Newstalk for Wednesday January 2nd 2008

Good turnout of a crowd at the flag raising ceremony up on Prospect Hill Park on the 1st - as usual the Mayor was there to welcome everyone as they raised the flag. Lots of city officials were on hand as well. The ceremony marks the first flag raised by General George Washington.

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Acting Chief Bob Bradley had a nice send off party this past Friday evening at the Mt. Vernon/Wharf in Revere - the place was filled to standing room only with just about all the personnel from the station including all the high brass! One of our News Talkers just happened to be on the scene as well to wish the Chief farewell and to say thanks for a job well done! Good luck Chief!

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Year-end house cleaning to do now that 2007 is in the history books whether we liked it or not. Something of interest for the Police Department – seems that Home Depot owes the Somerville Police Department close to $70K in past due detail fees! Our sources tell us that Home Depot owes the Everett Police Department about the same amount - we wonder if the store managers might have a problem in paying bills?

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Kind of confusing - the near riot down at Russell Disposal’s yard this past week. Local 25 Teamsters have said they will continue to be on site everyday until Russell’s gives in!  This also means that Russell’s Disposal will have to hire a 24-hour police detail while the protests are still going on! This could run up a huge tab in the thousands for Russell Disposal Company to dish out - some of us still don’t understand why this is being done in the first place, since Russell is a non-union shop and when they asked the employees to sign the slips to become a union shop, only about 12 signed out of 120 employees - not enough to have a vote - we thought you needed at least 50% of the employees signatures? If this is true, then why is Local 25 picketing Russell?

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Well, we told you we would keep tabs on what’s going on with our former Editor - Mr. McCabe - who also runs The Alewife in Cambridge and the new Powderhouse here in Somerville. Seems that the last update on either of the web sites was December 20th and we heard from a couple of sources that his backers aren’t going to continue to support him – that he’s out of business - but we don’t believe it for a second here. We are thinking that maybe it’s a ploy to continue with his criminal charges and the court appointed (free) attorney that he was granted due to supposed indigence – probably once the case is over he will go back? Time will tell, and we will keep you posted.

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The City Inaugural is slated for 6:00pm, this coming Monday, January 7th at the High School Auditorium and right afterward there will be a reception at the Holiday Inn in East Somerville. There will be plenty of News Talkers on hand at both and we’ll keep you posted.

Comments

[JR]

The Inauguration is actually scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the High School Auditorium.

[Let it go]

Concerning Mr. McCabe. I have no idea who he is, other than is was a former employee of The Somerville News. This newspaper, the owners of this newspaper and Mr. McCabe must have had a bitter seperation for this newspaper to harp and whine about Mr. McCabes's every move. It shows a petty vindictiveness, one I do not want to read about every few issues. You are using this newspaper as the classic bully pulpit. I am only happy I have no business dealings with any of you of this newspaper. If we had a business relationship and if things went sour, you would do all you could to distroy my reputation also. This situation makes me question your editorial staff qualifications and actually leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I can't imagine this not causing a backlash to The Somerville News.

[James Norton]

Neil - thanks for the comment.

Ron - relax about the effin' spelling will you?

Jackie - thanks, fixed the time.

Anyone else want to bitch this morning?

JN

[Ron Newman]

I was just trying to point out that the competing newspaper has a PDF online for an issue that they appear not to have ever distributed on paper.

[Disgusting Pig]

I would like to bitch about the following, James Norton. When will you and the rest of the N clowns stop making fools of themselves with this shitty online joke? You cannot even spell the most basic words correctly. Go back to high school, punks.

[James Norton]

Ron - Okay, I overreacted, I am trying to work on that in the new year.

Disgusting Pig - Did I hit a nerve, Neil? Oh wait, it must just be a FON (Friend Of Neil) - if there are any, really. Would you like to make the break from collecting SSDI and living in your mother's basement and come on down and volunteer to be a copy editor? After reviewing your comment, clearly you can't formulate a sentence with proper grammar, so it may prove to be a learning experience for you, at the minimum. I did enjoy the "N clowns" comment, I will give you that much.

