I'm voting for Mike Capuano!

A letter to friends and readers:

I'm writing to you on the eve of the Massachusetts primary to voice my support for Congressman Mike Capuano.

As many of you know, I am a constituent, supporter and great admirer of Congressman John Tierney. After Senator Kennedy passed away, Congressman Tierney considered running for his seat. Along with many fellow North Shore democrats, I was very excited at the prospect of working on his campaign and was extremely disappointed when he decided not to run.

My first instinct was to support Martha Coakley. I've met her several times and like her, think she's very smart (and street-smart) and savvy, and consider her an outstanding Attorney General for our state. I decided to wait, observe and see who else might enter the race.

Mike Capuano declared his candidacy and John Tierney endorsed him, saying,

"Mike joined me in opposing the Iraq War and the excesses in the originally proposed PATRIOT Act," said Congressman Tierney. "I am supporting Mike in his campaign for Senate because I know how hard he works to stand up for middle-class families, to achieve affordable, universal health care, and to create jobs here in Massachusetts. There is no other candidate in this race who can match his work ethic, his years of legislative experience, and his steadfast commitment to his principles and progressive beliefs. We need Mike to continue his fight for progress in the United States Senate."

Considering their nearly identical voting records, my strong support of Tierney and his unequivocal endorsement of his colleague, I began to pay attention to the Capuano campaign.

The more I saw, the more I liked. Capuano is a true progressive whose votes are aligned with my beliefs--from voting against the Iraq War and the Patriot Act to his support of the repeal of DOMA (defense of marriage act) and his co-founding the Congressional Caucus on Sudan, he proves himself a passionate, committed progressive.

He has held seventy "open mike" forums throughout the Commonwealth, always engaging in conversation, answering any questions, asking questions. He holds "open mike" town hall conference calls when he's in Washington in order to keep in touch with his constituents--something he said he will continue to do as U.S. Senator when he was asked about it tonight in an "open mike" conference call.

Please feel free to call me tonight (you all know I'm up late!) or any time tomorrow on my cell (I'll be at the polls by 7am) and I'll be happy to talk to you about my decision. If you are a supporter and want to help with GOTV (Get Out The Vote) calls on Tuesday, call me!

I hope you will consider casting your vote for Mike Capuano to become the next Senator from Massachusetts!

And, no matter whom you are supporting in this race, VOTE, damn it!

Fondly,
Nancy

Here are links to more information about Mike:

Unions and organizations
Elected officials
Publications and bloggers
Video of Dukakis' endorsement
My photos of Mike Dukakis endorsing Mike Capuano
Video of Mike taking on Bank CEOs at congressional hearing (imagine adding his voice to the Senate!)
Capuano's "resume" on Project Vote Smart

Remembering Senator Ted Kennedy

I'm finally getting around to editing photos from past events that had been backlogged for one reason or another.

Not getting to this first set had a lot to do with my being rather overwhelmed by Kennedy's death. I was nearly done editing a couple of days after I took the pictures, but each time I went back to wrap it up and post them, I was recaptured and moved by the faces in the photos, and drawn back to have another look at them.

Each and every one of the people captured in these photos, whether you see them individually or in a crowd, was there because he or she was touched in some way by Ted Kennedy--as senator, friend, uncle, husband, mentor or myth. I've never been among a more diverse group of people and yet they all came together with the single purpose of honoring this exceptional human being.

The first group of pictures were taken of the motorcade passing between Government Center and Faneuil Hall on Thursday, August 27, 2009.

Slideshow HERE.

The second group of pictures was taken the next day, Friday, August 28, 2009, at the JFK Library.

Slideshow HERE.

A break from the usual post

In a break from the usual political posts, I'd like to share my pictures taken last week on a day trip to Franconia Notch and Sugar Hill.

The weather was wild: from bright sun and brisk wind to dark, ominous clouds that one minute unleashed hail (not cold, wet sleet, but actual, car-denting balls of solid ice) and the next spilled multi-layered rainbows.

These pictures could only have been taken in New England!

More pictures HERE.

Governor Patrick in Haverhill

Last Wednesday, Governor Patrick was greeted by a couple of hundred people when he came to Haverhill to speak at the grand opening of Hamel Mill Lofts, a project developed with federal, state and private funds.

More pictures are HERE.

Urgent upcoming vote in MA legislature!

