Last week, Senator Kerry and Rep. John Tierney held a field hearing at Bunker Hill Community College in Chelsea, Mass. on "The Effects of the Underground Economy on Small Businesses and Workers".

“Cheaters and unscrupulous employers have created an underground economy as big as $1 trillion. Worse, workers right here in Massachusetts are being taken advantage of and not getting the benefits and protections they deserve,” said Senator Kerry, Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “When some employers misclassify workers or go off the books, it hurts all workers and businesses who play by the rules. We’ve got to level the playing field, enforce the laws, and ensure everyone who works an honest day gets a fair pay, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and other protections they’re entitled to.”

NECN reported on the hearing.

Although I can't find video of the hearing, I was able to locate a short documentary on the impact of the underground economy and worker misclassification on tax revenues, on workers' rights, and on business owners who play by the rules and struggle to compete in an unfair environment. Addressing the tax revenues lost to the underground economy is a step toward reducing George Bush's legacy of massive debt left for our children and grandchildren, and prosecuting employers who take advantage of workers will level the playing field for those business owners who follow the rules. As the Senator notes, it's illegal business practices that are driving the influx of undocumented workers in this country. It's time to stop blaming people who are taking whatever jobs they can get to feed their families and start looking at employers who are willing to do whatever it takes to feed their wallets.

It's strange, I think, that the term 'tree hugger' is used as a pejorative by some folks. I have a close family member who I've heard use the phrase in a derogatory way, and I'm bothered by it. What's more, she used it to describe me, who wouldn't be seen in public in a pair of Birkenstocks, really can't be bothered to go hiking, and puts on a suit to go to work most mornings. I'm more likely to grab a donut than a bowl of granola, although I will eat it if there's no Cap'n Crunch, and the last time I rode a bike, I think I was twelve. But because I buy carbon credits, have changed my light bulbs to CFLs, and I insist on 35 mpg when I buy a car, things I consider sound economic and environmental judgment, to her that makes me a tree hugger. Well, so be it then.

There's something about the environmentally aware that bothers the environmentally ambivalent, and I'm not too sure what that is. But I've decided to embrace the label, and am giving her a copy of This Moment On Earth next Christmas just to see her reaction. I'll buy the paperback in case I'm forced to hit her over the head with it.

What tree-hugger detractors don't consider is that trees are a lot more than something that you'll never see anything lovelier than. They're crucial to the health of the planet, and necessary in the fight against climate change. And what's really scary is that deforestation is happening at an alarming rate, and all of us, tree-huggers and non-tree-huggers alike, are going to end up paying the price.

Photo: Jami Dwyer/Wikimedia Commons

Although deforestation contributes approximately 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, there is currently no provision in international climate treaties that addresses the problem. In this Earth Day hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Kerry discusses the problem of deforestation, describes what he's seen of it in his travels, and asks witnesses Stuart Eizenstat, Dr. Kevin Gurney, David Hayes and Dirk Forrister for their insight.

Senator Kerry was at home in Massachusetts this weekend for the Third Middlesex Area Democrats Honorees Brunch, where Loretta Lillios, Richard Mucci and Donna Greska were honored with the Senator John F. Kerry Leadership Award, and where he spoke on the issue of climate change. The Senator is introduced by Middlesex DA Gerry Leone.

 Listen here

"I'm exactly where I want to be. This is the best job in the world."

Those were the words of Sen. John Kerry, newly elected Senator from Massachusetts in February, 1985, as quoted in the Boston Globe. At the time, he also made his intent for committee membership clear. Small Business was his first pick. A low profile committee appointment, but to a young Senator with a desire to help his constituents, a critical one.

Senator Kerry has remained on the Small Business Committee to this day, and currently as Chairman has become a champion for small businesses that employ the majority of Americans.

The Senate Small Business Committee may be low profile, but it's also vitally important to the millions of small business owners who depend on the committee to look out for their interests. Yet, despite the importance of small businesses to a huge number of Massachusetts residents, Senator Kerry's Democratic 'challenger' has no interest, and has proclaimed “It’s not an important committee – it’s small business.” Well that's pretty clueless, Ed, though not unexpected. Between us, Ed's not the sharpest tool in the shed. There's video at the link if you need evidence, although I doubt it's the best use of your time. Even if you've got lots of time.

Elias at The Chimes at Midnight described Ed pretty well in a post the other day (4-21), and although my only experience with him was in a diary at kos, which he abandoned after being pretty well thrashed and exposed as a swift boat enabler, and a glimpse of him lurking behind a post at Faneuil Hall after one of the Senator's speeches, I came away both times with the impression that he was just a bit creepy. Elias calls him a 'tedious vengeful fake'. We can argue the fine points.

So, instead of the interview with Ed, and in honor of Small Business Week, I recommend a visit to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship website, where you can see how its chairman, the person with 'the best job in the world', stands up for small business owners and good jobs for Americans.

Happy Small Business Week to the Senator, the committee, and small business owners everywhere!

Can you think of a more fitting way to celebrate Patriots Day than to have a veteran and United States Senator pin a purple heart on a wounded soldier at Fenway before a Red Sox game?

