I wavered for only a few hours today before people said I should definitely pursue Round 2. I didn't want to do so unless I thought I'd have the community's support -- and that support thus far has been strong. Massachusetts needs one of its netroot core members there and none of the BMG editors will be attending, nor any of the other state bloggers that I know of (and I've talked with most of them!). So it's still very worthwhile just so we can get the Mass perspective on the convention - and none of my commitment or desires to attend has ever changed. Going to Netroots Nation was always a bit of a dream of mine since it was called YearlyKos! Thanks to everyone's kind help and support, I feel completely rejuvinated, so please bear with me for a little longer. I will be selected in Round 2, come hell or high water.
Here's how you can help: I need everyone to log in and click "add your support" again on my profile. I appreciate everyone's time and support. Round 2 ends on June 11th, so if you click your support now, you can spare yourself nearly a month of my emails and facebook messages!
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2009
Alas, I Lost
So, I just found out that I did not win the scholarship to Netroots Nation. It's a disappointment, but I knew it was an uphill battle. Despite the many qualified people out there with vast networks, radio shows, tv shows and nationally read blogs, it was your efforts that put me in at #5 in total supporters for Round 1. I can't express how damn thankful I am for all the time and effort people gave me in order to help me attend Netroots Nations. I so rarely ever ask people for anything, so it was nice to know that when I did, more than 90 people came through - friends, family and activists I've met across the state. That's not only amazing, it's inspiring. There is a whole new round of 10 more scholarships, but I'd have to start all over again for supporters. I don't think I'm prepared to harass all of you again, so I'm not going to actively campaign this time - at least as of now. I'll leave my "support me" link on the top right if you'd like to sign in/log in and show your support yet again.
Thank you all for bearing with me during this contest. It meant a lot. And, who knows, with 20 more scholarships being awarded, maybe I'll still somehow find a way to go.
Thank you all for bearing with me during this contest. It meant a lot. And, who knows, with 20 more scholarships being awarded, maybe I'll still somehow find a way to go.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Weekend Break: Home-made Plumbing Vid
Instead of boring everyone with politics today, I thought we'd take a look at my now-disappeared bathroom.
Update: Netroots Nation Scholarship
People are amazing!
I'm up to 23 supporters on my scholarship page. The more supporters I have, the more likely I am to get the scholarship -- and I can't go if I don't get it. For those who don't know, Netroots Nation is the blogosphere's biggest annual convention... there's all sorts of workshops and panels to network, make new skills and ideas. If I can manage to go, I'll be bringing back a lot of experience to make this blog and the Mass netroots better.
So be one of the 23 and counting and help me attend. Just click this page and press the "add your support" link under the "Grassroots support" part of the page. You may need to create a login, but it won't take more than 2 minutes of your time -- and it would mean the world to me. I'm not too far off from being one of the top 5 in support, which would just about guarantee me a spot. Help push me over the edge!
Thanks,
Ryan
I'm up to 23 supporters on my scholarship page. The more supporters I have, the more likely I am to get the scholarship -- and I can't go if I don't get it. For those who don't know, Netroots Nation is the blogosphere's biggest annual convention... there's all sorts of workshops and panels to network, make new skills and ideas. If I can manage to go, I'll be bringing back a lot of experience to make this blog and the Mass netroots better.
So be one of the 23 and counting and help me attend. Just click this page and press the "add your support" link under the "Grassroots support" part of the page. You may need to create a login, but it won't take more than 2 minutes of your time -- and it would mean the world to me. I'm not too far off from being one of the top 5 in support, which would just about guarantee me a spot. Help push me over the edge!
Thanks,
Ryan
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Any fans of short fiction?
Friday, January 09, 2009
Globe Quotes Me on the Partners Issue
Fun - and I won't even be snarky, because the Globe does deserve some serious kudos for their Partners coverage. At least the Paper of Record still knows how to write some seriously good exposes - this is probably some of their best work since the Church molestation scandals.
Anyway, the quote's below. They took it from here. The Globe put it in their mix-mash of quotes they occasionally print in the op-ed section. Is that a weekly, Friday feature?
Anyway, the quote's below. They took it from here. The Globe put it in their mix-mash of quotes they occasionally print in the op-ed section. Is that a weekly, Friday feature?
"It's time for the state to end the practice of Blue Cross tampering with how, what, and which hospitals and groups are paid. The state ought to enforce rates, based on performance and actual cost, to rein in the industry in Massachusetts. The only difference between what Blue Cross pays Tufts or Partners or Beverly Hospital should be based on performance, not Blue Cross's whims.
Monday, September 01, 2008
The Importance of Health Care in Elections
This past weekend, my little brother had his 12th birthday party. My family came over and it was a good chance to catch up with some aunts, uncles and cousins I hadn't seen in a few months. In any event, none of them are particularly political, but they all know I'm obsessed with politics... so I always get to hear about their latest thoughts coming from the perspective of an average, apolitical voter.
In any event, I had an extraordinarily interesting conversation with a particular non-political and nonpartisan aunt. Because this election is so historical and different than in the past, she actually watched Obama's speech. I'm sure she'll watch McCain's, too. Out of all the things Obama said and did, the one thing that really grabbed her was his discussion about his mother and health care.
