Being in the Waltham American Legion Band and being the 2010-2011 Chair of the 3rd Middlesex Area Democrats (which currently covers the towns of Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford. Concord, Lexington (part), Lincoln, Sudbury (part), Weston, and the city of Waltham) - I have had the great fortune of speaking to both current state Senator Scott Brown (R) and the six Democratic hopefuls vying for his seat in the fall. First, you're thinking - it's too early for "politics". But, it's not. These men and women are fighting for their hopes, dreams, and aspirations and have been for months so that in the September primary and November election day - you will vote for THEM.
I'm going to give you my personal perspective on my personal observations (and not the opinions of the Patch online newspapers, the WALB, or the 3MAD). First, Senator Brown. I am a Democrat who did not vote for Senator Brown and am not currently working for his re-election. That being said - the stories that he is full of himself and doesn't shake hands or talk to the people is pure horse manure. I obviously have a giant D stamped on my forehead and Senator Brown has taken pictures with me, my son, my family, the WALB - at the Newton Memorial Day parade, on the 4th of July in Franklin - and has introduced us all to both his wife Gail (who is a Waltham HS graduate who graduated with the WALB Color Guard Captain & Trolley Driver Paul Nichols) and their dog Koda. Senator Brown talked to the WALB about our upcoming travels to Washington, D.C. Sorry to have to say it, but, he's a nice guys who was very respectful to the veterans who shook his hand. He's our Senator so let's give him the respect the job deserves. http://www.scottbrown.com/
But, I have been speaking to all of the candidates for US Senate on the democratic side (all of their websites are listed for review of their ideas, qualifications, and what-not) - and I will tell you my abbreviated tales in alphabetical order for fairness -
Tom Conroy - http://www.tomconroy.org/
Tom is literally walking the walk. He is walking through our 351 community state to meet people and get involved - to see exactly what the people of MA are suffering through, talk directly to constituents, and see what the state of the Commonwealth is with his own eyes. He is terrifically friendly, intelligent, motivated, and obviously energetic. He has met the strategists, the activists, and the grassroots organizers but now he's hitting each and every section of the state and talking to Mayors, DPW workers, volunteers, business-people, parents, etc. in each town to find out what works and what doesn't. I'm not privy to the data collected but I think Tom has a great track-record and is using a great method to get people to know and support him. My Godmother is supporting Tom - and if anyone knows her - her record of candidates supported to candidates winning is EXCELLENT. I may end up in the families political doghouse (which is never good) on this one.
Maria DeFranco - http://marisadefranco.com/
If there is one person in this race that I think can surprise me, it is spitfire immigration lawyer Maria DeFranco. Marisa is savvy, smart, energized, and focused on people, their differences, our commonality, and breaking down how issues affect all of us. She wants to "put government back in the hands of the people." "I help people bring back their American Dream." Her jobs as a lawyer is to fights for the rights of people and win - and she does so every day. Marisa supports single-payer healthcare, unions, and insists that politicians stop using women as "political footballs." Marisa has spoken to me by phone, twitter, email, Facebook, in person - again and again and again. She knows that I am supporting another candidate - but is determined to include me in her vision. Marisa discussed the idea of high-speed rail and mag-lev trains with my 8 year old, weighed his opinion, and asked questions about the math and science of his idea. That speaks very clearly of her belief in the intrinsic value of weighing all ideas and it resonates with me.
Alan Khazei - http://www.alankhazei.com/
I try to be as balanced as possible in my writing. (which is why all 7 of the current declared Senate candidates on both sides are listed in this blog) I can say nothing about Khazei is because despite the many, many MA events to which we have both been invited - he has never appeared. All of the activists and pols that I know feel he spends too much time out of state fundraising - and that does not build trust and support here.
Bob Massie - http://www.bobmassie.org/
Mr. Massie is a minister, activist, candidate and non-profit executive. Bob has an amazing track record of positive-change accomplished in several arenas. He was at the Cafe on the Common in Waltham in January to have a town hall with Walthamites - and he has come back several times to meet more of us. I have spoken to Bob in person in Waltham, Watertown, Newton, Franklin, Concord, and Carlisle, by email, by Facebook, and by tweet. He works hard keeping in contact with constituents - not just "voters". He is conversant in details of issues and solutions/ideas about casinos, unions, Citizens United, healthcare, economy, climate, homeownership, etc....... He's personable, dynamic, and smart. Bob spoke of what he will do, what his grassroots activists will do - and he listens when people speak to him; really listens and means it. Bob stood in Carlisle(Disclaimer: I'm volunteering for Massie for US Senate)
Herb Robinson - http://herbrobinson.us/
Mr. Robinson of Newton, MA is a fiscally conservative, engineer who is in this race to fix the energy problem and to create jobs. He wants to say goodbye to big government without saying goodbye to humanity. He knows he has little chance of winning but does not want to give in because the chance is small. My belief after speaking to Herb is that he wants the government for run as a business - but since businesses get to pick and choose whom they work with - a government can lean to a more business-like model but can not be run a profitable business can be run. Government must accept those with bad credit, are security risks, and those in need of asylum with no assets to back them up. His model can't sustain the humanity of what government is bound to do by unwritten moral contract. I do like that Herb wants to mandate a balanced budget. The state of Massachusetts manages to do this annually, and have for centuries. The federal government should try it - they might like it.