I can't. Unless, of course, the soldier gets to throw out the first pitch.

Yesterday, PFC Sean Bannon, wounded Iraq vet and lifelong Red Sox fan, did just that, and his mom was on hand to express her love and pride.

Sean, thank you for honoring our country with your service.

For all the attention currently being paid to the presidential race, there's another very important contest that's not getting a whole lot of play. In this video, Senator Kerry emphasizes to the Saugus town committee the importance of increasing our slim Democratic majority in the Senate and the House.

Because Republicans have decided that the filibuster is de rigeur this season, there is no other way. It's either sixty votes in the Senate or we're stuck with the same old Washington politics.

So, it's either obstructionists like Mitch McConnell, roadblock leader, who has voted time and again against the will of the American people, or a Democrat who will work for the people of Kentucky and the country. It's either ethically challenged Ted 'road-to-nowhere' Stevens, or popularAnchorage Mayor Mark Begich. John Sununu or Jeanne Shaheen. Environmental disaster Inhofe, or Andrew Rice, who is running on a platform of social justice and common sense public policy.

Maybe Senate Republicans should stay off the road and stick to parking lots where it's safe. Or not.

Probably best they just let the grownups take the wheel before Congressional Republicans drive this country further into the ditch.

Good God, researching the damage done by Senate Republicans is depressing. After a full day at work and three hours of GOTV training for Sen. Obama last night, I was just too tired to read any more about the pain and suffering they've inflicted on the American people. We'll get back to the massive mountain of obstruction in a day or two, but it's just too onerous a task for today.

Instead, here's some video from our friend John Bowes of BelowBoston.com from Power Shift 2008, where Sen. Kerry spoke last weekend on one of his key issues, saving the environment. John has more video of Sen. Kerry from the event, but here's a bit to start you off. You can watch the rest at his youtube site.

The MAPS Vision

If we do what's needed to solve global warming, we can build a more secure, just, prosperous future; we can grow a new economy that generates new green jobs, strengthens the middle class and creates new pathways out of poverty for many more. By retooling our factories, revamping our schools, and rebuilding our communities, we can create a sustainable, just, and prosperous future for all.

Last Saturday, the city of Newburyport held its Third Annual Three Towns and Two Cities Breakfast with the participating Democratic committees of Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury and West Newbury. I had planned on attending the event and while I was there, gather signatures for Senator Kerry.

I was supposed to attend the event, but ended up having to pass due to a minor emergency. Luckily, my husband Tony, another loyal Kerry supporter and Democrat was able and more than willing to go, if only to 'have a word' with our State Representative Mike Costello for endorsing Ed O'Reilly. As we all know, EOR has decided that Massachusetts needed fresh blood in the Senate and is running against JK in the primary.

When Tony finally came back around noon, he couldn't wait to ask me to 'guess who showed up??!!' and then proceed to reveal that the good Senator himself made it to the breakfast. Of course this revelation called for a detailed recounting of the event and JK's speech, so my dear hubby was railroaded into writing the following guest post for KerryVision.

How did your family get here? My grandparents came over 'on the boat' from the old country, which for them happened to be Czechoslovakia. And unless you're Native American, you probably have a similar history, give or take a generation or two. With little more than a dream, they came to make their way, and despite their broken English and their different culture, they made a home and raised a family. And they were welcomed here.

No where in Emma Lazarus' poem can I find "... and round them up and take their young children from them". Yet incredibly, I heard a right wing radio hack the other day defend the practice, comparing 'illegal' immigrants to murderers, and proclaiming they should receive similar treatment. He went on to trash Sen. Kerry unmercifully for being, well, merciful.

Parenthetically, I have to say that I think 'illegal immigrants' is an ugly and imprecise label. People are not 'illegal', even though their actions may be. George Bush started an illegal war, but we don't call him an 'illegal President'.

OK bad example, but I think you get my point.

Now, I'm not saying that people who are here illegally shouldn't be penalized. Certainly, they should, and we have to protect our borders and enforce our laws. But this is America, and you would think that a country that was founded on and by immigrants would be a little more compassionate than to separate parents from young children and treat people who are looking for a better life like hardened criminals. I have to believe that most Americans still believe that people, even people who are here illegally, deserve to be treated humanely. Or have we really sunk that low?

Let's not forget where we came from. We're not a country that's afraid of people who are different, we are a country of people who are different. And it's going to take more than a bunch of right wing radio fear mongers and inhumane enforcement tactics to change that.

Funding science and technology is a priority for Senator Kerry. He's a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and chairman of the Science, Technology and Innovation Subcommittee, and is considered the Senate leader on environmental issues. So yesterday's announcement of a million dollar grant for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution had a special significance.

From the press release:

Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy today, along with Congressman Bill Delahunt, announced that the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute would receive $990,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The funding will be used for the Woods Hole Sea Grant program, which supports research, education and extension projects that channel the expertise of ocean scientists toward meeting the research and information needs of users of the marine environment. It works to encourage environmental stewardship, long-term economic development and responsible use of the resources of the nation’s coast.

