Gov. Deval Patrick: EBT enforcement ‘not feasible’

A defiant Gov. Deval Patrick finally signed a welfare reform bill into law yesterday — only to say he won’t enforce key parts of the measure…

Patrick, in a letter to lawmakers, said it’s “not feasible” to ban EBT purchases of frills such as liquor, cigarettes, lottery tickets and tattoos — and that “this administration will not enforce …

“He’s saying he’s not going to enforce the law. That’s a first for me,” said state Rep. Shaunna O’Connell (R-Taunton), who is leading the charge for reform.

But not for Deval. It’s part of his qualifications to be the next AG of the USA.

Gov. Deval Patrick sends ‘3 strikes’ bill back to lawmakers

Gov. Deval Patrick has rejected a bill that would eliminate parole for three-time violent felons, saying he doesn’t want to strip judges of their discretion in handing out

sentences.

Massachusetts Judges aren’t handing out tough sentences and sometimes no jail time at all. Thats the problem.

Up north for humor…

Cranky Old Mainer Reviews Video Cassette Of Dave He Found At The Dump. It’s About Dave

Not an antique review, but a review of an antique movie. Well, actually, since it’s not 25 years old, I assume it’s not actually an antique. But it’s old enough that I found it in our town’s recycling center. On the other hand, this movie we watched on a video last night, antique or just pretty old, Dave, is so up to date, I can’t help but review it. It’s billed as a comedy, but the story could be happening today. And the events in the movie are so real we found them more frightening than funny. The primary definition of “comedy” that fits Dave is that comedies have happy endings. The versions being lived out today in our strange world of politics, that world where the participants seem to have developed the wealth-building skill of getting folk to vote for them with the promise of helping said folk, but then, once elected, continuing to bow to the wishes of the wealthy who aid the politicians in their daily wealth-building efforts. Democrats, not so much? Maybe. Republicans, a lot more? Seems that way. Green Party? Who are they? Are they the ones who make me mow my lawn? (read more at MagicCityMorningStar)

Deadly Kayaks Of Doom Pamphlet Reminds Potential Victims That Drowning Is Bad

LAMOINE, Maine — The summer of 2011 was a deadly one for kayakers in Hancock County, where three people died while paddling in coastal bays or ponds. A year later, their deaths have not been forgotten. Two local residents, one of them the owner of a kayak rental business, are producing information cards that will be handed out to visitors to Lamoine State Park who arrive with kayaks or canoes in tow. The purpose of the cards, Diane Sanderson said Sunday, is to raise awareness about safety precautions paddlers should take when they venture out on the water, especially on the ocean. She said the cards are forthright about the risks of kayaking, and even warns that people have died while paddling on the ocean. “Wear your life jacket, No. 1,” Sanderson said, describing the information on the cards. It also cautions paddlers to take only ocean-worthy vessels out on the water and has a map of water bodies near the park. (read more at BangorDailyNews)