mid-Carolina Dixie Youth has transformed into a Little League franchise causing parents to ask where should their child play. The decision to grant the new franchise to Prosperity was made by S.C. Dixie Youth executives.
Mid-Carolina Little League held a meeting Sunday afternoon at Wightman U.M.C. to answer questions and to register interested applicants.
The two leagues just want to offer children — between the ages of 8 and 12 for Dixie Youth or 7 and 13 for Little League — the opportunity to play baseball.
At the Little League meeting, Mid-Carolina Little League board members — who are from the former Mid-Carolina Dixie Youth — answered questions about the new league.
"This will be a huge learning curve," said Glen Landry, director of the Little League District 3, which includes Mid-Carolina, Irmo, Trenholm Park (Columbia), North Augusta and Newberry.
Two divisions will exist: Little League minors for 7-11 year olds and intermediates for 11-13 year olds. The reason for the overlap is because an 11 year old might feel more comfortable playing with the younger team or older team.
Other divisions the Mid-Carolina board will look at in the future include softball and T-ball, said Chris Cromer, Mid-Carolina vice president.
Cromer recommended that parents visit the official Little League website — www.littleleague.org — for more information.
As for boundaries, Little League will "pretty much cover the Mid-Carolina attendance area," said Cromer. It goes all the way up to the city limits of Newberry, Cromer pointed out.
"This year is the only year that you may be grandfathered in (from outside the Mid-Carolina area)," Cromer said. "If your child lives in Mid-Carolina's attendance area, you don't have to make a decision this year. As long as you are in the attendance area, you are always eligible."
Little League also has a sibling clause, which allows younger siblings to follow older siblings, Cromer said.
Cromer said the Pomaria ball field and Little Mountain Ruritan building or Lindler field are guaranteed as locations for play. The Stoney Hill and Jollystreet fields are still in the discussion stages.
"A place to play will not be an issue," he said.
For registration, a birth certificate and three proofs of residency are required. The last date for registration is Feb. 2 at the Pomaria ball field, Little Mountain Ruritan or Wightman U.M.C. Parents can also contact Cromer at 513-6232 or Andy Moore at 924-1459.
Teams include 12 to 14 players. Moore said they were never opposed to the two franchises but "looking at the census numbers, we didn't feel like we could survive with the cards we were dealt."
If Mid-Carolina had stayed a Dixie Youth franchise, they would have only been left with Pomaria, Little Mountain and Boundary Street.
Anyone who wants to volunteer for Little League must under go a background check. Interested volunteers can ask Cromer or Moore for more details. Questions about Little League can be directed to Moore or Cromer.
Dixie Youth baseball
The new Prosperity franchise includes Prosperity, Whitmire, Gallman, half of Newberry and all of Reuben Elementary school districts. Prosperity is also in District 3 for Dixie Youth.
Parents can sign their children up at Prosperity Town Hall or the Newberry Y. Dixie Youth also has two leagues, minors for those 8-10 and majors for those 11-12 years old. Registration continues until all teams fill up or until Feb. 15. The total number of registrants (both new and returning) will determine the number of teams and the draft process.
Contact Prosperity Town Hall at 364-2622 for more information.


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504336C - Oasis Onyx Hot N' Cold Countertop Water Cooler
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Oasis Onyx Hot N' Cold Countertop Water Cooler
The Oasis Onyx Series (504336C) Hot 'N Cold Point-of-Use Water Cooler has both water heating and cooling capabilities and a contemporary look that guarantees quality and reliability. With the push of a button, the cooler dispenses either hot or cold water and illuminates the dispensing area with a blue LED spotlight. Installation is easy with a push-fit 1/4 inch water line connection and the side mounted handles make transporting the unit simple for anyone. The unit's stylish design and compact size make it great for any home or office counter top.
