In case you missed it during the Campaign the MA. State Attorney General in an effort to crack down on Terrorist here in the peoples Commonwealth is going after the many dangerous Garden Clubs here in Massachusetts.

In Today’s Globe Brian McGrory has a story about this exercise in time wasting by the AG and her Office.

Having allergies I initially commended Martha for trying to put a stop on this flower spreading, tree planting people who make my spring and fall a never ending battle of itchy eyes and sneezing fits (I sneeze so loud the people up the street call to say Bless you) and I hope Martha continues this fight for all of us afflicted by these terrorist of the Roses.

Per a letter sent out by her office dated January 4^th 2010 these daisy planting people had to come into compliance with nonprofit disclosure rules. It ordered them to file charters, articles of trust, lists of officeholders, organization bylaws, and four years of multiple financial forms and reports, filing fees, and a statement of purpose. All this information was to be reported by yesterday Feb 4^th 2010. Yes indeed Martha gave these mostly volunteers 1 month to get 4 years worth of information together.  Now I don’t pretend to know a lot about terrorist but unless the US Gov’t has warned everyone that these groups are hiding people who will use the fertilizer around the bushes at Shedd to blow up the Water Park are we not wasting people’s time?

When you read the entire article it looks like not only is it a giant waste of time and resources by the AG’s Office but another example of creating laws for the sake of creating laws and infringing once again on personal freedom.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/05/getting_lost_in_the_weeds/

 Don’t let it be forgot That once there was a spot For one brief shining moment that was known As Camelot.

Many people are writing that with the swearing in of Senator Scott Brown the ‘Kennedy” era is over in politics. The only member still in National Office is Ted’s Son  Patrick Kennedy  and he is trailing in recent polls and if he loses in November then the era is definitely over.

Being a 47 year old Ma. Native I grew up in the Kennedy era. My generation lived, read and  heard our parents and relatives talking about the work of Jack-Bobby-Teddy for the people of MA.  The Kennedy family did not just work for MA. they did great things for the citizens of this country.  Besides the three brothers , Jean Kennedy Smith was an Ambassador to Ireland Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics. Joe Kennedy Jr died in service to his country, Kathleen Kennedy died in a plane crash when she was only 28 years old. Rosemary Kennedy was the inspiration for her sister founding the Special Olympics.

They were an extraordinary family who served their country and paid a great price for that service. You may have disagreed with their politics but never has one family served their country as the Kennedy Family. People complain and comment about Joe Kennedy Sr. and how he made his money and drove his kids but the good work in service to the country this family performed should never be forgotten. The Kennedy family was dedicated to serve a country they loved.

Jack was the Senator and President who asked Congress to create the Peace Corp in one of his first acts as President. Bobby’s work on Civil Rights , Ted’s fight for a fair minimum wage and health care for all. The great work of  Eunice for the Special Olympics and Jean’s work to unite Ireland and bring peace is a lasting memory to those of us who grew up in Massachusetts and followed politics and the Kennedy’s.

Rose Kennedy was an old fashioned Catholic woman who like most women of her time was a devoted Mother and wife who stayed in a marriage that today would have ended in divorce early on. She supported her children and was involved in many charities. She lost 4 of her children before she passed away at the age of 94.  No Mother should have to experience the death of a child let alone 4.

So while the era has ended  let it not go without a Thank You, a Goodbye and a God Bless to the remaining Kennedy family, the work and service of that generation will not be forgotten.

Here’s a wish that the spirit and challenge to serve has been handed on . We need to  pass the spirit to be involved and to serve  onto the 40 and under generation and get them interested in serving. Because truly:

“The torch has been passed, the work begins anew, the hope rises again, and the dream lives on.”