Robert commented on Greater Boston on 02.16.12
Re elizabeth warren "talk" next time use a love seat so you can sit close to each other. what a lovefest. how about jobs, the economy. shes an obama clone and not necessary. send her back to Harvard.

Bill commented on Greater Boston on 02.16.12
Re Birth Control ....Ms.Warren,All she kept saying was " The President " says.....Where does he get this power to put this in effect ? Would he be able to stop the Jewish tradition of circumcision for young males ? Id call it mutilation.... They had it in news for young female Africans ....

David commented on Greater Boston on 02.15.12
Just watched Emily interview Attorney Stephen Churchill. This guy was a creep and Emily was pulling teeth to get this guy to make sense of what seems like a bogus lawsuit against The Boston Police Dept. What I think the lawyer was trying to say is that HE feels that black and hispanic police officers are stupid and ignorant. He had said some black officers passed this test as well as failed it. Does this mean that every white police officer that took this test for promotion Passed. Very hard to watch and few good reasons Mr. Churchill and these police officers are sueing.

Margie commented on Greater Boston on 02.10.12
Gisele was criticized because she dissed the New England Patriots team at the expense of her husband. If she says something in public it should not be critical of her husbands team! Period. She deserved to be criticized players and team staff know better than to make critical comments about the team.

jim commented on Greater Boston on 02.09.12
Stamping out food stamp abuse Dear Emily You are shockingly ignorant and insensitive and your segment on tonight’s show is just another example of your sloppy and underprepared style of journalism. Your comments “How do I get on this thing?” and “We took the shame out of it” show that you live in a bubble. Do you realize that 50 of recipients of the food stamp program are children, 20 are disabled and 10 are seniors? Of course we need to make the system work better so the benefits go to those who really are in need. However, there is no excuse for injecting your personal and uninformed opinion into the conversation and it shows your underlying prejudice. You apparently think you created all of the success you have enjoyed in life. Warren Buffet would say you won the ovarian lottery. Children don’t choose to be born into a poor family and I am glad that we live in a society that helps them. If you truly “want to get on this food stamp thing,” try poverty for a while.

Jacqui commented on Greater Boston on 02.09.12
Im a faithful watcher of Greater Boston and am deeply concerned about the coverage of the "abuse" of the EBT Food Benefits program. Im a social service provider who has worked in Mass, RI and CT and I believe you may have inadvertently misrepresented the program and the people who depend on it. As for calling the EBT card, it is an acronym for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It was not intended to gloss over what it means to receive cash assistance "Welfare" to most. Folks who are eligible for this program are not making money off of the system. A small percentage will continue to take advantage and find ways to find loopholes. Most though use this money to pay their utility bills, rent, and such things as toilet paper and toothpaste that is not covered by SNAP Food Stamps, hence why they need to take out the money as cash. SNAP benefits are for food and restrictions such as no fresh lobster vs prepared lobster is a matter of Federal restrictions. As a public forum, Greater Boston has a responsibility to report the abuses for sure but to also get the facts straight and inform and educate the general public about the two accounts on the cards. The day we dictate whether a person can buy any item only if its on a prescribed list is the day when judgment occurs as to whether the poor deserve to have anything in the retail marketplace that someone else can buy with their own money. It is their money and they should be able to spend it as they deem necessary.

Vincent commented on Greater Boston on 02.07.12
Sal DiMasi Returns to MA If Martha Coakley had been doing her job as AG maybe the Feds would not need to constantly come here to MA to clean up the political scandals that infest our state. If the AG had been more concerned about politcal corruption here then just maybe some of the pols on Beacon Hill would have thought twice before becoming involved in political corruption. Why is Willy Lantigua still mayor of Lawrence? Emily, Martha is your friend. Ask her why MA has had so much political corruption under her watch? This will not be good for her if she decides tio run for Governor.

