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A day at the Supreme Court that shakes America to its core. What to say that hasn't been said but needs to be said again, and again, and again: This is not a court of humble jurists who are bound in any way by fidelity to precedent, the law, or common sense. There is nothing "conservative" about these damaging decisions, or the men and woman who have imposed their extreme views upon the American populace. Right-wing politicians decry "elitism," but what is more elitist than unelected and unaccountable activists using the language of legal argumentation as a fig leaf for their naked exercise of power? There is no way that these decisions would pass a vote of the American public. Indeed, a majority of the justices were installed by presidents who lost the popular vote. And the polling on the issues these rulings tear asunder suggests that what these justices are doing is unpopular — in many cases, very unpopular. But they sneer from their echo chamber of extremism. They are emboldened by a system that has been fixed, with the complicity of Mitch McConnell and others, to advantage minority viewpoints by leveraging a branch of government not designed to be a political actors' stage in order to circumvent the legislative and executive branches. Where to begin, and where will it end? The Supreme Court has further cemented its role as a reactionary force in American life. Today it was abortion, on top of recent decisions on gun regulations, public funding for religious schools, and Miranda rights. Soon they will likely gut environmental regulations, and we can guess at what comes next — gay marriage? Contraception? We can't let this moment pass without recognizing what a horrific decision today's is, and how it will relegate women to second-class status in decision-making over their own bodies. This will lead to a host of suffering and likely death. It will imprison women where control will be imposed by the state. It is the opposite of freedom. It is a right that existed — and still should. The Supreme Court depends on its legitimacy, and today that is as tattered as the constitutional rights on which it has trampled. The Roberts court will be marked as a cabal of intemperance that made America far less safe and far less free. It will be noted for its zealotry and its cynical embrace of the ends justifying the means. But as with all chapters of history, how our present is ultimately viewed depends on what comes next. Will these rulings lead to outrage-fueled activism that upends the political system, or apathy and defeatism? Will the majority mobilize? Will there be reforms? Will there be a recalibration of the current balance of power? One of the few things I have learned with any certainty over the course of my life is not to attempt to predict the future. I have seen unimaginable change come about. I have seen long odds overcome. I leave you today with the words of Sherrilyn Ifill, civil rights lawyer and president and director-counsel emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She has experienced the fight from the trenches of justice, and her perspective mirrors my own. I could not have expressed it better.  Sherrilyn Ifill @Sifill_LDFJune 24th 2022 5,132 Retweets20,393 Likes
You're on the free list for Steady. For those who are able, please consider becoming a paying subscriber to support our efforts. © 2022 Dan Rather |
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Dan Rather: Echo Chamber of Extremism
More Perfect Union: 053 - Responsible Gun Ownership and Legislation - Part 1 (audio)
In this episode, the group sit down with firearms trainers and educators Michael Cox, and Robert and Stavroula MacQuarrie, to discuss responsible firearm ownership, the future of firearm legislation in Congress, the importance of education and proper firearm safety.
Michael Cox is a firearm safety and training coordinator at Safe Insight. You can learn more about Michael and the work Safe Insight does at their website: https://www.safeinsight.net/home
Stavroula hosts an informational YouTube channel discussing concealed carry, firearm instruction and personal safety called "She Equips Herself".
You can learn more here: www.youtube.com/c/SheEquipsHerself
Episode audio -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f8351b7c-9b20-42c6-8ea7-03d25dd05bde
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| Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio) |
Friday, June 24, 2022
Franklin's Event Outlook: June 24, 2022 to July 1, 2022
2:00pm - Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)
2:00pm - Acoustic Feel - live music (Farmers Market)
5:00pm - Franklin Youth Football Fundraiser (LaCantina Winery)
6:00pm - Steve Angellis - live music (67 Degrees Brewing)
7:30pm - Electric Youth 2022 Bon Voyage Concert (THE BLACK BOX, ticketed event)
9:00am - Franklin Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:00pm - Franklin Library Bag Sale (Franklin Public Library)
1:00pm - Community Potluck Lunch (Franklin Public Library)
4:00pm - Patrick Durkin - live music (LaCantina Winery)
6:00pm - The Forgetful Ones - live music (67 Degrees Brewing)
7:30pm - Electric Youth 2022 Bon Voyage Concert (THE BLACK BOX, ticketed event)
12:00pm - Celebrate With PRIDE (Franklin Town Common)
1:00pm - Temple Etz Chaim fund raiser (LaCantina Winery)
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
5:00pm - Michael Rivelis - live music (LaCantina Winery)
Tuesday, June 28
Find the full calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html
If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
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| Community Calendar |
Town Council proclaims support for Pride; hears Electric Youth perform; approved initial CPA funding for projects (audio)
FM #820 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 820 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in hybrid format on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
Chair: T Mercer, M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones, P Sheridan, D Pellegri, R Dellorco, T Cormier-Leger, B Chandler
Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne, M Cerel, et al
The recording runs about ninety minutes (excluding the brief breaks for photos), so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 22, 2022.
