Mad Mad Mad March

It's a MAD,MAD, MAD March...

I have some thoughts on Brackets....Read more on GOLOLOCAL PROV

Is it me, or is everyone just twisted? I am beginning to think we are taking the March Madness theme way too literally. If only it was just the basketball driving us to frenzy; but alas, it is much, much more. With each cold morning and gloomy dark day, I feel I’m beginning to morph into The Shining’s lead character, Jack Torrance…Heeere's Carol! This eternal winter is growing more maddening each day. And, guess what? It’s March Madness, so perhaps I will fit right in. Look, I hope not to step on any toes here, as GoLocal’s John Rooke is a master at sports analysis, but I shall wade into the waters of sports analogy if you allow me. Come on; let’s have some fun! Crimea, health care, politics, and the stagnant RI economy will sadly still be there tomorrow. Let’s see how the political brackets shape up.

Tourney Time

In my view the NCAA bracketology and political bracketology are kinfolk, as they share a spirit and many characteristics. They both have drama, bubbles, big money, a squishy selection process and my personal favorites, underdogs and the ever-captivating Cinderellas. And oh how we root for them—be it basketball, candidates, or campaigns—we get invested. Whether for voters or fans, the post-selection analysis and post-election analysis is always a head scratcher.

The bracket for the big dance is set and the battles underway, not unlike the madness taking place in the political brackets. While there is no North, South, East and West, there exist the brackets on the domestic and world fronts.

New brackets include the Healthcare Bracket (HC), Midterm Bracket (MT), Hot Races Bracket (HR), and the Wild Putin Bracket (WP). So let’s take a closer look...

Healthcare Bracket

Seeded in the Healthcare Bracket (HC) are the Millennials. They are a young, fresh, and seemingly invincible group, but it is their undisciplined approach that could be their undoing. However, they remain a fiery mass ready to run at Obama and the GOP. These young guns can make or break the ACA. They really don’t liked to pushed around in the paint and take every chance to return the elbows. They are a strong and unfocused group, but I consider them a real threat as they are poised to make a big statement in the national discourse. Look for an exciting finish, as the shot clock is running.

Midterm Bracket (MT)

This one promises to come down to several double and triple overtimes. The top seed in this bracket is clearly the GOP, but big questions lurk. Which lessons were learned last season? Have they beefed up the bench? Is that Christine O'Donnell I see riding the pine…? Better hope no one fouls out. Will those with the ball in the end be ready to make the money shot? In this bracket, the seeds are literally playing for the whole magilla: the Senate and the House. The eager GOP is drooling over Senate control and it is not out of reach. They lean heavily on the guards known as repeal and replace, and plan on a strategy of running out the clock. So the question is, can they pick and roll their way to victory? Tick tick tick…

Hot Races Bracket (HR)

Get your tickets now, as the early rounds in this bracket will be chock full of knockdown, drag-out excitement. Raimondo, Tavares, and Pell will be the premier showdown. Not to be outdone, the early rounds featuring Magaziner, Caprio, and Almonte promise to deliver as well. The always steady Kilmartin could get rattled in this one, as a guy named Hodgson has been practicing with all due diligence. Seeded here too are the many of the Cinderellas the underfunded, the dreamers, the idealists, and conversely, the big dogs and the Goliaths. Lots to cheer for and against in this baby—real smash mouth competition will be on the docket. Expect lots of fouls perhaps even a technical or two as they will play hard and for keeps.

Wild Putin (WP) bracket

This is clearly the most intense bracket. My intel tells me the practice sessions are old school shirts and skins, and we know what practice team ole Vlad is running with—skins all the way. He had to be told he couldn't play in 2 brackets at once; he is a selfish little man. The Putin plan is to overwhelm, take up lots of ground, hold the ball, spread the floor, and play an ever-extending zone. But this strategy could very well backfire, as his greedy style of play could energize and mobilize domestic adversaries (wake up DC) in hopes to quash the progress of a common enemy. It seems John McCain is in the house and he is constantly berating the officials. At first blush, #1 seed Vlad seems to have full control and a steady path to victory, but this is the bracket where the underdog American society may rise up with a cold war temperament and shock the shirtless Russian leader. This bracket is ripe for surprises and intensity.

