Merry Christmas From Jo-Jo And The Grahams!

The Warden and my fellow internees from the Graham Family Compound wish your family the best Christmas ever, and a wonderful (and Hillary-free) 2008!

Christmas: "It Came Just The Same."

My Christmas column in today's Boston Herald is linked here. I hope you enjoy it and have the Merry Christmas that you deserve.

And if you're looking for the Christmas reading from our special holiday broadcast, you'll find it by scrolling down on this page.

Merry Christmas

IT IS...the only gift you will get this Christmas, and the only gift you will receive.

It is why a pair of socks wrapped in green paper sounds so much like a dinosaur when shaken by a small boy.

It is a middle-aged man, teeth gritted and face darkly red, trying to remain nonchalant as a nubile young sales lady holds up two lacy undergarments and asks him to guess which one will fit his wife.

It is what makes him answer: "The small one."

It is the vaccination protecting a child's belief in Santa from the sound of familiar voices in the attic on Christmas Eve.

It is the scent of a crib warmed by a sleeping baby. It is the accompanying memory loss that makes a mother of teenaged children lean over that crib and wish she could do it again.

It is why the street person's hunger makes him sad instead of angry. And why the five-dollar bill you hurriedly shove into his shaking hand will be spent on a single Big Mac and a 12-pack of Milwaukee's Best.

It is the only reason a married man shaves before he comes to bed. It is why his wife believes he's just trying to improve his personal hygiene.

It is the sudden, listening stillness of a woman's kitchen at Christmastime when she hears the screen door latch, even though he hasn't come home in years.

It's what turns the dollar-store, slave-labor, nylon-haired knock-off into a Ballerina Barbie when touched by her 6-year-old fingers. It's what makes her father blink back a tear and silently promise to give her a real Christmas next year.

It is why he can't remember making the same promise when she was five.

It is the sole motivator for your brother-in-law to try deep frying a turkey. Especially after what happened last year.

It is why we can't imagine Christmas dinner without Grandma, and why Grandma sometimes looks up with a start when she hears her name. It's why she thought, just for a moment, that it was her mother calling.

It is why she isn't sure that it wasn't.

And when she has put your children to bed, stuffed the last bit of wrapping paper into a closet, taken the potpourri off the stove, turned out all the lights in your house and finally falls onto the sofa next to you — as you sit quietly with her before the glistening tree — it is the only thing that can convince you that she might love you half as much as you love her.

It is why she does.

It is the reason women weep. It is the reason men fail. It is why every child, at least once in his life, has wanted to cry at Christmas.

It is as precious as a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. It is as painful as a flesh-torn hand and a thorn-crowned head. It is the reason for both.

And if every Santa song and earnest prayer, every sincere gift and imagined wrong, every Christmas dinner and New Year's toast, every unanswered invitation and unwelcome guest, every office party kiss and happy child's hug — if every human moment of the entire holiday season could be stripped of its tinsel and pretense and price tag and reduced to its truest essence, we would find it there, the only gift ever given at Christmas, the same gift passed hand to hand.

It is hope.

It is Christmas.

***

UPDATE: You can listen to a reading of this piece by my good friend and radio legend John Wrisley on the WTKK "on demand" page.

First It Was Senator "Flip Flop"...

...now it's Governor "See Saw." (thanks to VB at Fox 25 for the inspiration!)

That's the media buzz here in Boston as the painfully-Clintoneque "definition of 'saw'" video is re-played again and again. And with the Boston Herald's endorsement today of John McCain, the local press is gleefully noting that both of Gov. Romney's hometown papers have declined to endorse him.

There is definitely a "spurned lover" quality to the GOP anger against Romney here in Massachusetts. If Romney had wanted to be governor, he probably could have served two terms. Instead he governed like a guy running for president and left the folks back home feeling jilted.

This is mostly a local story, but the problem for Romney is that "local" includes New Hampshire GOP primary voters. On the other hand, the Boston media has been beating Mitt senseless for at least a year, and he's still leading handily in New Hampshire.

Jim Geraghty at National Review has the completely reasonable Romney rebuttal here. And in fact, this criticism of Romney is fundamentally unfair. Just as Mrs. Bill Clinton has NOT "seen an middle class struggling to pay for health care," despite her daily statements to the contrary, we all know what she means. Mitt Romney's dad was an MLK supporter, he did march in King-inspired marches (perhaps a march with King himself) and, as Geraghty pointed out, MLK said George Romney would make a great president. But the Massachusetts media is so vociferously, personally anti-Mitt that they don't care. The fact that the super-intellectual, nuance-admiring editors at the Boston Globe-Democrat can make a front page story out of a figure of speech reveals their intellectual dishonesty.

