Why are they always picking on our guy?

[sandrakae]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38378992/ns/politics/

[beachmom]

1. Because everybody hates the rich, particularly rich people

who fight for the little guy. That makes the rest of the elite nervous.

[Democrafty]

2. When was he the 2008 presidential nominee? n/t

[Luftmensch067]

3. Yep, shocking isn't it?

I can't believe whoever cooked this one up let such a factual error slip through! :rofl:

Saw this one first in the BoHe this morning, "written up" by those two attack hags Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa (proudly making shit up to smear JK for more than a decade...)

[Democrafty]

13. Maybe they can make up a scenario

in which Senator K. uses the yacht to shoot at endangered wildlife from a great and gas-guzzling speed, and restore him to the affections of real Americans.

I don't even know what to say about this, except I can't seem to get worked up about it. And I can get worked up about some monumentally stupid shit.

[MBS]

43. just saw this! : ). Best response I've seen to date n/t

[wisteria]

10. I missed that little ditty. n/t

[beachmom]

4. This is a major right wing hit.

It's on a ton of right wing blogs. It is a populist message. John Kerry raises your taxes, but avoids his. It is similar to the hits on Al Gore with respect to his home and carbon emissions. Apparently this yacht Kerry bought was based in RI, will be maintained in RI, etc. so that is why it is not docked in MA.

The point is that rich liberals are easy targets for the right. They're "hypocrites". And I am sure most people will read this story and be pissed, including Democrats. It's perfect.

I'm not trying to blame the victim here, but I am sure John Kerry understands that buying an expensive yacht is going to be "bad optics" considering how bad it is for so many people in this terrible economy. The tax aspect of this hit is less clear. It's not like he bought it in MA and then moved it to RI. But, I don't know. As the Senator from MA, maybe he should have bit the bullet and made sure he kept it all local and paid the extra $500K.

[ProSense]

6. The problem is

that it's always something. The RW hyperventilates about a lot of stuff, and sometimes it surfaces in the MSM. It's like they're trying to find the thing that's going to resonate.

The story is all speculation, BoHerd

Could the reason be that the Ocean State repealed its Boat Sales and Use Tax back in 1993, making the tiny state to the south a haven - like the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Nassau - for tax-skirting luxury yacht owners?

Bullshit speculation to feed the wingnut bloggers who are hyperventilating over this.

The story about the Senator purchasing the yacht surfaced last year. It had no traction. Think about that. Now that BoHerd is spinning this based on speculation, the RW bites.

Of course, you're right the media of course will bite at any attempt to portray Dems as hypocrites.

[Blaukraut]

8. I agree with you

Not only should Senator Kerry's boat be berthed in MA and the Kerrys pay the tax, (MA could use the money) but it might have been a good idea to have had a yacht built by one of our local shipbuilders. Nothing against NZ, but why outsource when he could have helped a local small business?

[Luftmensch067]

9. I saw a comment somewhere suggesting that some of the best yachts are built in NZ

I see your point, but on the other hand, I'm kind of happy that JK has what he may consider his dream yacht now that he's getting to his almost-golden years. The man may be rich, but he's also worked hard and sacrificed all his life. In my opinion, he should be allowed to have a boat he loves and park it wherever he wants. He gives a lot to the Commonwealth, he doesn't have to give everything.

[beachmom]

14. Oh, sure. As long as he understands that there is a price.

That's just the way it is. Any display of extravagance by a politician can be used against him/her. We sure did against John McCain, who couldn't remember how many houses he owned. Yeah, it was a gaffe, but the point is "being rich and buying expensive things" is partisan fuel both sides tend to light up.

[beachmom]

5. We now interrupt this right wing hit story for a bit of catnip:

http://www.newport-now.com/2010/07/23/john-kerry-keeping-his-yacht-in-newport-massachusetts-media-agast/

A picture of the boat and some details.

Massachusetts U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry has a beautiful yacht named Isabel. She’s currently docked in Portsmouth at the Hinkley Yard for some routine maintenance, but the Boston Herald reported on Friday that her more permanent seasonal home will be at the Newport Shipyard.

While this may come as no surprise to some, seeing how both Newport and the Shipyard represent some of the finest sailing conditions and yacht services on the east coast, it seems that our neighbors to the north are none too pleased by the one-time presidential candidate’s decision to seek out fairer waters.

Built by Friendship Yachts in New Zeland, it’s estimated she cost some $7 million and two years to build.

At 76-feet, with a bowed stern, blue hull and ample brightwork, she cuts a rather striking profile, and would be the pride of any sailor.

But here’s the rub: Rhode Island eliminated its boat tax in 1993, making it a rather attractive home port. Massachusetts, on the other hand, imposes a sales tax on boats berthed and sold in the Bay State. Not only is Isabel currently escaping that tax by being in Rhode Island waters, she’s also home ported out of Newport.

