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The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007
New legislation: closed
On 6 April 2008, the Environmental Permitting Regulations come into force, aiming to make it quicker and easier for businesses to apply for or change a permit. These Regulations replace the system of waste management licensing in Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (as amended), and the system of permitting in the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (as amended), with a new system of environmental permitting in England and Wales. If you've got a Waste Management licence or PPC permit, it will automatically become an environmental permit on the 6 April 2008. You don need to reapply, and the Environment Agency won send you a new one. The conditions and subsistence fees stay the same.
If you hold an exemption from WML, then from 6 April 2008, you will instead be exempt from environmental permitting. There are some changes, for example to paragraph numbers and to the regulation of hazardous wastes. The other changes include: - You will be able to apply for and pay for an environmental permit online, later in the year. - You will have a dedicated team to deal with all environmental permit applications. - The EA will launch 27 standard permits for low to medium-risk waste activities. These permits will be cheaper to apply for (the EA will issue them within three months). - A single permit could cover all the relevant activities on your site. - If you're a waste operator, you will soon be able to choose how you prove your technical competence.
The full text of the Regulations can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20073538_en_1 Further information is available from: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1745440/1745496/1906135/?lang=_e Source: www.environment-agency.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2008
New legislation: closed
These Regulations amend the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 in relation to various requirements related to energy performance certificates and recommendation reports. The principal regulations implement Articles 7 (energy performance certificate), and 10 (independent experts) of Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on the Energy Performance of Buildings. The amendments relate to: - Providing access to the register of energy performance certificates and associated documents for local authorities and to allow disclosures of the information contained in it by and to those authorities. This is to ensure that local authorities can carry out their duty to enforce those parts of the building regulations which provide for energy performance certificates on construction. - Different fees for entering different types of document on the register. - Inserting transitional arrangements which last until a building is taken off the market or until 1st October 2008, whichever occurs first. It provides that, for future phases, no energy performance certificate need be made available for buildings which are on the market at the date of commencement of the requirement for so long as they are continuously marketed. An exemption also applies if buildings are put back on the market following withdrawal or rejection of an offer within 28 days. An energy performance certificate must be requested when contracts are entered into for a sale or rental of such a building and supplied to the new owner when received.
The full text of the Regulations can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080647_en_1
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
The Landfill Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2008
New legislation: closed
These Regulations, which come into force on 1st April 2008, amend the Landfill Tax Regulations 1996.
The amendments relate to:
The full text of the Amendment can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080770_en_1 Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
The Water Supply and Sewerage Services (Customer Service Standards) Regulations 2008
New legislation: closed
The new Regulations revoke the existing Water Supply and Sewerage Services (Customer Service Standards) Regulations 1989. The new Regulations provide a consolidated text, in revised language, of the revoked Regulations, but extend the rights of customers to payments for flooding of customers' land or property by sewer overflowing. In addition, the standards of performance to be met and the payments to be made by undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in England have also now been applied to undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in Wales. Formerly there were different standards of performance for, and payments by, undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in Wales.
The full text of the Regulations can be accessed from: http://www.assemblywales.org/sub-ld6993-e.pdf
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2008
New legislation: closed
Part 39 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants planning permission in respect of the erection of buildings necessary for the purposes of housing poultry and other captive birds to protect them from avian influenza. The extent and nature of the development permitted are subject to limitations. Where Part 39 applies, no specific application for planning permission is needed. Planning permission is granted by Part 39 subject to a number of conditions, including a condition that the development is removed, at the latest, by 21 March 2008. This Order amends Part 39 by extending the date by which development must be removed to 21 March 2009. It also amends Part 39 by requiring that the development be removed, at the latest, as soon as practicable after the extended date.
The full text of the Order can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2008/wsi_20080502_en_1 Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
The Waste and Contaminated Land (1997 Order) (Commencement No. 8) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008
New legislation: closed
This Order brings into operation on 3rd April 2008, Articles 6(4), 7, 9, 10(6), 11 and 12(9) to 12(11) of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The provisions commenced relate to the making of representations in consultation processes before the grant, variation, suspension or revocation of waste management licences requiring the licence holder to carry out works which would necessitate the grant of rights over land; and the payment of compensation for those required to grant rights over land to holders of those licences.
The full text of the Order can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/sr/sr2008/nisr_20080138_en_1
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
The Removal and Disposal of Vehicles (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2008
New legislation: closed
These Regulations amend the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 in relation to Wales (save for those parts of the Severn Crossings which are in Wales) so as to allow civil enforcement officers to remove vehicles which have been permitted to remain at rest on a road in a civil enforcement area in Wales. Such removal may only take place where a civil enforcement officer has fixed a penalty charge notice to the vehicle, or has handed such a notice to the person appearing to be in charge of the vehicle. Penalty charge notices issued in relation to vehicles in designated parking places which are issued in respect of parking charges, failing to display a ticket or parking device or failing to remove the vehicle from a parking place at the end of a period for which a charge was paid, will not warrant removal of the vehicle concerned, until the expiry of the appropriate period? as defined by new regulation 5C(4). The full text of the Amendment can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2008/wsi_20080612_en_1
Further information is available from: http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/buslegislation/bus/bus-legislation-sub/bus-legislation-sub-annulment.htm
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2008
New legislation: closed
These Regulations amend the Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 in order to transpose Commission Directive 2007/73/EC amending certain Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid, atrazine, deltamethrin, imazalil, indoxacarb, pendimethalin, pymetrozine, pyraclostrobin, thiacloprid and trifloxystrobin. These Regulations substitute maximum residue levels for certain pesticides in Schedule 2 to the 2005 Regulations.
The full text of the Amendment can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080665_en_1
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
Consultation on revising the requirements regarding evidence of broad equivalence for export reprocessing sites
New legislation: closed
This consultation, presented by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department of the Environment Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Assembly Government, ask for view on proposed amendments to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007. It discusses proposals to revise requirements regarding evidence of broad equivalent conditions for export reprocessing sites, and on the partial Impact Assessment which supports the proposals. This consultation explores how to: 1. Facilitate the achievement of the recycling targets for 2008 and subsequent years for waste metal packaging by making sure that as much of the material reprocessed in facilities outside the EU which operate under broadly equivalent? conditions as possible can be counted against the UK target; 2. Keep the cost of compliance for metals packaging producers to a manageable level; 3. Safeguard the environmental standards enshrined in Article 6(2) of the Packaging Directive. Responses should be received no later than 29 April 2008.
The full text of the consultation can be accessed from: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/metalwaste-reprocess/consultation.pdf Further information about the consultation is available from: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/metalwaste-reprocess/index.htm Source: www.defra.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
Consultation on draft Regulations and draft guidance for proposals for establishing Joint Waste Authorities in England
New legislation: closed
Defra is seeking views on draft Joint Waste Authorities (Proposals) Regulations 2008 and draft Guidance on proposals for Joint Waste Authorities in England. Government introduced powers to establish joint waste authorities in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. This provides local authorities with another model for partnership working - one which allows them to put the partnership on a statutory footing. The powers allow two or more local authorities to submit proposals to the Secretary of State to transfer one or more of their waste functions (waste collection, waste disposal and/or street cleansing) to a new joint waste authority. Under the Act, the Secretary of State may make Regulations to make provisions as to matters to be included in a proposal and information that must accompany a proposal. The Secretary of State may also issue guidance as to what a proposal should seek to achieve and matters that should be taken into account in formulating a proposal. Local authorities will be obliged to have regard to any such guidance issued by the Secretary of State in making their proposals. Views are now being sought on draft Regulations and draft guidance. The consultation will close on Monday 9 June 2008.
The full text of the consultation can be accessed from: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/jwa/consultation.pdf Further information about the consultation is available from: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/jwa/index.htm
Source: www.defra.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
Better Regulation for a Better Environment: EHS Better Regulation Programme
New legislation: closed
The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) Northern Ireland has embarked on an ambitious programme of Better Regulation initiatives, to modernise and simplify regulation for businesses and achieve better standards for the environment. Better Regulation is a significant change in approach geared towards delivering effective environmental protection and broad stakeholder buy-in. EHS is fully committed to applying the principles of better and effective regulation to all aspects of its work. Regulation which is easier to understand will be easier to adhere to and implement, making the regulatory experience more effective for everyone involved. By improving awareness, compliance assistance, through effective and consistent enforcement, and by simplifying permitting and data returns, EHS will be able to provide a more balanced and integrated system. The EHS Position Statement on Better Regulation - "Better Regulation for a Better Environment - EHS Better Regulation Programme" - outlines EHS approach to simple and effective regulation and the key initiatives to be taken forward. EHS invites comments on this approach from those they regulate and from other stakeholders to help progressively improve the regulatory systems.