“For decades, the Sea Grant program at Woods Hole has been on the cutting edge of critical issues impacting Massachusetts’ coastal waters. Sea Grant’s innovative research and technology efforts have helped coastal states across the nation on everything from fisheries, aquaculture and ecosystems to our ever-changing coastline,” said John Kerry.

As luck would have it, several Massachusetts bloggers had a call with Senator Kerry yesterday, and one of the attendees was friend and blogger Mary Beth, a long time Kerry supporter and a marine biologist at Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, who may be eligible to apply for funding for the Sea Grant project that WHOI is administering.

Watch for more from Kerstin on the call with Senator Kerry tomorrow. We discussed everything from the economy to the war to the environment, but I thought the tie with the Woods Hole funding and the fact that Mary Beth was on the call was particularly interesting.

Mary Beth thanked the Senator on the call for his attention to the science budget, and he responded that not only are they focused on funding, but cited a number of initiatives related to the environment, including an ocean acidification bill that was passed out of his committee, a bill related to climate change, and one that he's working on with Barbara Boxer and Joe Lieberman on cap and trade.

The senator also spoke about a hearing he held this week on the deficiencies of the administration's budget proposal, and "The America Competes Act" that attempts to makes up the gap in America's commitment to science and technology.

The big problem, the Senator noted, is that we have an administration that unfriendly with respect to these types of initiatives.

I was unable to find video related to the Sea Grant program, but this is pretty fascinating. It's a WHOI project on climate change, and illustrates the broad scope of their work.

Yesterday was quite the busy one. There was the big Obama endorsement from the Kennedys, of course, which was brilliant and hopeful. It's also all over the news, so you must have seen it. Just in case, though, here's a highlight.

Yesterday was also the State of the Union address, the annual report from the President to the Congress and to the American people about how the economy doesn't really suck and how great our Middle East 'strategery' is. Nothing seems to say "land of the free and home of the brave" to this President like warrantless wiretapping and fearmongering. Sadly, or perhaps not, I had to drink every time he said 'veto' or 'terra', and by the end of the hour I was slurring as bad as W. So now I don't recall half of what he said, which is probably for the best. In contrast to President Bush's divisive, hour-long lecture, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius gave the official Democratic response, a message of unity and change.

Interesting. I have twice in my travels run into groups of young people who were taking part in Model Congress, and was taken by their energy and enthusiasm. My encounter with these kids was limited to waiting endlessly for the next elevator, but I was intrigued by the concept of a mock legislature. In addition to jamming the lobbies of some of my favorite hotels, these young future political hopefuls participating in Model Congress get to do some really cool stuff. They write bills and, unlike the current Congress, because they don't have to deal with the same Roadblocks, actually get them passed. Well, not actually passed into law, but passed into 'model-law' I guess.

And they get to meet some really interesting people.

Senator Kerry was in Western Massachusetts yesterday to deliver the keynote address at American International College's Model Congress. We've not yet found video or text of the speech, but there was news coverage of the event.

In the Senator's speech, as reported by The Republican, he spoke of international affairs, the climate and healthcare, and discussed the Bhutto assassination, which JK and Joe Biden had introduced legislation to try to avert. And he spoke to his audience about their role in determining America's future.

"You can make a difference, and we need you, now more than ever," he said.

Kerry was vigorously applauded.

"He was an amazing speaker, very passionate about what he said," said Monica M. Orefice, 17, a senior at the city's Sabis International Charter School.

"I think it was definitely very inspiring," agreed Kara M. Breen, 17, also a Sabis senior.

The local CBS affiliate reported on the event and on the Obama endorsement:

About AIC Model Congress

Founded in 1940, American International College's Model Congress is the oldest program of its type in the nation. The college welcomes hundreds of high school students from aproximately 20 highschools in Northeastern part of the United States. Highschool students propose and submit legislation, which is then debated at the college in a simulated U.S. Congress and Senate, run by American International College students. Several scholarships are awarded each year to the most outstanding delegates of the Congress. The Congress runs three days and is intended to provide a practical educational experience while challenging students to take part in the American system of government.

What does a Model Congress do?

This is not the group Senator Kerry spoke to yesterday, but it's a good look at what a model congress is all about, and what it means to those who participate.

On Tuesday, in addition to a story on Sen. Kerry's visit to Ze-gen that Kerstin posted about here, a reporter from South Coast Today asked the Senator which 2008 candidate he will endorse. It's a huge endorsement, of course, for the candidate who is lucky enough to get it. When it happens. When the guy nearly half the country voted for last time says "I like this one", people tend to look a little more closely. And there's that huge email list to consider, and let's not forget the Senator's very active online supporters, some who are just waiting to hear who JK will get behind for the nomination. Yup. This will be a big endorsement for the lucky guy or gal, and it looks like we may not have to wait much longer. Yesterday, at the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee meeting, the Senator is reported to have said his endorsement will come "very soon". But as the Senator made clear in this video, he's not quite ready. I get that.