I've always said that Mitt Romney is not a New England Republican, and he'll always play better on the road than at home. I fully expect him to lose Massachusetts on February 5th--assuming there's a contested primary and a serious non-Huck opponent.

But if the "see vs. saw" video gets wide play across the country, it could be a defining moment (pardon the pun) for his candidacy.

George W. Bush, Eco-Warrior?

If the Euro-weenies are so wonderful, and Al Gore is right that America is the world's great "global warming" villain, then can somebody please explain this:

The Kyoto treaty was agreed upon in late 1997 and countries started signing and ratifying it in 1998. A list of countries and their carbon dioxide emissions due to consumption of fossil fuels is available from the U.S. government. If we look at that data and compare 2004 (latest year for which data is available) to 1997 (last year before the Kyoto treaty was signed), we find the following.

* Emissions worldwide increased 18.0%.

* Emissions from countries that signed the treaty increased 21.1%.

* Emissions from non-signers increased 10.0%.* Emissions from the U.S. increased 6.6%.

In fact, emissions from the U.S. grew slower than those of over 75% of the countries that signed Kyoto.

As Glenn notes at Instapundit.com, "They told me that if George W. Bush were elected, the United States would lag behind the rest of the world on greenhouse gases And they were right!"

Use the link and keep reading, because the news gets even better!

Ten Minutes, Two Dead People, One Dopey Massachusetts Judge

After all but conceding the story to the Boston Herald, the Globe-Democrat has finally decided to take the Daniel Tavares/Kathe Tuttman story seriously. They ran a front-page story today that, to the surprise of no one, shifts the blame for this unforgivable foul-up as far from Judge Kathe Tuttman as possible.

Judge Tuttman is, after all, a liberal, a Democrat, a woman and a judge. Therefore, the Globe-Democrat concludes, she couldn't have done anything wrong.

However, even the BG-D couldn't help noticing one particularly disturbing fact about Tuttman's hearing in which she overruled a lower-court's $100,000 bail and ignored his openly-stated and well-known plans to travel to Washington State to meet his woman. The entire hearing lasted just 10 minutes.

The Globe-Democrat goes to great lengths to blame this on Worcestor County prosecutors, pointing out that they did very little talking during the hearing and the prosecutor in the case seemed to have little knowledge of the specifics of the Tavares case. All fair criticism and, it is hoped, the voters in Worcester County will keep that in mind.

However, the Globe-Democrat--in a disturbing abandonment of the basics of journalistic integrity--completely leaves out the fact that Tavares entered the hearing with a $100,000 bail already in place. They refuse to report Tavares' own attorney requesting a monitoring bracelet for his client. They also give less than one sentence to the fact that the Worcester County attorney specifically mentioned the likelihood that Tavares would leave the state. Not just "won't show up for court," but "will flee Massachusetts."

As Worcester DA Joseph Early put it, "We told the court he'd take off, and unfortunately he did."

Yes, there is plenty of blame to go around. But Judge Tuttman was the only person in this case who wanted this mother-murdering dirtbag on the streets on his own recognizance. Even his own attorney didn't ask for that. She had to reduce $100,000 bail to $0, and put him on the streets scott-free. And she did. And now two more people are dead.

One final note about the "integrity" of the Boston Globe-Democrat's coverage: Their story is 2500 words long. Judge Tuttman's name appears just six times. Their entire coverage of her bail hearing?

One paragraph.

One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other...

Pop Quiz!

Which of the following headlines appeared in the Arizona Republic newspaper on December 12?

Scientists fear Arctic thaw has reached 'tipping point'

OR

Arctic Sea Ice Re-Freezing at Record Pace

Answer....

BOTH! That's right: Arctic ice is disappearing and reappearing at record rates--simultaneously! As a result, as the website Climate Skeptic notes,

The re-freeze continues in December, such that the ice coverage is pretty much at the median level today. The AP/Republic article is admirably free of any new facts except the oft-repeated "Arctic ice at all-time low," all-time of course meaning not all-time but in the last 30 years that we have been able to observe by sattellite. And neither article bothers to mention the high coverage record that was set in the South Pole this very same year.

