Boston Globe's Hack Job

In order to accomplish anything on Beacon Hill, it is necessary to stroke the ego of some ....sometimes less than the brightest...sometimes pretty dumb, if truth be told.

That's probably why the well paid LOBBYISTS are so well compensated - they can go home and gag on the requisite ego stroking - or maybe they lack the insight to recognize their folly. They adequately shovel the manure to feed over-inflated egos.

One wonders how some get into elected office without their districts being duly embarrassed.

In some cases, an electorate too lazy to follow the votes and performance of their officials explains all.

Clearly, the media is partially to blame for some pretty poor reporting.

In many cases, it's because qualified people simply don't run. (Take a hint!)

In many cases, some districts have pretty impressive elected officials who are willing to conduct their due diligence, arrive at informed decisions, make substantive comments and their election reflects a well informed and involved constituency.

When the scandal involving Matt Amorello made news, the Beacon Hill culture was conspicuously displayed for scrutiny.

Wikipedia

Boston Herald

Here was a Republican hack, under qualified for a bi-partisan mess, with an over-inflated ego that blinded him of reality his potential, appointed by an absentee Republican Governor who had to return to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts each time disaster struck.

That absentee Governor, running a Presidential campaign himself, mostly allowed state government to be run by mouthpieces, "Government by Press Release while out of state."

So the Commonwealth gets into one pickle after another by accepting sound bytes, political hacks, government determined by union support, government determined by special interests, government for sale to the highest bidder.

Then, the Boston Globe, sensing the blood in the water in an election year, does a little homework into a scandal they could have/should have highlighted in the intervening + 20 years, and scores a home run of sorts.

What's their game? Readership?
Resistance, resolve in report’s wake

Gambling Industry? Where was the uproar from the Globe? Where were the editorials about taxpayer dollars spent on BENEFITS Reports, while leadership refused to conduct an INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS? Did the Boston Globe ever comment on the Independent Report conducted in New Hampshire? Has the Boston Globe ever reported that the cost of each Gambling Addict created by Slot Barns in the Commonwealth exceeds $13,000 per year?

Gambling legislation paralyzed Beacon Hill for 18 months, while important legislation languished and the Globe became a cheerleader for the Industry.

Posted here: Alice's Rabbit Hole and Senator Menard:

I think it is wonderful that, in Joan Menard's last months in office, she finally concerned about getting people jobs, even though they aren't related to her:

Daughter:
University of Massachusetts, Menard Jennifer J., Director of Economic Develop, 37.50 hours, 2008 -$67,291.40, 2009 - $73,348.77

Daughter:
Trial Court Menard-Parece Jody M, Acting Clerk Magistrate, 37.50 hours, 2008 - $110,221.00, 20009 - $110,051.18

Son-in-law
Lottery Commission, Preble Sean S, Field Technician MSLC, 40.00 hours, 2008- $48,418.80, 2009 - $49,477.67

That in no way defends the current scandal, but highlights that the problems are far more widespread than the Globe has presented. It also highlights how the Boston Globe has failed to properly serve, until election year arrives.