Category Archives: Government activism

Election Day 2016: My endorsements and recommendations

Here are my endorsements and recommendations for Election Day 2016. President and Vice President If you’re still undecided, then I doubt there’s anything I could say that would change your mind. Suffice it to say that I wholeheartedly endorse Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, and I believe that any other vote would be irrational, immoral,… Read More: Election Day 2016: My endorsements and recommendations »

On restricting access to Boston’s exam schools

Dear Mayor Walsh, My wife and I have lived in Boston, in a house we own, since 1997. We have five kids, the oldest of whom was just graduated from Boston Arts Academy and has been admitted to Boston University as a Menino Scholar. We expect to stay in Boston until our youngest child is… Read More: On restricting access to Boston’s exam schools »

Annissa Essaibi-George property-tax cover-up raises doubts about suitability for office

Dear Ms. Essaibi-George, Before today, my wife and I were unreservedly looking forward to voting for you in the upcoming election. Now, however, we’re no longer sure you’re the kind of person Boston’s City Council needs to fairly and effectively represent its residents. We’re worried that you’re just another hypocritical politician who places your own… Read More: Annissa Essaibi-George property-tax cover-up raises doubts about suitability for office »

Citizens Bank: the bad house-guest who won’t leave

UPDATE: I was wrong. Yesterday, when I was digging through my pending paperwork pile looking for another document, I came upon a file folder containing the mortgage discharge paperwork, which Citizens Bank did, in fact, send me. I put that folder in the pile to remind me to take it to the registry of deeds, and… Read More: Citizens Bank: the bad house-guest who won’t leave »

The GOP does not have a monopoly on sexist political discourse

Author David Gerrold, who tends to attract a mostly left-leaning following, posted this link recently on his Facebook wall:       Here are some of the comments that were posted within a few minutes: “Nice cleavage…did she say something?” (In response to “Geez, what an airhead…”) “Look at the picture again, I don’t think… Read More: The GOP does not have a monopoly on sexist political… »

Boston2024 just won’t take no for an answer

Dear Boston2024, Let’s look at some pictures, shall we? Here’s a picture of my front door: Hey, look, there’s a sign posted next to the door! Maybe you’re finding it a little hard to make out. Here, let me zoom in à la CSI and highlight the important bit: Gee, that’s strange, there’s an obvious sign… Read More: Boston2024 just won’t take no for an answer »

Why applying for passports is so not fun

To: U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano Dear Rep. Capuano, The subject of this message is unacceptable performance from the agency responsible for issuing U.S. passports. My wife submitted three passport applications, for three of our minor children, on the same day — June 12. Two of the three passports for which we applied arrived over… Read More: Why applying for passports is so not fun »