[ProSense]

7. Oooh

nice looking boat. :)

[wisteria]

11. It is obvious he is docking the boat there to save on taxes. But, doesn't everyone try to do what

they can to avoid higher taxes if they are able too? People move to different areas or even states to avoid paying higher taxes, people purchase items out of state in order to avoid higher taxes, we take deductions in order to avoid paying higher taxes etc. I see this as Senator Kerry making a wise money decision.
It appears some may be jealous or envious of his ability to purchase such a fine boat.
It truly is a gorgeous vessel and I love the name. I wonder why he chose to name it Isabella?

[ProSense]

12. Good grief

These people are full of shit:

U.S. Sen. John Kerry, the owner of a new, super-luxe 76-foot yacht, is not dodging a six-figure Massachusetts tax bill by docking the Isabel in Rhode Island and will pony up to the state if “any taxes are owed,” a spokesman for the alleged tax-skipping skipper said.

And it appears the senior senator may be on the hook for more than $500,000 in state and local taxes because Kerry tied his toney tub up in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket waters within six months of buying her.

The sexy sloop, which Kerry purchased in March and is currently docking in Portsmouth, R.I., was spotted in the Nantucket Boat Basin over the Fourth of July holiday. Teresa Heinz, Kerry’s wife, owns a haute home on the island’s waterfront.

The Friendship yacht, designed by Ted Fontaine of Portsmouth but built in New Zealand, also sailed into Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, according to sources. Kerry was seen coming ashore off the Isabel on the town dock July 16 as he made his way to an event at the Harborview Hotel .

link

So they wrote a story based on pure speculation earlier to portray Kerry as trying to avoid taxes. Now, less than 24 hours later, they're reporting that he in fact owes the taxes per the law because the boat was already docked in Mass?

What assholes.

[beachmom]

15. Well, this still could be a problem.

Did he pay the taxes? I mean I guess he bought the boat this year so he has until the end of the year.

[ProSense]

16. Are they due?

The article is even making a guess as to how much taxes they believe he owes.

Seriously, this is an attempt to fling mud and hope it sticks. The article is short on facts and long on speculation.

[TayTay]

17. Because it's easy to do so.

1: Class distinctions are the oldest ones in the Commonwealth. They have been a part of our internal social order and political way since the founding of the Commonwealth. Every wave of immigration to MA has had elements of the great class fight in it.

2: Democrats and Republicans play this game. Kerry Healey, last Repub candidate for Governor in Ma in 2006 had this card played against her repeatedly by all kinds of opposition groups, including the SEIU.

3: Because Sen. Kerry, sad to say, is a bit tone deaf when it comes to anticipating this. He continually does these Charlie Brown and Lucy with the football things. This is always going to happen to him because he is exquisitely vulnerable to this. It works, so the opposition is going to use it.

4: Conjecture: Something bad is about to his the fan on Sen. Scott Brown. This is a pre-emptive strike so Brown's whatever it is is not seen as that bad. (Based on nothing but a gut feeling on my part. Hit Kerry first so Brown's thing, whatever it is, doesn't seem so bad.) I have a feeling something bad on Brown's donor lists or supporters is due to surface. Hit Kerry first, play the class card and make sure the RW talkers soften him up with this class argument then when the bad thing (on Brown of Repub Gov candidate Baker) hits, it won't be so bad.

[Luftmensch067]

18. Your gut could well be right, Tay

The two harpies at the Herald who "broke" this "story of the century" are also on full-time duty singing Brown's praises.

[TayTay]

19. It's too easy

This boat story was dormant for a while and could have been broken at any time. That it broke now tips me off that something bad on someone else is coming down the Pike and a diversion is needed.

This is easy, easy stuff.

Anybody watch a show on USA Networks called "White Collar"? they did a political corruption story this week that was actually quite good. It was entertain, not news, so the emphasis was on a good story, but I recommend it. Yeah, this is how you create diversions.

[beachmom]

20. OMG! I am a total "White Collar" fan! I have that episode in the DVR

so I will get back to you.

I guess after years after obsessing about politics and only watching the news/documentaries, I burned out in 2009. Now it's fiction all the way for me in the evening. Well, after I get my political fix, that is.

Plus, the lead guy in White Collar is cuuuute!

[wisteria]

21. LOL, he is a bit tone death when it comes to things like this.

Charlie Brown and Lucy-I love the analogy.

[ProSense]

22. You're probably right on point 4

because BoHerd is having a meltdown.

[sandnsea]

23. And here they're using it for the sales tax measure

Could this be the political maneuver:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20100726activists_john_kerry_boat_flap_boon_to_tax_ballot_question_full_speed_ahead/srvc=home&position=also

[ProSense]

24. I saw that

and posted it here

It seems like they're spinning the story about Kerry's boat as a hit on Deval Patrick. It's interesting that they claim to be so concerned about the average person, and instead of hitting Scott Brown for his vote against unemployment benefits, they're hyperventilating over Kerry's boat.

[sandnsea]

25. Divide and conquer

That's what they do. They'll probably use it every way they can between now and November.

[ProSense]

26. I really hope

that something knocks Scott Brown off his perch. A Democrats needs to take back that seat in 2012.

