Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats have been making a case against House Minority Leader Tom Delay over his congressional travel and whether or not there were any ethics violations involved in accepting travel from lobbyists. In an article that should been titled "people in glass houses" the Associated Press reported over the weekendhttp://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DELAY_CONGRESSIONAL_TRAVEL?SITE=7219&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-05-31-11-05-46
that 43 members of the house had failed to meet ethics requirements for reporting privately sponsored travel. The scandal here is not whether or not there was late reporting of these trips but why they are allowed at all.
Call it what you will, fact finding trips, speaking tours, constituent service etc., the sole purpose of these gifts is to buy face time with members of congress and have a lengthy opportunity to spend intimate time with decision makers . Corporations, think tanks, foundations, universities and others who engage in this practice are all agenda driven insiders who know that the way to a congressman or women's heart is through their beach or golf bag.
The simple fact of the matter is that these perks are provided with the implicit guarantee that the recipient of the gift will respond with a friendly reception to a conversation regarding the position of the donor. This is the primary example beyond campaign donations of the influence that money has in governing. Do you think you or I or any other constituent could get four or five hours of uninterrupted time with our senate or house representative to discuss issues close to our hearts or pocketbooks? I am sure you could if you could provide two first class plane tickets to California and a foursome at Pebble Beach. There is an old adage in golf that he who pays for the foursome gets to choose who he rides in the cart with.
Gifts like these should not be an issue of ethics but an issue of law. Members of congress should be prevented by law from accepting travel or any other gifts from special interest groups of any kind. If the job of a representative or senator requires travel for fact finding then let the government pay for it and account for it. In the end it would be much cheaper for the tax payer.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Hillary and McCain?
The filibuster deal brokered by Republican Senator John McCain is a gift to the Democrats about equal to the US giving the French a security council seat at the UN. McCain's gift however is much less damaging to the country's interests than that one was. The central question remains why? If the Republicans had remained unified the rules would have been changed and the filibustering of appeals court judges would have come to an end. Did that mean that objectionable judges from the extreme wings of either party were going to appointed now or in a Democratic administration? No, because the same thing would happen in the appointment process that happened in the filibuster deal. Centrist elements in both parties would break ranks and vote against the more objectionable, controversial or just plain bad appointments.
The whole controversy played out over to long a period of time and ultimately will result in President Bush getting three of his choices to the bench appointed with little problem and it most certainly will result in John Bolton getting the nod to become U.S. Ambassador to the UN. Minority leader Senator Harry Reid gets a win because he keeps what little power the Democrats have in the senate to bargain over a supreme court nominee.
The collegial fourteen were all smiles and chatty about the win for the senate and the American people but in reality it was probably more about national presidential ambitions than it was about anything else. The senate majority leader Bill Frist took on this mantle of confrontation to win the affection of the more conservative elements of his party. If Frist hopes to win the primaries for the 2008 race then this is a group he must ingratiate himself with. Promising that he had the votes and then having the rug pulled out from under him at the last minute by McCain does not make Frist look like he can count never mind run the country.
This conservative wing of the party is a group McCain has no use for because they don't like or trust him and he can blame them for his failed presidential ambitions in the past. With the road to the nomination likely to be decided by this part of the Republican Party then why would McCain go out of his way to rub their nose in defeat over an issue that had been deemed so important? Was it conscience or a sense of duty to the senate or the protection of minority rights? Some how I doubt it. More likely McCain recognized an opportunity to get mucho national media face time and gain the reputation as the great healer and centrist deal maker. He most likely will be making the rounds on the national media programs this weekend with the mainstream media bigwigs fawning all over him. Maintaining that kind of reputation going forward should not be all that difficult. He has himself firmly planted in the national steroid scandal and certainly a supreme court nominee would again give him an opportunity to infuriate the conservatives. How could this political capital be leveraged in his quest for national office?
For a man with stated presidential ambitions but getting a bit long in the tooth (69 this August) perhaps the second position might not look that bad to him. If he is not likely to get the VP nod in the Republican Party then perhaps the same type of deal that was allegedly offered by John Kerry might now be offered by Hillary Clinton if she were to get the Democratic nomination. McCain offers a variety of things not found in Hillary or the Democrats in general. A solid block of moderate Republican (20% in a Marist poll) support, a resume that could offset Hillary's complete lack of military credentials and a perfect geographic fit. Couple that with an increasing national leadership image and perhaps a national unity ticket of Clinton and McCain is not all that preposterous.
The whole controversy played out over to long a period of time and ultimately will result in President Bush getting three of his choices to the bench appointed with little problem and it most certainly will result in John Bolton getting the nod to become U.S. Ambassador to the UN. Minority leader Senator Harry Reid gets a win because he keeps what little power the Democrats have in the senate to bargain over a supreme court nominee.
The collegial fourteen were all smiles and chatty about the win for the senate and the American people but in reality it was probably more about national presidential ambitions than it was about anything else. The senate majority leader Bill Frist took on this mantle of confrontation to win the affection of the more conservative elements of his party. If Frist hopes to win the primaries for the 2008 race then this is a group he must ingratiate himself with. Promising that he had the votes and then having the rug pulled out from under him at the last minute by McCain does not make Frist look like he can count never mind run the country.
