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Going on Offense on Crime…

With its capacity to capture headlines and late night news teasers, crime remains one of the troubles for which Springfield get plenty of attention.  Although the news can make the city appear to be a river of blood set against the din of incessant gunfire,

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Manic Monday Markup 4/2/2012…

…And the World: We start off today in Burma.  In elections held this weekend to fill mid-term vacancies in the Burmese parliament, Democracy Activist Aung Sun Suu Kyi and her party appeared headed for a blowout scooping up as many as 43 of 45 contested

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A City Out from Under the Gun…

After  a year defined by piece-meal measures of debatable effect to rein in crime in the City of Springfield, two councilors are propsoing arguably the most comprehensive approach yet when compared to other efforts.  Early entertainment cessation and street closings have been the focus on

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Renovations Underway…

Welcome, once again to Western Mass Politics & Insight. As you can probably see we are undergoing some renovations at this current time.  We hope that this process will be finished within a couple of days.  Although all of our prior posts should be available on

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Manic Monday Markup 3/26/2012…

…And the World: Another Tory scandal in Britain over being too close to influence peddlers.  British Prime Minister David Cameron and his Conservative Party have been caught, seemingly selling out once again.  After being caught too close to Rupert Murdoch’s British newspapers (a former New

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Take My Council, Please: Cheers & Jeers…

Monday was a day of minor victories, but also grim financial news and schizophrenic behavior at the Springfield City Council.  With three members absent, councilors debated a host of resolutions, put off several measures to committee and even took some further steps on ordinances.  Prior

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Tardy Tuesday Takedown 3/20/12…

Our apologies for no Manic Monday! Plus we will be back this week with some new local stories including an edition of “Take My Council, Please!” …And the World: Last summer in what was one of many dress rehearsals for the Occupy movement that shook

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Manic Monday Markup 3/12/2012…

…And the World: In Afghanistan an army sergeant allegedly killed sixteen Afghan civilians including many children in an attack that has been described as the worst war crime of the US’s ten year military involvement with the country.  The attack comes after protests riled Afghanistan

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Take My Council, Please: Pushing Paper…

Every now and then the Springfield City Council assembles and does little more than ministerial duties dressed up as discretionary acts.  For example, the city cannot accept a grant or money outside of its own tax base or consistent with a general state law unless

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Manic Monday Markup 3/5/2012…

…And the World: In an election that few saw as suspenseful, Russian Prime Minister and one-time President Vladimir Putin was elected once more to be the nation’s president with nearly 64% of the vote.  Despite new allegations of electoral fraud, it seems doubtful that Putin