The Blazer Blog

Deval's Administration Flushes $13 Million

2008-07-01T11:23:00.002-04:00

Governor "Cadillac" Deval Patrick's administration overspent by the tune of $13million dollars when it hurriedly signed a computer software contract that has since been canceled, and is now the subject of a state ethics investigation. All this seems to have have happened at the behest of Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, who had a keen interest in Cognos, Inc., the company in question. Stephen Kurkjian has the story from today's Boston Globe.

Ruberto Influenced By Duquette??

2008-06-30T22:41:00.002-04:00

Looks like there is word that Dan Duquette, former GM of the Boston Red Sox, and current owner of the Pittsfield Dukes of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, is under scrutiny by the State Ethics Commission because he sold two tickets to the 2004 World Series to Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto at less than the going rate to win his favor to move his NECBL team from the swamps of Hinsdale to the confines of Wahconah Park. My question, how did Dan score the tickets in the first place? I thought he was drummed out of Boston for failing to produce a winner during his tenure. Read the Boston Globe article by James Vaznis for his take on the investigation.

Mr. Obama Sees Ghosts, Makes Up Family History.

2008-05-27T16:02:00.005-04:00

The Barack Obama "Run for the White House" added a couple of goofs over the holiday weekend. First, in Maria Gavrilovic's "From the Road" column on CBS News web site, Mr. Obama claims that his uncle participated in the liberation of Auschwitz during World War II. Being a history hobbiest, I remember reading that in mid-January 1945, as units of the Soviet Red Army approached Auschwitz, the SS began to evacuate Auschwitz and its surrounding camps. Close to 60,000 prisoners were force marched from Auschwitz towards the west. On January 27, 1945, the Red Army entered Auschwitz and liberated more than 7,000 remaining prisoners. Maybe his uncle served in the Red Army? He claims his grandfather fought with General Patton. Maybe that's possible... In his second gaffe of the weekend, Mr. Obama said in a speech that "On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes -- and I see many of them in the audience here today -- our sense of patriotism is particularly strong." Isn't Memorial Day the day we set aside each May to honor those who have given their lives for our country? Is he seeing ghosts? Maybe the well-educated Mr. Obama doesn't know his own country's holidays. Confused with Veterans' Day, are we Mr. Obama? You can watch the video of the speech here from "TalkLeft," which bills itself as "The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news," just so I show I look for news from both sides...

Up And Running

2008-05-20T15:09:00.002-04:00

Well, after 6 months, 5 of which I spent in the comfortable confines of the Lancaster Motel (2628 Lincoln Highway, Ronks, PA....tell Ravi I sent you) we are settled into our new apartment here in Pennsylvania. Some interesting observations I have made so far:

1) No one pulls into a parking spot here. They all back in.
2) If you own a truck, it has to be an extra cab.
3) If your truck has a diesel engine, you leave it running while you go into buildings.
4) PA drivers love to tailgate, and they all pull out in front of you.
5) All you can eat buffets are the rage down here.
6) Everyone down here seems to own their own home improvement/plumbing/electrical business.
7) If their sports teams are winning, everyone is a fan. If they lose, they aren't.

More to follow....

I'm Coming Back....

2008-05-01T22:55:00.002-04:00

Give me a couple of days, but The Blazer Blog will be back to regular posting. Sorry for the 6 month delay....

Professor Offers Extra Credit to Burn Flag, U.S. Constitution

2007-11-04T08:19:00.000-05:00

A story from yesterday from the Bangor (ME) Daily News by Toni-Lynn Robbins about a University of Maine-Orono professor who has offered extra credit to students in his "History of Mass Communications" class if they burn the U.S. flag or U.S. Constitution. The professor claims he was just trying to ignite a fire, so to speak, in the students about the importance of free speech...

This Isn't Goodbye...

2007-10-16T18:40:00.000-04:00

Well, after a long couple of weeks, it's official: I'm the store manager at the new store opening in November in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania. The store will be opening on November 21st, so I need to be there around November 11th. It's a strange feeling, leaving the area I was born and raised in. But I am excited to be starting an exciting chapter in my life. To give you an idea where Parkesburg is, it's about 15 miles east of Lancaster, PA, just off Route 30. Barb and Emily will be staying in North Adams until Emily graduates in June, and then they will be joining me in PA. I plan on maintaining "The Blazer Blog," and will continue to comment on goings-on here in North Berkshire. It just may be a bit until real regular blogging resumes. Wish us luck, and stop in if you are ever traveling "The Lincoln Highway" through Amish country...

MCLA Neighbors Making Noise Over Noise

2007-09-28T11:56:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the extended "Manny Ramirez" absence, but he's back (sort of) and so am I. Looks like our friend Wes Flinn got out of town just in time. Neighbors of MCLA's Church Street Center are upset at the level of noise emanating from the building, and are threatening a lawsuit or arrests if the situation doesn't get better, fast. Jennifer Huberdeau has the story in today's Transcript.

