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Bosley Making News Quickly
2006-12-19 15:37:02
From today's Boston Globe, an article about concerns that Governor-elect Deval Patrick's choice of our own Dan Bosley has pro-gambling supporters worried.
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Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck on $150,000 a Year
2006-12-18 15:36:02
A cute story from CNN, on the Schuett family of Elkhorn, NE, who are having a tough time making ends meet on Mrs. Schuett's $150,000 a year salary.
More About: Living , Check , Ving , Year

Bosley To Join Patrick Team
2006-12-18 15:36:02
I received this via e-mail tonight from State Representative Dan Bosley:Hi,I apologize for emailing rather than calling all of you, but the Deval Patrick press people wanted to put a press release out and I haven't enough time to reach everyone that I should by phone. And I didn't want you to see this in the paper tomorrow. A few weeks ago I was interviewed by the Patrick transition team which lead to another interview last week with Deval Patrick. He called me on Thursday and we discussed a position in his office as a special advisor on economic development. I accepted that position today. After 20 years in the Legislature, this was a difficult decision. I have tried to do my best for my district and the entire Berkshire/Franklin Community for every day for those twenty years. This has been a great job. As sad as I am to leave a job that I truly love, I am excited over this new opportunity to make a difference. I view this new job as an opportunity to continue to work for the b...
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We Had a GM Plant?
2006-12-18 15:36:02
Samantha Segan, a staff writer over at the Williams Record, needs a few more classes in journalism, methinks. Read her article on Williams student and "artist" Rachel Ko, who has put together an exhibition of photographs of North Adams residents in students' dorm windows, and you can see the lack of research and understanding of the City of North Adams. According to Segan, North Adams had a General Motors facility once, and Williamstown supports North Adams financially. Hmmm....
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Travaglini Flexes At Patrick
2006-12-18 15:36:02
Senate President Robert E. Travaglini yesterday publicly scolded incoming governor Deval Patrick , telling a breakfast audience that he had warned Patrick to cooperate with the Legislature or Travaglini would withdraw support for Patrick's agenda.
More About: Rick , Trick , Flex , Rava

Things Get Ugly In NY
2006-12-18 15:36:02
The NBA has another ugly scene to recover from. This one involved its leading scorer and happened in its most famous arena. Denver's Carmelo Anthony and the other nine players on the court at the time were ejected for fighting during a wild brawl between the Nuggets and Knicks, triggered in part by a New York team that felt it was "being shown up on its home floor." Too bad, eh? If you play a crappy game, so be it. You want "respect?" Earn it. Just another example of the stupid "thug mentality" permeating professional sports nowadays. "I demand you respect me." Put a sock in it...
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Reason #7,563 That I Got Out Of The Car Business
2006-12-18 15:36:02
A search in under way in Orlando, Fla., for a man who stabbed a car salesman in the neck during a test drive for no apparent reason.
More About: Business , Hat , Reason , Ness , That

Controversy in Clarksburg
2006-12-18 15:36:02
I'll leave personal feelings and opinions out of this, based on my 3 years on the Clarks burg Board of Selectman, since I served with two of the three members up there, but what do you all make of the ongoing public battles between the board and Mike Milazzo and Kevin Dodge, owners of the Mountain View and a proposed gravel operation off of Houghton Street in Clarksburg? Here's Thursday's article, and Friday's rebuttal, along with the Transcript's editorial.
More About: Controversy , Over , Lark , Rove

Barbara Perry, 1928 - 2002
2006-12-14 21:32:02
My wife received this poem along with a memorial ornament from our daughter, Emily, yesterday. Today marks the 4th anniversary of the passing of my mother-in-law, Barbar a Perry . Everyone should be as lucky as I have been for the in-laws I got as a bonus when I married Barb...I love you and miss you, Mom...I still hear the songsI still see the lightsI still feel your loveon cold wintry nights.I still share your hopesand all of your caresI'll even remind youto please say your prayers.I just want to tell youyou still make me proudYou stand head and shouldersabove all the crowd.Keep trying each momentto stay in His graceI came here before youto help set your place.You don't have to beperfect all the timeHe forgives you the slipif you continue the climb.To my family and friendsplease be thankful todayI'm still close beside youIn a new special way.I love you all dearlynow don't shed a tear'Cause I'm spending myChristmas with Jesus this year.John W. Mooney, Jr.

