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Articles by Jo Comerford
Guest columnists Jo Comerford and Stephen G. Sireci: Voting ‘yes’ on Question 2 and here is why
E-Edition Advertise Newsletters Subscribe Home News Opinion Sports Business Arts & Life Obituaries Classifieds Calendar Puzzles Question 2 is simple. It asks voters one question: Do you want to end high-stakes testing — the practice of allowing one test to determine whether or not a student receives a high school diploma? Our answer to that queston is a resounding yes, which is why we are voting “yes” on Question 2.
11 ways to defy the WMass ‘ghost towns’ of the future prediction (Viewpoint)
The problem with relying on past trends to predict the future is that they bank on the status quo in perpetuity. When a study predicts future population decline will decimate some of the rural Massachusetts communities that we represent by the year 2100, and when and media reports amplify these “ghost town” predictions, it is incumbent on all of us to not read this as gospel.
Let’s Get It Passed: End of Life Options Act Legislative Kickoff
Let’s Get It Passed: End of Life Options Act Legislative Kickoff2023-02-162023-02-16https://senatorjocomerford.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/jo-web-header-v2.pngJo Comerfordhttps://senatorjocomerford.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/new-graphics-for-website-6.jpg200px200px I had the privilege of joining fellow legislators and advocates from around the Commonwealth to launch the End of Life Options Act.
Do you think Massachusetts energy costs are too high? We agree (Viewpoint)
The weather outside may be bitingly, bitterly and bone-chillingly cold, but the top of Mount Washington is a whole other story. Amid the ongoing polar vortex that continues to batter New England with record-breaking low temperatures and subzero windchills, the team of weather observers at the Mount Washington Observatory in North Conway, New Hampshire clocked an actual temperature of 47 degrees below zero at the summit around 3 a.m. Saturday.
Do you think Massachusetts energy costs are too high? We agree (Viewpoint)
On any given week, our email inboxes reflect the concerns of our constituents. For years, emails have poured in about COVID-19, education, climate change, infrastructure, and more. This winter, a top concern is the price of energy. We share this concern and have been working together since we were elected to reform the state Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and break down barriers to green energy. We’ve made some progress, but there is much more to do.
The Recorder - Dear Jo with Sen. Jo Comerford: Bugs, weeds and health
I never imagined writing to you about mosquitos. About integrated pest management. About chemicals so toxic that one part per million could make an entire drinking water source nonpotable. But these intersecting issues have become central to my team’s work. They’re critical for protecting our environment, health and our ecosystems. Last summer, Gov.
Five ways The Boston Globe has misled the public on MCAS
Posted May 4, 2021 Five ways The Boston Globe has misled the public on MCAS2021-05-042021-05-05https://senatorjocomerford.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/senator-jo-comerford-remake-centered-02.pngJo Comerfordhttps://senatorjocomerford.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/slide1.jpg200px200px As part of my commitment to equity and opportunity in education, I introduced legislation to amend state law requiring the MCAS test to be used as a high school graduation requirement and as the sole instrument...
A wake up call for all of us: PFAS in mosquito spray
Posted December 1, 2020 A wake up call for all of us: PFAS in mosquito spray2020-12-012020-12-01https://senatorjocomerford.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/senator-jo-comerford-remake-centered-02.pngJo Comerfordhttps://senatorjocomerford.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/screen-shot-2020-12-01-at-1.09.58-pm.png200px200px It’s outrageous — the pesticide the state uses in its mosquito spraying program has been found to contain PFAS, a group of highly toxic chemicals.
The Recorder - ‘Progress for all’ is for all
On Jan. 18, I introduced “Progress for All,” an ambitious package of legislation to maximize opportunities and address a wide swath of critical concerns in the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district. These pieces of legislation are rooted deeply in our district’s 24 cities and towns, meaning that the spark or demand for this legislation came from folks like you.
