This is not water under the bridge. The people who put DiMasi in power are all still in power themselves, and they need to be called to account.  DiMasi was re-elected to his speakership just five months ago, and resigned three weeks after that.  Each of us needs to call up our representative and ask them why they voted to make DiMasi their leader.  Read my post from January, when I asked what our legislators are made of: We all knew he was ethically compromised, but they elected him anyway.  Why?

I’m particularly unhappy with my legislator, Jay Kaufman.  Kaufman didn’t just vote for DiMasi.  He nominated him, complete with glowing speech.  He even went on a publicity tour to shore up DiMasi’s reputation.  Check this quote, given after one of DiMasi’s claims of innocence:

“This should put an end to the questions about the speaker’s integrity and about his seriousness of purpose, ” said Representative Jay Kaufman, Democrat of Lexington and chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Service. “But cynics and skeptics abound in this business, and all of us in it know that.”

End of questions about his integrity, Jay?  Really?  A grand jury still has some questions.  So do I.  And they’re questions about you.

Someone in the police department has retained their sense of humor.

One of his repeated themes is that the policies were right because they were successful.  It’s a carefully-clothed argument that the ends justified the means.  Sure, people were tortured.  Sure, people were denied their day in court.  Sure, Americans were unlawfully spied on.  But it’s all ok, because he made America safe.

From Thursday’s speech:

On our watch, they never hit this country again. After the most lethal and devastating terrorist attack ever, seven and a half years without a repeat is not a record to be rebuked and scorned, much less criminalized. It is a record to be continued until the danger has passed.

Here’s the problem with his argument: it’s empty.  No proof.  How many terrorist attacks have there been by foreigners in the US before 2001?  How many have there been after 2001?  And he wants me to believe that his policies made a difference?   Wikipedia has a list of terrorist incidents to help you consider the questions.

I’m reminded of this brilliant Simpson’s dialog, which aired in 1996 (five years before we had a Homeland Security department):

Later, a full-force Bear Patrol is on watch. Homer watches proudly.

Homer: Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol must be working like a charm.
Lisa: That’s specious reasoning, Dad.
Homer: Thank you, dear.
Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.
Homer: Oh, how does it work?
Lisa: It doesn’t work.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: It’s just a stupid rock.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: But I don’t see any tigers around, do you?
[Homer thinks of this, then pulls out some money]
Homer: Lisa, I want to buy your rock.

Thanks, Homer, but I like bears. I don’t need your Patrol.

I’m not buying Dick Cheney’s rock, either.

Another train came in. Everyone unloaded.  Immediately, the loud departure warning bell started ringing. We all piled on to the new train - the bell was ringing, and it was the only train with open doors.

I was dubious. Generally, the driver has to walk from one end of the train to the other (it’s Alewife, so the trains reverse direction). If that driver hasnt taken the walk, no one is going anywhere.  I stayed alert.

The train that had been there the whole time, the empty one, started up. It rolled a few feet and stopped. The doors opened.  I jumped out of the full train and hustled over.

“Are you headed out?” I shouted to the driver, who was leaning his head out the window.

He nodded.

“They’re all on the other train,” I shouted. “The other train is full of passengers.”

He gave a sort of embarassed shrug.

I got on his train. The door closed. We rolled out of Alewife.

I had a train all to myself.

(I think it was train #1636 if any MBTA people are reading)

Evidently I was not the only one dazzled by his performance.  Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom whipped out a tribute song.  Download the MP3 and give it a listen.

Dylan has written all about Catfish
I may never write like Bobby, WAKE like Pedro won’t pitch
But true Red Sox fans will always know what they wish
To have nine players just like Timmy Wakefield
Nine players just like Timmy Wakefield
Give me nine players just like Timmy Wakefield

Found via Universal Hub

• buy a gun
• get married
• have kids
• join the military
• go to war

You cannot:

• buy a beer
• get a credit card

That latest entry is a new one.  It’s one of the not-very-publicized sections of the credit card reform act that sailed through the house today, 361-64.  When the law goes into effect, the average young adult, having reached the age of majority, will not be legally permitted to get a credit card.  But it will be perfectly OK for him/her to have a few children while they wait for their application to clear!

There’s a lot to hate about the credit card reform bill, but this particular section has a special place in my heart.  It’s an unambiguous example of the dumbing of America.  Can’t pay your bills on time?  Don’t worry, the government will help you.  You’re entering into agreements that you can’t fulfill? Uncle Sam will make the bad men go away.  You want to be treated like a child? OK, your nanny-state will protect you from your own free will.

I’m not the only one who thinks that a credit card engenders less responsibility than a gun or a child.  Maybe we should start our own political party.   I can’t think of a name, but I have a slogan: “The Party for Adults.”

Found via The Red Seat on Facebook.

I want to bring them into the office to play Beirut.