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Meeting agenda =>
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_june_22_2022.pdf
My notes taken via Twitter are captured in this PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hfMfgMowj-Vh04MroSUgrEwK1qzVTLWm/view?usp=sharing
My photos taken during the meeting are in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/h52SdtFSfb6gxofZA
YouTube video of meeting -> https://youtu.be/J0rn18f6aiM
Keep up with events in Franklin via the Community Calendar
https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Electric Youth posed with Town Council after performance |
Franklin, MA: Special School Committee Meeting - Jun 27 - 6 PM
Special School Committee Meeting
Municipal Building - Council Chambers (Virtual Link in Agenda)
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.
I recommend ratification of the FEA/RN Contract 7/1/22-8/31/25 as detailed.
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| Franklin, MA: Special School Committee Meeting - Jun 27 - 6 PM |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, June 24, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY
9:00 am Frank Presents: Kathy McAdams
10:00 am Physician Focus: Too Much Medicine?
11:00 am Senior Connection: Ben Franklin
11:30 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Narcan Availability
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Taquitos
12:30 pm Sandhya: Cupcakes
1:00 pm Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 show 4
3:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman
4:00 pm Senior Connection: Ben Franklin
4:30 pm FHS: Senior Awards Night 2022
7:00 pm Metrowest Arts & Culture Symposium
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
7:00 am All-Town Showcase: Band
8:30 am It Takes A Village: Gretchen Scotland
9:30 am FHS Oskey 2022
11:30 am FHS Varsity Softball v Newton North 06-04-22
1:30 pm Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22
3:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
3:30 pm FHS: Senior Awards Night 2022
7:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Lincoln-Sudbury 06-14-22
9:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Taunton 06-18-22
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY
8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 06-16-22
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 06-16-22
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Attention: Job Opportunities - permanent, part-time & summer time with Town of Franklin
Job Opportunities
To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.
Part-Time Archivist - Franklin Historical Museum
Part-Time Line Cook and Cafe Assistant - Senior Center
Staff Engineer - Department of Public Works
Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works
Part-time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department
If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities
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| Attention: Job Opportunities - permanent, part-time & summer time with Town of Franklin |
Get your tickets for the Electric Youth 2022 Bon Voyage Concert 6/24 - 6/25
Electric Youth 2022 returns at THE BLACK BOX for their Bon Voyage Concert with 2 shows -- Friday, June 24th at 7:30 pm sponsored by 1776 Financial and Saturday June 25th at 7:30 pm with special guests Future Shock!. Offering high-powered family entertainment with music for all ages! Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, EY delivers high-energy music, including contemporary pop, classic rock and country hits.Electric Youth 2022 includes Hayley Driscoll, Tatiana McAlpine, Sami Goldman, Abby Settle, Audrey Miningham, Devin DeAngelis, Finley Doherty, John Fitzhenry, Madigan Wirkus, Abby Trombert, Anya Fox, Ashley Pepin, Erin Belger, and Tzintli Cerda.The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison.Don’t miss this exciting evening of timeless hits and non-stop entertainment!
Electric Youth performed "Good Riddance" at the Town Council meeting Wednesday, June 22. You can get a copy of this on Spotify on Friday, June 24. You can view the performance via YouTube here -> https://youtu.be/J0rn18f6aiM skip to about 14 minutes to hear the proclamation reading, then their individual introductions, followed by the first song or go directly to about 17 minutes for Good Riddance.
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| https://www.instagram.com/electricyouth_usa/ |
MA News Recap: Some State lawmakers object to MCAS proposal; SJC approves language for "fair share"; Votes Act signed
"Nearly 100 Massachusetts lawmakers sent a letter to state education leaders on Tuesday opposing raising state standardized test scores needed for students to graduate high school.The letter highlights concerns from legislators about consequences they believe a state proposal made in April to raise the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, or MCAS, graduation requirements could have, particularly among students who have been “disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education members said in April they want to ensure students who receive a diploma meet the state’s expectations on a new version of the MCAS test. They also want to push schools to better support those students who struggle to pass the MCAS who disproportionately are from low-income households, students of color, students with disabilities, and English language learners."
"The state’s highest court on Wednesday rejected a challenge from business leaders to rewrite the summary of a ballot measure that would raise taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents, handing a victory to labor unions, Democratic lawmakers, and others who’ve spent years pushing the measure to a November vote.In an unanimous decision, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Attorney General Maura Healey’s office “fairly” described the thrust of the so-called millionaires tax proposal in both a summary it’s required to prepare for voters and one-sentence statements outlining what a “yes” or “no” vote would do.The proposal, dubbed the Fair Share Amendment by its proponents, would amend the state Constitution to create a 9 percent income tax rate on annual earnings above $1 million, while retaining the broad 5 percent rate for earnings below that amount."
"DESPITE CONCERNS by members of his own party, Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed a law Wednesday making voting by mail permanent.Massachusetts allowed early voting by mail for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Democrats and voting rights activists have been pushing to make the reforms permanent in order to increase voter turnout.The new law will permanently allow voting by mail for any state or presidential primary or general election. It shortens the voter registration window to 10 days, although it does not allow for same-day voter registration, as some advocates had hoped. "
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| MA News Recap |