pete commented on Greater Boston on 02.07.12
Hey EMILY OK, so tonight Barry Nolan is going to be on the show. Wonderful! What an interesting guy. HOWEVER, for tonight only, I IMPLORE you to let him do the talking and to ABANDON your usual interview practices 1. When hes answering a question, dont step on his answer! Let him finish dont interrupt. 2. When youve asked about, and hes talking about, Bill OReilly PLEASE DONT interject your own views of Bill OReilly and his program. Dont tell how you dont appreciate OReilly, either. Dont tell about how you once met OReilly and he was a jerk. Dont tell about OReillys reputation in the TV industry yes, we know youve been around TV for a long time we know that you worked at WHDH. But please dont talk about maybe the time he was on WHDH and he hogged all the air. Please, please let Barry talk and tell HIS experience and opinions. Thats why hes on the show just for that, to talk about his views and feelings. So let him. PLEASE! Just, please, for tonight only rein your narcissism and let your guest have his own say. Then youll have a great show and well be AOK. Thank you, Emily! Pete Wilson, pete@pwilson.net

Evelyn commented on Greater Boston on 01.19.12
The preview of the new Gardner Museum wing was wonderful, but my heart sank when I saw the two canaries, each in an individual tiny cage. These are animal lives, not decorative items. These birds are deprived of the expression of every natural behavior and flight itself. Having two sad captives on display is a bad decision by Gardner administrators.

Tim commented on Greater Boston on 01.17.12
God bless the director of the BU Biolab for all of his precautions, but he cant see the forest for the trees. From an engineering point of view, if you want to minimize damage, you dont place something like this in a highlypopulated area. Duh. Accidents happen and things go wrong. Whether youre in the city or out in the wheatfields of Kansas, as soon as word gets out that something went wrong, everyone in the area clears out in a panic. In the Kansas wheatfields, thatd be about fifty to two hundred people. In Boston, thatd be... Boston. The panic would be more deadly tha the accident. And a note to Mayor Menino if you want the biolab to share all this data with all the teaching hospitals in Boston, you should look into the internet. Its an amazing tool you dont even have to be in the same room to share data.....

Ken commented on Greater Boston on 01.16.12
Was so disappointed that there was nothing on MLK day to observe this special day, as though the old recycled white people segments somehow could be compelling programming on this special day. What a missed opportunity. You could have invited Bostonians who knew MLK personally to recount some of their memories of him. KE, a white guy who deeply admires MLK

Jack commented on Greater Boston on 01.11.12
Ok, good work Jared trying to get the truth out of Grossman. Naive on your part obviously, but, still nice to watch some squirming. Totally disappointed in Deval, Tiny Tim and now Grossman. Does anyone tell the truth anymore? Just tell the stinking truth.

Sally commented on Greater Boston on 01.11.12
Jared Bowen did a great job interviewing Steve Grossman. When he asked him about Tim Murrays response to his own accident and how it was handled, Grossman wouldnt answer the question. Jared came back at least twice trying to get him to answer, but Grossman could only talk about himself and how great he thinks he is.....more like a bag of wind! Good job, Jared, you tried to keep him on track in as pleasant a way as possible. We in the audience didnt miss that the guy was avoiding the topic and could only brag about how "wonderful and transparent" he himself is. [which tends to make me assume he is NOT].

Chelsea commented on Greater Boston on 01.09.12
FYI The Worcester Art Museum is WONDERFUL!!! I was very sad to see how Jared Emily didnt know how awesome the WAM is Growing up I attended youth art classes there had a great time. Greater Boston needs to make an exception do a whole show on the Worcester Art Museum!!!!

Vincent commented on Greater Boston on 01.07.12
Do we really need or want another Kennedy representing us in Congress? I noticed in the segment that Kennedy, of course, is referring to the Tea Party as racists. The Tea party is more colorblind than the liberal Democrat machine. It stayed loyal to Herman Cain as long as possible.

