MAR 27, 2008: Letter to Cambridge MA City Council
Cambridge City Council March 27, 2008
City Hall
795 Mass Avenue
Cambridge MA 02139 Interpreting City Council Rules
Honorable Councilors:
It was delightful to see Vice Mayor and City Councilor Brian Murphy holding the gavel at the March 24, 2008 meeting. Murphy belongs to the new breed of Harvard lawyer in the tradition of Eliot Spitzer, Barack Obama and Deval Patrick.
He is one of many typical Harvard lawyers to exercise public power. Like Obama, Patrick and Spitzer Murphy is an underprivileged member of society. Patrick has two McMansions and rides in a Cadillac at taxpayer expense to help reduce global warming.
Obama is the candidate of change who raised about $175 million to promote his image among the hoped-for voters. He spends the money on jet travel around the country helping to reduce global warming. He hires high priced PR firms with corporate connections e.g., to ATT a broadcaster of pornography. He buys advertising on TV and the internet to raise more money. Obama is reported to be a poor black man. But he earns more than $1 million per year in sales from his books alone. His income with his wife’s is about $1 million more.
There’s nothing wrong with being rich. Pretending to be poor raises the questions. Obama is a close associate of Deval Patrick who masquerades as a civil rights attorney while promoting corporate gambling interests. Patrick used his hoped-for approval of casinos to balance the budget, which he unbalanced upon taking office. Casinos prey on poor uneducated persons.
Eliot Spitzer denied abusing his office for many months. He was under scrutiny by three state agencies for abusing the police powers of the state. When his money transfers and visits with ladies of the night were revealed he resigned in disgrace.
Unlike his fellow city councilors Brian Murphy has the good sense to recuse himself when voting on appropriations for the Cambridge Health Alliance for which his wife works.
But like his fellow councilors he exercises the city council rules in an arbitrary and capricious manner focused on restricting citizen participation. That is a direct violation of the goals of the city council. Goal number 4 (page 3 of goals) states: “Improve and simplify public access to city services and provide more and better opportunities for the public to participate in governing.”
Policy guidelines for this goal states:
∑ Continue to improve and coordinate public information functions.
∑ Increased utilization of new technology both for easier access to services and information, and for encouragement and support of public input.
On March 24, 2008 Murphy chaired the Council meeting while the Mayor was attending a funeral. When I was called for public comment he cited Council Rule number 37, Section 4, which states: “Poster or placards must remain outside the Sullivan Chamber.”
He objected to my sign, which I wore for many months at many council meetings. It says,
OVERTHROW HEALY ROSSI
I never saw that rule enforced over the past ten years I’ve been attending council meetings. Many people including lawyers and citizens bring signs to show the council what they are talking about. The council doesn’t enforce its own rules among the members. I’ve complained about their lack of knowledge of the rules for four years. Twice an order was introduced to teach the council Robert’s Rules and the council’s rules. But they refuse to learn them.
The council does not enforce the following Council rules, by which the meetings are supposed to be run.
Rule 14 regarding conflicts of interest.
Rule 16 regarding reconsideration.
Rule 17 regarding special events.
Rule 23C(1)(a) regarding Public comment.
Rule 37 Section 1 regarding delay and interrupting.
Rule 37 Section 2 regarding private conversations.
Rule 37 Section 3 regarding eating and drinking.
Rule 37 Section 6 regarding remarks.
Like the other typical Harvard lawyers Councilor Murphy selectively enforced the rules on March 24, 2008 for his own benefit and to the detriment of the Council Goals and to the detriment of the few courageous citizens who come to the council meetings to participate in government.
He joins the tradition of previous Harvard affiliates who chaired the council meetings being strict and abusive with the citizens often provoking them, but ignoring the rules regarding the way that the elected officials act arrogantly disregarding the rules. That is the tradition of typical Harvard lawyers.
Murphy is an obedient servant of the homosexual lobby. Was that two of the priests of the lobby at the March 24, 2008 meeting?
The councilors are humorous to watch because they all know how to suspend the rules, which makes it unnecessary to learn any other rules. If a councilor does not know what to do and they often don’t know, the councilors just ask to suspend the rules. Simple.
On the agenda for March 24, 2008 the Mayor who usually runs the meetings for this term, sponsored an order regarding the council rules.
Order #7. That the Government Operations Committee review City Council policy on Public Comment with a view towards making any necessary amendments and report back to the City Council on this matter.
Mayor Simmons
Robert Winters, the Minister of Propaganda for the Cambridge Chapter of the Conformist Party wrote on his blog:
“I'm not sure what the mayor has in mind with this order, but we would all benefit from changes that limit the role of the narcissists that now dominate public comment at City Council meetings. There's an old phrase we used to hear a lot around Cambridge: "The bad drive out the good." When nut cases (do I really have to name them) turn the opening of every City Council meeting into a circus side show, this benefits no one and does nothing to promote democracy. Of course you don't really have to refer this to a committee for a solution. All it takes is a mayor with a firm hand and a heavy gavel. Enough already!”
Robert is a nice person. His comments on this proposed order are not bad for a chubby cheeked victim of bullies. Would that explain why Robert picks on persons with disabilities to ridicule and to humiliate? He believes that persons with disabilities should not participate in government and should not run for office. He accused some people of being narcissists. But he comments on everything on his blog and his blog is named for himself. He projects onto others his own failings.
He resorts to personal attacks on behalf of the Conformist Party to which all nine councilors belong. He attributes disabilities to those he dislikes. And uses allegations of disability to justify restrictions on their participation in civic affairs, contrary to City Council goals, and the discrimination laws. He shares the unlawful policies of the Conformist Party regarding persons with disabilities. What a guy.
He must have been abused severely by those high school bullies. This is the kind of person that Harvard and Brandeis hire as a part time instructor. He is one person from who Harvard students learn to abuse persons with disabilities.
What is most charming about the delightful Harvard instructor, who masquerades as a professor, is that he works for a police agency, the FBI or one of the many local operations in Cambridge. He abuses that police power uttering hate speech toward persons with disabilities. The Cambridge police enforce bias laws contrary to law – misfeasance. But they permit this poseur to abuse those same powers.
Winters used to come to the council meetings and bloviate on matters in his serious tone. Was it his bad comments that drove away the many persons who used to attend council meetings?
Robert is a city councilor wannabe having run and lost for that august office. He’s also an election commission wannabe. But the Manager refused to appoint him. Be nice to Robert. He is love-deprived, insecure and needs to pick on persons with disabilities to make him feel better about himself.
Call him and tell him how great he is and that you share his concern about vulnerable persons exercising their Constitutional rights. They are not worthy like academic super star Robert.
March 30, 2008
March 26, 2008
NYPost Editorial - We told you so
NYPost Editorial - We told you so
[See my several letters on this blog, two published in July, August 2007]
ELIOT'S OTHER WHORES
New York Post
March 25, 2008 -- We told you so!
[See my several letters on this blog, two published in July, August 2007]
ELIOT'S OTHER WHORES
New York Post
March 25, 2008 -- We told you so!
March 25, 2008
Feminists and the Law
FBI agents in Boston remain on the job (or retired without
penalty) after published allegations regarding their involvement in
the 20-years of informant abuses that allegedly permitted 19 homicides
by James Bulger. But after an agent "wrapped his arm around [a federal
prosecutor's] neck and gave her a Three Stooges-style noogie," the
omniscient Department of Justice recommends firing three agents.
(Shelley Murphy, "FBI says 3 in Boston office face dismissal," Boston
Globe, March 21, 2008)
Have feminists taken charge of the FBI and the US Attorney's
Office in Boston? How are horse play and/or sexual harassment a higher
priority than homicides of civilians by informants with the knowledge
of the supervising agents? These are the priorities of the Cambridge
police who enforce discrimination against illegal aliens and women
which are civil offenses. When minor crimes have a higher priority
than capital crimes it suggests that criminals may have taken charge
of the law enforcement mechanism using it for political, personal and
economic purposes.
