News opinion 2008-05-19 Andanh.com

Our view: Myanmar's leaders among world's worst Mon, 19 May 2008 09:12:00 EDT
It is possible that there is no worse government on the planet than the military junta running Myanmar.
A cyclone May 3 devastated the southeast Asian country formerly known as Burma. While the official government death toll was around 78,000 as of Friday, the United Nations estimated more than 100,000 may have been killed by the storm. In any event, the total number of victims will likely push into the millions as the storm's victims, their homes and crops destroyed, now face starvation and disease.

Editor's view: Keep it civil, please Mon, 19 May 2008 09:12:00 EDT
It has been a little more than a month since we added online commenting to stories on salemnews.com.
The response has been tremendous, with thousands of comments by readers on topics ranging from the important (the override debate in Beverly) to the somewhat silly (the fight over racy T-shirts at the mall).

Letter: Time to rescind Beverly's trash fee? Mon, 19 May 2008 09:11:00 EDT
To the editor:
Do the people of Beverly have a right to vote on the issues? Apparently not, when one considers Mayor William Scanlon's recent proposal to fund the school budget.
Although I am more than a little perturbed, I am still going to vote for the override because I believe that a city is judged by how it supports the education of its children. However, I am very disturbed to realize that my vote is likely inconsequential because the "trash tax" can pay for what we need.

My view: Legislature should say no to one-size-fits-all health care Mon, 19 May 2008 09:11:00 EDT
Nurses, physicians and other caregivers know best what kind of care you need when you're in the hospital. That's something on which everyone can agree. Caregivers on the front lines should have the authority to make the decisions about how to care for each of us.

David Shribman: Some good ideas for restoring civility to political discourse Mon, 19 May 2008 09:11:00 EDT
George McGovern and Barry Goldwater disagreed about the Vietnam War, Social Security, military spending and tax policy. But they have two things in common: They both lost election landslides that shaped their parties more than most election victories do. They also share a very good idea about how Americans should conduct their campaigns.

Alan Lupo: More and more products American-made in foreign-owned factories Mon, 19 May 2008 09:10:00 EDT
Once upon a time, we Americans pretty much knew who ran what in this country.
You walked down the block to the corner variety store, and the guy behind the counter was the man in charge. Maybe he rented the place, but he did not answer to some chain-store headquarters in Kalamazoo.

Letter: Topsfield voters see value in rail trails Mon, 19 May 2008 09:10:00 EDT
To the editor:
I am very proud of my town. Earlier this month, the citizens of Topsfield turned aside an attempt to delay the proposed rail trail and further conveyed their agreement with the project by supporting a ballot question that asked if a rail trail should be built.

Letter: Taxes on Plum Island Mon, 19 May 2008 15:42:00 EDT
To the editor:
I just read your article (May 12 — Meet the new High Street) about the gold street on Plum Island and the amount of taxes provided to the town by this "cash cow."
If the people on Plum Island would like to get town officials to listen to them, maybe they should keep their taxes in the "barn" for awhile. Money talks! Without these taxes, Newbury would lose a lot of tax revenue — 28 percent!! Someone would definitely listen to them then.

Our view: Ethics Committee should be public and active Mon, 19 May 2008 15:40:00 EDT
What good is a watchdog that never spots a crook? Not much good at all.
And so it is with the Massachusetts Legislature's see-no-evil House Ethics Committee, which hasn't spotted anything untoward in House members' behavior since 1991.

Letter: Citizens should voice opinions on Little River project Mon, 19 May 2008 15:38:00 EDT
To the editor:
Several nights ago the Newbury town boards decided to hold a special town meeting on June 24 to hold a vote on the Little River Transit Village. This decision was made despite two letters from citizens, one signed by over 30 people, that urged the boards to schedule the vote at a time which would ensure maximum attendance from the citizenship.

Senior center is a worthwhile investment Mon, 19 May 2008 15:36:00 EDT
To the Editor:
This letter is in response to Ms. Johnson's letter in the newspaper on April 29 regarding her thoughts that Newburyport does not need a senior center.
I first want to say that I am not a senior citizen. I am in my early 40's and I volunteer at the senior center in Merrimac. I see a vibrant side of my community that many people my age do not see.

Thanks for helping with fundraiser Mon, 19 May 2008 15:34:00 EDT
To the Editor:
To everyone who turned out May 3 to support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer fundraiser at Uncle Eddie's at Salisbury Beach — I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude.