Setti Warren - http://settiwarren.com/?no_splash=1
Newton Mayor Setti Warren is a Navy veteran, fiscally responsible Democrat who has saved the Town of Newton over $8 million thus far, and he has held 24 town halls thus far. When he speaks he speaks mainly of what Senator Brown is doing or not doing, of his family, and names the issues we are all concerned about. When he spoke at the 3rd MAD BBQ in July, it was the first time in many meetings that he spoke directly about what he wanted to do to fix the problems that he was listing. I know now that he intends to invest in renewable energy, invest in rail projects, fix the economy, engage in fair trade deals, and vote the way that the population of MA asks. When my 8 year old discussed a topic of job creation with him - candidate Warren patted him on the head and walked away. I think how a person talks to children and the elderly is indicative of what's inside them deep down. I have heard him speak on many occasions and his vision just does not resonate with me; nor of any of the activists or lay-people of whom I discuss this topic.
Get involved, speak up, do something - no matter which political party you belong to, because the more people who participate - the stronger this "republic under which we stand" becomes. We are all in this together - win or lose so let's make it the best. May the best candidate win!
Monday, July 25, 2011
The now and future of Scouting...and Waltham
This past weekend temperatures were in the 100's - and Waltham Cub Scout Pack #274 went Family Camping down at Camp Massasoit in Plymouth, MA. Boy Scouts of America Boston Minuteman Council Scout Executive/CEO Chuck Eaton was there and described it as this "Think of yourselves as strapping on your pointy ears and weird uniforms and going to a Star Trek Convention. That's what non-scouts think of us." Let me summarize the weekend - and then add some thoughts about what's so great about scouts...
We left Waltham at 6:50 P.M. and arrived in camp at 8:07 P.M. with health forms filled on and ready in hand. We got expressed through the wait to check-in line - always be prepared! Cam (our 8 year old son) ran off to watch the "Lion King" movie under the dining tent with popcorn and bug juice (non-campers call it Kool-Aid). My husband and I drove over to our lean-to, unloaded the car, and changed from city-mode (unloaded cell phones & wallets) to camp-mode (doling out bug spray, pocket flash-lights for all, and organizing.) Our family isn't ready for the tent yet - we graduated from full-cabin with electricity and flush-toilets to lean-to with shower/toilet facilities nearby. But we brought the tent. Maybe next time we'll break it out.
By 9pm it was only 80 degrees but had a 75% dewpoint - ugh! We hiked up to meet Cam at the movie just as - brown out! So, we gathered him up and the 30 of us from Pack #274 went to the main tent-site and we made a campfire, S'mores (best part of camping ever!), and roasted wieners. The boys then made up skits that only young boys "get" and laugh at... But we all clapped anyway.
Quiet time 10pm - lights out 11pm.
Cam, Ev, & I struggled to sleep on our -30 degree rated sleeping bags in the soaking heat. I made my son an ice-pack to sleep with and he fell right asleep. Middle of the night temperature drops and he climbs into my bag with me. Too hot for me so I climbed out and slept on his! Hmmm...I love campfires & s'mores & skits - it may be many moons between camping but the best parts are still the same!
Saturday was a modge-podge of flag ceremony, breakfast, horseshoes, reading, tether-ball, playground, swimming proficiency testing, swimming, boating (5 types of boats), archery, BB range, & slingshots. By lunch thunder & lightning were over-head so the waterfront closed - thank goodness. As Cams swim-buddy I had been in the water for two and a half straight hours! During which time, I learned how to kayak. Flipped the kayak a few times in the process but "try and try again" was my mantra - and when I did it the trip around the lake was AMAZING! RAIN STORM! Run to the lean-to where 4 boys and 3 parents waited out the rain. Trusty playing cards used for Knock!, War, card-houses, and a Dungeons & Dragons map. Even after the rain ended - the imaginative boys stayed for hours in their make-believe world of fantasy and fun. So, the parents challenged themselves to Slingshot (Ted is king here!), BB Gun Range (Ev is king here!), and Archery (I reign as Queen of Archery.) Dinner is a camp staple of pasta, sauce, bread, and ice cream dessert.
At 8pm there is a all-camp campfire and skit show - put on by boys, leaders, camp counselors, and songs which are audience participation required. Our sons are mortified when the parents sing and dance around. After campfire there is talk of S'mores but Cam crawls into bed and drops to sleep.