Enjoy the day.

JN

[Stinky]

Why\\\\\\\'d you close comments on the \\\\\\\"Best of 2007\\\\\\\" thread? Is someone starting the new year a little sensitive?

[Neil's friend]

Do you have a problem with Neil, you brainless bald midget? So what if I am am a friend of Neil's? He's a fine human being, unlike you, miserable screwup. Do a favor to the internet and your family and stop embarrassing yourself. I don't want you to infer from this that I dislike you, however. I just think you are a useless human being, that's all. Funny at times, but usually temperamental and unfit for society.

[wow]

Jamie, This kid sounds like an uneducated punk from powderhouse blvd. Let me know if you want me to include him in the annual hack survey?

[Ron Newman]

This kind of bickering between editors of competing newspapers doesn't strike me as terribly professional, on either side. Somehow you and the Farm Team avoided descending to this level.

[James Norton]

Neil's friend - Clearly you don't know me personally based on your comments - so that being said - enjoy your night.

Ron - You are 2 for 2 today - point taken.

Wow - Yes, absolutely - have at it.

JN

[Bill]

Mr. Norton I enjoy the forum but Ron is right - you are getting down with the gutter snipes!

[Where]

Where is our city solicitor? are the rumors true? is he in rehab? Is this his third time, come on Jamie lets look into this will you!

[Where is the kindness?]

If the City Solicitor does in fact have a substance abuse problem - AND I HAVE NO IDEA IF THAT IS ACCURATE - is this really the forum to address it? WHERE do you get a kick out of the misfortunes of others?

[Where]

Kindness, or is it Man Boobs? I feel sorry if the City Solicitor has a substance abuse problem and hope, if factual, he is getting the healing he needs. This just reflects back to one of the articles this fine tabloid reported about "Is your Alderman a Rubber Stamp". Which they are.

You can now add up on all your fingers and toes the bodies that have been put to the curb, left for personal reasons; excuse to be short of fired, performed illegal actions; stored personnel boat on city property - speeding up route 93 with wig lights on posing as a man of the law, and so on and so on.

This Administration will be cutting into our pockets for another two years and we STILL will encounter more of the excuses and poor judgments that this BOA and Mayor has made in the past.

Count on it.

[Come on Where?]

Where? Other that the boat and the speeding (which we know was all done by one classless person) who else has performed illegal actions? I am curious because that is a real broad statement with no proof. Don't be like the others and just throw bombs with no backing.

[Where]

Well, what about the guy that got throw out of his house by his wife for infedelity? He was living out of his office behind the high school for messing around with a cafe worker and her husband beat the living crap out of him one Friday night in front of the DPW.

[Where is the kindness?]

Man Boobs? You are a class act. The problem with guys like you is that you wallow in the misfortunes of others because your life is so boring and useless. Sad.

[Diogenes]

The city solicitor has performed his duties more as the mayor's consigliare than as an officer of the court who is sworn to uphold the law. Instead, the law is a means of accomplishing his assignments. Or an obstacle to get around.

He carries out those assignments with petty and personalized viciousness. Even innocent bystanders have been sprayed by his venom. More than once, SPD officers have let him off the DUI hook, despite his insolence toward them.

His position and the way he carries it out makes his alcoholism a fit topic for public discussion. Maybe the job is making him drink. I think that the real cause can be found much closer to home.

[Where is the kindness?]

Where is the proof? I don't know the man personally but I see you slipped in an anti-Italian/Mafia slur in equating him with being a consigliere to the Mayor. What next - the Mayor is a made member of the Mafia? Why don't you show some guts and post a REAL name so somebody can sue your peniless ass

[Come on Where?]

That's it? That's all you got? Wow jealousy is a funny weird emotion

[Where]

Diogenes, you are almost in the oven with your last statement about HOME, you are so hot on the spot. There is a lot more to the "Story" than just his drinking.