If The Hsu Fits...

2007-08-29T21:58:00.000-04:00

Looks like the Clinton political machine didn't learn from the '96 campaign donation scandal. "Hill"raiser Norman Hsu is now on the lam, and there are many questions about his donation history...bet you won't see this on the Daily Kos or any other left-leaning blogs...unless it's to bash the vast right-wing conspiracy for making news out of this...

Chicago Say Bye-Bye To Wi-Fi

2007-08-29T16:38:00.000-04:00

A proposed plan to cover Chicago with Wi-Fi signal has been scrapped because it has been deemed too expensive and would not be used by enough people. Perhaps this might be a problem here, also?

Clarksburg Wants Own Zip Code (Again)

2007-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Reminiscent of Hollywood, where there are no new ideas around so they continually re-make old movies, the Town of Clarksburg is re-hashing the demand for it's own zip code. I was on the Board of Selectman in Clarksburg back in 2000 when this last came up, and since the cast of federal players hasn't changed much, I can't see where the decision will be much different this time around, either. I guess with no restaurant dilemmas or Town-City sewer issues to fight about, it's back to page three in the town playbook.
The article appears from today's Transcript by Jennifer Huberdeau...

Vick, Marbury, and The Rest of The Idiots

2007-08-24T18:19:00.000-04:00

As most of you know by now, Michael Vick has signed off on a plea deal, admitting to the court that he willingly took part in the killing of dogs and bankrolled gambling operations pertaining to organized dog fighting. There's not much more that can be said about scum like Vick. Then along comes New York Knicks player Stephon Marbury. In an interview in Albany while promoting his "Starbury" sneaker line (sold exclusively through Steve & Barry's, the well-known collegiate gear outlet, which is coming to the Berkshire Mall in October) on Capital News 9, the Time Warner local news channel, this bonehead spouts that "I think it's tough. I think, you know, we don't say anything about people who shoot deer or shoot other animals. You know, from what I hear, dog fighting is a sport. It's just behind closed doors. I think it's tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down. I think he's one of the superb athletes and he's a good human being. I just think that he fell into a bad situation." A "good human being?" Do these num-nuts have any clue? In my humble opinion, Vick should kiss his NFL career goodbye. And if Steve & Barry's had any gonads, they would drop Marbury and his "Starbury" sneaker and clothing line like a hot potato...Maybe the Berkshire Humane Society or the PETA folks should let the Berkshire Mall know that Marbury and his crappy sneakers aren't welcome here...

New Blog

2007-08-15T12:38:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the late announcement, but our pal and frequent contributor to the "Comment" section, Da Snoop, has joined the ranks of North Berkshire bloggers by launching "ITalkBack." Welcome, and don't stop commenting here. A permanent link will be found to the left under "North Berkshire Blogs."

Chinese Terrorism?

2007-08-15T11:44:00.000-04:00

I'm convinced that the Chinese are trying to take over the world by selling defective and dangerous products, killing off all who stand in their way. Initially, we had the tainted pet food recall, the 1st toothpaste recall, then the Chinese tire recall, then the tainted fish report, then a 2nd toothpaste recall (which only targets people who can afford to stay in ritzy hotels), and now they are going after our kids, with the roughly 10 million piece toy recall. Worry about Al-Queda if you want to, but I'm watching the Chinese.

Obama's Afghan Comments Draw Fire

2007-08-15T11:30:00.000-04:00

In a story by Bill Sammon of "The Examiner", Barack Hussein Obama continues to give Hillary Rodham Clinton the Democratic nomination with a steady stream of idiotic comments, the latest being that U.S. troops in Afghanistan are"... just air-raiding villages and killing civilians, which is causing enormous problems there." This follows on the heels of his statement that "...if elected president, he would meet without pre-conditions with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea." This guy knows the score, the game is all but over, and he's looking for a Vice-Presidential nod from Hillary.

Good Morning, North Adams!

2007-08-03T10:12:00.000-04:00

Hey, that's right, I'm not dead or in the Witness Protection Program. Work has been a major toll on my free time as of late, along with volunteering and a three day Store Managers' meeting in Portland, Maine last week. Plus, Barb and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary last week, my nephew got married, and we are trying to plan a family get-away for next weekend. I am perusing the headlines for something of interest to comment on today, and will be posting in a bit.

Happy Friday The 13th!

2007-07-13T07:42:00.000-04:00

...except to all the readers suffering from Paraskevidekatriaphobia. To you I say, get through the day and tomorrow will be here before you know it. Oh, and a happy 21st birthday to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen...maybe it is an unlucky day after all...

I'm Still Alive...

