Deb Nam-KraneLet's agree that DiZoglio could be more diplomatic. But step back from the vituperation and rhetoric from her and the Legislature (as well as the court and the governor's office), and I think she's doing the right thing. This hit piece by Keller doesn't do anything to change my mind. But maybe I'm the only one who thinks the state's media writes a lot of apologias for the status quo.
the Stripey Goodness@dnkboston I broadly agree that the Leg needs an external audit, though I *also* don't believe that the State Auditor - or anybody in the Executive branch - can currently do so constitutionally.
Do I think it needs to be done? Yes. Do I think DiZoglio understands that at least some part of the pushback here is a legitimate concern for the constitutional separation of powers? I genuinely do not think so.
Do I think it needs to be done? Yes. Do I think DiZoglio understands that at least some part of the pushback here is a legitimate concern for the constitutional separation of powers? I genuinely do not think so.
@dnkboston but IANAL, and certainly not a scholar of MA constitutional issues.
My biggest concern is that we cannot meaningfully separate the audit effort now from the vitriol which has accompanied it since long before the ballot initiative.
My biggest concern is that we cannot meaningfully separate the audit effort now from the vitriol which has accompanied it since long before the ballot initiative.
@stripey But that's just Massachusetts. I'm not trying to be blithe; I genuinely don't think we're going to see anyone try to take down the temperature in a meaningful way, and we need to trudge along in the messiness.
@dnkboston that's fair, and I agree. I don't envy the SJC's job, here.
@stripey Eh. They're not the most transparent organization either.
@stripey It's my understanding that she is strictly seeking information about financial expenditures at this time. The fact that the legislature is digging in their heels so hard about this does not seem to be simply because they're concerned about separation of powers.
I have no faith in the legislature auditing itself. They haven't been particularly honest or transparent actors for the last two decades, at least. I'd be open to an alternative that wasn't administered by them.
@dnkboston oh sure, I agree with you on that. I didn't mean to suggest that this is *entirely* some stately, principled stance on the part of a wholly innocent Legislature.
@stripey LOL. I wasn't worried you were, since you seem to be older than 20 🙂
@dnkboston oh lawdy, 20 was... a long time ago.
@stripey And as for what DiZoglio understands, I have no idea. I look at politicians more and more as vessels who are or are not doing what I want. I try not to dig too deeply into motivations unless it's clearly corruption. And it's really hard, since I'm so gossipy and petty, but I'm trying.
@dnkboston this is a wise stance, and I'd do well to better-adopt it, myself.
@stripey I'm positive you'll do a better job than I do :-D
@dnkboston don't sell yourself short. That you've identified this sort of position at all suggests you're way ahead of me.
@stripey Ha. Well, thanks, but it's also the exhaustion of watching someone like Trump. Is he a sociopath? Psychopath? Narcissist? I snapped last year. Why do I care? He's bad, he's breaking laws and killing people, and he needs to be stopped. I don't care what the explanations are.
I think RFK Jr makes the point best. He is so, so clearly trying to kill people, in numerous ways, and I have no idea why. But it doesn't matter. He's trying to kill us, and that's all that matters.
@dnkboston holy shit hear hear. The "why" is for the analysis ten years from now.
@stripey I'll be so excited to hear the testimony of the psychiatrists at Nuremberg II.
@dnkboston pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease
@stripey I know [insert primal scream]