[Where is the kindness?]

WHERE get a grip - you and DIOGENES are one in the same. I understand an investigation has begun. Good luck!

[Where]

Kindness, let me save you and the FBI some $$$. Diogenes and I are not one in the same.

[Sara]

Clearly some people will say anything on here, but we all know that takes no balls. Get some nerve and make your accusations face to face.

[James Norton]

Everyone -

Are you people really that childish? You know, it's fine to despise someone or a group of individuals and take pot shots at them, but being as personally nasty and child-like that some of you chuckleheads have been and the apparent glee in which you revel when getting your online rocks off is astounding.
Sara is right - have some balls and type your real names or come down to the newspaper and give some actual proof to back up your claims about anyone you care to attack on here - better yet, when it comes to the line of decency and good taste, why don't you all simply err on the side of restraint - and not for nothing, but I have to say that although my personal schedule is none of anyone's business, I can't sit here all day and watch the intellectual equivalent of one-paddled ping-pong and moderate you fools.
Do yourselves a favor - grow up and just knock it off - unless you will post your real names here or have the decency to provide some viable documentation backing up the silly bombs being tossed around on here.

JN

[Ron Newman]

If you're serious about this, JN, you should delete all the borderline-libelous comments about the city solicitor (and then delete this one, too).

[Cosmo]

James thank you for making it a little more difficult for these bomb tossers to frequent this forum. Some people get a kick out of knocking other individuals. I don't know the city solicitor but he - and any human being - deserves a little bit more respect than that afforded here by these malcontents.

[Imux]

JN, if you need a hand moderating this forum just give me a holler and toss me the admin password. I'll clean up the moonbats just fine. It would be my pleasure.

[Ron Newman]

Tap, tap, is this mike working? Sorry Imux, won't get rid of me that easily.

[Fool on the Hill]

Ron, Jamie, Cosmo, Kindness, Sara, etc.,

I’m sick of slander myself, but I think that this situation is complex. The rationalization usually given for people not posting with their own names is that what that people with power could punish them for what they say. This is often just an excuse for trash talking. But the Solicitor is really as vindictive and hateful as has been reported here.

Who would be exposed to his rages? (1) city employees, (2) people trying to do business with the city, and (3) police officers who he’s been abusive to. Each group is vulnerable to his wrath. What proof could they offer other than their own testimony? And how could they be protected if provided this evidence. So what else are they going to do?

If my memory is accurate, this paper’s News Talk column once reported on one of the City Solicitor’s nasty interaction with a Somerville Police officer and that officer’s gracious response. Yet no proof was offered.

BTW, my experience of his boss, the mayor, is that Mr. Curtatone is not vindictive.

One last thing. Diogenes and What only discussed the Solicitor’s behavior in his public role. Although what is happening “at home,” is a sad story, they did not go into it because it isn’t relevant to his job performance.

[Imux]

Ron, Listen. And understand. If I become a mod... then I'll be out here. I can't be bargained with. I can't be reasoned with. I don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And I absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are banned. ;>)

[Cosmo]

IMUX I will see you up at the Holiday Inn and buy you a cocktail. Ron is ok and genuinely interested in the community albeit a little liberal for me - lay off of him! I am glad Mr. Norton made it more difficult for the bomb tossers who hide behind their anonymity. We don't need defamatory comments where individuals can't defend themselves.

[Imux]

Cosmo, I plan on hitting the charity event for the school. Wild Turkey 101. Thanks.

And yeah... I have no idea why people would mudsling. I mean.... calling a group of people moonbats is one thing (100% correct), but getting personal on folks is low. Even for me.

[Ron Newman]

You mean the Chamber of Commerce benefit for the East Somerville school? I may be there too. Certainly a worthy cause.

[Cosmo]

maybe you two can enjoy a drink and have a political debate.