[TayTay]

27. Possibly

The Libertarians keep trying to eliminate the sales tax. This could be another ploy.

I was not really out and about in the Commonwealth this weekend, so I have no scuttlebutt about this issue or if it has legs. I imagine it has huge legs on Talk Radio. It is a classic "us vs. them" MA non-issue.

[MBS]

28. today's Boston Globe coverage

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/07/27/if_mass_taxes_kerrys_yacht_hell_pay_aide_says/

I wish the good senator would quickly resolve where the boat will be docked, pay the *#& taxes,. . , and make this go away ASAP. Even though it's unrealistic, I find myself wishing he would just pay MA something whether he officially owes them or not.. . anything to make this go away. It's a stupid issue, but it's a distraction, at best. Dems can't afford distractions of any kind right now.

Sigh.

there's also a predictable Republican-type LTE
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2010/07/27/could_kerry_be_floating_an_idea_on_tax_reform/

Sigh.

[Blaukraut]

29. No matter the motives of the Globe or the Herald

And no matter how some of us feel here about JK buying a $7,000,000 sailboat, and no matter whether he owes the taxes and intends to pay them - the entire thing LOOKS BAD.

I know most of you don't agree with me here, but I look at the issue like this:
JK and Teresa have chosen a pretty inopportune time to purchase such an ostentatious luxury item. People here in MA and everywhere else in the US are struggling to pay their bills and keep their homes, or even feed their children. To them it doesn't matter that the Kerrys are wonderful philanthropists who do so much good in their communities. (Most people aren't even aware of that because it never gets mentioned in the media.) All they see is that even one of the public servants who is supposed to fight against this horrible income inequality and be on the working person's side is spending an amount that 99% of the population won't see or earn in a lifetime on a useless plaything.

Are people jealous and envious? Of course they are! They would be happy with a fraction of the Kerrys' wealth - enough to live comfortably and without worries. Unfortunately that way of life is being taken away from more and more Americans BY the wealthy class. (no, not JK and THK, but they get lumped in with the group)

The proper and seemly thing to do for JK would have been to hold off on that yacht until the economy picked up and populist anger simmered down. And yes, the boat might have been commissioned BEFORE the economy was in the dumps, although I doubt it, but it was not too late to either put a hold on it or even sell it over in NZ.

Sure, Teresa and John can afford it. Sure, it's their business what they spend their money on and where. But they will also have to deal with the inevitable consequences of "flaunting wealth" in times like these. This is especially true for JK, who is still a public servant, supposedly on our side.

I'm honestly surprised that some here defend this boat business and I hope that JK and THK are going to repair the damage that's been done, and soon.

[wisteria]

40. I understand your position on this, but this was never anyones business to begin with.

Yes, you could portray Teresa and Sen. Kerry as King Louis and Marie Antoinette for this purchase at this time of hardship for so many, but frankly, this was a personal purchase made with their own money-not tax payer funds, and there was no good reason for making this public. Sen. Kerry has said he has always paid his taxes and will pay what is owed for this ship-this should be the end of story. The last I checked, taxes are usually due in April of the following year. How many other billionaires or millionaires have bought hugh ticket items and no one even is aware of them. Personally, I think the RW followed this story in hopes of using it against him if his Climate Change bill was introduced. You know the RW uses these tactics to discredit people and they have been claiming that "cape & tax" would raise peoples taxes. And, here we have Senator Kerry supposedly trying to avoid paying his fair share while expecting others who are less fortunate them him,to pay theirs.

IMO, this story is going to lose steam soon. There is no reason to go after Senator Kerry now on this.

[Luftmensch067]

30. The thing that bothers me so much about this

Is not so much the substance of the case, but the methods used. I think it's clear from careful reading of all the stories out there that there is no substantial evidence of wrongdoing or even intent to do anything illegal. What's mostly clear, from the original Herald story on forward is that this is an intentional attack based on selecting one element of JK's life and trying to make it look as damaging as possible. You could do that with any element of the life of anyone here and if enough news sources repeated it and enough partisans yelled and screamed and wrote article comments and LTE's, people who didn't know the context of this element in any of our lives could easily come to believe the worst. Not unlike what happened with the Swift Liars.

John Kerry is a rich man and lives a rich man's lifestyle. I'm sure he gives a huge amount of business and pays a huge amount of taxes to the Commonwealth. That is never acknowledged and won't be. But any rich person in America lives in a different world from most of us -- that's a given. That can mean that the person works as hard as possible to dodge all taxes and keep and enjoy all their spoils. It does in many cases and Senator Kerry has fought hard against such abuses. Or it can mean that that person pays a huge amount of tax and gives huge amounts to philanthropic causes and creates foundations for the public good, but still lives in that other world simply by virtue of their wealth. I believe that John Kerry is a rich person of the latter kind and I believe that he should not be attacked simply for being rich.

I also believe, as we've surmised on this thread, that this is a preemptive attack, meant to distract, like the Swift Liars and John Fund's hit piece in the WSJ today, which I will not honor with a link, supports that theory.

