POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER’s new opioid rules — HEALEY sues again — TSONGAS won’t endorse

10/10/2017 07:02 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) and Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. It's great to be back in your inbox after the long weekend.

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: NEW OPIOID CURRICULUM RULES - Today Massachusetts will roll out a first-in-the-nation set of educational core principles to help social workers tackle addiction and opioid treatment, Gov. Charlie Baker's office tells me. Social workers are seen as the "largest force on the front lines of the opioid crisis," and 4,300 are currently enrolled in Massachusetts schools. There aren't many specifics yet, but all nine of Massachusetts' schools of social work will incorporate addiction education and training into their individual curricula under this new directive to be announced at the State House this morning.

Taking on the opioid epidemic has been a key issue for Baker in his first term. He's a member of President Donald Trump's opioid commission, chaired by Gov. Chris Christie. The group rolled out a series of initial recommendations back in August, including one that would establish and require prescriber education initiatives like this in medical and dental schools across the country. The first major recommendation asked Trump to declare a federal state of emergency because of the opioid epidemic, which he has not done.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.

TODAY - At 10:10 a.m., mayors from around the country, including Boston's Marty Walsh, Brockton's Bill Carpenter, and Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan will launch a "10-minute walk" parks advocacy campaign with The Trust for Public Land, National Recreation and Park Association, and Urban Land Institute, to establish the goal that all Americans should live within a 10-minute walk (or half-mile) of a high-quality park or green space - Sen. Ed Markey holds a town hall in Peabody - It's primary day for the voters of the Third Essex and the First Berkshire districts for the preliminary elections to replace Rep. Brian Dempsey and Rep. Gailanne Cariddi.

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

- "Group slams Mass. Democrats over pay raises," by Christian M. Wade, Newbury Port News: "A tax-exempt group backed by Republicans is taking aim at Democratic lawmakers with a series of blistering mailers that criticize a controversial vote earlier this year to give themselves a pay raise. The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, founded by GOP businessman and congressional candidate Rick Green, is targeting nearly 40 Democrats up for re-election to the House of Representatives and Senate next year, including Reps. Theodore Speliotis of Danvers and Ann-Margaret Ferrante of Gloucester."

- "Mass. wildlife bills would permit hunters to use crossbows and to go hunting on Sundays," by Bradford L. Miner, Worcester Telegram: "Wildlife, hunting and trapping bills introduced for the current legislative session would allow Sunday hunting, use of a crossbow, and management of the state's beaver population by MassWildlife, rolling back many of the provisions of the 1996 Wildlife Protection Act. At a hearing last month by the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture at MassWildlife Field Headquarters, lengthy testimony was heard on 19 bills from sportsmen supporting the changes and animal welfare organizations strongly opposed."

TRUMPACHUSETTS -

- "Mass. to sue to protect power plant emissions rule," by the Associated Press: "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is pledging to sue the Trump administration over its move to kill an Obama-era effort to limit carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants. Healey, a Democrat, said the decision violates the law and imperils the future of the planet."

THE WARREN REPORT -

- "Democrats cut ties with Harvey Weinstein as fresh allegations emerge," by Hannah Ellis-Petersen, The Guardian: "Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has been tipped as a possible 2020 presidential nominee, said she was donating $5,000 received from Weinstein to Casa Myrna, a charity that fights domestic violence."

- "Hello, Iowa! The 2020 race is three years away. But Democrats are itching to start it now." by Ben Terris, Washington Post: "It turns out that trying to deny you're gunning for the White House is a lot like trying to deny you're insane. You're not crazy? Well, that's exactly what a crazy person would say! If you come to Iowa this early, clearly you're thirsty for the job. And if you appear to be avoiding it, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) or former vice president Joe Biden, then you're obviously just slow-walking the process."

- "Clinton warns Harris, Warren would face 'double standard' in 2020," by Carla Marinucci, POLITICO: "Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, in California as part of her 16-city book tour, said Monday that Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren will need "a high pain threshold" if they run for president in 2020 because of the way women candidates are treated. When asked if she were advising Harris or Warren on a run for president, Clinton said she would counsel that "you have to have a high pain threshold, because the double standard is alive and well."

