VOL. 116 - NO. 7 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 $.30 A COPY BEACON HILL SEEKS BAN ON ALL Presidents’ Day HAND-HELD CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING Observed February 20, 2012 by Sal Giarratani Remember these men as you enjoy the holiday rest area to use his or her phone. Said Wagner, “It’s a common sense measure. I think it will save lives; I think it will improve public safety ... I think it is a mea- sure which is long overdue.” The whole debate between hands-free and hand-held cell phone use while driving is so comical, isn’t it? Scientific test results show that there is little if any difference when it comes to distracted driving over what kind of cell phones are being used. The distraction isn’t in the hands but in the head. When using a cell phone, it The nanny staters are back again. The is the mind that gets distracted and the Legislature’s Joint Transportation Commit- response time it takes from the brain to the tee unanimously approved a bill to ban hand. When someone is in conversation, drivers from using hand-held cell phones. it always takes your focus off the road even Senator Mark Montigny, (D-New Bedford) is if your eyes are glued to the road. Bluetooths the bill’s Senate sponsor and recently stated, are no different to my handheld Samsung Abraham Lincoln George Washington “If (the hand-held ban) is an inconvenience or a cup of coffee which is often in my right- 1809 - 1865 1732 - 1799 for people, tough. The inconvenience of the hand. President 1861-1865 President 1789-1797 death and destruction on the road far out- This isn’t about public safety. It is about weighs any very minor inconvenience.” issuing more citations and revenue for Rep. Joe Wagner, (D-Chicopee), the House government. sponsor added, that if some folks can’t afford These guys up on Beacon Hill could care News Briefs a Bluetooth, they could just pull over to a two #&% about our well being. by Sal Giarratani WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR Tailback Doesn’t Think He’s Running Way Back in Texas Race URBAN AMERICA? Craig James is a former Patriots tailback and by Sal Giarratani is now a Republican candidate for the US Senate seat of retiring Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. He Back in 1967 when Kevin announced his candidacy on January 12. In Texas H. White was running for politics, he is seen as a long-shot but his mes- mayor, he had a vision that sage resonates with many in the Tea Party move- America’s large cities would ment, ‘I want to stand for right and against wrong. succeed. He believed that His “playbook” is God, Family and the Constitu- Boston could have a re-birth tion. The former number 32 is now 51 years old and his desire was to steer and still remembers getting tackled by a NY Gi- that vision into the future. ants linebacker by the name of Lawrence Taylor Back almost a half-century back in 1984. Many think he’s in big trouble try- ago, Boston could prosper or ing to get passed the political line of scrimmage. die depending on what actions James recently resigned as an ESPN analyst its leaders took to arrive at after 20 years to make his maiden voyage into either destination. Boston did retail politics. The primary is set for April 3 but not die. It prospered as a ma- could be delayed with the US Supreme Court to jor American city. Political likely rule soon on a federal redistricting map for leaders and the business Former Filene’s site on Washington Street, Boston. US Congress seats. community part-nered to- James played five seasons with the New En- gether for the future. White once stood has become a is always jumping. We now gland Patriots (1984-88). He also drives an old Ford cherished the past, lived in metaphor for the Ghost of need to find an equally good pick-up truck when he’s not at home on his 15- the present and dreamed of a Downtown Boston Past. vision for Downtown Boston acre ranch in Celina, Texas, saddling up his great future. Mayor Tom Menino and along Washington Street in horse. He played on the 1985 Super Bowl-bound Sadly, the dynamics of the Rosemary Sansone, who runs the same way, we created the Patriots who won three games on the road in post city changed as suburban the Downtown Boston busi- Seaport District. Dreams can season including that 31-14 win over the Dolphins shopping malls stole shoppers ness group trying to keep the come true if we work hard at in the “Squish the Fish” game. That season, the away from downtowns across Downtown in Downtown them. Wild Card Patriots lost to the Chicago Bears in America. Folks created Crossing, have great chal- I love my city. I was born Super Bowl XX. “Downtown Boston” with its lenges to face. We will never and raised here. I remember In his blue jeans, cowboy hat, boots and retro pedestrian and car-free path- return the intersection of the good old days in Downtown Patriots sweatshirt, James is hoping to ride out ways but over the years as Summer, Winter and Wash- Boston as a child. We may of Celina and right into Washington, D.C. The odds more and more shoppers left, ington Street into “New never get back to that but we seemed stacked against him but he’s not wor- so too did stores. Today, Down- England’s Busiest Corner.” can continue to prosper as a ried. He’s running to win like he did in his old town Boston looks less like We can create good urban city and downtown as a desti- football years. the mini-Manhattan it once space with multiple uses. nation if that is what we resembled and more like a Mayor White took a ghost- want. It won’t happen over- (Continued on Page 8) ghost town down in Texas or town called Quincy Market night but it won’t happen at Nevada. The giant hole in the and turned it into the Faneuil all without hard work and ground where much of Filene’s Hall Marketplace where life preservation. THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PMPM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information Page 2 POST-GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 Res Publica by David Trumbull The Wisdom from Washington Wednesday is the 280th anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Since THE THREE R’S DURING ANCIENT TIMES 1971, Washington’s Birthday has been observed, as a public holiday on the third The matter of education throwing, discus tossing, punishment was designed to Monday in February. The day is com- during very early times and dancing. Reading and test their power to endure monly called “Presidents’ Day,” but the was generally of private con- writing were under the di- bodily pain. The flogging legal name remains, “Washington’s cern. In ancient Sparta, how- rection of tutors, but music continued until blood was Birthday.” ever, it was supervised by and singing were part of drawn. It was considered to “First in war — first in peace — and first the communities. As soon as their regular instruction. be disgrace to show any sign in the hearts of his countrymen, he was a Spartan child was born, a Rigid discipline was of suffering. Much of their second to none in the humble and endur- committee of elders decided intended to strengthen or education was also gained in ing scenes of private life; pious, just, whether he or she should harden these Spartan their daily public life, and in humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and com- live or be exposed (aban- youths. They usually went their conversations with manding, his example was as edifying to all around him as doned and left to die). If the barefoot, bare headed, wore men who were looked upon were the effects of that example lasting. To his equals he was child was weak-looking or light clothing, and had short as seniors, instructors, and condescending, to his inferiors kind, and to the dear object of deformed it was exposed on haircuts. Those who were superiors. The Spartan his affections exemplarily tender; correct throughout, vice shud- a nearby mountain side. A twelve years and older wore youth behaved with great dered in his presence, and virtue always felt his fostering hand; healthy male child was left nothing but a tunic type modesty and respect towards the purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public to the care of his parents garment, which had to last his elders. Every mature virtues. His last scene comported with the whole tenor of his until his seventh year. He them for a full year. Each man chose a youth as his life although in extreme pain, not a sigh, not a groan escaped was then transported to a troop slept in a common favorite, and set an example him; and with undisturbed serenity he closed his well-spent department of education room, on beds of straw, and of manly excellence for him. life. Such was the man America has lost such was the man for where he joined a troop of with no roof above.