“People throughout Massachusetts are breaking the bank to fill their gas tanks, while oil companies reap windfall profits. That’s just plain wrong. That’s why I’m asking the federal government to investigate why prices have increased so dramatically,” said Senator Kerry. “This crisis is yet another reminder of Washington’s glaring inaction about our nation’s dependence on oil. It’s long past time to get serious about making America energy independent. This ongoing crisis hits people in the wallets, threatens our entire economy, degrades our environment and compromises our national security.”

As the Senator points out in his statement, and as most folks are painfully aware, gas prices are hitting us all in the pocketbook. In 2004, gas prices were a campaign issue at $1.77/gal. Less than four years later, at an average $3.11/gal., nothing is being done by this administration or its lockstep Republican apologists to address the impact of oil dependency on the American public. We need a Congress and an administration that will look for answers that benefit the vast majority of Americans, not just a few greedy oil execs. It's long past time for us to insist that the people we elect to represent us actually represent us, and that the ones who don't find another line of work.

The public's best interest is what we should be concerned with, not Exxon's record profits, as thatguitarman reminds us in song.

But the issue is not just prices, it's also the impact on the climate and our national security. The solution to our energy problems is innovation and conservation, not drilling and killing.

With all the attention of the nation focused on Iowa and New Hampshire, Senator Kerry quietly carries out the promise he made to the nation during his own run for president. He has been working on the issues that were important then, and are no less so four years later.

Fighting Global Climate Change, Kerry has long insisted, can carry with it tremendous business opportunities. To personally witness such a business success, Senator Kerry took a trip to New Bedford, MA to tour the Ze-Gen facility, a waste-to-energy prototype plant. One of the first of its kind, Ze-gen converts construction and demolition waste and municipal solid waste into near zero-emissions syngas and electrical energy.

The following video shows the Senator touring the facility and being explained the processes. After the tour, he is interviewed by Steve Urbon, Standard-Times senior correspondent about the promises of such innovation and the challenges to receive financing.

We Bay-Staters are very fortunate. We live in a state where such prototypes and innovation are encouraged and welcome, and where our Senators have the ability to further aid these businesses. It definitely does not hurt to have Senator Kerry chairing the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee, and the Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

So while the country may be swept up in the spectacle of presidential primaries, we can rest assured that somewhere, someone is not getting caught up in the frenzy and is working for us, and fighting the good fight.

With all of Senator Kerry's recent efforts nationally and internationally, it is sometimes easy to overlook his accomplishments on behalf of his home state Massachusetts. Just last week, he, Senator Kennedy, and a number of US representatives from our state have announced a myriad of funding for various state-based initiatives for a total of 236 billion Dollars.

In light of this, one might consider the fact that Massachusetts is one of the states that receives the least federal spending per federal tax dollar paid - $0.79. Compare this to such states as North Dakota, feeding at the government trough to the tune of $2.03 per tax dollar paid.

To illustrate just how much of an accomplishment this is, just look at the headlines of the press releases:

12/20/2007 Kerry, Kennedy, Neal Announce Parts of Western and Central Massachusetts to receive more than $17 million in federal funding

12/20/2007 Kerry, Kennedy, Tierney Announce North Shore to receive more than $38 million in federal funding

12/20/2007 Kerry, Kennedy, Frank Announce Fourth Congressional District Communities and projects to receive nearly $52 million in direct aid as part of funding bill

12/20/2007 Kerry, Kennedy, McGovern Announce Central and Southeastern Massachusetts to receive more than $7 million in federal funding

12/20/2007 Kerry, Kennedy, Delahunt Announce South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands to receive more than $35 million in federal funding

12/20/2007 Kerry, Kennedy, Tsongas Announce Merrimack Valley to receive nearly $4 million in federal funding

12/20/2007 Kerry, Kennedy, Markey Announce Suburban Boston area to receive more than $5 million in federal funding

12/20/2007 Kerry, Kennedy, Tierney, Frank and Delahunt Announce more than $13 million in federal disaster assistance for Massachusetts fishermen

These are much needed funds for our state, and I am grateful to Senators Kerry and Kennedy, and our Representatives for working so hard for Massachusetts. The Bay State may be small, but it has produced a fine delegation for the US Congress.
So here is a tribute to their efforts, and a bit of an homage to a place I am not native to, but have come to love as my home.

Thank you, Senator Kerry, Senator Kennedy, Reps. Neal, Tierney, Delahunt, Tsongas, Frank, McGovern, and Markey. You rock!

Whether it was Al Gore's book and subsequent movie that finally got the ball rolling, or the increase in celebrity voices joining the chorus, we may never know, but it appears as though Global Climate Change and Environmentalism have become sexy enough to warrant media attention.

In the midst of this welcome development, Senator Kerry is fast emerging as one of the leaders and go-to guy on the issue. Case in point: NBC goes Green and interviews the Senator on MSNBC, as KV reported yesterday; and Boston's local talk show host Tom Finneran has jumped on board with a Kerry interview that centers around the subject.

UPDATE: Evidently the embedded Zing video above doesn't work for all browsers so try this mp3 clip to listen to JK's interview with Mr. Finneran.