As early as tomorrow, the MA legislature will vote on allowing the governor to appoint an interim senator to serve MA constituents for the next 4 1/2 months.

Not only will that person represent us by casting critical votes regarding health care (think 60!) and economic legislation, but that appointment will ensure us continuous vital constituent services, now provided by Senator Kennedy's staff. Without an interim senator, hundreds of MA families currently being served by his dedicated staff will be without help, and the continuing work of Kennedy's office will be curtailed as the staff packs up and leaves.

When the current legislation was passed, the republicans in the legislature tried to pass an amendment "...to allow the Governor to fill a Senate or Representative vacancy in Congress until a special election is held," with a "Yea" vote "ensuring MA representation in Congress in the event of a vacancy." Republicans and a few Democrats voted "Yea." Now they've changed their minds.

Both sides have played politics. Now they can all set it right. Massachusetts residents need the continuity of representation. WE NEED TWO U.S. senators.

Please find your legislators' telephone numbers here, call them TODAY and ask them to vote to send an interim senator to Washington!

I've called Rep. Harriett Stanley's office and was told she would be voting NO. She voted with the Republicans on the original legislation, as well. To those in her district: Let's change her mind! Call her NOW! Bruce Tarr is also voting NO. Barbara L'Italien is on the fence, but Phil in her office said she is leaning toward voting YES. Please call her office and encourage her to do so!

I've posted this on my facebook page and sent it out as an email blast. Thanks to Ed Cameron for offering to send it on to the members of the Newburyport Democratic City Committee. Please feel free to forward this link to Massachusetts residents who want to make a difference by calling their legislators. Let's win this one!

Lt. Gov. Tim Murray at the North Reading DTC BBQ!

Matt Patton introduced Lt. Governor Tim Murray, who was a special guest at the North Reading DTC Summer BBQ, held earlier today.



More pictures from a delightful afternoon HERE.

Great turnout for Congressman Tierney!

The Republican running for Congress in the 6th District tried to use the health care reform debate for his own political gain this afternoon by holding a rally outside Congressman Tierney's office in Peabody Square. The candidate, who said earlier this week that he was "inspired by all the Americans at the anti-healthcare rally in Portsmouth," planned the rally to take place during Congressman Tierney's vacation, while claiming Tierney is avoiding facing his constituents. On the contrary, Tierney held this forum in Lynn in June of this year, and plans to hold an open conference call about health care before heading back to Washington--one that can accommodate as many as 30,000 people.

There were many times more of Congressman Tierney's constituents on the sidewalks of Peabody Square today than there were "health care opponents." Tierney is an outstanding progressive and is a proponent of singe payer health care.

By the way, how can someone be against health care?

More pictures HERE.

President Obama's health care Town Hall in Portsmouth

President Obama came to Portsmouth High School on Tuesday to conduct a Town Hall forum on health care. Had he come in the front door, he would have been flanked on his left and right by those representing the left and right, as citizens from both sides of the political spectrum were awaiting his arrival. Had he not used the back door, he would have landed center stage among those playing out the frenzied, tense drama with escalated rhetoric directed, ultimately, not at him, and not at each other, but at the national audience brought by the media who swarmed the site from well before I got there at 6:45 a.m., until sometime after I left at 4:30 p.m.

I'm frustrated by the photos I took outside. You can see the crowds, read the signs. But what they don't convey is how damn loud it was--loud in an ugly way. In a scary way. In a pessimistic, hopeless this-can't-possibly-be-a-good-way-to-do-anything way.

Inside the gymnasium, the mood was celebratory: the President of the United States was about to arrive. I'd venture to guess many of those present had seen Obama before as candidate Obama--I had several times--but a presidential visit seemed different. People felt honored to be there. There was a point at which someone came out to talk to the crowd and said something about health care (I can't remember what exactly) that sent Obama supporters to their feet. That was when I saw how many people who opposed him were in the room. I was startled enough by their numbers to imagine things could get unpleasant. But the atmosphere in the room wasn't foreboding. And, after having spent the morning among the crowd outside, it felt like a love fest.

If you missed watching it on TV, it's available to watch any time on c-span. (Oh, and don't skip over the National Anthem. It was sung by high school senior, Natalie Hazzard, whose voice was sweet and clear and on pitch--no mean feat for that piece! Ordinarily, when I hear our anthem sung, I'm further convinced This Land is Your Land would be a far better choice for the country. I still think it is, but this time that wasn't my first thought!)

