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VOL. 114 - NO. 4 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, JANUARY 22, 2010 $.30 A COPY SCOTT BROWN’S Come-from-behind Victory Like a “Rocky” Movie by Sal Giarratani “The stakes have never been higher. We ObamaCare is now on the danger list. The need your help and support. It’s up to us.” people have spoken here in the Cradle of — Victoria Reggie Kennedy, Boston Herald, Liberty. The shot heard ‘round the world was January 19. That’s what former US Sena- fired in Lexington back in 1775 by a bunch tor Edward M. Kennedy’s widow told voters of rebels holding pitchforks. Today, in 2010, at a recent campaign stop in Framingham. the shot heard ‘round the nation was fired I agreed with that very sentiment since the again as the people struck a blow from lib- December primaries. The stakes have erty again. never been higher. Both state and national Scott Brown ran because the people, Democrats thought they had the election not the special interests needed a voice. wrapped up back in December. The script Scott Brown on the campaign trail summed was written. Everything seemed in place. it all up saying, “I’m alarmed that our US Senator Paul Kirk was in Washington nation’s spending and debt has risen along in case of an emergency. It was assumed with unemployment. I want to stop terror- he would hand off to another Democrat ists who are plotting to strike our country after January 19. However, something hap- again. And while I believe every American pened along the way. The people woke deserves health insurance, I do not think up and looked around and didn’t like we should plunge ahead with a healthcare what they were seeing and hearing. bill that will raise taxes, increase spend- Democrats continued to blame radical ing and lower the quality of care. I’d like right-wingers who fostered hate. Coakley Newly Elected Massachusetts United States Senator, to see us start over and take our time to do herself blamed bullying Brown backers Scott Brown on the campaign trail in Boston’s North End. it right.” That was his message since for negative attacks. In the last few (Photo by Sal Giarratani) day one of the campaign. In response all days both former President Bill Clinton Coakley could say was that, “Not only is came to town and then President Barack Obama himself. Scott Brown a roadblock to progress, he wants to go back to the failed poli- When the votes were counted, liberal Democrats got a big dose of politi- cies of ... Bush-Cheney.” Voters listened to both of these candi-dates and cal reality. wanted an independent voice to change business as usual in Washington. Republican Scott Brown won and will be the first Massachusetts Massachusetts is once again the one and only state” to save America Republican elected to the US Senate since Ed Brooke did it last in from the likes of Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and the Obama White House. 1972. The bluest of Blue states also sent a message to the Nation’s Capitol They saw victory snatched from their hands by an uprising of the Ameri- about ObamaCare. Democrats on Capitol Hill were about to ram the can people. We are the original tea party people and we still hate bad tea. healthcare overhaul down our throats but now with Brown’s victory, it’s Today, the new Paul Reveres are riding and chanting, “The backlash is back to the future again. The script is old and it is time for a re-write. The coming, the backlash is coming.” As Abraham Lincoln once said, “You can results were clear (Scott Brown 52%, Martha Coakley 47% and Joseph fool some of the people all the time and all of the people some of the time L. Kennedy 1%). This victory was like the combination of every “Rocky” but you can’t fool all the people all of the time.” This was the true meaning movie ever produced and like the 1967 Impossible Dream season of January 19, 2010. ending without a loss in Game 7 over Bob Gibson and like the crumbling Now, it is time for Scott Brown to fill up the tank of his pick-up truck and down of the Berlin Wall under President Ronald Reagan’s watch. head for the parking lot at the US Senate to begin work. News Briefs Mayor’s Column by Sal Giarratani by Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston We paused earlier this week to honor members of all ages and backgrounds the life and legacy of one of America’s together to reflect on the immense con- St. Joseph’s 2010 Party greatest civil rights leaders — Dr. Mar- tributions of one of Boston’s proudest Huge Success tin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s message citizens. The Saint Joseph Society held a 2010 party of justice and equality is still as relevant Dr. King’s philosophy lives on as an in- on Saturday evening, January 9 at the Char- today as it was during the civil rights spiration for generations of Americans, ter Street Club. The food was catered by Lucia’s movement, and his commitment to ser- as his story shows us that ordinary Ristorante on Hanover Street. What a feast and vice is a powerful reminder that we can people have the power to change our great way to start a new decade. This looks like all do our part to improve the lives of world. In keeping with this spirit, the a new Society tradition in the making and others. In a city rich with history, I’m City of Boston partnered with Boston before you know it, the Society’s annual March proud that Dr. King’s personal history is Cares to host “A Day ON, not a Day OFF,” banquet will be here. rooted here in Boston. a day of service and reflection that Baby, It’s Cold Outside On Monday, I joined hundreds of com- brought over 1,000 people together at th I often listen to the great music on 740am munity members for the 40 Annual the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Cen- WJIB and many times, Bob plays that old tune, Martin Luther King Day Breakfast at the ter to participate in a variety of service “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” but it really is cold Hynes Convention Center. The celebra- projects during the holiday. Volunteers outside. I worked overtime the other night. tion of his life and work continued at had the opportunity to choose from The temperature fell to about 10 degrees. It Faneuil Hall during a tribute that fea- projects that included writing letters to could have been 12 or, maybe, 15 but it was tured musical selections by the Boston soldiers, making fleece blankets, cold no matter how you sliced it. I envy my Youth Symphony Orchestra comple- scarves, dental care kits, flash cards for nephew who relocated southwest to Austin, mented by readings from several of Boston Public School students, book- Texas where January is very mild as is all Dr. King’s works that were provided by marks, recess booklets, and even cat the Museum of African American His- beds. (Continued on Page 15) tory. The events brought community (Continued on Page 12) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office is open on Mondays and 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, JANUARY 22, 2010 Res Publica by David Trumbull Boston by the Numbers by David Trumbull THE RENAISSANCE I ran around like crazy on 4 precincts in Ward 7) by During past issues we the Christians, for the pur- Most of the other construc- Election Day getting poll 55.1%. South Boston ac- examined briefly the history pose of liberating the Holy tion which followed through- watchers for as many as counted for 4.5% of all votes of the Roman Empire as well Land from the Moslems. out Europe continues to possible of the 160 polls in cast in Boston. as the early Christian, Ro- The only practical way for reflect the Renaissance in- Boston, just in case it was West Roxbury (15 of the manesque, and Byzantine these crusading armies to fluence. These later struc- so close that there would be 20 precincts in Ward 20) tied periods which followed. We get from Europe to the Holy tures are St. Paul’s Cathe- legal challenges. Never be- at 49-and-a-half for each also discussed the great Land was to travel on foot to dral in London, the Doge’s fore was I so happy to have candidate. West Roxbury Gothic era and the develop- the sea ports of Greece or Palace in Venice, the Victor worked so hard on some- accounted for 8.1% of the ment of its beautiful stained Italy, and then cross the Emanuele Monument, Saint thing that turned out to be City vote total. glass. We now focus upon Mediterranean by boat. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, so unnecessary! Brown’s vic- Ward 16 is sometimes con- the Renaissance, the last of During the land portion of the National Capitol in tory margin is such that sidered a “bellwether dis- the great historical periods these expeditions, the cru- Washington, D.C., most of there can be no challenges! trict” that tends to vote as in Europe.