My Favorite Senator

I am so thankful that we elected Scott Brown to be our second Senator. He along with the two female senators from Maine and two retiring senators were the only Republicans voting on a procedural matter in support of the jobs bill. Of course, he immediately was trashed by the right who now threaten him (ah, the sweet poetic justice)with fielding an opponent in the primary. Which of course is only 3 years away.

I cannot decide if Barack made the right choice about going down the Health Care road again. I am beginning to believe that it only makes sense if he is willing to go that reconciliation route (which I only understand in the sense that you only need 51 votes not 60). Otherwise, McConnell, Cantor, and the boys will just say no again. Assuming there is no public option, there are a number of things which are important to me. First, costs are a big issue. We are learning that in the Bay State where, increasingly, the cost of health care is busting the state budget.
Mandates that folks get insurance are ok as long as the ones that cannot afford it are supported in some fashion. Medicaid flexibility is another must--it gives states the ability to use those dollars in a way that meets the specific needs of each state. Yet, I also wonder why he did not just leave it alone and let the Republicans stew in their own juices come September.

I had avoided Olberman for a week or so to watch the Olympics--saw him again last night and realize that his show (and The Daily show with Jon Stewart which really is my best source for news) are the ones that really get me worked up. So we have the CPACers voting in a straw poll that Ron Paul is their candidate in 2012--he is 70, older than McCain was, and would demolish government. I then heard another speaker bemoan (in very ugly terms) the invitation extended to Gay and Lesbian Conservatives to attend the conference. Then, Mr. Beck got up there with a blackboard to discuss revolution (that would be the bad thing) and evolution (I think that would be a good thing except for those folks who don't believe in it!!). It is beginning to smell a lot like the fabulous 60's for me--I'm way out of touch/don't even know these people. They hate so much and are so fearful--I believe some of this is still related to losing the White House to an African American who actually thinks in very complicated, yet honest, ways. He talks up to us and not down to us. These folks want to be children again and have the father figure (think Reagan) back up there in power.

Then we have Amy Bishop who murdered those folks in Alabama. In Massachusetts, all we care about is what she did here twenty years ago and whose fault it was that she was not arrested--not much to say about what she did in Huntsville. Enough--she should be kicked to the curb and so should her crazy husband. Forget about history and think about the families in Huntsville.

WHAT FOLLOWS IS SEMI SPORTS RELATED

Could have U.S./Canada ice hockey finals for both men and women. I have to say I love the women's game and do love my U.S.A. sisters. They are wonderful skaters and without all the shoving, pulling, and fighting of the men's game--they do some wonderful things with their skills (as do the Canadian women for that matter)--passing, stick work, positioning without forcing a penalty. It is just lovely to watch. Now about curling--a great quote from Sam Allis in the Globe. He said he likes to watch it but feels like he did watching his daughters play field hockey--the game is over before you can ever understand the rules. I felt the same way with Anna--loved to watch but to this day have no clue why the whistle blew every l0 seconds.

OTHER NEWS
Key West in 10 days where the weather is not so hot. Cabinets being delivered today with much trepidation as to color. Wish us luck. Great meal at Scampos Saturday night--it is in the Liberty Hotel which originally was the infamous Charles Street Jail. What a renovation--spectacular. Good food also.

Sayonara.