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The f-word is a curious feature of our increasingly polarized political landscape, with charges of “fascism” slung from one end of the spectrum to the other.  For the sake of historical and linguistic accuracy, here’s the “Webster’s New World College Dictionary” definition, 1988 edition: 

    “fascism:  1, a member of the Fascisti; 2, a system of government characterized by a rigid one-party dictatorship, forcible suppression of opposition, private economic enterprise under centralized governmental control, belligerent nationalism, racism and militarism, etc; first instituted in Italy in 1922.”

I would argue that private economic enterprise is not under government control (quite the contrary), with a few benefitting at the expense of many.  However, be that as it is and not withstanding that fascism originated on the “right,” opponents of the administration’s policies in Iraq are being increasingly fascist-baited.   From the currently fashionable “Islamo-fascism” to sly suggestions of “appeasement” (Dick Cheney) and more overt analogies to “those who enabled Hitler” (Newt Gingrich), Webster is flung to the winds. And for a cross-spectrum, if muddled, reference, there’s George Bush in a recent speech at an American Legion Convention, citing both fascism and communism as “the decisive ideological struggle of the twenty-first century.”  Somehow it’s hard to picture him as middle-of-the-road.

My friend and colleague Doug, being quite literal about definitions, contends that charges from the “right” of fascism on the “left” represent a massive case of psychological projection.

Meanwhile, some of those labeled “left” increasingly describe the Bush administration as fascist.  No veiled accusations, the f-word is liberally used, so to speak, by many critics of current U.S. policy.

Closer to home, Katha Pollitt, author and columnist for ‘”The Nation.” recently pointed out that “New Republic” editor Lee Siegel equated liberal bloggers with “blogofascism.”

George Orwell wrote in his 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language,” “The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies ‘something not desirable.”

Would that we could exchange ideas and express disagreement without labels, but at least we might retire the f-word and the c-word.

Days Cottages condoed, Barges to protect pir, more

Outer Cape news, September 28, 2006

The famous Days Cottages in North Truro will become condos, see story below.

China, Atlanta and New Orleans meet in Tennessee
When the first annual Tennessee Williams Festival begins on Thursday it’s safe to say that it’s going to have national and international impact. Not only is there an eagerly awaited world premiere of a Tennessee Williams play but festival attendees can see Atlanta’s Capitol City Opera perform excerpts from Andre Previn’s opera based on “A Streetcar Named Desire” and watch the Hong Kong Repertory Theater deliver — in Cantonese — scenes from “Eccentricities of a Nightingale”... 

Pier Corp. ponders barges to protect docks
PROVINCETOWN — Hoping to avoid further storm damage to the floating docks at MacMillan Pier, the Provincetown Public Pier Corp. is considering using barges anchored in the harbor to help reduce wave swells...

Lady Fishermen kick it up a notch
By Joey White. The Provincetown girls soccer team was definitely the aggressor Monday as it rolled to a 3-1 victory over Chatham at Motta Field ...
In the News
The possibility of an affordable senior housing development at the Council on Aging site on Old King’s Highway just got a step closer ...
Historic cottages get nod for condo conversion
By Kahrin Deines. TRURO — On Monday night, the owners of Days Cottages and the Moorlands Inn received permission from the Zoning Board of Appeals to convert their properties to condominiums. Both parties have deep roots in the Outer Cape area and said that the decision to condo-ize had been a hard one to make ...

In the Arts “I have a very bad reputation in town. They like to say that I’m vulgar,” she says, grinning. Her innocent-looking purple polka-dot dress, a curly brunette wig that would make Peggy Bundy jealous, fabulous make-up job and kick-ass voice might make that statement hard to believe, but Pearlene’s got a mouth that she blames on Tourette’s syndrome ...  Read the rest of the Banner here, and comment below.

Eastham crash

Route 6 Eastham crash injures several
EASTHAM - Several people were injured in a crash on Route 6 at Brackett Road in Eastham about 3 PM Saturday afternoon. Three ambulances from Eastham and Orleans transported the victims to Cape Cod Hospital. None of the injuries appear life-threatening. The crash at the major intersection guarded by a traffic light caused delays for travelers to the Outer Cape and is under investigation by Eastham Police. Posted on 9/30 at 4:00 PM.

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Senator Kennedy comes out swinging at Harvard

By Libby Hughes

Raise your glass to the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and toast its 40th anniversary. This memorial to the latePresident John F. Kennedy is intended to inspire the “world of ideas,” controversial though they may be, for young students at Harvard. Here, young people can hear heads of state from international cultures as well as local and national personalities, who expound on a myriad of issues. Students can confront, challenge, or question the speakers in an open forum. 

And so,Massachusetts Senator Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy, summer resident of Cape Cod in Hyannisport, was the first to kick off the celebrations on Friday evening, September 29, for a weekend of panel discussions.