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Float System:
The dual mechanical floats include a safety lockout and do not require electricity to operateStainless Steel Tanks:
Both the cold water reservoir and the hot water tank are made of type 300 series stainless steel for superior quality and sanitation purposesCold Water Refrigeration Unit:
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The 500 watt heating element is easy to replace or service without breaking soldered refrigeration connections
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This item ships UPS or FedEx ground. Delivery times related to these ship methods are usually between 2 and 5 business days once the product leaves the warehouse. We will email you tracking information once the product leaves our warehouse. UPS or FedEx ground deliveries do not require a signature and may be left at the ship to location. All deliveries will occur Monday through Friday. Order must be fully processed by 12pm CST to be eligible for "Guaranteed Same Day Shipping." Orders processed after that time may ship out the following business day.UPS or FedEx ground deliveries do not include a guaranteed delivery date. Should you require a specific delivery date or expedited shipping please add the item to the shopping cart and view the shipping options drop down box. If the product is eligible for expedited shipping the shipping options and pricing will be listed. Please contact our customer service department with any questions related to shipping. (800) 297-6076, M-F, 8am to 5pm CST.


text:
Berliner Blasts Pepco, Demands Change
Montgomery County Council president is harshly critical of Pepco response to June 29 storm. What do you think of his comments?
After almost 10 days of power outages amid a crippling heatwave, Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner says he's fed up.
In a statement released Monday, Berliner lambasted Pepco for its response to the June 29 derecho storm that left as many as 443,000 area residents without power, some up to a week or more.
"Our residents have had enough," Berliner said in a written statement following a press conference. "While this was a big storm and outages are to be expected, Pepco's performance – on every level – was unacceptable. The length of the outages. The appalling communications. The computer glitches and data discrepancies. The list can go on and on."
Berliner's suggestions to improve Montgomery County's power source include:
- adopting a system of performance-based ratemaking
- requiring Pepco to hire more linemen to make service calls
- reorganizing and updating Pepco's computer system, data retentions capacity and communications
- modernizing the power grid to sustain future, more violent storms, including adding undergrounding and redundant feeders
- moving toward "micro grids" and distributed generation systems – such as roof top solar power
- exploring alternatives to Pepco, such as publicly owned power coverage
"Public power doesn't serve shareholders – it is solely responsible to its customers," Berliner said. "I think it is time for our state legislators to give Montgomery County the authority we need to explore public power through enabling legislation."
A local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers says it wouldn't support a publically owned approach. However, IBEW does acknowledge that electrical deregulation in 1999 by the Maryland General Assembly designed to provide customers with more options and increase price competition has instead caused a number of the issues Pepco customers currently face.
"Deregulation [gave] utilities an easy way to boost their profits by reducing their payrolls and cutting back on training, recruitment and basic maintenance – shortcuts that pleased Wall Street shareholders but caused major headaches for customers and staff," the IBEW Local 1900 union chapter said in a release.
Jim Griffin, president, financial secretary and business manager of Local 1900, which represents 1,150 Pepco employees, said the answer to the Pepco problem lies in hiring more full-time employees and better maintenance of infrastructure.
"You can't run a system as complicated as this one with a patchwork of authority from county to county or city to city," Griffin said. "It is such a large area that encompasses so many jurisdictions that you would end up with half a dozen little agencies that don't answer to each other."
Residents across the county have suggested alternatives to fix Pepco's reliability issues.
In an interview in Potomac Village during the aftermath of the storm, June Meyers, a 20-year resident of Potomac, suggested a graduated income tax implemented by the county to put the power lines underground.
"I don't know why Montgomery County doesn't float some kind of tax proposal to put the lines underground," she said. "In the end it's cost effective because families are paying $3,000 to $4,000 a year when these storms happen anyway."
In the meantime, Pepco has requested an extension on a decision that would impose a 4 percent rate hike for its Maryland customers, according to a Washington Post report. If approved, the rate hike would increase the average residential bill by $5.50.
The Maryland Public Service Commission was expected to announce its decision on the request by this Friday, but Pepco filed a last-minute request to delay the decision another week, claiming ongoing storm cleanup diverted its and the commission's attention.
The commission is expected to issue its decision by July 20.
Editor's note: Story updated to correct 443,000 outage figure was for total residents, including Montgomery County.
James Breiling
6:37 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
The responsibility buck at PEPCO should go to and stop with the top execs and the board of directors. Why weren't they all fired when the gross neglect and deficiencies in performance first came to light? Keeping them in place, with their lavish pay and benefits, rewards incompetence and failure. It's not to late to require a complete turnover at PEPCO's top.
Ken Sleeman
6:42 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
I favor public ownership of all utilities, decentralized as much as possible.
