During the 2000 presidential race, one prevalent and aggravating accolade bestowed upon George W. Bush was that of Candidate Who Voters Would Most Like To Drink Beer With. Whether survey-based or anecdotal, the trope was absurd; even if Al Gore is the most arrogant stiff on Earth, he’s beyond intelligent, and obviously a better...
Opinion
Editorial: Rozzie helps make JP great
One of the great things about Jamaica Plain is Roslindale. The positive dynamic between us is part of each community’s identity. Rozzie’s relatively lower real estate rates have made it a haven for ex-JP business owners, activists and artists who otherwise would be totally gone, to JP’s detriment. Backed by the outstanding support of...
Editorial: Trash the trash can policy
The City’s silly sidewalk trash can policy, recently revealed by the Gazette, is a classic case of the perfect as enemy of the good, not to mention Boston’s trend of back-room corporate deals driving allocation of public resources. Right now, most sidewalk trash cans in JP and other areas are tiny, lidless things that...
Letter: In Casey debate, remember that cars are people, too
Anyone who cares to see a preview of the traffic situation without the Casey Overpass need only try to use Memorial Drive or cross into Cambridge from the B.U. Bridge in a hugely extended rush hour since the overpass there has been closed for repairs. The backup and gridlock extends in an enormous stain, even...
Letter: Thanks for supporting Task Force church bid
I would like to thank all of the supporters who showed up last Friday, May 3, to help us bring the Blessed Sacrament Church “to life.” It was truly a wonderful artistic event to celebrate the history and meaning of the church in our community and to envision what it can become in the...
Letter: Boston’s post-bombing bravery is, thankfully, unexceptional
With the initial days of the marathon bombing and manhunt behind us, I am, like many, proud of what I witnessed. The speed of the response and the grace under its pressure. The retreat many made from their initial impulse to play the immigrant/race card. The respect people showed officials when they asked for...
Letter: Everyone can help fix trash problem
I read with great interest the recent Gazette article “Trash cans lacking in Centre/South” (April 26). As a resident of JP for more than a decade, I have stayed here as much for the neighborhood’s open parklands and natural beauty as for its other amazing attributes of diversity, creativity and communal spirit. Unfortunately, over...
Politics as Unusual: At mayoral keg party, who would you drink with?
During the 2000 presidential race, one prevalent and aggravating accolade bestowed upon George W. Bush was that of Candidate Who Voters Would Most Like To Drink Beer With. Whether survey-based or anecdotal, the trope was absurd; even if Al Gore is the most arrogant stiff on Earth, he’s beyond intelligent, and obviously a better...
Politics as Unusual: Join in Boston’s fight of the century
As a New York-bred carpetbagger on these Boston streets, I still don’t understand certain dynamics of local culture and politics. I’m stunned that despite all the brainpower in town, few people care much about elections. Historically, I’m clueless as to why more folks don’t acknowledge Louise Day Hicks and Dapper O’Neil as the ghoulish...
Politics as Unusual: Boston liberals could use Norquist’s playbook
Two days before the biggest mayoral race in Boston’s history was appropriately sidelined so the Hub could manage tragedy, our city got a visit from conservative stalwart and Harvard alum Grover Norquist. The small-government crusader was in town entertaining Tea Partiers on Boston Common, where a gaggle of conservatives—who presumably utilize no public resources,...