Standing ovation
Looking like a cheerful, elder statesman, Senator Kennedy entered the Forum with his niece, Caroline Kennedy, to a standing reception from a suave and sophisticated audience. Every seat was taken. Most of the students were crowded into the bleachers on the second floor. This was their senator and they cheered. His answer came in the form of a “thumbs up” and by flashing his engaging smile.

A series of IOP celebrities spoke before a short video was shown with words from famous Harvard graduates that heralded the mission of IOP---to enlist young America in the understanding and practice of politics in public life.

Words from Caroline Kennedy
Caroline Kennedy introduced her uncle. In a simple black dress and long locks, she was embarrassed and overcome by the loud applause awarded her. She spoke of how IOP had captured the spirit of her father’s dream for students to change the world through public service. Then, she praised her uncle for being so involved. Since 1970, Ted Kennedy has missed only three meetings of the IOP advisory board. Applause.

Politics of hope versus fear
The theme of Senator Kennedy’s speech was the politics of hope versus the politics of fear. He lauded the IOP’s mission. Despite the political wrangling over complex issues in Washington, he still maintained his faith in government and in the politics of hope.

Gloves come off
The tone of the speech turned political. Mid-term election fever was running high. The senator came out swinging against the president and administration. Although Kennedy never mentioned Bush by name, the political fencing was there with verbal thrusts and parries. The politics of fear was attributed to the present administration and the politics of hope obliquely associated with the Democrats.

Lament over bitter feuding
The senator yearned for the days when both Democrats and Republicans could find common ground while working on committees and put aside politics to reach across the aisle for the good of the people. He felt the Supreme Court was stacked and despaired over the imbalance from the three branches of government. He thought the immigration laws to build fences and walls along our borders to keep immigrants out were ludicrous. He found the war in Iraq and torture laws disturbing although he thought John McCain’s bill was excellent.

Supports No Child Left Behind
The only meeting of the minds with the administration was on the No Child Left Behind Policy. Although under-funded, he thought the principles were right.
Leadership and learning intertwined

In conclusion, Senator Kennedy said that leadership and learning go hand in hand. He still believes in the politics of hope.

After a standing ovation, TV journalist Judy Woodruff joined the senator to ask four questions. The first was whether the political divide offered any hope. Kennedy said the November elections might offer hope. He again reminisced over working with Republican Senator Dole. Woodruff followed up with a question as to whether the Democrats would reach across the aisle if they gained control of the two houses. A resounding “yes” was his reply.

A 44 year career
Her third question addressed his 44 years in the Senate. Kennedy served under eight presidents. He admitted to having difficulty with Carter, but worked well with Ford and Clinton. He regretted voting against Sutter for the Supreme Court. He doesn’t like the game of “gotcha” in politics. When asked about the outburst of President Clinton against Chris Wallace of Fox News over the pursuit of Osama bin Laden, Kennedy smiled and said, “I kind of liked what Clinton said.” Applause. He thought that if Hilary Clinton were elected president, she was up to it.

Student questions
With the remaining time, students asked questions at the four mike stations. One was about the validity of the Peace Corps. “It is a high priority in reaching different cultures.” He was upset over the fact that there had been no hearings on Al Qaeda in the past two years. When asked about the media, he said, “The ways of getting information are very different today—through bloggers and the internet.”

Judy Woodruff asked the final question. Would Senator Kennedy or Senator Byrd of West Virginia be the longest running representative in the Senate? Kennedy answered, “I’ll stay in the Senate until I get the hang of it.” Laughter and applause.

Afterwards, the senator signed autographs and talked personally with students and adults.

Libby Hughes will be covering the Kennedy School of Government’s John F. Kennedy Forum, sponsored by Harvard’s Institute of Politics, for capecodtoday.  MS Hughes was co-publisher of four cape weeklies and has freelanced for major newspapers in Africa and Asia. For ten years, Hughes was a drama critic and feature writer for a chain of newspapers on Cape Cod. She edited Ginger Rogers' autobiography and won the Maxwell Anderson Playwrights Series in 1984. In addition to covering the Kennedy School this winter she is capecodtoday's theatre critic. Hughes is the author of 16 books and is listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World.

$2.29 in Harwichport at two stations - $2.07 for Heating Oil

Cape Cod is finally below the national average price for gas
The average nationwide today is $2.33 , see NY Times today

We got a call from Jim Twite of Brewster this morning that the Cumberland Farms near Route 28 and Bank Street, AND the Harwich Gas at 435 Route 28, Harwichport next to the 400 Club, are both selling regular for $2.29.

The price is $2.32 on Rte 6 in Wareham, at both Lukoil and with the hippies... who now have a bedsheet hanging up in their office with "There Goes The Neighborhood" written on it.

NOTICE:
Cheap Oil too!

