Cape Politics

Democratic Horse Race

They shoot horses, don't they?

Seems to me that the Kentuckey Derby yesterday is a perfect metaphor for the Democratic primary race. 

Big Brown, the only undefeated horse in the race, having run only three times before, wins going away. Eight Belles, the only filly in the race, runs strong but comes up short, finishing  second.  Then comes up lame, breaking both her ankles, and has to be put down.

I wouldn't mention it, except that Hillary Clinton's campaign was trying to create some political capital this week by picking the one filly in the race. According to her campaign, "She always roots for the female in the race."

A fairly cynical ploy even by Clinton standards.  If Eight Belles doesn't win the race, she gets credit for supporting the underdog female.  Never mind fillies almost never run with the colts. But if Eight Belles wins, Hillary gets to make some political hay out of the equine parallel of an upset victory. 

Unless of course a horse with the improbable name of  "Big Brown" is in the race. Then all bets are off. 

Seeing that the filly did finish second, should we make anything of it? Or that she had to, so tragically, be put down. What inference should we draw from that?

Lesson learned; politicians should stick to handicapping their own races.   Anything can happen in a real horse race.

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Protection Money

Ever wonder why they called it "The Commission"?

The Cape Cod Commission was designed to protect each Cape town from the impacts of development happening in another. Thus the term DRI-Development of REGIONAL Impact . Instead, it's turned into a way for towns to protect themselves from developments that they just don't like and a back door way of getting mitigation money, which they can't do on their own. (State law prohibits both.)

But the real problem is that the Commission is preventing towns like Yarmouth from improving its commercial tax base. The result is the over reliance on residential taxes to fund town budgets.

It's the regulation that we object to most, but the Commission's planning isn't that good either.  Yarmouth can save $200K a year by getting out of the Commission. We can use the savings to fund our own town departments' review of development.  I trust the Planning Board, Appeals Board, Health Board, Conservation Commission, et. al.  to do their job.  Or if Yarmouth eventually does leave the Commission it can use the $200K to hire a planning and Economic Development staff, to encourage appropriate development that will pay more commercial taxes, and lessen the reliance and burden on the homeowner taxpayer. 

Like the Hotel California, "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave".

But even after a Yes Vote to get out of the Commission, nothing will really happen.  Getting out of the Commission still requires an act of the Legislature.  Very clever when they put that in the enabling legislation.  With State Senator O'Leary, the Commission is a religion, so it may also take an act of God to get out. Voting to leave will only be a pyrrhic victory. 

Maybe Yarmouth can use the vote to get out, as a negotiating tool to get what it wants out of the Commission, but Yarmouth will still be in, still regulated and still paying the tax. Maybe a better way to contain the Cape Cod Commission short of getting out,  is for all Cape towns to stop sending it discretionary referrals. 

But I'm still in favor of getting out. Yarmouth: Vote YES on Question 5, May 6th.

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Son of Yarmouth

Bud Groskopf, Tracy Post and Curtis Sears, candidates for Selectman debated in Yarmouth last night.

"Tell it to Bud" Groskopf,  known for taking short naps during Selectmen meetings on Tuesday nights, is also famous for ducking positions on controversial issues. As the incumbent, Bud, reminded the audience that he had been a VIP at CBS in his youth and now at 75 he was bringing his wealth of experience to the job.

From getting out of the Cape Cod Commission, to the fluoridation of town water, to school budget overrides, to building sewers, to promoting economic development and tourism, the candidates for Yarmouth Selectmen displayed almost no discernible differences at the election forum hosted by the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce last night. For the most part it was a showcase of style. 

Curtis Sears' answers were short and to the point, Tracy Post's were long on detail and Bud Groskopf's were funny.  Tracy grew up in Yarmouth, Curt was born here and Bud moved in 12 years ago.  Tracy gives her son fluoride, Curt's father was a commercial fisherman, and Bud, well, Bud used to work for CBS. 

Do you support Cape Wind?

We did learn of one differing viewpoint towards the end of the evening, when they were asked by an audience question whether they supported Cape Wind. Bud Groskopf went first, with a fairly lame response, the "right project, wrong place".  Sounded like he was ducking another issue.

Tracy Post went next with the, " Cape Wind is not financially viable" answer, the lastest Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound "sound bite". Not quite the thought a self professed independent thinker would have.

Curtis Sears got to go last, and started by saying that he was a little different from the others. He supports Cape Wind.  He believes that it would bring a different kind of economic development to the residents of Yarmouth and Cape Cod, and that he wasn't buying all the negative spin.