Obama's mother had to fight and bicker with her health insurance company every step of the way to get her treatment for cancer. That's something millions of Americans can relate to, no matter the party ID or voter frequency, my aunt included. My uncle, her husband, had to get shoulder surgery a few years ago. Everything seemed to go well and, for several months, it seemed like he went through a full recovery.
Another few months, though, and the story changed. Soon, his shoulder started to be painful. Soon after that, he had difficulty moving it. It got to the point where he couldn't raise his arm at all.
In a normal health care system, doctors would aggressively try to solve the problem. Not here. It's not the doctors, that's for sure - they want to make good decisions for their patients. It's good for business. It's because of the health insurance company they had.
The startling thing is they had what they thought was good health insurance - my uncle, like many in my family, is a teacher. With a union. With bargaining power. Compared to most of America, my uncle's insurance is the Ritz Carlton of HMOs. You'd think getting treatment would be easy. You'd think wrong. Like Obama's mother, my aunt and uncle had to fight every step of the way to get treatment. After months and months of tests and doctor visits, each one a battle to even get (while watching his arm become more painful and useless), my uncle finally figured out what the problem was. He had a bacteria growing, very likely from his previous surgery.
All my uncle wanted to do was get it fixed, but the insurance company bickered and fought for months before they finally succumbed and allowed my uncle to get the surgery. This is the kind of story that Obama's tapped into in the lives of Americans everywhere. It's powerful because it's happening to all sorts of people, young and old, rich and poor, Republican and Democrat - and everything in between. It's even happening to people like my uncle, who has been paying through the nose for what he thought was good insurance. Other people may be attracted to different positions - the environment, education, etc., but I think health care is one of the precious few issues that can turn a Republican voter blue. I expect a lot of voters to swing Obama's way come November - and hundreds of thousands of them will do so because they want health care they can count on.
In any event, I had an extraordinarily interesting conversation with a particular non-political and nonpartisan aunt. Because this election is so historical and different than in the past, she actually watched Obama's speech. I'm sure she'll watch McCain's, too. Out of all the things Obama said and did, the one thing that really grabbed her was his discussion about his mother and health care.
Obama's mother had to fight and bicker with her health insurance company every step of the way to get her treatment for cancer. That's something millions of Americans can relate to, no matter the party ID or voter frequency, my aunt included. My uncle, her husband, had to get shoulder surgery a few years ago. Everything seemed to go well and, for several months, it seemed like he went through a full recovery.
Another few months, though, and the story changed. Soon, his shoulder started to be painful. Soon after that, he had difficulty moving it. It got to the point where he couldn't raise his arm at all.
In a normal health care system, doctors would aggressively try to solve the problem. Not here. It's not the doctors, that's for sure - they want to make good decisions for their patients. It's good for business. It's because of the health insurance company they had.
The startling thing is they had what they thought was good health insurance - my uncle, like many in my family, is a teacher. With a union. With bargaining power. Compared to most of America, my uncle's insurance is the Ritz Carlton of HMOs. You'd think getting treatment would be easy. You'd think wrong. Like Obama's mother, my aunt and uncle had to fight every step of the way to get treatment. After months and months of tests and doctor visits, each one a battle to even get (while watching his arm become more painful and useless), my uncle finally figured out what the problem was. He had a bacteria growing, very likely from his previous surgery.
All my uncle wanted to do was get it fixed, but the insurance company bickered and fought for months before they finally succumbed and allowed my uncle to get the surgery. This is the kind of story that Obama's tapped into in the lives of Americans everywhere. It's powerful because it's happening to all sorts of people, young and old, rich and poor, Republican and Democrat - and everything in between. It's even happening to people like my uncle, who has been paying through the nose for what he thought was good insurance. Other people may be attracted to different positions - the environment, education, etc., but I think health care is one of the precious few issues that can turn a Republican voter blue. I expect a lot of voters to swing Obama's way come November - and hundreds of thousands of them will do so because they want health care they can count on.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Donate or Advertise on Ryan's Take
As much as I hate to say this, it's come to the point where I can't afford to blog nearly as often as I do, under current circumstances. I've been fighting to keep it up for so long, coupled with the fact that I'd like to expand what I'm doing, that I need to make some changes one way or the other. Nothing would please me more, for example, than posting youtube clips of state hearings on this site, or interviewing candidates on youtube, or doing any number of things... that would require a digital video camera. That's just not in the bag right now, but it could be, if readers choose to help make my site better by donating to the cause.
Blogging is my passion and I think I'm pretty good at it. I certainly have a solid basis of knowledge on a whole host of issues facing Massachusetts - and the willingness to learn more. My posts and work through this blog have made impacts in this state, both medium and small. I've affected political stories, hosted official forums and helped candidates win races - all of which would have been at least somewhat different, if not for the existence of this blog. I've had the chance to meet many great people, all of whom make my blogs better and continue to make Ryan's Take a great place to read about and discuss Beacon Hill politics. All of these things motivate me to keep doing what I do best - posting across the Massachusetts blogosphere, as well as organizing in the netroots community and others to push for the issues that matter most.