In other words, ice comes and it goes, but the final result is not catastrophic change but a return to the climatological median. So can someone remind me why are we proposing a trillion-dollar tax increase and mandatory car confiscations?

Why Do I Hate This Ad?

I went to Oral Roberts University. I grew up in an evangelical household. I'm "Mister Christmas" in Boston, MA--leading the fight against thin-skinned whiners offended by Santa in Winchester, Leominster and elsewhere.

So why do I hate the new Mike Huckabee ad so much?

Here's a link to the ad, and my pal Jim Geraghty's description of it:

It's simple - just Huckabee in a red Christmas sweater, saying he's sure the viewers are "worn out" from political commercials, and so he's just going to take a moment for "what really matters" - wishing them a Merry Christmas - and mentioning that the holiday is a celebration of the birth of Christ. "Silent Night" plays quietly on the piano in the background

What's not to like? Christmas. Silent Night. Jim loves it.

Me? I hated it.

Why? I don't think it's Huckabee's clueless "social conservative/fiscal liberal" politics. I think Mrs. Bill Clinton's a joke but she's done some quality ads.

I think I hate it because it shows just how completely the Huckster has dragooned Jesus into his campaign. I knew he was going to use the phrase "the birth of Christ"--a phrase that would be a sign of political courage from most candidates, but rings of opportunism coming from Rev. Huck.

"I'm the 'Jesus' guy in this race," the ad seems to imply. "Do those 'other people' even DO Christmas? And which wife gets the gifts?"

This might not be fair to the Huckster. This could be a completely innocent ad from a guy who's just comfortable with his faith. But because of the Rev. Huck's repeated playing of the Jesus card, he's demeaned his own "spirit of Christmas" message.

Yes, Christmas should be about the powerful symbol of sacrifice in the cause of love lying in a manger so long ago. But that message has been swallowed by the "and don't forget to vote Jesus in the upcoming GOP primary" push of the entire Huckabee campaign.

Huck's "Christmas message" inadvertently reveals the problem with making Jesus your campaign manager.

First Gay Marriage, Now Global Warming?

The loony elites have had enough with this whole "democracy" thing. Like their soulmates (pardon the pun) in Al Qaeda, the lefties know they are right and are happy to force their beliefs on the rest of us.

The most blatant example here in Massachusetts is, of course, re-defining the legal definition of marriage over the will of the people, then denying the people the right to vote on it. No matter how you feel about the marriage issue, this is a clear rejection of the notion of "consent of the governed," which was the fundamental principle behind the founding of America.

Now comes this observation regarding global warming and those silly little people (like me) who think our governments should answer to the people:

Transport policy-makers should start preparing now for a dramatic reduction in motorised travel that will be brought about by carbon rationing, one of the country's leading environmental thinkers told LTT this week.

Just start reading the runes because what's going to happen is the demand for road, rail and air travel is going to start falling away just as soon as we have rationing," says Mayer Hillman in an interview with the magazine.

Hillman, senior fellow emeritus at the Policy Studies Institute, says carbon rationing is the only way to ensure that the world avoids the worst effects of climate change. And he says that the problems caused by burning fossil fuels are so serious that governments might have to implement rationing against the will of the people.

When the chips are down I think democracy is a less important goal than is the protection of the planet from the death of life, the end of life on it," he says. "This has got to be imposed on people whether they like it or not."
Democracy, schemocracy--you peons are just wrong! Do what you're told, put out your cigarettes, buckle your seat belts and pay your taxes! We super-smart people will run the world.

Why look at what a terrific job we've done with the public school....er, United Natio...er ... never mind! We're right and you're wrong!

The Globe-Democrat's Choice For President?

How much water can one newspaper carry? The Boston Globe-Democrat is conducting a journalistic science-fair project to find out.

That the house organ for the Massachusetts Democratic Party has endorsed two anti-tax-cut, pro-illegal-immigration, anti-free-speech liberals (Barack Obama and John McCain) is hardly a shock. It ain't called the "Globe-Democrat" for nuthin'.

But endorsing Obama is a new level of shameless selling out, even for the establishment boot-lickers of Morrissey Blvd.

The real endorsement didn't go to Sen. Obama or Mrs. Clinton. It went to Gov. Deval Patrick.