[Imux]

Ron, yes the chamber charity event at the holiday inn. Jut don't order any drinks with umbrellas in it.

[JamesNorton]

But there is no way in hell I would have a drink with that scumbag. Never. I would puke.

[JamesNorton]

That's you, Imux.

[JamesNorton]

One more thing, Imux, the Rapture will come before you get the admin password around here.

[Stinky]

Hey JN - you reap what you sow. Childish? Nasty? No more than the bile the News spews.

[Imux]

Having a drink with Ron? You must be kidding. I cannot stand the smell of liburals. Oh, JN, a like you too, BTW. You moonbats are destroying Somerville!

[Imux]

Finally, this site has implemented a login policy. NOBODY will be able to use my username and post as me anymore. Ron, you've done enough of that in the past. Your little games are OVER.

[Imux]

Finally, this site has implemented a login policy. NOBODY else will be able to use my username and post as me anymore. Ron, Election, and the other moonbat bastards, you've done enough of that in the past. Humiliating me. Your little games are OVER.

[Ron Newman]

I've never posted as 'Imux'. See you on January 17.

[Imux]

Ron, the imbecile who posted earlier as Imux wasn't me. It appears that the logon policy really has no effect as people can still post as whoever. It doesn't bug me, but be warned that anyone can still post as anyone. As we've seen earlier today - some asshole decided to post as me.

JN, my offer to mod this still stands.

[JamesNorton]

Imux, you are a jackass. At least now, we know for sure that you are the one who is playing games, pretending that other users are actually employing your username. There is no glitch, you are the only one who can post as yourself, unless you gave your password to others. So, stop being an ********.
You can take your mod offer and stick it up your, Mr Imux. If Bill Shelton asked for it, that would be a no brainer. But you? You are pure slime, sir.

[Cosmo]

Don't worry IMUX we knew it wasn't you as it was free of foul language. I am the one and only COSMO and some day I will rule Somerville with an iron fist!!

[Bill Shelton]

Jamie, I am unworthy of your praise. But thanks anyway.

[James Norton]

Bill -

Yes, you are very worthy of my praise; however, that comment was not from me. I decided to take off the TypeKey authentication thing - sure, for people with an over 120 IQ like you, me and Ron (and others, including even Imux), it wasn't an issue, but for the rest of the proximital gene pool, it was too cumbersome - I will leave it at that (I will assume you get that one).

Imux -

If you were only discriminatory against assholes and chuckleheads, you would probably receive a little more acknowledgement from me, but unfortunately you have tainted the water so to speak with me.

Everyone else -

Yeah, go ahead and start posting again, but please show a little bit of restraint. And listen, just because you morons don't like Newstalk, doesn't mean this newspaper is a tabloid - get over it.
Ron has the sense to keep some perspective, why can't the rest of you PDSers? Imux is right about SOME of you - Kool-Aid drinkers - who are obviously EXACTLY that kind of PDSer which lives up to my stereotypification - those who became exactly what they started out despising in the first place.
If I have to actually explain that, then yes, you have just been validated as one of "them". If you happen to have a sensible brain - like Ron, Bill Shelton, Mark Neidergang (for example), then you would engage in the debate, not throw insults and stupid, petty remarks to the wind hoping that they will somehow stick. You have to come to grips with the stone cold fact that "Newstalk" is a "gossip" column and it is EXACTLY the same as it has been for over 20 years - long before we were on the scene - and the reality is that it is a very small portion of a very high quality local, FREE weekly independent newspaper.
Oh and sure - you will just use the excuse that I subscribe to the same mentality, merely because I am the Editor of the newspaper, but the reality is - take ten minutes to talk to me one-on-one - if you don't have a completely different perspective on who I am as a person, then I would be amazed. Ask Bill Shelton, ask a few others who have come to know me personally - and see what they say. I don't weigh in on an issue unless I have a pretty good grasp on the subject matter, period.
Okay, I have rambled on and on - certainly enough for this evening - have a good night.

JN