I have no delusions of what putting a "Donate" button will do for me on this site. It's not going to pay for a living. However, I'd be happy enough if it was offsetting my blogging expenses - which which run in the hundreds every year I've done this. I'd be ecstatic if it gave me the resources to expand what I'm already doing. The fact that I'm no longer in college makes matters even worse, since I don't have magic money flowing from mysterious sources that I still don't quite comprehend that pay for my expenses (that, of course, I now have to pay off, making things all the worse at present).
Just as a note - I don't think most people realize the time daily bloggers put into their work. An average post takes around two hours to write - often more. This post took three, plus the time I spent creating a Paypal Account (at least another hour, because it's freaking complicated). I put 20-30 hours a week into my efforts at Ryan's Take, easy. I read and talk to sources every day, often for hours, to stay abreast of the issues and find stories to write about. I have to keep up with all of these organizations, contacts and networks, which means an endless slew of meetings, phone calls and emails - all of which I love and enjoy, don't get me wrong, but they're time consuming and never ever free (at the very least, I have to pay for gas).
Effectively, I'm changing nothing, except I'm adding a button to my website. All I'm saying is I can see the day in which I'll have to almost completely stop blogging, if I don't make some changes now. There aren't a lot of blogs out there like mine in this state, so I hope others will agree with me when I suggest that a quiet Ryan's Take is a bad thing. So, for those who really enjoy my posts and are in a financial position to do so, I'd appreciate some financial backing to keep my efforts up. If anyone would like to see an expanded Ryan's Take - complete with regular videos - and is willing to help me achieve that, we can make it happen.
Consider it like the Boston Globe: you can get the whole thing online for free, or pay a little extra and buy some dead trees. I don't want anyone to buy dead trees on my behalf, but I realize a donation won't come without some quid pro quos.
What I Can Do For You
While I'll never sacrifice my integrity on this website (for example, money won't ever change my positions or keep me quiet), I'm certainly not opposed to allowing people to 'sponsor' posts. If you want your appreciation recognized publicly, I'd be more than happy to put "this post is brought to you by Person X" at the end - your name could replace X, with a small donation. People could even choose to sponsor every post I write about on a particular subject. Care about GLBT issues? Sponsor my GLBT posts! Sponsors could also have a link to their website, blog or store that they own attached to their message.
Alternately, I'd be beyond thrilled to post an ad with a link on the side of my website for a small donation. Google ads has been beyond useless - and doesn't even completely work on this new blog format. If users want to advertise on Ryan's Take, though I'm no Picasso, I'll even create the artwork if necessary and do the html. I get hundreds and hundreds of readers every week - that's got to be some decent, cheap advertisement for restaurants, stores, campaigns and more. I always answer my emails if anyone has any special requests.
With very few exceptions, blogging will never make anyone a living - I've said that many times on this site, in forums and elsewhere. Even Bob, David and Charley have day jobs - and their traffic in one day amounts to what I get in a week or a month. But I do think what I have to say has some value and reverberates far beyond the html that represents this site. Many of the people who read my blogs also staff campaigns, work at the State House, at the Globe or organize at the party level. More importantly, my readers represent the most hard core progressive activists in this state - and there are hundreds of them, many of whom read daily. So a donation to Ryan's Take, by any metric, isn't charity. In the end, donations small and large will allow me to be able to put more time into blogging, make my work more consistent and better, as well as keep my efforts and activism going in a day and age when we need all the progressive activists - and bloggers - that we can get.
So, please, click the donate button to your right and help make Ryan's Take better. Alternately, contact me if you'd like to make any special requests. You won't regret it.
Thanks,
Ryan
Blogging is my passion and I think I'm pretty good at it. I certainly have a solid basis of knowledge on a whole host of issues facing Massachusetts - and the willingness to learn more. My posts and work through this blog have made impacts in this state, both medium and small. I've affected political stories, hosted official forums and helped candidates win races - all of which would have been at least somewhat different, if not for the existence of this blog. I've had the chance to meet many great people, all of whom make my blogs better and continue to make Ryan's Take a great place to read about and discuss Beacon Hill politics. All of these things motivate me to keep doing what I do best - posting across the Massachusetts blogosphere, as well as organizing in the netroots community and others to push for the issues that matter most.
I have no delusions of what putting a "Donate" button will do for me on this site. It's not going to pay for a living. However, I'd be happy enough if it was offsetting my blogging expenses - which which run in the hundreds every year I've done this. I'd be ecstatic if it gave me the resources to expand what I'm already doing. The fact that I'm no longer in college makes matters even worse, since I don't have magic money flowing from mysterious sources that I still don't quite comprehend that pay for my expenses (that, of course, I now have to pay off, making things all the worse at present).