Good Luck Friars

Sending much luck to our very own PC Friars as they take on NCU in the first round tomorrow in San Antonio at 7:20 pm. The one game prediction I can make with certitude is that Jim Hummell will be tied in knots…but I digress. It seems many will have meetings outside the office this week. Fret not, everyone knows and as stealthy as you think you are being, let’s just say timing is everything! I can hear the prognostications from here—everyone has a nuance, everyone has a Cinderella, everyone has deeply held thoughts and beliefs on how things will proceed, all in the hopes of either winning the office pool or cheering for their favorite 5. Time to enjoy the madness, as we await warm spring weather. GO PC!

Political Redemption RI Style...

RI is no stranger to scandal and redemption even though our RI scandals are old school (no Tweeting involved) they remain none the less juicy. Take our Buddy for example, he has risen from the ashes like the ultimate Phoenix over and over again; spousal infidelity, fistfights, fireplace logs, and Plunder Dome all in Buddy’s past. But, it is his knack for returning to limelight, prominence and politics that is nothing short of Poli Sci textbook material; the professor of the comeback by Vincent “Buddy” Cianci. Do the crime, do the time, spin it like a champ, write a book and move forward. He never shies away from a camera or microphone and uses media platforms to rebuild his brand on his own terms. His methods to date seem to work.
                              READ MORE on GOLOCALPROV

I hold these truths to be self evident…

I hold these truths to be self evident…

For those of you who know me, you are well aware of my propensity to opine.  I consider, in this order, my priorities, aunt, sister, niece, teacher, a public servant, citizen, and activist and usually it is the case my opinions are born from these which I also consider my duties.  But, I have remained decidedly and deliberately quiet on Newtown, as I heard very clearly, the voice of my father who endured my voluminous and boisterous opinions from when, I am pretty sure I could speak. He told me,  as he often had to do, “Be quiet and look and listen.” I am sure his wisdom and advice have tempered my thoughts throughout my lifetime.  Probably as much, since his passing. So, I have held my tongue for a bit in this devastating chapter of our history.

As the story of Newtown began to unfold and the details proved amorphous from the very start, I listened and watched. I did so with a physical ache in my stomach. I paid quiet attention as an aunt, sister, teacher and citizen.  Many times the coverage was too much to bear; I monitored it in fragments often while shedding bitter tears. I listened as veteran FBI profiler Clint Van Zandt broke down on MSNBC. I listened as Newtowns’s,  Monsignor Weiss spoke through tears to tell us of a tiny victim who was to be an angel in the Christmas pageant. I shivered as my niece said, “Oh Aunt, their presents are probably under the trees.”  I listened as a young grieving father described his daughter as a bright, creative and loving.  I listened as Victoria Soto’s family and friends described her courage and dedication to her kids until the very end of her life. I watched as pundits and decision makers of varying perspectives sat together on Meet the Press and quickly and easily found common ground, the discussion proved meaningful and free of rhetoric.   I watched closely as the pro-gun politicians and spokespersons for the NRA absent themselves from the conversation.  I watched so many reporters and broadcasters struggled with emotions in order to deliver this ever-changing and evolving story. I listened and watched our President console a town, state and nation, and I was buoyed by his willingness to draw the line in the sand and by doing so spurring more Americans to action.  I spent a great deal of time watching and listening and processing these events. It solidified many of my already held opinions and evolved others, but it also revealed many of my opinions as new truths. I took my dad’s advice and kept my eyes and ears open and my mouth shut, as this horror unfolded. 