Vincent commented on Greater Boston on 01.07.12
"Giving Credit" Emily, stop kissing up to the Globe. It is a very biased liberal newspaper that cannot be taken seriously. Yes, it broke the clergy scandal along with the Phoenix. It endorsed Huntsman only because it believes he is the least conservative of the Republican candidates. The Globe has absolutely no intention of endsorsing any Repbulican candidates in the November elections. Remember when it broke the scandal on John Tierneys wife? John Tierney claimed to have no knowledge that his wife was money laundering. The Globe had him nailed cold. Later it endorsed him over the Republican. If the Globe did not like the Reublican then why endorse anyone? The Globe is not required to endorse candidates.

Vincent commented on Greater Boston on 01.07.12
"Pity the Billionaire" such a pity to have aired this piece of trash. Emily read "Reckless Endangerment" by Morgenson and Rosner to get what really caused the financcial and housing crisis that exploded in 2008. It was 2030 years in coming and was caused by the federal government with the aid of bboth political parties.

Paula commented on Greater Boston on 01.06.12
Emily, Contrary to your Ill informed comment tonight, us Hillbillies in NH do read the Boston Globe and the New York Times. Remember the Taylors of the Globe? They live just down the street... Here in NH... Imagine that?

r commented on Greater Boston on 01.05.12
As for those bailed out ... another result of our corrupt Congress. Why arent the bankers in jail ? Ask the politicians not "rich people". AIG caused the whole thing and NOTHING happened to them. It was 2 years before anyone even noticed that they hadnt paid back the govt a nickel. That wasnt the fault of a hedge fund manager it IS the fault of ... the politicians.

r commented on Greater Boston on 01.05.12
RE Thomas Frank, Pity the Billionaire ... First off let me say that Ive been out of work for a few years due to family issues and havent been collecting from anyone, but I have drained just about all of the money I had saved. So Im not on either side. During the intro, you might have heard me say " ARE YOU kidding me?". In the book review setup Emily said that ".. this time the victims of the meltdown were blamed those foreclosed upon and the institutions the foreclosersgot the bailout." To that I say MANY of those foreclosures were on people that had no right being in a home of that size. No money down, variable rate loans, 10 year balloon payments etc. So the homeowner bought say a $300,000 home for little down and it went to $400,000. They then remortaged at a lower rate based on $400,000. I heard NO buyer or politician state that it was a bad idea, did you. Well, then it went down to $250,000 in value and they were upside down. Why should another taxpayer, a 60 yr old without a mortgage have to pitch in to help out the person in default ? Why should the banker be at fault ? The home WAS worth $400,000. After Mr Obama was elected I saw one woman on TV who said that NOW shell get justice! Her story was that the " bad mortgage broker " had let her refinance each year for the past 4 years and she got $20,000 per year in cash. Well, now the home value went down and SHE claims that SHE is the victim... she didnt know it could go DOWN! My question is where is the $80,000 ? and why is it MY /your/the bankers "fault" that she spent it? Was the banker a " bad guy" when he gave her the $80,000 ? In the 90s housing was going up and up and Mr Clinton and Barney Frank et al thought that it wasnr fair that noly rich people could make money on housing. So they MANDATED that banks/mortgagers issue a percentage of their loans to low income folks. When they did no one wanted to buy those mortgages in the scondary market, so money stagnated. Brokers couldnt sell the loans so they couldnt loan any more. To break that log jam they " bundled" mortgages... 10 of these low grade mortgages with 90 "good mortgages", or 2080, etc and that worked... however now the loan wasnt associated with a specific property. Thats how it started. Mr Frank stated that the Tea Party was so obviously backed by the big corporations and the Occupy movement is merely a gathering of the oppressed masses. This 1 , 99 Occupy movement was the brainchild of Senator Chuck Schumer, SEIU, Mr Obama and the Democratic consultants. The Tea Party folks I know want all of the politicians tossed out because they dont care about the victims either. They arent "for" any of the incumbents. The system is broken and needs to be rewritten both parties are beholden only to their campaign contributors. Thinking that the Republicans OR the Democrats are the good guys is a sham they play just to keep the voters busy. Send them home and well call them if we need them. As for those bailed out ... another result of our corrupt Congress. Why arent the bankers in jail ? Ask the politicians not "rich people". AIG caused the whole thing and NOTHING happened to them. It was 2 years before anyone even noticed that they hadnt paid back the govt a nickel. That wasnt the fault of a hedge fund manager it IS the fault of ... the politicians.