The full text of the programme can be accessed from: http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/ehs_better_regulation_programme_-_web_version.pdf
Source: www.ehsni.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
Reminder - Construction projects to require Site Waste Management Plans
New legislation: closed
From the 6th of April 2008, all construction projects in England costing over £300,000 (for new build, maintenance, alteration or installation/removal of services such as sewerage, water) will need a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) under The Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 which were made on 8 February 2008. The purpose of a SWMP is to ensure that building materials are managed efficiently, waste is disposed of legally, and that material recycling, reuse and recovery is maximised. The Regulations are to be enforced by the Environment Agency and the local authorities. The SWMP must be updated in accordance with the Regulations, with different, more detailed, requirements for projects costing more than £500,000. Breaches of the Regulations can be punishable: (a) on summary conviction, by a fine of up to £50,000, or (b) on conviction on indictment, by a fine.
The full text of the Regulations can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080314_en_1 Further information and guidance is available from: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/444304/502508/1952646/?version=1&lang=_e&lang=_e
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
Reminder - The Water Environment (Diffuse Pollution) (Scotland) Regulations 2008
New legislation: closed
If you are a farmer or land manager in Scotland, you need to comply with new regulations to control diffuse pollution. The regulations introduce new rules to protect the water environment from diffuse pollution and allow alternative ways of disposing of certain types of slurry and silage effluent. The new regulations make changes to the general binding rules (GBRs) that control the impact of diffuse pollution on the water environment from activities on rural land.
The regulations add new GBRs relating to:
The GBRs introduce a simple set of rules for controlling diffuse pollution. As long as you comply with these rules, you won need to complete any forms or seek authorisation from SEPA. You can now use alternative methods to dispose of certain types of slurry and silage effluent, also known as 'dirty water'. You can now drain and treat dirty water run-off from certain areas through a constructed farm wetland. These wetlands must sufficiently treat the dirty water before you can discharge it without damage into the water environment.
The full text of the Regulations can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2008/ssi_20080054_en_1
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
Reminder - Regulations to control noise at work in the music and entertainment sectors
New legislation: closed
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, which have been in force in other industry sectors since April 2006, are set to cover the music and entertainment sectors from 6 April 2008 in order to protect workers from exposure to excessive noise. The two-year transitional period was allowed to the music and entertainment sectors in recognition that music is unusual as it is noise deliberately created for enjoyment meaning practical guidelines were necessary to help workers, employers and freelancers in the music and entertainment sectors protect their hearing and safeguard their careers. This guidance, called Sound Advice, will be available from July 2008. The sectors defined as being music and entertainment in the Regulations cover all workplaces where: a) live music is played or b) recorded music is played in a restaurant, bar, public house, discotheque or nightclub, or alongside live music or a live dramatic or dance performance. Employers in these sectors will be required to manage the risk to their employees and, where possible, freelancers, and to control, reduce and monitor exposure to noise with controls, many of which are simple and cost-effective. The full text of the Regulations can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051643.htm
Further information is available from: http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/musicsound.htm
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk and www.hse.gov.uk ((accessed 03/04/08)
Reminder - Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 to be brought into force
New legislation: closed
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (Commencement No.1) Order 2008 has been made (14th February 2008) and brings into force from 6th April 2008 the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (with the exceptions of section 2(1) (d) (duty owed to a person in custody etc. to be a relevant duty of care) and section 10 (power to order conviction etc. to be publicised). Under The Act, companies and organisations can be found liable for a work-related death if actions at a senior level amount to gross breach of a duty of care to the deceased following a systemic failure to manage safety within the business. This new offence is to be known as corporate manslaughter in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and corporate homicide in Scotland. Courts will look at management systems and practices across the organisation in a new test to provide a more effective means for prosecuting the worst corporate failures in health and safety management. The full text of the 2008 Order can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080401_en_1
The full text of the 2007 Act can be accessed from: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2007/ukpga_20070019_en_1
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk (accessed 03/04/08)
See our new training courses for corporate manslaughter http://www.jpd.co.uk/intouch/2008/05/14/new-course-corporate-manslaughter-the-new-act-and-the-practical-implications-for-strategic-safety-management/
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text:
NOTICE: - While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data herein, this is NOT the official version of Senate Journal. It is published to provide information in a timely manner, but has not been proofread against the events of the session for this day. All information obtained from this source should be checked against a proofed copy of the Senate Journal.
At a General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, begun and holden at Boston on the first Wednesday, being the sixth day of January, in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine, and the two hundred and twenty-third of the independence of the United States of America, and the one hundred and eighty-first General Court of the Commonwealth, the following named members-elect of the Senate, having been duly summoned by the Executive, assembled at eleven o'clock A.M., in the Senate Chamber, to wit:
|Hon. Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr., of Pittsfield
|in the Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin District.
|Hon. Thomas C. Norton of Fall River
|in the First Bristol District
|Hon. Mark C. Montigny of New Bedford
|in the Second Bristol District
|Hon. Henri S. Rauschenbach of Brewster
|in the Cape and Islands District.
|Hon. Edward J. Clancy, Jr., of Lynn
|in the First Essex District
|Hon. Frederick E. Berry of Peabody
|in the Second Essex District
|Hon. James P. Jajuga of Methuen
|in the Third Essex District
|Hon. Bruce E. Tarr of Gloucester
|in the First Essex and Middlesex District
|Hon. Susan C. Tucker of Andover
|in the Second Essex and Middlesex District
|Hon. Linda J. Melconian of Springfield
|in the Hampden District.
|Hon. Brian P. Lees of East Longmeadow
|in the First Hampden and Hampshire District
|Hon. Michael R. Knapik of Westfield
|in the Second Hampden and Hampshire District
|Hon. Stanley C. Rosenberg of Amherst
|in the Hampshire and Franklin District.
|Hon. Steven C. Panagiotakos of Lowell
|in the First Middlesex District>
|Hon. Charles E. Shannon of Winchester
|in the Second Middlesex District>
|Hon. Richard R. Tisei of Wakefield
|in the Third Middlesex District>
|Hon. Robert A. Havern of Arlington
|in the Fourth Middlesex District>
|Hon. Susan C. Fargo of Lincoln
|in the Fifth Middlesex District>
|Hon. Cynthia Stone Creem of Newton
|in the First Middlesex and Norfolk District.
|Hon. David P. Magnani of Framingham
|in the Middlesex, Norfolk and Worcester District.
|Hon. Steven A. Tolman of Boston
|in the Middlesex and Suffolk District.
|Hon. Thomas F. Birmingham of Chelsea
|in the Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex District.
|Hon. Robert A. Durand of Marlborough
|in the Middlesex and Worcester District.
|Hon. Cheryl A. Jacques of Needham
|in the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District.
|Hon. Jo Ann Sprague of Walpole
|in the Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth District.
|Hon. Michael W. Morrissey of Quincy
|in the Norfolk and Plymouth District.
|Hon. Marian Walsh of Boston
|in the Norfolk and Suffolk District.
|Hon. Therese Murray of Plymouth
|in the Plymouth and Barnstable District.
|Hon. Marc R. Pacheco of Taunton
|in the First Plymouth and Bristol District
|Hon. Robert S. Creedon, Jr. of Brockton
|in the Second Plymouth and Bristol District
|Hon. Robert L. Hedlund of Weymouth
|in the Plymouth and Norfolk District.
|Hon. Stephen F. Lynch of Boston
|in the First Suffolk District
|Hon. Dianne Wilkerson of Boston
|in the Second Suffolk District
|Hon. Robert E. Travaglini of Boston
|in the Suffolk and Middlesex District.
|Hon. Brian A. Joyce of Milton
|in the Suffolk and Norfolk District.
|Hon. Robert A. Bernstein of Worcester
|in the First Worcester District
|Hon. Guy W. Glodis of Worcester
|in theSecond Worcester District
|Hon. Stephen M. Brewer of Barre
|in the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin District.
|Hon. Robert A. Antonioni of Leominster
|in the Worcester and Middlesex District.
|Hon. Richard T. Moore of Uxbridge
|in the Worcester and Norfolk District.
And were called to order by the Honorable Frederick E. Berry.
The following prayer was offered by Reverend Edward F. Boyle,
Ever present, sustaining God, as we open this 181st session of the General Court, we stand before you as men and women of diverse religious traditions, individual talents and perspectives, conscious of our responsibilities and opportunities of this elected office to make the Commonwealth of Massachusetts a better place a better place not just for the few, or a particular interest or demographic group, but for all of Your children. We recall the vision of the Declaration of Independence that government is instituted to promote, secure the inalienable rights of all to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We plead now for Your blessings, O God, on us individually and jointly. Guide us, strengthen us, not only with compassionate and wise vision, but with those qualities of mind and heart that will enable us to treat each other with mutual respect and openness in the inevitable ups-and-downs of our working sessions. Help us to be big by grounding us in personal humility, reminding each of us of our finiteness, our limited knowledge and personal experience, so that we will be spurred to collaboratively reach out to one another to jointly fashion legislative programs that will truly make Massachusetts a "better place" for all its citizens.
All these prayers are lifted up in trust in Your providential care in this holy season of Chanukah, Christmas, and Ramadam, as Your daughters and sons.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, the above prayer was ordered printed in the Journal of the Senate.
At the request of Senator-elect Berry, the Senators-elect, guests and employees then recited the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
On motion of Mr. Brewer,
Ordered, That a committee be appointed by the Chair to wait upon His Honor Argeo Paul Cellucci, the Acting Governor, and the Honorable Council and inform them that a quorum of the Senators-elect have assembled and are ready to be qualified.