2007-07-12T06:55:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of postings over the last two weeks. The manager of my store left the company, and I have been promoted to store manager in Pittsfield. Also, Barb and I are in the middle of our annual volunteering gig in the concession stand for the North Adams SteepleCats, so it hasn't left much time for my silly ramblings. Rest assured, I'll come up with something soon. Oops, better get to work. I don't want to be late. The new boss is a stickler for on-time employees....

Gas Prices Remain Unbalanced

2007-06-27T07:12:00.000-04:00

The price of a gallon of gasoline locally remains a game of the farther past North Adams you go, the cheaper gas prices are. Locally, for example, Cumberland Farms on Ashland Street is boning consumers at $3.119 per gallon, while the Cumby's on Dalton Avenue near Allendale in Pittsfield is selling the same gas for $3.029. Word has it that Bilmont's Country Store, just across the border in Stamford, VT, is selling a gallon of regular unleaded at $2.899. This is not only irking Mayor Barrett, as reported in today's Eagle by Jessica Willis, but I'm sure is irking many drivers locally.

Campaign '07 Quiet So Far

2007-06-27T06:58:00.000-04:00

I've only been approached by one candidate for the North Adams City Council election coming up in November so far. Coucilor Mike Bloom has his nomination papers, and was cheerfully working the crowd at Sunday's North Adams SteepleCats game. Sign 'em if you see him...any other rumors about who might challenge the incumbents this time around?

You Could Have Seen This One Coming...

2007-06-23T10:01:00.000-04:00

Just 10 days after an article in the Transcript by Scott Stafford of the Eagle staff that the Hoosac Wind project was in jeopardy and hanging on by a thread comes the news that Arlene O'Donnell, acting commissioner of the Commonwealth's Department of Environmental Protection, has thrown out Administrative Magistrate Natalie S. Monroe's wetlands permit ruling and reissued the permit, which gives the green light to the project. Just 10 months ago, when former Governor and now candidate for President Mitt "Massachusetts ends at Interstate 91" Romney appointed her Acting Commissioner, O'Donnell was quoted as saying "I am honored to serve as the commissioner of an agency that is vital to the protection of our Commonwealth's natural resources and the public health," and "MassDEP has built an excellent record of environmental results over the past three and a half years, and I intend to continue those good works." Yeah, some protection she offered. It is well known that The Guv is a big supporter of wind power, and when the Sedan de Governor pressed, she wilted like my cherry tomato plants I'm trying to grow. So much for the scenic beauty along Route 8 in Clarksburg...

Buy Your Way From Guilt?

2007-06-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

In the ongoing effort to feel better about yourself by buying your way past your "transgressions," Williams College has spent $8,600.00 investing in the Owl Feather War Bonnet Wind Farm (is that a PC name?) in South Dakota being developed by the Rosebud Sioux Nation, and the Wanner Family Dairy Farm Methane Project in Pennsylvania. Apparently, this year's commencement produced about 820 tons (1,640,000 pounds!) of carbon gas emissions, and by buying carbon offsets and similar Renewable Energy Credit (REC) certificates, everyone at Williams can feel all warm and fuzzy about it. My suggestions: Cancel commencement and issue electronic diplomas, or bring in less boring speakers. That would eliminate a lot of CO2 produced by the masses yawning non-stop for an hour and a half...there's been a discussion on "Ephblog" about this, also...the Transcript story is by Bonnie Obremski...

Pick Axe Attack: Hate Crime?

2007-06-23T08:55:00.000-04:00

Phil Demers reports in today's Transcript about an alleged pick axe attack that allegedly occurred early Friday morning at an alleged home on Beaver Street. Read for yourself the alleged details, but my question is this: If the alleged perpetrator, who is African American, allegedly kicked in an alleged door, and allegedly shouted "You're dead, white boy!", wouldn't that make this an alleged hate crime?

Wal-Mart Loses This One

2007-06-20T07:56:00.000-04:00

A Berkshire Superior Court judge has ruled that retail giant Wal-Mart discriminated against a Berkshire County pharmacist, paying her less than her male counterparts and firing her for no reason when she complained. Of course, this will be dragged out in appeals for years, but it's nice to see a big corporation at fault for unwritten policies that they deny happen. The story is from Jack Dew of the Eagle staff...While you're at it, check out this humorous blog, "Blog.Wakeup WalMart.com."

Another Excuse For A Paid Day Off For State Workers

2007-06-16T15:43:00.000-04:00

So, now we are going to celebrate "Juneteenth" as a state holiday in Massachusetts. This one, I have to disagree with. Let it be an official holiday in Texas. We have Patriots Day. Nobody is trying to force that one down people's throats as a national holiday. Do we really need a holiday to "remember" the day slaves found out they were free in Texas? Wouldn't that "remembrance" fall into Black History Month during February? While we are at it, let's make June 14th "Gay Marriage Day," and push for a national holiday for that, also. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated...