Kim_Carrigan's Blog

On the heels of learning that House Speaker Sal DiMasi is stepping down, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is facing an impeachment trial today, and numerous other politicians are being investigated...I hope 2009 is the year  we finally send them away!

I am sick of politicians being BAD.  I don't know what makes them all believe they are above the fray but I've had enough.  I'm absolutely convinced that our economy is in the shape it is because of the BAD behavior of many leaders we trusted.

I know it's innocent until proven guilty..but if it doesn't pass the stink test..send 'em packing!!!

I'll be watching the Illinois trail closely...and cheering when Dimasi steps down on Tuesday.  Lets just hope he's not replaced by someone with as many issues!!!!!!

In my lifetime there has never been a President who has taken office with such expectations.  I can't imagine what it must be like to carry, not just the weight of the nation, but the expectations of the world on your shoulders.

President Obama is doing just that!

As he stood on the steps of the Capitol building and placed his hand on the Lincoln bible, tens of millions of people around the world stopped and watched.  All hoping for something different from this man.  MAN, that's the part I hope we all remember in the coming days.  He is just ONE MAN trying to do what he thinks is right. 

Throughout the night, last night, I kept waking from my sleep and wondering what he must be thinking about when he wakes and realizes he is THE PRESIDENT.  I know it has happened to 43 men before him, (actually 42. Grover Cleveland was President twice) but few of them have the kind of pressure on them that Barack Obama does. 

Good Luck Mr. President!  We are all pulling for you!

Here's another topic that may raise some eyebrows. The Gardner School Board has decided to cancel February school vacation week after the ice storm in December kept schools closed for more than a week.

The State requires children be in class for 180 days and those days need to be logged before June 30th. 

I'm all for this idea.   I think it's tough on teachers to have kids in and out of school so much.   Even if they had not missed all those days in December there would have been the holiday break, a short day or two in January, the Martin Luther King holiday, more short days in February, Presidents Day and finally a week of  winter break.   I'm not a teacher, but I would imagine it's tough to keep the kids focused (especially the young ones) when they are out of their routine so often.

As for these schools that must make up the time.  I think any teacher would agree it's easier to teach them now than to try and keep their attention in late June. 

In fact, I'm all for getting rid of the February vacation all together.   Let’s have a spring break in March and get out of school the first week in June.  The summer is longer and the kids are more focused in cold weather?   What do you guys think? 

Is this really the time to be pointing fingers in the case of the fallen Boston firefighter?

Lt. Kevin Kelley lost his life in a truck accident last Friday.  The pumper truck was racing to an emergency when the brakes malfunctioned (or at least that's what appears to have happened) and the truck careened into a building.  The Lt., who was sitting in the passenger seat of that vehicle, died instantly.

By Sunday, the head of the firefighters union, Ed Kelly, was already laying blame for the tragedy at the feet of Boston Mayor Tom Menino.   But how do you point the finger at anyone when: the victim hasn't been laid to rest?  The truck has not been inspected? Those who were directly involved and those who witnessed the accident have not been interviewed?

I know that firefighters are hurting.  This is a member of their family!  I also know it's natural to want to blame someone or something when these kinds of tragedies occure.  But I actually think, in this case, it may be in poor taste to be talking about fault at this point.   Am I wrong?

I've been watching the events in Washington, D.C. unfold.  Roland Burris is the Illinois Governor's choice to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate.  As I'm sure you have heard, the Governor, Rod Blagojevich, is accused of trying to sell the seat to the highest bidder.  But keep in mind, he has not been indicted.  He has not been convicted.  He continues to carry out the duties of Chief Executive Officer of the state of Illinois.  Part of his duty is to appoint a Senate replacement.

Roland Burris, who seems to be qualified for the job, has not done anything wrong..and yet the Senate leadership says he will not be sworn in, they will not allow it.

Here's my question: how can they stop it?  Whether you like or trust Blagojevich, he is still the Governor and he still has the power to appoint whomever he likes.  He has chosen Roland Burris.   

Burris says he will fight.  I don't blame him if, in fact, no laws are being broken and no precedent has been set.

Lawmakers can't just willie nillie decided who will serve and who won't!  What do you think?

Maybe  this sounds cliche...but I want to wish everyone who watches the show and blogs with us here....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I know 2008 has been a difficult time for so many people!  I really hope 2009 is better for everyone!!!!

Thanks for watching Fox 25 Morning News!  I hope you have a happy and healthy year!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!  We certainly made merry at my house! 

So, have you heard about the 79-year-old author  of the book "Angel at the Fence" who is now admitting that he made up most of the "non-fictional" story.

For those of you who are Oprah fans, maybe you saw Herman Rosenblat and his wife, Roma, on the show. The two were on twice..telling their love story which is featured in the Bestseller.

Rosenblat is a Holocaust survivor. (that part of the story is apparently true)  In the book he tells the story of a young woman named Roma who comes the fence of his camp each day and tosses him an apple.   He explains how the two would chat a bit and how the apples kept him alive.

Years later, he was released from the camp and eventually made his way to the US.  In the book, he claims to have met a young polish woman named Roma..and through much conversation, put together that she is the same girl who threw him the apples each day.  The two were married and lived happily ever after.  EXCEPT ONE THING...THEY MADE THE STORY UP!!!!

As I mentioned earlier, the facet that Rosenblat is a Holocaust survivor seems to be the only portion of the story that is true. 

Apparently, he made up the story to win a news paper contest years ago.  He won..and then was contacted by an agent and a publisher...

Why do people do this kind of thing?  How do you live with yourself?  As if it's not bad enough to make up the story and win the news paper contest...he then goes on to embellish the story further for a book...and then appears on NATIONAL TELEVISION, NOT ONCE BUT TWICE to talk about the "LOVE STORY."