Letter: A lesson students shouldn't learn Mon, 19 May 2008 15:32:00 EDT
To the editor:
The Newburyport High School administration taught the students a valuable lesson last week. The lesson: The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
A month or so ago the administration made a last-minute decision to cancel the long tradition of Senior Prank Day. The prank was to watch a movie — not much of a prank. Half of the students were justifiably upset and in protest refused to leave the auditorium for an hour or so. They were doing what I hope we have been teaching them to do all these years. Speak out and stand up for what you believe is right. Standing up for the tradition of Senior Prank Day isn't exactly protesting the war or whatever other cause you hold near and dear to your heart, but it's a start. Instead of congratulating them for doing what we hope they will always do, last week the administration decided to punish them. The punishment is minor, an hour and a half of community service or forfeit senior activities, but it is punishment nonetheless.

What about Barack Obama's 'misspeaks'? Mon, 19 May 2008 15:32:00 EDT
To the Editor:
Some weeks ago I read a column by Robert F. McGlew from Amesbury. It was, it seemed to me, an angry letter stating that Hillary Clinton was a liar. The suggestion was that Barack Obama is not. In the service of fairness, I would like to detail a few times when Obama was less than truthful. The material I include here come from a Web site called "FactCheck.com." This nonpartisan site discusses the various statements that candidates make, and shows how truthful or untruthful each statement is.

Letter: Thanks for helping accident victim Mon, 19 May 2008 15:30:00 EDT
To the editor:
On Mother's Day, my husband, Parke Fisler, was hit by a car while riding his bike along the Plum Island Turnpike. He was Medflighted into Boston and spent five days in the hospital. He is home resting comfortably now.

WCCA TV a community asset Monday May 19, 2008
WCCA TV / Public Access is a highly visible platform serving our entire community as it facilitates public access to empowering media resources, cable and Web channel distribution. The money that funds WCCA TV is not derived from tax or city money. Federal law, through an act of Congress, prescribes a formula by which funding, earmarked for public access, is based upon a fixed percentage of the cable company's annual gross profits. That money is specifically intended to provide the community wit

Brownfields attractive redevelopment option Monday May 19, 2008
As noted in the editorial "Greening brownfields" (Telegram & Gazette, April 23), Massachusetts has made enormous strides in cleaning up contaminated sites and returning them to productive - and tax generating - use.

Allocate more money for public schools Monday May 19, 2008
In the midst of this budget season, it's an appropriate time to consider Worcester's priorities. In his recently released budget, City Manager Michael V. O'Brien has allocated more money for public schools this year, and we commend him for that.

Horse racing has a very dark side Monday May 19, 2008
I was saddened and outraged at the senseless death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby. The sight of such a beautiful animal in so much distress sickened me, but this did not have to be. These horses are just babies, and this happens many times at racetracks all over this country and around the world.

City should combine tradition with diversity Monday May 19, 2008
Massachusetts has a black governor, and Worcester has a female mayor. There's a good chance that either a white woman or a black man could become the next president of the United States.

Balkan hope Monday May 19, 2008
The recent parliamentary elections in Serbia were won by the pro-Western party of Boris Tadic, who scored a surprising win over three rival parties whose agendas are driven in large measure by nationalism and resentment over the recent independence declaration by Kosovo. If Mr. Tadic can put together a coalition government, the odds of Serbia being welcomed into the European Union and moving beyond the bloody wars of the 1990s will improve considerably.

Another step closer Monday May 19, 2008
Thanks to a concerted effort by city and state officials and Berkeley Investments, the mixed-use urban village envisioned in downtown Worcester just moved a giant step closer to becoming a bricks-and-mortar reality. In a welcome development, the Patrick administration has given preliminary approval to changes in the initial CitySquare agreement to allow use of public funds to get demolition and infrastructure work under way.

YOUR VIEW: Wanted: New Bedford stadium Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

This could be more dream than reality, but why not a minor league stadium or small sports venue for New Bedford?

YOUR VIEW: School spending can't wait Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

Across the commonwealth, school districts are faced with rising costs, increases in federal and state academic requirements, and falling state aid.

The quotable voice Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

"They're scared. They know the other school doesn't want them. A bombshell was dropped (with) 25 days of school (left)."

LETTER: Why so many Rhode Island license plates? Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

Why so many Rhode Island license plates?

LETTER: Clinton's the one Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

Clinton's the one

Use less power Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

Yes, the cost of electricity on Cape Cod is high — 19.74 cents a kilowatt hour is the number reported recently by the Times — but it isn't the highest rate in the country.

'No picking' rule unevenly applied Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

I am a resident of Sandwich and a weekly visitor to the Sandwich dump.

Keep district drivers for Mashpee pupils Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

Students with special needs in Mashpee are currently transported to and from school in district-owned vehicles operated by drivers hired by the district.

