VOL. 113 - NO. 9 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FEBRUARY 27, 2009 $.30 A COPY Christopher Columbus Park A National Bad Attitude by Herman Cain Hosts Ice Sculptures Consistent bad news will what’s happening. We are on As expected, the stimulus eventually lead to a bad atti- a race track to socialism. checks of 2008 did not stop tude, and a bad attitude Campaign promises about this economic crisis, but leads to failure. Just ask any transparency, bipartisan- Congress and former Presi- high achiever in business, ship and no earmarks in the dent Bush did it anyway. The sports or any endeavor of life. stimulus bill have already first $350 billion in stimu- Since the summer of 2008, been broken. And as the lus spending did not stimu- we have been fed a constant mainstream media looks late banks to start doing diet of more and more bad the other way and tries to what banks are supposed to news about the economy, rationalize the broken prom- do — lend money. the credit crisis, the hous- ises, the informed voters get Before Obama was sworn ing crisis, the recession, more and more frustrated, in as president, Congress political scandals, a dysfunc- while the uninformed voters swiftly approved the second tional federal government, stay stuck on stupid. half of the first stimulus crooked politicians, crooked Republicans in Congress package for his administra- lenders, crooked borrowers are frustrated that they are tion to spend without having and crooked executives. being ignored by the Demo- any idea of how it would be We are constantly being crats. Democrats are frus- spent. How gullible are we reminded that it is going to trated that the Republicans supposed to be? take time to fix these prob- won’t just roll over and stop And while the Obama Christopher Columbus the Friends of Christopher lems, and that there are no trying to slow things down, Administration was still Park hosted an event with Columbus Park, 2009 was quick fix solutions. We know so they can pass all of this figuring out how to spend artists (students from six the biggest version yet! that, but the Obama Admin- hurry-up legislation before that second $350 billion, the different Boston-area art Many thanks go out to istration and Congress con- even giddy Democratic voters Democrat-controlled Con- schools) who worked on the 40 artists who demon- tinue to believe that they wake up. gress passed another $789 creating ice sculptures. The strated the art of ice sculpt- can spend us out of these Many voters are frustrated billion so-called “Stimulus public was invited to vote ing, the many volunteers problems. They can’t. The with both the Democrats and Bill” literally overnight. They for their favorite sculpture. who helped ensure a smooth math does not work. the Republicans in Con- did not bother to tell the Over 1,000 people cast their event, the thousands of “Audacity of Hope” has gress, because Congress is public about the interest ballot. Chisels & Chainsaws enthusiastic observers who been replaced with a Sea of in denial of the coming eco- that will be required, which celebrated its fifth anniver- braved the weather and Frustration. nomic earthquake, and has would put the bill at about sary this year. Thanks to event sponsor, Friends of People who are expecting once again ignored all the $1 trillion dollars. That’s a sponsorship this year from Christopher Columbus Park. President Obama to solve all warning signs and lessons million-million dollars. of their problems will even- from history. Not one member of Con- tually become frustrated and As a result, We the People gress can honestly say disappointed, when they stop are in a bad mood with a bad News Briefs celebrating and wake up to attitude. (Continued on Page 14) by Sal Giarratani Here’s an Idea for the Mayor’s Column Mayor’s Race by Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston Down in Mexico City, Mayor Marcelo Ebrard I have always said that partnership is implementing the Recovery Act. I is going after the elderly vote. He says, “Every- one of the most effective tools that we hadconversations with Attorney one has a right to be happy … a society that doesn’t as leaders can use to achieve progress General Eric Holder as well as cabinet care for its senior citizens has no dignity.” on almost any front. In difficult circum- officials representing the Department of The mayor is dreaming of becoming the stances, bringing people together to work Housing and Urban Development, country’s president in 2012. Last November, his toward a common goal becomes even Department of Education, Department city government start handing out free Viagra more important. As government leaders of Energy, and the Department of to all poor men age 60 and above. Recently, the across the country grapple with the Transportation. government sponsored a mass kiss-in and question of how best to overcome the There is a lot of work to be done in “Bésame Mucho,” or “kiss me a lot,” as the city’s financial crisis, it’s reassuring to know order to effectively implement the motto. that we have a leader in President Recovery Act, and these meetings in Ebrard is obviously trying to stir up both a spir- Obama who understands the value of Washington D.C. emphasized the need ited debate and libidos. partnership when it comes to problem for partnership and cooperation at every solving. Last week, I traveled to Wash- level moving forward. President Obama Shovel-Ready Stimulus ington D.C. to join other mayors from has called on mayors to help get the job The Bay State is getting $11.7 billion in stimu- cities across the nation to meet with done, and I’m committed to working with lus funds. Part of those funds are going for du- President Obama and Vice President his administration so that the City of bious items like a snow park in Brockton, a Biden to discuss the steps moving for- Boston benefits as much as possible from garage in Malden, bike paths in Boston and ward to implement the $787 billion the sensible investments that the leg- school rehabilitation in Lynn. The list seems American Recovery and Reinvestment islation provides. Much of the funding endless. Act (ARRA). This meeting symbolized a is directed toward priorities that my WJIB 740AM renewed partnership between the White administration has long championed, House and America’s urban leaders from including modernizing public housing, Annual Fundraising Underway both parties. investing in neighborhood development, For the third year in a row, radio station WJIB After meeting with the President and supporting youth opportunities in edu- (740 AM) is into its listener supported Vice President, I also had the opportu- cation and summer jobs, strengthening fundraising effort. nity to speak directly with many of public safety, and advancing renewable the Obama administration’s cabinet (Continued on Page 14) members that will be instrumental in (Continued on Page 12) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office will be open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 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 27, 2009 AARON MICHLEWITZ ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY for Vacant 3rd Suffolk House Seat North End resident Aaron Michlewitz announced his candidacy to fill a vacant MINERVA seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives Minerva, formerly Men- that had never borne the it began on the fifth day af- 3rd Suffolk District, which erva, goddess of wisdom, was wooden frame that we call ter the Ides (15th) of March. was formerly held by one of the great Roman the yoke. Minerva was wor- The festival was celebrated Speaker Salvatore F. divinities. Jupiter, the shipped as patroness of all by artisans, poets, artists, DiMasi. Michlewitz, is a Roman counterpart to Zeus the arts and trades. During and all other persons who Democrat and lifelong resi- was first, his wife Juno was her annual festival she were considered to be under dent of the District. “I am second, and Minerva who was called upon for help by the protection of Minerva. humbled by the outpouring was identified with Athena, all persons who desired to The first day of festivities of support I have already was third. distinguish themselves in honored the anniversary of received from my friends, family and especially the Demaratus was a wealthy art or craft. As a special pa- the founding of her temple people throughout the entire district that I have worked citizen of Corinth who, with troness of women, she con- while the following days so closely with over the years” Michlewitz said. his family, migrated to Italy ferred upon them skill in featured gladiatorial con- A graduate of Thayer Academy and Northeastern Uni- and settled in Tarquinii spinning, weaving and sew- tests, musical presenta- versity, Michlewitz, 30, brings to the race a unique blend about 658 B.C. His son ing, while at the same time tions, social gatherings in of exuberance and leadership — not to mention experi- Lucumo eventually became she guided men in the dan- private homes, and masked ence. He served three years as the President of the a king of early Rome and gers of war, endowing them processions. Roman teach- North End Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC), took the name Tarquinius with cunning, prudence, ers and their pupils treated worked as the Constituent Services Director under Priscus. This was the courage, and perseverance.