Senators-elect Antonioni of Worcester and Middlesex, Walsh of Norfolk and Suffolk, Fargo of Middlesex, Glodis of Worcester, Lynch of Suffolk, Nuciforo of Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin, Sprague of Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth and Knapik of Hampden and Hampshire were appointed the committee.
Subsequently, Mr. Antonioni, for the said committee, reported that it had waited upon Argeo Paul Cellucci, the Acting Governor, and the Honorable Council, and had conveyed to them the message of the Honorable Senate; and that the Acting Governor had asked him to say that he would be pleased to attend forthwith upon the Honorable Senate, with the Lieutenant Governor-elect Jane M. Swift and the Honorable Council, to administer the oaths of office. The report was accepted and the committee was discharged.
Soon after, Argeo Paul Cellucci, the Acting Governor, the Lieutenant Governor-elect, Jane M. Swift, William F. Galvin, the Secretary of State, A. Joseph DeNucci, the State Auditor and the Honorable Council came in; and the Senators-elect then took and subscribed the oaths of office required by the Constitution and a law of the United States to qualify them for the discharge of their duties as Senators.
The Acting Governor briefly addressed the Senate. After delivering his remarks the Acting Governor, the Lieutenant Governor-elect, the Secretary of State, the State Auditor and the Honorable Council then withdrew from the Chamber.
On motion of Mr. Clancy,
Ordered, That, pursuant to the provisions of Senate Rule 4A, the Senate shall proceed forthwith to the election of a President.
Ms. Melconian placed in nomination for President, Mr. Birmingham of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex, and she addressed the Senate as follows:
Thank you Mr. President. To my Senate colleagues, their family members, their many friends and invited guests of the Senate, it is my honor and privilege to stand here before you today and place in nomination, Thomas F. Birmingham, as President of the Massachusetts Senate.
The election of the Senate President is one of the most important votes we will cast in our tenure in the Senate. The Senate is a body of forty very different people. We come from disparate regions, hold various opinions, represent two parties, and often work at cross-purposes. Our leader must build consensus and remind us that sometimes we must mute our forty discordant, parochial voices in order to better serve all the citizens of the Commonwealth.
The Senate presidency is one of the most powerful positions in the Massachusetts government. It requires sharp legislative skills, shrewd political instincts, and capable and decisive leadership. The President is both the Senate's leader and its voice. He guides this institution, sets its agenda, and is the face that the public associates with the Massachusetts Senate. Ultimately, the personality of the Senate is a reflection of the personality of its leader.
Tom Birmingham is a man who combines an ingrained knowledge of what is important to people with the intellectual acumen to turn that knowledge into reality. He is the product of Chelsea and Harvard, a Rhodes scholar and labor negotiator. A self-made man, he comes from the first generation in his family to have full access to the educational and social opportunities that many in this country take for granted today.
Tom has taken full advantage of these opportunities. That doesn't just mean earning a good education, it also means remembering what he learned as a child growing up in Chelsea, how hard it can sometimes be for families to earn a living and have a decent life. When President Birmingham promotes educational opportunities like Workforce Training Programs or Affordable Community College Education, he does not do so with an abstract, academic interest he acts with the memory of his own roots and the chances he was given.
Many people don't realize what a good athlete and a fierce competitor Tom is. I remember once when I invited him out to my district for an event at the basketball hall of fame. There we were, the President and I, city officials, and business leaders, surrounded by our aides and the media, all decked out in our suits shooting baskets at one of the hall's courts. With reckless disregard for the wishes of his tailor, Tom was all over the court, burying jumpers. I don't think anyone else approached his shot total.
It is clear that Tom Birmingham's meteoric rise in the Senate was not an accident. Tom is straightforward, honest and witty. He is also intellectually rigorous, constantly willing to tackle the toughest problems and strive for the best solutions. He has a keen understanding of how government can respond to the needs of its citizens and a focus on giving every individual the best possible start in life.
His background and training lead him in 1993 to become the father of education reform. As the author of the education reform law, he gave the schools of the commonwealth priority and insured that each has a foundation budget so that every student is given the basic resources necessary to learn. A laundry list of President Birmingham's actions in office cannot do justice to what he has achieved for education, but I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to mention some of his work for the students of the Commonwealth, both young and old. His commitment to education reform for K-12 is complemented by initiatives in pre-kindergarten and higher education. For the youngest students, the sons and daughters of working parents, he created an early childhood education program. For older students, he increased funding for adult basic education, provided for universal access to our state's community colleges and created an innovative workforce training program. Tom Birmingham has followed what both his own instincts and the citizens of the Commonwealth have called for the best possible education for all our citizens.
Tom Birmingham has been an energetic, compassionate, and democratic President and a strong leader who has not hesitated to promote the Senate's agenda when appropriate. Constituents across the state know that Senate decisions are the result of a Birmingham leadership team which has listened to the people's representatives and reached a consensus. David Broder once said that, "in a democracy, a man who does not listen cannot lead."
When hundreds of thousands of working citizens shared their fears that the latest Massachusetts economic boom is leaving them behind, Tom Birmingham heard those voices. He knows that raising the minimum wage is an important issue that affects thousands of our workers, especially women. Over 60% of minimum wage workers in Massachusetts and the nation are women and many are also the heads of households. No one can support a family on $5.25 an hour. By giving families a living wage, we can combat a host of problems, from child hunger to a potential rise in the welfare rolls. Because we owe our working men and women the opportunity to earn a decent wage, Tom Birmingham has filed once again this year a bill that would increase the state's minimum wage by $1.50 over the next three years.
As the champion of working men and women, Tom Birmingham has also listened to citizen's pleas for improvements to their working conditions. The President's law, the Small Necessities Leave Act, gives substance to talk about the work ethic and family values. It allows working men and women limited, annual, well-deserved time off work to fulfill family responsibilities toward their children, parents and elderly relatives.
Under President Birmingham's aegis, the Senate has been a forum where the importance of principle has never taken a backseat to expediency. We have taken difficult positions when we knew it was the right thing to do. These positions, in areas ranging from strengthening wage enforcement laws to employer workforce initiatives to community reinvestment, have not always agreed with the House or the Governor, but this is healthy. The Senate must sometimes stake out a position ahead of the pack and wait for our colleagues in the other branches to catch up.
When the heat came on last summer because of poor tests results by our future teachers, Tom Birmingham did not over react and look for someone else or somewhere else to place the blame; instead he offered us a plan of action which was subsequently endorsed by the House and the Governor. That plan was a new teacher bonuses and education incentive program which encourages qualified and competent individuals to become teachers. While everyone predicted that the first MCAS tests would be disheartening, only one leader in Massachusetts acted upon his prescience.
President Birmingham wisely insisted on a $20 million dollar appropriation in the current budget for students who receive failing scores on the MCAS tests.
Theodore Roosevelt once listed his criteria for leadership. I believe they fit Tom Birmingham. He is a proven leader "who never shies away from the arena; who sometimes may be marred by dust, sweat and blood . . . who strives valiantly to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; and who knows in the end the triumph of high achievement."
It is indeed my great honor to nominate Thomas F. Birmingham as President of the Senate and to urge all my colleagues to vote for Tom Birmingham as our President.
Mr. Travaglini seconded the nomination of Mr. Birmingham as President of the Senate and he addressed the Senate as follows:
[Text of remarks to follow.]
On motion of Mr. Moore, the above statements were ordered printed in the Journal of the Senate.
Mr. Tisei placed in nomination for President of the Senate, Mr. Lees of
First Hampden and Hampshire, and he addressed the Senate as follows:
Mr. President . . . it is my honor at this time to place into nomination the name of Brian P. Lees for the Office of President of the Senate.
During the swearing in a few moments ago I couldn't help but think about the tremendous responsibility each and every one of us has been entrusted with by the people of this great state.
They have sent us to this historic building, a sacred place . . . where Samuel Adams, Horace Mann, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, and so many other great leaders have walked along the hallways and debated the issues of the day.
They have sent us here with the expectation that we will work together to solve the problems currently confronting us and that in some small way we'll improve the lives of everyone living in this state.
Those are obligations that I know that every member of this Chamber has thought a lot about over the past few months and will take seriously . . . throughout the coming session.
Over the next few weeks, as we begin the process of legislating, everyone here will be given a different role in order to make this Senate work.
Barring some unforeseen outcome of today's elections, my friend from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lees, will again . . . serve this Senate as the Leader of the Minority Party.
I am sure that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle appreciate the fact that the job he will perform over the next two years is one of the most difficult in the Senate.
In many ways being the leader of just seven Republicans as opposed to 33 Democrats . . . is a daunting task.
It's difficult to imagine having to face off every day against the sharp mind and wit of President Birmingham . . .and knowing that some times no matter how strong your argument or how worthy your cause . . . that the votes just aren't going to be there.
And yet . . . despite the long odds and difficulty he faces, Brian Lees has been extremely successful and amazingly effective while carrying out his job in a way that has brought great distinction to this Chamber.