MOULTON MATTERS -

- "'We don't allow families to own tanks' and should control guns too: Democratic lawmaker," by Nicki Zink, ABC News: "A Massachusetts Democrat who served in the Iraq War and now serves in Congress calls for 'commonsense' steps to reduce gun violence. A Virginia Republican who is also an Iraq War veteran serving in Congress cautions that in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre it's important to maintain 'clarity through the emotional chaos.'"

ON THE STUMP -

- "Governor throws weight behind Ventura with Attleboro visit," by Jim Hand, Attleboro Sun Chronicle: "Baker came to Attleboro to endorse Ventura in his special election race to replace former Sen. James Timilty, who resigned. ... Things are going well in Massachusetts, Baker said, and another Republican in the Senate will help keep the momentum going."

- "Unified support for 'millionaire's tax' among 2018 Democrats running for governor," by Shira Schoenberg, Masslive.com: "In an unusual move Friday, all three Democrats running for governor in 2018 joined together in downtown Boston to collect signatures to put a question on the 2018 ballot that would raise taxes on income over $1 million. The agreement among the candidates on the proposed constitutional amendment reflects a larger agreement among the Democrats - Newton Mayor Setti Warren, former health insurance executive and state budget chief Jay Gonzalez and environmentalist and entrepreneur Bob Massie - that Massachusetts needs new revenue."

- "Light turnout expected in 3rd Essex primary," by Peter Francis, Eagle-Tribune: "After months of campaigning, registered voters Tuesday will get the opportunity to cast their ballots in both the Democratic and Republican primaries to decide who will advance in the special election to succeed former state Rep. Brian Dempsey in the 3rd Essex District. While School Committeeman Shaun Toohey is running unopposed in the Republican primary, voters will get to choose between Toohey's fellow School Committeeman Paul Magliocchetti and City Councilor Andy Vargas in the Democratic primary."

TSONGAS ARENA -

- "The Column: In 3rd primary, an $800G gorilla," from The Lowell Sun: "Tsongas told The Column last week that she will stay neutral in the Democratic primary. ... 'I will not be endorsing a candidate and that's not going to change,' said Tsongas over breakfast at The Owl Diner downtown. ... Tsongas' late-August announcement had many across the district thinking about joining the race. One was Michael Gallagher, the former Lowell School Committee member and lawyer who is playing a key role to keep Lowell High School downtown. Wealthy, well-known and respected, Gallagher could have mounted a legitimate campaign. ... Gallagher has decided running for office isn't in the cards, for now."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "BUCKLEY ON FARRELL: GET HIM OUTTA HERE!" - Globe: "EPA set to end rule on emissions," "Festival of arts, tech looks to expand reach," "Frustration reigns," "Amazon equation: Cost, congestion vs. talent, culture," "She wanted a deck, got holes, headache."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

- "Boston campaign aims to end youth homelessness," by Kathleen McKiernan, Boston Herald: "The city is expected to release a request for proposals today in search for a consultant who can help the city gather data on homeless youth, understand the system's capacity, identify the needs and design a plan to address the gaps. The city hopes to have an action plan in place within six months."

- "Pilgrim failed to identify 23 assets open to cyberattack," by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: "Operators failed to identify and document 23 "critical digital assets" that perform functions related to safety systems and emergency preparedness at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, despite being told about the shortcoming by federal inspectors in 2015. A report provided to the Times by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under a Freedom of Information Act request contains more details on two cybersecurity violations found at Pilgrim in midsummer."

- ICMI: "First billboard ads for a marijuana dispensary will go up Monday," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "New England Treatment Access, or NETA, which operates medical marijuana dispensaries in Brookline and Northampton, has purchased space on four billboards: two on the Massachusetts Turnpike near Exit 5 in Chicopee, one on Route 28 in Somerville, and another near the Mass. Ave. exit off Interstate 93 in Boston."

