MASSterList: DraftKings breathes sigh of relief | Hitler comparisons | Warren panned again

 

Thursday, March 24, 2016

By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan

Today: Baker to address convention, gaming commission hearing, GE chief in Boston

Gov. Charlie Baker speaks at the National Society of Black Engineers' 42nd annual convention, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 10 a.m. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission holds a public hearing to receive information on plans for a casino at the Brockton Fairgrounds and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe's proposal for a resort casino in Taunton, 101 Federal Street, 12th floor, 10 a.m. General Electric chief executive Jeffrey Immelt speaks at the Boston College Chief Executives Club luncheon, Boston Harbor Hotel, Wharf Room, 70 Rowes Wharf, 12 p.m. Moulton goes there: Compares Trump to Hitler Here's the straightforward lead on the Globe's story by Travis Andersen: "U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton compared the rise of Republican presidential front-runner Donald J. Trump to the election of Adolf Hitler and said Wednesday that constituents should warn 'that crazy uncle' against voting for the businessman if he wins the GOP nomination." OK, yet another Hitler/Munich/World War II analogy, often dragged up by pols and hack pundits alike when harshly criticizing someone else's motives and foreign policy views. But even Moulton seems to admit it's a tired analogy. From the YouTube transcript of the Globe's "Political Happy Hour" talk at Suffolk University yesterday between Moulton and the Globe's Joshua Miller: Moulton: When you're in politics, one of those, sorta, like, cardinal rules is: You never say what I'm about to say. But people should read the history of how Germany elected Hitler. Read that history. And just try to understand the analogies. And, uh, I think that's important at this -- at this time. I'm not saying that Donald Trump is necessarily Hitler. I'm not saying that. But you ought to understand how an unbelievably educated, advanced society can elect a demagogue and how bad it can get as a result.  Miller: That's, that's, that's quite a thing to say, so I want you to elucid -- sort of elaborate on it a little bit -- Moulton: See I'm already in trouble. [Audience laughter] Miller: Yup. You've opened that door. ... There's then a brief discussion of a pre-WW II article by the NYT, apparently this one, on Hitler's early rise to power and how his anti-Semitism was downplayed or dismissed by many at the time. But here's the key line from Miller on all the Hitler talk: "But just to, just to take it one more step forward: Obviously for several million reasons, the comparison to Hitler is a pretty inflammatory one." And those several million reasons are the crux of the matter. Moulton could have justifiably said everything else - including Trump's views being "radical, ridiculous, and immoral, they're also really stupid" - and he would have been fine. But, no, he had to make the Hitler comparison. Meanwhile, Rep. Stephen Lynch appears to have touched on very similar and sensitive subjects in a more responsible way with the Herald, without a reference to the most evil mass-murderer in history, though we didn't check the full transcript, it should be noted. Bill to ease license suspensions for drug offenses heads to Baker's desk The majority of drug offenders sentenced to prison in Massachusetts would no longer face automatic driver's license suspensions under a compromise bill OK'd by the House yesterday and expected to be passed today by the Senate, State House New Service's Matt Murphy reports. Gov. Baker has said he supports the bill in concept. Keep in mind: The House unanimously approved the bill, 150-0, signifying a major shift on the "war on drugs." Would such a vote have occurred even five years ago? http://bit.ly/1S8l4MP (pay wall) Sponsored Solar energy in Massachusetts lowers electricity prices, provides cleaner air, has created over 15,000 local jobs, and gives consumers choice. Our solar industry is one of the most successful in the country. But all this is in danger if the Legislature doesn't act now to eliminate the arbitrary cap on solar net metering. Protect this vital industry. Eliminate the cap. Find us at LetMassShine.com. City councilor warns of police 'fortress' in downtown Springfield Springfield Councilor Justin Hurst says that Mayor Domenic J. Sarno's plans to hire 59 new police officers and bolster law enforcement downtown risks "potentially building a fortress of public safety around downtown and leaving the rest of the city to fend for themselves," MassLive's Peter Goonan reports. http://bit.ly/1UJkOtC