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NASHUA The question on everyones mind is, Did Deval Patrick enter the race too late?

The former two-term Massachusetts governor, who joined the Democratic primary field in mid-November, spoke one-on-one with The Telegraph on Jan. 22, and dismissed the notion that he is too late for the party.

It may not be a question of when, but rather why hes entered the race.

I noticed with Democrats, we tend to focus on the how and not the why, he said. Ive been worried since 2016. I had, perhaps, a nave hope that gravity of the office would impose itself on (President Donald Trump) and he wouldnt be quite as bad. But in fact, hes worse.

Patrick said that many voters find it distressing to see Trump at the helm.

Increasingly, like many others, I have felt that the democracy wouldnt survive another four years, he said. But to me, its not just the process of order of our democracy. Its the character of the country, that we would permit this. I dont believe that all the people who voted for Trump are haters. I think its a mistake to talk about them that way. Theres just a lot of folks who feel unseen and unheard.

Patrick has been polling at close to 0%. But the resilient candidate recognizes the talent pool of Democrats seeking the nomination, and still sees a path for himself.

Patricks plan has been to integrate smaller groups not just the large crowds and connect with voters in more intimate settings, such as the one on Wednesday afternoon at the Unitarian Church in Nashua.

This is about how we see ourselves as a community, he said. People are feeling unseen and unheard in a lot of places right now. But if we could speak to that, not only would it be a winning message, but it would actually be an opportunity to unite us. And in some ways, reinvent us, which we do in this country every once in a while.

Patrick said hes spoken with other Democratic candidates. The campaign staff who lead their candidate often needle the man or woman, saying they need to be this, or they need to be that. Patrick said hes only talking about who he is.

I said, I can do this,' he said. I got encouragement from a lot of people, including some of other people who are in the race now. But I feel that message is still missing. That approach, not just in politicking but the governing is still missing. And at the risk of rupturing some relationships I had, I decided to get in anyway.

Trump supporters are known for their passion. So, when asked if he can convince Trump supporters to reconsider their vote, Patrick made note that much of the frustration that Trump supporters have is carefully cultivated.

Frankly, the notion that the president, any president, would undertake to govern only the people who voted for him or her, is deeply troubling, Patrick said. And deeply disabling of our democracy. But to be clear, I dont see people in categories.

Patrick said he would talk to anybody. Anybody.

There are more unenrolled independents in Massachusetts than there are registered Democrats and Republicans combined, he continued. People arent buying 100% of what either party is selling. But its their government, too. Its their civic life.

Patrick recalled an episode in Newmarket, where a young man asked him about his interest in banning assault rifles. He was a U.S. Marine and learned how to take care of his weapon.

Its a weapon of war and it belongs on the battlefield, not in neighborhoods, Patrick said. Whats next, do you want a tank? And someone later pointed out that even Marines cant even walk around with their M-16s on the base. But I wasnt trying to belittle him. It turns out, that he was there on red flag laws, closing gun show loopholes, national registration, background checks.

Patrick said that he and the young man reached a commonality, something that Patrick strives for his approach to campaigning. He also said he recognizes his appeal, how ever small or large, that he has from those voters who appreciate his time governing the Commonwealth.

Its been nice, he said. Ive met folks who live in southern New Hampshire and work in Massachusetts, he said. Ive met a bunch of folks who have retired here from Massachusetts. Campaigning is a grind, but its a wonder.

Later, Patrick spoke to members and visitors of the Unitarian Universal Church on Lowell Street in Nashua. Topics included immigration.

What I hate about politics, is that we treat these things as if you cant have one without the other, he said. These are false choices. You cant immigration reform without having open borders. An ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agency that is demilitarized and that is behaving in a way that doesnt demean and dehumanize people in order to enforce the law, is absolutely essential. And I think we do need comprehensive immigration reform, which includes bringing 11 million out of the shadows and into mainstream life.

Patrick said the current administration wants the issues, not the solution.

Continued here:
Former Mass. Gov. Patrick: 'It's about the character of the country' | News, Sports, Jobs - Cabinet.com

The new Coronavirus out of China could turn into a pandemic. Thom Hartmann wonders what that would mean for the United States as one of the only countries in the developed world without a national healthcare structure. Americans could face the worst of it. How prepared are we?

The Thom Hartmann Program covers diverse topics including immigration reform, government intrusion, privacy, foreign policy, and domestic issues.