First, let's get this obvious truth out of the way: Barack FREAKIN' Obama? Are you out of your tiny little liberal minds?

What has Barack Obama ever done that shows he's ready to run a car dealership or Subway franchise--much less serve as president?

He's never been an executive of, well, anything. He's never created a job, he's never run a business, he's never won a significant courtroom victory or achieved a single private-sector accomplishment of note.

As a political leader, his record is nonexistent. His federal political experience began in 2005--more than three years AFTER 9/11. When Osama bin Laden was plotting his attack, Barack Obama was fighting over pothole filling in his home district in Illinois.

Barack Obama is also the proud member of a fringe religious group that advocates "blackness" and urges a rejection of middle-class values because they're too white.

Here's a hint to the supergeniuses at the Globe-Democrat: Anytime you're endorsing a man to become the next Leader of the Free World and you have to list his time as an elementary school student in Indonesia as part of his foreign policy resume--you need to put down the bong and think again.

Believe it or not, the following is a direct quote from a (theoretically) major American newspaper choosing a US president:

"he is the biracial son of a father from Kenya and a mother who had him at 18; that he was raised in the dynamic, multi-ethnic cultures of Hawaii and Indonesia.... his exposure to foreign lands as a child and his own complex racial identity have made him at ease with diversity."

These are all fascinating observations about an interesting and intelligent man. But what the heck do they have to do with being PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

The fact that the BG-D had space in their 700 editorial to chat about Sen. Obama's childhood is telling. If you gave me just 700 words to explain why Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani was my choice for president--or Sens. Biden or Dodd, for that matter--I'd be hard-pressed to get it all in. They have each done so much, and they have clear proposals for what they want to do as president.

Everything you need to know about Sen. Obama's political achievements is that the Boston Globe-Democrat had to pad their endorsement to fill the page. The only other major candidate with such a thin resume? Hillary Clinton--the Globe-Democrat's second choice.

Which brings to the money question: Why?

No discussion of any endorsement of Barack Obama is honest unless it mentions race. I put the same challenge to the Globe-Democrat that I put to Gov. Patrick: If a man with the same (nonexistent) resume were running on the same (vague) ideology--but was an Irishman named Bill O'Bannion, not Barack Obama--would the Globe-Democrat headline read "O'Bannion for President?"

Of course not.

Interestingly, in 2006 the Globe-Democrat endorsed another completely inexperienced--and as we're discovering here in Massachusetts, incapable--candidate for governor, Deval Patrick. I gave them the same test: "David Patrick, Irishman from Southie?" Same result.

And now Deval Patrick's in a tough spot here in Massachusetts. He's spent more time defending his choice of cars and drapes than debating meaningful issues. Despite having a legislature that is 94% controlled by Democrats, he's done nothing. He doesn't have a single significant accomplishment after a year as governor, and he's currently losing momentum, not gaining.

Now comes a surging Barack Obama. Deval Patrick's early bet on Obama may pay off. If he does well in New Hampshire, Deval Patrick--right next door in Massachusetts--will look like a playmaker to the rest of the nation.

No one outside New England will remember who the Globe-Democrat endorsed six months from now. But Gov. Patrick certainly will. No doubt those cocktail chats with his fellow limousine liberals on Morrissey Blvd encouraging them to back Barack were taken into account.

With three unimpressive Democratic candidates leading the pack, it appears that the Globe-Democrat put up whatever shreds of credibility it has left to back Deval Patrick's bet.

Will it work? Normally I would say "it can't hurt," but the Globe-Democrat's "but he's really diverse!" endorsement is so shallow and poorly reasoned it undermines their candidate. Fortunately for Sen. Obama, almost nobody reads the Globe-Democrat anymore. They'll see the headline on Drudge or hear about it on my radio station. Some voters will wonder "what is it the editorial writers know about this apparently earnest but utterly inexperienced and naive young man that I don't?"

Nothing. That's why this endorsement is such a joke.

Your Government Foul-Up Fact Sheet

All of the following facts come from published media reports:

While dozens of vehicles spun out, no major accidents, deaths, or injuries were reported

Other than spinouts, neither state nor Boston police had any major accidents or bouts of snow rage to report.