Elizabeth Warren's performance gets panned again The Globe's Yvonne Abraham is another one who thinks Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren needs to work on her TV interview skills and stop running away from reporters asking questions: "Supporters might argue there's something refreshing in her artlessness when it comes to eluding questions. Maybe. But refreshing won't take Warren very far if she's inclined to higher office. Eventually, she will be required to be a more straightforward, and more nimble, stateswoman." http://bit.ly/1pJJplu DraftKings breathes a sigh of relief Attorney General Maura Healey said she will issue final regulations today for daily fantasy sports businesses, including Boston's very own DraftKings, that likely will include minor revisions and tweaks of rules she's already announced, reports the Globe's David Scharfenberg. In other words: No New York-style bombshells. And that's good news for fantasy sports firms like DraftKings. They can live with most anything short of an outright ban.http://bit.ly/1Uca5YA 'This is our [expletive] city' Granted, President Obama was catching flack for watching baseball in Cuba while authorities were dealing with terrorist attacks in Belgium, so he has a built-in excuse to come up with excuses that distract from his baseball watching. (Got it?) But it was still interesting to hear him praise Boston's response to the Boston Marathon bombings, including his citing the now famous David Ortiz f-bomb assertion that we weren't going to get pushed around, according to a report by ESPN's Scott Lauber. http://es.pn/22xB59H Our state's public defenders are denied their right to form a union. Why? Because they were left out of the state collective bargaining law.  Worcester wants $75K for early votingWorcester's Election Commission is asking the city to budget an additional $75,000 to help it cover the costs of the state offering early voting for the first time in the upcoming presidential election, Nick Kotsopoulos of the Telegram reports. The funds would be enough to cover 200 hours of early voting at five locations over the 12 days the state will allow voters to cast ballots before the Nov. 8 election. http://bit.ly/25nu6iJ Sponsored Each and every day, social workers confront some of the most challenging issues facing individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth - tackling the opioid crisis, keeping at-risk children safe, providing critical mental health services and more. Whether directly or indirectly, we've all been touched their critical work. Join Governor Charlie Baker, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, State Senate President Stan Rosenberg and many others in recognizing the immeasurable impact these dedicated professionals have in our communities. Visit www.ThankOurSocialWorkers.com to learn more.  ************ ************* TODAY'S TOP STORIES Metro headlines T to suspend fare payment announcement amid rider irritation Uber is already banned from Logan Airport Skeptically, Boston City Council OKs More Urban Renewal Baker amenable to offshore wind - CommonWealth Magazine Teachers union walks out of talks with city over plan to alter school calendar - The Boston Globe DeLeo confident state revenues will rebound Protesters upset by $1B BPS budget, urge taxes on rich WBUR launches interactive ad campaign - The Boston Globe Union leader angered by Mayor Walsh's Adele parody video - The Boston Globe Zoning Commission nominee withdraws - The Boston Globe AG to issue final rules for fantasy sports Friday - The Boston Globe Urban renewal gets new term in Boston - The Boston Globe State headlines  Vision for New Bedford's waterfront focuses on fishing, revamped State Pier Tewksbury board votes to keep 'Redmen' mascot Gloves come off in Billerica selectman's debate Closing Pilgrim nuke plant won't be easy, experts say Number of newborns addicted to opioids skyrockets in Massachusetts - Boston Business Journal Weymouth compressor station opponents plan big presence at state permit hearing Quincy Police strengthen presence through new community offices Framingham selectman candidates square off in forum Worcester Election Commission seeks extra $75K for early voting Offshore wind may finally take off with big projects, none named Cape Wind - The Boston Globe As Pilgrim plant nears closure, concerns rise over future of the site - The Boston Globe National headlines In presidential primaries, super PACs' influence limited - The Boston Globe Ted Cruz's wife has sharp words for Donald Trump - The Boston Globe Congressman Seth Moulton compares rise of Donald Trump to election of Hitler in 1930s - The Boston Globe Send tips and comments about MASSterList to jay@massterlist.com.