This conservative wing of the party is a group McCain has no use for because they don't like or trust him and he can blame them for his failed presidential ambitions in the past. With the road to the nomination likely to be decided by this part of the Republican Party then why would McCain go out of his way to rub their nose in defeat over an issue that had been deemed so important? Was it conscience or a sense of duty to the senate or the protection of minority rights? Some how I doubt it. More likely McCain recognized an opportunity to get mucho national media face time and gain the reputation as the great healer and centrist deal maker. He most likely will be making the rounds on the national media programs this weekend with the mainstream media bigwigs fawning all over him. Maintaining that kind of reputation going forward should not be all that difficult. He has himself firmly planted in the national steroid scandal and certainly a supreme court nominee would again give him an opportunity to infuriate the conservatives. How could this political capital be leveraged in his quest for national office?
For a man with stated presidential ambitions but getting a bit long in the tooth (69 this August) perhaps the second position might not look that bad to him. If he is not likely to get the VP nod in the Republican Party then perhaps the same type of deal that was allegedly offered by John Kerry might now be offered by Hillary Clinton if she were to get the Democratic nomination. McCain offers a variety of things not found in Hillary or the Democrats in general. A solid block of moderate Republican (20% in a Marist poll) support, a resume that could offset Hillary's complete lack of military credentials and a perfect geographic fit. Couple that with an increasing national leadership image and perhaps a national unity ticket of Clinton and McCain is not all that preposterous.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Thinking of Harold
It is hard to believe but this weekend marks the first anniversary since the tragic accident that took the life of Harold Dulong. Within the business and political community there is still a sense of disbelief and a palpable sense of deep personal loss at the thought of his passing. Many people have communicated the same thought when talking about Harold; “when my phone rings I sometimes expect he will be at the other end”.
Harold was gifted in human relations. He had a knack for making people feel special by a note or a call about a book or just a simple vibrant conversation. He had a unique ability to see to the heart of an individual problem and when it was identified his counsel was always consistent. “Life is short, let go of petty differences, clearly identify what needs to be done and take action”.
Our individual memories will hold the untold number of stories of Harold extending help to many members of the community. There was never a problem to big or to small for Harold. If it were a job, or a reference, legal, medical or marital problem his knowledge and experience were only a phone call away. For the people who were helped by Harold that part of history should rightly be held private. We can however review some examples of how he contributed greatly to the public history of the town
During the course of a 30-year career in Burlington, Harold’s professional accomplishments were numerous. The majority of important development brought forward during that period was represented by Harold and his co-workers at Riemer and Braunstein.
There were however three development projects which stand above all the rest in terms of historical and economic importance as well as technical complexity and extraordinary circumstances. The Trammell Crow, American Landmarks and Sun Microsystems projects will stand as testaments to his skill for many years to come. Each of these development projects was unique in the hurdles, which were presented and ultimately overcome.
Early in the 1980’s Harold was representing American Landmark Partners who had acquired the High Voltage site. The site, which lay at the top of the rise on Route 128 Northbound, was significant because of its early contribution to Burlington’s transition from a farming community to its present status as an engine of the Massachusetts economy. Shortly after gaining approval for its redevelopment, American Landmark had negotiated a sale of one parcel for then what was the largest per acre sale price in the town’s history.
However, on the brink of the closing of the deal disaster struck when it was learned that the parcel had significant contamination as a result of High Voltages industrial processes. This began a near 7-year court battle with the former owners over the clean up. Harold was in the forefront guiding the process through to its final conclusion with a clean up plan in place and the ultimate development by Genuity and Oracle, restoring the property to its former prominence in the town.
In 1986 Trammell Crow, the largest developer in the country at that time proposed a 1 million square foot development on the former site of Spray Engineering on Route 3A. The Burlington Planning Board rejected the project, which the developer subsequently over turned in an appellate court decision. This resulted in the potential for a long-term bitter conflict over the ultimate use of the site.
Rather than waste resources Harold embarked on a negotiation strategy. Working in conjunction with the leadership of the town, Harold proposed a unique solution to the problem. The solution was a new and creative planning tool called the Planned Development district, which for the first time in Burlington allowed for a mixed use in a development project. Over the next year and a half the parties worked to formulate a proposal accepted by town meeting which resulted in the over all project being reduced to 635,000 square which included office space, parking garage, small retail component and 75 condominium units of which 10% were to be made available as affordable. That commitment ultimately resulted in the town’s ability to acquire the military housing on South Bedford Street.
In what may be Harold’s crowning achievement in the town’s development history, he spearheaded the redevelopment of the RCA/GE/Lockheed Martin site. Again, this site was a most prominent site from a historical standpoint as it was the second major site in the town’s industrialization of the early fifties. Like the High Voltage site it also was enormously important to the property tax base and was beset with environmental problems.
Having stood fallow for several years Harold had been involved in several early stage inquiries as to what the town might view favorably being located there. Armed with the towns wish list of a campus style corporate headquarters, Harold soon brought forward a proposal by Sun Microsystems to locate an East coast corporate headquarters. The proposal was both grand in its development but also grand in its contribution to the town. Included was a $6 million dollar package of technology contributions to the towns school system as well as several million dollars of off site improvements, which substantially improved the roadways in the northern corner of the town.
Each time we drive by these examples they will stand as monuments to the professional talents of Harold Dulong as well as a reminder to many of us as to how much we miss him.
Harold was gifted in human relations. He had a knack for making people feel special by a note or a call about a book or just a simple vibrant conversation. He had a unique ability to see to the heart of an individual problem and when it was identified his counsel was always consistent. “Life is short, let go of petty differences, clearly identify what needs to be done and take action”.