Columnist Jo Comerford: Advocate for public education
Jo Comerford: “We must be a laboratory of democracy that demonstrates to the nation what sound, innovative public policy looks like.” GAZETTE STAFF/CAROL LOLLIS I didn’t know it at the time, but my life changed forever when I was 11 years old. My sister Lori and I were visiting our Aunt Joan, a nun with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brooklyn. The convent doorbell rang. We raced to the door and I swung it open. Standing in front of me was a young woman holding the hands of her two children.
Sign the petition: Don't let Trump fire Mueller!
Note: By signing, you agree to receive email messages from MoveOn.org Civic Action and MoveOn.org Political Action. You may unsubscribe at any time. [ Privacy policy ]
Stop the insanity. Don't provoke war with North Korea
Petition statement to be delivered to Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Matthis, Secretay of State Tillerson, National Security Adviser McMaster, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate Stop the insanity. Don't provoke war with North Korea Petition by Jo Comerford Sign this petition
Congress: Begin impeachment proceedings immediately
Donald Trump and those around him have sought to undermine the institutions of our democracy in ways we've never seen before.
Nunes' recusal a win for transparency, but it's not enough
The grassroots, people-powered resistance took another notable step forward on Thursday, as Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) announced he would recuse himself from the congressional investigation into Trump and his aides’ possible collusion with Russia. Make no mistake, this announcement was a clear win for government ethics and transparency — and while it should be celebrated as a victory, it’s absolutely not enough.
This Picture Will Make You Think Forgiving Student Debt Isn’t So Crazy After All
The future for many graduates that colleges never tell you about. Found on the Facebook page of TRAP – The Real Art of Protest. Originally submitted by Laura S. and Rain L.
MoveOn.org statement on Trump ordering missile strikes targeting Syria
In response to confirmed reports that Donald Trump ordered more than 50 Tomahawk missiles to strike Syria tonight, without Congressional approval, Ilya Sheyman, executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action, had the following statement: “This illegal and unauthorized escalation could have devastating consequences, killing innocent Syrians and costing the lives of U.S. service members.
TPP = NAFTA on steroids
Republicans in Congress want to work with the Obama administration to fast-track the passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP is the largest—and worst—trade deal you’ve never heard of, having been devised in secret by representatives of some of the world’s largest corporations. It’s so big and has the potential to do so much damage, it’s been likened to “NAFTA on steroids.” Will you help spread the word about fast track and the TPP by watching and sharing the video right now?
Sessions must go; special prosecutor must be appointed now
The Washington Post just revealed that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions lied under oath at his confirmation hearing about his own contact with Russian officials during the presidential campaign, when he was a foreign policy advisor to Trump.During his confirmation hearing, when asked by Senator Al Franken “if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?," Sessions replied,...
Investigate Donald Trump
On February 9, 2017, Representative Jerrold Nadler took the extraordinary step of filing a "resolution of inquiry" in the U.S. House that could force a House investigation into Donald Trump’s financial conflicts of interest and ties to the Russian government.Media reports have called Rep. Nadler’s action the “most aggressive move” yet by Democrats.If Rep.
LIVE: #WeStandUnited, NYC Rally on Inauguration Eve
On the evening before Trump’s Inauguration, Mayor de Blasio, Minneapolis Mayor Hodges, Reverend Sharpton, Robert De Niro, Sally Field, Mark Ruffalo, Rosie Perez, Alec Baldwin, Marisa Tomei, Julianne Moore, Cynthia Nixon, Natalie Merchant, Michael Moore, and Shailene Woodley will join thousands of New Yorkers and elected officials, community groups and organizations outside of Trump International Hotel & Tower near Columbus Circle at 6:00pm EST to stand united and send a message to...
Boycott Trump's Inauguration
Donald Trump is a threat to our nation.And any politician who attends Trump's inauguration is normalizing and legitimizing a presidency that should only be resisted. Denounced. Defied.
Stop Steve Bannon
Once again, Donald Trump has made it clear that his administration will embrace policies that pose serious threats to millions of Americans.
Ban Assault Weapons Now
Ban Assault Weapons Now Petition by Jo Comerford To be delivered to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama Petition Statement Assault weapons should not be used by civilians and have no place in our cities and towns. There are currently 542,988 signatures. NEW goal - We need 550,000 signatures!
