17% of country's private sector jobs created in Mass

Lynne picked up that statistic.

The new jobs report (national and state) are out for May, and Massachusetts once again is looking great in recovery compared to the rest of the union.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate held steady at 9.2 percent in May as the state’s economy added 15,800 jobs, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development said today.

According to a recent Twitter update by David Bernstein, 7,000 of the jobs were private sector, compared to 41,000 private sector jobs nationwide. That means that 17% of the new private sector jobs were in Massachusetts, which is pretty astounding.

Pretty astounding, indeed.

Capuano Coming to LeftAhead.com

Mike, Lynne and I will be hosting Senate candidate and current U.S. Representative Mike Capuano on our LeftAhead podcast next week. The likely date is on Tuesday, though not at the regular time -- the show is more likely to start around 6pm. Check out LeftAhead.com over the next few days for the upcoming details -- and kudos to Mike for lining Capuano up.

Economic Prosperity for All?

Today, Lynne and I had Ben Forman on our LeftAhead podcast. It was a great show. I think one of the things that becomes clear is that while Greater Boston, especially the 128 bubble, has seen a large amount of economic growth over the past few decades -- it hasn't been shared by all. That's lead to a large disparity. One of the key things that made Massachusetts great in the past was the fact that we had large parts of the state where there was economic opportunity to find a good job and join the middle class. Most of those jobs are gone. In some parts of the state, new sectors emerged and continued to offer people in some communities the same opportunity. In the 11 cities MassINC identifies as Gateways, they haven't recovered with new, emerging fields like we've seen inside 128.

That can, of course, be changed -- maybe not with the same kinds of jobs, led by giant factories, employing thousands, but by hundreds of small businesses, employing dozens -- the bulk of which, according to Ben, would be in the business and service sector. We need to start better servicing those living in these communities, as well as work on the PR side to help lure more people to these communities -- and retain them. Speaking from experience, New Bedford was a cool place to live. Lynne loves living in Lowell. These are awesome communities that people should think about when they're considering where to open their small business or buy/rent their home/condo. With so many affordable units in great locations, these are the perfect places to locate -- inexpensive, plenty of talented people eager for jobs, decent public transportation, affordable housing and often very artsy, diverse cultural cuisines and scenes. With more small businesses moving in these communities, they can and will drive our state to a level of success for the Commonwealth I haven't seen in my lifetime -- because we won't be leaving certain parts of the state behind.

Lynne says it's time for progressive taxes

She's right.

Lynne Owns Cahill

She eats him for breakfast. Mmm.. Tastes like chicken.

The LeftAhead Campaign Series

Along with Mike and Lynne, I do a podcast each week on political topics both statewide and national. Today at 2:30, for example, we're talking about the Presidential election and the greyhound ballot initiative. In the past, we've brought on all sorts of guests to help enlighten our listeners and foster conversation. We look forward to doing more of that in the future, especially as a means to prepare us all for this year's elections.

Back in April, as the first in a series, we brought on State Senate candidate Sonia Chang-Diaz to talk about her race and the important issues in the campaign. BlogLeftMass, the loose coalition of Bay State progressive bloggers that the three of us are a part of, has often held and cosponsored important candidate forums. Lynne, Mike and I intend to continue in that role, by bringing people on air and storing their interviews online so people can go back to them throughout the campaign.

Our on-air candidate interviews are a little different (indeed, better) than the traditional debate or forum. Instead of putting everyone on all at once, enforcing strict rules on how long they can talk for, we're going to invite them all on for either an entire show or half a show. If their opponents are willing to come on, they will either get their own show or half of one. That way, each candidate will have the time to say as much as they need on any given topic, instead of giving them two minutes on how they'll cure the mortgage lending crisis.

In that vein, I'm excited to announce the next in the series of invited campaign guests. She's been working a true grassroots campaign in a day and age when that's not so easy to do so. Next week's guest, on Tuesday, July 8th, will be Christine Dorchak, Chair of the Committee to Protect Dogs. On the ballot this year will be a question which, if passed, will eliminate greyhound racing, a "sport" that's lead to 800 injured Greyhounds since Massachusetts passed a bill requiring race tracks to report injuries. The citizens initiative lost by perhaps the closest margin in Bay State Ballot Question history - since then, Greyhound Racing wagers have gone down by tens of millions at each of this state's two dog tracks. Christine will be able to talk in depth about the issues as well as discuss why all the dogs are truly going to win this time.

Saturday's Blogger Fiesta Unveiled!

Because we're all super cool... wait a minute, is that Sco? (Joking!!)