"It's the turnpikes and expressways," Menino said at an afternoon press conference. "As one state official said to one of our commissioners, 'We didn't have the equipment to deal with this emergency.' "

City officials privately said last night that they were unhappy with both the state's plowing and sanding and the absence of State Police at several key designated city intersections.
State Police Lieutenant Barry O'Brien said officials became aware of the mayor's concerns shortly before 9 p.m.

Governor Deval Patrick sent state employees home before lunch and urged businesses to do the same. Menino asked department heads to send nonessential city employees home at 1 p.m.

"We were fully prepared," said Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky of the Massachusetts [State] Highway Department. "People were leaving at the time the storm was peaking. The state sent people home. . . . It was a challenge for all of us."

“I can’t tell you what happened,” Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency spokesman Peter Judge said last night. “People are going to have to examine this. We’ve been planning for this all week. There were no surprises. It’s not like it snuck up on us. From our standpoint, it was textbook preparation.”

Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Gov. Deval Patrick had both urged employers to let some workers leave early yesterday, largely to avoid massive traffic tie-ups late in the afternoon.

the Boston and Newton public schools did not dismiss classes early.

Boston Big Wigs To Citizen Taxpayers: Road Disaster Is YOUR Fault!

Did you know that it's YOUR job to make sure Massachusetts roads are passable during a snowstorm--even a modest snowfall of 6-10"?



Did you know you caused the unplowed streets, those unsanded on-ramps and inclines? Did you know that you were responsible for the traffic jam caused when you left work early--like Gov. Patrick asked you to?


Yep, welcome to Boston: Where the government is always right--and the citizens are always screwed.


Like thousands of my listeners, I was stuck last night on Boston's unpassable, unplowed, police-free streets. In two and a half hours, I made it one mile away from the radio station and then back again. I never made it home.



It could have been worse. I could have followed the example of the state government, who sent its employees home at lunchtime. I could have done what Mayor Menino suggested when he sent city workers home about an hour later.



If I had, I could have (like many of you) spent up to 8 hours sitting in clogged roads, wondering "what the hell is going on?"



What kind of morons send their own state employees onto I-93 and the Mass Pike, but doesn't prepare those roads for the traffic first? What dope sends city employees onto city streets that aren't ready for the crowds?



Hey, Deval--It's YOUR freakin' road! Where were you last night, anyway? Christmas party (oooops--better make that a "Holiday" party for our good liberal governor) in the Berkshires?
That's where the Mayor was: a CHRISTMAS party in the middle of a "snow emergency!"

I'm sorry, but snow in Boston is not an emergency. Not 10", anyway. In one afternoon of utter government incompetence, Massachusetts looked like Mississippi--a bunch of clueless amateurs who'd never seen a snowflake before. And--Thanks, Governor--our embarrassing incompetence is once again national news.

And we citizens are the bad guys?

Our fine "public servants" tells us the storm is hitting at 2pm. They tell us to head home early if we can. They tell us to trust them, they've (as Boston Transportation Commissioner Timlin put it) "done everything we possibly can. Everything."

So we, the taxpaying suckers that we are, listen to them--and end up in the worst, most stupid, most unnecessary driving disaster in 20 years. And what do the fine "public servants" tell us then?



"It's YOUR fault! Why did you people leave early? We weren't ready! We weren't expecting it! There was no place to put you! You screwed up!"



Great.



Actually, the government stooges and their media bootlickers are right. This was the "Flounder Principle" at work. Remember him from the movie "Animal House?"



"Hey, you f---ed up. You trusted us."



Now THAT'S the Natural Truth.

Citizens Speak Out!

Obviously I'm taking your calls from 9am-noon today on the Government Gridlock Goof-Up, but the emails are already pouring in (michaelgraham@969wtkk.com ):

I am a nurse and spent 5 hrs getting to work last night. It was the worst trip into the city in any weather I have made in more than 15 yrs of my nursing career. I listened to you most of the way in. You kept me laughing and sane... I really resented the way the DOT rep made it out to be our fault we were stuck. Many of the folks on the roads ARE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL...I had no choice in coming.. My shift needs to be filled and I left very early, and was still late. Anyway enough crabbing, thanks for the laughs and keep giving the "politicians" heck! – Karie

Michael, there are approximately. 20 children still stuck at a daycare center in Canton because there are tractor trailers stranded on 138 and no one is doing a damn thing. My husband sat in 4 hours of traffic to go 3 miles to pick our 18 month old daughter up tonight. The children are eating frozen pancakes while three teachers try to take care of them. WHERE THE HELL ARE THE POLICE??? Canton police laugh when you call and ask for an update. -- Gretchen