No Wires, No Plugs: Just Access By WiFi
2006-12-10 21:29:01
Here's an article that was sent to me by chbpod by Jerry Markon of the Washington Post from Thursday, December 7, 2006.Alexandria is going wireless.The city is close to a signing a 21st-century agreement to build a citywide wireless network. Anyone with a laptop computer equipped for wireless access will be able to connect to the Internet from virtually anywhere in the city with the purchase of a $21-per-month account. The wireless connection will be free in two dozen designated zones -- which include King Street in Old Town, major parks and Landmark Mall.Currently, Alexandria residents typically pay up to $53 a month for Internet connections through other services, city officials said.The Alexandria City Council last week unanimously approved a proposal to allow EarthLink Inc. to build the network. Under the plan, expected to win final approval after a public hearing Dec. 16, the Atlanta-based Internet service provider will construct and maintain the network at no cost to the city...
More About: Just , Wifi , Access , Wire , Plug

Proof That Louisiana Politics Are Still Screwy...
2006-12-10 21:29:01
U.S. Rep. William "Dollar Bill" Jefferson (D-LA) easily defeated his fellow Democratic opponent in a runoff election Saturday, despite an ongoing federal bribery investigation. You remember Jefferson, right? The Congressman who keeps $90,000 in bribes in his freezer at home...he represents the ditrict that includes much of Greater New Orleans... Related...Jefferson Asks That Records Be SealedJefferson One Of 20 Most Corrupt Politicians
More About: Politics , Louisiana , Hat , Louis , Proof

Bill O'Reilly: Studying Iraq
2006-12-09 21:28:01
It will be interesting to see what you readers have to say about Bill O 'Reilly 's comments on reaction to the Iraq Surrender Group's report to the President.
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Remember...
2006-12-09 21:28:01
"Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Puppet, Returns
2006-12-09 21:28:01
One of the original Rudolph puppet figures used in making the 42-year-old animated TV special "Rudolph the Red-Nose d Reindeer" (which airs at 8 tonight on CBS, Channel 6 locally) goes on display today at the Center For Puppet ry Arts in Atlanta. The Santa puppet from the same show will join his lead reindeer at the center. For my money, the best Christmas song ever came from this special. There is no better song than Burl Ives' version of "Holly Jolly Christmas." Is there a more enjoyable Christmas special than the Rankin/Bass story of the little reindeer with the special ability to have his nose glow? I think not. There's even a blog dedicated to all of the history of Rankin/Bass. Have a nostalgic trip looking at these links.
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Frank Gaffney, Jr.: The I.S.G.
2006-12-06 09:25:02
From Townhall.com: Fran k J. Gaffney Jr.'s take on "The Iraq Surrender Group." "On Wednesday, an unelected, unaccountable and substantially unqualified commission will formally report what hasn?t already been leaked about its recommendations with respect to the conflict in Iraq. The title of the commission is the Iraq Study Group (ISG). Given the nature of its contribution, a better name would be the Iraq Surrender Group.* Led by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, the ISG?s members have reportedly decided that the United States must withdraw its forces from Iraq, that we must start doing so in substantial numbers by 2008 and that we have to open negotiations with Iran and its wholly owned subsidiary, Syria."
More About: Rank , Frank

State Has To Borrow Again
2006-12-06 09:25:02
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been forced to borrow $600 million this month to address a short-term cash-flow shortage and meet end-of-the-year local aid payments to cities and towns, prompting warnings from the Romney administration and the state treasurer that the state is spending at a perilous pace. This is in addition to the $300 million dollars it borrowed last month.
More About: State , Again , Stat , Borrow

Here We Go...
2006-12-04 21:23:01
A Mr. Joel Morris of East Otis sends a Letter To The Editor of the Berkshire Eagle today, pleading for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to go easy on poor convicted drug dealer Kyle Sawin, and give him a rehab stint and some probation for trying to sell some significant drugs to people of the area. This dealer won't learn anything from such a sentence, and I have my doubts of a 5-year prison term will teach the bonehead anything, either. Throw the book at him, and let's hope it knocks some sense into him.
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Berkshire Eagle: Week 2
2006-12-04 21:23:01
Not a great start to week 2. Received the Sunday Eagle yesterday, but no Saturday paper as promised along with it. No paper today, either. I called circulation at 8am, and as of this writing, no papers (Saturday's was promised again) have been delivered.UPDATE:I'm out of here, heading to work. It's 12:15 pm. No papers yet...
More About: Hire , Week , Berk , Berkshire

Sawin Pleads Guilty
2006-12-03 03:21:10
In other news this week, "recreational" drug user Kyle Sawin plead guilty to charges he sold drugs to undercover officers earlier this year. You remember Kyle, right? He was the poster boy of Attorney Judith Knight's failed campaign for District Attorney this year. Looks like the D.A. might have been right about this dealer.
More About: Leads , Guilt , Guilty , Lead

Berkshire Eagle: Week 1
2006-12-03 03:21:10
Well, against my better judgment, I re-subscribed to the Berk shire Eagle again, after canceling because of poor service over the early summer. I believe I have made a mistake again. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy reading the paper, doing the crossword, the Sunday paper with the coupons, etc... but here's how the week went. Sunday and Monday: no problem, got the paper. Tuesday and Wednesday: no paper delivered. Thursday: no paper. Friday: received paper. Saturday: paper delivered, but dropped into a low area of the lawn in front of the mailboxes which is full of water from last evening's rain - paper thoroughly soaked. How hard is it to drop a paper on a dry area of the lawn on a regular basis? Would the Eagle like me to send them my payment on a sporadic basis, and sometimes wet? Anyways, I called the circulation department, and the girl who took the call was all apologetic, and offered to send today's paper to me tomorrow, with the Sunday Eagle...tomorrow...
More About: Hire , Week , Berkshire

