Bishop to continue exploitation of Audrey Santo
The T&G brings us the news that Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus is willing to continue the exploitation of this woman’s tragic life by the charlatans who have profited off her suffering through acceleration of the canonization process.
Members of the organization — the Little Audrey Santo Foundation Inc. — said they decided they will make a pitch to the Holy See’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints after Bishop Robert J. McManus on Thursday officially “recognized” the group as “a private association of the faithful.”
Diocesan officials said the designation gives the foundation canonical standing. That’s important because the canonization process is usually initiated by the bishop, who oversees the locale where the candidate for sainthood died or is buried; a religious order interested in nominating one of its own, or by a private association.
There’s not much about the shameful abuse of this child turned side show [...]
Original post by Brendan
What team are you on?
The senators said the new guidelines would allow the F.B.I. to open an investigation of an American, conduct surveillance, pry into private records and take other investigative steps “without any basis for suspicion.” The plan “might permit an innocent American to be subjected to such intrusive surveillance based in part on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or on protected First Amendment activities,” the letter said. It was signed by Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
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Original post by Brendan
Which team are you on?
The senators said the new guidelines would allow the F.B.I. to open an investigation of an American, conduct surveillance, pry into private records and take other investigative steps “without any basis for suspicion.” The plan “might permit an innocent American to be subjected to such intrusive surveillance based in part on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or on protected First Amendment activities,” the letter said. It was signed by Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
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Original post by Brendan
A barroom full of nonsense
Here are just a few of the completely nonsensical arguments laid out in todays Telegram and Gazette by Worcester Police Chief Gary Gemme regarding the cities new and ‘improved’ police detail policy for drinking establishments.
A bar or club may pay a couple of hundred dollars for one police officer to work a detail for four hours, but the city can face hundreds of thousands of dollars in liability if the officer has to use force to subdue an unruly patron and/or is injured while doing so, the chief said yesterday. The new policy should address that issue as well, he said.
So the obvious and immediate result of this policy will be either rebate checks to city taxpayers or increased funding to other city services? I can’t wait to see the savings during next years budget hearings.
“Think about it from this perspective; an officer is hired for $200 and the [...]
Original post by Brendan
Elderly man scared of technology, News at 11
State Rep John Binienda makes news today with a plan to track who’s buying pre-paid cell phones in an effort to show criminals we’re tough on crime. Apparently by showing criminals we really don’t understand technology.
“There has always been a concern that prepaid services in general enable anonymity in wireless usage and that’s in part a concern because it lends to its use by criminals,” said Fedor Smith, an analyst who monitors the prepaid cellphone industry for Boston-based consulting and research firm Atlantic-ACM. “If you’re calling other prepaid wireless costumers, there’s a completely anonymous network of people.”
Government has officially become your mom, searching through your sock drawer every day after you leave for school because Phil Donahue convinced her you were smoking dope.
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This comes only a week after Governor Patrick signed into law H. 4811, Massachusetts version of Jessicas Law, which along the way picked up this amendment (which has [...]
Original post by Brendan
Th-th-th-that’s Alta folks!
This week Worcester Magazine reports the closing of the Alta Café at the hands of the Worcester License Commission. A mixed blessing for the neighborhood to be sure, as they’re slowly running out of people to blame common bad behavior and terrible public safety oversight on.
As expected, local curmudgeon Billy Breault wins the “I’ll eat my hat” award with this line:
“I think it will make for a much safer area.”
Glad you went on the record with that Billy, now when the area is exactly the same a year from now we can completely discount you and your inane opinions.
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Original post by Brendan
Maybe you could pave over Elm Park?
You just know you’ve got a winner on your hands when a newspaper story dated Tuesday, July 22, 2008, starts with the line
In her first neighborhood walk this year, Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes and a small group of officials took a walk on Highland Street yesterday…
Someone please tell me they’re working off the fiscal calendar.
This reads like nobody involved has been on Highland Street for 15 years. While mention is made of both the Boynton and the Sole Proprietor expanding their already huge parking lots and Councilor Haller is working on a valet plan involving Elm Park School the merchants involved agree on one thing:
But merchants and officials agreed the main sticking point for Highland Street is its lack of a municipal parking lot.
Is that a joke? 40 Highland St anyone? That lot could definitely fit more cars if it was re-lined and it’s 600ft [...]
Original post by Brendan
A blunderbuss for Breault and Babs
Recently I’ve been critical of the kid gloves writers the T&G have used to handle William Breault, Barbara Haller and the (nonexistent) Main South Alliance for Public Safety, hopefully todays commentary by Robert Nemeth is a sign those gloves are coming off.
The latest display of astonishing callousness in the face of a public health emergency came from City Councilor Barbara Haller and William Breault, a self-appointed community activist who uses demagoguery and intimidation to get his way. Under the pretext of protecting public safety, they have led opposition to measures designed to help people endangered by drug addiction, mental illness, homelessness and related problems, causing considerable harm over the years. But this time they went too far.
Excellent.
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Original post by Brendan