6:43 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Montgomery County Council president
Joe Thomas
8:56 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Under what law can Montgomery County "fine" Pepco? You do realize that even if they could "fine" Pepco they would acutually be fining you because the fine would passed on to customers.
Richard Hayes
6:48 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
The entire management and board of PEPCO should be fired; find someone who is competent enough to do the job.
Todd Frazier
7:03 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
I would complain about PEPCO, but I've taken the conservative vow to only whine about government.
11:56 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
How's that working for you? Our government is only as good as its citizens.
7:06 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
as well as the dispatcher(s) that sent no less than 8 boom trucks to a neighbor hood that has underground utilities. how many man hours were wasted because these overhead linesmen were at a site were they can't work?
Ethan Ulanow
7:15 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
First of all, this is the umpteenth time we have said, "PEPCO should change!" It never happens and it probably never will with the incompetence around here. I could do a better job and I am seventeen! I agree with Richard Hayes, not only should the entire board be fired but they need an entirely new staff and PEPCO should be put under government control until such a time where PEPCO is actually decent enough to call itself a power provider. My family got a permanent generator after our outrage with PEPCO got so bad. During Snowpacalypse a couple years ago we were without power for two weeks! Fining PEPCO won't get us anywhere because they have deep pockets; what they need is new leadership and order. I could go on and on with stories of PEPCO's negligence but right now we need focus on fixing this (though it will be hard to) while we have a noticeable official on our side. If none of this works, we need an immediate alternative.
Sarcastic Sam
8:19 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Why don't you run Pepco and see if you can do a better job. Perhaps your leadership is all that is necessary to improve the total quality of service provided by Pepco. Yes, I agree too that the whole company should be fired and replaced!!
11:58 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Agree. Pepco should pay each of its customers $1000 for each day they were without power. See how fast things change if it affects their bottom line.
7:27 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Roger "pull the plug" Berliner? Where is his oversight of the no-bid multi-million dollar artificial turf contracts in the county? He pulled the plug on that hearing so the public couldn't watch. No-bid purchases (actually, there aren't any contracts) of multi-million dollar artificial turf don't warrant any County Council oversight, even though that actually involves the expenditure of county tax dollars?
11:07 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Last year PEPCO felled and mangled thousands of trees in the county - because it was the "cheap" way out. The county lost canopy, and cooling shade. And what good did it do? It would have been a lot more cost effective to put the money used to mangle trees, and environmentally damage the county into underground transmission.
Years back, PEPCO claimed it would have to maintain TWO types of crews. But it does anyway, because new developments have underground transmission. Streets are torn up for other reasons, but lines are not being put underground.
In NY, the lights don't go out. In neighborhoods around here with underground lines they tend to remain on as well - unless overhead lines lead to those neighborhoods.
Stop cutting down the county's green resources to save dough to stuff the pockets of PEPCO executives.
I'd like to see the County Council take some meaningful action to get PEPCO to bury cables, rather than congratulating themselves on coming to agreements to let the company cut down the trees.
Bernard Geenen
5:28 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
PEPCO is still in the dark ages. No other company is so inadequate when it comes to dealing with power outage. They spend a ton of money (extra crews, overtime pay...) trying to fix problems rather than preventing them. They also spend more money making beehive they care about customers than really taking care of them. Pitiful. Each time there is wind, rain, thunder, hail, or snow (so over 50% of the time) I expect the worst. There is no other region in the world that is so poorly "served" by its electric company !
Wen one raises the (simple) idea of burying the cables, PEPCO comes with outrageous - and laughable - figures of $ 1 Mo. per mile. That alone is proof positive that the company is worth less than nothing !
7:30 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I am shocked no one has brought uo the obvious. Climate change and global warming is happened faster and sooner than scientists had predicted. We need to lessen out dependence on fossil fuels and start having a serious dialog about how we are going to deal with these issues of it is going to be a horrific time of storms, hurricanes and earthquakes. And don't forget we have many nuclear power plants on the East Coast which subject to an Earthquake could give us our very own Fuckishima, Time to deal with the reality or we have more to worry about then Pepco.