Enjoy the pictures!

Governor Patrick in Newburyport

Governor Deval Patrick held a town hall forum in Newburyport this evening, answering questions and engaging participants in conversation for two hours.





Thanks, Governor Patrick, for posing for a picture with Toby!



More pictures from this evening here.

George McGovern appeared in Gloucester on Sunday

On a book tour for his recently published book, Abraham Lincoln, Senator George McGovern spoke to 300+ people Sunday in Gloucester. The Senator, celebrating his 87th birthday yesterday, got a hardy laugh from the audience when he began his remarks with, "Four score and seven years ago..."
I was able to chat with him for a few minutes after his appearance. What a wonderful human being! How different the world would be if the rest of the nation had voted as wisely as those of us in Massachusetts did in 1972!










Thanks to the photographer who used my camera to take the photos of me. I wish I had her name!

More photos can be found here.

This Land Belongs to You and Me

This song really does merit being our national anthem!
(Please send me links to other versions you find and I'll post them!)

Celebrate this 4th of July by spending time appreciating the beauty of where you live. I'm taking a 7 mile walk down the byways and marshes of Newbury!

revolutionBoston - progressive talk radio

Supporters of revolutionBoston, WWZN 1510AM, celebrated finally being ON THE AIR(!) in Boston at a party last night at the Revolution Rock Bar. Jeff Santos, who broadcast his show live from 6 to 7, was joined by those of us who were there to savor the moment. And, of course, I took pictures!



This morning's issue of the Democratic Dispatch, Kate Donaghue's weekly newsletter that's distributed to subscribers state-wide (subscribe here: DDemDispatch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) included a wonderful mention of the event:

Dear Democrats,

Kate is once again relying on her cadre of loyal lieutenants to publish this week's edition of the Dispatch so that she can take a weekend for family. But she wanted to make sure that you all know about the Patrick administration's community forums across the state this month on choices and priorities for the Commonwealth. See info immediately below.

I've just gotten back from tonight's celebration at Revolution Rock Bar of the return of Progressive Talk Radio to Boston on WWZN 1510AM. It's been a long time since we last heard a full day's lineup of progressive voices over the Boston airwaves, and it's long overdue. Congratulations to Jeff Santos and Robin, Alan, Nancy, George, and Samantha from "Save Progressive Radio Boston" for seeing this process to fruition. It was great to meet other enthusiastic supporters, and there's a lot to celebrate.

The revival of Prog Talk in Boston comes not a moment too soon. Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Our people, merely for want of intelligence which they may rely on, are become lethargic and insensible of the state they are in." I believe that right now Media is the battleground in advance of the 2010 bielection. The prize is domination of the terms of debate as we go forward. We need media outlets like AM1510 to give our Democratic message a level playing field on which the strength of our ideas will surely triumph.

Democratically yours,

Matt Shear

For those of you who like to put a face with the name, here's Matt--he's the one in the background who's giving Alan Frankel his contact information):




For the rest of the pictures, look HERE.

100 Days Visibility in Newburyport

On a morning that was supposed to be rainy and miserable, bright skies prevailed over a happy reunion of Obama supporters who gathered in Market Square to show their enthusiasm for the new administration's accomplishments.

Cars honked in a show of support and smiling demonstrators waved back in solidarity.

It was altogether a lovely way to start the day!




You can see the rest of the pictures HERE.

Progressive Talk Radio On the Air in Boston!

Starting Monday, May 4, progressive talk radio will once again have a home on the radio dial in Boston.

For the first time in almost two and a half years, progressive programming will be aired from 6 in the morning until 7 in the evening, Monday through Friday.

As many of you know, for the last two years I've been involved with a group whose goal has been to secure a station to air those voices who provide the counter balance to the right-wing screaming heard on station after station up and down the AM dial. Starting Monday, we will all be able to start enjoying the fruit of those efforts.

The station being leased is WWZN, 1510AM, 50k watts strong, with a range that includes greater Newburyport and southern NH. If you grew up in this area, and are as old as I am, you'll remember that signal carried WMEX, the home of Arnie Woo-Woo Ginsburg and Adventure Carhop commercials!