I have to tell you...I can't even tell a little white lie to my kids without feeling guilty.  I can't imagine taking money and fibbing to the world about anything.   How about you?

Well here we go!  Snow. Last minute shopping. Last minute cooking.  Entertaining.  Family arrives. Wrapping gifts.  This is what the next week is all about for me...and I must tell you, I can't wait!!!

I'm taking a few days off to enjoy all of these activities.  I hope you are doing the same.

Why don't you share what the next week will be like for you.  I think it's fun to hear everyone's stories!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Great morning on the Fox 25 Morning News, Chris Trapper on the show Monday singing from his Christmas CD.  I always love when artists come in and sing some of their original holiday tunes.  Be sure to check out another of his songs here.

However, if you want to hear one of the most spectacular renditions of one of my favorite Christmas song you must look up Martina Mcbride's version of  "Oh Holy Night" on YouTube.  I assure you, it will bring a tear to your eye.  I had Gene look it up and listen this morning and he agreed.  One of the best vocals EVER!!!

Check it out and let me know what you think.

The residents of Georgetown will soon be holding a special safety meeting. They are considering a new program for their schools  -- program that would teach kids to fight back if the school was ever under attack.

School officials say children, 7th grade and older, would be taught to throw backpacks, chairs, desks and run if someone entered their school to harm them. Younger kids would be schooled on how to hid and escape.

I have mixed emotions about this plan. I have a child who would pretty much fall in both categories. My oldest is in the 6th grade..and my little one is a second-grader. I can see my son (12 years old) fighting back...I can also imagine Gracie hiding and running. I guess what I can't picture is either of them having to deal with the issue of being attacked at school. I know we live in a different day and age and we must face reality, but it's tough to think about the kids going to "attack classes."

I'll be very interested to see how this plays out in Georgetown. No doubt, they will be setting an example for other distracts, no matter what they decided.

Story out today in Boston about the owner of Sportsworld in Saugus. Apparently this guy has the "perfect" gift idea for the sports lover who has everything. Phil Castinetti has, somehow, gotten his hands on some All-Star undies and they can be yours if the price is right.

A-Rod's briefs, along with Kevin Youkilis' and Josh Beckett's unmentionables, will all go up for sale on eBay today. Starting price, just under 10-dollars. Apparently, this stuff gets thrown away at the end of the season.

Granted, I think it's gross that Phil Castinetti is trying to make a buck off these guys underwear....but even worse, I think he will make, not just a buck, but a lot of bucks!!!!

Who are these folks who would actually pay money for "used" underwear? I don't care who wore them...it's just not right. Even the most dramatic of sports fans can't possibly want these things in their stocking.

Dirty underwear belongs in the hamper and then the washing machine, not framed and hanging on someone's wall!!!!!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Have you heard? Red Sox fans can now go to their final resting place as a fan. A funeral home in Rockland has ordered a number of caskets with Red Sox logos on the outside and inside. The caskets are made out of baseball bat style wood and come with a certificate of authenticity. They aren't cheap...4800 bucks!!

This isn't something I can imagine buying for one of my loved ones. I get being a fan but come on!!!! Of course who am I to judge? Tell me what you think. Would you buy a Red Sox casket for a loved one? Would you like someone to purchase one for you?

You may know the story of young Taylor Meyer. She's the teenage girl who attended an underage drinking party in Norfolk when she wandered away from the party and died in a swamp. She was intoxicated at the time.

Her friends started a remembrance campaign with pink bracelets. All the kids at Taylors' school were wearing them. Since Taylor's death, three underage drinking parties have been busted in the same area. The most recent was this weekend. The kids were in court Monday. So was Taylor's mother. She confiscated all the pink bracelets from the kids, no doubt, feeling her late daughter's friends were not honoring Taylor's memory with respect and restraint.

Can you imagine how frustrating it must be for Taylor's mother? If her daughter's death isn't the "ultimate example" for kids to learn from, then what is? I'm sure that woman is praying, if nothing else, her daughter will not have died in vain and that her friends will have learned something.

I have some very definite ideas when it comes to kids and underage drinking. I'm not going to bore you with that. I just hope, for so many kids and parents sakes, something serves as a wake-up call. I sure don't want another young person to be the "ultimate example" and another parent to have to feel the sadness and frustration of losing a child.

My last blog entry was about the toll hikes. Many of you asked me to keep you informed about the public hearings. They are now set and I want to pass the info on to you.

All hearings will be held from 6:30-8:30 pm. The first will be held December 10th at the transportation building in Boston. The second will be at the Lynn city hall on December, 15th. Next, the hearing will be held in Framingham at Nevins hall on the 17th of December. The last hearing will be in Worcester on January 7th.

Hope this helps!!!

By now, you have no doubt heard, the tolls on the Mass Pike and the Logan Tunnels are going UP-UP-UP!!!!!!

Two bucks now to go through the Pike tolls and seven dollars for the tunnels. Gee Whiz. I don't care what the big dig cost...that is CRAZY!

I live on the North Shore. I travel to Dedham each day. That means a trip through the toll at the airport and two pike tolls. That totals eleven bucks ONE WAY! It's an additional four bucks home. That's $15.00 per day to get to work. That's $75.00 a week. $300.00 a month and 36-hundred dollars a year!!!!

I know I'm not the only one in shock over these numbers. Why is it that all of us north and west are paying for the Big Dig? I sort of see it like a school. Not everyone in town has kids...but you still pay taxes because your schools make your community better. I feel like there has to be a better way to spread the cost around...after all, the Big Dig is supposed to make the state a better place to live for everyone, right?!!!