Our individual memories will hold the untold number of stories of Harold extending help to many members of the community. There was never a problem to big or to small for Harold. If it were a job, or a reference, legal, medical or marital problem his knowledge and experience were only a phone call away. For the people who were helped by Harold that part of history should rightly be held private. We can however review some examples of how he contributed greatly to the public history of the town
During the course of a 30-year career in Burlington, Harold’s professional accomplishments were numerous. The majority of important development brought forward during that period was represented by Harold and his co-workers at Riemer and Braunstein.
There were however three development projects which stand above all the rest in terms of historical and economic importance as well as technical complexity and extraordinary circumstances. The Trammell Crow, American Landmarks and Sun Microsystems projects will stand as testaments to his skill for many years to come. Each of these development projects was unique in the hurdles, which were presented and ultimately overcome.
Early in the 1980’s Harold was representing American Landmark Partners who had acquired the High Voltage site. The site, which lay at the top of the rise on Route 128 Northbound, was significant because of its early contribution to Burlington’s transition from a farming community to its present status as an engine of the Massachusetts economy. Shortly after gaining approval for its redevelopment, American Landmark had negotiated a sale of one parcel for then what was the largest per acre sale price in the town’s history.
However, on the brink of the closing of the deal disaster struck when it was learned that the parcel had significant contamination as a result of High Voltages industrial processes. This began a near 7-year court battle with the former owners over the clean up. Harold was in the forefront guiding the process through to its final conclusion with a clean up plan in place and the ultimate development by Genuity and Oracle, restoring the property to its former prominence in the town.
In 1986 Trammell Crow, the largest developer in the country at that time proposed a 1 million square foot development on the former site of Spray Engineering on Route 3A. The Burlington Planning Board rejected the project, which the developer subsequently over turned in an appellate court decision. This resulted in the potential for a long-term bitter conflict over the ultimate use of the site.
Rather than waste resources Harold embarked on a negotiation strategy. Working in conjunction with the leadership of the town, Harold proposed a unique solution to the problem. The solution was a new and creative planning tool called the Planned Development district, which for the first time in Burlington allowed for a mixed use in a development project. Over the next year and a half the parties worked to formulate a proposal accepted by town meeting which resulted in the over all project being reduced to 635,000 square which included office space, parking garage, small retail component and 75 condominium units of which 10% were to be made available as affordable. That commitment ultimately resulted in the town’s ability to acquire the military housing on South Bedford Street.
In what may be Harold’s crowning achievement in the town’s development history, he spearheaded the redevelopment of the RCA/GE/Lockheed Martin site. Again, this site was a most prominent site from a historical standpoint as it was the second major site in the town’s industrialization of the early fifties. Like the High Voltage site it also was enormously important to the property tax base and was beset with environmental problems.
Having stood fallow for several years Harold had been involved in several early stage inquiries as to what the town might view favorably being located there. Armed with the towns wish list of a campus style corporate headquarters, Harold soon brought forward a proposal by Sun Microsystems to locate an East coast corporate headquarters. The proposal was both grand in its development but also grand in its contribution to the town. Included was a $6 million dollar package of technology contributions to the towns school system as well as several million dollars of off site improvements, which substantially improved the roadways in the northern corner of the town.
Each time we drive by these examples they will stand as monuments to the professional talents of Harold Dulong as well as a reminder to many of us as to how much we miss him.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Is Howard Dean a mistake?
This map http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/2004_County_Results_Final.html illustrates quite clearly the problems the Democratic Party faces in national elections. Using the now standard red/blue descriptions of the parties, the 2000 and 2004 maps show a sea of red with pockets of blue. It would seem to the most inexperienced political observer that in order for the Democrats to stem the bleeding of their national influence, substantial in roads have to be made with the middle of the road swing voters in some important red states.
The man chosen to lead the Democrats in this effort is former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. Dean as you know made a name for himself in the primaries with a decent run which featured an enormous grass roots internet led fund raising campaign, a left of center anti Iraqi war position ( not quite as left as Dennis Kucinich) and a screaming oratorical melt down which pretty much ended his chances and opened the door wide for John Kerry.
Dean has just completed his first hundred days in the position and so far his performance has been underwhelming. First and foremost has been the disappointing results in what must be considered the primary role of any party chairman, fund raising. To date it has been reported that the national Republicans have doubled what the Dean led DNC has been able to produce. Certainly former chairman Terry McAuliffe was a tough act to follow in this aspect of the job but wasn't Dean supposed to bring new age methods of reaching out to the base as well as younger voters in raising money?
Dean has so far been a disaster in the outreach department. This past month he addressed the Massachusetts Democratic convention and next month he is going to address the progressive "Take back America event" which includes a list of other prominent left of center speakers. Is it likely that Dean is going to pick up any "uncommitted" voters in either of these two venues? Even more puzzling is Dean's endorsement of Vermont Congressman Bernard Sanders for a senate run to replace James Jeffords. Bernie is famous for two things, he is an independent (socialist) and he often berates Alan Greenspan when he appears before the house committee in Humphrey Hawkins testimony. Hell, you have to love Bernie just for that alone but again do you think Bernie is going to be drawing in any centrists to the Democrats?