The sense of urgency about Global Climate Change has finally sunk in, and not a moment too soon, judging from alarming reports mentioned by Kerry:

Oceans are beginning to regurgitate CO2 that they used to be able to store, permafrost in the Arctic is melting and also releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. These are just a few examples of how serious the problem is becoming.

The belief that Global Climate Change can safely be ignored seems to be contained now among the Bushes and Inhofes of this world, but unfortunately at least one of them still has the power to prevent any action towards halting or reversing the damaging effects of GCC to our environment and our lives.

Media attention is not enough, but at least it is a step forward in creating awareness and a sense of empowerment among people that they can take individual actions that contribute to ultimately save our planet.

The Congress is coming!

Well, not all of them. But our favorite Senator and our newest Congresswoman are teaming up this Saturday at 2:00 pm for a Revolutionary Energy Rally in Concord, Massachusetts. Join Senator Kerry and Congresswoman Tsongas for this historic event!

From the Step It Up website:

Honoring the heroic leadership shown by the brave American Minutemen of 1775, we invite all citizens within a Paul Revere's ride to come -- whether by cycle, carpool, hybrid, or bus -- to hear today's state and national (to be announced) leaders share their views on the American Energy Revolution we need to address the climate crisis. Confirmed local leaders include: Representative Will Brownsberger, Representative Jamie Eldridge, Senator Susan Fargo, Representative Jim Marzilli, and Senator Pam Resor. Rob Garrity, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) will emcee the Revolutionary Energy Rally.

What, other than the fact that the event is located in Concord, does saving the planet have to do with the American Revolution? Actually, plenty. And it gives us the opportunity for a history lesson. And a quiz!

Fall is a lovely time to spend in the mountains. I trekked across Pennsylvania this week, and came back with a couple pictures.

JK returned with a bit more from his trip to the Berkshires, and although I doubt he had time to take photos of the fall color, photographer Ben Garver snapped some good ones of the Senator.

Sen. Kerry spent yesterday in Western Mass., and the Berkshire Eagle followed him across the region. In the Eagle's editorial meeting, the Senator discussed the AG nominee, the '04 and '08 elections and Iraq. Here's a short clip of the meeting...

but there's a lot of good stuff in the video of the full interview on the Berkshire Eagle website.

While I do my happy dance.

Congratulations Congresswoman Tsongas! The first woman elected in Massachusetts since Lt. Governor Healy, but she doesn't count.

Q: What's better than having a Senator working your phonebank?
A: Having a Senator working your phonebank who brings DONUTS!

Damn, I would have paid good money to have this guy working my phonebank in '06. Not that we didn't have a great crew, but we couldn't manage a single Senator to show up, bring donuts, make calls and then blog about it.

But Niki did.

Election day is TOMORROW HERE, and Senator Kerry stopped by BMG today to rally the troops for Niki. There's still a lot of work to be done, so here's your invite from JK to lend a hand

My staffers' phonebank will be at the Massachusetts Teachers Association at 20 Ashburton Place. We'll be making calls from 10 AM until 7:30 PM, and we'll make sure that the call center is stocked with coffee, doughnuts, pizza, soda and snacks. And, I promise, the calls will end before the Sox game starts.

If you're interested in stopping by the phonebank and helping send Niki to Congress, please email volunteerforNiki@yahoo.com.

And if you are able to travel to the 5th on Election Day and want to help with the GOTV effort, call Tsongas Campaign Headquarters at 1-978-458-6454 or email field@nikitsongas.com.

FIRST ELECTION DAY UPDATE -- Tuesday 07:27:

ELECTION DAY IS HERE!
So, get out there and make a difference. Call Niki's HQ and see how you can help, and if you're in Massachusetts 5th Congressional District, don't forget to VOTE FOR NIKI.

It was a special week for KerryVision, with at least part of the gang on scene at the latest Faneuil Hall speech, the main event in this week's newsreel.

But the Boston speech wasn't the only news from the Senator this week. There's lots more, including interviews on Bloomberg and Kudlow, some blogging for Niki Tsongas (MA-5, don't forget to vote on the 16th!), a terribly sad funeral for a National Guard member who was killed in Afghanistan, extension of the SBIR program, and a speech at a health care IT conference (more on that tomorrow).

So once again, for those of you with a lot of interest and little time, a full week of JK in five minutes or less.

Monday's Faneuil Hall speech reminded me that it's been a while since I've watched my all time favorite John Kerry speech. The speech is titled "A Right and Responsibility to Speak Out", but most folks simply call it "Dissent".

"Dissent" was delivered in historic Faneuil Hall, the Cradle of Liberty, where the words of American statesman Daniel Webster "Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable" can be seen above the speaker's head as a reminder to all of his famous Senate speech "Second Reply to Hayne" in which he proclaimed, "It is, sir, the people's Constitution, the people's government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people.", a remark later expressed in President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

On the 35th anniversary of his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Kerry reminded us of the role we all play in our government, and the need of our government to listen to the voices of the people it represents.

Dismissing dissent is not only wrong, but dangerous when America's leadership is unwilling to admit mistakes, unwilling to engage in honest discussion of the nation's direction, and unwilling to hold itself accountable for the consequences of decisions made without genuine disclosure, or genuine debate.