It's no big secret that Lynne, Mike and I are hosting a big blogger get together in Lowell, but I've been having trouble thinking of exactly what to call it. Yes, there's going to be a brief presentation, but the event is more meant to be a fun chance to meet up with old friends and network with the bloggers, commenters, readers and members of the progressive, netroots Massachusetts community. So, really, this is one big party, right?

"Blogger Conference," sounding too much like a total drag, I thought: why not call it a Blogger Fiesta? The whole thing makes way more sense wrapped around the fact that we've officially ordered some real-live, authentic and awesome Mexican food from one of Lynne's favorite Lowell localities. We're also ordering some equally awesome and authentic Thai (including vegetarian, we think of everything!) and I'm making my home-cooked batch of famous (I swear!) Chicken Marsala to round the whole thing off. Mmm...

Seriously, there's going to be way too much food, so I'm hoping even more people will come (sign up now!). We have around 15 registered guests, including names that everyone will know, and another 5-6 people who have said they'd come... but just haven't made it official. Add to that various politicians and activists who want to stop by and chat, it's promising to be a great event already - but, seriously, the more the merrier! Lynne's house is huge. If you want to come and haven't signed up yet, Lynne would like to know by Thursday - that's tomorrow. Sign up via paypal, by clicking the link, or by contacting either Lynne or I personally if you have any questions. It's only $10, but if that's too steep, let us know (I've been there!).

While Saturday's event itself isn't a big secret, there are a few things we've kept slightly under wraps. I've billed the event as a pseudo brain-storming session where we can help create ways to both "expand and empower" the Massachusetts netroots. You see, we've elected some candidates, but failed to elect others. We've had some success on some issues, but not many recently. Anyone else get the feeling that if we were a tad, bit more organized, we could get a lot more accomplished as a movement? Both Lynne and I have a few good ideas and will spend a few minutes talking about them on Saturday, but we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas too.

If anyone is curious about how the day will unfold, here's the gist:

The event starts at 1pm at Lynne's home. You'll have to email her for directions (lynneATleftinlowellDOTcom). From around 1-2pm, we're going to gouge ourselves with food, chat with each other, catch up and do what we please. Feel free to play fusbol, a have Hillary/Barack Dance-Off, Pin the Tail on the McBush, or the always fun "What Will Romney Say about Massachusetts Next?" If none of those ideas are appealing, you can also match (in)famous names with faces, network, or even talk politics - heavens forbid.

From around 2-3pm, we'll restore a little order by starting with a very quick presentation of what Lynne and I have already brainstormed (and we're ambitious), then we'll open the whole thing up for discussion.

From 3-4pm we'll finish whatever we didn't already finish, talk amongst ourselves again, this time maybe bringing these ideas to a personal level, and most importantly make sure the place is a mess and accidentally leave it for Lynne and Mr. Lynne to clean up. Of course, this is just how I envision the day going. I'm not actually going to bring a gavel, though I will wager a guess that at some point Lynne may want her house back.

Some Important Notes:

When: Saturday, April 19th, starting at 1pm.
Where: Lynne's house in Lowell, Mass. Email Lynne for directions at LynneATleftinlowellDOTcom.
HOW: You can drive or take mass transit: the train from Boston comes very close to Lynne's home in Lowell and there's a train that arrives just before the Fiesta will start. There are a few people willing to carpool, too, just email me and I'll try to find you a ride. If you're from the North Shore I'll bring you myself.
Do: Come with an empty stomach. We're providing lots of food and drinks, but no booze. BYOB.
Don't: forget to sign up! We're asking everyone to sign up by tomorrow, Thursday, April 17th (my birthday!). Or at least let us know you're coming by then.

A Deval Patrick Must Read

Lynne from LeftinLowell got a half hour with the Gov this morning. Do read about it!

Some highlights: Governor Patrick hopes to sign the Life Sciences Initiative and renewable energy bill within three weeks time (awesome!!). There's lots of planned investment in the state's roads, bridges and public universities (mostly bond bills, but good ones in such a tough economic time). The Governor's found some pretty nifty and creative ways to save money - and immediately translate the savings into projects desperately needed.

But, all in all, the best part about it is this: it represents another sign that Governor Patrick intends to get back to his roots - the grassroots. If he truly gets back on track, his forgettable winter and fall will be forgotten. We'll also make even more progress as a state. April is shaping up to be a wonderful month.

More discussion at BMG.

Major Casino Conflict of Interest

It seems like every time there's someone who really sticks their neck out to support casinos in Massachusetts, that someone has a serious and major conflict of interest. In that vein, Left in Lowell found a biggie.