Bud Groskopf stayed awake for the whole forum, and he made for entertaining television.

Tracy Post tried very hard to impress. She had very competent answers to all the vexing issues before the town. But she admittedly has no agenda.

Curtis Sears, a self described independent candidate, is running because he thinks "he can do a better job" than the incumbent.  I agree that this Son of Yarmouth can. 

Tell that to Bud.

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Bitter on Cape Cod

I'm my favorite charity.

"Nothing for charity until my husband gets his job back"I was at the South Yarmouth Stop & Shop checkout the other day, when the cashier asked me if I wanted to donate a dollar to the Jimmy Fund. Having just rung up a week's worth of groceries, you would think a dollar wouldn't be a big deal for a good cause. But I was up for a little mischief, so in my most sarcastic voice, I asked, "for the most profitable charity on earth?"

The clerk looked puzzled, not knowing what to make of me.  So I continued, "You'd think they would have found the cure by now."  She was again lost. Huh? 

That usually happens when you make someone ask for money, when they really don't want to.  I'm sure most of the cashiers at Stop & Shop don't even know what the Jimmy Fund is. But I digress. 

The point of the story is that I thought I was really going to hear it from the older white woman standing immediately behind me in line; someone who voted for Hillary Clinton; someone that could pass for my mother.

Just as I thought I was going to get cuffed in the back of the head, she chimes in, "Nothing for charity until my husband gets his job back".   In my utter amazement, all I could do was look at her, like the clerk was looking at me, who by this point was totally confused.  All she did was ask me for a dollar for the Jimmy Fund.

"This is the 3rd job my husband has lost that has been shipped overseas, " she said.  "And this last time they made him train the Chinese guy that was going to do his job over there. "  A pause, then again,  "Nothing for charity until he gets his job back."

I composed myself long enough to say, " You sound bitter."  She shot me a look. Again I thought I was about to get one upside the head.  So instead I tried to make a little conversation, and asked her, "So what's your husband doing now?"

I guess I was expecting an answer like, "He's looking for a job, or he's collecting unemployment, or maybe he's landscaping for the summer", something.  Rather she looked me straght in the eye and said, "He's gone hunting." And then she smiled.

I think Barack Obama may have gotten it right.

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Know thy ...friends and enemies.

Is that fund-raiser or fun-raiser?
A man is really better known by his enemies than his friends

It could have been mistaken for a Tom Reilly for Governor Reunion, or the Annual Meeting for the Alliance to Save the Sound (ASS). But it was in fact a fundraiser for State Representative Demetrius Atsalis, (D-Hyannis).  All the usual suspects were there, minus a couple of  State Senators.

A funny thing happened to me at the event. I met the relatively new leader of the Alliance, Glenn Wattley (on right).  He immediately launched into his spiel about how the Alliance was having a great week.  They single handedly sounded the death knell for the Cape Wind project ... this DEIS is worse than the last one ... they had a tremendous turnout at the MMS hearing opposing the project and Cape Wind failed to produce their supporters ... and the Blue H Group's offshore wind farm proposal will make it impossible for Cape Wind to go forward now. 

Wayne rains on his tirade 

Just when he started to really get going, one of the Alliance Board members walked into the conversation.  Glenn, who had never met me, to his credit, attempted to introduce me. The Board member, Wayne Kurker, interrupted him and said, "don't you know who this is?"

I must admit, I was flattered.  Unfortunately, the conversation tailed off after that. I guess Glenn gave up on the notion that I was buying what he was selling.  I don't blame him for trying.  He just assumed that everyone there was an opponent.

But if Glenn had listened 

Since I didn't get a chance to respond, I will point out here, that to the contrary, most people thought that the MMS hearing went well for Cape Wind... that there was a tremendous turnout in support of Cape Wind at each venue... and if there weren't more people there, it may be because most residents of the Cape and State believe that the project is going forward because yes, the DEIS is even more favorable this time around.

Regarding  the Blue H proposal to build floating wind turbines farther off shore, supporters of Cape Wind welcome that project too.  Strange though that the company would choose to have the Alliance, opponents of wind energy, stage their coming out party.  If they are indeed real, they would have asked Clean Power Now, supporters of wind energy, to host.  Only time will tell how real they are.

But what's the point here? You should get to know your enemies, as well as your friends. That goes for Blue H as well as Glenn Wattley.  Because you never know who might be in the room.

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Citizens Energy Cartel

Joe Kennedy, of  Joe-4-Oil fame seems to be carrying on the family bootlegging traditional after all.  It struck me that the recent crisis in Venezuela, Columbia and Ecuador, has everything to do with the trafficing of drugs to the US. 