Dean has also managed to make headlines recently with some rather incendiary comments regarding Texas Congressman Tom Delay. In widely reported quotes Dean says "Delay should do his jail time back in Texas". This raised some eyebrows when you consider that Delay has so far not been charged with anything. Dean had previously been quoted as saying that even "Osama Bin laden was innocent until proven guilty".
The bulk of the criticism of Delay includes travel junkets and payroll abuse which seem to be non partisan violations. Bernie Sanders for instance had over one hundred thousand dollars in payroll going to family members and if every member of congress were charged with hanging out with lobbyists and doing their bidding then you might as well issue a blanket indictment. Whether or not Delay is charged or guilty of anything is not the point. Why is it Howard Dean's battle to fight? If Delay is brought down it will be without any help from Dean. If he survives, Dean's comments will be made to look all the more foolish.
Dean might do well to take a page out of the book of his counter part Ken Mehlman. In this report from the Washington Times, Mehlman is in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, a blue state http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20050518-101030-3854r.htm raising money for a former Democrat now Republican, Otto Banks. Banks is an African American and the biggest vote getter on the Harrisburg city council. He is running for re-election and if elected would be the first Republican on the council in 20 years. If Dean continues reaching out to the Democrat's committed base and Mehlman is making Republican converts, then the 2006 and 2008 elections could prove that the selection of Howard Dean was an awful mistake.
The man chosen to lead the Democrats in this effort is former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. Dean as you know made a name for himself in the primaries with a decent run which featured an enormous grass roots internet led fund raising campaign, a left of center anti Iraqi war position ( not quite as left as Dennis Kucinich) and a screaming oratorical melt down which pretty much ended his chances and opened the door wide for John Kerry.
Dean has just completed his first hundred days in the position and so far his performance has been underwhelming. First and foremost has been the disappointing results in what must be considered the primary role of any party chairman, fund raising. To date it has been reported that the national Republicans have doubled what the Dean led DNC has been able to produce. Certainly former chairman Terry McAuliffe was a tough act to follow in this aspect of the job but wasn't Dean supposed to bring new age methods of reaching out to the base as well as younger voters in raising money?
Dean has so far been a disaster in the outreach department. This past month he addressed the Massachusetts Democratic convention and next month he is going to address the progressive "Take back America event" which includes a list of other prominent left of center speakers. Is it likely that Dean is going to pick up any "uncommitted" voters in either of these two venues? Even more puzzling is Dean's endorsement of Vermont Congressman Bernard Sanders for a senate run to replace James Jeffords. Bernie is famous for two things, he is an independent (socialist) and he often berates Alan Greenspan when he appears before the house committee in Humphrey Hawkins testimony. Hell, you have to love Bernie just for that alone but again do you think Bernie is going to be drawing in any centrists to the Democrats?
Dean has also managed to make headlines recently with some rather incendiary comments regarding Texas Congressman Tom Delay. In widely reported quotes Dean says "Delay should do his jail time back in Texas". This raised some eyebrows when you consider that Delay has so far not been charged with anything. Dean had previously been quoted as saying that even "Osama Bin laden was innocent until proven guilty".
The bulk of the criticism of Delay includes travel junkets and payroll abuse which seem to be non partisan violations. Bernie Sanders for instance had over one hundred thousand dollars in payroll going to family members and if every member of congress were charged with hanging out with lobbyists and doing their bidding then you might as well issue a blanket indictment. Whether or not Delay is charged or guilty of anything is not the point. Why is it Howard Dean's battle to fight? If Delay is brought down it will be without any help from Dean. If he survives, Dean's comments will be made to look all the more foolish.
Dean might do well to take a page out of the book of his counter part Ken Mehlman. In this report from the Washington Times, Mehlman is in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, a blue state http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20050518-101030-3854r.htm raising money for a former Democrat now Republican, Otto Banks. Banks is an African American and the biggest vote getter on the Harrisburg city council. He is running for re-election and if elected would be the first Republican on the council in 20 years. If Dean continues reaching out to the Democrat's committed base and Mehlman is making Republican converts, then the 2006 and 2008 elections could prove that the selection of Howard Dean was an awful mistake.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Celtic post mortem
It has taken me this long to post my year end Celtic review because it took this amount of time to arrive at a relative calm following the game seven melt down. We might as well get the negative stuff out of the way by simply saying this was a debacle in which the better team managed to lose the last three home games and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The Celtics were in order, deeper on the bench, more athletic, and healthier yet they lacked one key ingredient in crunch time and that was maturity. Pierce's game six ejection, the game seven technical fouls and the overall trash talking antics wear very thin when you get knocked out of the playoffs.
Despite the bitter disappointment of game seven there are still a lot of positives to be taken away from this season. Certainly we all were shocked that they managed to win the division. As shocking as that was, the emergence of Ricky Davis as an all around team player was even more so. Bearing a reputation as a showboat and a mal content before arriving here, he seemed to flourish in Coach River's system and played a fast paced athletic running game that was enjoyable to watch.
Other positive developments was the showing of the rookies, Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Tony Allen, Justin Reed and the continuing progress of second year men Kendrick Perkins and Marcus Banks. Danny Ainge was true to his word when he said he wanted to remake the team into something that could play traditional Celtic basketball. This group could form the nucleus of a contending club in years to come.