- "Williams College has its last Columbus Day off, as the school removes holiday from their schedule," by Patricia LeBoeuf, Berkshire Eagle: "In ending the Columbus Day off at Williams College, it came down to accounting. The faculty voted to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a holiday for faculty, staff and students about six months ago. The human resources department determined the college would trade off another holiday - Columbus Day - rather than adding another holiday to the calendar."

IF YOU'RE WONDERING ABOUT THE FUNKY DOMES ON CITY HALL PLAZA - "Kicking off its third year, HUBweek looks to become a Boston civic staple," by Dugan Arnett, Boston Globe: "While this year's version - which runs from Tuesday through Sunday at a variety of locations - is set to include a range of new offerings, the most significant change will be the geographic layout, as organizers made a point to establish a centralized hub on City Hall Plaza."

- SPOTTED: Former House Speaker Sal DiMasi and City Councilor Sal LaMattina Honored with Michael A. Nazzaro Public Service Awards, via North End Waterfront.com: "Former House Speaker Sal DiMasi and District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina were honored with the Michael A. Nazzaro, Jr. Public Service Award at this year's Columbus Day Celebration Reception. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh took part in the presentations as did State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, State Sen. Joe Boncore and City Councilors who attended including President Michelle Wu, Michael Flaherty and Ayanna Pressley along with Steve Murphy, Register of Deeds."

WEEKEND WEDDING - Steve Kerrigan, president of the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, a nonprofit he helped found with 9/11 families to support the families of those who died in the wars since 9/11, this weekend married Jacob Watts, events manager at the Wyss Institute at Harvard. Kerrigan, 2014 Mass. Lt. Gov. nominee and former CEO of the 2012 DNC in Charlotte, is also seen as a likely candidate for the MA3 seat. The ceremony was at First Church of Christ Unitarian in their hometown of Lancaster (designed by Charles Bulfinch, who also designed the State House) followed by reception at O'Connor's in Worcester. Pic by Kellie Ryan http://bit.ly/2fYH5UQ

SPOTTED: Victoria Reggie Kennedy, Martha Coakley, Angela Menino, Harry Collings, Michael Wasserman, Suzi Emmerling, Ilyse Hogue, John Neffinger, Mike Brennan, Tom Lopach, Tom Sheridan, and former colleagues from Sen. Kennedy's office, AG Reilly's office, the DNC in Charlotte and Boston 2004, Mass Military Heroes Fund, JFK New Frontier Network, and family from Lancaster, around MA, and many from out of state.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Lunenburg state Rep. Jennifer Benson, the Boston Globe's Steve Annear, and Megan McCafferty, former LC for Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? No! - The Bruins fell to the Avalanche 4-0 and the Sox fell to the Houston Astros 5-4.

HAVE YOU HEARD - The latest installment of The Horse Race, the new podcast about Massachusetts' most exciting races from yours truly and MassINC Polling Group's Steve Koczela. This week: Boston loves Marty Walsh, and very little else, so says the MassINC Polling Group's post-preliminary poll for WBUR. Why is Walsh the front-runner when voters are dissatisfied on so many issues? We also check in on Baker and the MBTA (cue ominous sound effect), Gabriel Gomez and the expanding Senate field, and Seth Moulton eating a sizzling steak in Iowa. Subscribe and listen now on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

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CounterCurrents: The Genocide Of The Rohingya: Big Oil, Failed Democracy And False Prophets

Dear Friend,

All of you know that a genocide is going on in Myanmar against the hapless Rohingyas as the world stands by and watch the slow motion horror. 

Dr Ramzy Baroud tells us that the reason behind the world inaction is because of Big Oil who are interested in the black gold lying beneath the Rohingya soil. 

Mohammad Yousuf Najar implores that the world has to step up and take action NOW!

Kavaljit Singh writes a well reasoned article on India's demonetisation fiasco. 

If you don't mind, and if you think the content of this news letter is critical for the dignified living and survival of humanity and other species on earth, please forward it to your friends and spread the word. It's time for humanity to come together as one family! You can subscribe to our news letter here http://www.countercurrents.org/news-letter/. 

