VOL. 118 - NO. 51 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 19, 2014 $.35 A COPY 44th Annual North End Christmas Parade Santa with The Pallotta Family with John Romano, State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Kathy Carangelo, Ted Tomasone, and City Councilor Sal LaMattina. (Photo by Rosario Scabin, Ross Photography) The Christmas season officially arrived in made its way through the streets of the North the North End last Sunday, December 14th End and waterfront With Santa in tow on a when Santa Claus made his annual trip by Boston Fire truck, Antique cars and march- The Shriners helicopter to pay neighborhood children a ing bands along with costumed cartoon char- visit before his official trek on Christmas Eve. acters led the way as families gathered along The 44th annual North End Athletic Associa- the parade route. The parade was dedicated tion (N.E.A.A.) Christmas parade once again to the memory of James “Jimmy” Pallotta. News Briefs (Additional Photos on Page 9) by Sal Giarratani In the Spirit of Christmas .... Swastikas Not Really a Good Hallmark Moment Hallmark Cards Inc., has removed blue and silver gift wrap after a customer noticed she saw a swastika embedded in its design. The design wrap was found in a Hanukkah dis- play area. A company spokesperson stated the offending gift wrap wasn’t for Hanukkah presents and Hallmark added it never intended to offend anyone. This certainly wasn’t a Hallmark moment for Hallmark, was it? Doesn’t Context Matter Anymore? Is waterboarding torture? What about enhanced interrogation techniques? How about those secret prisons that housed terrorists without charging them with anything? Back in 2006 in an inter- view with Matt Lauer that I recently heard the (Continued on Page 13) In the spirit of the season, visit this astonishing Nativity scene, which can be viewed at Saint Rose of Lima School on Broadway in Chelsea, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sal Giarratani) 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, DECEMBER 19, 2014 Res Publica by David Trumbull The Gospel According to Barack According to news accounts, President Barack Hussein Obama, in a speech earlier this month, said that his illegal CHARON executive order rewriting immigration law is worthy of sup- During the past weeks the reluctant souls port based on an analogy of illegal immigrants to Mary, we have examined the to disembark, while Joseph, and the Babe Jesus sheltering in a manger because legends about Hades, other demons are pull- there was no room at the inn. The meme of the Holy Family the god of the Under- ing them off the boat as homeless strangers is one that has been circulating for world, and also Hades, with grappling irons. years among liberals. The same liberals who cry “separa- the land of the Under- Finally, Hades, the ruler tion of church and state” if a conservative so much as men- world itself. This week of the infernal regions is tions God in passing, love to quote two verses of the Nativity the spotlight falls upon standing in the extreme Narrative. Charon, the mythologi- lower right hand corner In this case the passage they latch onto is — cal ferryman from antiq- with a serpent coiled “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought uity, who conducted the A 19th-century interpretation of around his waist. souls of the dead in a Many persons are forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, Charon’s crossing by Alexander and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them boat, across the River Litovchenko. familiar with the story Acheron, in the infernal that tells how Michel- in the inn.” regions. angelo painted the Sis- — Gospel According to Saint Luke Chapter 2 Verses 6-7. At the moment of death proper burial were not per- tine Wall showing all the What they conveniently omit is that the reason Mary is the eyes of the deceased mitted to enter the infernal characters in the nude traveling at all in her delicate condition is that one of the were closed by one of those regions without previously except the Virgin Mother. biggest governments the world has ever known, the Roman present, an “obolus” (coin of wandering on the shore for a “Scandaloso,” cried Cardinal Empire, had imposed the burden that they go, not to a strange low value) was placed in the hundred years. Biagio DeCesena when he land as immigrants, but to Joseph’s hometown to pay his corpse’s mouth and then the Ancient poets have repre- first inspected the master- taxes. As Paul Harvey used to say, Here’s the rest of the mouth was closed. This coin sented Charon as a stern and piece and caused clothing story — was intended, symbolically, to robust old man, with eyes to be painted over certain “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a be used as payment for glowing like flame, white critical areas. The furious decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Charon’s fare. The body of the bushy hair, dingy clothes Michelangelo claimed that (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of dead person was then that were stained with the the Cardinal was a fool and Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And washed, anointed with per- muck of the river, and hold- was completely devoid of Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the City of Nazareth, fumes, and clothed in rich ing a long pole which he used artistic feeling. Revenge into Judaea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem; white garments. A wreath of to propel the boat. came to the master when he (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed flowers was also placed upon Probably the most interest- painted the Cardinal’s like- with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” the head of the corpse. The ing portrayal of this subject ness onto the face of Hades, — Luke 2:1-5. body was laid out on an ordi- is in the lower right hand but with the ears of a jack- The Bible has much to say about justice and compassion nary bed with a pillow that corner of Michelangelo’s ass. The Cardinal immedi- toward the alien among us. For example: “Thou shalt neither supported the head and back, “Last Judgment” on the wall ately complained to the Pope, vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in and the feet were turned to- of the Sistine Chapel in who replied, “If you had the land of Egypt.” ward the door. Special vases Vatican City. This painting been painted up above in — Exodus 22:21. containing perfumes were (fresco) is considered to be the heavenly scenes, I could What it does not provide is a detailed manual for govern- placed beside the body, and the largest and most compre- have used my influence to ing and you should be wary of any politician claiming that were usually buried with the hensive fresco in the world. have you removed, but I have some Bible verse supports his specific policy. And that applies coffin. A honey cake was It shows that terrifying no power in Hell so you’ll equally to Republicans and Democrats. also placed in the casket, moment at the end of the just have to remain there.” and intended, symbolically to world when the remorseful Finally, if you’d like to know be used as a reward for condemned are being drawn where the serpent’s head is “Cerberus,” the three-headed down to the depths of the located, and what it is doing Mattéo Gallo dog that guarded the gates of lower world by taloned — well, you will just have to Hades. Any ghosts that had demons. Then there is take a trip to Rome. not been honored with a Charon the boatman, forcing Next Week: Poseidon o Appraisals Sales & Rentals • The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Real Estate and The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) 376 North Street • Boston, MA 02113 Invite you to attend the fourth public meeting on the (617) 523-2100 • Fax (617) 523-3530 CENTRAL ARTERY RAMP PARCEL STUDY Thursday, January 8, 2015 6-8 PM at the BRA Boston Harborside Home th (Boston City Hall, 9 Floor, BRA Board Room) Joseph A. Langone MassDOT is required to consider options for covering the open ramp portions of Central Artery/Tunnel Parcels 6, 12 and 18 along the Rose Kennedy Greenway, resulting from environmental commitments made as part of the Central Artery/Tunnel project. 580 Commercial St. - Boston, MA 02109 MassDOT and BRA officials are continuing to study options to define potential cover 617-536-4110 alternatives. At this next public meeting, staff from MassDOT and the BRA, along with www.bostonharborsidehome.com their consultant team will present refined ramp parcel concepts based on feedback received from three (3) prior public meetings, including the public workshop that was Augustave M. Sabia, Jr. Trevor Slauenwhite held on October 29th. We would like to invite interested parties to attend and participate Frederick J.