imagined-community

I am so sick of the Healy attack ads. First it was Deval Patrick supports rapists. Now, I swear there has been an increase in “Deval Patrick wants to give illegal immigrants driver’s licenses” commercials. Could someone please tell Healy that this whole DL issue is completely pointless? I know that we have short memories here in the U.S., but really Healy, this is ridiculous! Have you forgotten the Real ID Act, which became law on May 11, 2005? The Real ID Act created national standards for state driver’s licenses. After May 2008, federal agencies, including those security people at the airport, cannot accept a card that does not meet the Real ID Act standards. Anyone applying for a drivers license must provide the following to meet the Real ID Act standards.

• A photo ID, or a non-photo ID that includes full legal name and birthdate.
• Documentation of birthdate.
• Proof of Social Security Number or verification that the applicant isn’t eligible for one.
• Documentation showing name and principal residence address.
• Documentation showing that the applicant is legally present in the US (in other words, is a US citizen or national, is an alien with permanent or temporary residence status or a valid visa, has applied for or been granted asylum, is a refugee, etc.).

— Wikipedia

So, please Healy, enough already, this is a Real dead issue. For better or worse, illegal immigrants are not getting driver’s licenses any time soon.

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The weather is stormy and cold right now, but earlier in the week is was gorgeous here. I took these photos on the Boston side of the Charles River. The above photo is of some Community Boating sailboats. The below photo is a bit further down the esplanade, not too far from the Hatch Shell. Luckily, the weather is supposed to turn nice again tomorrow, just in time for the Head of the Charles Regatta , the world’s largest two-day rowing event. If you don’t understand rowing races, John is going to be giving a running commentary on the race. RSVP or search for someone who looks like John between the Weeks Memorial Bridge and the Weld Boathouse after 10 am.

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I think that Vietnamese singer Ngoc Ha’s voice is stunning in this video (though there seems to be some debate at YouTube about whether she sounds this good in person). What I like about this video (a clip from Paris By Night ) is that the arrangment and Ngoc Ha’s vocal style do create a modern version of an old song ( shades of Ca Tru and Quan Ho ) but without completely losing what makes traditional Vietnamese music unique and, in my opinion, gorgeous.

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