More people listen to or watch the TH program than any other progressive talk show in the world! Join them.

The Thom Hartmann Program is on Free Speech TV every weekday from 12-3 pm EST.

Missed an episode? Check out TH on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change.

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

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Coronavirus: The Virus That Can Become a Pandemic - Free Speech TV

HOLLAND Each year, a local organization recognizes high school members for accomplishments as students and community members.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland honors one local student for excellence in academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles. The group will announce its 2020 Youth of the Year during a ceremony from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Midtown Center, 96 W. 15th St. in Holland.

The nominees for the award are Conner McBride, Esli Mendoza, Fredy Rincon Perez, Ebony Roach, Julissa Salcedo and Janelly Vazquez. All six nominees are students at West Ottawa High School.

Youth of the Year is a national program by Boys & Girls Club. High school members of local chapters are nominated for achievements in the clubs core program areas. After nomination, students write essays, give speeches and are interviewed by community members and judges.

This year marks the 25th anniversary for Youth of the Year. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland will celebrate the anniversary and alumni during the Feb. 27 presentation.

During the ceremony, the nominees will read their speeches in front of friends, family and community members before the announcement of the Youth of the Year winner.

The local winner of Youth of the Year will compete for a statewide honor and has the potential to make regional and/or national competitions as well.

Last month, West Ottawa Public Schools posted short bios about each finalist on its Facebook page.

McBride is a junior at WOHS and is a member of the schools marching band. In the future, he would like to work as an accountant or a teacher.

Mendoza, a senior, participates in book club, art club, West Ottawa Renaissance, Raise Your Voice, Student Senate, National Art Honor Society, Pals, Links, Student Advisory Council and Path Finders.

Perez, a junior, participates in Spanish Club and baseball at WOHS. He is an aspiring architect.

Roach is also a junior at WOHS. She participates in National Honors Society, West Ottawa Renaissance, Chamber Orchestra and helping with school musicals.

Salcedo is the youngest nominee this year as a freshman. She has been a Boys & Girls Club member for six years and hopes to one day work in the criminal justice system.

Vasquez is a junior who would like to work in immigration reform in the future. Currently, she is involved with debate club, Links, and the Student Leadership Group at WOHS.

Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.

Originally posted here:
Youth of the Year to be named next month - HollandSentinel.com

A Lonsdale pastor has apologized after remarks he made about Muslim immigration and Islam being the greatest threat in the world sparked controversy.

My homily on immigration contained words that were hurtful to Muslims. Im sorry for this, said Father Nick VanDenBroeke, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Lonsdale, in a Jan. 29 statement. I realize now that my comments were not fully reflective of the Catholic Churchs teaching on Islam.

In a homily Father VanDenBroeke gave Jan. 5, the feast of the Epiphany and, in Minnesota, Immigration Sunday, he acknowledged the complexity of immigration as a political issue and that the Bible challenges Catholics to welcome strangers.

Father Nick VanDenBroeke

He said that the U.S. should welcome people who are suffering and in need into the country, and noted that the U.S. has reached a 40-year low in the number of refugees it accepts at a time when the displacement of people has never been greater due to war and poverty. He also spoke in support of a path of citizenship for dreamers, or young people who were brought into the county illegally as young people, as well as other undocumented immigrants who are already in the country.

We need to look at the facts that there are a lot of hurting people around the world, and we need to help them,he said in the 15-minute homily. Our Catholic faith challenges us to say, What are we doing to reach out and help? Its so easy for us to sit back and be comfortable Americans who simply dont care.

Then he said that immigrants religion and worldview should be taken into consideration when the country decides whom to admit.

Both as Americans and as Christians, we do not need to pretend that everyone who seeks to enter America should be treated the same, he said. I believe its essential to consider the religion and worldview of the immigrants and refugees. More specifically, we should not be allowing large numbers of Muslims asylum or immigration into our country. Islam is the greatest threat in the world, both to Christianity and to America.

He continued: Of course there are peaceful Muslims, absolutely, but the religion as a religion, and an ideology and a worldview, it is contrary to Christ and to America. I am not saying we hate Muslims. I am absolutely not saying that. They are people created out of love by God just as each one of us is. But while we certainly do not hate them as people, we must oppose their religion and worldview. And if we want to protect our great country not only as a Christian nation, but also as the land of the free, then we must oppose the immigration of Muslims. Thats an example of keeping bad ideas out of the country that we have the right to do as a sovereign nation.