HI Michael: I’m so glad you got stuck in that crap last night. All I could think of the whole 5 hours I was in it trying to get home from Charlestown to Jamaica Plain was "how the hell are we going to get Deval Patrick out of office". This guy is an incompetent ass. I don’t think most people remember but the same thing happened just shortly after he took over at the beginning of the year. I think most people have forgotten about that but I haven’t, because I work in the traffic as a courier. Now that I know your involved maybe we can get some answers. Anything you need me to do to get the asses out of office, I will gladly help.. Please don’t let them off the hook for that [stuff]! Last night endangered lives. Cars abandoned everywhere, school busses with school children stuck in the snow, spinning their wheels. For what I ask? A few inches of snow? It has never been like that the entire 17 years I have been here and I have seen it allot more snow than that. I also know it never happened when Romney was here. People need to be fired and removed from Please get them Michael. I will be listening.– Paul.

Hi Michael, My 13 year old daughter goes to Boston Latin School, and lives in Jamaica Plain (distance of about 3 miles). Boston public schools did not let out early today, so when the kids were released at 2:15 pm, the city busses that usually transport them to JP just weren't moving. My daughter, with a group of friends, walked the entire 3 mile distance in the storm and it took about 2 hours! It was very dangerous for them to walk in the storm, but I don't see how they had a choice. We just received a call from three of her friends who chose not to walk to JP, and they are still on the city bus in Boston proper! It was ridiculous for the Boston Public School system not to either shorten the day or to cancel school altogether. By not doing so, children were endangered. Also, two more points: 1. The transportation commissioner did not provide any valuable information regarding why the traffic conditions are so incredibly horrible, except to blame the state police and state transportation authorities. How lame! 2. I live at the end of a dead end street in Jamaica Plain and, strangely enough, the plow has been here three times since already! I'd gladly send him into the city if I could. Best of luck!---Erin

With debacles like the Big Dig, and Lite-Brites on bridges,
Is it any surprise that Boston is not the most organized city? Even
when there has been prior knowledge? Heaven forbid Boston gets
attacked. We'd be so screwed.—Rama.


Michael, I heard you Thursday evening talking about the traffic gridlock. I left my house in Ashland around 12:30 p.m. to go to work in Boston (Brigham and Women's Hospital). I arrived at 9:30 p.m., a mere 9 hours later! I never saw one truck out sanding or salting and only 2 plows the whole way into Boston. What I did see were a lot of stupid people out trying to drive. I was exhausted by the time I arrived at work. It's a good thing you didn't try to drive home. I wonder if and when Jim Braude made it home. – Sherry


So where were the cops! Drove from Youville Hospital in Cambridge to pick up my wife at Childrens, left at 1:30, after two hours had her walk over and meet me at Brookline Ave, turned around to head back to Cambridge, didn't get back until 6:30 (about 7 miles usually about 40 minutes at peak). Entire way no cops directing traffic. At Commonwealth my wife got out to direct traffic so we could cross! Main issue for us was gridlocking. Where was the planning? – Bruce

You Go, Girl!

There is a smart, savvy and successful black American on the 2008 campaign trail, a leader who is clearly qualified to be the next president.

And her name is Oprah Winfrey.

So begins my column in the Boston Herald today. If you think it's an endorsement of President Oprah, please: keep reading.

What Are They Hiding At The Boston Globe-Democrat?

Earlier today I posted an article mocking the AP's use of the phrase "illegal citizen" (whatever the heck that means) for "illegal immigrant." Soon after I got an email from a listener saying they read the line in the Boston Globe-Democrat today. I re-read the story and didn't see it.

So she scanned her morning paper and, sure enough, there it is on the front page. Some editor at the Globe-Democrat must have seen the "illegal citizen" idiocy in the early editions and killed it.

So what does this say about the reporter, Michael Levenson, and the editor who directly oversees his work--other than a)they're lousy writers; b) they have a political agenda; or c) both?

I'd love to see how the Boston Globe-Democrat ombudsman handles this one...

What Part Of "Citizen" Don't They Understand

From the AP's coverage of the last Democratic debate in Iowa comes this gem:

The discussion of immigration was in sharp contrast to the Republican debate last week in which the GOP candidates tried to outmaneuver each other on who would be tougher on illegal immigrants. The Democratic candidates said they were not willing to encourage Americans to arrest illegal citizens.