Presidente Hugo Chavez, friend of Joe Kennedy (and  Bill Delahunt) is fond of giving oil away to American profiteers.   Getting free oil from Hugo Chavez and the Venezuelan Oil Company, CITGO,  is very lucrative for the Kennedy clan.  Joe Kennedy makes $2 milion a year at Citizens Energy.

Hugo Chavez is also fond of supporting the rebel terrorists who run the drug cartels in Columbia out of neighboring Ecuador with his oil profits.  His intent is to thwart the American efforts to stem the tide of cocaine coming into this country from Columbia.

Why is Hugo Chavez doing this?  Because he'll do anything to screw the US government and our "devil" President (Chavez's term).  Aiding the flow of drugs into the US has the effect of poisoning our country.

Joe Kennedy getting "free" oil is just another way for Hugo Chavez to launder his oil profits before he gives some of them to the militia drug lords while they continue to flood this society with "cheap" drugs.  I bet the "popularly elected" dictator of Venezuela gets a hefty piece of the action from the drug trade in return.

Still wondering why  Joe Kennedy does business with a drug runner?  He's the great grandson of a rum runner. 

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An award well-earned

Mary LeClair looked genuinely surprised, which is always nice when someone is honored.

The three-term county commissioner received the annual Lincoln Day award at the last meeting of the Cape Cod Republican Club, given to that member who goes above and far beyond what's expected.

The audience of several dozen people responded with a standing ovation and cheers as LeClair, blushing and fighting back tears, accepted the award.

"We have certainly selected one of the Cape's most distinguished public servants" said Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe in addressing the audience.

LeClair's service "both as an elected official and as a citizen has been extraordinary," O'Keefe said, and her contributions to GOP candidates have been "an expected staple of the political scene on Cape Cod for decades."

O'Keefe said he met LeClair in 1982 after he was appointed first assistant district attorney by the late district attorney Philip A. Rollins.

In 1996, LeClair ran for county commissioner and ends her third term this year, having decided against seeking re-election. Prior to serving as county commissioner, LeClair worked nearly 20 years as county treasurer.

"She has been there for all of us, putting a kind and concerned face on our shared Republican values," O'Keefe said. "She is indeed the compassionate conservative."

State Rep. Jeff Perry said LeClair "can work on campaigns and can be the most partisan person that we need her to be at the right time, at every other day other than Election Day, Mary is working for the people."

"Everyone, whether you be rich or poor, whether you be a member of the minority, whether you be a fellow who just needs a helping hand, she's done it all," Perry said.

Perry presented LeClair with a "congratulatory citation" from the State House of Representatives  "in recognition of your many years of service to Barnstable County."

"The dedication and commitment you have exemplified during your many years as county commissioner have been greatly appreciated," read the citation, which was signed by House Speaker Sal DiMasi. 

 "I am so proud of every single one of our Republicans, every single one of us," LeClair said in accepting the award, reflexively deflecting praise to others. "Every single one that got out there and would run for office and work hard."

One of the Republicans LeClair has come to know well over the years is Andrew Card, a former Bay State legislator and President George W. Bush's first chief of staff. Card had been in his new job at the White House only a few months when LeClair called and asked, "Andy, can I come down? And he said, 'come ahead.' "

"And we were all through the White House," LeClair said. "We went through the Rose Garden" and "the president was taking off in his helicopter."

"You can't do that today" in the wake of 9/11, LeClair said.

LeClair recounted running for state treasurer in 1982 "on a $9,000 budget" - "and I got 550,000 votes and I was never so proud in my life!"

For anyone considering a run for public office, LeClair offered advice she passed along years ago to future state senator Henri Rauschenbach.

"Go run for the finance committee in your town," LeClair said. After a year on the finance committee, "you'll understand a budget, and you'll understand a state budget, a municipal budget and a federal budget."

"If you want to get into politics, start there," LeClair suggested, characteristically sensible in the advice she offered.

All of which took place in the context of LeClair's reputation being impugned by bloggers at this site. Not that she's above criticism - no public official is. But I've seen lots of allegations and insinuations and not a scintilla of evidence that Mary LeClair, one of the most decent public servants I've ever known, has done anything illegal, unethical or improper.

One of my favorite scenes in the movie "Chinatown" involves private eye Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) meeting with the malevolent and powerful Noah Cross (John Huston).  Cross inquires about a detective who worked with Gittes. Is he honest, Cross asks. "Far as it goes," Gittes responds. "Of course, he has to swim in the same water we all do."