When will a reputable investigator scrutinize law enforcement in
Massachusetts?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
FBI says 3 in Boston office face dismissal
Behavior with federal prosecutor is probed
By Shelley Murphy
Boston Globe Staff
March 21, 2008
Three FBI agents were finishing a meeting with a female federal
prosecutor in the federal courthouse in Boston in 2006 when one of
them came up behind her, wrapped his arm around her neck and gave her
a Three Stooges-style noogie, according to several law enforcement
officials.
more stories like this
Now, after a yearlong investigation by the Justice Department into
whether the incident was foolish horseplay, bullying, or harassment,
the FBI has concluded that all three of the male agents should be
fired, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Investigators from the inspector general's office found that FBI
Supervisory Agent Robert Callen, who was overseeing the Boston
office's organized crime squad at the time of the incident, acted
inappropriately when he put his hands on the prosecutor.
They also determined that Callen and the other agents, whose
identities were not disclosed, were not truthful when questioned about
what happened, according to officials.
Callen, who has been an agent for more than 20 years and is eligible
to retire in June, and the two other agents may appeal the decision
within the FBI, officials said. They have 60 days to file an appeal
after being notified of their proposed termination, officials said.
"No one has been fired," said Gail Marcinkiewicz, a spokeswoman for
the FBI's Boston office, when asked about the incident yesterday.
"Because this is an administrative matter, we will not be able to
discuss it any further."
Acting US Attorney Michael K. Loucks also declined to comment on the
matter, citing privacy concerns. He asked the Globe to withhold the
name of the prosecutor.
The case has inflamed tensions between the FBI's Boston office and the
US attorney's office, law enforcement officials said.
When the incident occurred, the prosecutor was assigned to the
Organized Crime Strike Force, the unit that spearheaded the
prosecution of fugitive gangster James "Whitey" Bulger and exposed the
depth of his corrupt relationship with the FBI.
The Bulger case has left a cloud over the FBI's Boston office and its
organized crime squad in particular. Bulger, facing charges that he
killed 19 people, remains elusive. His long-time handler, retired FBI
agent John J. Connolly, Jr., is serving a 10-year sentence for his
2002 racketeering conviction.
Connolly is also slated to stand trial in Miami in September on
charges of helping Bulger kill a Boston businessman in 1982.
Supporters of the agents threatened with termination say the
punishment is unjustly harsh and was driven by other prosecutors, who
pushed to have the incident investigated by the Justice Department.
"It was very innocent, and it got blown out of proportion," said one
official, who asked not to be named.
But other officials say the agents were punished, not because of the
incident itself, but because of their lack of candor about it.
The prosecutor who was grabbed now handles drug cases. She declined to
talk about the incident when reached by telephone yesterday.
"I can't comment on this," she said. "I love my job."
(c) Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
FBI agents in Boston remain on the job (or retired without
penalty) after published allegations regarding their involvement in
the 20-years of informant abuses that allegedly permitted 19 homicides
by James Bulger. But after an agent "wrapped his arm around [a federal
prosecutor's] neck and gave her a Three Stooges-style noogie," the
omniscient Department of Justice recommends firing three agents.
(Shelley Murphy, "FBI says 3 in Boston office face dismissal," Boston
Globe, March 21, 2008)
Have feminists taken charge of the FBI and the US Attorney's
Office in Boston? How are horse play and/or sexual harassment a higher
priority than homicides of civilians by informants with the knowledge
of the supervising agents? These are the priorities of the Cambridge
police who enforce discrimination against illegal aliens and women
which are civil offenses. When minor crimes have a higher priority
than capital crimes it suggests that criminals may have taken charge
of the law enforcement mechanism using it for political, personal and
economic purposes.
When will a reputable investigator scrutinize law enforcement in
Massachusetts?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
FBI says 3 in Boston office face dismissal
Behavior with federal prosecutor is probed
By Shelley Murphy
Boston Globe Staff
March 21, 2008
Three FBI agents were finishing a meeting with a female federal
prosecutor in the federal courthouse in Boston in 2006 when one of
them came up behind her, wrapped his arm around her neck and gave her
a Three Stooges-style noogie, according to several law enforcement
officials.
more stories like this
Now, after a yearlong investigation by the Justice Department into
whether the incident was foolish horseplay, bullying, or harassment,
the FBI has concluded that all three of the male agents should be
fired, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Investigators from the inspector general's office found that FBI
Supervisory Agent Robert Callen, who was overseeing the Boston
office's organized crime squad at the time of the incident, acted
inappropriately when he put his hands on the prosecutor.
They also determined that Callen and the other agents, whose
identities were not disclosed, were not truthful when questioned about
what happened, according to officials.
Callen, who has been an agent for more than 20 years and is eligible
to retire in June, and the two other agents may appeal the decision
within the FBI, officials said. They have 60 days to file an appeal
after being notified of their proposed termination, officials said.
"No one has been fired," said Gail Marcinkiewicz, a spokeswoman for
the FBI's Boston office, when asked about the incident yesterday.
"Because this is an administrative matter, we will not be able to
discuss it any further."
Acting US Attorney Michael K. Loucks also declined to comment on the
matter, citing privacy concerns. He asked the Globe to withhold the
name of the prosecutor.
The case has inflamed tensions between the FBI's Boston office and the
US attorney's office, law enforcement officials said.
When the incident occurred, the prosecutor was assigned to the
Organized Crime Strike Force, the unit that spearheaded the
prosecution of fugitive gangster James "Whitey" Bulger and exposed the
depth of his corrupt relationship with the FBI.
The Bulger case has left a cloud over the FBI's Boston office and its
organized crime squad in particular. Bulger, facing charges that he
killed 19 people, remains elusive. His long-time handler, retired FBI
agent John J. Connolly, Jr., is serving a 10-year sentence for his
2002 racketeering conviction.
Connolly is also slated to stand trial in Miami in September on
charges of helping Bulger kill a Boston businessman in 1982.
Supporters of the agents threatened with termination say the
punishment is unjustly harsh and was driven by other prosecutors, who
pushed to have the incident investigated by the Justice Department.
"It was very innocent, and it got blown out of proportion," said one
official, who asked not to be named.
But other officials say the agents were punished, not because of the
incident itself, but because of their lack of candor about it.
The prosecutor who was grabbed now handles drug cases. She declined to
talk about the incident when reached by telephone yesterday.
"I can't comment on this," she said. "I love my job."
(c) Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
NBA Domestic Abuse
Kim Donaghy said her husband Tim, a disgraced NBA referee, "had been
prescribed medication for 'mental-health problems,' but apparently had
not been taking it regularly." (STEFANIE COHEN and TODD VENEZIA, "
'HE IS GOING TO SNAP,'" New York Post, March 21, 2008) In addition to
being a cause of crime, can we now add domestic abuses when
psychiatric drugs are stopped? Why begin taking a chemical if stopping
causes violence? Why take chemicals to treat illnesses that only
psychiatrists can see? How much longer will courts play a role in
causing crime? How much longer will the taxpayer subsidize causing
violence?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
'HE IS GOING TO SNAP'
By STEFANIE COHEN and TODD VENEZIA
New York Post
March 21, 2008 -- Talk about a flagrant foul!
The wife of crooked NBA ref Tim Donaghy is seeking a restraining order
after he allegedly flew into a rage at their Florida home and
threatened to beat her before the horrified eyes of their children.
"He told me that he was going to knock my f---ing head off my body,"
said Kim Donaghy in court papers requesting the restraining order.
"He was enraged, out of control, cursing at me in front of our four
children and making threats.
"We were all crying and scared so I called the police. The officer
witnessed Tim scream and threaten a friend of mine that came to help
me with the children."
Kim, who is filing for divorce, also claimed the blowup last Friday
was only the tip of the iceberg.
"He hits the children when he becomes frustrated," she said in the
court papers. "He verbally and mentally abuses them."
Lawyers for Tim and Kim did not return requests for comment.
Her dramatic account of the incident was meant to convince a judge to
bar the disgraced ref from coming within 500 feet of her or their
children.
"I am scared for myself and my children. He is going to snap," Kim
said in the papers.
Tim is facing up to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty last year
to supplying information to crooked gamblers on NBA games he worked.
He is free on bail in that case.
He is known for his arrogance and volatile temper, which he has taken
out on neighbors and even NBA players who crossed him, according to
reports.