It's been no accident that during his tenure as Minority Leader there have been six balanced budgets and 26 tax cuts passed into law. On many issues like welfare reform, Brian Lees was calling for change before it was fashionable.
In fact, the first time he brought the issue up, he didn't receive a majority of votes within his own party, let alone the Senate. But on issues like welfare reform and the death penalty he isn't afraid to take controversial positions and provide the leadership needed to bring about change.
He has been a great advocate for each and every member of our caucus . . . and has worked hard to ensure that the ideas and principles of our party and its members are incorporated into every piece of legislation that leaves this Chamber.
He serves as the chief spokesman for the Governor . . . and works to see to it that the Governor's agenda receives a fair hearing and serious debate in this Chamber.
Brian has one other duty that is shared, to some extent, by all of the members of the minority party . . . which is crucial to the success of any legislative form of government.
And that is to provide the checks and balances . . . to hold the majority accountable . . . to ask the uncomfortable questions . . . to make each and every member of the majority take responsibility for the actions taken in this Chamber.
He has carried out this important duty not with ill will but rather with a spirit of cooperation that has made each and every one of us a better, more effective public servant.
Never let it be said that a budget amendment or any bill for that matter, was passed in the wee hours of the morning without the members knowing the answers to three questions . . . Who is the Sponsor? . . . What does it do? . . . And how much does it cost?
While his position as Minority Leader may be looked upon as confrontational by nature . . . Brian Lees, as much as any leader in this building, is responsible for the genuine spirit of bi-partisan cooperation that has guided state government these past few years.
His efforts, as well as those of Senate President Birmingham, have made this Chamber an extremely productive legislative body . . . where issues take precedence over personalities . . . where the public good has always outweighed excessive partisanship.
At a time when events in Washington have caused so many people to lose faith in the ability of government to make a difference in peoples' lives. The people of this state should realize how fortunate we are to have leaders like Tom Birmingham and Brian Lees who are willing to put aside their differences and work together for the common good.
Under their leadership, this Senate is a place where every member's voice is heard, majority and minority party alike. That's one of the reasons why we've been so successful at making so much progress to improve the lives of the people of this great state.
Brian Lees has been a great friend of mine and to all the Members of this Chamber. We are fortunate to have him and that's why it's an honor for me to nominate him for Senate President.
Thank you.
The nomination of Mr. Lees of Hampden and Hampshire as President of the Senate was seconded by Mr. Rauschenbach, who briefly addressed the Senate as follows:
I have known and worked with the leader for all of his ten years in the Massachusetts Senate. It has been a decade of great accomplishment, hard work, and vigorous debate. The citizens of this Commonwealth have benefited greatly from his decade of service.
Eight years ago Brian P. Lees was sworn in as minority leader. Weld, Bulger and Flaherty were the major players. Brian Lees represents a link/continuity to the past and leadership for the future.
Those who have served in this chamber know the leader personally as a friend of the institution who has worked to advance the agenda of the commonwealth.
Those who have served with the minority leader also know him as one who skillfully balances the role of the opposition leader with the personal concern for and friendships with the individual members of both parties. This is a difficult and challenging task.
We also know that the minority leader has an agenda and is not afraid to lead and has led this chamber on serious issues such as tax policy, unemployment insurance, welfare reform, the death penalty and even TV in the chamber.
The minority leader is not afraid to stand up and be counted. That is what leadership is about.
Thus I rise to second the nomination of Brian P. Lees to be President of the Senate. He is a man of integrity, keen vision, hard work, diligence and above all a leader.
In closing I feel it appropriate to read the final stanza from Robert Frost's poem in the book Mountain Interval the road not taken.
I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverted in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference"
You have a chance to make a difference today.
On motion of Mr. Tarr, the above statements were ordered printed in the Journal of the Senate.
On motion of Mr. Durand, the nominations were closed.
The roll was called, and the following named members voted for Thomas F. Birmingham of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex:
|Antonioni, Robert A.
|Melconian, Linda J.
|Bernstein, Robert A.
|Montigny, Mark C..
|Berry, Frederick E.
|Moore, Richard T.
|Birmingham, Thomas F.
|Morrissey, Michael W.
|Brewer, Stephen M.
|Murray, Therese
|Clancy, Edward J., Jr.
|Norton, Thomas C.
|Creedon, Robert S., Jr.
|Nuciforo, Andrea F., Jr.
|Creem, Cynthia Stone
|Pacheco, Marc R.
|Durand, Robert A.
|Panagiotakos, Steven C.
|Fargo, Susan C.
|Rosenberg, Stanley C.
|Glodis, Guy W.
|Shannon, Charles E.
|Havern, Robert A.
|Tolman, Steven A.
|Jacques, Cheryl A.
|Travaglini, Robert E.
|Jajuga, James P.
|Tucker, Susan C.
|Joyce, Brain A.
|Walsh, Marian
|Lynch, Stephen F.
|Wilkerson, Dianne
|Magnani, David P.
The following named members voted for Brian P. Lees of First Hampden and Hampshire:
|Hedlund, Robert L.
|Sprague, Jo Ann
|Knapik, Michael R.
|Tarr, Bruce E.
|Lees, Brian P.
|Tisei, Richard R. 7.
|Rauschenbach, Henri S.
The Chair announced the results of the votes as follows:
|Whole number of votes
|Necessary for a choice
| 21
|Thomas F. Birmingham of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex had
|Brian P. Lees of First Hampden and Hampshire had
And Mr. Birmingham was declared elected President of the Senate.
Mr. Lees moved that it be the sense of the Senate that the vote for Thomas F. Birmingham for President should be made unanimous and that this expression of opinion be made a part of the records of the Senate.
There being no objection, this motion was entertained; and it was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Birmingham was escorted to the Chair by Senators Bernstein of Worcester, and Murray of Plymouth and Barnstable.
The President then addressed the Senate as follows:
The Constitution dictates that the Legislature reconvene on the first Wednesday in January. In some years that has entailed a senate session on New Year's day. Today we inaugurate the session on a different holiday. January 6 is Feast of the Epiphany, a celebration of the day the three wise men reached the manger.
Perhaps this day El Dia de los Reyos Magos does provide one indication for our future, that we might share a goal of being wise women and men on behalf of the electorate. My constituents don't have much need for frankincense or myrrh; gold on the other hand is an entirely different matter. I would suggest that rather than these Biblical gifts, we might instead offer our best ideas for making Massachusetts a Commonwealth in which resources and opportunity are available to all.
Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for bestowing this honor upon me. There is no higher compliment than a vote of confidence from one's peers.
Believe me, I take this responsibility most seriously. I humbly pledge to devote all my abilities to live up to the expectations you have for me and to fulfill the best traditions of this office. I ask that you all help me to make this the best senate it can be.
We've often likened the Senate to a family and for many of us today has the feel of a family reunion. If I may introduce the members of my own family who are here today . . . .
To all members, incumbent and incoming, congratulations on your election. To the new members, let me express on behalf of all of your colleagues a sincere and warm welcome. You are here because you deserve to be. You are here as of right. And you will be treated in this Chamber with the respect you have earned as the chosen representative of over 150,000 citizens of the Commonwealth.
While you are here as of right, you are also enjoying a rare privilege. There are six million residents of the Commonwealth but only 40 senators. Because we are a small body, you can expect, and we expect you, to play a central role in formulating the policies that will govern this state for the next two years. Your right to advocate for your beliefs and goals will suffer no abridgement in this house. I encourage you in this Chamber, in our caucuses, conference rooms and committee hearings not to be reticent but to exercise your prerogative as equal members of this body. You will be allowed to wield authority commensurate with your willingness to accept responsibility.
We will have our disagreements over matters of deeply held principle but through open debate over matters of passionate concern to us all, we will together forge our best collective judgments.
If you need to look for a colleague who exemplifies the best of the traditions of the Senate I would commend to you the example of the minority leader, Brian Lees. As to substantive matters, he and I disagree over just about everything. But he remains for me a valued colleague whom I am proud to count as a dear friend.
He is unquestionably a worthy foe but one who unfailingly conducts himself with decency and integrity, fairness and civility. His spirit of collegiality derives, I think, from his recognition that, whatever our differences, ultimately we are all in this together.
Senator Moore recently brought to my attention some observations by Benjamin Franklin about the true genius of a democratic legislative body:
Franklin wrote "A plural Legislature is as necessary to good Government as a single Executive.... Wisdom is the specific Quality of the Legislature, grows out of the Number of the Body, and is made up of the Portions of Sense and Knowledge which each member brings to it."
A bust of Franklin is here in the chamber. In spirit he will be with us as well. His understanding that a legislature reaches its full potential only through the participation of each and every one of the members will guide us through this term.
Together we will deliberate and we will act. We will not avoid controversy and as your presiding officer I will insist that we stand and be counted. That too is part of the tradition of this senate.
We occupy historic space in this Chamber, which, as you noticed today coming through the lobby; we strive to preserve and to improve. But even in this effort there is controversy. Note the muskets on the back wall. Believing that neither guns nor gun legislation is child's play, the red gunlocks were added.