As for how to counter this, I wish I knew and would welcome the thoughts of those here more politically savvy than I. I feel like this attack is so unfair and random that there's not much to be said that hasn't already been said.

Edited to wave to Blaukraut and to see your point, but if it weren't this boat (didn't it say somewhere it had been several years in the design and building?) it would be some other attack on him because of his wealth. Beachmom is right, above, when she says that having wealth opens anyone up to partisan political attack. I still think the issue here is the method of the attack and that it's as suspect as that of the Swift Liars. I'm not going to blame the victim in a case like that.

[Democrafty]

31. Yes. I'd go further and add

that this story exploits the difference between classes without doing anything to address that difference, which is the worst kind of heartless, and the worst kind of cynical. It's saying, "This guy has more than us; let's punish him." It doesn't offer anything in the way of a solution.

[ProSense]

32. "You could do that with any element of the life of anyone "

Exactly. What's to stop them from preempting him on anything?

Here are the facts, according to BoHerd, that are being ignored: The boat was designed in Rhode Island, built in New Zealand and purchased in Rhode Island in March. The statements from Kerry's camp indicate why the boat is docked in RI.

But think about the basis of this attack: He bought something in another state and it is still in that state so he's dodging taxes.

And this from the Globe:

O’Rourke confirmed that the boat was in Rhode Island, but said that Kerry had no intention of avoiding taxes. It is not evident that any taxes are currently due, and any taxes will depend on what he ultimately does with the boat.

O’Rourke said the Isabel is in Rhode Island undergoing maintenance, but she added that Kerry has not yet determined where he will permanently dock the vessel.

According to the state Department of Revenue, Massachusetts law states that if a resident purchases property, such as a boat, out of state and keeps it out of state, no taxes will be assessed. But if the property is purchased out of state and is brought into Massachusetts within six months, the Commonwealth will assume it was purchased for use in-state, and taxes will be assessed.

So essentially, they're simply attempting to force him to keep his boat in Mass. What if he doesn't want to? What if he had a home in Florida and kept a boat there? Would they force him to bring it to Mass?

I think the RW media suck, and I say screw them.

[Luftmensch067]

33. Not much to add to that!

I think the RW media suck, and I say screw them.

:toast:

[Blaukraut]

34. Luftmensch, Demo, ProSense - you are sort of making my point

JK handed the media something to bash him over the head with on a silver platter, let's face that. The yacht purchase was the perfect item.
Here is what we know and can't change: The media is not fair, it WILL attack Senator Kerry when given the opportunity. No, it isn't fair, and yes, it sucks. But it IS within his control to avoid SOME of that - the yacht debacle could have been easily avoided at various steps in the process. And here is where we differ in opinion, I guess.

And please don't look at this as me blaming the victim. I am not. I am looking at how it IS, not how it SHOULD be. The reality is that JK is our senator, not a private citizen. The reality is that the media locally are as bad if not worse than they are nationally. Talk radio is all over this story like flies on shit. Talk radion in MA is extremely effective in reaching precisely those people who would be most receptive to anger and resentment. The newspapers and local TV aren't much better. You guys know that.

So, again - no, it's not fair, but Kerry will always be held to higher/different standards than - say - Brown, Teddy Kennedy, etc. He knows this, and he has to walk a fine line and watch every step he takes, carefully avoiding the landmines, because he is being scrutinized. Again, some are easy to avoid. The yacht was one of them. (even if it was commissioned several years ago, he could have held off on a purchase or sold it, as I said before). Other landmines aren't as easy to avoid, but at least he can keep it down to a bearable minimum.

I feel sad for him for having to live like that. Constantly hounded and harrassed. But I don't feel sorry for him. (if that makes sense). He wants to be our Senator, knowing all it entails, so he must be on guard, vigilant. Once he decides to retire and become a private citizen, he'll be free.

[Democrafty]

35. But to me, the victim here is not the Senator.

The victims are people in Mass who need economic help, who need jobs, whose communities need and upswing in commerce. Rather than addressing these concerns, the RW media has decided to whip them into a frenzy over some guy's boat (or I guess his dock, specifically) as if it would really make a difference in their lives. That's what bugs me.

[ProSense]

38. Worse.

They're doing it as part of a push to dismantle Mass' tax policy.

From the first link:

The sales tax was hiked from 5 percent to 6.25 percent last year to raise about $900 million to help balance the state budget. Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said dropping the sales tax to 3 percent would devastate police, fire and school funding.

[Democrafty]

41. Ugh!

That's horrible. And it gives me flashbacks to 2004, when JK was painted as an elitist while the admin and the RW walked all over the poor and the middle class in spiked-heeled boots.

[MBS]

42. yup, the LTE in this morning''s Globe was related to this

campaign, I suspect.

[ProSense]

36. I agree with you that the RW will attack.

The problem is why should they be allowed to force the Senator to do something no one else is being forced to do? How many wealthy boat owners are being forced to dock in Mass? If he brings the boat to Mass he will have to pay the taxes. Until then, he apparently owes nothing.