In the wake of his downfall, his wife filed for divorce. Nevertheless,
they continued to live together for a time in their home in a posh
section of Bradenton, Fla.
Kim claimed her husband took advantage of their continued proximity to
search through her private papers and communications.
She said her hubby took documents from her files and copied e-mails
from her lawyer.
When she confronted him about it last week, he grew enraged, she claimed.
In addition to the couple's four daughters - ages 6 to 12 - one of the
kids' friends reportedly witnessed the tirade.
"She came home and said that he [Tim] got mad. She couldn't say much
more because she is so young," said the mother of the 6-year-old
friend, who asked that their names not be published.
Kim said she took her kids and moved out of the family home that
night. In her restraining-order request, she asked that her hubby be
barred from the home.
She also asked for temporary alimony and child support totaling $4,000 a month.
Kim said Tim had been prescribed medication for "mental-health
problems," but apparently had not been taking it regularly.
The restraining-order request is scheduled to be heard in court on Monday.
stefanie.cohen (at) nypost.com
Kim Donaghy said her husband Tim, a disgraced NBA referee, "had been
prescribed medication for 'mental-health problems,' but apparently had
not been taking it regularly." (STEFANIE COHEN and TODD VENEZIA, "
'HE IS GOING TO SNAP,'" New York Post, March 21, 2008) In addition to
being a cause of crime, can we now add domestic abuses when
psychiatric drugs are stopped? Why begin taking a chemical if stopping
causes violence? Why take chemicals to treat illnesses that only
psychiatrists can see? How much longer will courts play a role in
causing crime? How much longer will the taxpayer subsidize causing
violence?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
'HE IS GOING TO SNAP'
By STEFANIE COHEN and TODD VENEZIA
New York Post
March 21, 2008 -- Talk about a flagrant foul!
The wife of crooked NBA ref Tim Donaghy is seeking a restraining order
after he allegedly flew into a rage at their Florida home and
threatened to beat her before the horrified eyes of their children.
"He told me that he was going to knock my f---ing head off my body,"
said Kim Donaghy in court papers requesting the restraining order.
"He was enraged, out of control, cursing at me in front of our four
children and making threats.
"We were all crying and scared so I called the police. The officer
witnessed Tim scream and threaten a friend of mine that came to help
me with the children."
Kim, who is filing for divorce, also claimed the blowup last Friday
was only the tip of the iceberg.
"He hits the children when he becomes frustrated," she said in the
court papers. "He verbally and mentally abuses them."
Lawyers for Tim and Kim did not return requests for comment.
Her dramatic account of the incident was meant to convince a judge to
bar the disgraced ref from coming within 500 feet of her or their
children.
"I am scared for myself and my children. He is going to snap," Kim
said in the papers.
Tim is facing up to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty last year
to supplying information to crooked gamblers on NBA games he worked.
He is free on bail in that case.
He is known for his arrogance and volatile temper, which he has taken
out on neighbors and even NBA players who crossed him, according to
reports.
In the wake of his downfall, his wife filed for divorce. Nevertheless,
they continued to live together for a time in their home in a posh
section of Bradenton, Fla.
Kim claimed her husband took advantage of their continued proximity to
search through her private papers and communications.
She said her hubby took documents from her files and copied e-mails
from her lawyer.
When she confronted him about it last week, he grew enraged, she claimed.
In addition to the couple's four daughters - ages 6 to 12 - one of the
kids' friends reportedly witnessed the tirade.
"She came home and said that he [Tim] got mad. She couldn't say much
more because she is so young," said the mother of the 6-year-old
friend, who asked that their names not be published.
Kim said she took her kids and moved out of the family home that
night. In her restraining-order request, she asked that her hubby be
barred from the home.
She also asked for temporary alimony and child support totaling $4,000 a month.
Kim said Tim had been prescribed medication for "mental-health
problems," but apparently had not been taking it regularly.
The restraining-order request is scheduled to be heard in court on Monday.
stefanie.cohen (at) nypost.com
Cambridge MA Wins Human Rights Award
Cambridge MA Wins Human Rights Award
NORTH AMERICAN COALITION
OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEES
CAMBRIDGE MA
Roy Bercaw, Chairman
Awards Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
rb662 (at) columbia.edu Roy Bercaw
Cambridge Gets Another Award
Cambridge keeps winning awards. On Monday March 17, 2008 Roy Bercaw,
Chairman of the Awards Committee of The North American Coalition of
Human Rights Committees, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to
the City of Cambridge. Donna Lopez accepted the award for the city
during public comment of the City Council meeting. See the award ceremony at
this link.
http://tinyurl.com/2st6ex
The certificate recognized that the City prohibits white racism,
encourages black racism, and denies to persons with disabilities
access to city programs and government services.
For nine years Cambridge got a Triple A Bond Rating. The New York
State Attorney General investigates the three rating agencies for
fraud.
Cambridge Community Television got an award for being the best cable
access station in the USA for three years in a row. The management
took credit for the work of volunteers.
"This is to recognize the hard work of Cambridge City Councilors and
the City Manager to create an atmosphere in the city," Bercaw said.
"It is not easy to have a policy which prohibits white racism and
encourages black racism," he added.
"Some people are able to see the hypocrisy. But most don't. That's why
the city can do this. The three elements of this award give credit
where credit is due."
Denying persons with disabilities equal rights is accomplished by a
joint effort of complicit journalists and a some straw men appointed
by the City Manager to pretend to protect the rights of persons with
disabilities. Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink.
The City Manager did not answer the question, "Can Cambridge get too
many awards?"
--
Roy Bercaw - Editor
ENOUGH ROOM
NORTH AMERICAN COALITION
OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEES
CAMBRIDGE MA
Roy Bercaw, Chairman
Awards Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
rb662 (at) columbia.edu Roy Bercaw
Cambridge Gets Another Award
Cambridge keeps winning awards. On Monday March 17, 2008 Roy Bercaw,
Chairman of the Awards Committee of The North American Coalition of
Human Rights Committees, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to
the City of Cambridge. Donna Lopez accepted the award for the city
during public comment of the City Council meeting. See the award ceremony at
this link.
http://tinyurl.com/2st6ex
The certificate recognized that the City prohibits white racism,
encourages black racism, and denies to persons with disabilities
access to city programs and government services.
For nine years Cambridge got a Triple A Bond Rating. The New York
State Attorney General investigates the three rating agencies for
fraud.
Cambridge Community Television got an award for being the best cable
access station in the USA for three years in a row. The management
took credit for the work of volunteers.
"This is to recognize the hard work of Cambridge City Councilors and
the City Manager to create an atmosphere in the city," Bercaw said.
"It is not easy to have a policy which prohibits white racism and
encourages black racism," he added.
"Some people are able to see the hypocrisy. But most don't. That's why
the city can do this. The three elements of this award give credit
where credit is due."
Denying persons with disabilities equal rights is accomplished by a
joint effort of complicit journalists and a some straw men appointed
by the City Manager to pretend to protect the rights of persons with
disabilities. Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink.
The City Manager did not answer the question, "Can Cambridge get too
many awards?"
--
Roy Bercaw - Editor
ENOUGH ROOM
NY Daily News Courtney Love, Police, Media, Psychiatric Abuses
NY Daily News Courtney Love, Police, Media, Psychiatric Abuses
[George Rush and Joanna Rush Molloy write a gossip column for the NY Daily News.]
Hello George Rush and Joanna Rush Molloy.
I write about your March 11 2008 story (below) about Courtney Love.
I am hoping that you will reevaluate the way that you
report on psychiatric abuses.
I saw what happened to Britney Spears. Did you notice that about
8 employees of that hospital were fired for
releasing Britney's medical records? That is a violation of the HIPAA
US laws. Why do you and your wildly entertaining column not recognize
the government abuse of celebrities? Ordinary civilians who are abused
by psychiatrists get no media attention.
Taking a person's freedom without having committed a crime is an outrage.
Taking her freedom based upon the opinion of a doctor without any
ability to appeal nor any right to an arraignment within 24 hours is an
abuse of police powers.
Now regarding Courtney Love who you and the police say has a
disability is ignored when she complains about theft? What are you
thinking?