Huh?

What the heck does THAT mean? "Illegal citizens?" I can honestly say that phrase means absolutely nothing. Do they mean "Americans citizens engaged in illegal activity" or "people who have obtainted citizenship through some fraudulent or other illegal means?"

Is the AP trying to say--or rather, trying NOT to say--"illegal immigrant?" Why is it so hard to just use the accurate, indisputable, opinion-neutral phrase?

In their efforts to avoid giving offense to immigration crimina...er "uninvited entrants," the AP is giving far more offense to users of the English language.

Forget Mitt

Everything you need to know about Mormonism, you'll learn from Stan, Kenny and Cartman.

Romney's "Speech": A Preview

Excerpts Of Governor Romney's Remarks (As Prepared For Delivery):

"There are some who may feel that religion is not a matter to be seriously considered in the context of the weighty threats that face us. If so, they are at odds with the nation's founders, for they, when our nation faced its greatest peril, sought the blessings of the Creator. And further, they discovered the essential connection between the survival of a free land and the protection of religious freedom. In John Adam's words: 'We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion... Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people.'

"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone."

…

"When I place my hand on the Bible and take the oath of office, that oath becomes my highest promise to God. If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest. A President must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States."

…

"There are some who would have a presidential candidate describe and explain his church's distinctive doctrines. To do so would enable the very religious test the founders prohibited in the constitution. No candidate should become the spokesman for his faith. For if he becomes President he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths."

…

"It is important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions. And where the affairs of our nation are concerned, it's usually a sound rule to focus on the latter – on the great moral principles that urge us all on a common course. Whether it was the cause of abolition, or civil rights, or the right to life itself, no movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people.

"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America – the religion of secularism. They are wrong.

"The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square. We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust.

"We should acknowledge the Creator as did the founders – in ceremony and word. He should remain on our currency, in our pledge, in the teaching of our history, and during the holiday season, nativity scenes and menorahs should be welcome in our public places. Our greatness would not long endure without judges who respect the foundation of faith upon which our constitution rests. I will take care to separate the affairs of government from any religion, but I will not separate us from 'the God who gave us liberty.'"

…

"These American values, this great moral heritage, is shared and lived in my religion as it is in yours. I was taught in my home to honor God and love my neighbor. I saw my father march with Martin Luther King. I saw my parents provide compassionate care to others, in personal ways to people nearby, and in just as consequential ways in leading national volunteer movements."

…

"My faith is grounded on these truths. You can witness them in Ann and my marriage and in our family. We are a long way from perfect and we have surely stumbled along the way, but our aspirations, our values, are the self -same as those from the other faiths that stand upon this common foundation. And these convictions will indeed inform my presidency."

...

"The diversity of our cultural expression, and the vibrancy of our religious dialogue, has kept America in the forefront of civilized nations even as others regard religious freedom as something to be destroyed.

"In such a world, we can be deeply thankful that we live in a land where reason and religion are friends and allies in the cause of liberty, joined against the evils and dangers of the day. And you can be certain of this: Any believer in religious freedom, any person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty, has a friend and ally in me. And so it is for hundreds of millions of our countrymen: we do not insist on a single strain of religion - rather, we welcome our nation's symphony of faith."

Attention Arborists! Leominster Needs You!

What kind of tree is this, anyway? Is it a "holiday" tree, a "giving" tree or a "winter" tree? Maybe it's one of those infamous "secular trees" put up by terrified municipal officials in Kensington, MD a few years ago around (but not on!) December 25th.

Who knows? One thing is certain, however: It's not a "you-know-what" tree! No! Absolutely not! Don't believe me? Just ask "you-know-who" when he comes down your chimney you-know-when.

Racial Profiling At the Boston Globe-Democrat

Nobody is having more fun watching Mitt Romney get slowly roasted over the "illegal immigration" fire then yours truly. No other issue more clearly highlights Romney's fundamental problem as a candidate ("Tell me what I have to say to win, and I'll say it") than this one.

I will be mocking Mitt mercilessly on the show today because he deserves it. This is classic "Fool me once" political stupidity, and it raises a legitimate question about how smart Team Romney really is.

