Massachusetts Conservative Feminist | Ordinary: Degrees of Moderation and Sanity

Thursday, August 08, 2013

John Walsh – MASS DNC Chair – Leaves to Chair Patrick PAC – No Hint of Bay State Replacement – Ground Troops and Retail Politics – An Opportunity for the RNC and MASS GOP to Lose

The Bay State in 2013 Markey-Gomez Election - not entirely a blue state - image: Daily Kos

A somewhat interesting piece appeared in the Boston Globe – an opinion column by Joan Vennochi, who suggests the sun and moon rises over John Walsh – the title “John Walsh’s rhapsody in blue” speaks to the Walsh victories, Deval Patrick’s campaign for Governor and use by those methods (“yes we can”) by the Obama Campaign in 08, the win of Elizabeth Warren, et al. Since Mr. Walsh is going to head the outgoing Governor, Deval Patrick’s Federal PAC, one can anticipate that Walsh is heading to DC in short order.

Patrick has continued to claim he is not running for President (that mantle will go to either Hillary Clinton, or the Professor (yes, Elizabeth Warren), but they need strong Progressives on the national level to make sure that happens – who will be up for the DNC Chair? – Patrick? It’s a possibility.

What of Massachusetts? There is no clue as to who will replace Walsh, who was brought into the State DNC Specifically to run the State Party, according to Blue Mass Group and there are no replacements in mind. One had better hope, if one is a Democrat, that Walsh’s Replacement is of the same cut of cloth, not necessarily in Venocchi’s description of the Bible According to John Walsh, where Democrats actively campaign for higher taxes, but the retail, door knocking, aggressive, get out the vote style of Massachusetts Democrat Campaigns that have been the staple as long as time remembers.

That has been the downfall of opposition parties, the MASS GOP and the National GOP – who place a focus on fundraising rather than the mechanics of winning a race. The lack of poll-watcher, drivers, and door knockers on the ground in certain states and precincts of import has been like watching fish in a barrel for decades. The campaign of a Republican in Massachusetts, can’t be won without the hard work of disgruntled Democrats (See Scott Brown) – One needs those union members behind them (regardless of whether or not on the face of things – they support the Democrat candidate). That and the use of similar tactics would be the only way to level the playing field in Massachusetts, and elect a Republican to the White House in 2016. Of course, on that note, they may want to insure that the candidate is acceptable to that group of 20 million or so evangelicals who may or may not vote for a Catholic or a Mormon, or a suggestion from a prominent church leader that allowing Barrack Obama to win, and destroy the nation, would somehow gain more converts and destroy the Democrats) and, sit out a race entirely (See 2008 and 2012).

Miracles do happen, and depending upon who is sitting in the Mass DNC Chair, should they have the level of confidence, and the ability to be a 1950’-1960’s retail, ground troop, smart guy with a lot of pull, then nothing will change. If that person is a moonbat and somewhat competent, then there is a huge opening that is the RNC’s to lose. The fact that the national Party ignores the Bay State and gives it up for “lost” before a race begins, is one of the pivotal mistakes the National Party makes. Upending the Bays State would have a ripple effect throughout the country, especially as concerns increased morale, and decreased morale, depending upon which party is winning or losing.

It should prove interesting, however predictable, as the status quo, regardless of competence in the Chair seat, will most likely, the same remain.

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Saharan Dust Storm – Natural Consequence – Tampers Down Threat from Tropical Storms in Atlantic

The Saharan Dust Storm - Image from NBC

From Accuweather: A massive Saharan dust storm is making its way across the Atlantic Ocean westward (towards the US). There is a video available on Accuweather.com The event occurs during the summer

Saharan dust blows across the Atlantic a few times most summers, sometimes reaching southern Florida. Dust storms and rising warm air can lift the fine Saharan sand 15,000 feet or so above the African deserts. Winds carry the dust westward. Larger particles fall out as the dust crosses the Atlantic. But the smaller particles can cause problems an ocean away.

(USAToday)

It is expected to discourage tropical storm formation as it makes its way across the Atlantic (Baltimore Sun), and

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Washington Post – Sold! –Libertarian Leaning Amazon’s Bezos Grabs Post for $250 Million – Which Paper of Record Is Next?

The Washington Post - New directions - image from coupmondiale.org

According to the New York Times, today’s shocking news is the sale of the Washington Post by the Graham family to the Amazon Founder: Jeffrey P. Bezos – the announcement came abruptly yesterday.(New York Times). The question of politics came quickly on the heels of the sale – as in: Where does Jeffrey P. Bezos stand? – Apparently, depending upon how liberal or how conservative one is – squarely on the opposite side, a conundrum to be sure. The Atlantic suggests that personally and through an Amazon PAC, the new owner has stood squarely on the fence – and is a shade different that most Libertarians – leaning to the left(The Atlantic)

With what has become a common occurrence amongst the largest and most prestigious newspapers in the nation – loss of revenue, and sales – which end in the sale of the publication – at a grandly reduced rate, is not affecting the lower tier publications, especially the community newspaper? There may be a reason why community newspapers are enjoying somewhat stable circulation, or a rise in circulation in some cases – the news is local and politics rarely enter into the fray. – It is, again, the editorial located in every section of the publication one might subscribe, or most likely, had subscribed to (due to being of the opposite political bent from the newspaper – 50% of the nation), which sunk the nation’s papers in the last two decades. Something that does not occur in one’s weekly reporting, a change of pace.

Yes, the electronic age, and delivery has changed, and the average student can’t read, which makes the newspaper, or any book for that matter, a thing of uncertainty – yet, The Washington Post Sale, and the last week’s sale of the Boston Globe, should be less concerned about the new owners politics, and more concerned with the intent. One might hazard to guess, these savvy businessmen purchased these businesses to make a profit, and possibly out of nostalgia, rather than any motive to push a political message, one way or the other.

Perhaps the newspaper would be a grand bully pulpit to demand reading in the classroom at all levels, especially in the urban areas where graduation rates are dismal at best. Perhaps the paper could become an advocate for the people that purchase the paper, rather than the local, state or national politician the editorial board prefers to wine and dine. There is nothing like the feel of ink and paper, best bet is nostalgia and an attempt to save a once great American treasure – the Daily News.

Who’s next on the block? That’s a good question – the point being: if the Post and the Globe were sold in a heartbeat, at what appears to be a loss in both cases, why not the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times? Time will tell.

Image: Guardian UK

What can one do with old newspapers?

Recycle (for those more “Green” individuals)

Old School

Clean Windows (Google for Recipes)

Liners (bird cages, kitty liter)

Scrapbooking