The question for Ainge is how and how soon does he make room for them to get more minutes per game next year. The point guard slot should be easy as West and Banks should split the minutes left by Gary Payton who probably should be moving on. Payton was a good soldier this year and contributed greatly but he was a veteran set in his ways and the decks have to be cleared for Rivers to coach the team without veteran resistance. Antoine Walker is another question mark. Although he has said all the right things about wanting to play here his contract is up and he will go with the money. Even though he contributed greatly down the stretch run for the playoffs in the end he settled into his old ways and was unable to carry the day in game seven. The club stood around trying to do things one on one while Indiana played like a team. With Walker moving on, the door will be left open for Jefferson to earn his stripes with 30 plus minutes a game in the power forward slot. Jefferson showed more than enough to warrant a big role for next year. Although not as polished as Walker now he certainly has more up side as a rebounder and as a potent force on the blocks. The team must have a strong go to post up man and Jefferson is the real thing down low.
The center spot looks set with Raef Lafrentz returning with an 11 million dollar contract that is impossible to unload. Raef had a decent year and with another year of healing from his knee surgery he should contribute at a higher level next year. Kendrick Perkins is more than a serviceable back up as a rebounder and defensive play maker. Mark Blount put in complete no show most of the year and should be unloaded as quickly as possible. Some one will see some hope of redemption in a seven footer who can run the floor. Why Blount refused to perform at a level we know he can is a complete mystery.
The real question mark is Paul Pierce. He is a player of renown which no one can doubt. His points and rebounds and assist totals rank him up near the top three in the league in total production. The knock on him from the average fans perspective is that he doesn't seem to get that fact that he is a better player in a system that Rivers and Ainge want to run. As a defender would you rather cover Pierce one on one while he tries to back you down or cover him out on the wing as he slashes to the basket? Ainge has said that Pierce is not on the block but given the fact that Ainge seems committed to Rivers and Pierce at times is uncoachable we may see Paul in another uniform if the right deal comes along.
All in all it was a Hell of a season for the green and there was a lot more excitement in the building than we have seen in quite a while. The faithful are actually excited about any off season developments and are eager to see how next season shapes up. Things are definitely looking up!
Despite the bitter disappointment of game seven there are still a lot of positives to be taken away from this season. Certainly we all were shocked that they managed to win the division. As shocking as that was, the emergence of Ricky Davis as an all around team player was even more so. Bearing a reputation as a showboat and a mal content before arriving here, he seemed to flourish in Coach River's system and played a fast paced athletic running game that was enjoyable to watch.
Other positive developments was the showing of the rookies, Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Tony Allen, Justin Reed and the continuing progress of second year men Kendrick Perkins and Marcus Banks. Danny Ainge was true to his word when he said he wanted to remake the team into something that could play traditional Celtic basketball. This group could form the nucleus of a contending club in years to come.
The question for Ainge is how and how soon does he make room for them to get more minutes per game next year. The point guard slot should be easy as West and Banks should split the minutes left by Gary Payton who probably should be moving on. Payton was a good soldier this year and contributed greatly but he was a veteran set in his ways and the decks have to be cleared for Rivers to coach the team without veteran resistance. Antoine Walker is another question mark. Although he has said all the right things about wanting to play here his contract is up and he will go with the money. Even though he contributed greatly down the stretch run for the playoffs in the end he settled into his old ways and was unable to carry the day in game seven. The club stood around trying to do things one on one while Indiana played like a team. With Walker moving on, the door will be left open for Jefferson to earn his stripes with 30 plus minutes a game in the power forward slot. Jefferson showed more than enough to warrant a big role for next year. Although not as polished as Walker now he certainly has more up side as a rebounder and as a potent force on the blocks. The team must have a strong go to post up man and Jefferson is the real thing down low.
The center spot looks set with Raef Lafrentz returning with an 11 million dollar contract that is impossible to unload. Raef had a decent year and with another year of healing from his knee surgery he should contribute at a higher level next year. Kendrick Perkins is more than a serviceable back up as a rebounder and defensive play maker. Mark Blount put in complete no show most of the year and should be unloaded as quickly as possible. Some one will see some hope of redemption in a seven footer who can run the floor. Why Blount refused to perform at a level we know he can is a complete mystery.
The real question mark is Paul Pierce. He is a player of renown which no one can doubt. His points and rebounds and assist totals rank him up near the top three in the league in total production. The knock on him from the average fans perspective is that he doesn't seem to get that fact that he is a better player in a system that Rivers and Ainge want to run. As a defender would you rather cover Pierce one on one while he tries to back you down or cover him out on the wing as he slashes to the basket? Ainge has said that Pierce is not on the block but given the fact that Ainge seems committed to Rivers and Pierce at times is uncoachable we may see Paul in another uniform if the right deal comes along.
All in all it was a Hell of a season for the green and there was a lot more excitement in the building than we have seen in quite a while. The faithful are actually excited about any off season developments and are eager to see how next season shapes up. Things are definitely looking up!
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Morons at Newsweek
We have often heard threats of the "Muslim Street" rising up and finding an issue which unifies all of Islam against us. Leave it to one of our own media outlets to find the one thing that has the potential for creating havoc through out the Islamic world. In this May 9th issue of Newsweekhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7693014/site/newsweek/ Michael Isikoff and John Barry find time to report that a Koran allegedly was flushed down the toilet in an attempt to rattle prisoners during interrogation. I say allegedly because as far as I know it is difficult to flush any book down a toilet. This story has little or no value in the United States but is likely to result in untold numbers of people being killed in the Muslim world and enormous damage to American prestige in the Muslim world.