A recording of the homily was posted on Immaculate Conceptions website. It drew the attention of City Pages, the Twin Cities alternative newsweekly, which posted a story to its website Jan. 29. The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations called for the Minnesota Catholic Conference to repudiate his comments.

In aJan. 29 statement, Archbishop Bernard Hebda said he spoke with Father VanDenBroeke about the homily and he has expressed sorrow for his words and an openness to seeing more clearly the Churchs position on our relationship with Islam.

The teaching of the Catholic Church is clear, Archbishop Hebda said, pointing to several sources. As Pope Benedict XVI noted, The Catholic Church, in fidelity to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, looks with esteem to Muslims, who worship God above all by prayer, almsgiving and fasting, revere Jesus as a prophet while not acknowledging his divinity, and honor Mary, his Virgin Mother. He called upon the Church to persist in esteem for Muslims, who worship God who is one, living and subsistent; merciful and almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, who has also spoken to humanity.

Continuing to quote Pope Benedict XVI, he said, If all of us who believe in God desire to promote reconciliation, justice and peace, we must work together to banish every form of discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism.

That continues to be our teaching today, Archbishop Hebda said. Pope Francis has echoed Pope Benedict, stating that it is important to intensify the dialogue between Catholics and Islam. He has emphasized the great importance of dialogue and cooperation among believers, in particular Christians and Muslim, and the need for it to be enhanced. He has called for all Christians and Muslims to be true promoters of mutual respect and friendship, in particular through education.

Archbishop Hebda said that he is grateful for the many examples of friendship that have been offered by the Muslim community in our region and we are committed to strengthening the relationship between the two communities.

While the Catholic Church and Islam have had a fraught relationship historically, contemporary Church teaching has repeatedly expressed esteem for Muslim people.

The 1965 Second Vatican Council document Nostra Aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, states the Church has high regard for the Muslims.

The document notes that in history, many quarrels and dissensions have arisen between Christians and Muslims.

However, The sacred Council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values.

It says the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, color, condition in life or religion.

Other Church documents and Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis have spoken positively of Islam and Muslims and their desire that they and Christians share mutual respect.

Minnesotas Catholic bishops declared the first Sunday in January Immigration Sunday in 2009. In 2012, they released a joint statement calling for federal immigration reform.

Catholic teaching also recognizes the sovereignty of nations to secure their borders and make decisions about the identity and number of immigrants they allow into their countries, stated that document, Unlocking the Gates of our Hearts.

Our government has the duty to consider immigrations impact on the domestic economy and our national security, they stated. Yet, we must always make sure that we are not exaggerating these concerns in ways that deny the basic humanitarian needs of good people seeking refuge in our country.

Tags: Father Nick VanDenBroeke, Immigration, Islam, Muslim, Nostra Aetate, VanDenBroeke

Category: Local News

Originally posted here:
Lonsdale pastor apologizes for 'words that were hurtful to Muslims' - The Catholic Spirit

The cast of Transport Group's revival of The Unsinkable Molly Brown, starring Beth Malone and running February 8-March 22 at Abrons Arts Center, met the press on January 29. Kathleen Marshall directs and choreographs.

Malone takes on the title role, alongside David Aron Damane as JJ, Whitney Bashor as Julia, Omar Lopez-Cepero as Vincenzo, Alex Gibson as Erich, and Paolo Montalbanas Arthur. Rounding out the cast are Karl Josef Co, Kaitlyn Davidson, Tyrone Davis Jr., Gregg Goodbrod, Michael Halling, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Kate Marilley, Shina Ann Morris, Keven Quillon, and CoCo Smith.

Meredith Willson and Richard Morris's musical is adapted by Dick Scanlan, with music adaptation by Michael Rafter. Scenic design is by Brett Banakis, costume design is by Sky Switser, gowns for Beth Malone are by Paul Tazewell, lighting design is by Peter Kaczorowski, sound design is by Walter Trarbach, and music direction is by Joey Chancey.

The Unsinkable Molly Brown tells the rags-to-riches story of Margaret "Molly" Brown, a turn-of-the-century hero of the underdog, champion of women's rights, fighter for labor rights, advocate of immigration reform and, most famously, survivor of the Titanic disaster. A love story about a woman who rejected the notion that it's a man's world, this new Molly Brown portrays Molly as she really was vibrant, progressive, modern.

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Beth Malone and More Preview The Unsinkable Molly Brown - TheaterMania.com