Bruce commented on Greater Boston on 01.03.12
Adam, you should be ashamed. Did you even read the crash report before taping tonights segment on Lt. Gov. Murphys accident? In case you missed it, the crash report states that 16.8 seconds before the air bag deployed, the car was traveling at 75 MPH not unreasonable for that road at that low traffic hourand the accelerator pedal is at 27. Then, 2 seconds before deployment the speed is 93 MPH and the accelerator pedal is pressed to 81. At 0.4 seconds the speed is 108 and the accelerator is at 100 floored. At 0.2 seconds before the crash the speed is down to 99 MPH but the accelerator is still at 100. At the moment of deployment of air bag the accelerator is STILL AT 100 although the speed has dropped to 92 MPH. Finally, at 0.2 seconds AFTER the air bags deploy, the accelerator is backed off to 2. Perhaps you believe that Murphy had a death wish and intentionally accelerated from 75 to 108 MPH and drove into the rock ledge with the accelerator floored, but I tend to think he fell asleep with his foot on gas. As he drove off the road at 108 MPH the grass on the side of the road slowed the car even though the accelerator was actually being pressed to the floor 0.2 seconds before deployment. It is not until he is hit in the face with the air bag that the accelerator is released. While we cant really say why he was out driving around that morning, I think we can safely say that he was driving normally 75 MPH and, unfortunately, fell asleep at the wheel. Did he fall asleep because he was drunk? Well, if so we can assume he has a political death wish to deny it so explicitly while saying he has no problem with the SP releasing his breathalyzer results. In any case, I expect a more critical examination of the available information from you than I do from, say, the Boston Herald.

Sandra commented on Greater Boston on 12.22.11
I was disappointed in your look back at "memorable scandals" of 2011. You spoke extensively about Sal DiMasi here and lots of other politicians from other states who got in personal and legal trouble in 2011. But you didnt even mention the sentencing this year of very important and popular BOSTON pols Dianne Wilkerson and Chuck Turner for taking bribes. I notice that Greater Boston program content has started ranging more and more lately to state, regional and national levels. We have enough of that on other programs. Please stay local in content as much as possible thats what makes Greater Boston appealing. Thanks.

David commented on Greater Boston on 12.22.11
I just watched your 2011 year in review show. In your coming and goings piece your only sports mention was the Red Sox collapse. OUTRAGEOUS! May I remind you that a team called the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup. People always say the media only reports on the negative, I dont think that is true but you need to include the positive whenever possible. I will expect to hear your meaculpa on your next show.

Margaret commented on Greater Boston on 12.19.11
Re Drug Shortage Good G_d! How do you guys manage to work down there? I am so glad that as a US citizen MD I chose to come to Canada and work as a doctor and contemplate being a patient in my time. Best of luck, guys. Margaret Shirley, PhD, MD, DABIM, FRCPC

Sarah commented on Greater Boston on 12.14.11
I was very offended while watching Emily Rooney interview Charles Crawford and his attorney. Firstly, she asked Crawford how much he was paid by the Red Sox to be a bat boy, which was his connection to Donald Fitzpatrick, who allegedly sexually molested him. I believe he said $12 per hour, whereupon Ms. Rooney replied something to the tune of "Well, at least they paid you decently." How dare she suggest that any kind of payment somehow lessens such a disgusting physical, emotional and psychological violation? Secondly, she asked Crawford, "What was [Fitzpatrick]? Was he a pedophile, a homosexualwhat was he?" How dare she suggest that someone who molests young children could be labeled "a homosexual"? Assuming the allegations are correct, the correct title is PEDOPHILE. Homosexuality has absolutely NOTHING to do with pedophilia, and the two should never be "confused."