Just as a note - I don't think most people realize the time daily bloggers put into their work. An average post takes around two hours to write - often more. This post took three, plus the time I spent creating a Paypal Account (at least another hour, because it's freaking complicated). I put 20-30 hours a week into my efforts at Ryan's Take, easy. I read and talk to sources every day, often for hours, to stay abreast of the issues and find stories to write about. I have to keep up with all of these organizations, contacts and networks, which means an endless slew of meetings, phone calls and emails - all of which I love and enjoy, don't get me wrong, but they're time consuming and never ever free (at the very least, I have to pay for gas).
I've written posts that have taken me all night to create - doing artwork, editing videos, finding links and more. Often times, those things take twice the amount of work than writing the text, which is why I don't do them as often as I like (something that would change if people donate). None of that includes the time I've spent traveling to get to events, or listening to hours and hours of hearings and forums. It also doesn't count all the behind-the-scenes organizing I do on behalf of the lefty Massachusetts blogosphere - which, by the way, will include a big BlogLeft event this fall (details to be announced later). Did I mention my weekly podcast and all the hours I spend preparing for it?
What Does This All Mean? What Am I Actually Changing? What am I Asking For?
What Does This All Mean? What Am I Actually Changing? What am I Asking For?
Effectively, I'm changing nothing, except I'm adding a button to my website. All I'm saying is I can see the day in which I'll have to almost completely stop blogging, if I don't make some changes now. There aren't a lot of blogs out there like mine in this state, so I hope others will agree with me when I suggest that a quiet Ryan's Take is a bad thing. So, for those who really enjoy my posts and are in a financial position to do so, I'd appreciate some financial backing to keep my efforts up. If anyone would like to see an expanded Ryan's Take - complete with regular videos - and is willing to help me achieve that, we can make it happen.
Consider it like the Boston Globe: you can get the whole thing online for free, or pay a little extra and buy some dead trees. I don't want anyone to buy dead trees on my behalf, but I realize a donation won't come without some quid pro quos.
What I Can Do For You
While I'll never sacrifice my integrity on this website (for example, money won't ever change my positions or keep me quiet), I'm certainly not opposed to allowing people to 'sponsor' posts. If you want your appreciation recognized publicly, I'd be more than happy to put "this post is brought to you by Person X" at the end - your name could replace X, with a small donation. People could even choose to sponsor every post I write about on a particular subject. Care about GLBT issues? Sponsor my GLBT posts! Sponsors could also have a link to their website, blog or store that they own attached to their message.
Alternately, I'd be beyond thrilled to post an ad with a link on the side of my website for a small donation. Google ads has been beyond useless - and doesn't even completely work on this new blog format. If users want to advertise on Ryan's Take, though I'm no Picasso, I'll even create the artwork if necessary and do the html. I get hundreds and hundreds of readers every week - that's got to be some decent, cheap advertisement for restaurants, stores, campaigns and more. I always answer my emails if anyone has any special requests.
With very few exceptions, blogging will never make anyone a living - I've said that many times on this site, in forums and elsewhere. Even Bob, David and Charley have day jobs - and their traffic in one day amounts to what I get in a week or a month. But I do think what I have to say has some value and reverberates far beyond the html that represents this site. Many of the people who read my blogs also staff campaigns, work at the State House, at the Globe or organize at the party level. More importantly, my readers represent the most hard core progressive activists in this state - and there are hundreds of them, many of whom read daily. So a donation to Ryan's Take, by any metric, isn't charity. In the end, donations small and large will allow me to be able to put more time into blogging, make my work more consistent and better, as well as keep my efforts and activism going in a day and age when we need all the progressive activists - and bloggers - that we can get.
So, please, click the donate button to your right and help make Ryan's Take better. Alternately, contact me if you'd like to make any special requests. You won't regret it.
Thanks,
Ryan
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Vennochi: I'm the Master of the Blogosphere
I have the power!(Just ask She-Ra.)
Can DiMasi withstand the internal pressure? He stands a greater chance if liberal constituencies outside the House remain faithful to him. To keep them loyal, he needs to give them what they want, and that he is doing.
A recent post on http://www.bluemassgroup.com/, a compendium of mostly liberal bloggers, thanked DiMasi for his support in repealing the 1913 law that stopped same-sex couples from outside Massachusetts from marrying here. The same post also made a case for the House to take up a global warming solutions act, which caps emissions.
It didn't take long for David Guarino, DiMasi's communications director, to post this response: "Thanks from the speaker's office for the praise, it is appreciated. We do have a lot of work to get to before we end formal sessions, and your priorities are certainly noted - as they were before. On global warming solutions, stay tuned. There is a chance we may yet have something for you there before the session ends."
Apparently, I'm the latest example of the Speaker giving into liberal constituencies... or something. Sheesh, I never knew I wielded so much power! I must be the He-Man of the BMG: Master of the Blogosphere. Should I put that into my cover letter?
Vennochi's complaint is that the progressive bloc of the Democratic Party is apparently willing to let Speaker DiMasi get away with anything, so long as he's pushing our agenda. While I've been very supportive of him, I don't find Vennochi's thesis to be true. If she read a few more comments on BMG, she'd notice that there's a lot of angst among some progressives because DiMasi isn't progressive enough, just ask Mike.