Perceiving Love as if she has a mental illness, gives to her
all of the protections of city, state and US laws on disability based
discrimination. It is as illegal as racism, sexism, homophobia and
ethnic discrimination.
If the police ignore her complaints because
they say she has a disability they are violating all of the laws that
prohibit such bias. That includes but is not limited to the Americans
with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and many other
statutes. It does not matter legally if she actually has a disability.
What matters is that the police think she has one and deny her access
to police services and protection because of their perception.
These laws extend the equal protection of laws, Amendment 14 to persons who
are regarded as having a disability as well as those who have a
disability or have a history of having a disability.
Psychiatrists make up illnesses by consensus. Psychiatry is a
business of personal
opinions masquerading as science. It is a means of social control
without due process protections. It is the easiest method of
discrediting a person for theft or to destroy a career or reputation.
I write about discrimination toward persons with
disabilities in the media. But what is an outrage is that government
officials openly violate discrimination laws against persons with
disabilities and no one questions the unlawful abuses. If your report is
accurate this is an example of the police denying protection
to a person they perceive as having a disability.
The free use of hateful words about persons who are accused of mental
illness is shameful. But few journalists give equal status to hate
against persons with disabilities as they do for persons of color.
That indicates another form of discrimination by journalists.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Courtney Love blogs back
New York Daily News
Tuesday, March 11th 2008, 4:00 AM
George Rush, Joanna Rush Molloy
Courtney Love McCarten/Reuters
[George Rush and Joanna Rush Molloy write a gossip column for the NY Daily News.]
Hello George Rush and Joanna Rush Molloy.
I write about your March 11 2008 story (below) about Courtney Love.
I am hoping that you will reevaluate the way that you
report on psychiatric abuses.
I saw what happened to Britney Spears. Did you notice that about
8 employees of that hospital were fired for
releasing Britney's medical records? That is a violation of the HIPAA
US laws. Why do you and your wildly entertaining column not recognize
the government abuse of celebrities? Ordinary civilians who are abused
by psychiatrists get no media attention.
Taking a person's freedom without having committed a crime is an outrage.
Taking her freedom based upon the opinion of a doctor without any
ability to appeal nor any right to an arraignment within 24 hours is an
abuse of police powers.
Now regarding Courtney Love who you and the police say has a
disability is ignored when she complains about theft? What are you
thinking?
Perceiving Love as if she has a mental illness, gives to her
all of the protections of city, state and US laws on disability based
discrimination. It is as illegal as racism, sexism, homophobia and
ethnic discrimination.
If the police ignore her complaints because
they say she has a disability they are violating all of the laws that
prohibit such bias. That includes but is not limited to the Americans
with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and many other
statutes. It does not matter legally if she actually has a disability.
What matters is that the police think she has one and deny her access
to police services and protection because of their perception.
These laws extend the equal protection of laws, Amendment 14 to persons who
are regarded as having a disability as well as those who have a
disability or have a history of having a disability.
Psychiatrists make up illnesses by consensus. Psychiatry is a
business of personal
opinions masquerading as science. It is a means of social control
without due process protections. It is the easiest method of
discrediting a person for theft or to destroy a career or reputation.
I write about discrimination toward persons with
disabilities in the media. But what is an outrage is that government
officials openly violate discrimination laws against persons with
disabilities and no one questions the unlawful abuses. If your report is
accurate this is an example of the police denying protection
to a person they perceive as having a disability.
The free use of hateful words about persons who are accused of mental
illness is shameful. But few journalists give equal status to hate
against persons with disabilities as they do for persons of color.
That indicates another form of discrimination by journalists.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Courtney Love blogs back
New York Daily News
Tuesday, March 11th 2008, 4:00 AM
George Rush, Joanna Rush Molloy
Courtney Love McCarten/Reuters
TMZ Courtney Love, Police Psychiatric Abuses
TMZ Courtney Love, Police Psychiatric Abuses
[Harvey Levin is the Producer of the online, and TV gossip show TMZ.]
Hello Harvey Levin,
I posted the below comment on your site below your story about
Courtney Love. I am hoping that you will reevaluate the way that you
report on psychiatric abuses. I saw what happened to Britney Spears.
Did you notice that about 8 employees of that hospital were fired for
releasing Britney's medical records? That is a violation of the HIPAA
US laws. Why do you as a lawyer and your wildly entertaining web site
and TV show not recognize the government abuse of celebrities? Taking
a person's freedom without having committed a crime is an outrage.
Taking her freedom based upon the opinion of a doctor without any
ability to appeal nor any right to an arraigment within 24 hours is an
abuse of police powers.
Now regarding Courtney Love who you and the police say has a
disability is ignored when she complains about theft? What are you
thinking?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Regarding Courtney Love as if she has a mental illness, gives to her
all of the protections of city, state and US laws on disability based
discrimination. It is as illegal as racism, sexism, homophobia and
ethnic discrimination. If the police ignore her complaints because
they say she has a disability they are violating all of the laws that
prohibit such bias. That includes but is not limited to the Americans
with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and many other
statutes. It does not matter legally if she actually has a disability.
What matters is that the police think she has one and deny her access
to police services and protection because of their perception. These
laws extend the equal protection of laws, Amendment 14 to persons who
are regarded as having a disability as well as those who have a
disability or have a history of having a disability. Psychiatrists
make up illnesses by consensus. Psychiatry is a business of personal
opinions masquerading as science. It is a means of social control
without due process protections. It is the easiest method of
discrediting a person for theft or to destroy a career or reputation.
I watch TMZ often. I write about discrimination toward persons with
disabilities in the media. But what is an outrage is that government
officials openly violate discrimination laws against persons with
disabilities and no one questions the unlawful abuses. If the TMZ
report is accurate this is an example of the police denying protection
to a person they perceive as having a disability.
The free use of hateful words about persons who are accused of mental
illness is shameful. But few journalists give equal status to hate
against persons with disabilities as they do for persons of color.
That indicates another form of discrimination by journalists.
TMZ on Courtney Love
http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/10/courtney-love-to-tmz-youre-bats-t/
Courtney Love to TMZ -- You're Bats**t!
TMZ.com
Posted Mar 10th 2008 12:14PM by TMZ Staff
* * * * *
[2nd article]
http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/10/courtney-love-still-has-identity-as-for-her-mind/
Courtney Still Has Identity -- As for Her Mind ...
Posted Mar 10th 2008 5:00AM by TMZ Staff
TMZ.com
[Harvey Levin is the Producer of the online, and TV gossip show TMZ.]
Hello Harvey Levin,
I posted the below comment on your site below your story about
Courtney Love. I am hoping that you will reevaluate the way that you
report on psychiatric abuses. I saw what happened to Britney Spears.
Did you notice that about 8 employees of that hospital were fired for
releasing Britney's medical records? That is a violation of the HIPAA
US laws. Why do you as a lawyer and your wildly entertaining web site
and TV show not recognize the government abuse of celebrities? Taking
a person's freedom without having committed a crime is an outrage.
Taking her freedom based upon the opinion of a doctor without any
ability to appeal nor any right to an arraigment within 24 hours is an
abuse of police powers.
Now regarding Courtney Love who you and the police say has a
disability is ignored when she complains about theft? What are you
thinking?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Regarding Courtney Love as if she has a mental illness, gives to her
all of the protections of city, state and US laws on disability based
discrimination. It is as illegal as racism, sexism, homophobia and
ethnic discrimination. If the police ignore her complaints because
they say she has a disability they are violating all of the laws that
prohibit such bias. That includes but is not limited to the Americans
with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and many other
statutes. It does not matter legally if she actually has a disability.
What matters is that the police think she has one and deny her access
to police services and protection because of their perception. These
laws extend the equal protection of laws, Amendment 14 to persons who
are regarded as having a disability as well as those who have a
disability or have a history of having a disability. Psychiatrists
make up illnesses by consensus. Psychiatry is a business of personal
opinions masquerading as science. It is a means of social control
without due process protections. It is the easiest method of
discrediting a person for theft or to destroy a career or reputation.