What cannot be controversial, however, is our commitment to fiscal responsibility, an absolute and non-negotiable precondition to whatever else we seek to achieve. Throughout the 90s in good times and in bad the Senate collectively has practiced the discipline, self-restraint and even self-denial needed to produce budgets which are not only responsive but also responsible. All members deserve credit for this, but the first among equals has to be Senator Rosenberg.
In this decade, we have never spent money we do not have. And on my watch we never will. Fiscal responsibility is, paradoxically, harder to practice in good times than in bad. Nevertheless, we will face and we will meet that challenge this year.
At the same time we must recognize that fiscal responsibility is not an end in itself but a means to all else we aspire to, not just as an economy but as a society; not just as a state but as a Commonwealth.
Even while we as a state are enjoying the best of fiscal times, our constituents are experiencing that prosperity unevenly.
To my way of thinking, the best and perhaps only way to achieve long-term prosperity, which is equitably shared, is through education.
The Massachusetts Constitution guarantees each and every child, regardless of place of birth, an education enabling full participation in the Commonwealth's civic and economic life.
For almost all of our history, these, frankly, have been empty words. Before the Education Reform Act of 1993, we tolerated the grossest disparities in supporting the education of the Commonwealth's youth; in some communities we were spending $3,000 per child per year, and in others $10,000. In these circumstances, who could pretend that we were offering our kids even remotely equal education opportunities?
We changed that with the passage and implementation of the Education Reform Act. For the first time in this Commonwealth, the accident of place of birth will not determine whether a kid gets a fair chance at a decent education. And it is a source of great personal and institutional pride that we in the Senate and we alone have fully funded the Education Reform Act since its inception. And we will do so again this year. I pledge to fight with every fiber of my body not to retreat from adequate funding for all of our school districts and all of our school children. I say that knowing that commitment will entail an additional $100 million each and every year to keep educational opportunity open to all of the students of Massachusetts.
But education reform is not just about money; it is equally about accountability and high standards. Before education reform, there were only two state-imposed requirements for a high school diploma: one year of American history and four years of gym. Now, current eighth graders will have to demonstrateas a condition of high school graduationcompetency in the core subject areas: math and science, English and history. High stakes, indeed.
But high standards do not mean throwing kids into the deep end of the pool and if they swim we say "fine" and if they sink we say "tough." That is why the Senate last year appropriated $20M for remedial programs to give kids every reasonable opportunity to reach the high standards we have decreed.
The ERA is not perfect but its goals are more than sound; they are historically ambitious: equitable funding for all our kids and world-class performance by all our kids.
We will constantly strive to improve our public schools, but these goals are too important to be jeopardized by zigging to hot button issues and zagging with sound bite solutions. Let us not be distracted.
Education is a long-term prescription, more like turning around an ocean liner than a sports car. But we must act in the short-term as well.
One immediate intervention we can make is to increase the minimum wage. I would say that what poor people need more of is money. If you work for a living, you ought to be able to earn a living. If you play by the rules, get up and go to work every day and do your job at the end of the day you should be able to make ends meet.
The ends don't meet now, which is why the Senate passed an increase in the minimum wage last year and will do it again this year. This is one issue that is not going away.
Just as those who work hard every day should be able to make ends meet, our decent people should be secure in their health care. HMOs, for instance, are not here simply to assist those who are maintaining their health, their reason to be is to serve those who are ill. The Senate last year passed a pro-consumer, pro-patient bill under the leadership of Senator Montigny. This year the Senate will continue this fight, with the same persistence that led to expanded access to health care for all children in the Commonwealth.
By no means is this an exhaustive list of all the major issues we will address this year. Education and economic equity and health care are high priorities, but so are housing and public safety and fair taxation and myriad others. Yet today is not so much about laundry lists as about starting the term with an emphasis on the collegial and productive atmosphere that will enable us to reach the sometimes elusive answers to the contentious questions we face.
These are the words we will work by but words will not be what we work for. We are about making the choices and judgments that affect the lives of the ordinary men and women who elect us.
I believe that the paramount challenge of this term will be to translate our general economic prosperity into real gains in the standard of living and quality of life of the working and middle class people who are the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Too many of our constituents find themselves on an economic stairmaster feverishly exerting themselves to climb, but not being lifted at all. I believe we can do better than that. I believe we should do better than that. And I believe we in this senate will do better than that. Let's pledge to work together to make our state deserving of the title "Commonwealth."
And let me thank you, once again, from the bottom of my heart, for the opportunity to serve as your presiding officer.
On motion of Mr. Moore, the address of the President was ordered printed in the Journal of the Senate.
Mr. Lees asked unanimous consent to make a statement; and, there
being no objection, he addressed the Senate as follows:
I would first like to thank all of you, my esteemed colleagues of the one hundred and eighty-first General Court of the Commonwealth, for affording me the honor of speaking to you on this important occasion. And to those here today who are new members to this distinguished law-making body the Senator from Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth, the Senator from Worcester, the Senator from Essex and Middlesex, the Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, and the Senator from Middlesex & Suffolk I extend a heartfelt welcome!
I would also like to express my deepest thanks to Senator Tisei and Senator Rauschenbach for their kind words. I know first-hand that these speeches can be overshadowed by the always up-hill battle of the underdog. However, both of these gentlemen have always comported themselves with the utmost grace and dignity. Not only have these two colleagues been invaluable members of my leadership team they have also become two of my closest and most admired friends.
To you, Mr. President, I convey my most sincere congratulations on being re-elected to the noble office of Senate President, a position which you have held these last three years with such distinction, honor, and dedication. You truly are a public servant of whom all citizens of Massachusetts can be proud.
On a more personal note, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for your very generous comments.
Also, I would be remiss not to mention how pleased I am to see you in that chair after last year's speculation that you would be leaving this body to join the ranks of another legislative body. We all know the temptation of such an opportunity, as well as the pressure you felt from your party and others. You chose to keep serving our Commonwealth by leading this body, and for that we are grateful. The service you perform here does indeed affect every citizen and I believe they are better off with you working on their behalf.
And I might also point out to everyone present here today that while we are all glad you decided to remain here on Beacon Hill, I am sure you could have taught our colleagues on Capitol Hill a thing or two about real leadership and bi-partisanship.
We have all been witness to the fact that you, Mr. President, understand that a two-party democratic system is based on checks and balances and healthy debate. These are the important governing principles that maintain a well-functioning democracy on every level of government and that you Mr. President have gone beyond the line of duty to uphold. Through your collegial demeanor, tempered understanding, and principled leadership you have served this body and our state well. Your initiative to allow our caucus, an overwhelming minority, access to roll call votes, has demonstrated to everyone that you look beyond partisanship to the more important goal of open and fair government.
I am reminded of a statement once made by Abraham Lincoln, whose likeness aptly graces our chamber, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." You, Mr. President, have passed this test with flying colors. For this I thank you and commend you.
As the legislative session before us closes the door on Massachusetts lawmaking in the 20th century, I am confident that together we in this Senate can continue to build upon the progress our great state has made throughout this century and proudly lead the way into the next Millennium.
In doing so, we will be confronted with many new beginnings and new challenges. Nineteen ninety-nine marks the official beginning of a new administration here in the State House. Although Governor Paul Cellucci has lead our state for the last year and a half with unwavering dedication, compassion, skill, and courage, he can now make the claim that he is not merely "acting".
With Paul Cellucci at our state's helm, I know we will continue to flourish with the same unprecedented success we have experienced over the past few years. I am inspired by his demonstrated leadership and am confident that he will continue this trend through the duration of his tenure as Governor.
And this time, he will not be alone. Another new beginning is at hand with the upcoming inauguration of Jane Swift as Lieutenant-Governor. We welcome her to this office in a spirit of encouraging men and women to approach governing as a partnership.
So, too, it is appropriate that she gained her leadership experience in the very chamber in which we stand today, the same chamber in which we welcome Jo Ann Sprague to our Republican Minority, and the same chamber in which Angelina Grimke, advocating for the abolition of slavery in 1838, became the first woman ever to address any legislative body in the United States.
Jane Swift's past experience serving with many of us in the Senate combined with her unwavering devotion to serving the interests of all the citizens of our Commonwealth will undoubtedly embolden her to establish a constructive partnership with Governor Cellucci and with the entire Legislature.
I know that we all look forward to the opportunity to continue working closely with the Cellucci/Swift administration together!
And together we must work. I would be naive to say
that we will agree on every issue that confronts us. It is in fact inevitable that we
will not. Yet, in the simple but exact words of Mahatma Ghandi, "Honest disagreement is often a
good sign of progress." It is with tenacity and determination tempered by compromise that we
will work together to ensure a bountiful way of life for all citizens of the Commonwealth.
Take heed, however. I am by no means waiving the white flag. Although we Republicans are only seven strong, strong we are, indeed! As you may recall, some of the major policy agendas that we pushed and were scoffed at have now become the issues of the day for all of us!