A suggestion below from Cape & Islands Self Reliance is a great idea - please use this blog to also send in the LOWEST HOME HEATING OIL prices as well, or see the C&ISR site. 

Grief and Its By-Products

The incomprehensible grief and pathos of losing a loved one

Can anyone tell me how the families and survivors of the tragic Station nightclub fire three years ago are able to get any satisfaction whatsoever from hissing and spitting into TV cameras and microphones about how much they hate the Dederian brothers and the judge who is apparently choosing not to execute them for this accident?  Is it that the thirst for justice trumps the need for satisfaction?  That is the only explanation which comes to me, and that is a flawed one because justice and satisfaction should go together.

None of us can grasp the incomprehensible grief and pathos of losing a loved one among the 100 victims, but what kind of by-product is this hatred and screams for vengeance? It doesn’t say much for human nature, forgiveness and the ability to put things behind us. This is not the finest hour of these families and survivors.

Christa trial to be televised live, Eastham overview, who will pay for Pleasant Bay nitrogen fix, Chill out at the Juice Bar (finally), more

Lower Cape news, September 29, 2006

Chatham, Orleans come to terms on Nauset management By Matt Rice/ mrice@cnc.com Tempers have finally started to cool in the wake of unprecedented closures of the off-road stretch on Nauset Beach last summer... [more]

Chill out at the Juice Bar By Matthew Belson/ mbelson@cnc.com Displaced youth center offered a home at ice rink ORLEANS - Local teens venturing to The Juice Bar will probably need a jacket or sweater... [more]

Murder trial to be televised live Judge won’t toss out defense motions By Marilyn Miller/ mmiller@cnc.com The trial of Christopher McCowen, charged with the Jan. 5, 2002 murder and rape of Truro fashion writer Christa Worthington, will open Monday, Oct. 16, with jury selection. When the trial actually starts, the eyes of the nation will get a chance to see the drama unfold in one of the most beautiful courtrooms in the nation. Court TV has been given permission by Judge Richard A. Connon, who will preside over the trial, to broadcast it live from the balcony of Barnstable Superior Court, where the press will sit. Press and public will be seated based on who arrives first... [more]

Tradesman’s park well-received By Steve Desroches/ sdesroch@cnc.com TRURO - A proposed tradesman’s park for North Truro received mostly enthusiastic support from a packed room at Truro Town Hall last Thursday... [more]

Feeling your pain? By Douglas Karlson/ dakrlson@cnc.com Candidates address meeting human needs EASTHAM - Who’s best able to deliver relief to the beleaguered working people of Cape Cod? That was... [more]

Around Wellfleet Support group for caregivers Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands and the Wellfleet Council on Aging are teaming up to bring an ongoing support... [more]

Consultants provide 'village center' overview By Marilyn Miller/ mmiller@cnc.com Ted Brovitz, consultant for Stantec, the company hired to help the Eastham Critical Planning Committee turn its idea of a North Eastham Village Center... [more]

Selectmen mull future of pier store By Marilyn Miller/ mmiller@cnc.com In a town where multi-million dollar overrides may be coming in a few years, some are wondering if more money can be generated at the marina if the... [more]

Isabel Smith, founded Harwich Conservation Trust By Douglas Karlson/ dkarlson@cnc.com HARWICH - D. Isabel Smith, 77, an esteemed member of the Harwich community and a founder of the Harwich Conservation Trust, died Sept. 23 at home... [more]

Who will foot nitrogen fix for Pleasant Bay? By Rich Eldred/ reldred@cnc.com ORLEANS - The clock is ticking on time for public comment or questions on the official Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's limits... [more]

Around Truro Community center may break ground in January Board of selectmen chairman Fred Gaechter said it is quite possible that the community center could... [more]

Lessons from the campaign trail By Douglas Karlson/ dkarlson@cnc.com Harwich resident Andrea Silbert reflects on her lieutenant governor bid Andrea Silbert may have lost the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor... [more]

Police and fire log Marijuana seized Wellfleet police arrested three people Sunday at their home on 10 Summit Ave. after seizing two pounds of marijuana and nine live... [more]

Sandwich voters reject policy on illegal workers By Silene Gordon/ sgordon@cnc.com SANDWICH - For a time, the debate at Monday night's special Town Meeting sounded much like the kind of discussion that usually goes on in Congress.... [more]

Town desires more updates on lake restoration By Steve Desroches/ sdesroch@cnc.com TRURO - "What is going on out there?" asked Selectman Chris Lucy in regard to Pilgrim Lake, which has a very strange odor that started in... [more]

Around Provincetown A different bell story While Truro is still grappling with its town hall bell saga, Provincetown is addressing its own bell issues, but it seems without... [more]

Pappalardo to chair fisheries council John Pappalardo of Chatham, policy analyst for the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association, has been elected chairman for the New England... [more]