But, the time has come to weigh in; as aunt whose niece and nephew are the world, as a sister who shares the pain and unimaginable grief of these families and our nation, as a teacher who spent a decade in a classroom and know too well the efforts those brave educators endured until the end, as a veteran courtroom clerk who worked each day with the possibility of being a victim of violent act ,  as a citizen and gun owner who is ready now to join the conversation and undertake and support the efforts to address the violence, sickness, cultural and gun issues facing each of us. I stand ready to act.

From the time I could hold a 20 gauge shotgun I spent every warm Sunday at the rod and gun club with my dad.  He was an avid sportsman. He respected guns and taught me, a young girl in the 60’s to respect and use them responsibly.  I learned to shoot a variety of guns; revolvers, handguns, rifles and shotguns and became pretty darn good at trap.  I sold the shells, I loaded the clay pigeon machine in the underground trap, I spent many a day commiserating with my dad ‘s compatriots, and yes I was an anomaly back then, a gun toting gal with a bouncy bob haircut and I am told,  an infectious smile and a wicked dead eye.  I developed a respect for guns and a respect for gun sports. 

With good those foundations, I can tell you without doubt or hesitation the following: No one wants to take my guns. It is an assault weapon. No one needs or should posses an assault weapon (if you are desirous to fire one join the military). No one needs or should posses high capacity clips and or armor piercing ammo. Gun shows are not a loophole they are a canyon. Everyone should wait some value of time to obtain a legally purchased gun. Guns are not solely responsible for this and these recent tragedies. Children belong to all of us, whether in a classroom in suburbia or in a public housing project in the inner city, each is a precious gift who brings promise to this world.

This is a multifaceted issue and we must examine all facets of this problem. Our culture is fraught with violence and in too many households the violence is welcomed in, into our family rooms and children’s bedrooms via video games, movies, smartphones and laptops. Stigmatization of diagnosing and dealing with mental health challenges coupled with the rise of domestic violence and bullying in our schools, looms large. Multimillion dollar firearms and ammunition companies who hide behind the NRA and empower its long reach to do their bidding are cowards. Our leaders have proved to be feckless over and over again.  Our Congress remains constipated and dysfunctional filled with weak pols who are concerned with raising money, serving special interests and planning the next election cycle rather than making principled choices. Deep cuts from the social services safety nets will only leave more at risk people with reduced treatment and evaluation. 

This conversation must continue on many levels and we all share the responsibly to return a wholesome debate and action plan to the fore. The time is now for action going forward. I end this rant with this question…The last time you dropped your child for a play date or a study session, did you ask the adults in that particular household “Do you have a gun or guns or weapons in the house?”  What you do with the answer is yours alone as a parent or guardian but, let us start this action in the grassroots of our own lives.

    

May their deaths not be in vain
Rest in Peace

Charlotte Bacon, age 6

Daniel Barden, age 7

Olivia Engel, age 6

Josephine Gay, age 7

Ana M Marquez-Greene, age 6

Dylan Hockley, age 6

Madeleine F Hsu, age 6

Catherine V Hubbard, age 6

Chase Kowalski , age 7

Jesse Lewis, age 6

James Mattioli, age 6

Grace McDonnell, age 7

Emilie Parker, age 6

Jack Pinto, age 6

Noah Pozner, age 6

Caroline Previdi, age 6

Jessica Rekos, age 6

Avielle Richman, age 6

Benjamin Wheeler, age 6

Allison N Wyatt, age 6

Rachel Davino, age 29

Dawn Hochsprung, age 47

Anne Marie Murphy, age 52

Lauren Rousseau, age 30

Mary Sherlach, age 56

Victoria Soto, age 27

Be Present

A Fall Day in RI…
When Alice Walker penned the line so masterfully delivered in The Color Purple by the dynamic Shug Avery, “I think it pisses God off when you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it.” I wonder if she knew it would be a thought that remains so clear and so provocative, it would last like a diamond? For me, that line is etched to my persona. It reminds me time and time again we have to stop and take notice of our world. It demands that we all respect the earth in all its glory. It begs our consideration, our loyalty, our stewardship and our lingering admiration.

