Right now there are about 8,700 children and families in Massachusetts—1,400 in Boston—who are suffering because of an outdated provision in state law based on myth rather than actuality. That law—enacted during rampant negative stereotyping of families on government assistance…
Author: Sandra Storey
JP Observer: Could someone please block cars from blocking our intersections?
How many minutes does it take you to drive off your street onto a bigger street in the morning and later, head home for the night? Do you get stuck there at that intersection and others along the way, blocked…
JP Observer: We need to learn specifics about Russian propaganda
Everyone on Facebook can check to see if they unknowingly interacted with a post from a Russian agency trying to influence the presidential race and American politics in general during the 2016 campaign. Facebook (FB) estimated before Congress in the…
JP Observer: Ice activities here show vivid, recent climate change
Crowds of people ice skated securely on Jamaica Pond daily in winters from the mid-1800s to less than 100 years ago. Thick blocks of ice were commercially harvested from it to sell locally and for export including by ship. The…
JP Observer: Speech is money: It’s OK to voice opinions to other legislators in D.C.
A record-breaking number of people contacted Washington with their opinions during the first two months this year, according to an article in the March 6 New Yorker. “Members of Congress claim that, Senate-wide, the call volume for the week of…
JP Observer: Community people participate in Alzheimer’s studies
Not so long ago, it seems, getting Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was thought to be only a matter of fate. A person either came down with the chronic, debilitating disease—usually later in life—or didn’t. Much about it was a mystery. Now…
JP Observer: More details, examples of Russian meddling needed
We can be sure the Russians tampered with the presidential election in 2016. Our intelligence agencies and almost everyone in Congress, no matter their party, agree that Russia intervened and say they have evidence to back them up. On Jan.…
JP Observer: Fear itself: President’s behavior keeps us constantly scared
Every few days since Donald Trump was elected president, it seems there’s something new from him—or something resuscitated—to frighten us. We have to be hyper-alert, constantly assessing and triaging the danger he’s causing: How likely is this to go wrong?…
JP Observer: Boston needs to opt for cleaner electricity
When it comes to climate change, no reasonable opportunity to lessen the effects of fossil fuels on the environment should be turned down. Right now, the administration of Mayor Marty Walsh is being very cautious about a movement to adopt…
JP Observer: Holiday decorations come from collaboration
‘Tis the season to talk about holiday decorations in the Jamaica Plain business districts. What?! Temperatures are in the 80s and 90s these days! Strange as it seems—just as retail stores look ahead when ordering stock—the local business associations have…