EZ-Pass Massachusetts credit card replenishment stupidity

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: EZ-Pass Massachusetts credit card replenishment stupidity »

My analysis of 2014 Massachusetts ballot questions

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: My analysis of 2014 Massachusetts ballot questions »

MBTA’s “Transit Diary” a failure before it has even begun

The MBTA is currently beta-testing a project & corresponding web application called “Transit Diary“. Its purpose is to collect data directly from riders about their experiences riding the T, presumably to help the T evaluate how well it is serving riders’ needs and where service-improvement efforts should be focused. Unfortunately, Transit Diary employs obsolete, inferior… Read More: MBTA’s “Transit Diary” a failure before it has even begun »

Appalling Gaza coverage in July 11, 2014 “On The Media” episode

To: onthemedia@wnyc.org Cc: letters@camera.org I just listened to your July 11 episode. I listened in HORROR to your interview with Philip Weiss of Mondoweiss. His comments were a skewed, biased, warped version of reality. That’s not surprising, since Mondoweiss itself presents a skewed, biased, warped version of reality. It is a radically anti-Israel, anti-Zionist pro-Palestinian web… Read More: Appalling Gaza coverage in July 11, 2014 “On The Media”… »

Here’s what’s wrong with the Ice Bucket Challenge

Raising money for a worthy charity is a good thing. Raising awareness about a (currently) incurable disease that afflicts 30,000 people in the U.S. and many more worldwide, is a good thing. Encouraging people to think about the needs of others is a good thing. Doing all this using social blackmail that is guaranteed to… Read More: Here’s what’s wrong with the Ice Bucket Challenge »

Morning Jew’s Katie Halper apparently doesn’t understand how politics, or reality, works

I suppose if a Disney Channel star and hip-hop artist are qualified to render informed opinions on the conflict in the Middle East, then “comedian, writer and filmmaker” Katie Halper is just as entitled to dive in over her head as they are. Perhaps she wanted to prove that Jews can be just as clueless… Read More: Morning Jew’s Katie Halper apparently doesn’t understand how politics, or… »

Support for Israel

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: Support for Israel »

Olympics in Boston: Just Say No

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.

My letter to the FCC about the open internet proposal

To: openinternet@fcc.gov 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: My letter to the FCC about the open internet proposal »