I watch TMZ often. I write about discrimination toward persons with
disabilities in the media. But what is an outrage is that government
officials openly violate discrimination laws against persons with
disabilities and no one questions the unlawful abuses. If the TMZ
report is accurate this is an example of the police denying protection
to a person they perceive as having a disability.
The free use of hateful words about persons who are accused of mental
illness is shameful. But few journalists give equal status to hate
against persons with disabilities as they do for persons of color.
That indicates another form of discrimination by journalists.
TMZ on Courtney Love
http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/10/courtney-love-to-tmz-youre-bats-t/
Courtney Love to TMZ -- You're Bats**t!
TMZ.com
Posted Mar 10th 2008 12:14PM by TMZ Staff
* * * * *
[2nd article]
http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/10/courtney-love-still-has-identity-as-for-her-mind/
Courtney Still Has Identity -- As for Her Mind ...
Posted Mar 10th 2008 5:00AM by TMZ Staff
TMZ.com
Broken Windows Policing
Broken Windows Policing
The Giuliani administration administration is credited with
popularizing "the 'broken windows' theory - the belief that cops could
prevent major felonies by aggressively going after low-level [. . .]
'quality of life' criminals." (REUVEN BLAU, "SMALL-TIME BUSTS YIELD
BIG RESULTS," New York Post, page 2) If "broken windows" works for
humans, and politicians and police claim to be human what would happen
if the same theory of policing was directed at elected officials
(state and US) and the police (and the FBI) themselves?
Finding an officer that misused his badge for meals, for illegal
parking or for lying in court would bring a prosecution. When a
politician violated his oath of office he would be prosecuted. When
judges misapplied the laws he would suffer penalties.
One law professor said that no one would run for office if that
was done. Oh? As it is now we get what kind of elected officials?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
SMALL-TIME BUSTS YIELD BIG RESULTS
By REUVEN BLAU
New York Post
March 23, 2008
The Giuliani administration administration is credited with
popularizing "the 'broken windows' theory - the belief that cops could
prevent major felonies by aggressively going after low-level [. . .]
'quality of life' criminals." (REUVEN BLAU, "SMALL-TIME BUSTS YIELD
BIG RESULTS," New York Post, page 2) If "broken windows" works for
humans, and politicians and police claim to be human what would happen
if the same theory of policing was directed at elected officials
(state and US) and the police (and the FBI) themselves?
Finding an officer that misused his badge for meals, for illegal
parking or for lying in court would bring a prosecution. When a
politician violated his oath of office he would be prosecuted. When
judges misapplied the laws he would suffer penalties.
One law professor said that no one would run for office if that
was done. Oh? As it is now we get what kind of elected officials?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
SMALL-TIME BUSTS YIELD BIG RESULTS
By REUVEN BLAU
New York Post
March 23, 2008
Obama's Tired Old Self Interest
Obama's Tired Old Self Interest
Harvard Lawyer Barack Obama, an accomplished politician tells us
we must "end the racial stalemate." (Sasha Issenberg, "Obama calls
for end to US racial 'stalemate,'" Boston Globe, March 19, 2008) Obama
is the latest black politician focused on one form of unlawful
discrimination -- race. He joins the long line of politicians and
journalists who ignore just-as-illegal bias based on age and
disability. Few journalists are aware of their own bigotry, as defined
by dictionaries. Many politicians are unaware of their bigotry. Does
it have anything to do with money and access to political power?
Persons of color, women and homosexuals have easy and full access to
the political and media processes. As long as the media and
politicians focus on race at the expense of other illegal forms of
bias, hypocrisy and cynicism will grow. Good job here Boston Globe.
You lead the way in Boston excluding some persons from the public
discourse.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Obama calls for end to US racial 'stalemate'
Rejects, offers context for minister's sermons
By Sasha Issenberg,
Boston Globe Staff
March 19, 2008
Sasha Issenberg sissenberg (at) globe.com
Harvard Lawyer Barack Obama, an accomplished politician tells us
we must "end the racial stalemate." (Sasha Issenberg, "Obama calls
for end to US racial 'stalemate,'" Boston Globe, March 19, 2008) Obama
is the latest black politician focused on one form of unlawful
discrimination -- race. He joins the long line of politicians and
journalists who ignore just-as-illegal bias based on age and
disability. Few journalists are aware of their own bigotry, as defined
by dictionaries. Many politicians are unaware of their bigotry. Does
it have anything to do with money and access to political power?
Persons of color, women and homosexuals have easy and full access to
the political and media processes. As long as the media and
politicians focus on race at the expense of other illegal forms of
bias, hypocrisy and cynicism will grow. Good job here Boston Globe.
You lead the way in Boston excluding some persons from the public
discourse.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Obama calls for end to US racial 'stalemate'
Rejects, offers context for minister's sermons
By Sasha Issenberg,
Boston Globe Staff
March 19, 2008
Sasha Issenberg sissenberg (at) globe.com
Size Matters
Size Matters Laws against discrimination due to height, weight will extend legal protections to victims of irrational bias. (Laurel J. Sweet, "Tall Order," Boston Herald, March 24, 2008, page 3) Unless they are enforced as strongly as the laws for racial discrimination the laws will be meaningless as the laws against disability bias which are no more than paper tigers. They are not enforced especially for persons accused of mental illness. But if size matters what about men with small penises, and women with small breasts? Will these laws be applied to that form of bias too?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1082410
Tall Order
Bill would target bias based on weight, height
By Laurel J. Sweet
Boston Herald
Monday, March 24, 2008
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1082410
Tall Order
Bill would target bias based on weight, height
By Laurel J. Sweet
Boston Herald
Monday, March 24, 2008
March 21, 2008
Double Myopia
Double Myopia
The Globe editorial editor demonstrates the myopia of journalists regarding discrimination. (Renée Loth, "No country for old men?" Boston Globe, March 8, 2008) Why do "distinguished media types" see people collectively? Renee Loth says, "McCain is an individual, not a statistic." Are ordinary citizens statistics?
Loth admits "age discrimination [. . .] wasn't obvious even to [a] political junkie like me.
[. . .] Indeed, ageism may be society's last acceptable prejudice." Oh? Did Loth ever hear of persons with disabilities, about whom "it [also] isn't considered impolite to admit" negativity.
When asked at Dartmouth what defines "outlook," Loth says, "Most of us answered race, others said gender, or maybe class." No one said disability? Hmmm!
Why does only McCain need "to choose his running mate with care?" Is this a tell?
Most revealing is when Loth says, "The panel at BU was nicely balanced: three white men, three women, and two African-Americans." Oh? What happened to sexual preference? Disability is not mentioned once in this essay about discrimination. Is that why Martin Baron denies that the Globe discriminates against persons with disabilities? They are out of sight, out of mind and out of the Globe?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
No country for old men?
By Renée Loth
Boston Globe
March 8, 2008
She was with Obama, 100 percent.
Renée Loth is editorial page editor of the Globe.
The Globe editorial editor demonstrates the myopia of journalists regarding discrimination. (Renée Loth, "No country for old men?" Boston Globe, March 8, 2008) Why do "distinguished media types" see people collectively? Renee Loth says, "McCain is an individual, not a statistic." Are ordinary citizens statistics?
Loth admits "age discrimination [. . .] wasn't obvious even to [a] political junkie like me.
[. . .] Indeed, ageism may be society's last acceptable prejudice." Oh? Did Loth ever hear of persons with disabilities, about whom "it [also] isn't considered impolite to admit" negativity.
When asked at Dartmouth what defines "outlook," Loth says, "Most of us answered race, others said gender, or maybe class." No one said disability? Hmmm!
Why does only McCain need "to choose his running mate with care?" Is this a tell?
Most revealing is when Loth says, "The panel at BU was nicely balanced: three white men, three women, and two African-Americans." Oh? What happened to sexual preference? Disability is not mentioned once in this essay about discrimination. Is that why Martin Baron denies that the Globe discriminates against persons with disabilities? They are out of sight, out of mind and out of the Globe?
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
No country for old men?
By Renée Loth
Boston Globe
March 8, 2008
She was with Obama, 100 percent.
Renée Loth is editorial page editor of the Globe.