Updates Tonight
2006-12-02 15:21:08
I finally have a night off, so I'll be updating after 5:30pm tonight. Retail during the Christmas season can be a bit time consuming...
More About: Dates , Updates , Night , Update , Tonight

Black Friday
2006-12-02 15:21:08
Well, I survived "Black Frida y ." (Actually, Olympia Sports calls it "Green Friday," because of political correctness.) My store in Pittsfield did about 10 times the normal business yesterday. As of 5pm, we were about $7,000 ahead of the North Adams store, which makes me happy. My goal is to make them wish they had kept me up here, and sent one of the other guys to work in "The Pitts." I still do not understand the aggravation and turmoil people put themselves through so early on a Friday, just to get alleged "deals." The product, and the deal, for the most part will still be there up until Christmas. The busiest shopping day is no longer "Black Friday ." It's the Saturday before Christmas now. Well, to each his own, I guess.
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College Republicans of BU Create "White-Only" Scholarship
2006-12-02 15:21:08
Massive media attention has been focused on Boston University, where a $250 Caucasian Achievement and Recognition Scholarship has been offered by the BU chapter of the College Republican s . Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher; they must write two essays; and, here's the kicker, they must be at least one-quarter Caucasian. The application itself offers an explanation: "We believe that racial preferences in all their forms are perhaps the worst form of bigotry confronting America today."
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More Oil Related News
2006-12-02 15:21:08
In a quick update to the post on oil company tax breaks, the price of gas has risen an average of 5 cents a gallon nationally, in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday.Also... King Soopers and City Market (both owned by Kroger) in Colorado were forced by a federal jury decision to cut out a program called Buy Groceries/Get Gas, and were ordered to pay $1.4 million in damages. The jury found the big stores had violated Colorado's Unfair Practices Act, illegally selling gas below cost. Yes, King Soopers was selling gasoline too cheap. It's illegal. So, as a primer of sorts, let's review: Charge too much and you're price gouging. Charge too little and you're predatory pricing. Charge the same as your competitor and you're in collusion.
More About: News , Oil , More , Late , Related

Happy Birthday, Seth!
2006-12-02 15:21:08
Yes, that's right, Mr. & Mrs. Etman's little boy is turning 19 today. Happy birthday, Seth. We are very proud of you...
More About: Birthday , Birth , Happy Birthday

Dems Take Aim At Oil Company Tax Breaks
2006-12-02 15:21:08
While I am all for taking away some of the HUGE profit making breaks the oil companies have been receiving, I can't help but feel that if they are taken away, the result will be higher prices for heating oil, gasoline, and other products being passed on to us, the consumers. Any ideas on how to prevent this?In a sort of update, The Ice Sheet is growing...
More About: Tax , Company , Comp , Break , Oil

Romney May Try To Ask High Court To Order Vote On Gay Marria
2006-12-02 15:21:08
Governor Mitt Romney said Sunday he would ask the state's highest court to order an anti-gay marriage amendment question onto the ballot if legislators fail to vote on the matter when they reconvene in January. Romney said he would file a legal action this week asking a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to direct the secretary of state to place the question on the ballot if lawmakers don't vote directly on the question Jan. 2, the final day of the session.
More About: Vote , High , Arri , Order

New Democratic Agenda Under Fire
2006-12-02 15:21:08
When the Demo crats were campaigning to take over Congress, they benefited from a tidal wave of political anger aimed at the Republicans who had been in charge for the past 12 years. They won't assume power until January, but their proposals to "Cut & Run" in Iraq (oops, I meant "phased withdrawal"), slap a higher minimum wage on small businesses and raise taxes, including the tax on dividends and capital gains, are already taking hits.
More About: Democratic , Fire , Agenda , Democrat

Arlington at Christmas
2006-12-02 15:21:08
You may be interested to know that the wreaths laid at Arli ngton -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the most economically challenged parts of the state.
More About: Christmas , Christ , Chris , Arlington

The Winners...
2006-12-02 15:21:08
Here are the winners of the book giveaway, sponsored by Simon & Schuster Publishing, The Blazer Blog, and my Civil War blog, "Strike The Tent..." Gabor Boritt's book, "The Gettysburg Gospel," goes to Casey Fenn of Mecklenburg, NC. "Lincoln & Chief Justice Taney," by James F. Simon goes to Lewis J. Williams of Bellingham, WA, and "Union 1812," by A.J. Langguth goes to Celeste MacDougall of Belfast, ME. I had 570 entries from 47 states and 3 foreign countries. Thanks for the interest, and if I am lucky enough to receive more free books, I'll be sure to have another giveaway.
More About: Winners , Winner