While I sit in my office and ponder whether you or I would have been charged with driving to endanger if the State Police found that we were going 108 miles an hour at 5:26 in the morning….here are the five songs that may have been playing on Lt. Governor Tim Murray's radio on that fateful morning in Sterling when he "fell asleep":
5) Bob Marley "One Cup of Coffee". When Marley sings "one cup of coffee and then I'll go", you just imagine how fine a brew it is that makes a man drive miles out of his way to enjoy it.
4) Golden Earring "Radar Love". "The road has got me hypnotized and I'm speeding into a new sunrise". Certainly a buck oh eight qualifies as speeding into the sunrise, right?
3) Sammy Hagar "I Can't drive 55". It's 5am. You're the Lieutenant Governor. You've got places to go and people to see and silly speed limits just aren't your thing.
2) AC/DC "Black Ice". Remember how Tim Murray told us at the press conference it was the "black ice"? Remember how the responding trooper said it was so bad, he slipped when he got out of the cruiser? Do you think they may have been fibbing? "Black ice, end of it all. End of the line. End of the road. Black Ice"
1) Judas Priest "Breaking the Law". I think this one covers just about all of it. No seatbelt. Doing 108 miles an hour while surveying storm damage. Sleeping at the wheel. Never once hit the brakes as you careen off the highway. I think there was more than one law that was broken by our Lieutenant Governor that morning, don't you?
Feel free to submit your own song suggestion and we'll get Tim Murray an Ipod, so he doesn't fall asleep next time he's driving one of our vehicles.
To paraphrase a famous quote: WHERE DOES JULIAN EDELMAN GO TO GET HIS REPUTATION BACK?
Now that prosecutors have dropped the indecent assault charge against the Patriots receiver for lack of evidence, what does Julian Edelman do to clear his name? Will as much time be spent on blogs, and radio and TV talking about how he was railroaded as was devoted to calling him a sex offender on the day after Halloween?
How many phone calls did we take that morning from those who said he would be dumped by Belichick and the Krafts before practice started? How many people had convicted Julian Edelman of gross and inappropriate fondling before he had even arrived for his arraignment that morning?
According to prosecutors the charges were dropped because "video evidence and eyewitness testimony showed that Edelman briefly took the woman's hand on the dance floor" and it was "fleeting and did not meet the elements of any crime". So, when they looked at the surveillance tape it was what many thought-a New England Patriot on the dance floor is a prime target for bogus claims.
We ought to ask the Boston Police why a man was arrested and arraigned for taking a woman's hand on the dance floor? Why was Edelman detained and handcuffed rather than the charge being investigated on follow up by detectives who could view the evidence and make a determination of whether a crime had been convicted? Did his NFL status lead to treatment that was above and beyond what would normally happen in this kind of case?
And we should have a genuine discussion about whether the alleged victims in these cases can remain anonymous? If the accuser is identified before conviction, and his reputation ruined, why isn't the accuser identified when the evidence clearly shows that there is no truth to the outrageous allegation she made? Yes, I am bothered by this because I know Julian and he's an incredible guy. But I am also bothered because a man was skewered publicly for something he didn't do and will forever have to tell people "the charges were dropped".
Best news of the day… Miley Cyrus hit twitter to answer the question we all asked Monday morning after watching the CNN "American Heroes" special Sunday night: Are they fake or just naturally spectacular?
In case you missed our show Monday or you are an eunuch, here's a close up look at what Tim Tebow would tell you Miley got as a gift from above:
And here's her tweet today:
If you believe her, it's nice to know that there's at least one wealthy celebrity who could afford implants but is just saying no. It does make me laugh that she always acts like she is blown away that people are even talking about it. I mean, come on, you wear a dress like that on the red carpet and you don't think 99% of us are staring at your breasts?
No word on whether Billy Ray confirmed their realness. And, frankly, I think we'd all prefer that he didn't.
I was watching Eric Bolling on "Follow the Money" (Fox Business) Friday, when he suggested that the antagonist in the new Muppet movie, Tex Richman, is a part of the Hollywood Liberal Elite's plan to turn our children against the wealthy. Richman is a one percenter, a loathsome oil man who wants to shut down the Muppet Theatre so he can drill for oil underneath it.