Today, I packed away my work and my politics and took a date with my camera, in my little corner of the world. It occurred to me that so many autumns, I have the great privilege, on daily basis of passing through one of the most beautiful corners of Rhode Island. I ambled about the Northwestern corner of RI and it delivered! It provided the chance to consider the vistas and vignettes of a beautiful place. When I happened upon the gentleman farmer tending his flock of chickens and the woman picking last minute flowers from her garden, it reminded me of just how hard folks work and worked to tend their land. It reinforced my constant contention to buy local. I passed several farms displaying coolers filled with eggs, a cigar box and hand written signs that saying: $2.50 a dozen, a robust bunch of dried hydrangeas with a jar that says “donate what you can”, a family out driving 2 majestic percherons hauling a gorgeous wagon, a family of tenacious pigs grunting and playing happily in a sty, and the idle wheels of tractors that help farmers grow our food.

Do I love the fact that I live where honor boxes are still used? Is it still very cool that I can run into noble steeds doing the jobs they were bred for? …You betcha!

Enjoy the photos and remember don’t walk by a field of purple or a herd of cattle, or a healthy forest or a hopping bunny without taking notice. It pisses God off!

Welcome to my Blog.

Changing the Dynamic from the Grassroots

A friend recently penned and op-ed widely covered regarding women in politics.  Her observations and research produced and insightful piece that buoyed me personally, as a woman who chairs a local Democratic Town Committee.  What I think we can all agree on regardless of stripe, is that anyone who runs for office in order to better the greater good should and must be lauded and encouraged to stay on the path of good governance.  The piece inspired me to think more carefully about the process, the commitment of people and ultimately the results it garners.  I thank her for her contribution to this most important political discourse.

Over the last several years in RI, we have taken a front row seat to the national political process and for many people “the process” has proved to be ugly, stark and fraught with negativism.  Much of the criticism of “the process” is well deserved by officials who have absconded with the public trust on both sides of the aisle. Unfortunately, the net result of “the process “can be a furious and angry electorate.  I don’t know about you but, I do not operate at optimum capacity in a state of anger or fury, these emotions cloud judgments and produce knee jerk fallout.  However, when those elected do wrong or get called into question for ethics violations and investigations it MUST be pointed out to the voters.  This is responsible government not mudslinging.  Voters must be more able to know the difference and evaluate on merit not party lines.  Remember “ethics are what you do when no one is looking.” I feel strongly, when officials become ethically challenged it is the people’s right to know.  It happens everywhere including my town of Scituate.

 As Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee, a large part of my responsibility is to recruit quality candidates and engage them  in the process of an election.  As Chairwoman it is also my responsibility point out deficiencies in government and governance in order to provide voters a choice.  Given the recent atmosphere that job has become more and more difficult, as the volume of the vitriol, and screaming is increasing, the quality of true political and good government discussion is sinking like a stone.  That is a travesty in a democracy. If we are trying to recruit more women, young people, veterans, business owners, seniors and non partisan citizens who just want to make a difference please know these people are only not walking away from the process they are sprinting.  

The time is now from the grass roots to change the dynamic, to be responsible for engaging people with energy, vision drive and mission to contribute to the greater good.  My friend’s op-ed so beautifully described the flight of migrating birds in a “V” shape in order to produce uplift to the flock and how geese honk to keep up the spirits of the birds leading information.  The birds also take turns on the lead to keep the flock strong and refreshed.  In order that we recruit more women and candidates of all genders ages and stripes to the process we must be willing to honk and sound our voices and take the lead and provide the lift so many of our cities and towns require to go the distance.  I encourage every person in Scituate to consider and weigh the quality of the candidates put forth by the Scituate Democratic team and support them with your vote.