Our efforts to implement significant tax cuts, workers' compensation
and unemployment insurance reform, and effective welfare reform, as well as to reduce the
overall level of the government's presence in people's lives, have finally met with unprecedented
It is my hope that the Senate will continue to be the leaders in promoting positive legislation for everyone in this Great State. We must work diligently to return every cent we feasibly can to hardworking taxpayers including the rollback of the earned income tax to 5%, to ensure that our state can remain fiscally competitive in the regional economy, to establish a hard line against crime, to safeguard the financial and personal security of senior citizens, and to reform the state tax code to make it more taxpayer and business friendly.
And we must not forget that even though we have been faithful to our pledge of education reform, we must continue to make solid strides in improving our entire educational system. Because public education, from Kindergarten right through high school and college, must continue to be our number one priority.
As one who benefited from public education from 1st grade to high school and then again in college I may be a bit more sensitive than those who attended non-public schools. But regardless of one's personal background or economic status we must provide the citizens of Massachusetts with access to the best public education system in the nation.
I encourage all legislators to keep these goals in mind as we embark upon this new session.
I would also be remiss not to thank my fellow members in the Republican Caucus for their vote of confidence in me today and for their courage and tenacity in facing overwhelming odds almost every time they stand to bring an issue forward. I ask them to remember, in the poignant words of J. William Fulbright, "In democracy, dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but in its effects."
In closing, I would like to offer a suggestion that none of us take ourselves too seriously in the months and sessions ahead and instead that we remember why we are here. We are here to tackle the issues facing our great state in an atmosphere of goodwill, and sometimes good humor.
Although we are a group of 40, we will become a tightly knit family of
colleagues and friends.
I urge every member to smile and welcome each challenging day with a pledge to shine the light of logic into the often dark and ambiguous legislative causes and clauses and above all to propose better alternatives. A happy and joyous New Year to all!
On motion of Mr. Tisei, the above statement was ordered printed in the Journal of the Senate.
Mr. Berry moved that the Senate proceed to the election of a Clerk and
that the President cast one ballot for Patrick F. Scanlan of Salem as Clerk of the Senate; and,
after remarks, this motion prevailed.
Accordingly, the ballot was cast and Mr. Scanlan was declared elected, and was then qualified by taking the oaths and affirmation as prescribed by the Constitution and also the following oath, which was administered by the President:
"Whereas, you PATRICK F. SCANLAN, are chosen Clerk of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you do swear that you will truly enter all the votes and orders thereof, and in all things relating to your office that you will act faithfully and impartially accordingly to your best skill and judgement. So help you, God."
Mr. Havern moved that the Senate proceed to the election of a
Sergeant-at-Arms and that the President cast one ballot for Michael J. Rea, Jr., of Billerica as
Sergeant-at-Arms on the part of the Senate; and this motion prevailed.
Accordingly, the ballot was cast and Michael J. Rea, Jr., of Billerica was declared elected on the part of the Senate.
On motion of Mr. Creedon,
Ordered, That until the President may otherwise direct, the provisions of Senate Rule 4, as relates to the appointment of a Chaplain shall be suspended, and that the duties of said office shall be performed in such manner as the President may direct.
On motion of Mr. Rauschenbach,
Ordered, That a committee be appointed to notify His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable Council of the organization of the Senate; and that the Honorable Thomas F. Birmingham of Middle sex, Suffolk and Essex has been elected President of the Senate, and Patrick F. Scanlan has been elected Clerk of the Senate. Senators Magnani of Middlesex, Norfolk and Worcester, Creem of Middlesex and Norfolk, Joyce of Suffolk, Panagiotakos of Middlesex and Sprague of Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth were appointed the committee.
Subsequently, Mr. Magnani, for the committee, reported that the committee had performed the duties assigned to it. The report was accepted and the committee was discharged.
On motion of Mr. Havern,
Ordered, That the Clerk be directed to notify the House of Representatives of the election, on the part of the Senate, of Michael J. Rea, Jr., of Billerica as Sergeant-at-Arms of the General Court.
On motion of Mr. Norton,
Ordered, That the Senate Rules of the last year be observed as the temporary Senate Rules for the present General Court.
On motion of Mr. Shannon,
Ordered, That the Joint Rules of the last year be observed as the temporary Joint Rules of the two branches for the present General Court.
Sent to the House for concurrence.
On motion of Mr. Morrissey,
Ordered, That a committee be appointed to inform the House of Representatives of the organization of the Senate; and that the Honorable Thomas F. Birmingham of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex has been elected president of the Senate; and Patrick F. Scanlan has been elected Clerk of the Senate. Senators Pacheco of Plymouth and Bristol, Brewer of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin, Tolman of Middlesex and Suffolk, Wilkerson of Suffolk and Hedlund of Plymouth and Norfolk were appointed the committee on the part of the Senate.
Subsequently, Mr. Pacheco, for the said committee, reported that the committee had performed the duties assigned to it. The report was accepted and the committee was discharged.
The following communication, together with the returns of votes and schedules referred to, was received from the Secretary of the Commonwealth and placed on file, to wit:
January 6, 1999.
To the Honorable Senate:
I have the honor to lay before you the returns of votes cast at the
election held in this Commonwealth on the third day of November, 1998 for Senators, together
with schedules showing the number of ballots which appear to have been cast for each person
voted for.
These returns have been duly canvassed by the Governor and Council, and are now transmitted for examination by the Senate, as required by the Constitution.
Very truly yours,
|Secretary of State.
Order Adopted.
On motion of Mr. Rosenberg,
Ordered, That a special committee of the Senate to consist of three members be appointed for the purpose of canvassing the votes for Senators in the several districts.
Senators Jajuga of Essex, Tucker of Essex and Middlesex and Tisei of Middlesex were appointed the committee.
Subsequently, Mr. Jajuga, for the said special committee, reported that the following named persons had been duly elected, to wit:
|Hon. Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr., of Pittsfield
|in the Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin District.
|Hon. Thomas C. Norton of Fall River
|in the First Bristol District
|Hon. Mark C. Montigny of New Bedford
|in the Second Bristol District
|Hon. Henri S. Rauschenbach of Brewster
|in the Cape and Islands District.
|Hon. Edward J. Clancy, Jr., of Lynn
|in the First Essex District
|Hon. Frederick E. Berry of Peabody
|in the Second Essex District
|Hon. James P. Jajuga of Methuen
|in the Third Essex District
|Hon. Bruce E. Tarr of Gloucester
|in the First Essex and Middlesex District
|Hon. Susan C. Tucker of Andover
|in the Second Essex and Middlesex District
|Hon. Linda J. Melconian of Springfield
|in the Hampden District.
|Hon. Brian P. Lees of East Longmeadow
|in the First Hampden and Hampshire District
|Hon. Michael R. Knapik of Westfield
|in the Second Hampden and Hampshire District
|Hon. Stanley C. Rosenberg of Amherst
|in the Hampshire and Franklin District.
|Hon. Steven C. Panagiotakos of Lowell
|in the First Middlesex District>
|Hon. Charles E. Shannon of Winchester
|in the Second Middlesex District>
|Hon. Richard R. Tisei of Wakefield
|in the Third Middlesex District>
|Hon. Robert A. Havern of Arlington
|in the Fourth Middlesex District>
|Hon. Susan C. Fargo of Lincoln
|in the Fifth Middlesex District>
|Hon. Cynthia Stone Creem of Newton
|in the First Middlesex and Norfolk District.
|Hon. David P. Magnani of Framingham
|in the Middlesex, Norfolk and Worcester District.
|Hon. Steven A. Tolman of Boston
|in the Middlesex and Suffolk District.
|Hon. Thomas F. Birmingham of Chelsea
|in the Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex District.
|Hon. Robert A. Durand of Marlborough
|in the Middlesex and Worcester District.
|Hon. Cheryl A. Jacques of Needham
|in the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District.
|Hon. Jo Ann Sprague of Walpole
|in the Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth District.
|Hon. Michael W. Morrissey of Quincy
|in the Norfolk and Plymouth District.
|Hon. Marian Walsh of Boston
|in the Norfolk and Suffolk District.
|Hon. Therese Murray of Plymouth
|in the Plymouth and Barnstable District.
|Hon. Marc R. Pacheco of Taunton
|in the First Plymouth and Bristol District
|Hon. Robert S. Creedon, Jr. of Brockton
|in the Second Plymouth and Bristol District
|Hon. Robert L. Hedlund of Weymouth
|in the Plymouth and Norfolk District.
|Hon. Stephen F. Lynch of Boston
|in the First Suffolk District
|Hon. Dianne Wilkerson of Boston
|in the Second Suffolk District
|Hon. Robert E. Travaglini of Boston
|in the Suffolk and Middlesex District.
|Hon. Brian A. Joyce of Milton
|in the Suffolk and Norfolk District.
|Hon. Robert A. Bernstein of Worcester
|in the First Worcester District
|Hon. Guy W. Glodis of Worcester
|in theSecond Worcester District
|Hon. Stephen M. Brewer of Barre
|in the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin District.
|Hon. Robert A. Antonioni of Leominster
|in the Worcester and Middlesex District.
|Hon. Richard T. Moore of Uxbridge
|in the Worcester and Norfolk District.
The report was read, and the report was considered forthwith and accepted.