It is amazing that the American press wants to continue to promote this and the Abu Graib stories with such intensity. There can be no denying that some prisoner abuse has taken place in both these locations and in due time it should all be examined in the way a democracy like ours takes care of such things. It should also be said that the American media no matter how anti Bush they might be still has an obligation to some how manage to keep these things in perspective. Perhaps when writing stories on naked prisoners on a leash and desecration of holy books they might also remind their readers of things like this http://massgraves.info/. It is interesting to note that this did not result in mass demonstrations in the streets of the Arab worlds nor apparently has the murder and pillage going on in Darfur.
It is amazing that the American press wants to continue to promote this and the Abu Graib stories with such intensity. There can be no denying that some prisoner abuse has taken place in both these locations and in due time it should all be examined in the way a democracy like ours takes care of such things. It should also be said that the American media no matter how anti Bush they might be still has an obligation to some how manage to keep these things in perspective. Perhaps when writing stories on naked prisoners on a leash and desecration of holy books they might also remind their readers of things like this http://massgraves.info/. It is interesting to note that this did not result in mass demonstrations in the streets of the Arab worlds nor apparently has the murder and pillage going on in Darfur.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
The Death Penalty
I have gone round and round on this subject from the moment I became a politically conscious human being. As many time as I have changed my mind I have changed it back again. When I got to middle age I was firmly ensconced in the pro death penalty camp because I rejected the notion that it was not a deterrent. It is absolutely a deterrent in this particular instance. If you execute a convicted killer then you have eliminated the chance that he will kill again therefore you have deterred him.
The Simpson trial had an effect on my thinking and moved me back towards an anti death penalty stance strictly from an economic standpoint. In this country you can get away with murder if you have enough money to afford a team of lawyers who will do or say anything in order to get you acquitted. Since this type of vigorous defense is unavailable to your average poor murderer I thought it unfair that we should kill the poor while acquitting or softening the sentences of the affluent.
My position changed even more dramatically with the advent of DNA testing. Suddenly people who were convicted without a “reasonable doubt” were being freed by a bunch of college students at the Cardozo School of Law in New York. In 2002 the InnocenceProject announced the 100th exoneration of convicted prisoners by DNA evidence.
The bureaucrats took notice of problems in the death penalty when Illinois Governor George Ryan took the unprecedented step of granting blanket clemency to all the death row inmates in Illinois. The essence of his argument is contained in this quote, “Our capital system is haunted by the demon of error – error in determining guilt, and error in determining whom among the guilty deserves to die. Because of all of these reasons today I am commuting the sentences of all death row inmates.” Granted this was done in the waning days of his administration but never the less it was a bold exhibition of conscience.
So that is where I have been on the subject for the past few years. Anti death penalty, until today when I read the details of the two little second graders murdered in Illinois. Convicted child killers should be put to death.
The Simpson trial had an effect on my thinking and moved me back towards an anti death penalty stance strictly from an economic standpoint. In this country you can get away with murder if you have enough money to afford a team of lawyers who will do or say anything in order to get you acquitted. Since this type of vigorous defense is unavailable to your average poor murderer I thought it unfair that we should kill the poor while acquitting or softening the sentences of the affluent.
My position changed even more dramatically with the advent of DNA testing. Suddenly people who were convicted without a “reasonable doubt” were being freed by a bunch of college students at the Cardozo School of Law in New York. In 2002 the InnocenceProject announced the 100th exoneration of convicted prisoners by DNA evidence.
The bureaucrats took notice of problems in the death penalty when Illinois Governor George Ryan took the unprecedented step of granting blanket clemency to all the death row inmates in Illinois. The essence of his argument is contained in this quote, “Our capital system is haunted by the demon of error – error in determining guilt, and error in determining whom among the guilty deserves to die. Because of all of these reasons today I am commuting the sentences of all death row inmates.” Granted this was done in the waning days of his administration but never the less it was a bold exhibition of conscience.
So that is where I have been on the subject for the past few years. Anti death penalty, until today when I read the details of the two little second graders murdered in Illinois. Convicted child killers should be put to death.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Forget it Mitt
"Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a recent secret Washington meeting with national political operatives signaled he probably will forego seeking re-election in 2006 in order to pursue the 2008 Republican presidential nomination." This quote comes from a piece written today in the Chicago Sun Times by Robert Novak posted here http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-5_7_05_RN.html Apparently Governor Romney feels it would be difficult to concentrate on a presidential run if he were spending money on getting re-elected governor of Massachusetts and then actually having to serve in the post.
Let me give you a little amateur political operative advice Governor, forget it. A recent Marist College poll found the Republican contenders for the 2008 nomination for president in this order, Rudy Giuliani 24%, Senator John McCain 20% and Governor Jeb Bush 10%. Our Governor Romney barely shows up on the radar screen.
Given the realities of Governor Romney's situation it would make a good deal more sense for him to make a much more realistic run at the vice presidential nomination. In that scenario he brings a lot more to a Republican ticket and it takes much less effort both physically and financially to accomplish. By waiting on the sidelines and perhaps siding with someone like McCain he could be a good campaign soldier and if McCain should win he would offer a nice geographic balance to the ticket. The other option would be to continue his national efforts to raise money for the party in general and wait out the primary process and see who is left standing.