The RW media should not be allowed to dictate the Senator's personal choices, and they should not be allowed to distort the facts to create the perception of wrongdoing. The Clintons are being attacked for their daughter's wedding.

I remember when people when after Palin for using campaign funds to purchase personal items for her kids. That's illegal.

People are free to do whatever they want with their own money. There was nothing illegal about the purchase and nothing illegal about the boat being docked in RI. It's his choice.

So yes, the RW will attack, but that is not a reason to give into them. That's a reason to call them out.

The facts should be made clear, not altered to suit the RW media.

[Luftmensch067]

37. I think this is the point

So yes, the RW will attack, but that is not a reason to give into them. That's a reason to call them out.

The facts should be made clear, not altered to suit the RW media.

I wish there were more out there on our side in the media and in our party to call them out.

[TayTay]

48. Completely true

Life is unfair, politics doubly so. The good Senator needs someone around who tells him that an iceberg is approaching and he should get out of the way. No one did that on this avoidable mishap.

I completely agree with what you wrote in both posts. This was avoidable. I suspect that the Heinz side bought the boat and did what they did with it. There was probably a lack of communications between them and the Senate side and damage was done. The Senator is in danger of being "in the bubble" more now than ever because he is such a high ranking member of the Senate. He needs someone with some street smarts to help him out and shout, occasionally, "Iceberg, dead ahead."

[wisteria]

53. Frankly, I have to wonder why he would want to continue to be Senator in a state

that does not appreciate him and expects him to live as they dictate. The entire incident is silly. Here in PA most people would have shrugged this off. Our papers don't report on every little thing our senators do and say. In fact, it is hard to find legislative information on them, let alone personal items.
I still believe if Senator Kerry wanted to buy a luxury boat that was his business, and representing the people of Mass. should not have even been a factor in the purchase. Is this going to happen again if just suppose, he decides to have a house built somewhere outside of Mass.? Should he consult the voters first?

[YvonneCa]

79. I agree with you. The 'right' has finally figured...

...out that certain Democrats have power in the Obama Administration. I think they are looking for ways to attack them. In Kerry's case, they have always fallen back on that term 'elitist.' What they do is look for actions they can exploit to their own advantage. For Clinton, it was Monica. For JK it is this. For Al Gore... ???

[wisteria]

39. I saw a clip from a Boston station yesterday and I honestly do not think he handled the

confrontation well. He came across as annoyed and angry-which I understand he has a right to be-and he did try and explain that the ship was in RI for repairs as it is under warranty, but his attitude made him come across as arrogant. MSNBC,reported on this today suggesting he was ducking the subject, even though he did explain the situation. I just think if he would have approached this in a more lighthearted manner,giving the impression that the entire idea of ducking taxes was silly, the press would have backed off and found another silly story to cover through the upcoming August recess.

[beachmom]

44. "Breaking News": Kerry is now going to pay the taxes to MA.

I kid you not that this just popped up on my Twitter feed as breaking news.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/07/sen_kerry_to_pa.html

Senator John Kerry said today he will voluntarily cut a check to the state of Massachusetts for some $500,000 in sales tax for a yacht he purchased in Rhode Island earlier this year.

"We’ve reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and made clear that, whether owed or not, we intend to pay the equivalent taxes as if the boat’s home-port were currently in Massachusetts," Kerry said in a statement released this afternoon. "That payment is being made promptly."


My view is that this was an unforced error by the Senator which he has now belatedly corrected. If he doesn't like being bashed for buying expensive things and looking like he is trying to avoid paying taxes (fair or unfair), then he should retire from public life. This sort of thing comes with the territory. I am glad he is doing the right thing here.

[ProSense]

45. All, I can say

is good for him, and fuck the RW.

[MBS]

46. " " " " " n/t

[wisteria]

47. +1 n/t

[Mass]

49. Happy to hear that, and at several levels.

I agree with you, he should have seen it was going to create an issue, particularly in these times when the state of Massachusetts has been forced to cut programs, and where cities and towns are firing teachers, policemen, and firemen.


In addition, because they announced they were going to pay taxes reactively, rather than proactively, the media tonight are playing it as if he was paying back taxes.

Whatever the intentions of the media, it was totally avoidable.

[ProSense]

50. This is

posted here

That's one more thing Kerry will never live down, but it goes with the territory.

[Luftmensch067]

51. Whether he will or not

I thank you and others who added voices of truth and commonsense to that thread.

I still think the whole thing is unjust and totally sucks, but I'm glad JK did what he felt he had to do; unfortunately I'm not sure what else he could do, but it's incredible BS, IMO. I can't help feeling like he was taking yet another one for the team (the Democratic Party in MA with elections coming up, in this case.) I really hope he does find a way to use this against Brown and other MA GOP hypocrites, especially the hideous Jennifer Nassour, in the future.