The program lineup Monday through Friday will be:

• 6 to 10 a.m. Jeff Santos

Jeff has actually been on the air since election day; his company, Santos Media, has brought this project to fruition. Jeff hosted the only locally produced show when progressive talk was last being aired in Boston--then on a frustratingly weak signal on a station owned by the behemoth, Clear Channel. With the help of Governor Dukakis and others, he has labored long and hard and deserves to celebrate a sweet on-the-air victory.

Jeff will be followed by nationally syndicated hosts:

• 10 a.m. to Noon Stephanie Miller
• Noon to 3 p.m. Ed Schultz
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thom Hartmann

and

• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Locally-produced progamming, to be announced

All the shows will be accessible on the web at revolutionBOSTON for streaming live or podcasting.

This week's lineup on Jeff's show will include Ed Schultz and Thom Hartmann, and Governor Patrick as guests on Monday, and remote, live broadcasts from Northeastern University on Tuesday and South Station on Friday.

On Thursday evening, May 7th, from 6 to 9 p.m. there will be a celebration at
Revolution Rock Bar
200 High St
Boston, MA 02110
(across from Rowes Wharf, just off Atlantic Ave. and the Greenway)
All are welcome to attend! (RSVP to bostonprogressivetalk AT gmail.com)

Check out my friend, Alan's diary on Daily Kos or BlueMassGroup. (If you do, please consider joining, if you're not a member, and recommending the diary. the more people recommend them, the longer they'll stay current. Thanks!)





Jeff Santos and Governor Dukakis at the breakfast honoring Kate Donaghue last weekend.

Dems honor Kate Donaghue

Hundreds of Massachusetts Democrats gathered in Hudson Sunday morning to honor Democratic State Committee member Kate Donaghue.

The room was filled with many who first became activists thanks to Kate's prodding and some who hold office due in large part to her efforts.

Included among those in attendance were:
Congressman James McGovern;
Lt. Governor Tim Murray;
Former Governor Michael Dukakis and his wife, Kitty;
Attorney General Martha Coakley;
Secretary of State Bill Galvin;
Former Elder Affairs Sec. Mike Festa;
Massachusetts Democratic Committee Chair John Walsh;
State Senator Jamie Eldridge;
Progressive Talk Radio host, Jeff Santos;
Many state committee members, including our own Kathy Pasquina, West Newbury.

I showed up with my camera to capture the morning's festivities. Take a look HERE.


You can read more about Kate and the event on BlueMassGroup.

Congratulations, Kate!

Thank you, Newburyport Current!

Wow! Great piece by Barbara Taermina in this week's Newburyport Current about last week's 3T & 2C breakfast and the local Democratic political scene. Thank you, Barbara, for the plug for this blog and for the Newburyport Dems blog.

I hope those of you who live locally and are visiting this blog for the first time will scroll down and check out the photos I've posted in the past year or so. Be sure to follow the link to the photos of the Yankee Homecoming Parade.

A RIDDLE

What do Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, Congressman John Tierney, MA Democratic Party Chair John Walsh, Essex County DA John Blodgett, MA State Rep. Harriett Stanley, Governor's Council member Mary-Ellen Manning, and Democratic State Committee members from as far as Worcester County all have in common with 150 local Democrats? They were all in Newburyport Saturday morning at the 3Ts and 2Cs Breakfast! (Three towns--Newbury, Salisbury and West Newbury--and two cities--Newburyport and Amesbury.)

Know what happens when you google "3t 2c breakfast"?

You get the Newburyport blog and 17,600 breakfast recipes using 3 tablespoons (or teaspoons) and 2 cups!

Check out the rest of the pictures HERE!

Congressman John Tierney held a community meeting at City Hall in Newburyport on Saturday during which he answered questions posed by audience members about subjects ranging from the occupation of Iraq and the commitment of more troops in Afghanistan, to help for Eastern Massachusetts farmers, to the restoration of the beach on PI by dredging the Merrimac with help from the Army Corp of Engineers.

There was a group organized by Newburyport Republicans (and some of their kids) who demonstrated in the park across the street before the event.

Charlie Tontar has written a piece about event on the Newburyport Dems Blog. And, there are more of my pictures HERE.


By the way, there was someone who accused the Congressman of taking campaign contributions from the financial industry. Congressman Tierney is one of the cleanest members of congress. Here's a link to see where the money comes from. Whenever you're curious about who's contributed to any campaign--be it the president's, or any member of the senate or the house--just go to Open Secrets.