Not being an extremely paranoid conservative, I doubted this theory. However, a review of the last few Muppet villains kind of makes his case:
Doc Hopper (The Muppet Movie): This rich restaurant chain owner chases Kermit all over the country in his heinously decadent limousine! His stated goal is 1,000 restaurants-complete and utter domination of the industry. Wouldn't just a couple restaurants suffice for this greedy pig?
Rachel Bitterman (It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie): A lucky sperm club member, Ms Bitterman runs the evil empire known as the Bitterman Bank and Development Corporation. Of course, Ms Bitterman is running around, as corrupt bankers do, threatening to foreclose on nice people like the Muppets.
I think Eric has a point. When I was growing up, the enemy were terrifying spies like Boris and Natasha. Or scary machines like Hal or the Terminator. Now, it's those who are successful. Oil men, bankers, and restaurant chain owners. The evil business owners who dare make more money than the rest of us. Those nefarious individuals who's blatant pursuit of the American Dream has kept the rest of us from being successful. Rather than hunt you down and kill you, today's bad guy is stalking you in his three piece suit so he can put a lien on your property.
But our children, and the Muppets, shouldn't fret. Even George Bailey triumphed over that original evil one percenter, Mr. Potter, at the end of "It's A Wonderful Life". Just don't tell anyone that it was another rich businessman, George Wainwright, who gave him the money to do it.
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has decided that the traditional Christmas tree that stands in the Rhode Island State House must now be referred to as the "Holiday Tree". Really? Who died and declared him Burgermeister?
Chafee had the balls to cite Roger Williams, who founded the state, as the inspiration for his act of placation. He should read up on his history. While Roger Williams did indeed buy the land that became Rhode Island in the name of religious freedom, it wasn't because he was an atheist! In fact, he named it Providence because he believed it was GOD's provenance which had delivered him there. He was a minister-he was a Christian. He would have been warmed by the concept of the Christmas Tree.
Can we stop bowing down to those who we think we might offend when we are celebrating one of the great traditions in this country?
Long ago, Christmas stopped being mostly about Christ and started being mostly about presents. And family. Who doesn't love getting up Christmas morning, chowing down on a delicious breakfast with the family and then opening up some primo gifts? Throw in some drinks, some beef for dinner and a Christmas carol or two and you have the single best holiday of the year.
And this guy wants to ruin it. But honestly, I expect nothing less from a man who's middle name is Davenport. Never really worked a day in his life, went to Phillips Academy and Brown University. Then, get this: he attended the Montana State Horseshoeing School. I'm serious. Such an institution actually exists. And he graduated from there. He got his seat in Congress when his father passed away. This guy is lucky sperm club all the way. No concept of how many hard working American's look forward to celebrating CHRISTMAS. Not "the holiday" but Christmas. A few days off, a few drinks, a few gifts and a midnight Christmas Eve service to keep it all legit.
Stop ruining Christmas. It's an incredible tradition in this country and it's one of the things that makes Americans what we are.
We should rejoice as we head in to the holiday season that there is at least one voice of reason still left in the music community-and it belongs to one of my favorite artists of all time- Elvis Costello.
I discovered him in high school when a friend played "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" for me and I've been a huge fan ever since. It is, most certainly, one of the songs I would like played at my funeral.
Elvis is upset at the price of a box set his label is releasing for Christmas. Called "The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Song Book" it retails for $202.66. Writing on his website today, he says that price is either "a misprint or satire". It's so refreshing to hear an artist tell us that the record company is screwing us. Costello recommends we buy a Louis Armstrong box set, "Ambassador of Jazz", for $150 because the music is "vastly superior".
As a performer who cut his teeth during the punk/new wave period of the late 70's/early 80's we are supposed to expect this from Elvis Costello. After all, punk artists hated corporations, eschewed success, and were generally unhappy with everything. However, he's grown up, and older, and one might suspect that he needs the money as he gets closer to his golden years. I like the fact that Costello is honest and says don't overpay for my music.
You won't hear a lot of artists tell you their music is too expensive, their concerts tickets are too pricey, or that Louis Armstrong's music is vastly superior. I admire the honesty almost as much as I admire his lyrical brilliance.
There's a "Perfect Storm" brewing over immigration in the Commonwealth, and the news that Barack Obama's illegal immigrant uncle got busted in Framingham for a DWI last week is only going to make it worse.