[wisteria]

52. It just amazes me that Senator Kerry still wants to serve the people of Mass.

All the good he does for the state and the people is reduced to absolutely nothing after a whipped up rich versus poor, story by the GOP mouthpiece Boston Herald. Now he is declared out of touch and to far removed from the people he is suppose to serve. Maybe what Mass needs is a bunch of RW idiots like Brown running the state, maybe then they would appreciate real leadership.
I know not all people feel this way, but it is ridiculous that so many people from Massachusetts fall for the RW garbage all the time. Imagine that, Republicans claiming they are the everyman and every woman, while all the while they only care about lining the pockets of the rich, and if they are rich, finding ways to keep more of their money. And people are gullible enough to believe them.
Sorry for the rant, it just makes me mad that many people seem to believe anything the Republicans say and turn on Senator Kerry immediately. Senator Kerry is one of the good politicians who really want help them.

[JI7]

54. it seems not just wingnuts were impressed by Bush clearing brush

thinking he was some regular guy. but he got rid of the ranch which he only bought for campaign reasons just as he was about to run for pres.

i really hate the media in mass.

[MBS]

55. " " " " "

Looking at the Globe this morning (one front-page story, 2 opeds, and there's probably more) -- the usual cant --I'm overwhelmed by how provincial and incestuous and just plain small Boston can be at times like this.

I'm really glad that Sen. Kerry has gone ahead and paid taxes right away, whether he owes them or not.
(But I wish this episode had never happened in the first place)

[Mass]

56. I' m sorry, but he has only himself to blame for that.

If they cant figure out that this would be a problem, at a time where they are laying out teachers and cutting services for disabled people, he needs to find better people to work for him.

There are two solutions here:
- he intended to skip taxes in the state at a time where his state needs it, (I dont want to believe it, but it looks like it when you look at the facts),

- this is another PR fuck-up. Brown have great people that do his PR. The guy is a jerk, but he understands the need to communicate. May be it would be time for the senator to do the same, once and for all. This could have been prevented by being proactive and doing that a few weeks ago.

I have a great respect for Senator Kerry, but dont blame that on the people from MA. He made an error. Hopefully, somebody on his team will learn something.

[ProSense]

57. It wasn't the fault of the people, it was

the Boston Herald engaging in another intentional smear. Here is their new headline:

Owe it or not, John Kerry’s ready to pay

The high-seas tax maneuver was completely legal, but if Kerry had brought the yacht into Massachusetts waters within six months of taking ownership, he could have been liable for a use tax - the equivalent of the sales tax - and excise taxes.

It's inconceivable that the Senator can do something perfectly legal, only to have it distorted and then have people blaming him for not knowing it would be distorted.

Asking the man to walk around on eggshells and second guess every legal decision he makes is unfair. Yeah life is unfair, but this was not his fault. It's not his fault there are morons at the Boston Herald.

[Mass]

58. No. it was his fault not to have been proactive on that.

Sorry, it was legal, but it would not have been ethical to avoid paying taxes in MA. I am happy to see he will pay them, but this whole story could have been avoided. Give me a break, I know he cant do anything wrong, but here, he was at least wrong on a PR POV.

[ProSense]

60. "Sorry, it was legal, but it would not have been ethical to avoid paying taxes in MA."

Who said he was avoiding it? Someone tried to argue that their is tax reciprocity with good purchased over state lines.

So how is that dodging taxes? Not that I necessarily believe that. I don't know. People don't have all the facts, they're simply going on appearances, and that is what the RW thrives on.

This is no different from blaming Kerry for the joke. He should have known that flubbing the line would have been distorted, and avoided such jokes.

We are going to disagree on this, but I will side with Kerry, not the Boston Herald. This was a RW smear. Period.

[Mass]

62. Sorry, at best it is the inability of the Kerry team to communicate at a state level.

Yes, the Herald is often unfair (though they also tend to report on state issues better than the Globe), but this is nothing new. And the Globe is always trying to show balance by going against Kerry. Unfair, but still not new.

So, may be the good Senator can get somebody who understands the state and can do some preemptive damage control with something like that. This is different from the joke that came as an accident and could not be prevented. Here, they had to know that the news would look bad, or they are plain stupid.

[ProSense]

63. What should he be communicating about

a personal purchase? Is he to announce to voters every decision he's making in his personal life?

I don't see the connection between this and his communications infracsture as an elected official. He bought a boat, it's not a public matter.

[wisteria]

76. +1 n/t

[Luftmensch067]

59. Looks to me like they have at least six "stories" on this today

I am sadly inclined to wonder whether Tay's right and this was a result of a lack of communication, but I also believe that there may be no way JK can ever not be under unfair and ugly attack by the people who have been attacking him since he first spoke truth to power. That the people attacking him are pathetic, deluded and crazy (and doing the RW's bidding) doesn't seem to get through to casual bystanders who only hear a lot of yelling and think there must be a reason for it.

[ProSense]

61. What is the story with the elections?

Meaning Dems vs. Repubs in general.

Here they are going after Barney Frank

Also this headline: Gleeful GOP: John Kerry sinks Dems

Are they that desperate to help Republicans win?