Ban Assault Weapons Now
Ban Assault Weapons Now Petition by Jo Comerford To be delivered to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama Petition Statement Assault weapons should not be used by civilians and have no place in our cities and towns. There are currently 466,640 signatures. NEW goal - We need 475,000 signatures!
Ban Assault Weapons Now
Ban Assault Weapons Now Petition by Jo Comerford To be delivered to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama Petition Statement Assault weapons should not be used by civilians and have no place in our cities and towns. There are currently 408,473 signatures. NEW goal - We need 425,000 signatures!
Ban Assault Weapons Now
Ban Assault Weapons Now Petition by Jo Comerford To be delivered to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama Petition Statement Assault weapons should not be used by civilians and have no place in our cities and towns. There are currently 333,613 signatures. NEW goal - We need 350,000 signatures!
Ban Assault Weapons Now
Ban Assault Weapons Now Petition by Jo Comerford To be delivered to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama Petition Statement Assault weapons should not be used by civilians and have no place in our cities and towns. There are currently 167,341 signatures. NEW goal - We need 175,000 signatures!
Ban Assault Weapons Now
Ban Assault Weapons Now Petition by Jo Comerford To be delivered to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama Petition Statement Military-grade assault weapons should not be used by civilians and have no place in our cities and towns. There are currently 134,869 signatures. NEW goal - We need 150,000 signatures!
Ban Assault Weapons Now
Ban Assault Weapons Now Petition by Jo Comerford To be delivered to President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate Petition Statement Assault weapons should not be used by civilians and have no place in our cities and towns. There are currently 660,591 signatures. NEW goal - We need 675,000 signatures!
Syria is America’s responsibility: Negotiations with Putin may be our last and only hope
As war between President Bashar al-Assad and various rebel forces raged across Syria, as the Obama administration and the CIA armed rebel factions of their liking while continuing an air campaign against the militants of the Islamic State (ISIS), as Russia entered the quagmire with its own airstrikes, and as millions of Syrians fled for their lives amid untold violence, a Connecticut congressman decided to do something.
Can Diplomacy Put Out the Syrian Fire?
That was the moment when the US public really began paying attention to Syria. And so, just over a year ago, relying on a 2001 authorization to wage war against Al Qaeda, President Obama ordered the first of what are now more than 7,000 airstrikes against ISIS, stationed thousands of US military advisers and trainers in Iraq, and soon launched what would be a disastrous program to vet, arm, and train “moderate” Syrian rebels to counter the militants of the Islamic State.
Tomgram: Jo Comerford and Mattea Kramer, Dealing With the Syrian Quagmire
Whatever happened to the “imperial presidency”? In mid-September, in the midst of the serial collapse of a $500-million Pentagon program to train “moderate” Syrian rebels to fight the Islamic State (ISIS), President Obama suddenly claimed, through White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, that it wasn’t really either his program or his fault. He was only the president, after all. In fact, he had, in essence, been forced into it.
President Obama: Thank you for pursuing peace with Iran
President Obama just announced that the U.S., Iran, and the international community have reached a historic agreement to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, hopefully putting us on a path to ending decades of hostility. Unfortunately, war hawks in Congress are committed to undermining diplomacy.
Senate Democrats: Don't sabotage diplomacy with Iran
Senate Democrats: Don't sabotage diplomacy with Iran Petition by Jo Comerford To be delivered to The United States Senate Petition Statement Reject all attempts to derail negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, especially Senator Bob Corker's bill, S. 615. Stand with the president and diplomacy, not with Republican extremism that could put us on a path to war. There are currently 34 signatures. We need 50 signatures!
Here's to a great 2015!
As we head into 2015, it’s important to remember how quickly change that once seemed radical becomes inevitable when enough people make a ruckus! Please watch Robert Reich’s uplifting summary of 2014, and then share it as a New Year’s greeting with family and friends: We must never underestimate the progressive change that we have accomplished—and will continue to accomplish in 2015 and beyond.
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