Our country was founded on dissent. Holding our elected representatives accountable is not just a right, Senator Kerry reminds us, but a responsibility. Yet so many Americans seem to take such a passive role, it's as though we've forgotten who we are. Certainly, the administration has done everything in its power to try to make us forget. They use fear as a weapon and attack the patriotism of dissenters. The loud voices from the right treat dissent not as a patriotic duty, but as an act to be discouraged. They attempt to silence the voices that challenge the status quo, even of those who have fought to ensure that very freedom.

We must insist now that patriotism does not belong to those who defend a President's position-it belongs to those who defend their country. Patriotism is not love of power; it is love of country. And sometimes loving your country demands you must tell the truth to power. This is one of those times.

It's long past time for politicians to stop talking past each other and start listening to the American people. On important issues like national security, healthcare and the economy, we're not that far apart, most of us. We want to care for our children's health and education, to see our tax dollars spent wisely -- to improve our quality of life, not to support an immoral war of choice, and to protect the rights that so many have fought and died to defend.

But we can't ask them to listen if we don't speak out.

As Frederick Douglass said in Faneuil Hall in 1860, "Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one's thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist."

Oh, and keep an eye out for the young guy on stage with JK. Better yet, check him out here. Good luck, Captain Powers. See you on C-SPAN!

Transcript and video of the speech can also be found at Senator Kerry's website.

Yesterday, Senator Kerry blogged for Niki Tsongas here, here and here in support of her race for Congress in an October 16 special election.

Which is great. But it's not enough.

Because it's going to take each and every one of us to do something, too. We've only got a little more than a week left, so do it now. If you can't blog, donate. JK has set up an Act Blue page for her, which you can access from his post at johnkerry.com. If you can't donate, volunteer, and if you can't do that, then call, write or text everyone you know in the MA 5th Congressional district, and tell them to get out and vote for Niki on October 16. Better yet, do all of the above. You know you want to.

JK mentions Paul Hackett's campaign in his blog post. As someone who actually dragged herself away from the computer and drove the nine hour round trip to volunteer for Paul, I can tell you that as rewarding as that experience was, seeing Mean Jean Schmidt eek out a win was just as devastating. We can't let that happen again. So, get out your plastic, head on over to JK's blog, and let's all send a message to the White House and get another Dem in Congress now.

This one.

From Niki's website:

On October 16, 2007, the eyes of America will be on us as we choose the new member of Congress from the Fifth Congressional District of Massachusetts. I believe we must send an unwavering message to America and to the White House: it is time to change the direction of our country, and it is long past time to change direction on Iraq.

Nice. Niki links to some pics with JK and Teresa from her site. Good luck Niki! See you on C-SPAN!

Kudlow may have had more time with JK on Monday, but KV scooped him on the big question of the day AND got to talk to him first.

As I mentioned yesterday, events like the Senator's Faneuil Hall speech are more than just the speech, which was excellent by the way. They're also a chance for people to take part in the democratic process. It's more than just voting, folks. It's participating, and that's what we did on Monday. It's also a lot of fun, as you'll see in the video.

The Senator has a special relationship with bloggers. He is one, and he understands what it is we do and why we do it. So, after events like Monday's Faneuil Hall speech, he sets aside some time to talk to his on-line friends.

JK was hustled to several interviews before he caught a flight to DC for a vote yesterday, and we didn't have much time to chat with him. But Kerstin was able to catch a bit of our discussion with the Senator on video. The first question is from KV's good friend Karen, and the second is mine. I had a list of questions, some actually having to do with the economy and the speech, but as he was being dragged away for the CNBC interview, all I managed to fit in was a quick question about yesterday's big story, the release of the new Springsteen album.

I'll bet he gets good seats to the show.

So, Massfolk, thanks for your hospitality, and enjoy the video of your Senator. As for the rest of us, we'll just have to get ours to try a bit harder.

Today we post the main event, but that really doesn't give the full picture of what it's like to attend a John Kerry speech at Faneuil Hall. We'll try to show you a bit of that tomorrow. There's an energy around these things that's difficult to put into words. The gathering of people who want to hear how their Senator is going to help make their lives better, the anticipation of the speech itself, the interaction with bloggers and other media, staff and the Senator himself are all ancillary to, but inseparable from the actual speech. This is what democracy looks like to me, and if you haven't experienced an event like this, I hope we can at least give you a taste of it over the next couple days.

The Senator's speech was a populist rallying cry. Both a history lesson in what Americans have done when faced with economic challenges, and a call for what we can do to restore our disappearing middle class. As the Senator noted:

We need fundamental change— not bite sized ideas that are poll tested, sound-bite ready and destined to be mere footnotes to the times we live in. It’s time we end the era of incrementalism and begin a bold new age in progressive politics.

Senator John Kerry will deliver a major speech offering a 21st Century economic strategy for America’s middle class at Faneuil Hall on Monday, October 1, 2007 at noon.