WGBH-TV is not equally accessible to all
WGBH-TV is not equally accessible to all
Suffolk Law Professor Renee Landers says "Public TV remains among our most trusted institutions [. . .] because it engages all citizens, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity or ability to pay." (Renee M. Landers, Boston Herald, Letter, March 7, 2008) Oh? Why does WGBH exclude persons with disabilities in their programming content?
WGBH's leading lady talk show host (Emily Rooney) threatened to ban me from Boston when I objected to her excluding disability based discrimination on her shows, while she includes racism, sexism and sexual preference bias. This is a station-wide problem indeed a society-wide problem, (including the courts, and the legal profession) which remains unaddressed.
Two Presidents of WGBH are in denial. They believe that health care for persons with disabilities is about discrimination. Huh? Is treatment of persons of color by doctors about racism?
My previous letters to Landers were ignored just like my letters to Rooney. The dictionary calls that bigotry.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
By Renee M. Landers
Boston Herald
Letter
Friday, March 7, 2008 - Added 5d 24h ago
Suffolk Law Professor Renee Landers says "Public TV remains among our most trusted institutions [. . .] because it engages all citizens, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity or ability to pay." (Renee M. Landers, Boston Herald, Letter, March 7, 2008) Oh? Why does WGBH exclude persons with disabilities in their programming content?
WGBH's leading lady talk show host (Emily Rooney) threatened to ban me from Boston when I objected to her excluding disability based discrimination on her shows, while she includes racism, sexism and sexual preference bias. This is a station-wide problem indeed a society-wide problem, (including the courts, and the legal profession) which remains unaddressed.
Two Presidents of WGBH are in denial. They believe that health care for persons with disabilities is about discrimination. Huh? Is treatment of persons of color by doctors about racism?
My previous letters to Landers were ignored just like my letters to Rooney. The dictionary calls that bigotry.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
By Renee M. Landers
Boston Herald
Letter
Friday, March 7, 2008 - Added 5d 24h ago
March 11, 2008
Self Evaluations
Self Evaluations
The Editors say "Consumers shouldn’t be guinea pigs for drug makers." (Las Vegas Sun, EDITORIAL, "Drug maker under fire - Alaska court case shows the danger of industries policing themselves," Mar 8, 2008) Regulations of the US Office of Human research Protection, a division of th4e National Institute of Health forwards complaints of violations of US laws regarding use of human subjects to the accused institution.
The pattern of self-evaluations extends to academic researchers and department of defense researchers as well. Many people die in human experiments, some due to negligence. The researchers are not held accountable at all. There are no penalties for non compliance with US laws on use of human in experiments (see Title 45 CFR Section 46). Animals have state and US law protections with fines and prison for violations.
The lack of accountability in drug development, marketing and FDA protections, are severe abominations with little concern from journalists or politicians. Drug companies purchase advertisements (ever watch 60 Minutes?) and make substantial campaign contributions.
Robert Whitaker wrote "Mad in America," about the history of psychiatric drug abuses which killed many people.
Roy Bercaw, Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Archives on the "newer" antipsychotic drugs here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/
Letters to the editor: letters@lasvegassun.com
Las Vegas Sun
SUN EDITORIAL
Drug maker under fire - Alaska court case shows the danger of industries policing themselves
Sat, Mar 8, 2008
Las Vegas
The Editors say "Consumers shouldn’t be guinea pigs for drug makers." (Las Vegas Sun, EDITORIAL, "Drug maker under fire - Alaska court case shows the danger of industries policing themselves," Mar 8, 2008) Regulations of the US Office of Human research Protection, a division of th4e National Institute of Health forwards complaints of violations of US laws regarding use of human subjects to the accused institution.
The pattern of self-evaluations extends to academic researchers and department of defense researchers as well. Many people die in human experiments, some due to negligence. The researchers are not held accountable at all. There are no penalties for non compliance with US laws on use of human in experiments (see Title 45 CFR Section 46). Animals have state and US law protections with fines and prison for violations.
The lack of accountability in drug development, marketing and FDA protections, are severe abominations with little concern from journalists or politicians. Drug companies purchase advertisements (ever watch 60 Minutes?) and make substantial campaign contributions.
Robert Whitaker wrote "Mad in America," about the history of psychiatric drug abuses which killed many people.
Roy Bercaw, Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Archives on the "newer" antipsychotic drugs here: http://tmap.wordpress.com/
Letters to the editor: letters@lasvegassun.com
Las Vegas Sun
SUN EDITORIAL
Drug maker under fire - Alaska court case shows the danger of industries policing themselves
Sat, Mar 8, 2008
Las Vegas
March 9, 2008
Irrational Reasoning
Irrational Reasoning
The Editors at The New York Times refer to "the powerful gun
lobby" but ignore the more powerful psychiatric lobby.
(Editorial, "Gun Crazy," The New York Times, March 1, 2008) They
regularly criticize the President, the Governor and the Mayor. But
they seldom if ever question psychiatrists. Are psychiatrists better
deceivers than politicians?
Referring to "deranged individuals [who shoot up] crowded
classroom[s] or shopping mall[s]"
they support the irrational belief that persons accused of mental
illness are violent. Why give
credence to illnesses that only psychiatrists can see?
The psychiatric industry insists that stopping taking their drugs
causes violence. Why begin
taking drugs if stopping causes violence? Is it good for business?
Contrary to evidence the editors call a "wacky idea" (See John R.
Lott's "More Guns, Less Violence," U. Chicago Press, 2000.)
the editors suggest that stronger gun control laws are needed. More
legal guns will reduce violence.
Using mental health data bases will only demonize persons with 'a
history of mental illness." That
will be used for more deprivations of rights to persons with
disabilities. It will not decrease gun violence.
The criminals will continue to get their guns. Persons with
disabilities will have one more right denied to them.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
March 1, 2008
Editorial
Gun Crazy
New York Times
The Editors at The New York Times refer to "the powerful gun
lobby" but ignore the more powerful psychiatric lobby.
(Editorial, "Gun Crazy," The New York Times, March 1, 2008) They
regularly criticize the President, the Governor and the Mayor. But
they seldom if ever question psychiatrists. Are psychiatrists better
deceivers than politicians?
Referring to "deranged individuals [who shoot up] crowded
classroom[s] or shopping mall[s]"
they support the irrational belief that persons accused of mental
illness are violent. Why give
credence to illnesses that only psychiatrists can see?
The psychiatric industry insists that stopping taking their drugs
causes violence. Why begin
taking drugs if stopping causes violence? Is it good for business?
Contrary to evidence the editors call a "wacky idea" (See John R.
Lott's "More Guns, Less Violence," U. Chicago Press, 2000.)
the editors suggest that stronger gun control laws are needed. More
legal guns will reduce violence.
Using mental health data bases will only demonize persons with 'a
history of mental illness." That
will be used for more deprivations of rights to persons with
disabilities. It will not decrease gun violence.
The criminals will continue to get their guns. Persons with
disabilities will have one more right denied to them.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
March 1, 2008
Editorial
Gun Crazy
New York Times
Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances
This report and the City Council action is one
more example of the "appearance" of addressing denial of rights to
persons with disabilities. (Matt Dunning, "After five years of debate, city
puts teeth in disability ordinance," Cambridge Chronicle, Mar 06, 2008) Yes
the amendment permits the city to enforce one section (Title III) of the ADA.
But the city itself remains immune from having to comply with the same
requirements (Title II) applied to private businesses.
The City Attorney, the City Manager, the
Assistant Manager for Human Services agreed that the city remain free to deny
access to persons with disabilities to their programs and their buildings.
When first brought to the Ordinance committee the amendment was sent back
to the proponents, the Human Rights Commission and the Handicapped
Commission to include all disabilities not just persons who use wheelchairs.
But they did nothing. The city recognized that they are violating the ADA, the
Rehabilitation Act and state and city laws.
This shows how pathetic the status of persons
with disabilities is in Cambridge. The few docile persons in wheelchairs are
willing to throw other persons with disabilities under the bus in order to
get access to some restaurants. They give up having complete access as
they are legally entitled to due to the leadership in the city's
bureaucracy which serves the City Manager's lawless bigoted standards.