Either of these two strategies works out much better if Governor Romney plays it out while still the governor of an overwhelmingly Democratic state. Most national nominations are of politicians who are actively serving in one arena or another that offers an opportunity to be in the lime light. If Romney doesn't run for re-election you can bet your life he will appear on the pages of the Boston Globe about as often Ray Flynn.
A Romney re-election as governor would serve a number of positives for the voters of Massachusetts as well. Having at least one nationally known Republican in state government along with Andy Card would give us some weight in Washington and at the white house. On the state level a Romney run would almost guarantee a continued balance between the competing branches of government and prevent and almost assured Democratic victory if Romney bows out. It is hard to imagine that Lieutenant Governor Healey could mount an effective campaign against any potential Democratic party opponent. An additional benefit to a Romney run would be to put an end to the career ambitions of ever politically opportunistic Tom Reilly. It would also allow any number of would be candidates to run up the ladder for attorney general, Middlesex County DA and other domino positions depending who wins in those races.
Perhaps the governor is just sending up a trial balloon. Perhaps he is getting a bit antsy playing on the small stage of Massachusetts politics. In either case giving up the governorship of this state without a fight diminishes his political star on the national stage and in his own party.He should forego any such thoughts and get the word out early and often that he is committed to his re-election effort and he looks forward to ending the ambitions of any potential challengers. This is a path which is far more likely to elevate Mitt Romney in the eyes of the national party leadership which is far more conservative than our governor. He is far more deserving of party attention by vanquishing Democrats in the bluest of blue states than he is sitting on the sidelines harboring pipe dreams of winning the Republican primaries.
Let me give you a little amateur political operative advice Governor, forget it. A recent Marist College poll found the Republican contenders for the 2008 nomination for president in this order, Rudy Giuliani 24%, Senator John McCain 20% and Governor Jeb Bush 10%. Our Governor Romney barely shows up on the radar screen.
Given the realities of Governor Romney's situation it would make a good deal more sense for him to make a much more realistic run at the vice presidential nomination. In that scenario he brings a lot more to a Republican ticket and it takes much less effort both physically and financially to accomplish. By waiting on the sidelines and perhaps siding with someone like McCain he could be a good campaign soldier and if McCain should win he would offer a nice geographic balance to the ticket. The other option would be to continue his national efforts to raise money for the party in general and wait out the primary process and see who is left standing.
Either of these two strategies works out much better if Governor Romney plays it out while still the governor of an overwhelmingly Democratic state. Most national nominations are of politicians who are actively serving in one arena or another that offers an opportunity to be in the lime light. If Romney doesn't run for re-election you can bet your life he will appear on the pages of the Boston Globe about as often Ray Flynn.
A Romney re-election as governor would serve a number of positives for the voters of Massachusetts as well. Having at least one nationally known Republican in state government along with Andy Card would give us some weight in Washington and at the white house. On the state level a Romney run would almost guarantee a continued balance between the competing branches of government and prevent and almost assured Democratic victory if Romney bows out. It is hard to imagine that Lieutenant Governor Healey could mount an effective campaign against any potential Democratic party opponent. An additional benefit to a Romney run would be to put an end to the career ambitions of ever politically opportunistic Tom Reilly. It would also allow any number of would be candidates to run up the ladder for attorney general, Middlesex County DA and other domino positions depending who wins in those races.
Perhaps the governor is just sending up a trial balloon. Perhaps he is getting a bit antsy playing on the small stage of Massachusetts politics. In either case giving up the governorship of this state without a fight diminishes his political star on the national stage and in his own party.He should forego any such thoughts and get the word out early and often that he is committed to his re-election effort and he looks forward to ending the ambitions of any potential challengers. This is a path which is far more likely to elevate Mitt Romney in the eyes of the national party leadership which is far more conservative than our governor. He is far more deserving of party attention by vanquishing Democrats in the bluest of blue states than he is sitting on the sidelines harboring pipe dreams of winning the Republican primaries.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Jekyl and Hyde
How else can you describe the performance of the Boston Celtics during games 3 and 4 in Indiana? After a disappointing home loss in game two that tied the series at 1 a piece the Celtics went to Indiana and tuned in a certifiable stinker in game 3.
Controlling the tempo from the opening tip off the Pacers scored a convincing 99 to 76 whipping of the Celtics. The continued failure of the Celtics to reign in 39 year old Reggie Miller resulted in the sharp shooter scoring 33 points on 10 for 16 from the field and 11 of 12 from the line. An obviously ailing Jermaine O'Neal ably assisted Miller by contributing 21 points and 11 boards. The failings of the Celtics have been many but allowing Indiana to take them out of an up tempo game and allowing Reggie Miller in their heads has been disconcerting. Anyone can see the standard Miller game of grabbing arms and flopping on the floor however whining about it continuously by the players and coaching staff is not going to get it done.
In fact the Celtics fell victim to poor judgement by Antoine Walker who got into 2 scuffles with O'Neal, the first of which earned him a technical foul and the second earned him an ejection and subsequent suspension from game four. Walker is a notorious referee baiter who after nine years in the league should have developed the maturity to prevent himself from getting involved in such undisciplined out bursts.
Game four was the re-appearance of Dr. Jekyl as even though the Celtics were lacking Walker and had their back to the wall in what had to be considered a must win situation both the coaching staff and the players rallied to really lay some lunber on Indiana. In what may well be the turning point of this series Coach Rivers made a significant change in his line up to cover for the loss of Walker and simutaneously exploit Indiana weaknesses resulting in a 110 to 79 victory.