Awesome. I've seen JK at Faneuil Hall, and it's an experience not to be missed. An inspiring setting for what's sure to be an equally inspiring event.

See you there!

Yesterday, Senator Kerry's plate was full again. His schedule called for two Boston area radio interviews, quickly followed by the SFRC hearing on the Petraeus Report at 9.30 AM. Unfortunately, one of the radio appearances had to be cancelled with very short notice due to time constraints.

We at KV were fortunate to be able to record the first interview with former Massachusetts Speaker of the House, now radio talk show host Tom Finneran. John Kerry once again did brilliantly.

Not even twenty minutes after his call-in to WRKO, Senator Kerry had to attend the hearing at the Hart Building. His turn to give a statement and question Petraeus and Crocker came roughly an hour into the proceedings:

As Massachusetts remembers Firefighters Paul Cahill and Warren Payne, we reflect on the service of all firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

A Fireman's Prayer

Read at the memorial service for Worcester's fallen firefighters

When I am called to duty, God
Where ever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is to late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor and
Protect his property.
And if according to my fate
I am to lose my life
Please bless with your protecting hand
My children and my wife.

- - "Author Unknown"

RIP Firefighters Paul Cahill and Warren Payne

Senator Kerry released the following statement on the death of Paul Cahill and Warren Payne:

"Today Massachusetts mourns the loss of two heroes who gave their lives so others could live," Senator Kerry said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Paul Cahill and Warren Payne. Their deaths are a painful reminder that the firefighters who do their duty day in and day out are always one alarm away from the fire that could be their last. No one should ever take for granted the service of these incredible public servants. They define courage in our country. Words cannot express our deep gratitude to them and our sadness for their loss.

"Teresa and I extend our prayers to the families and friends of Paul Cahill and Warren Payne and also to those firefighters injured in last night's blaze. We are here for the entire West Roxbury community, we pray for some comfort and peace to come to those affected by this tragedy, and we must all recommit ourselves to doing right by our first responders, not just today, but after the bagpipes stop wailing."

UPDATE

We'd like to recognize and thank the researchers at WPI and Senators Kerry and Kennedy and Rep. McGovern for their efforts in working to protect those who protect us. It's heartening to see researchers and the legislators who pushed for funding respond to a disaster by doing something constructive in response to the tragedy. What better way to honor the memory of fallen firefighters than to help ensure the same tragic fate does not befall those who continue to risk their lives for our safety?

The WPI Precision Personnel Locator Project was initiated in response to the Worcester fire of 1999:

February 14, 2003 - U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and John Kerry (D-MA) today announced that they have secured $1 million for Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for a Firefighter Locator System. This system will be used to develop a system to locate, track and monitor the physiological status of firefighters, police, EMTs and other public safety personnel during an emergency.

"I cannot think of a better way to honor the memory of the six Worcester firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty in December 1999 than funding research to find new ways to guide searchers in locating firefighters in trouble," Senator Kerry said. "This funding will help discover new ways to help our firefighters do their jobs more effectively and safely."

In 2000, Kerry successfully included an amendment in the Fire Administration Authorization Act of 2000 which authorized a $1 million fire research project at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in honor of the Worcester firefighters. This legislation was signed into law by President Clinton in
November 2000.

The grant was again renewed, just a couple weeks ago, allowing the WPI to continue this important research and development.

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have been working on a firefighter locator since six firefighters died in the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. building fire in December 1999. This week, the team of faculty and student researchers working on the Precision Personnel Locator Project learned they will be awarded a nearly $1 million grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security to try to integrate the locator with a system that will monitor the firefighters’ (or other responders’) health. ...

The grant drew praise from U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, and U.S. Sens. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

Whenever I hear about something Sen. Kerry has done that I know was driven by true compassion, I think about the late Dr. Hunter Thompson's quote, describing JK as "a good man with a brave heart". Some people are just that way. They do the things they do, work the jobs they work, live the lives they live, out of a sense of duty and just because they know they have no choice but to do the right thing.

Cynics may try to rationalize these acts of human kindness, but if you're lucky enough to know someone, perhaps even be someone, whose heart won't allow you to witness suffering without acting to try to ease it, you know that the cynics just don't get it.

But we do, and so do the brothers and the families of those who gave their lives for our security. In this 2004 video, they tell the story of loss and sacrifice and compassion.

It's the weekend, and there are plenty. Because Senator Kerry hasn't yet commented on the latest Harry Potter, we're going with a quote from JK in response to the Boston Globe's hard-hitting question, "Who is your favorite Simpsons character?"

Personally, I'd go with Lisa. Bright, cynical and blonde, she reminds me a lot of myself. But JK's a Bart fan, and this is about him, so we're going with it.

The Globe article isn't without controversy. The top spot is a toss-up between Homer, Marge and Mr. Burns, but our guy went with the bad boy, Bart. Hmmm ...

OK, Senator, let's hear your best argument. Sure, Bart's got the youth vote, but ai, carumba, he's a bit of a slacker, don't you think?

