Topic: Massachusetts

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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
5 reasons graphic novels are the next big thing at your library

The book format is everywhere, from ESL classrooms to Ivy League libraries.
Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill

A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
Thanksgiving Day by the numbers: 10 mind-stuffing facts

Data from the Census and other sources provide some numerical insights into Thanksgiving, arguably the most cherished national holiday.
Election 2012: 12 reasons Obama won and Romney lost

President Obama went into his reelection fight facing significant head winds – most important, high unemployment and slow economic growth. But for a multitude of reasons, including Obama’s positives and Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s negatives, Obama succeeded. Here’s our list.

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Energy Voices Physicist nominated as Energy secretary. Are there enough scientists in Washington?

President Obama's selection of nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz as Energy secretary highlights a void in Washington. The nation's capital lacks scientists in key decisionmaking positions and in Congress.
Ann Romney blames media for Mitt Romney loss (+video)

Ann Romney blames the media coverage for her husband's loss in the 2012 election. Ann Romney says "he wasn't given a fair shake" in the media.
Is Massachusetts more racist than Mississippi, as Chief Justice Roberts hints?

In deciding whether to strike down a portion of the Voting Rights Act, the Supreme Court is focusing on whether the South has redeemed its racist history. Massachusetts, though, has a quibble with Chief Justice Roberts.
Long slog to 2014 election begins for Senate's 'red state' Democrats

Three Senate Democrats from states where Obama lost in 2012 – and who are up for reelection themselves in 2014 – voted this week against their own party's fix for the 'sequester.' Will such votes hamstring Obama's legislative agenda?
Decoder Wire Mitt Romney interview to air on Fox News. Is an Act 2 for him in the works?

Mitt Romney is inching his way back into the public arena. In an excerpt of the Fox News interview released Friday, he weighs in on the 'sequester,' commenting on President Obama's handling of it.
Coastal Carolina dorm shooting raises question: Should coeds pack heat?

A shooting Tuesday at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., left one student dead. Although campus shootings are rare, the incident rekindles a debate on whether to permit guns on campus.
Voting Rights Act case: Supreme Court questioning is lively, pointed (+video)

At the US Supreme Court on Wednesday, defenders of the 1965 Voting Rights Act argued that the judiciary should defer to Congress's judgment that the law is still needed as is. Several justices indicated that they thought not.
Baseball fan can sue: Jury will decide risk of watching ball

An injured baseball fan can sue for damages, ruled the Idaho Supreme Court today. The fan lost an eye after being hit in the face with a foul ball at a minor league game.
Decoder Wire Chris Christie dissed by CPAC. Is that good or bad for him?

CPAC organizers are apparently still annoyed that New Jersey's Republican governor Chris Christie praised President Obama's recovery efforts after superstorm Sandy.
Decoder Wire Mitt Romney to speak at CPAC. Why?

Mitt Romney says he'll speak next month at CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) to say thank you. But maybe he'll also outline his plans for staying involved in politics.
Modern Parenthood 911 call over bedtime; fishermen find girls: A great first responders week

A 911 call over bedtime by an aggrieved 10-year-old and at a hidden crash site fishermen find two little girls: It was a great week for first responders and a good time for parents to review the 911 rules with kids.
Gun-control bills pass Colorado House: Was Aurora a tipping point? (+video)

The Colorado House passed four gun-control measures Monday, a notable shift for a typically libertarian, pro-gun state. Has the political climate changed enough for bills to pass state Senate?
Super mega dolphin pod off San Diego: Why the big party? (+video)

Super mega dolphin pod, which indulged in a feeding frenzy off the coast of San Diego over the holiday weekend, is only the latest in a recent string of odd behaviors by large creatures of the sea.
Tax VOX Congress makes bipartisan push for online sales tax

Republicans and Democrats have signed on to legislation that would allow states to collect taxes on what consumers buy over the Internet. The measure would finally resolve a decades-old dispute over whether states can collect sales taxes on mail-order and online purchases, Francis writes.
Gun raffles stoke debate after Conn. shooting

Gun giveaways are an attractive way to make money or draw in customers. But in the wake of the shooting rampage in a Connecticut school, such raffles are drawing criticism.
Proposed assault weapons ban would protect more than 2,200 firearms

One model of the Ruger .223 caliber Mini-14 is on the proposed list to be banned, while a different model is on a list of exempted firearms. Both hold dozens of rounds of ammunition. 'What a joke,' says a former FBI agent wounded in a bank robbery shoot-out.
American Idol: How Angela Miller earned a Top 40 spot (+video)

American Idol recap: On Thursday night, the American Idol judges chose their top 40. Contestant Angela Miller surprised the judges with an outstanding performance. Who else managed to survive the final cuts of Hollywood Week?
Why Republican delay isn't likely to stop Chuck Hagel confirmation (+video)

Republican senators blocked a vote on the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense secretary. But they acknowledged that the situation could be different in a few days.
American Idol Hollywood Week: The Girls are back in town (+video)

American Idol recap: On Wednesday night, the girl contestants lived through the horrors of American Idol Hollywood Week. Did they outshine the boys?
Coolidge

Amity Shlaes offers a fresh perspective on the 1920s and "Silent Cal," but infuses her narrative with ideology.
Energy Voices Keystone XL pipeline: Is Canada preparing for a US rejection?

With the Keystone XL pipeline still up for debate in the US, some Canadian leaders are discussing alternatives to getting access to world oil markets, according to OilPrice.com, regardless of what comes of the Keystone XL pipeline.
Epic blizzard over, but Northeast is still reeling … and now rainy (+video)

As the Northeast digs out from an epic blizzard, rain poses new challenges: ice, slippery roads and paths, and – where wind has not already blown away much of the snow – collapsing roofs.
Blizzard 2013 storm prep sharpened by experience in Katrina and Sandy

Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, American storm response has changed dramatically. The blizzard that swept across nine states in the Northeast US this weekend in many ways showed how.
Boston Top 5 winter storms ever: Blizzard of 2013 could top the list (+video)

A 2003 winter storm dumped a record 27.5 inches of snow in Boston. No. 5 on the list is a 2005 storm that dropped 22.5 inches. The Blizzard of 2013 looks likely to top that, at least.
Blizzard of 2013 making travel hazardous. What it's hitting.

All along the Northeast Corridor the Blizzard of 2013 is making travel difficult, if not impossible. Trains and flights are being cancelled, subways ceasing operations, and motorists ordered off the roads.