Massachusetts

We’re pleased that BMG has been named one of the five 2008 contenders for Boston’s “Best Blog/Podcast”!  Others in the running are Universal Hub, Allston 02134, Jon Keller, and Dan Kennedy.

If you’re inspired, head on over to the Phoenix’s poll and send some clicky-love our way!

UPDATE: As mojoman notes in the comments, the voting process is a couple of steps.  You select the blog you want (*cough*BMG*cough*) on the screen at the link we’ve posted, then click “Submit.”  Then you have to tell it that you’re finished (”Skip to Finish”), fill out the form, and then click “Submit” again.  Not the most user-friendly thing I’ve ever seen, but nobody asked me anyway.

(Read the full post about ‘Vote for BMG in the Phoenix “Boston’s Best” Poll!’…)

(Great stuff — thanks Lynne! - promoted by David)

(Xposted at Dkos.)

I can’t believe no one else caught this, it’s so very important and a great development in the ongoing fight to preserve net neutrality - that ability for us to be able to access what we want, when we want it, through the internet, without Comcast or Verizon telling us otherwise, or charging us a premium for it.

Yesterday, there was a public FCC hearing in Cambridge, MA. I couldn’t make it to the event, but it was well attended, and the proponents of net neutrality were very well-spoken.

(Read the full post about ‘FCC Chair: Prepared to Stop ISPs from Hobbling Traffic’…)

A reminder from the Masachusetts Historical Foundation that on this day:

in 1638, a ship arrived in Salem after a seven-month voyage from the West Indies. Its cargo included cotton, tobacco and, as far as we know, the first African slaves to be imported into Massachusetts. When the Pequot Indians lost a war with the English in 1638, the fate of the vanquished was to be enslaved by the victors. The defiant Pequots made poor slaves, however, and many of them were shipped to Bermuda in exchange for African bondsmen. In 1641 the Massachusett Bay Colony adopted a code of laws that made slavery legal.

(Read the full post about ‘Cradle of Liberty’…)

With Sen. Prez Murray's health care cost agenda coming up on the near horizon, John McDonough directs our attention to Shannon Brownlee's widely praised book “Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making Us Sicker and Poorer.” I haven't read it yet, but I will. The thesis is that one-third of our health care spending is pure waste — it doesn't make us healthier, and indeed does the opposite.

In the comments, Beth Israel Deaconess CEO Paul Levy gamely asks: 

Of course, this raises the question: “Which one-third?” If I am a typical consumer, if it is the test or treatment that I demand and expect for myself, my spouse, my child, or my parent, then I won’t consider it a waste!

(Read the full post about ‘A friendly, — if pointed — question for Paul Levy’…)

Associated Industries of Massachusetts lobbyist Rick Lord says gosh golly, it's really not so bad that the subsidized Commonwealth Care is going to have these 14% premium increases — and even greater increases in co-pays. Gee whiz, things are really tight …

First, there is a state fiscal issue: The budget is already in structural deficit, costs of government are rising (in large part because of health care), there are powerful competing priorities such as education aid, revenues are threatened by an economic slowdown, and tax increases are off the table (with a proposal to eliminate the personal income tax headed for the ballot).

Second, the federal government is critically involved because it must approve the state’s Medicaid waiver, and commit itself to paying a 50% share of the cost of MassHealth programs; and the President has proposed reducing Medicaid funding in next year’s budget.

 Wait a minute …

(Read the full post about ‘Reasons not to listen to Rick Lord’…)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― A Los Angeles federal judge has rejected a motion to move the Britney Spears conservatorship case to U.S. District Court.

Judge Philip Gutierrez said in Tuesday’s ruling that the lawyer who claims to represent Spears is not her attorney and has no authority to act on her behalf.

The judge says attorney Jon Eardley acted improperly in trying to move the case to federal court.

The judge also denied a request by Spears’ father, James, and his lawyer to recover their legal costs to defend against the move.

A state court earlier named James Spears as conservator for the pop star. (Read the full post about ‘Judge Rejects Bid To Move Spears Case’…)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch will be put up for sale at a public auction next month unless the pop star pays the more than $24 million he still owes on the property, according to a Tuesday court filing.

Financial Title Co. filed the notice of trustee’s sale with Santa Barbara County Superior Court, setting the auction date for March 19. A spokeswoman for Jackson did not immediately return a call for comment.

Julie Wagner, a manager at the San Francisco-based title company, confirmed that Jackson’s property was set for auction.

Court documents obtained by Fox News warn Jackson that he has until the date of the auction to take action to keep his lavish Los Olivos estate. (Read the full post about ‘Neverland Ranch Could Be Yours For Just $24M’…)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ―

Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley will host and perform at the 2008 CMT Music Awards.

The seventh annual awards show will air live April 14 on CMT from Belmont University’s Curb Event Center. Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Toby Keith will also be among the performers.

“Miley and I are so excited to be hosting the CMT Music Awards,” Cyrus said Tuesday in a statement. “We know it will be a fun-filled night with a lot of great music performances.”

Cyrus, 46, made it big on the country and pop charts in 1992 with his hit “Achy Breaky Heart.” These days, he plays Miley’s father on the 15-year-old actress-singer’s “Hannah Montana” TV show.

“Hannah Montana” is filmed in Los Angeles, but the family has a home near Nashville.

(Read the full post about ‘Miley, Billy Ray Cyrus Host CMT Awards’…)

NEW YORK (AP) ―

Justin Timberlake will induct Madonna into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The “Sexyback” singer has been working with the Material Mom on her upcoming album, expected to be released this year.

Madonna will be among those honored March 10 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. Other inductees include Leonard Cohen, John Mellencamp, The Dave Clark Five, The Ventures and Little Walter.

Tom Hanks will induct The Dave Clark Five, the ’60s British pop band behind the hit “Glad All Over.” Billy Joel will pay tribute to Mellencamp, and Lou Reed will honor Cohen.

Ben Harper will induct Little Walter, who produced 14 Top 10 hits on the R&B charts before his death in 1968 at 37.

(Read the full post about ‘JT Will Induct Madonna Into Hall Of Fame’…)

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) ―

Naomi Campbell was hospitalized in Sao Paulo for the removal of a small cyst, her publicist said Tuesday.

The 37-year-old British supermodel, a frequent visitor to Brazil who earlier this month celebrated Carnival in the northeastern city of Salvador, was treated at Sirio Libanes Hospital.

“Naomi Campbell was admitted to the hospital last night to have a small cyst removed,” Jeff Raymond, Campbell’s publicist, said in a statement. “Following the successful procedure, she is now resting and is looking forward to getting back to work.

(Read the full post about ‘Naomi Campbell Hospitalized In Brazil’…)