In other words, it is not this person who is corrupt, it's the world we live in, a distinction that otherwise good people sometimes fail to comprehend. We live in an era when the same egregious error is being writ large on a global scale, as those who ought to know better blame America for the sins of jihad. 

Congratulations, Mary, on an honor well deserved. I am proud you are my friend, and more proud that you consider me one of yours.

(The photo shows LeClair with CCRC President Fran Manzelli; photo credit, Jack Coleman)

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Cape Pols pile on the pork

Despite chop$, pols pork out
Millions earmarked for beaches, crabs, fish

Cape clam scratcher reacts
   Contacted in the middle of his minefield of newly dug clam holes, Blue Eldredge said, "They want to spend all that moo-lah on a census, I can save 'em bundle and just tell him exactly how many horshoe crabs we got out here. All they gotta do is ask. I'll tell 'em. I'll tell we used to have a lot more of 'em before they started shoving eveything that comes in here back out inta the Bay. Turtles, fish, seals, crabs. Things don't stand a chance around here all them people stomping all over, taking their big expensive census. Give me the damned money..."
Anything else, Blue?
"...Idiots."According to the Boston Herald today, Cape Pols lead the pack to that yearly pork (or in our case the fish) barrel.  It reported that

Beacon Hill lawmakers have churned up millions of dollars to study horseshoe crabs, monitor aquatic species and spruce up beaches in proposed budget earmarks as local layoffs loom and officials look to tolls, taxes and casinos to bail out the cash-strapped state. Led by a group of Cape Cod lawmakers, the state Legislature has tucked $35 million in earmarks into the environmental bill, despite budget crunches that threaten layoffs from Boston to Boxford.

Among the pork - or “fish” barrel - projects in the Environmental Bond Bill are:

• $2 million for “invasive aquatic species control” statewide;
• $750,000 for the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman’s Association of Chatham for “monitoring of pelagic small mesh fisheries”;
• $675,000 to study the horseshoe crab population in Wellfleet Harbor, Pleasant Bay and Barnstable Harbor;
• $150,000 for the renovation of the Crosby Mansion and Cape House in Brewster...  Herald.  
  

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A Man for his Times and Ours

Earl L Butz, died this week. The former Secretary of Agriculture appointed by Richard Nixon in 1971 and served  in both the Nixon and the Ford administrations, was forced to resign after making racially insensitive remarks.

He resigned in 1976 after telling an obscene joke that was so derogatory to blacks, few newspapers would publish the remark, and others stated only that Butz had said something too obscene to print.

Butz also was forced to apologized to the Vatican after criticizing the Roman Catholic Church's stand on birth control by using a mock Italian accent while referring to the Pope.  At the 1974 World Foood Conference in Rome, Butz made fun of Pope Paul VI's opposition to population control by quipping, in a mock Italian accent: "If he no playa the game, then he no maka the rules."

When world food prices soared in the 1970s, Butz gained the acrimony of environmentalists by urging farmers to plant from fence row to fence row. Vegetation along fence rows were plowed and planted and wetlands were drained.

Earl Butz, working with a supportive president and profit-hungry corporate interests, altered the life and health of an entire nation forever. It was Butz, himself raised on a family farm, who flipped the federal system of farm supports on its ear with the specific intention of flooding the country with cheap food.  He is widely credited with creating  America's identity with King Corn and morbid obesity.

Under Butz, corn crops multiplied, leading to the increased production of high-fructose corn syrup, a liquid sugar produced from corn starch that is six times sweeter than cane sugar, which had new attributes that matched the needs of food manufacturers very well indeed.

The legacy of Earl Butz was that Coca-Cola and Pepsi switched from a 50/50 mix of corn sugar and cane sugar to 100 per cent high-fructose corn syrup, enabling them to save 20 per cent costs, boost portion sizes and still make profits. At the supermarket, too, calorie-dense convenience foods became even more affordable. In short, Butz had delivered everything the modern American consumer wanted. Cheap, abundant and tasty calories. It was time to eat.

But his lasting legacy will be his contribution to the American political discourse. 

The black joke incident was epochal because while prior to this, politicians assumed such offensive remarks could be uttered safely in private, after Butz's resignation, politicians could no longer assume their fellow whites would protect them for telling a joke insulting to blacks, and they could no longer assume their fellow blacks would protect them for telling a joke insulting to Jews.

Today in this era of politically correct speech, we have you to thank, Earl. This Butz is for you!

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Why you should vote for Renee Sherwood

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