I’ve had my share of run-ins with the incompetent bureaucracy of EZ-Pass Massachusetts (née “MTA Fastlane”), but somehow they’ve avoided being deservedly mocked on my blog. Well, the free ride is over. Several months ago, I had to change the credit-card number associated with my EZ-Pass account, because of a lost credit card. Unfortunately, EZ-Pass tried… Read More »
Here’s my take on the state-wide ballot questions that will be on the ballot in Massachusetts on November 4, 2014. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts in the comments. UPDATE: I originally recommended a vote against Question 2, but I’ve changed my mind. See below for the details. Question 1: Eliminating Gas Tax Indexing The… Read More »
Dear President Obama, When Palestinians kidnapped and murdered three Israeli teenagers, Palestinians danced in the streets, and the terrorists were praised by PA officials. Rather than helping capture them, the PA facilitated their escape; they still have not been apprehended. Palestinians who expressed regret over the kidnapping received death threats. In contrast, when Israelis kidnapped… Read More »
I have lived in Boston since 1989. I have been a homeowner here, in Brighton, since 1997. My wife and I have five children, all of whom were born in Boston, and two of whom are in Boston Public Schools. We are Bostonians. And we absolutely, positively, do not want Boston to host the Olympics in 2024.
To: [email protected] Subject: Internet must remain open To the commissioners: Those who object to regulating internet service providers to ensure an open internet, as the FCC is currently proposing to do, adhere to the rigid political philosophy that regulation, by definition, stifles competition, innovation, growth, etc. However, this philosophy is only even theoretically true when… Read More »
To: Maria Vieira, Assignment Specialist, Boston Public Schools To: Evelyn Adario, Assistant Director of Envrollment Planning and Support, Boston Public Schools To: Denise Snyder, Senior Director of Welcome Services, Boston Public Schools Cc: Boston City Councilor John R. Connolly Cc: Boston City Councilor Mark Ciommo Cc: John McDonough, Superintendent, Boston Public Schools Cc: Boston School… Read More »
To: Acting BPS Superintendent John McDonough Cc: Boston School Committee Cc: City Councillor Mark Ciommo Cc: City Councillor and mayoral candidate John Connolly Cc: Mayoral candidate Charlotte Golar Richie Cc: Mayoral candidate Bill Walczak Dear Superintendent McDonough, Why does it have to be consistently so painful to deal with the BPS administration? Some of the… Read More »
After George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin, a narrative quickly emerged that Zimmerman “profiled” Martin, that he considered Martin suspicious merely because of the color of his skin and the fact that he was wearing a hoodie. Leaving aside the question of whether that narrative is accurate in the particular case of the Zimmerman / Martin… Read More »
I’ve spent some time taking a look at all of the declared candidates for Boston’s mayoral election. Here are my initial reactions, for those who might be curious. People worth considering All of these are people I’d be happy to see elected. John Connolly (Web site.) Current City Councillor. I very much liked what he… Read More »
I met several months ago with MBTA management to present my concerns about toxic fumes in certain MBTA buses. Thank you, again, to State Senator Will Brownsberger and his Legislative Counsel and Policy Advisor, Michael Buckley, for making that meeting happen. I am pleased to report that the MBTA took my concerns seriously, investigated them, and… Read More »