"We Are One" Inaugural Concert

As I mentioned in my last post, I was able to obtain press credentials for the Inaugural Concert held at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, January 18, 2009. Thank you to Dave Johnson from SeeingtheForest who applied for the credentials on my behalf! Here are a few of the photos from that glorious day. The rest can be found here (still adding and tweaking).


Bruce Springsteen

Wrapped in a warm flag

Bettye LaVette and Bon Jovi

Sheryl Crow and will.i.am

Stevie Wonder

Bono and Edge

Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen and will.i.am

FIRED UP! (but where do I go?)

Been a while since my last post... I'm in Washington for the inauguration of President Obama. (I love the way that sounds and how it looks on the page!) This post is one I did for a blog called Seeing the Forest. I'm working on editing pictures I took at Sunday's concert at Lincoln Memorial for which I was lucky enough to have press credentials! (I promise to be more timely than I was last time I promised more soon...)



I had a silver ticket from my congressman that guaranteed me a place to stand in the section behind the reflecting pool on the Mall. It would possibly be close enough to distinguish one person from another on the podium through my binoculars; at the least, it would offer me a view of the proceedings on one of the Jumbotrons, and allow those of us lucky enough to be in that section to bear witness to history being made.

I left my hotel at 7 a.m. to walk the 3 miles to the “silver” gate. (And, yes, the word “pearly” came to mind.) The route took me under the National Mall, through the closed-to-traffic 3rd Street tunnel.

Entering the tunnel:

Under the Mall:

Emerging:

As I neared the gate I saw the line snaking east and I followed it, past one corner, then west to the next, block after block to the end. When I first saw it, it was moving along, but it stopped to a crawl soon after I joined it, midway down a block lined with tour buses, most with engines running, empty save a driver. The fumes were horrible, although one could forgive the smell and feel grateful for a moment or two of heat as the line inched by a running engine. For over an hour, I watched people stream passed me to the end of the line, now stretched out of sight, around many corners. Around 10, the line started to move and as we rounded the last block, it seemed as though people were joining the line from different directions. Rumors that the gate was closed shot through the crowd, which had changed from an orderly 11 block-long (at least) line into a sea of anxious, freezing, weary wanna-bes crushed into a block-long and wide space. Someone started shouting, “Let us in!” and it became a chant with the crowd punching the air with each word with their embossed silver-edged invitations. LET! US! IN! These people—all of them—privileged to be honored by their congressmen and women with what they thought was a guaranteed place at the party, had been shut out by an anonymous ogre at the gate. I recalled Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen singing the words of Woody Guthrie on Sunday:

A great high wall there tried to stop me
A great big sign there said private property
But on the other side it didn’t say nothing
That side was made for you and me.

Yeah, right. I got a text message from a friend who had a purple ticket. She, too, was reporting gates were closed in front of her, and was headed to the Dirksen Senate Office Building where Senators Kerry and Kennedy had promised a place to watch the proceedings and stay warm to those who couldn’t attend outdoors. It was 10:40. I fought the crowd, which was beginning to feel like the crush on New Year’s Eve in Times Square—something I experienced once long ago and vowed never to do again—for a block and escaped, heading to Capital Hill. I had to go behind the Capitol and down the other side, which took about half an hour (someday I’ll walk it at a normal pace to see how long it really takes) and get through security at the entrance. I couldn’t remember where I was supposed to go and asked if anyone knew where there was a TV. I was directed to a small cafeteria in the basement corridor between the Dirksen and Rayburn Buildings. Gathered there were about 20 people who, for one reason or another, had happened upon the place. All eyes on a small TV that the owner proudly announced she had installed the day before so her customers would be able to watch the ceremony.

Cups and Company:

'Tis a Gift:

Proprietors:

Swearing-In:

Done!

Everyone, including me, was happy to be there. We instantly became a community, devoted to sharing this moment in history. We cheered, clapped, prayed, amen’d, and shared smiles and tears. We stood when Obama took the oath of office. When I said, “Bye-bye Bush!” as his helicopter took him away, someone said Alleluiah!

I'd have driven to Washington from Boston just to be with those people at that time, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d have rather been. It was worth a ticket edged in gold to be among the people in that room.

New Friends:

VICTORY!