In any event, even if we all thought his issues were fantastic and were loudly supporting the Speaker, that doesn't mean we're suddenly looking the other way. Simply put: what has the Speaker been charged with? What jury has convicted him? It's never been a policy of mine to convict people in the court of public opinion. As far as I'm concerned, DiMasi is King 'o the Hill, Big Beacon Style, until a jury of his fellow citizens convicts him in an actual court - not a Boston Globe column.
As for this Joan Vennochi claim?
Should liberals close their eyes to problematic behavior, just as they are doing with another liberal, state Senator James Marzilli? The Arlington legislator has been charged with accosting several women, but refuses to resign even though he has not returned to work since his arrest and has said he will not return.
Bogus. I don't know a single BMG commenter or progressive activist who doesn't think Marzilli should step down, including his staunchest allies. Plenty of people have said he should get the help that he needs, none have said he should stay on.
More importantly, isn't this all moot? What relevance does it really have to the Speaker? Marzilli's not even in DiMasi's House, literally and figuratively. Allegedly helping friends is a very different thing than allegedly accosting three different women, with various eye witnesses and a State Senator who doesn't deny the fact that he did what was said. No one knows what DiMasi did or did not do; I'm sure there's plenty of people checking that out, but in the meantime, the Speaker has my full support. Plus, one way or the other, Marzilli's going and gone - so, again, what is there to complain about? There's an election around the corner that will solve the Marzilli problem. I appreciate Ms. Vennochi's free press and ego booster, but she's got her latest column all wrong.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
I'm a Citizen Journalist? And Other Peculiar New England Conventions
Whoa, Town Meeting does the weirdest things, like inspiring me to write a journalistic blog (of course, readers must click the link to read more on that).
Seriously, though, they're a good time - especially for people who have a sophomoric, political sense of humor (although, avoiding fits of laughter when speakers make silly straw-man points is a must - like when one speaker compared Jamaica Plain to Swampscott last night, as if they were the same). Also, it helps to try to be interested and to think of it like a giant game of clue - figuring out what frack is actually going on behind the scenes and what all those amendments are really about (it helps to have a partner togossip with bounce ideas off of).
In the meantime, Town Meeting members can actually do some good - like being part of the budget process, creating important bylaws, or voting to move forward an override to build a new school. Town Meeting is a peculiar New England trait, so hopefully readers are taking part in their community as I am in mine. It makes a difference.
Seriously, though, they're a good time - especially for people who have a sophomoric, political sense of humor (although, avoiding fits of laughter when speakers make silly straw-man points is a must - like when one speaker compared Jamaica Plain to Swampscott last night, as if they were the same). Also, it helps to try to be interested and to think of it like a giant game of clue - figuring out what frack is actually going on behind the scenes and what all those amendments are really about (it helps to have a partner to
In the meantime, Town Meeting members can actually do some good - like being part of the budget process, creating important bylaws, or voting to move forward an override to build a new school. Town Meeting is a peculiar New England trait, so hopefully readers are taking part in their community as I am in mine. It makes a difference.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Regional Cell Phone Plans?
Whatever happened to them? I used to have a regional plan that had - I swear - almost infinite minutes, for less money and I was perfectly content. Now, I keep having to go up and up and up on my minutes with this national plan. When would I, or half my neighbors, ever need to call someone beyond the North East - and why should we have to pay for such a wonderful privilege? I'm sensing there's more here than meets the eye, because all the national chains stopped even offering the regional plans a few years ago (at least as far as I can tell). Anyone more familiar with this kind of stuff who wants to weigh in?
Monday, December 03, 2007
My Disclosure Post
Earlier today I talked about how I was joining Lori Ehrlich's campaign for State Rep from my hometown district of Swampscott, Marblehead and parts of Lynn. I'm doing it because I think she'll be awesome and we see eye-to-eye on most of the core issues, be it the environment or the way state funding works and how health care costs are effecting the big picture. I'm doing it on a volunteer basis, only my time and energy are going into the race.
All that said, this blog will continue to function independently of the campaign. My words are my own. None of what I say should be attributed to the campaign, or taken as Lori's views. When I cover the race on this blog in the future, it will certainly include full disclosure and may often link back to this standard disclosure announcement.
All that said, this blog will continue to function independently of the campaign. My words are my own. None of what I say should be attributed to the campaign, or taken as Lori's views. When I cover the race on this blog in the future, it will certainly include full disclosure and may often link back to this standard disclosure announcement.
Friday, November 16, 2007
I'll See You There?
Anyone in the mood for some progressive training? I am. It should come in handy for one local campaign I'm definately getting involved in.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The T is Insanely Stupid
Warning: personal rant.
With these new Charley Tickets that people have to buy, there are several default options for purchasing prepaid ticketed amounts: $5, $10, I think $20 and a "choose other," which I'm not going to pick when I'm in a rush, with 15 other people standing in line. A month or two ago, I picked the $5 amount because I almost never use the T. So, a few fortnights later, I'm in Brookline at my friend's house and we decide to go to the movies, at the Commons. We hop on the Green Line, I put my months-old pass in and now have a dollar left. I get out of the movie, buy another pass to get back to Brookline, but first put the old ticket into the machine to wipe off that dollar, only to find out you can't do that. That dollar is now completely useless, yet the $5 dollar prepaid amount exists (as opposed to one that makes sense for two rides, like $4). Talk about putting a sour taste in my mouth!