[Blaukraut]

64. Luckily it seems like the GOP/ Herald are overreaching now. BUT

It does John Kerry and us a disservice if we here continue to whistle past the graveyard. This was avoidable, as was said again. The media are correct in one thing. JK looks out of touch with MA and the voters. We here know he cares because we make it our business to know his every move, but we have to remember that we are in an echo chamber! The voters in MA don't have the time or inclination to the amount of digging we do, nor can we blame them for that. 90% of American voters are woefully uninformed about their elected officials and are spoon-fed truths, half-truths, and downright lies by the media.

We know this. We lament it here every day! Senator Kerry and his team ought to know this as well. They've been through this treatment more than once. Remember the 2006 elections? Remember how JK did hundreds of appearances around state, trying to shed the image of being out of touch that he had (fairly or unfairly) gained over the years? His efforts paid off. He had people like Tay who were a huge part of that effort. Where are they now? What happened?

The times for Dems are extremely volatile here in MA. The republicans have become emboldened and excited with Brown's victory. That was inevitable and they are planning to ride the wave. I see a lot of troubling signs here on the ground. Let's not give them the ammunition if we can help it.

[Democrafty]

65. Then how do we get out of the echo chamber?

That's really the important question, the only question. We aren't involved in the Senator's personal decision-making, or his communication strategy, so criticizing it mercilessly - in the echo chamber - is not productive. How do we break out?

[Blaukraut]

68. We have to recreate what worked back in '06. Both JK and us.

But I really have no idea how to get past the right noise machine here in the state. They've grown louder and bigger since then and are relentless in their pursuit of lies and injustice. They have one aim: Turn MA red. LTE's and radio call ins only work to a point - IF you get published or are allowed to talk. I've been trying to come up with solutions since Brown won, because if we don't do anything, things will get worse.

[ProSense]

70. You're right

Looking at the comments on the Herald and the Globe, it does appear that this is beyond a problem that can be solved by letters and call in. Is Blue Mass Group still really active? Maybe all Mass Dems, state and federal elected officials, need to start writing frequent op-eds in the local papers. Take turns and present the facts.

[wisteria]

72. Sen. Brown is a charlatan and he needs to be exposed as such.

Where are your papers on this?
The RW radio shows dominate in my area too and my area has more registered Democrats who have in recent years been voting more Republican. We also have the Tribune Review owned by Richard Mellon Scaife and his paper dominates throughout the region unfortunately.
Democrats need to gain more control of the messages they want to relay to the public and push harder to be heard. IMO, Democrats are really awful when it comes to framing,pushing a message and working as a team to repeat it enough times until it sinks in.

[ProSense]

66. I agree with most of what you said, but

"The media are correct in one thing. JK looks out of touch with MA and the voters."

This was exactly the intention of the Boston Herald, but it still doesn't change that the perception was created from a complete distortion of the facts.

It's too bad that there isn't a media outlet willing to engage in the due diligence to present as clear a picture of the facts as the willingness of the Boston Herald to completely distort them. The media picks up the story by reporting that the Herald reported and Kerry's statement, nothing more. The Herald reports are nothing more than snark and distortions.

[Blaukraut]

67. That's what I mean! Our media in MA are horrible

But today's Herald pieces you linked to are mean and snarky enough to have gone too far for the average reader. That's in our favor. Unfortunately the seed has been planted and it's going to take some work to undo the damage. I wish you guys could spend a week or so here and watch our local news and listen to talk radio. You would get an idea of exactly how bad they are and how frustrating it is for those of us who know better but have no outlet to have our voices heard.

[ProSense]

69. That sounds horrible.

I really don't know how liberals/progressives allowed the RW to permeate the media, even on the national level, in the way that it has.

We've always known the media outlets are corporate owned and, as a result, lean right. Still, how did Fox get to where it is seemingly unstoppable in pushing lies even as news?

[YvonneCa]

80. Prosense...

...I know we don't always agree on education...but, that aside, I support Dems, Jk and Obama. :)

On this issue...I think this is bigger than Massachusetts of John Kerry. I really think the 'right' has realized the power that people like JK have in this administration and are going after them...not just in MA, but nationwide. IMHO, THAT needs to be countered.

[wisteria]

73. Perhaps, if the people of Mass. expect him to be just like them then he should consider another way

to serve. He has to be himself in order to do the best job for the state. That way he would not have to continue to prove his is fighting for the people of Mass.and he would be free from the Mass. media BS. Maybe, more like Brown would be a wake-up call to the state, or how about another Romney? Or maybe he should have just brought a two seater motor boat.
Senator Kerry's responsibilities have grown in Washington and on the state level. He has to be more than just the average Joe from Mass. in order to do his job effectively. I would bet this boat would be a wonderful way to entertain other influential people who may in turn help JK help the state or even the nation.