Notice was received from the House of Representatives by a committee thereof, of the organization of that branch, the House having chosen Thomas M. Finneran of Boston as Speaker and Stephen T. James of North Andover as Clerk.
On motion of Ms. Murray,
Ordered, That a special committee of the Senate to consist of three members be appointed for the purpose of arranging the seats of members of the Senate.
Senators Travaglini of Suffolk and Middlesex, Montigny of Bristol and Lees of Hampden and Hampshire were appointed the committee.
On motion of Mr. Tolman,
Ordered, That the Clerk begin the daily printing of the Journal of the Senate, as authorized by Senate Rule 6, and that the daily reading thereof be dispensed with; that, under authority of Section 10 of Chapter 5 of the General Laws, copies of the Journals of the entire session be printed and bound with the customary appendices and an index; and that a certified copy thereof be deposited with the Secretary of the Commonwealth as the official bound Journal of the Senate.
On motion of Ms. Jacques,
Ordered, That when the Senate adjourns today, it adjourn to meet again tomorrow at eleven o'clock A.M.
On motion of Mr. Berry,
Ordered, That a convention of the two Houses be held at twelve o'clock noon on Thursday, January 7, for the purpose of administering the oaths of office to Governor-elect, Lieutenant-Governor-elect, and the several Councillors-elect .
Sent to the House for concurrence.
A communication was received that the Honorable Cynthia S. Creem, Governor's Councillor from the Third District had resigned from the office of Governor's Council this day, effective at eleven o'clock A.M. The communication was placed on file.
At eleven minutes past one o'clock P.M., the Senate adjourned to meet on the following day at eleven o'clock P.M.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Sporting, Portmore in drab goalless draw
TOLL GATE, Clarendon — Portmore United's indifferent start to the defence of their Red Stripe Premier League title continued yesterday with a drab goalless draw against Sporting Central Academy at Brancourt.
Sporting were unusually wasteful in possession but had the three best chances of the game, with Gregory Lewis — twice — and the usually reliable Levaughn Williams missing one-on-one chances early on.
The visiting Portmore side finished the stronger team but except for Ricardo Morris' 55th-minute effort which crashed into the upright, had no real goalscoring opportunities.
With the point, the St Catherine outfit inched to four points from four games, but remained in the bottom half of the 12-team standings.
Coach Andre Waugh is nonetheless pleased with the progress of his young charges.
"It is not the start that we would have liked, but after our first two games we had no point and now we have four from our last two games which would indicate some form of progress," he said.
While lamenting their woeful display in front of goal, Sporting Central coach Nigel Stewart was pleased with the point which saw his team inched to seven.
"I'm definitely not happy with the performances," he said. "There's no way we should have missed those three chances, but I will take the point."


text:
Welcome to Cooking For One Recipes! This series is designed for those of us who don't need recipes for big meals- just enough for one person to eat without a ton of leftovers. Or, if you are feeding a large family, you can certainly alter the recipes to whatever amount of people you need!
For those of you who use Pinterest I have created a board that will have all the recipes from this series. Be sure to follow it!
Zucchini Muffins
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 1/4 cups white sugar
- 3 tspns vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated zucchini
- 1 cup chopped walnuts – Optional
- Grease two mini muffin pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
- Beat eggs, applesauce, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove muffins from pan, and completely cool.
This recipe makes two pans of mini muffins but you will probably eat one pan in the first day! I freeze the second pan for easy breakfasts.


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It was announced over the weekend that Mauro Ranallo and John McCarthy have been named as the announce team for Affliction's first-ever event on Saturday, July 19 in Anaheim, Calif.
Ranallo, a former play-by-play announcer for PRIDE, is also the play-by-play announcer for mixed martial arts events on SHOWTIME as well as a color commentator for EliteXC events that air on CBS. He also hosts a daily combat sports radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio and Hardcore Sports Radio every weekday from 3-4 p.m. ET.
McCarthy had been a long-time MMA referee before announcing his retirement last year in order to accept a dual executive-announcer with The Fight Network. He also owns a training center based out of California and is a former law enforcement official.
Affliction: Banned will be headlined by a main event featuring former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko taking on former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in a match to decide the first-ever WAMMA heavyweight champion. Other bouts slated for the card include a rematch between former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo; Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell and Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Negao.
Great …3 hours of Mauro Ranallo screaming into the mic…
Agree or Disagree: 0 0
this also explains BJM's angry tirades against Dana and the UFC recently
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Let's get it on!
(There, someone said it. Now let's get back to business.)
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As Zack said, suddenly BJM's comments against the UFC make sense.
When he made comments about the UFC show running against Affliction, I did mention that he has a shirt deal with them and thus has a vested interest in their future, now we know there is even more to it.
A pity he was not more up front about it.
I would guess this means that Ranallo is done with Pro-Elite, I can't see them letting him do both.
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So the WAMMA thing is official? What does Affliction gain by granting legitimacy to those hanger-ons?
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Same with Ranallo…last year word came out PRIDE "forced" him to say a lot of negative stuff about the UFC or so he claims when confronted by the Fertitas when he wanted a job..
well obviously he didn't get one…
and so the negativity rains again.
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Why would ProElite care? All promotions OTHER than the UFC are sharing fighters etc, and Affliction will probably put on 1-2 shows a YEAR.
Get your head out of the sand. EVERYONE is ganging up to take on the UFC. Lets see if the UFC can withstand the combined forces of Affliction/Dream/EliteXC/Strikeforce/AFL
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I heard GSP is going to be the ref and BJ Penn and Roger Huerta are going to be ring-girls.
Man, this card is stacked!
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WAMMA is the equivalent of a bunch of city league flag football teams getting together and declaring their best team the national football champions and then declaring the Super Bowl "unofficial". If any of these promotions actually got as big as the UFC, they'd turn on the others in a heartbeat. All this playing nice is so fake. I call shenanigans!
I hope Affliction can succeed, though. I'd love to see TWO huge promotions in the US. I need more MMA than one PPV each month.
Agree or Disagree: 0 0
You are incorrect. Elite has banned all Affliction gear from their shows. With Affliction being banned from Elite shows, I would be surprised with they are willing to share announcers with them, especially one that does the CBS shows. At the very least, Ranallo will likely not be doing the CBS shows in the future.
Strikeforce and Elite are only doing a handful of shows together because that was part of the legal settlement. They have already clashed as Elite has made attempts to lure fighters away from Strikeforce.
NBC and CBS have already said that they will not allow fighters to appear on both networks.
Affliction has no deal with Dream, as some of the Affliction fighters have exclusive Japanese deals with WVR, Barnett being the main one.
Strikeforce is not working with Dream, as they have fighters (Misaki being the main one) that have exclusive Japanese deals with WVR.
Also, Elite has been signing many of their fighters (Shields, Smith, Lawler and Kimbo, among others ) to exclusive deals. They don't want other orgs benefiting from the exposure that CBS brings.
The fighters that do have deals with other companies have to clear things with Elite first. Diaz lost his bout with Sakuria because Elite has priority when it comes to booking him.
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WAMMA is a joke, by Affliction letting them in I am almost tempted to not buy the show just as a form of protest to this boxing type Bullshit
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The combined forces of several feuding org.'s whose combined ppv sales are a fraction of UFC's are a threat? Could the combined forces of several Central American countries threaten the U.S. military? I'm sure White is soiling his underwear even as we blog.
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"McCarthy had been a long-time MMA referee"?
Come on now.It's still okay to remember Big John as the original* ,the innovator,the legend and the best ever.
*with all due respect to UFC 1 referees Joao Alberto Barreto and Helio Vigio-yah,I had to look it up.
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Oh,and I think they make a great team.
Renallo is the best MMA geek with the gift of superhype,
and Big John will be there to bring him back down to earth with the facts.
I predict alot of bruising on Renallo's arm from Big John by the end of the night.
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For what its worth Mauro is usually alot more reserved when does TKO shows with BJM. Hopefully that will be the case with Banned as well. They make a really good team.
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Evan did you watch like the last like 10 events Mauro Ranallo has annouced?
Where's all this screaming? Please give an example.
Also Mauro would never work for the UFC just to become a corporate stooge like the brainless Mike Goldberg and Joe "elusive" Rogan.
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"Also where is this interview where Mauro had to apologize to the Fertittas about anti-UFC comments? I don't recall Ranallo ever going to the UFC about a job."
I never said it was this interview or that he ever apologized. I just remember reading a quote somewhere sometime last year that a discussion happened between them and that explanation was given.
" I think you're mixing him up with Frank Trigg."
I really don't think so but since I can't find that story you could be right.
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I have to say I am surprised that Elite is allowing him to do both. I could be wrong, but I was pretty sure that Elite had banned Affliction gear since they viewed them as a competitor.
I did not say he was done, only that I thought it meant he was done.
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I merely mean a conversation. Literally. I don't recall it ever had anything to do with a negotiation. I can't recall where it happened but I am sure these guys run into each other relatively often.
And I do think he can do great work but sometimes he gets too generic. He's either on or off.
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yeah I should have taken out the "when he wanted a job.. " earlier. I wish I could find that link..