For most of last week, I spoke to callers on the show who were outraged that an illegal immigrant from Ecuador, Nicolas Guaman, struck a Milford man, Matthew Denice , while he was riding his motorcycle, and dragged him a quarter of mile under his truck, eventually backing over and killing him. This ass-hat was, of course, hammered at the time, and it was not, shockingly, his first run-in with the law.
The Governor's office issued a lame statement and Do Very Little Patrick was able to avoid comment, until Friday, when the intrepid John Keller of Channel 4 pressed him on it during an "Irene" press conference. "Illegal immigration didn't kill that man, a drunk driver did" was the ingenious answer our Governor chose to give. Wonder how he would feel it was his family member who was mowed down by a drunk illegal who should have been tossed from the country years ago?
Now we learn that the President's long lost uncle, Onyango Obama, was arrested in Framingham last Wednesday for nearly running into a cruiser. When asked if he wanted to make a phone call, he is reported to have, of course, replied "I think I'd like to call the White House". Of course, who else would come to the aid of someone who was ordered out of the country years ago but stayed so he could commit crimes?
Is any of this surprising? Illegals choose Massachusetts because our Governor wants it to be a safe haven. How safe is it? Is it surprising that those who have already broken the law by coming here will continue to break it and expect no consequences? Is it surprising that President's uncle (and aunt) who were supposed to be deported years ago are still living here, threatening to call the White House when they get yanked over for seeing double?
We only hold you accountable in this country if you were born here. Otherwise, it's a free ride. Here's hoping the "eye" of this Perfect Storm of immigration settles right over the Governor's mansion in the Berkshires and it's one he is finally unable to "ride out".
Iâm trying to figure out what Tom Menino has against Wal-Mart. The mayor told the Herald that âall of a sudden Wal-Mart has become Mr. Goody-Two-Shoesâ because they want to open a location in, gasp, the city that the 86 term Mayor has convinced himself he owns. Arenât there an awful lot of the mayorâs constituents, who find themselves without a job, who would love to be gainfully employed at a dependable chain like Wal-Mart? Arenât there people who live and work in the cities that the mayor rules with an iron fist that would love the opportunity to save some money and shop at a Wal-Mart?
Do you think his opposition has anything to do with the fact that Wal-Mart has refused to unionize its employees around the country? What a nasty word âunionâ has become, huh? The unions were invented to keep 8 year old kids from working 18 hour days in sweat shops. At many times in this countryâs history they have, and they still do, serve their purpose. But in dire economic times, when people are desperate for jobs, it should be a crime to prevent a company that wants to create them from doing so, for political reasons.
Ask yourself what jobs Mayor Tom Menino, or Deval Patrick for that matter, have created in these tough times? They are more than happy to throw millions of dollars at a âgreenâ company that bolts the state for foreign lands when times get tough, but they are standing in the way of an American company that wants to come to Boston, and Somerville, and create employment opportunities?
Whether you see the value, or not, in unions, should it be an issue that stops Wal-Mart from creating jobs in a city, and an economy, that really needs them? Can we really afford to be that picky?
We spent some time this morning discussing Dr. David Ludwig of Childrenâs Hospital in Boston, who has written an article suggesting that obese children be removed from their parents homes and placed in foster care.
I should state at the outset that I am not a doctor, however, I am a parent and I think I have some expertise when it comes to this. How could it ever be a positive for a child to be forcibly removed from their home and placed in a home of strangers so they can lose weight? Wonât the psychological trauma of being dragged from your bedroom because you are fat be worse than the physiological risk of carrying a few extra pounds?
Itâs a fact that it is a health risk to be over-weight. Itâs also a health risk to get a concussion playing football or soccer. Are we going to send the Parenting Police in to take kids whose parents let them play Pop Warner? How bout bike riding? Dangerous activity if you arenât doing it right. If you have a kid who spends a ton of time on the computer, we might take him to foster care because of the carpal tunnel risk!
We definitely need to educate some parents about creating a proper diet and exercise routing for their kids. If a parent canât find the time, or the energy, to feed their kid healthy meals, they need to be taught how to do it and, maybe, charged with neglect if they are repeatedly failing to help their child get healthy. But to pull a kid out of a home, at the taxpayerâs expense, and make him or her live with a new family, is just stupid.
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