On March 3, 2008 the City Council passed an order to address hate crimes
in Jamaica and across the world. But they continue
to maintain unlawful policies which deny to persons with disabilities
equal access to city programs and to city services. Cambridge Councilors
get the award for being the most hypocritical politicians in the nation.
Convene the Awards Committee to honor these self serving cuttlefish.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
After five years of debate, city puts teeth in
disability ordinance
By Matt Dunning
Cambridge Chronicle Staff
Thu Mar 06, 2008, 04:57 PM EST
This report and the City Council action is one
more example of the "appearance" of addressing denial of rights to
persons with disabilities. (Matt Dunning, "After five years of debate, city
puts teeth in disability ordinance," Cambridge Chronicle, Mar 06, 2008) Yes
the amendment permits the city to enforce one section (Title III) of the ADA.
But the city itself remains immune from having to comply with the same
requirements (Title II) applied to private businesses.
The City Attorney, the City Manager, the
Assistant Manager for Human Services agreed that the city remain free to deny
access to persons with disabilities to their programs and their buildings.
When first brought to the Ordinance committee the amendment was sent back
to the proponents, the Human Rights Commission and the Handicapped
Commission to include all disabilities not just persons who use wheelchairs.
But they did nothing. The city recognized that they are violating the ADA, the
Rehabilitation Act and state and city laws.
This shows how pathetic the status of persons
with disabilities is in Cambridge. The few docile persons in wheelchairs are
willing to throw other persons with disabilities under the bus in order to
get access to some restaurants. They give up having complete access as
they are legally entitled to due to the leadership in the city's
bureaucracy which serves the City Manager's lawless bigoted standards.
On March 3, 2008 the City Council passed an order to address hate crimes
in Jamaica and across the world. But they continue
to maintain unlawful policies which deny to persons with disabilities
equal access to city programs and to city services. Cambridge Councilors
get the award for being the most hypocritical politicians in the nation.
Convene the Awards Committee to honor these self serving cuttlefish.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
After five years of debate, city puts teeth in
disability ordinance
By Matt Dunning
Cambridge Chronicle Staff
Thu Mar 06, 2008, 04:57 PM EST
Walkable City Awards
Walkable City Awards
[This was sent to Prevention Magazine and to the American Podiatric Medical Association.]
Cambridge MA City Government boasts that your magazine designated
Cambridge as the most walkable city in the country. I am perplexed at
what your standards are? Did any of your awards committee visit
Cambridge? Is the award based upon forms filled out by city officials?
They have a habit of getting awards which make me wonder about the
givers. Can these awards be purchased?
Do you have any idea how many miles of sidewalk are of red brick,
with missing bricks and hills and valleys all over the city? Parking
control officers and postmen tell me to speak against bricks because
they often fall and almost break their ankles.
I see women walking with their strollers in the streets due to the
broken sidewalks. I see people with disabilities who use wheelchairs
riding in the streets The Executive Dircetor of the Cambridge
Handicapped Commission does it too. I often walk in the street for
the same reasons and I have no physical disability.
Recently the MA Architectural Access Board a division of the
State office of Public Safety recognized that the city is not in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding their
sidewalks. A woman spends a lot of time measuring the sidewalks. The
city fights her and the state on this issue. The newest Mayor prevents
the woman from speaking about this at City Council meetings. I am
suspicious of how many awards Cambridge gets while they violate laws
that mandate that sidewalks be accessible to all not only those who
drive their cars.
Last year the city was designated the most accessible city in the
country by the National Organization on Disability. They had no
explanation for that award either. The City Manager boasts of having a
triple A bond rating while the three rating agencies are being
investigated by the NY State AG for fraud. The city cable access
station was designated best cable access station in the country for
three years while they abused their members. The management took
credit for work of others. It is a very strange situation in this
lawless city. Your reputation contributes to this abomination.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
[This letter was sent by Marilyn Wellons. Published with permission.]
Just yesterday afternoon as I drove toward Central
Square I passed yet another old woman bent over her
walker, in the roadway. She was walking there because
the brick sidewalks on either side of Franklin Street
(between Pleasant and Soden) are heaving and
irregular, and ADA-non-compliant.
The American Podiatric Medical Association should
check out Kathy Podgers's blog,
http://fromtheport.blogspot.com, for her December,
2007 entries about the city's snow removal. She also
has a photo essay, "Why are these people walking in
the street" that shows the limits of walkability in
the city.
The March, 2008 issue of The Bridge, not yet posted on
the web (www.bridgenews.org) but out in hard copy, has
Kathy's article on p. 1 above the fold: "State board
rules against City, for seniors, disabled." It
reports on the Massachusetts Architectural Access
Board (MAAB) January 7 ruling that Kathy's complaints
about three intersections had merit and "ordered the
City to present a plan for compliance or request
variances."
This would all not be so disturbing if the city were
actually working to comply with the ADA, rather than
systematically avoiding compliance. For example,
rather than stipulating they would correct work at the
three intersections cited before the MAAB, the city
first challenged MAAB jurisdiction and, when it was
affirmed, assigned an attorney to fight compliance.
I assume the APMA does its due diligence, so wonder
what representations the city made to qualify for this
award.
Marilyn Wellons
[City of Cambridge Press Release]
Mar 4, 2008
Cambridge Named Best Walking City in U.S.
Cambridge is the best walking city in America, with more residents walking to work and more parks per square mile than any other city evaluated, according to a just-released study by Prevention magazine in its April issue and the American Podiatric Medical Association. Walking kudos also goes to New York, ranked No. 2, and Ann Arbor, No. 3. The worst walking cities: Oklahoma City, North Las Vegas, and Gadsden, AL. Prevention and the APMA annually team up to measure the walkability of America’s cities as interest in walking for fitness remains strong. Walking is the most popular form of exercise with 87.5 percent of Americans walking for fitness.
New in this year’s survey, more than 500 U.S. cities, including D.C., were evaluated and ranked on 14 walking criteria, including the percentage of adults who walk to work, number of parks per square mile, use of mass transit, and percentage of adults who walk for fitness. Also new this year, a best walking city was named in each of the 50 states from an evaluation of its 10 most populated cities. For more on this topic, visit: http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/homepage/x2052204094
10 Best U.S. Walking Cities of 2008
1. Cambridge
2. New York, N.Y.
3. Ann Arbor, Mich.
4. Chicago, Ill.
5. Washington, D.C.
6. San Francisco
7. Honolulu
8. Trenton, N.J.
9. Boston
10. Cincinnati
[This was sent to Prevention Magazine and to the American Podiatric Medical Association.]
Cambridge MA City Government boasts that your magazine designated
Cambridge as the most walkable city in the country. I am perplexed at
what your standards are? Did any of your awards committee visit
Cambridge? Is the award based upon forms filled out by city officials?
They have a habit of getting awards which make me wonder about the
givers. Can these awards be purchased?
Do you have any idea how many miles of sidewalk are of red brick,
with missing bricks and hills and valleys all over the city? Parking
control officers and postmen tell me to speak against bricks because
they often fall and almost break their ankles.
I see women walking with their strollers in the streets due to the
broken sidewalks. I see people with disabilities who use wheelchairs
riding in the streets The Executive Dircetor of the Cambridge
Handicapped Commission does it too. I often walk in the street for
the same reasons and I have no physical disability.
Recently the MA Architectural Access Board a division of the
State office of Public Safety recognized that the city is not in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding their
sidewalks. A woman spends a lot of time measuring the sidewalks. The
city fights her and the state on this issue. The newest Mayor prevents
the woman from speaking about this at City Council meetings. I am
suspicious of how many awards Cambridge gets while they violate laws
that mandate that sidewalks be accessible to all not only those who
drive their cars.
Last year the city was designated the most accessible city in the
country by the National Organization on Disability. They had no
explanation for that award either. The City Manager boasts of having a
triple A bond rating while the three rating agencies are being
investigated by the NY State AG for fraud. The city cable access
station was designated best cable access station in the country for
three years while they abused their members. The management took
credit for work of others. It is a very strange situation in this
lawless city. Your reputation contributes to this abomination.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
[This letter was sent by Marilyn Wellons. Published with permission.]