The Sun Editor, Jim Campanini, has once again failed to disclose a conflict of interest with regards to his role as editor of the Lowell Sun. Par for the course, I suppose, but this one’s a doozy.... A week ago, an editorial appeared in the Sun (we wrote a rebuttal) telling the legislature to consider Gov. Patrick’s plan for casinos in Massachusetts (saying, “Frankly, we see no way out of the state’s fiscal dilemma without engaging in a serious debate on legalized gambling.”).

Why does the public not know that Mr. Campanini appears to have a major stake in a stable of racers that frequent Suffolk Downs? (We found out thanks to a tip from an alert reader.)

Does that sound like the actions of a disinterested and objective journalist? No. It is, however, just one more example of how this editor is ruining his paper with conflicts of interest, whether it’s in politics and protecting his buddies, or in protecting his stake in horse racing.

Par for the course, indeed.

No Fun League at it Again

While football commentary generally doesn't belong on this website, there are some very real aspects to the whole Pats-Colts game that shouldn't go unnoticed by any audience. Apparently, there may have been cheating again, but this time not from those dastardly Patriots, a team caught doing something the entire NFL has been doing for years now. This time it's the team representing the side of "good," the Colts (yes, I did read a sports column about how the Pats-Colts game was all about good vs. evil, but I'll spare everyone the link). But it's not like we're going to hear anything about it, because the "good" team can't possibly cheat - right? The Powers that Be only want to push the meme that the Patriots are cheating bastards, not just a team that's worked harder and longer at being better than the rest of the NFL. So, shhh, don't let that secret out of the bag.

What's stunned me as a person is how hateful the rest of the country has become toward something as trivial as a sports team, something that isn't altogether different than the political discourse going around for the past few decades. I don't know if we're more or less likely to pick up a column insinuating the Patriots ought to be renamed the Satanists, or hear Ann Coultershock claiming liberals are going to go to hell anyway, so we may as do the dirty deed now and get it over with. Seriously, would either of the two scenarios shock anyone?

It all gets me back to a discussion I had a few months ago with Lynne's husband on how some people - mostly conservatives - think differently. How these people have authoritarian minds. It doesn't matter if it's sports, politics, news or what's the best cookie recipe, a lot of the 'leading voices' on any of these matters all seem to think alike, even if the subjects they're interested in may be different. The Patriots were shown, in public, as a bunch of cheating scoundrels. In the case of the Colts game, NFL officials hushed up the nonsense and essentially said, 'go home everyone, nothing to see here, folks.' And, of course, they're doing many fans - with a certain kind of mind frame - a real service. Everyone else? Not so much. It's important to resist/ignore/deflate talking heads from around the country, because things that are right are often ignored, while the unimportant or trivial matters become the next Lacy Peterson story - all for the benefit of a few who would only be more than happy to be in charge of everything, yet can't be trusted within a hundred feet of a leadership position. Go Patriots!

Sustaining the Blogosphere

The Road to Joy

As anyone who reads this blog probably knows by now, bloggers and those who read them are about as far removed from the description of D.C.'s pundits as P-Town is from San Diego. The closest connection between the set of two is the fact that Route Six links both places - and I am the rare exception of a video-game playing, twenty-something blogger living with his mother. The reality is I'm about ten years younger than the next youngest Bay State blogger that I know of - though you'd never know that by looking at her pretty complexion, completely devoid of the typical signs of aging that comes with one's 30s.

In fact, Lynne is the inspiring force of this particular blog about blogging. Despite her foray into the world of blogging, where she spends so much time, and the fact that the incentives for bloggers are paltry at best (an audience of some, civic pride?), she's in the process of putting on the finishing touches to a house she just bought with Mr. Lynne. The important point is the funds that went into buying that house certainly didn't come from LeftinLowell, despite its success as a local blog and the time Lynne puts into it daily, which is very indicative of the precarious nature of being a regular person in the blogosphere: it's accessible only to some and doesn't lend itself well to people who'd like to be committed to its success as a newly developing institution in America, imperative to our society today - yet have other, even more important, time constraints.

One of the reasons why most pundits are wrong and bloggers (and those who read them) tend to be in their 30s to 50s is the fact that it takes so much time and energy to participate that younger people - living on raman and college loans - can't join in the fun. Heck, as Jane Hamsher notes, that's one reason why less women engage in the blogosphere than men - after they get home from work, women often end up doing a majority of the house work and tending to the tykes. It's no different for twenty somethings: they're either poor-as-all-hell college students, trying to finish their papers, or they're even poorer, trying to pay off their college loans, credit card debts they were undoubtedly preyed into spending while desperately broke in college - and the thousands a year it costs to rent on a pay check that looks more like a stipend than respectable salary for a hard day's work. The things this society asks certain groups of people to do makes it almost impossible for them to be fully engaged citizens - participating in the netroots or otherwise.