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"yeah I should have taken out the "when he wanted a job.. " earlier. I wish I could find that link.."
Like Sam Caplan mentioned, the way you described it in your initial post is exactly the way Frank Trigg talked about his experience with Pride and Lorenzo Fertitta. I guarantee you're mixing the two up.
"I was pretty sure that Elite had banned Affliction gear since they viewed them as a competitor. "
Elite only banned Affliction gear that was promoting the upcoming ppv show. The regular fighter and gym shirts are still allowed to be worn at their shows(like Xtreme Couture shirts, for example). Zuffa banned all of the Affliction products.
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hmmmmm…….ok. You guys have convinced me.
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I hate to say it but I'm reaching my Mauro R limit.
He was the voice of Pride and more often than not he did a excellent job, but over the past few years ( or ever since he started working with Pro Elite) MR has become way too over the top and his announcing is more comparable to pro wrestling than to a actual sports' play by play guy
Mauro your at a 11 right lets tone it down just a little
3 hours of over hyping everything and bad metaphors for the Affliction ppv.
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Mauro reminds me of some of the guys who show up on local ads for used car lots. Lots of volume and enthusiasm, but it ain't poetry.
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Two Toes is right in that Frank and Lorenza had a conversation at a wedding about Frank working for the UFC. Frank told this story on Inside MMA. He went on to say he did not want to return to the UFC in any capacity because he couldn't do his radio show or fight outside the UFC. My guess is the UFC didn't want him apoligy or not.
Agree or Disagree: 0 0
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text:
Philly's own Beanie Sigel was sentenced to two years in prison this week for neglecting to file numerous federal income tax returns. Beanie apparently decided that from 2003 to 2005, he wasn't going to pay some $340,000 he owed the government. Prosectors also claim that, from 1999 t0 2002, Beanie "forgot" to pony up around $380,000 to The Man.
So, where is Beanie's money? Well, U.S. District Judge Jan E. Dubois has a hunch that Beanie's loot is somewhere in the Cayman Islands, just chillin', "For all we know, [Sigel] has earned a significant sum of money and simply squirreled it away, out of the reach of the government…"
His sentence should start in September, so we can probably expect an obligatory incarceration album sometime next year.
Source: Philly.com


text:
Just read this at Sean Tompkins site, and he makes a very good point.
According The Domains' article, "ICM Registry Suspends TM Domains Including BusinessWeek.xxx, cnbc.xxx, VerizonWireless.xxx, WashingtonPost.xxx" as part of their effort to prevent the cybersquatting of trademarked names. The article quotes Stuart Lawley from a press release regarding the decision:
"ICM Registry has raised the bar on responsible registry operations and we intend to maintain the highest standards. We will not tolerate nefarious conduct and will exercise our right to take appropriate action when we detect widespread repeat patterns of cyber-squatting activity. Would-be cyber-squatters are on notice neither ICM Registry nor the .xxx community will be complicit in the theft or abuse of intellectual property. ICM takes a stand to facilitate user choice and parental control, protect the privacy, security, and consumer rights of consenting adults, fight child abuse images, and protect intellectual property," said Lawley.
The article ends with its author, Michael H. Berkens writing:
I think this is an unprecedented move by a Registry.
Personally I'm not aware of a Registry pre-emptively suspending domain names even those that seem to be clear trademark infringing domain names.
In previous launches some TM domains actually went to Land Rush auctions and sold for big bucks and we questioned why registries should profit from the premium sale of TM domains as in the case of Toyota.me which sold for $90,000
Also interesting is Tompkins' observation:
Explain this to me like I'm 6 years old. If DOTXXX isnt gonna allow "blatant cybersquatting" like CNBC.XXX then why push the schools and other educational institutions to buy their name? Why not just block it from the start? Is Mr Lawley saying MichiganState.xxx isn't good enough to block but Verizon is?
Here's an article from The Michigan Daily on Michigan State protectively buying up their urls.
Could this be more a response to some legal threat than anything conscionable on the part of Lawley and his ICM Registry? We know here what a tough time schools are having. Is Lawley so shrewd a businessman that he is aware of it, too?
And I'd just like to go over this statement by Lawley again:
Would-be cyber-squatters are on notice neither ICM Registry nor the .xxx community will be complicit in the theft or abuse of intellectual property.
What ".XXX community" is he talking about? The domains he sold before the actual adult community was allowed to even engage the Sunrise Period for registration? Before even the vote to allow the sTLD was awarded by ICANN in March 2011? Could he be referring the ".XXX" community that never wanted his sTLD designation in the first place?
From Elliot's Blog, quoted by Diane Duke during the 2011 inaugural XBIZ EU Summit in London:
I just learned that an additional batch of .XXX domain names recently went online, and they are owned by Frank Schilling's Name Administration. These include some of the best .XXX domain names, and the back story is interesting. According to Schilling, "they were actually purchased in January (at Domainfest) before the contract was awarded. It was a huge risk buying names that didn't exist." (The list of .XXX names Schilling acquired is listed below).
Although the exact purchase price was not disclosed, I understand it was seven figures and it was an all cash deal.
This shrewd business decision made by Schilling is another example of his foresight in the domain space. By taking a risk on .XXX, he could have ended up owning non-existent domain names had the extension not been approved. Now, he owns a chunk of significantly valued domain names, since these are some of the best possible .XXX domain names.
You may quote this site's original content in incomplete excerpts with credit to © Julie Meadows Entertainment and a direct link to quoted material. Thank you!


text:
August 21, 2014
Thou Shalt Not Exceed the Speed Limit
Posted on Jun 19, 2007
The Vatican has come up with "Ten Commandments" for drivers, warning that cars can be "an occasion of sin." The document recommends prayer for surviving the road in good physical and spiritual condition, especially saying the rosary while driving because its "rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver's attention."
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By Louise, June 20, 2007 at 4:35 pm Link to this comment
Well, I think this is just precious.
Heaven knows a lot of accidents, mangling and death could be prevented if folks would exercise the same restraint while driving that they do at Mass. And that drunk driving thing, there's no excuse for that. Drunk drivers kill the innocent and often emerge from the mayhem he/she created unscathed and giggling.
Personally I think there should be a ten year minimum prison sentence for anyone convicted of driving drunk, cause the laws on the books sure aren't stopping them!
The Popes concern for the innocent victims is laudable. Now, if we could just get him to come out and publicly condemn the needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocents because of a war of aggression based on a lie for the purpose of making huge profits to satisfy the lust and greed that drives the neo-con fascists. [Who daily break how many Commandments?]
Thou shall not steal.
[feel free to add to the list]
Guess we should be grateful Bush sees himself as a "man" of God. Can you imagine what a mess we'd be in if he didn't?
By mojo, June 20, 2007 at 2:57 pm Link to this comment
Papal endorsement of VOLVO ! (But that's neither Italian nor German). And what about Gucci, Bruno Maglioni ? (shoes worn by OJ, the clergy prefers red patent-leather); Sun-glasses by Versaci, etc. Escusi my Italiano . . .
By Tom Doff, June 20, 2007 at 8:56 am Link to this comment
I can't wait to read the Pope's dissertation about how to achieve more satisfying orgasms.
He knows at least as much about that as he does about traffic.
By Skruff, June 20, 2007 at 6:34 am Link to this comment
I understand that in the nanny-state spirit of the times, soon technology will be available to monitor all US license plates by satellite, you'll get your speeding ticket in the mail. Canada has signed on to this scheme also.
By Donovan, June 20, 2007 at 3:15 am Link to this comment
Well, this is great. Fuck the Pope. Shouldn't the person making rules be the one with the most experience?
Car & Driver Magazine analyzed the statistics a long time ago (late 90s) and found that when states reduced the highway speed limit, the accidents/fatalities increased, and vice versa for when there were higher speed limits.
What was the deciding factor in an accident on the road was disimilar speeds, which was promoted by lower speed limits.
If the speed limits were based on the safest speed for the given portion of the road and everyone drove at nearly the same rate, then there'd be less accidents.
By bluejeanne, June 20, 2007 at 12:07 am Link to this comment
Cyrena, Federico, & Mike . . . funny stuff. What happened to St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers? I think Mary was very content to ride a donkey; yet now she's being implored through the recitation of the rosary—to perpetuate an economy based on the automobile industry, that which is detrimental to the environment.
Is this 'For Real'? In the middle of a WAR for OIL , instead of receiving a reprimand and encouragement to PRAY FOR PEACE, the Vatican is encouraging driving. Absurdly pathetic !
Why not suggest that people share rides and sing hymns together. Hitch-hiking used to be very common in Europe. Why doesn't the Vatican give a dispensation to folks who ride mass transit, as a substitute for penance.
By Tom Doff, June 19, 2007 at 11:40 pm Link to this comment
Did the pope have anything to say about giving the finger to those ladies dressed like penguins who clog up the fast lane at forty MPH?
By Federico Contreras, June 19, 2007 at 6:56 pm Link to this comment
I thought I'd seen it all but this form of religious hogwash is brand new to me!
As my colleague above, I'd sooner people watch the road than speak to their imaginary friend.