In Solidarity

Binu Mathew

Editor

www.countercurrents.org

The Genocide Of The Rohingya: Big Oil, Failed Democracy And False Prophets

by Dr Ramzy Baroud 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/the-genocide-of-the-rohingya-big-oil-failed-democracy-and-false-prophets/

Certainly, the horrible fate of the Rohingya is not entirely new. But what makes it particularity pressing is that the west is now fully on the side of the very government that is carrying out these atrocious acts. And there is a reason for that: Oil.

Rohingya Muslims And Our Immediate Responsibilities

by Mohammad Yousuf Najar

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/rohingya-muslims-and-our-immediate-responsibilities/

The responsible heads and the elite class of Muslim states must discard their narrow fights and get themselves mobilized internationally in order to defend the Rohingya Muslims in international forums like UN, ICC. They must force their local governments to kick out the ambassadors of this Buddhist state without any delay. The good for nothing OIC must deliver now or get packed.    

Has Demonetization Achieved Its Stated Objectives?

by Kavaljit Singh

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/has-demonetization-achieved-its-stated-objectives/

The government needs to explain why it pursued a shock and awe strategy through demonetization when it already has a wide variety of policy instruments to achieve same objectives? 

GM Mustard And The Indian Government: The Game Is Up, The Emperor Has No Clothes!

by Colin Todhunter 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/gm-mustard-and-the-indian-government-the-game-is-up-the-emperor-has-no-clothes/

The next stage of the case involving the commercialisation of genetically modified (GM) mustard in India is to be heard on 15 September in the Supreme Court (SC). GM mustard could be India’s first commercially cultivated GM food crop, which could very well open the floodgates to the commercialisation of various other food crops that are in the pipeline.

Destabilizing Egypt; Ethiopia’s Nile River Dam

by Thomas C Mountain 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/destabilizing-egypt-ethiopias-nile-river-dam/

Ethiopia’s new “ Grand Renaissance Dam”, scheduled to be completed next year, will take close to half (40%) of the Nile River’s water every year for the next 5 years as it fills up. How is Egyptian President Al Sisi going to survive for the next 5 years without almost half the Nile’s water when the country is presently suffering serious water and hydroelectric shortages, never mind crippling inflation, growing hunger and a terrorist insurgency?

Steve Bannon’s Crystal Ball: A Split In The GOP

by Dr Binoy Kampmark 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/steve-bannons-crystal-ball-a-split-in-the-gop/

Rarely does the virus speak so formidably to the condition he is a product of.    The soiling, devastating strategist Steve Bannon, despite exiting the Trump administration, remains within it (symbolically at least), moving about with effect and influence. But it is a legacy of mixed curses that bodes ill for the Republican Party.

The American Military Uncontained , Out Everywhere And Winning Nowhere 

by William J Astore 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/the-american-military-uncontained-out-everywhere-and-winning-nowhere/

When it comes to the “world’s greatest military,” the news has been shocking. Two fast U.S. Navy ships colliding with slow-moving commercial vessels with tragic loss of life.  An Air Force that has been in the air continuously for years and yet doesn’t have enough pilots to fly its combat jets.  Ground troops who find themselves fighting “rebels” in Syria previously armed and trained by the CIA. 

Three 9-11s: Satyagraha Launch (1906), Chile Coup (1973) & US False Flag (2001)

by Dr Gideon Polya 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/three-9-11s-satyagraha-launch-1906-chile-coup-1973-us-false-flag-2001/

The world has marked the 16th anniversary of the US 9-11 atrocity in which about 3,000 people were killed. However unremarked are the 32 million Muslims killed through violence, 5 million, or deprivation, 27 million,  in the post-9-11 US War on Terror;  the 1973 US-backed Chilean Coup on 9-11 (3,000 killed, 300,000 subsequent deaths from deprivation); and the 1906 founding on 9-11 of Gandhi’s Satyagraha that ultimately  saved 700 million Indian lives in the half century after Indian Independence.