I'm not one to squabble over a dollar. I've never been the extremely-frugal type. However, if the T says something cost two dollars, then it shouldn't secretly make sure people spend more than that for the same, crappy service, especially people who aren't regular riders and don't like to be hoodwinked (that's not a good way to recruit more riders, after all). There's absolutely no wonder why I choose not to take the T into town when I visit my friends: if I'm not being cheated out of more money for the same service, then I'm waiting forever for my train to get there. Or I'm waiting for the train to start moving again. Or standing in those crappy, new Green Line trams that make absolutely, positively no sense at all - with fewer seats and less real-time room, because people always congregate toward the doors in the T, so all that extra space that they supposedly have is completely useless.
Furthermore, when it costs $4 to ride round trip, more for parking (since I'd have to drive to Wonderland) and takes way longer, driving unfortunately makes too much sense. It's cheaper, quicker and more convenient, especially when I'm driving to places with plenty of parking. Believe me, I'd rather save the environment and skip the drive into the city when there should be adequate public transportation, but it's a sad fact that the state legislature and Team Charley are just complete idiots when it comes to public transportation, doing everything they possibly can to make sure as few people use it as possible.
We need cheap, reliable and comfortable public transportation. To get people to abandon their cars, public transportation has to be a better option than driving. That means the state is going to have to chip more in to make it happen - even if it requires demanding a little bit more out of the businesses that reap all the benefits of public trans, yet pay almost none of its costs. I'm also leaning toward 'fire the lot' in charge of the T and hire people that actually give a crap about public transportation to oversee the MBTA, would anyone disagree? Screw Charley.
With these new Charley Tickets that people have to buy, there are several default options for purchasing prepaid ticketed amounts: $5, $10, I think $20 and a "choose other," which I'm not going to pick when I'm in a rush, with 15 other people standing in line. A month or two ago, I picked the $5 amount because I almost never use the T. So, a few fortnights later, I'm in Brookline at my friend's house and we decide to go to the movies, at the Commons. We hop on the Green Line, I put my months-old pass in and now have a dollar left. I get out of the movie, buy another pass to get back to Brookline, but first put the old ticket into the machine to wipe off that dollar, only to find out you can't do that. That dollar is now completely useless, yet the $5 dollar prepaid amount exists (as opposed to one that makes sense for two rides, like $4). Talk about putting a sour taste in my mouth!
I'm not one to squabble over a dollar. I've never been the extremely-frugal type. However, if the T says something cost two dollars, then it shouldn't secretly make sure people spend more than that for the same, crappy service, especially people who aren't regular riders and don't like to be hoodwinked (that's not a good way to recruit more riders, after all). There's absolutely no wonder why I choose not to take the T into town when I visit my friends: if I'm not being cheated out of more money for the same service, then I'm waiting forever for my train to get there. Or I'm waiting for the train to start moving again. Or standing in those crappy, new Green Line trams that make absolutely, positively no sense at all - with fewer seats and less real-time room, because people always congregate toward the doors in the T, so all that extra space that they supposedly have is completely useless.
Furthermore, when it costs $4 to ride round trip, more for parking (since I'd have to drive to Wonderland) and takes way longer, driving unfortunately makes too much sense. It's cheaper, quicker and more convenient, especially when I'm driving to places with plenty of parking. Believe me, I'd rather save the environment and skip the drive into the city when there should be adequate public transportation, but it's a sad fact that the state legislature and Team Charley are just complete idiots when it comes to public transportation, doing everything they possibly can to make sure as few people use it as possible.
We need cheap, reliable and comfortable public transportation. To get people to abandon their cars, public transportation has to be a better option than driving. That means the state is going to have to chip more in to make it happen - even if it requires demanding a little bit more out of the businesses that reap all the benefits of public trans, yet pay almost none of its costs. I'm also leaning toward 'fire the lot' in charge of the T and hire people that actually give a crap about public transportation to oversee the MBTA, would anyone disagree? Screw Charley.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Whoops! My Apologizes to the MBPC
Yesterday, I received an email from the MBPC containing a press report about an important study they're releasing tomorrow. I was so interested in the results that I failed to notice the fact that the report was "embargoed" until Sunday - and posted about it. I pulled my blog, but, given the fact that I didn't check my email for hours, it was well after I actually posted it. It was a serious mistake and I regret it.
Though I've been blogging for about two years now, I'm still new to some aspects of the press - such as embargoed reports. Needless to say, it's only fair to expect every outlet to have an equal opportunity in reporting on information that a non-profit has spent a large time researching - and the MBPC was being more than generous in personally sending such important studies in advance to lowly bloggers such as myself. Certainly, I wouldn't want to put the information contained in the report in jeopardy of not being as widely distributed, because some pesky blogger ruined the story for newspapers and TV. The information contained therein is highly important for the entire state, which is why I blogged about it in the first place.
