508, Episode 52
The paper anniversary issue.
I’m honored to be a part of this crew every week, and we’re just getting started.
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Original post by Brendan
Is Charter Communications violating MA state law?
Over the last few weeks on 508, Mike Benedetti and I have been discussing Charter Communications plans to begin monitoring customer web traffic to better target advertising. And examining the process used by the company they’ve contracted with on this, NebuAd, has raised more questions than it’s answered. After reading Ryan Singels take on the opt-out process over at WIREDs Threat Level, another question seems to be floating out there. Is any of this even legal? Now, Singel is talking about federal wiretap law, but for those of you who have been following this story on a local level here’s the language in the MGL regarding wire taps. I’d love to hear people’s thoughts as to how Charters plan would or would not be a violation of MGL Chapter 272: Section 99 which reads in part:
D. Exemptions.
1. Permitted interception of wire or oral communications.
[...]
Original post by Brendan
Artigo/Ajemian Films announce “We Got the Beat”Casting Call
Just recived this bit of news from our good friend Andrea Ajemian:
Artigo/Ajemian Films (www.aafilms.com) of Worcester, MA is seeking actors for their teen comedy, set in 1983, about the first ever boyband called “We Got the Beat,” shooting this summer in Worcester County. It stars Michael Copon (“One Tree Hill”) with 7-10 additional cast members from Hollywood. That leaves about 40 principal roles to be cast locally, including two members of the boyband/lead roles. (African American male 18-23 yrs. old, who can rap/breakdance, and Latino male, 18-23 yrs. old who can rap/sing/breakdance). We need all ethnic types, breakdancers, singers, actors . All speaking roles will be paid jobs. It will be a SAG film, so professional, union actors are encouraged to submit, however we also encourage people who aren’t professional actors. Send your photo, contact information, age, if under 18, and any experience (choir, [...]
Original post by Brendan
WPS - Making life miserable one child at a time
I was just poking around the Worcester Public Schools website looking for the types of ‘fun’ we’ve banned in town. Spurred by this story in the Washington Post, I have a feeling my decision as to whether or not my son will attend public schools will hinge less on issues like funding and quite a bit more on the degree of bat shit insane authoritarianism ruling the day. While I couldn’t find out for sure if tag and dodge ball are banned in the WPS, I did find some things that made me giggle before getting mostly depressed.
Rule 15 of the WPS code is a great one:
Rule 15. - Cellular Telephones, Beepers, and Laser Pointing Devices
A student shall not possess a beeper, pager or other mobile telecommunications or two-way radio communications device of any type on school premises or at a school-sponsored situation, provided, however, that a [...]
Original post by Brendan
William Breault: Stupidest person in Worcester
I have a big favor to ask, Worcester. Can we please all stop pretending that Billy Breault makes any sense what so ever? In today’s T&G Mark Melady did us all the disservice of printing yet another ridiculous collection of Billy’s unsubstantiated bullshit and it really has to end. Today Billy is talking marijuana decriminalization and I find it troubling how many half truths and lies the Telegram is willing to print for Billy, take this one for example:
He said today’s marijuana is four times more potent than the weed of 30 years ago and the Supreme Court has twice turned back efforts to legalize marijuana for medical purposes.
Yes, the Supreme Court has twice in recent years passed on hearing marijuana cases, but only so states could pass their own law (Republic anyone?) which in turn is exactly what Billy is fighting against, way to battle democracy [...]
Original post by Brendan
Operation Barbershop
Law enforcement officials say they have broken up an organized gambling syndicate in Worcester, Leominster and other Massachusetts locations that took in more than $1 million a year.
Not only is that a terrible name for an investigation, but were we not debating the possibility of legalized gambling in MA as recently as a few weeks ago?
I hope someone at the T&G is fighting for early access on this one, bookies keep better records than the IRS and this client list is sure to be gold before it gets scrubbed.
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Original post by Brendan
Don’t quote me on this
Some interesting happenings in the local booze and boobies markets today, with the City Council Public Safety Committee moving to amend our adult entertainment zoning in such a way that I may be forced to start wearing pants in my own shower. But the interesting thing about today’s coverage in the T&G was not the amendment coverage itself, but one tiny little detail which appears to be the lynch pin in the cities argument.
Back in Jan, when all this was kicking up, Zoback over at WoMag crafted a great story laying out exactly what is at play in this debate. He included a quote from a memo to City Manager O’Brien from Chief Gemme which stated:
“My concern is with the criminal activities associated with adult entertainment establishments. Numerous studies have shown that there is an increase in criminal behavior in the areas surrounding adult entertainment establishments and that [...]
Original post by Brendan
Americas pastime, meet the Puritans.
So I’m going to be honest here, I find baseball to be pretty fucking boring. But I’ve never found it to be such a threat to good morals and decency that I would encourage the License division of the WPD to crack down on it.
In Worcester, police Lt. James J. Johnson, commander of the city’s Alcohol Enforcement Unit, said the Police Department is going to enforce the law that sets 8 a.m. as the earliest possible opening time. The lieutenant said bars are not allowed to open earlier even if they have no plans to serve alcohol until the allowed hour.
“We’re going to hold true to that, not to be a spoiler or anything,” said Lt. Johnson, who met with his staff today to discuss the situation.
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Meanwhile, 45 min East…
Fenway faithful expected to rise early for Sox opener
March 24, 2008 11:53 AM
By Globe Staff
Talk about your diehard fans. Some [...]
Original post by Brendan