Theresa Defino
10:24 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
You are absolutely right, Debbie. Some people have noticed--at Rockville's city council meeting last night, Councilman Tom Moore said the city must take note of the changing weather patterns and make plans to respond in new and different ways--get pools open, offer cooling stations right away, were some of the ideas that have potential. I hope the city moves on that idea. Others should as well. We are not suffering these "climate change" issues alone. And we need to demand Congress finally pass legislation.
Secondly, I think people need to know what they're talking about and keep it all in scale. This was a major storm that knocked out power to close to 1/2 a million people. It was unexpected--unlike a big snow storm. Most people had it back in a few days, nearly all within a week. Regardless of what others say, that's pretty impressive. I grew up in FL and learned to be patient when hurricanes and smaller storms took out power lines. I did see Pepco working diligently. I also saw crews from all over the country. People want instant gratification. I am grateful that Councilpresident Berlinger wants Pepco to be more responsive but what was the performance in this storm--and measured against what?
I also say this as someone who lost power for 6 days--due to one tree on my street that brought down wires. I also had major damage at my home, including $4,000 alone in damage to my car from falling limbs. I expect insurance to cover the car, but little of the limb cleanup.
11:09 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
OMG ... Global Warming! You got to be kidding. Nuclear power plants melting down. Come on, think before you respond. They call it climate change because Global warming was proven to be based on falsified studies. The chance of a nuc power plant being hit by an earthquake causing a melt down on the east coast is less then you getting hit by lightning 5 or 6 times or winning power ball 8 or 10 times. So yes, it is time to deal with reality. Build more nuc plants (they are green). Require that all new utilities be run underground. Set up a long term plan to replace above ground utilities and put them underground (wait till you see the price tag on that) . I lived in Montgomery county for 27 years and can count the number of times on one finger that a storm like this hits.
PS ... the last couple of years we were going through Global Cooling. Global warming started at the end of the last ice age
Theresa Defino
11:16 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
@NO2O--Climate change, global warming, etc, is real and man-made. I am not debating this point.
Michael Cronin
8:05 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Pepco, POM on the stock exchange pays a hefty didvidend, about 30% higher than comparable companies. The fine they paid last year had no real effect and they still are very profitable. They need more discipline- a much bigger fine.
The county has failed here as well. The roads where I live are more like tunnels than roads. The trees have been allowed to grow for years with little or no attention from the county. Not only do these trees fall on power lines, they also fall on cars and restrict the visibility of both signage and other traffic. The county has a lot to answer for as well as Pepco
Linda Foley
8:07 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Berliner is right. It's not just the wires. It's PEPCO's pitiful communications and data discrepancies and "glitches" that are equally as frustrating as their inability to restore power within a reasonably expected time frame. Putting wires underground won't solve those problems.
9:11 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Today, (7/10), I saw a contract tree service on QO road between WineSap and Quince Mill pruning limbs , laying on the wires, that I reported well over a year ago!!!
Bill Samuel
9:23 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I support a study of public ownership. Electric distribution is a monopoly and a public service. Public services which are natural monopolies should be controlled by the public, not for-profit companies. Public services should be run for the benefit of the public, not for private profit.
Bob Hydorn
9:34 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Obviously the cost of burying the power lines is far beyond what the residents of Montgomery County can afford at this time. I would like to suggest that Park and Planning not allow trees to be planted along the right-of-ways, which grow up into the power lines overhead. Are we not helping to cause our own problems? This would at least be a start.
Kathy Scarbeck
10:17 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Inept upper management and policies aside, the workers who were outside in the extreme heat -- including those from other states -- deserve our thinks for their efforts.
10:18 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Why doesn't Berliner leave the Council and head up the publicily owned power company he is talking about . He seems to have all the answer.
Bob B
10:27 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
10:25 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The infrastructure is terrible. Go look at the transformers up on the poles. Most are rusted hulks. Of course they blow when hit with a surge. Improve the infrastructure. Start putting main lines under ground. NOW. Just the main ones. No dividends to PEPCO shareholders for a while. . . Stop wining about not being able to afford it. It costs more to do work on overtime during emergencies than it does to properly maintain and take care of equipment
Richard Rice
1:58 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
My cudos and thanks to the gneral workers of PEPCO who got the power
back to my Kensington Estates home in about 10 hours time. I can't sleep
if there is no air circulation; so my hat is off w/gratitude to the gneral workers who did a splendid job. It is too bad that putting electric cables underground was not avaIlable in the early 50's when our neighborhood was
established. Let's bee thankful that it wasn't any worse than it was!!!