Just yesterday afternoon as I drove toward Central
Square I passed yet another old woman bent over her
walker, in the roadway. She was walking there because
the brick sidewalks on either side of Franklin Street
(between Pleasant and Soden) are heaving and
irregular, and ADA-non-compliant.
The American Podiatric Medical Association should
check out Kathy Podgers's blog,
http://fromtheport.blogspot.com, for her December,
2007 entries about the city's snow removal. She also
has a photo essay, "Why are these people walking in
the street" that shows the limits of walkability in
the city.
The March, 2008 issue of The Bridge, not yet posted on
the web (www.bridgenews.org) but out in hard copy, has
Kathy's article on p. 1 above the fold: "State board
rules against City, for seniors, disabled." It
reports on the Massachusetts Architectural Access
Board (MAAB) January 7 ruling that Kathy's complaints
about three intersections had merit and "ordered the
City to present a plan for compliance or request
variances."
This would all not be so disturbing if the city were
actually working to comply with the ADA, rather than
systematically avoiding compliance. For example,
rather than stipulating they would correct work at the
three intersections cited before the MAAB, the city
first challenged MAAB jurisdiction and, when it was
affirmed, assigned an attorney to fight compliance.
I assume the APMA does its due diligence, so wonder
what representations the city made to qualify for this
award.
Marilyn Wellons
[City of Cambridge Press Release]
Mar 4, 2008
Cambridge Named Best Walking City in U.S.
Cambridge is the best walking city in America, with more residents walking to work and more parks per square mile than any other city evaluated, according to a just-released study by Prevention magazine in its April issue and the American Podiatric Medical Association. Walking kudos also goes to New York, ranked No. 2, and Ann Arbor, No. 3. The worst walking cities: Oklahoma City, North Las Vegas, and Gadsden, AL. Prevention and the APMA annually team up to measure the walkability of America’s cities as interest in walking for fitness remains strong. Walking is the most popular form of exercise with 87.5 percent of Americans walking for fitness.
New in this year’s survey, more than 500 U.S. cities, including D.C., were evaluated and ranked on 14 walking criteria, including the percentage of adults who walk to work, number of parks per square mile, use of mass transit, and percentage of adults who walk for fitness. Also new this year, a best walking city was named in each of the 50 states from an evaluation of its 10 most populated cities. For more on this topic, visit: http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/homepage/x2052204094
10 Best U.S. Walking Cities of 2008
1. Cambridge
2. New York, N.Y.
3. Ann Arbor, Mich.
4. Chicago, Ill.
5. Washington, D.C.
6. San Francisco
7. Honolulu
8. Trenton, N.J.
9. Boston
10. Cincinnati
March 6, 2008
4 Red Sox Fans Hospitalize Yankee Fan in Cambridge, MA
4 Red Sox Fans Hospitalize Yankee Fan in Cambridge, MA
[This letter published in the Cambridge Chronicle online March 11, 2008]
Mayor Simmons is a success. (Erin Smith, "Red Sox mob beats up Yankees
fan in Cambridge," Cambridge Chronicle, Mar 03, 2008) Red Sox fans hospitalize a Yankee fan. Republicans are banned from Cambridge housing. Persons of color
get preferences over persons of no color in hiring and housing.
Persons with disabilities who don't use wheel chairs are ignored by
the City Government. Love is in the air. Cambridge is truly a World
Class City as Mayor Reeves declared it last year. This year Reeves and
Simmons want the City to focus on "the homophobic acts of vicious
brutality in Jamaica." (City Council Order # 6, March 3, 2008) Reeves
wants the City to "go on record declaring that violent incidents and
hate crimes against people anywhere in this country or across the
world must not escape our attention." (City Council Order # 29 March
3, 2008) This is how the spineless Cambridge politicians direct
attention to other countries while local thugs demonize civilians.
This atmosphere was created by identity politics which dominate this
depraved city. Thank you Harvard and MIT for your spiritual guidance.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Red Sox mob beats up Yankees fan in Cambridge
By Erin Smith
Cambridge Chronicle Staff
Mon Mar 03, 2008, 07:52 PM EST
Blog Comments Cambridge Chronicle
http://blogs.townonline.com/cambridge/?p=13901
[This letter published in the Cambridge Chronicle online March 11, 2008]
Mayor Simmons is a success. (Erin Smith, "Red Sox mob beats up Yankees
fan in Cambridge," Cambridge Chronicle, Mar 03, 2008) Red Sox fans hospitalize a Yankee fan. Republicans are banned from Cambridge housing. Persons of color
get preferences over persons of no color in hiring and housing.
Persons with disabilities who don't use wheel chairs are ignored by
the City Government. Love is in the air. Cambridge is truly a World
Class City as Mayor Reeves declared it last year. This year Reeves and
Simmons want the City to focus on "the homophobic acts of vicious
brutality in Jamaica." (City Council Order # 6, March 3, 2008) Reeves
wants the City to "go on record declaring that violent incidents and
hate crimes against people anywhere in this country or across the
world must not escape our attention." (City Council Order # 29 March
3, 2008) This is how the spineless Cambridge politicians direct
attention to other countries while local thugs demonize civilians.
This atmosphere was created by identity politics which dominate this
depraved city. Thank you Harvard and MIT for your spiritual guidance.
Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Red Sox mob beats up Yankees fan in Cambridge
By Erin Smith
Cambridge Chronicle Staff
Mon Mar 03, 2008, 07:52 PM EST
Blog Comments Cambridge Chronicle
http://blogs.townonline.com/cambridge/?p=13901
March 3, 2008
Ignoring Persons with Disabilities
Ignoring Persons with Disabilities
[Published in print and online editions February 14, 2008]
Letter: Journal ignores those with disabilities
Somerville Journal
By Roy Bercaw
Mon Feb 11, 2008, 01:43 PM EST
[Published in print and online editions February 21, 2008]
Letter: Disabled people ignored in civic sphere
Cambridge Chronicle
Mon Feb. 18, 2008
Somerville - Somerville School Superintendent Tony "Pierantozzi said
that schools must reflect society in order to lead society. [. . .] My
wish for you and for all of us… Good relationships with people who are
very dissimilar." (Auditi Guha, "Cambridge schools affirmative action
chief talks about race," Cambridge Chronicle, Somerville Journal,
February 8, 2008) Under current state, city, and US laws the
affirmative action laws apply equally to persons with disabilities.
Both Cambridge affirmative action officers and both Cambridge and
Somerville governments omit persons with disabilities in their
affirmative action efforts.
The comments by Somerville's superintendent apply to persons with
disabilities as well as to persons of color. But as usual local
governments in Massachusetts ignore the laws they don't like. My
repeated complaints to city government officials and to local
journalists are, as usual, ignored.
Journalists join politicians excluding persons with disabilities from
equal participation in civic affairs and jobs. Good work. If persons
with disabilities are not mentioned perhaps they will go away?
Roy Bercaw
Cambridge
[Published in print and online editions February 14, 2008]
Letter: Journal ignores those with disabilities
Somerville Journal
By Roy Bercaw
Mon Feb 11, 2008, 01:43 PM EST
[Published in print and online editions February 21, 2008]
Letter: Disabled people ignored in civic sphere
Cambridge Chronicle
Mon Feb. 18, 2008
Somerville - Somerville School Superintendent Tony "Pierantozzi said
that schools must reflect society in order to lead society. [. . .] My
wish for you and for all of us… Good relationships with people who are
very dissimilar." (Auditi Guha, "Cambridge schools affirmative action
chief talks about race," Cambridge Chronicle, Somerville Journal,
February 8, 2008) Under current state, city, and US laws the
affirmative action laws apply equally to persons with disabilities.
Both Cambridge affirmative action officers and both Cambridge and
Somerville governments omit persons with disabilities in their
affirmative action efforts.
The comments by Somerville's superintendent apply to persons with
disabilities as well as to persons of color. But as usual local
governments in Massachusetts ignore the laws they don't like. My
repeated complaints to city government officials and to local
journalists are, as usual, ignored.
Journalists join politicians excluding persons with disabilities from
equal participation in civic affairs and jobs. Good work. If persons
with disabilities are not mentioned perhaps they will go away?
Roy Bercaw
Cambridge
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