So again, my apologizes to the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, as well as all media outlets who received the same information and actually abided by the rules. I've often preached, along with many bloggers, that the reason why the blogosphere is a trustworthy place is because each blog lives and dies by the respect it earns. Part of that respect comes from the communities in which each bloggers interact with. Obviously, today, I lost some of that.
Though I've been blogging for about two years now, I'm still new to some aspects of the press - such as embargoed reports. Needless to say, it's only fair to expect every outlet to have an equal opportunity in reporting on information that a non-profit has spent a large time researching - and the MBPC was being more than generous in personally sending such important studies in advance to lowly bloggers such as myself. Certainly, I wouldn't want to put the information contained in the report in jeopardy of not being as widely distributed, because some pesky blogger ruined the story for newspapers and TV. The information contained therein is highly important for the entire state, which is why I blogged about it in the first place.
So again, my apologizes to the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, as well as all media outlets who received the same information and actually abided by the rules. I've often preached, along with many bloggers, that the reason why the blogosphere is a trustworthy place is because each blog lives and dies by the respect it earns. Part of that respect comes from the communities in which each bloggers interact with. Obviously, today, I lost some of that.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
In Celebration of My Family
Maybe this has nothing to do with politics at all, or maybe it's a case study in why somethings are important, but today is - as my Step Mother just reminded me in an email - my little sister's "last first day" of middle school, as well as my little brother's first day ever. She's finishing up her first day of 8th Grade, while he's almost done with the premier of Grade 4. Sometimes it's important to remember the reasons for why we care, so let's take a closer examination of my own.
That was then:
This is now:
So if anyone asks why it's important to make sure Massachusetts is in good hands - that we have good schools, parks, health care and even infrastructure - just show them a picture of your favorite nieces and nephews, or little brothers and sisters and especially your sons and daughters. It's the best rationale we can give them.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Computer Troubles
I own two computers, a desktop and a laptop. My desktop is one of those beloved, five year old, completely outmoded machines just dying to, well, die. But, I love it and will keep it until that sad day comes - even if my sound card doesn't work anymore and the hard drive's days are numbered. It's been with me for so long that it's almost like a pet or a personal project, as I've updated it countless times and had many happy experiments of doing open heart surgery, just without all the blood and stitches.
The depressing thing is the fact that my desktop is now my "good" computer. My laptop is but two years old, but a real piece of crap Dell. It wasn't a cheap one, either - when I bought it, I bought it for when I was living in D.C. and got one that was a heavy mammoth of super powers and wasted cash (not to mention a pain in my back). Now, for some odd reason, when I plug it in Mr. Crappy Dell doesn't want to charge. I've looked up the problem and, given Dell's tendencies to overheat, I think that whatever allowed the electrical wires to connect to the battery has officially gone to the fritz. In all likelihood, it melted like a Popsicle left outside in the heavy August doldrums. Whatever happened to the days when Dells were considered reliable? Now, they're more likely to overheat and burn a house down than work for more than two years.
Given the fact that I don't even know if I want to fix my laptop, which will probably cost close to two hundred dollars (my friend's computer had the same exact problem - and we had the same model Inspirons, purchased within a month of each other), my ability to post is going to be slightly diminished. No more Panera posts, where I take it to the road. No more posts at my own leisure, wherever I am in the house. Furthermore, there's little sense of using Youtube videos if I can't hear them - which is why I haven't used many as of late. All of these problems sound like minor complaints, but people would be amazed at how the trivial things in life can put a dent into post-counts. (Anyone else notice the decline in blogs on Ryan's Take this summer? It isn't just because of a slow news period).
In a few months, I may go and get a Mac, but that'll mean I actually have to go and get a real job first. Ha! In the meantime, I'll try to make do with what I have and keep a robust website, filled with lots of content and reasons to visit. I do love my readers! If anyone's had similar problems with Dell Inspiron laptops and has any heartening news/advice, I'd love to hear it, but I think it's about to be laid to rest. If only there were battery chargers I could get that were external; the computer itself is fine, it's just not charging. Oh well. So consider this a notice to bloggers - don't buy crappy Dells, or you'll live to regret it.
The depressing thing is the fact that my desktop is now my "good" computer. My laptop is but two years old, but a real piece of crap Dell. It wasn't a cheap one, either - when I bought it, I bought it for when I was living in D.C. and got one that was a heavy mammoth of super powers and wasted cash (not to mention a pain in my back). Now, for some odd reason, when I plug it in Mr. Crappy Dell doesn't want to charge. I've looked up the problem and, given Dell's tendencies to overheat, I think that whatever allowed the electrical wires to connect to the battery has officially gone to the fritz. In all likelihood, it melted like a Popsicle left outside in the heavy August doldrums. Whatever happened to the days when Dells were considered reliable? Now, they're more likely to overheat and burn a house down than work for more than two years.