100 Percent Wishful Thinking: The Green-Energy Cornucopia

by Stan Cox 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/100-percent-wishful-thinking-the-green-energy-cornucopia/

The debate about hope ignores the relevant question: what are we hoping for? If our hope is to deploy solar and wind capacity that maintains indefinitely the current throughput of energy in the world’s affluent societies, then, yes, the situation is hopeless. But there can be other hopes that, although they’re looking dim for now, are at least within reach: that greenhouse warming can be limited sufficiently to allow communities around the world who are currently impoverished and oppressed to improve their lives; that access to food, water, shelter, safety, culture, nature, and other necessities becomes sufficient for all; or that exploitation and oppression of humans and nature be brought to an end.

Responsibility For The “Opioid Epidemic”–Corruption, Collusion And Criminal Negligence

by Dr Nayvin Gordon 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/responsibility-for-the-opioid-epidemic-corruption-collusion-and-criminal-negligence/

Well over a hundred thousand people have overdosed and died, and there are now 3 million addicts as the epidemic continues to devastate families across the nation.

Barcelona’s Decidim: An Open-Source Platform for Participatory Democracy Projects

by Kevin Stark 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/barcelonas-decidim-an-open-source-platform-for-participatory-democracy-projects/

The word Decidim translated from Catalan means we decide, and it’s the name of Barcelona’s digital infrastructure for participatory democracy. One part functional database and one part political statement, organizers say Decidim is key to a broad digital transformation that is taking place in Barcelona — its institutions, markets, and economy. Organized by the Barcelona City Council, Barcelona’s citizens participate in a new digital commons, and its organizers hope that technology can improve democratic participation and foster good government

Can There Be ‘Love And Compassion’ In Politics?

by Shiveshwar Kundu

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/can-there-be-love-and-compassion-in-politics/

Emotions in politics are always being neglected and side-lined. Liberal democracies broad understanding of public sphere which is based on ‘reason’ and ‘individual freedom’ is backfiring.It is in this background this paper tries to shed some light on the way we associate with politics and its various outcome. Along with this, it also tries to analyse the upsurge of right-wing forces throughout the world which has unleashed sentiments of hatred. Can this upsurge be understood through increasing role of perverted emotion in contemporary politics (public sphere)? Can ‘left principles and politics’ be the option in these unique circumstances which has pitched human being against human being, would be the further scope of discussion?

Plato’s Theory of Communism

by Ish N Mishra 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/platos-theory-of-communism/

Plato’s theory of communism is just opposite to Marxian theory of communism that seeks to eventually establish a classless and hence stateless society, as according to it the state is instrument of the domination in the hands of ruling classes. Plato’s theory of communism that is used as one of instruments of consolidation of the hierarchically ‘well ordered’ state through perpetuating class-division and class-domination, the other instrument being the education. Plato’ Republic seeks to establish justice, i.e. the ideal state where the philosophers, selflessly, rule over the masses involved in the material production of the society, with the help of the armed auxiliaries. Plato’s theory of communism is based on his belief of corrupting influences of family and property over people holding the public offices that remains a historic fact and continuing norm. It is aimed at freeing the ruling classes, i.e. the philosophers and the warriors from the institutions of f

amily 

and

property.

Please Sign This Petition. I Desperately Need Help!

by Sally Dugman  

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/please-sign-this-petition-i-desperately-need-help/

A couple with a relatively small acreage was poor in their elder years and, so, they let the town have their property after their deaths (since they had no children) in exchange for paying no taxes on it — a money pay-out that they could not afford. … And now the town wants to sell it at a big profit to a developer! … beautiful land with  wetlands and lots of plant and animal wildlife.

Malyali Samajam Sets An Example

by Gurpreet Singh

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/09/13/malyali-samajam-sets-an-example/

The Vancouver chapter of Malyali Samajam has set an example of how to preserve diversity and pluralism when religious fanaticism continues to grow in India under a right wing Hindu nationalist government.