Florida and Michigan have lost their voices Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

I feel that the delegations from Florida and Michigan should not be included at this summer's Democratic convention.

How much change can America afford? Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

Barack Obama's presidential campaign theme is change. In 2006 the Democrats ran on change and gained control of the House and Senate.

Sandwich is no Robin Hood town Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

Regarding Tuesday's story about Sandwich warning a woman for taking a bicycle from the transfer station, Sandwich is not a Robin Hood town. They have high fees and exorbitant taxes.

Deficit spending can be useful Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00 EST

I agree with Jack Edmonston ("Deficit Spending Gone Haywire," My View, May 13) that Medicare should be extended to everyone in the process.

Pike: Zakim Bridge tolls on the table Mon, 19 May 2008 18:50:24 -0400
The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority decided today to count the number of cars using the Zakim Bridge and other major arteries in and out of Boston in an effort to determine...

Bush sends good wishes as Kennedy evaluation continues Mon, 19 May 2008 18:02:38 -0400
President George W. Bush called Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's wife this morning and asked her to "take care of my friend" as the senior senator prepared to undergo...

Student, 12, escapes would-be abductor Mon, 19 May 2008 17:57:20 -0400
Boston Police were scouring the area around a Dorchester Catholic school today after a 12-year-old student reported that his morning walk to the school turned into a harrowing...

Mass. Senate weighs facilities for heroin, OxyContin addicts Mon, 19 May 2008 17:54:06 -0400
The Massachusetts Senate is weighing a $5 million plan to create two new treatment facilities for those addicted to heroin, OxyContin and other opiates who are facing jail...

Blizzard of '78 killer looks for parole Mon, 19 May 2008 15:59:30 -0400
Two days after the Blizzard of '78 paralyzed New England, 54 dead in its path, Max Fishman was granted dispensation by police to ignore the driving ban and deliver emergency...

David McCullough urges BC grads to speak properly Mon, 19 May 2008 15:41:42 -0400
NEWTON - Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough has a suggestion for what young people can do for their country. "Please, please do what you can to cure the...

Wayland hedge fund operator accused of bilking investors Mon, 19 May 2008 14:44:10 -0400
The state's top securities regulator is accusing a Wayland man of improperly soliciting investors to put millions of dollars into a hedge fund that now has little cash...

Ipswich restores power after blackout Mon, 19 May 2008 14:07:26 -0400
Power has been restored to the town of Ipswich, after the community's 13,500 residents were left without electricity for five hours. A fire at a power substation...

Hard-working teen swimmers hoping for.... a stroke of luck Mon, 19 May 2008 13:50:53 -0400
A normal day for Jorge Castro of Mattapan begins by getting ready for school at 6 a.m. and ends after he finishes a 90-minute swim practice each night at 7:30. "With...

Wife worries Ted Kennedy 'works too hard' Mon, 19 May 2008 13:10:13 -0400
As doctors try to determine what caused Sen. Edward M. Kennedy to suffer a seizure Saturday, his distraught wife is keeping vigil at his hospital bedside, worried his unrelenting...

2nd teen arrested in Mass. cabbie's slaying Mon, 19 May 2008 13:02:47 -0400
BROCKTON - A second teenager has been charged in the slaying of a cab driver who was shot in the back of the head in his vehicle in Brockton. Sixteen-year-old Antonio Fernandes...

New Mass. education commissioner sworn in Mon, 19 May 2008 12:58:34 -0400
The state's new education commissioner has been sworn in, making a pledge to try to bring greatness to public schools. Gov. Deval Patrick swore in Mitchell Chester...

Cops seek clues in Roxbury homicide Mon, 19 May 2008 12:05:47 -0400
Boston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man outside 12 Weaver Court in Roxbury on Saturday night. It is the 22nd homicide of the year, police...

Report: $13.9M duct system in Big Dig tunnels goes unused Mon, 19 May 2008 12:05:01 -0400
BOSTON - Expensive conduits installed in Big Dig tunnels to facilitate cell phone service have so far gone unused. That's according to The Boston Globe, which reported...

Lawmakers hope "green" jobs boost economy Mon, 19 May 2008 11:06:39 -0400
The state's legislative leaders and Gov. Deval Patrick are hoping that more "green" jobs will help boost the Massachusetts economy. Patrick was expected...

High school basketball captain slain on Springfield street Mon, 19 May 2008 06:53:45 -0400
SPRINGFIELD - Grief counselors will be at Springfield Central High School this week after the shooting death of a captain of the school's basketball team. Nineteen-year-old...

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