For the netroots to ever become a sustainable institution, where people can work on issues long enough to develop the respect necessary to make an impact, blogs have to become a place where everyone is truly welcome. It has to become a place where people are beckoned by more than their own pride and desire to be active Americans, because if the blogs don't become that place eventually the economic realities of society will take over for almost every person - meaning we'll lose our most talented writers and thinkers and the trust they've accumulated. That could come in the form of a local Lowell blogger who may eventually find an expensive need for one of those empty rooms in her new house, or a 20 something blogger who just got a new job and doesn't have the same kind of time to invest on the important issues facing his home state. Both, for all we know, could happen sooner rather than later.

There are a lot of forms such beckoning could take. In fact, we've already seen a few either in blogging or similar areas: think tanks, more mainstream journalism, funds from advertisements or employment in the same sector of the actual blog (creating additional incentive to write daily). Time Magazine's hiring of Ms. Wonkette was an early signal of how a popular blogger could enter into the realm where she could actually continue to blog as a profession. Illustrative of how important her continued voice is, she was one of the key people to spread Mitt's dog story beyond the pages of the Boston Globe. Campaigns can become another source for bloggers to branch out; many have already hired bloggers in various roles - from consultants to organizers to actual campaign bloggers. There's employment opportunities to allow the blogosphere's best to stay in the community, but not nearly enough.

The hiring of Ms.-Wonkette-calibre bloggers is only going to become more common, but what about bloggers who, instead of writing about the inanity that goes on, are more focused on actual issues (and probably less frequently read)? To get more serious analysis and less Daily-Show-esque blogs, the netroots needs to develop institutions that are like think tanks. We're going to have to create nonprofits that raise funds through private contributors interested in developing important thought in those particular areas. There could be think tank blogs that focus on media criticism, or important state blogs focusing on issues that not even local papers tend to work on. The think tanks could extend beyond blogging, too, becoming a place to link what's written online with active community engagement - sort of like Moveon.org, but local.

This kind of effort would be crucial to society all over, but wouldn't be profitable enough for newspapers and magazines to take a leap of faith. Yet, the fact that certain issues aren't profitable doesn't mean they're any less imperative for society than the money-sucking public infrastructure we all gladly use every day (wait a minute, we're neglecting that, too). What bloggers unearth reverberates throughout society, changing the discourse on everything from the Bush administration's shenanigans to conventional wisdom. Subsequently, without institutions to provide funding for serious research and journalistic integrity that rarely exists at the New York Times today, the blogosphere will never reach its crescendo.

Sadly, knowing how to maintain the netroots hasn't brought us any closer to actually doing it. It's a matter of organizing and developing the will, something we're not experts at yet. It's also a matter of depending on activists that don't write every day; writing sucks away the time that's necessary to fundraise and creatively create. Yet, it's no small order to organize and still participate in some form, making that a full time job in and of itself. Certainly, the answer isn't in online advertising: despite the fact that tens of thousands of people have viewed Ryan's Take, Google Ads has generated $99.80 since I joined up late in 2006. It may just pay for all the gas I've spent covering events across the state, but not much else. Online ads fostered the biggest blogs, fully establishing our community, but it will never bring issue-oriented and local blogs to a place of sustainability (unless there's significant change that's unlikely to come from the likes of Google). Private institutions and campaigns help, but aren't the answer either. They filter out what makes the blogosphere unique: the abrasiveness that's engaged a nation and unearthed untold numbers of important stories isn't welcome in Conventional Wisdom Land.

Clearly, developing netroot think tanks is the only way to sustain research on specific topics, especially at state levels, and to push our goals from sea to shining sea. It's the only way to allow activists and bloggers alike to reach for the top and truly make the most of our potential, creating a better America from the ground up. All of these tools, especially additional organizations, can allow the netroots to grow and truly change the country. Otherwise, the constraints of real life will eventually force people to give up on the netroots - stunting a budding movement in its tracks.

Lynne Posts MA-05 Iraq War Forum!

They're over on her website, but on the way to it go to MyDD.com and hit recommend so we can get these videos seen by thousands. The kind of work Lynne just did to get this forum online is exactly the reason why the blogosphere is so great. There was no serious media coverage of the Iraq War forum by any of the large Boston papers; thanks to Lynne's hard work hundreds or even thousands of people will get to shine a light on the candidates' opinions and plans on the Iraq war and military in general.

Thanks Lynne!