Indiana has been playing a half court game enabling Miller to run through several screens to free himself for open court jumpshots. The Celtics countered this strategy by unleashing a pressing front court defense with a very small line up. In place of Walker and rookie Tony Allen, Coach Rivers countered with Ricky Davis and Delonte West. Shifting Gary Payton over to cover Reggie Miller allowed the Celtics to unleash Davis, West and reserve point guard Marcus Banks to put very strong defensive forecourt pressure on the Pacer point guards. This resulted in Indiana not havng enough time to get into their half court offense and limited Miller's touches on the ball.
What resulted for the Celtics was their highest scoring output so far in the series and holding the Pacers to a miserable 21 for 78 or .269% from the floor. In 12 minutes of playing action Delonte West came up huge with a perfect 5 for 5 from the field and 3 for 3 from the line for a total of 14 points, 2 steals and no turnovers. Ricky Davis turned in a fine slump reversing stint by contributing 15 points on 7 for 11 shooting. Clearly the Celtic horse was Paul Pierce who turned in as complete a stat sheet as can be found in the pro game. Pierce was dominant with 30 points on 10 for 15 from the field and 9 for 11 from the line. When he wasn't scoring he was recording a game high 8 assists. This was half the story as he was just as stellar on the defensive end blocking 5 shots and hauling in 8 rebounds.
Al Jefferson and Tony Allen re-appeared as well contributing quality minutes. In 25 minutes Big Al had five points and 7 rebounds while Allen had 9 points, two blocked shots, a steal and four boards.Marcus Banks should also get a mention for 9 points, a couple of steals and some pace setting defensive pressure on the Indiana points.
The series by no means is over however in the chess match of coaching it is clearly Coach Carlisle who now is confronted with a strategy change. The Celtics will be back in Boston fully manned with a game plan that seems to exploit the Pacers many weak spots. The faithful will be rocking and the rookies will be sky high so perhaps a nice game five thumping is in the offing. I still like the Celtics in 6 games.
Controlling the tempo from the opening tip off the Pacers scored a convincing 99 to 76 whipping of the Celtics. The continued failure of the Celtics to reign in 39 year old Reggie Miller resulted in the sharp shooter scoring 33 points on 10 for 16 from the field and 11 of 12 from the line. An obviously ailing Jermaine O'Neal ably assisted Miller by contributing 21 points and 11 boards. The failings of the Celtics have been many but allowing Indiana to take them out of an up tempo game and allowing Reggie Miller in their heads has been disconcerting. Anyone can see the standard Miller game of grabbing arms and flopping on the floor however whining about it continuously by the players and coaching staff is not going to get it done.
In fact the Celtics fell victim to poor judgement by Antoine Walker who got into 2 scuffles with O'Neal, the first of which earned him a technical foul and the second earned him an ejection and subsequent suspension from game four. Walker is a notorious referee baiter who after nine years in the league should have developed the maturity to prevent himself from getting involved in such undisciplined out bursts.
Game four was the re-appearance of Dr. Jekyl as even though the Celtics were lacking Walker and had their back to the wall in what had to be considered a must win situation both the coaching staff and the players rallied to really lay some lunber on Indiana. In what may well be the turning point of this series Coach Rivers made a significant change in his line up to cover for the loss of Walker and simutaneously exploit Indiana weaknesses resulting in a 110 to 79 victory.
Indiana has been playing a half court game enabling Miller to run through several screens to free himself for open court jumpshots. The Celtics countered this strategy by unleashing a pressing front court defense with a very small line up. In place of Walker and rookie Tony Allen, Coach Rivers countered with Ricky Davis and Delonte West. Shifting Gary Payton over to cover Reggie Miller allowed the Celtics to unleash Davis, West and reserve point guard Marcus Banks to put very strong defensive forecourt pressure on the Pacer point guards. This resulted in Indiana not havng enough time to get into their half court offense and limited Miller's touches on the ball.
What resulted for the Celtics was their highest scoring output so far in the series and holding the Pacers to a miserable 21 for 78 or .269% from the floor. In 12 minutes of playing action Delonte West came up huge with a perfect 5 for 5 from the field and 3 for 3 from the line for a total of 14 points, 2 steals and no turnovers. Ricky Davis turned in a fine slump reversing stint by contributing 15 points on 7 for 11 shooting. Clearly the Celtic horse was Paul Pierce who turned in as complete a stat sheet as can be found in the pro game. Pierce was dominant with 30 points on 10 for 15 from the field and 9 for 11 from the line. When he wasn't scoring he was recording a game high 8 assists. This was half the story as he was just as stellar on the defensive end blocking 5 shots and hauling in 8 rebounds.
Al Jefferson and Tony Allen re-appeared as well contributing quality minutes. In 25 minutes Big Al had five points and 7 rebounds while Allen had 9 points, two blocked shots, a steal and four boards.Marcus Banks should also get a mention for 9 points, a couple of steals and some pace setting defensive pressure on the Indiana points.
The series by no means is over however in the chess match of coaching it is clearly Coach Carlisle who now is confronted with a strategy change. The Celtics will be back in Boston fully manned with a game plan that seems to exploit the Pacers many weak spots. The faithful will be rocking and the rookies will be sky high so perhaps a nice game five thumping is in the offing. I still like the Celtics in 6 games.
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