Sunday is flag ceremony, breakfast, arts & crafts, fishing, packing up, & cleaning up. My journal of the weekend is many pages longer than this. I wrote column to tell you that Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting are alive and well. And, if as a parent you want to see what scouting is like - you can go on a family Scouting weekend camp (there are cabins, with electricity, running water, toilets, showers, and a cook) with planned activities so you ans your boys and girls can see what it's all about. It's inexpensive, all-inclusive, and nearby.
The best part of this camp experience for me, was what Eaton summarized for me as "a community of parents raising each others children." I didn't have to know where Cam was to know he was safe. Everyone knew every childs' name by the end of the weekend; children roamed in packs, parents watched out; staff reminded them of unwritten Scout Rules ("leave it cleaner than you found it") and of written camp safety rules. Check out Scouting and all it can offer you and your family. You'll be happier having tried it. I'm told by my husband the non-camper that he insists we sleep in the tent in August. And that says Eaton "is the whole purpose of the Family Camping weekend."
(P.S. to the makers of Off Personal Mosquito Fan - no mosquitoes bit us for 2 nights - those fans work exactly as described as field- tested by my family!!!)
We left Waltham at 6:50 P.M. and arrived in camp at 8:07 P.M. with health forms filled on and ready in hand. We got expressed through the wait to check-in line - always be prepared! Cam (our 8 year old son) ran off to watch the "Lion King" movie under the dining tent with popcorn and bug juice (non-campers call it Kool-Aid). My husband and I drove over to our lean-to, unloaded the car, and changed from city-mode (unloaded cell phones & wallets) to camp-mode (doling out bug spray, pocket flash-lights for all, and organizing.) Our family isn't ready for the tent yet - we graduated from full-cabin with electricity and flush-toilets to lean-to with shower/toilet facilities nearby. But we brought the tent. Maybe next time we'll break it out.
By 9pm it was only 80 degrees but had a 75% dewpoint - ugh! We hiked up to meet Cam at the movie just as - brown out! So, we gathered him up and the 30 of us from Pack #274 went to the main tent-site and we made a campfire, S'mores (best part of camping ever!), and roasted wieners. The boys then made up skits that only young boys "get" and laugh at... But we all clapped anyway.
Quiet time 10pm - lights out 11pm.
Cam, Ev, & I struggled to sleep on our -30 degree rated sleeping bags in the soaking heat. I made my son an ice-pack to sleep with and he fell right asleep. Middle of the night temperature drops and he climbs into my bag with me. Too hot for me so I climbed out and slept on his! Hmmm...I love campfires & s'mores & skits - it may be many moons between camping but the best parts are still the same!
Saturday was a modge-podge of flag ceremony, breakfast, horseshoes, reading, tether-ball, playground, swimming proficiency testing, swimming, boating (5 types of boats), archery, BB range, & slingshots. By lunch thunder & lightning were over-head so the waterfront closed - thank goodness. As Cams swim-buddy I had been in the water for two and a half straight hours! During which time, I learned how to kayak. Flipped the kayak a few times in the process but "try and try again" was my mantra - and when I did it the trip around the lake was AMAZING! RAIN STORM! Run to the lean-to where 4 boys and 3 parents waited out the rain. Trusty playing cards used for Knock!, War, card-houses, and a Dungeons & Dragons map. Even after the rain ended - the imaginative boys stayed for hours in their make-believe world of fantasy and fun. So, the parents challenged themselves to Slingshot (Ted is king here!), BB Gun Range (Ev is king here!), and Archery (I reign as Queen of Archery.) Dinner is a camp staple of pasta, sauce, bread, and ice cream dessert.
At 8pm there is a all-camp campfire and skit show - put on by boys, leaders, camp counselors, and songs which are audience participation required. Our sons are mortified when the parents sing and dance around. After campfire there is talk of S'mores but Cam crawls into bed and drops to sleep.
Sunday is flag ceremony, breakfast, arts & crafts, fishing, packing up, & cleaning up. My journal of the weekend is many pages longer than this. I wrote column to tell you that Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting are alive and well. And, if as a parent you want to see what scouting is like - you can go on a family Scouting weekend camp (there are cabins, with electricity, running water, toilets, showers, and a cook) with planned activities so you ans your boys and girls can see what it's all about. It's inexpensive, all-inclusive, and nearby.
The best part of this camp experience for me, was what Eaton summarized for me as "a community of parents raising each others children." I didn't have to know where Cam was to know he was safe. Everyone knew every childs' name by the end of the weekend; children roamed in packs, parents watched out; staff reminded them of unwritten Scout Rules ("leave it cleaner than you found it") and of written camp safety rules. Check out Scouting and all it can offer you and your family. You'll be happier having tried it. I'm told by my husband the non-camper that he insists we sleep in the tent in August. And that says Eaton "is the whole purpose of the Family Camping weekend."
(P.S. to the makers of Off Personal Mosquito Fan - no mosquitoes bit us for 2 nights - those fans work exactly as described as field- tested by my family!!!)
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