JOHN KERRY, US senator "I could say my favorite character is Mr. Burns, because thanks to him even after Dick Cheney is out of office he will live on as a cartoon. But I'm actually a Bart fan, despite the fact Time named him one of the 100 most influential people, and I didn't make the list. He once mooned a doctor, indicating he has the same view toward our current health-care system most Americans do."

Despite our differences on this matter, in regard to the 'Time 100', the Senator made top spot on our list.

OK, let's hear from the rest of you. Are you with me or are you with the Senator?

John and Teresa Kerry recently sat down to talk about their book This Moment On Earth with Kate Brosnan of the MorningNoon&Night Show in Nantucket. Ms. Brosnan conducted a warm, relaxed interview in which JK and THK spoke about the ways that all of us can stand up for the environment and for our own well-being. JK talked about the heroism of ordinary Americans who have fought -- and won -- inspiring battles to defend the environment. THK discussed the danger posed by the chemicals that pervade our everyday lives and the steps we as individuals and as a society need to take to protect human health.

The locally-broadcast program has now been posted to the Plum TV website. You can watch the video and see a slideshow of stills from the interview here

Jay Severin is one of Boston's 96.9 FM Talk daily occurrences along with other notables, such as O'Reilly, Ingraham, Graham, and, to provide some 'liberal balance', Barnicle and Braude.

Severin is one smooth individual, reeling you in with apparent logic (he was a political consultant at one point in his mediocre career), slowly tapping into your emotional responses by circling hot buttons such as illegal immigrants, and culminating into a hate fest with such 'witty' gems as 'crimaliens'.

A perfect example of this was his approach to Senator Kerry in '04:
During the Democratic primaries, Severin was very generous in his praise for JK, calling him a war hero, an upstanding citizen, a great candidate for president. When Kerry won the primaries, Severin became a bit more critical, but still limited his criticism to the issues.

Then the Swiftboat Liars crawled out of the woodwork. A subtle change came over JS as he at first hesitantly condemned the charges made by the group, stating that, he was inclined to side with Senator Kerry due to lack of proof.

Gradually, as the days and weeks wore on, Severin's opinion of JK 'changed'. By election day, he was fully in the camp of the liars, promoting them, stating that he was convinced beyond doubt that there had to be truth to the allegations.

Such is the nature of the more subtle, but highly effective conservative talk radio beast.

Evidently Severin is back to his logical and fair persona and has decided that Senator Kerry is right on the Iraq war - a war he, Severin, vehemently opposes. (now)
So last night, he invited Kerry to phone in for an interview, in which they discussed Iraq, Pakistan and sleeping on the couch.

Visit Jay Severin at 96.9 FM Talk

A friend of the KV sent us this rockin' clip of Senator John Kerry speaking at the Massacusetts Democratic Convention on the campus of UMass Amherst on May 19. The Senator named names, calling out the litany of Bush administration cronies on their incompetence.

A typical and memorable quote by the Senator garnered laughter and applause from a receptive audience of delegates and visitors:

I've never seen anything like it. These guys - they're quick to take care of their friends. They have never met a hen house they can't find a fox to guard. It's incredible beyond belief to me that they're willing to reward that and reward it publicly in an Orwellian notion about Right and Wrong

Obviously, the Senator's vision has more clarity than the video.

This clip of Senator Kerry at a town hall meeting in Natick, MA on June 16, comes from the Youtube video archive of John Bowes of BelowBoston.com. We love this clip at KerryVision because he says what we know to be true, John Kerry will put his Senate record up against anyone's.

We do realize here at KV that a lot of folks don't read the Congressional Record for fun. We don't really understand that, but we know it's true. </snark>

So, what of the Senator's record? We hear about some of the big issues, like Iraq and the environment, but what about all the other stuff JK does?

Senator Kerry's Senate website has a new look and a great summary of some of the work JK has done for us in the Senate recently, categorized by issue.

So thanks, Mr. Bowes, for the video. We agree with the Senator. He can put his record up against anyone in the Senate and be proud of what he's done.

Check out more videos by John Bowes at his youtube site.

As we celebrate Independence Day here at KerryVision, the discussion turns naturally to what that means. From an historical perspective, of course, it's the day we declared independence from British rule; the day when this nation, in our greatest moment, announced our freedom from a unitary ruler and established our independence.

The Fourth of July is also a day to spend with friends and family, to fly our flags, fire up the grill, tell the kids for the umpteenth time that it's still not dark enough for fireworks, and to think about what a great country we live in; a nation that was founded on dissent, on freedom, and on the notion that "an informed citizenry is the only true repository of the public will" (Thomas Jefferson).

That's not to say there aren't good sources of news out there already. You can find them if you search hard enough. There are some great newspapers and blogs, there's C-SPAN and couple of radio and TV news programs that do a pretty good job of informing the public. But the message is often lost in the great deluge of infotainment that floods the airwaves. So,in an attempt to correct the imbalance, WE THE PEOPLE must be the media. KV is our contribution to the education of the American public.

Today, July 4, is the day we say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" and begin to report news that has an impact on our daily lives. So, on our nation's 231st birthday, we celebrate our own. We celebrate the American patriot whose vision and values most closely match our own: John Kerry.

 
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