But while I have absolutely no problem with the message, I have a major problem with the messenger. Let's see if I have the story straight:

Late last year, some Boston Globe-Democrat reporters saw a group of swarthy-looking men with foreign accents raking Mitt's lawn. Operating on the assumption that "swarthy-looking + accent = immigration criminal," reporters from the BG-D began a background check on these poor, innocent workers struggling to pay the bills in a bigoted, mean-spirited country called America. The reporters' race-based assumptions proved to be true. The workers were here illegally, and the Boston Globe-Democrat got them all fired by going public with the information.

When more swarthy, accent-wielding workers were spotted at Casa del Romney, the BG-D sent reporters to stake out the governor's home. For two months, reporters hung out at the "sanctuary mansion," spying on Hispanic people. Eventually they sprung their trap, and the results are on the front page of today's Boston Globe-Democrat.

Another front-page story, another headache for Mitt Romney, all because...the Boston Globe Democrat believes in racial profiling. Attention Massachusetts law enforcement! Please take note MassPort! The editors and owners of the Boston Globe-Democrat want you to know that racial profiling works!

Gutless weasels from the Boston Globe-Democrat will never admit it, but if the guys raking leaves at the Romney place had been blond and blue eyed, these reporters never would have asked their immigration status. BG-D defenders who refuse to acknowledge this blatant racism ignore the fact that nobody has asked the immigration status of, say, Romney's CPA, or family attorney, or the computer tech who comes to his house, or the mailman (person?), or a host of others employed by Mitt Romney.

Nope. The only background checks run by the Boston Globe-Democrat are on Mitt's yard workers. The "little brown ones," as a certain former president put it.

And yet, the BG-D continues to editorialize against racial profiling at airports or by law enforcement. The same editors who think it's OK to send out reporters to ask questions about people's immigration status also think it's racism when police officers do it. Catching criminals is bad, according to Rene Loth and Martin Baron, but catching Romney's household help is good.

One last note: I've noticed that quite a few of the folks I see delivering papers for the Boston Globe-Democrat are swarthy, too. It's not uncommon for them to have last names similar to those of Romney's landscapers. Some BG-D delivery guys and truck drivers have accents, too.

When will the Boston Globe-Democrat do a story on the immigration status of their drivers/paper deliverers? And when I go around with a tape recorder and start interviewing some of these folks, will the BG-D praise my enterprising journalistic spirit? Or will they denounce me as a racist for even asking the question.

You know the answer to that one.

Cadillac Patrick Rides Again!

First it was the taxpayer-funded DTS (Deval Transportation System).

Then came the $12,000 drapes.

Now Deval Patrick--the Cadillac of Governors--is sticking taxpayers with an additional $1.1 million in office payroll--33% higher than when he took office.

When Cadillac Pat was sworn in, only three employees in the governor's office earned six-figure salaries. Now it's 11. Not to mention the extra $450k a year increase in the governor's DC (as in Washington, DC) office budget.

Meanwhile, the state is $1.3 billion in the hole, tolls are going up again, roads and bridges are crumbling and there's no sign of Gov. Patrick's promised tax relief.

But who cares? We didn't elect Deval Patrick because of his vast political experience (none) or track record as a business leader (what business?). No, we elected him because....Together, We Can!

And now--We Are!

Are what? Who knows. You'll have to ask Gov. Patrick that question.

Another "Racist" Speaks Out Against Illegal Immigration

Sara Wright is a bigot. I know she is, because she supports enforcing immigration laws in the US. Just ask the folks at La Raza, or members of the Hispanic Caucus in the US Congress.

Ms. Wright also supports treating legal immigrants differently from illegal ones. And listen to what she said earlier this week about illegal immigrants:

"A lot of really bad people come from Mexico and commit crimes. People are coming in and having two, three, four babies and going on welfare. Some are making money here and spending it back in Mexico. That’s not right. They should go back to Mexico and get a permit.”

So, who is the xenophobic nativist promoting the White Power agenda?

Sara Wright is a 49 year old seamstress...from Mexico. She was just sworn in as a US citizen last week. She's also leaning Republican in the upcoming elections because of the issue of illegal immigration.

I'd love for the folks at LULAC or the other race-based pro-illegal-immigration organizations to explain to me how this woman from Mexico is bigoted against Mexicans. Hypnotized by Halliburton, perhaps?

Or could it possibly be the case that there are rational arguments in support of securing our borders and enforcing US law?

Naahhhh...that can't be it.