Or... Review committees give residents a voice By Bill Fonda/ bfonda@cnc.com When residents can comment on budget priorities, it's because then-finance committee member Paul O'Connor brought a request... [more]

Around Orleans Clerk's office to close Monday morning The Orleans town clerk's office will be closed Monday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the recount of votes... [more]

State judiciary to hear Oyster Creek case By Douglas Karlson/ dkarlson@cnc.com HARWICH - Despite a decision by the Harwich Conservation Commission to accept a Court of Appeals ruling allowing the dredging of Oyster Creek, the... [more]

Housing work groups move forward By Steve Desroches/ sdesroch@cnc.com PROVINCETOWN - The advertisement looked more like a warning from the Department of Homeland Security than a posting for a community meeting. "Provincetown... [more]

Jewish life grows on Cape Cod By Matthew Belson/ mbelson@cnc.com During the family service for Rosh Hashana, Rabbi David Freelund walks down the aisle of the sanctuary strumming a guitar and leads the children and... [more]

Towns to solicit new bids for Long Pond treatment By Donna Tunney/ dtunney@cnc.com Brewster and Harwich, which share the 743-acre Long Pond, agreed to solicit new bids for treating the abundance of phosphorous in the pond's sediment,... [more]

Can't lift your grandchildren? By Debi Boucher Stetson ORLEANS - If you could use a little motivation and guidance in the area of fitness, look no further than your local library. Not in the stacks of... [more]

Around Harwich Construction to disrupt Queen Anne Road Beginning Monday, Oct. 2, Queen Anne Road from Route 124 to Main Street (Kelley Street) will be one-way traffic... [more]

Housing groups Working groups Community Support Robert Gaston, resident; Kristine Hopkins, Community Housing Resources, Inc.; Lynn Stanley, resident; Olga Kahn -... [more]

Zuest takes helm at Chatham Bars Inn By Matt Rice/ mrice@cnc.com Putting to rest any rumors that, under its new owners, things might change at the Chatham Bars Inn, managing director Paul Zuest said the high-end... [more]

Around Eastham Antiques fair is coming up This annual event of the Eastham Historical Society on Saturday, Oct. 7, will feature American country furniture, silver,... [more]

Selectmen debate room tax proposal By Matthew Belson/ mbelson@cnc.com Some believe a proposed room occupancy tax for seasonal rental properties is a sensible idea to increase revenue for towns for some, but others say... [more]

Around Chatham Selectmen set property tax classification The board of selectmen voted Tuesday to continue taxing all classes of property at a single tax rate.... [more]

Around Brewster
Littlenecks sighted From Oct. 8 to 15, the Ellis Landing Littleneck beds will be open for the fall session. A Brewster shellfishing license is required... [more]

Read the rest of The Cape Codder here, and comment below. 

 

Barney Frank and Joe DeNucci to appear at next Bourne Democrats' dinner

For their "Man of the Year" dinner on Saturday Oct. 14, members of the Bourne Democratic Town Committee have lined up not just one but two guests sure to draw a crowd -- Congressman Barney Frank, as guest speaker, and state auditor Joe DeNucci, as honored guest (does this mean DeNucci's their man of the year?).

The event will be held at 6 p.m. at Brookside Country Club, 1 Brigadoon Road, off MacArthur Boulevard. Tickets cost $35, $60 per couple; call Lee Berger at 508-759-2133.

Twice Bitten

Over the course of my 44 years I've been bitten twice. The first time was when I was about 10 or 11 years old. I was sitting on my front lawn playing with a snake and it bit me on the finger. I screamed ... and I quickly discovered that it wasn't about to let go, so I screamed again. I envisioned it swallowing me whole, finger first! I swung my hand around wildly and finally had to pry the snake's little fangs from my finger. Since then I've had a fear of snakes.

The second time I was bitten was in a nursing home where I worked during my college years. I was helping a nurse hold down a 97-year old woman so that she could be given a shot. The woman had three personalities - one being German. She was very frail, or so it seemed, so it didn't seem like a big job on my part. Anyway, within seconds she turned her head and bit me on the arm. (I think it was the German personality that bit me!) I screamed! Thankfully, she didn't have a tooth in her head, and all she left - once the nurse peeled her jaws off my arm - was a bruise.

I was almost bitten a third time by a squirrel that I cornered in my living room one Christmas season. It leapt out of the fireplace like Rocky the Squirrel, landing on my lap. Again, I screamed! And then spent the next hour trying to get it out of the house.

But the best kind of "bitten" is when you get bitten by the book bug. I remember when I first realized I enjoyed books - it was when I read the children's book Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina as a young lad. I still pick it up every once in while for a chuckle - I'm a sucker for anything with a monkey in it (or in this case, a whole bunch of monkeys).

Jack Sheedy