[wisteria]

71. I still don't get it. He is spending his own money on what should be a private matter.

Whether he bought a luxury boat and where he berths it, will not change the economic situation and provide jobs for those who have lost them-even when he pays the suggested amount that he owes. I am out of work also, and I don't resent my Senators for having an income larger than mine, nor do I expect them to live like me. What they do with their money is their business. I am only concerned about how they represent me.
Frankly, the idea that our leaders should be just like us, and need to be to understand our circumstances is really silly, in my opinion. Sen. Brown may have a great team who is able to fool the electorate into believing he is fighting for them, but many of his votes reflect otherwise. Brown is a charlatan who needs to be exposed by your local media, Senator Kerry has always been the real thing.

[ProSense]

74. Here's a perfect example of why this is a RW distortion

From the Boston Globe, the facts:

“The boat was designed and purchased from a company in Rhode Island, and it’s based in Newport at the Newport Shipyard for long-term maintenance, upkeep, and charter purposes, not tax reasons,’’ Seth said.

The yacht took more than a year to construct in Whangerai, New Zealand, and arrived in the United States in March, according to the designer’s website. It was registered March 12 with a home port of Newport, records show.

<...>

It is officially owned by a company named Great Point LLC in Pittsburgh, a property of a trust that benefits Kerry’s wife, Heinz Ketchup heiress Teresa Heinz Kerry.

Teresa is not a resident of Mass. So a Pittsburgh resident or company is now liable for Mass taxes? Everyone in the media, and I mean everyone, knows that Kerry and Teresa's finances are not one in the same.

[wisteria]

75. Facts aren't important when you can whip up the masses to believe that some crime has been committed

and the people are the victims. I thought originally this was done to discredit the Senator because of the Climate bill, but I did not know election season was upon Massachusetts, and any time is a good time to for the BH to make Senator Kerry look bad in the eyes of the public. Tay was correct in suggesting this boat situation was handled by the Heinz side.

[YvonneCa]

81. I think this is about POWER...

...and is about Climate change...but so much more. The 'right' are doing what they always do...EXPLOIT incidents for their own gain. They alway use the 'elitist' label for Kerry...this just gave them fuel.

[beachmom]

77. This story was in today's edition of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Now I agree with the others that this is a big mess Sen. Kerry made for himself in MA. But what the heck does this have to do with Georgia? That's where the right wing + "Church of the Savvy" MSM come into play. This IS a legitimate story for Mass. But it becoming big national news, being printed in local papers across the nation is frankly absurd. Why doesn't the AJC start digging into the private purchases of our two Senators? I would love to see what they find out about Saxby Chambliss. I still remember the bullying he did in the service of the sugar industry whose negligence led to the deaths of scores of employees at a plant in Savannah, GA. What ELSE has that guy been up to? Maybe left/liberals should be doing more oppo research. Surely there has to be low lying fruit for some Republican Senator.

[ProSense]

78. It's election time

and I don't think everyone is convinced the climate change issue is dead.

Frankly, I love this comment in response to the CNN article:

Sounds like extortion to me.

Seems as though some political hack in Massachusetts sought to try to embarass a MA Senator that might have found a less expensive place to dock his boat.

Instead, Kerry capitulates to the extortion because he doesn't need a tabloid exploitation of something he has EVERY RIGHT TO Do.

Too bad none of the media stories were COMPLETE ENOUGH to address this aspect. Too bad the headlined didn't read

MASSACHUSETTS EXTORTS A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.

Where is the other senator ... Tea Party darling ... Scott Brown ... come down on this tax issue?

I mean seriously, the boat is not owned by the Senator, and there was nothing illegal about it. In fact, the boat could not have been registered in Kerry's name.

On edit: I would change the title to "Boston Herald Extorts a Half a Million Dollars."

It's about the RW.

[YvonneCa]

82. Whatever one thinks about...

...JK's actions in buying this boat, and I am of the opinion that it's his life...RW powerbrokers are using this as an opening to take his power away and garner it for themselves. IMHO, that is the problem.

[ProSense]

83. Yes, it's typical of the RW

I read your comment in this thread asking about Gore. When there was a push to get him to run in 2008, the RW launched an attack on his credentials as an environmentalist because of the size of his home. The National Review has a standing blog, Planet Gore, attacking Dems on these issues, from the site:

National Review Online’s Planet Gore blog was launched in February 2007 to track the news, data, and misinformation that feed the global-warming/climate-change debate. The blog additionally serves as a resource for accurate information about fossil fuels, alternative energy, environmental activism, the climate-change political process, and Al Gore’s carbon footprint.

Note though, that the right was OK with playing up McCain's credentials as an environmentalist despite his footprint and ultimately, despite his votes against the environment.

[YvonneCa]

84. I just think that the RW has figured out...

...that Democrats like JK, Gore, the Clintons...ALL have great power in an Obama presidency. I think this is the beginning of an elimination campaign. They are hungering for mistakes or mis-steps or secrets or ANYTHING that they can employ to put powerful Democrats out of commission, not just for this election, but for 2012.

Our Democrats must realize the risk. Question is, for me, are they doing enough to head it off? :hi:

P.S. I like it best when we fight together. ;)