EDITORIAL

A tough standard for 2012

Average citizens have an often unrequited desire for elected public officials to act in the best interests of the general public. There is a belief that only the rich and powerful have access to the realms of government. However, there was considerable evidence in 2011 that some elected officials were actively serving the electorate. More »

OPINION

The never ending racist assault on Michelle Obama

There are two relentless constants in the manic drive by GOP ultra-conservatives, Tea Party leaders and followers, and unreconstructed bigots to make President Barack Obama a one-term president. One is their drumbeat, non-stop barrage of racist depictions, slurs and digs at Obama. The other is their drumbeat, non-stop barrage of racist depictions, slurs, and digs at first lady Michelle Obama. More »

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Occupy Boston needs volunteers

As someone who is active with Occupy Boston's Ideas Working Group, I would like to say how much I appreciate Occupy Boston being recognized by the Bay State Banner ("A fight for the middle class," editorial, Jan. 5, 2012) as being part of a "new coalition to confront the income disparity that is annihilating the middle class." More »

ROVING CAMERA

Do you believe the state Legislature is moving in the right direction with its current criminal justice bills?

No. However, it's politically beneficial for the politicians at a significant monetary cost to the public. It has proven to be ineffective in pioneering states that applied this type of sentence structure as in California. More »