Given the fact that I don't even know if I want to fix my laptop, which will probably cost close to two hundred dollars (my friend's computer had the same exact problem - and we had the same model Inspirons, purchased within a month of each other), my ability to post is going to be slightly diminished. No more Panera posts, where I take it to the road. No more posts at my own leisure, wherever I am in the house. Furthermore, there's little sense of using Youtube videos if I can't hear them - which is why I haven't used many as of late. All of these problems sound like minor complaints, but people would be amazed at how the trivial things in life can put a dent into post-counts. (Anyone else notice the decline in blogs on Ryan's Take this summer? It isn't just because of a slow news period).
In a few months, I may go and get a Mac, but that'll mean I actually have to go and get a real job first. Ha! In the meantime, I'll try to make do with what I have and keep a robust website, filled with lots of content and reasons to visit. I do love my readers! If anyone's had similar problems with Dell Inspiron laptops and has any heartening news/advice, I'd love to hear it, but I think it's about to be laid to rest. If only there were battery chargers I could get that were external; the computer itself is fine, it's just not charging. Oh well. So consider this a notice to bloggers - don't buy crappy Dells, or you'll live to regret it.
Apparently, Keller Quoted Me in his Book
According to David, I'm one of the lucky winners who gets to be quoted in Jon Keller's upcoming novelization of Massachusetts politics. Hooray! One wonders what incredibly nefarious, communist, ebil left-wing thing I had to say to pull that off? People should have equal rights? Health care for all? So, will Keller's work of art be a complete and utter work of fiction? David seems to think so - and he was given an advance copy. Was Keller actually hoping for some favorable press?
Well, here's what a small portion of I-Don't-Think-So tastes like, courtesy of David Kravitz.
The book is an unwieldy amalgam of serious issues (e.g., waste and corruption on the Big Dig), Keller's personal pet peeves (is political correctness really responsible for crime in the cities?), and a smattering of right-wing talking points (remember the welfare queens?), all swirled together with little regard to what's a real problem and what just annoys Jon. Even more peculiar is Keller's willingness to ascribe just
about every one of these perceived problems to "liberals" -- even though, as I've already pointed out, many of the people Keller is complaining about are not, in fact, liberal. The tendency that I was concerned about by the time I got to page 11 -- conflating "Massachusetts Democrat" with "liberal" -- continues unabated throughout the book.
Peter Porcupine thinks I should read the book anyway - giving it the benefit of the doubt - but I say Keller's body of work is large enough as is to decide he's nothing but a pundit who'll say anything for attention and ratings. After all, he's an Important Man and what he says matters, just because he said it, dammit. But, I suppose now I'll be lured in with the prospect of catching just whatever he had to say about me and disproving it. But, hey, at least I know I'm past Ghandi's first stage - because I certainly wasn't ignored. But am I being laughed at - or is he using fighting words? I suppose I'll have to wait for the book, but in the end it doesn't matter - because we, as a progressive movement in Massachusetts, are already circling our prey for the win.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Why Gay People Vote
I was just reading the comments in the Dkos thread about how more than 90% of gay people vote during Presidential elections. Anyway, I thought this was one bright reason on why gay people are more likely to vote,
As for why I've always been so political, I don't know, but I doubt my sexuality has all that much to do with it. I've always been this way, at least for as long as I could ever remember. I guess I've always cared about the way things work and making things as inherently fair for everyone as possible. That, or I hate the idea of bowing down to authority figures who think of themselves as authority figures - and not just normal people with good ideas who won an election based on those ideas.
In any event, my point remains: the way gay people vote changes the outcomes of elections, so Presidential candidacy impertinence - saying you're for 'equal rights' but being against equal them - is a vote killer and will only serve to turn more than 10% of the Democratic Party's voting base off. If any one of the Big Three goes out on a limb and truly favors equal rights, they'll very well get the advantage they need in the early primary states, which will give them the bounce they need for the rest of the election. If anyone wants to beat Hill, it may just take the support of the gay population and its preponderance of importance during primary elections.
The process of coming out is an inherently political one. It is an act of saying "I am who I am, and I'm not going to let anyone take that away from me." Once you make that leap, it should be no surprise that you'd get involved in countless other ways.
As for why I've always been so political, I don't know, but I doubt my sexuality has all that much to do with it. I've always been this way, at least for as long as I could ever remember. I guess I've always cared about the way things work and making things as inherently fair for everyone as possible. That, or I hate the idea of bowing down to authority figures who think of themselves as authority figures - and not just normal people with good ideas who won an election based on those ideas.
In any event, my point remains: the way gay people vote changes the outcomes of elections, so Presidential candidacy impertinence - saying you're for 'equal rights' but being against equal them - is a vote killer and will only serve to turn more than 10% of the Democratic Party's voting base off. If any one of the Big Three goes out on a limb and truly favors equal rights, they'll very well get the advantage they need in the early primary states, which will give them the bounce they need for the rest of the election. If anyone wants to beat Hill, it may just take the support of the gay population and its preponderance of importance during primary elections.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Fun With Facebook
Firedoglake has recently taken to Facebook to make use of its networking tools and, subsequently, I've been friending people left and right. I've always liked to meet readers, commentators and fellow bloggers, so if anyone has a Facebook profile, feel free to friend me. Just send me a note to let me know who you are.
Thanks,
Ryan
Thanks,
Ryan
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