Bob B
2:11 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I'd be happy if it had only been ten hours, but it was FIVE days. And all the power is my neighborhood is underground. The problem was in the adjoining neighborhoods which feed ours.
I don't criticize the workers. I think the problem is old equipment. We had transformers blow up on the poles, catch on fire, once power was restored etc. If you look up, most of them are very very very old pieces of rust, as I mentioned before.
ricardo gonzalez
2:35 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
First step - political grandstanding. Second step - never followed by the fact that all these "priorities" need to be funded by ratepayers. Take the second step, tell us what these things will cost each of us and then take the public temperature , which will be a lot cooler, faced with reality. It's easy to kick Pepco around but maybe we are getting what we paid for and the lack of foresight of our pols to demand more. Berlinger is an energy consultant in his day job, it takes an outage for him to figure out that there's a looming problem? He should give back his $80,000+ council salary and the business he generates off of his position, because he failed us here more than the utility. My tax dollars are paying for a Monday morning quarterback?
2:42 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
complain complain complain. Thats all the poor folks can do is whine whine whine. Which is harder for you folks to do play board games with the kids, talk to your kids, make it it an adventure. Oh, i know the internet doesn't work we are a little uncomfortable because we don't have AC. WE LIVE IN THE BEST OF TIMES. QUIT BLAMING PEPCO EVEN IF ALL THE PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED YOU WOULD STILL COMPLAIN ABOUT SOMETHING VERIZON OR COMCAST COME TO MIND
4:13 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
You're right! My elderly relative should have just played a board game instead of having to go to the ER for heat-related reasons during her first few days home after a surgery. And people that need to have medicine refrigerated should just talk to their kids instead of complaining! After all, no one's ever died from heat stroke, right?
Tom Rossing
3:43 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Steve; I guess your world is very rosie. Nothing for you to compliant about, Huh! Well stay in your Ivory tower for now, but soon they, it will come calling on you. When you do get your Wheaties pee'd in don't complain here, cause no one will listen.
4:02 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Pepco should pay me for the week of hotel room and food I had to throw away. $1000.00 spent during a week of power outage! PEPCO you S#$K! I got the electric bill in the mail. Why can't I send them a bill?
11:01 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Do you have an infant, a pregnant wife? I would happily endure the heat and not pay a thousand dollars if I were by myself - than there is the cost of food that had been thrown out. Why shouldn't you get paid too?
Bob B
4:23 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Well Richard, as you can see, there is a big difference between ten hours of power outage and five days of power outage. No hotel expenses for you, no hundreds of dollars lost in food and medicine, no danager to any pets, and no risk of heat exhaustion I mean it is not as if it was 78 degrees during those five days.
Imagine losing power for five days when it is 5 degrees above zero outside. . . Would it get below freezing inside your house for a couple of days????
Joe Thomas
6:27 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
This guy is so predictable. Seize upon a crisis and milk it for all its worth. Its fashionable to beat up on Pepco because everyone else is doing it.
Good think that Berliner did not live in Florida after Hurricane Andrew. People I know did not have power for five weeks.
Bob B
10:45 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Joe, all Berliner is doing is trying to get Pepco to redirect its cash flow to repair its infrastructure rather than paying high dividends. Pepco has a gross profit margin of 45%. See http://ycharts.com/companies/POM/gross_profit_margin Pepco needs a kick in the derriere to spend money on its infrastructure INSTEAD of on dividends to its shareholders (which have considerably HIGHER than the S & P 500 in recent years). The only real way to do that is to threaten its existence by replacing it with something else, in order to force it to divert its cash flow from dividends to replacing old, worn our infrastructure. That is what Berliner is doing. Were Pepco investing in its infrastructure instead of paying higher-than-average dividends, we wouldn't have this problem and Berliner could just sit back and say nothing. Of course, had Pepco invested in its infrastructure instead of paying higher-than-average dividends, we would not have these outages.
The real problem seems to be that certain Pepco executives seem to prefer the glory that comes from paying out large dividends rather than the satisfaction that comes from replacing worn transformers when they need it.
Susan Knappertz
11:27 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
I think we should go with the underground wiring. It is safer and more aesthetically pleasing.