Kathy commented on Greater Boston on 12.13.11
Correction Peter Pan has been extended through Dec 31st, not Dec 30th as Emily said on TV. I have confirmed tickets for the 31st! thanks

Sator commented on Greater Boston on 12.13.11
I enjoyed the theater segment last night with Jared and Terry Byrne. I hope you do more with the two of them. Terry is so opposite of Jared, its interesting to hear them explain how they like/dislike the same scene. I really ran right out to get tickets to see George Hamilton because of that interview.

Sator commented on Greater Boston on 12.13.11
Enjoyed last nights show w/Terry Byrne and Jared concerning their discussion of La Cage Aux Folles/George Hamilton. Jared’s interview w/Mr. Hamilton was really interesting to listen too and I love Terry Byrne’s very honest assessment of the play. I hope you do more with the two of them. They are really an interesting team – in fact I’ve actually gone to see more plays since watch them. When Terry doesn’t like a play I like to go to see if I agree with her. Thanks

Sator commented on Greater Boston on 12.13.11
Enjoyed last nights show w/Terry Byrne and Jared concerning their discussion of La Cage Aux Folles/George Hamilton. Jared’s interview w/Mr. Hamilton was really interesting to listen too and I love Terry Byrne’s very honest assessment of the play. I hope you do more with the two of them. They are really an interesting team – in fact I’ve actually gone to see more plays since watch them. When Terry doesn’t like a play I like to go to see if I agree with her. Thanks

Adam commented on Greater Boston on 12.13.11
Jared Bowens interview with George Hamilton is terrific! In the age of cyberculture, which promotes isolation, we need this reminder that Theatre brings us together. Bravo! Lets have more like it.

Stan commented on Greater Boston on 12.08.11
Thanks for posting the link.

Adam commented on Greater Boston on 12.08.11
Fred, thanks for watching. Like you, Im interested in hearing what the candidates have to say on the issueswhich was why Warrens reticence on Occupy and the new casino law was so disappointing.

Stan commented on Greater Boston on 12.08.11
Seems the link to the Adam Reilly segment that Fred mentions is broken cant tell what the "gotcha journalism" comments all about.

Fred commented on Greater Boston on 12.07.11
Just saw Adam Reilly with Emily discussing Elizabeth Warren and was concerned to sense "gotcha journalism". I am interested in hearing what the candidates have to say on issues, not some sophomoric wannabe pundits opinion.

Todd commented on Greater Boston on 12.06.11
Wow! Ive watched GB since 1999 and I would have to say tonights interview of Mrs. DiMasi ranks in the top ten of Miss Rooneys greatest! The quality of the interview content was outstanding and although one would expect a treacly, even maudlin, outcome from such a guest, this interview was one of the best, plausible, and even palpable ! I ever viewed. Thank you.

Don commented on Greater Boston on 12.06.11
Superb interview with Ms. DiMasi. Excellent job by Emily, as usual.

tom commented on Greater Boston on 12.04.11
I am a social worker and like other health care professionals, I am required to report suspected child abuse which I learn of from clients. Reporters should not be exempt from reporting child abuse to child welfare agencies in order to "protect their sources anymore than health care professionals to maintain confidentiality.

James commented on Greater Boston on 12.02.11
Is it possible that Callie Crossley doesnt know the difference between the web and the internet? Phil Lodine

David commented on Greater Boston on 12.02.11
Please tell Kara Miller to drop the adjective "alleged" when talking about charges against Sal DiMasi. Speaker DiMasis case went to trial and he was convicted, thus the charges are no longer "alleged", but proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Todd commented on Greater Boston on 11.23.11
Dear Ms. Rooney, Just a quick note to say Happy Thanksgiving. As a relatively long time viewer, I had the pleasure of seeing you and your father for the annual Thanksgiving week "visit" show several times. Those were always great catches because you could feel Mr. Rooneys presence right through the tube. I was always impressed how focused those discussions were words were never wasted and he was not there necessarily for a "feel good" holiday message. I always like the cleanliness of that! I hope you and your family have a good holiday. Keep on punching, I know you will. Sincerely, Todd Wyner

BASH commented on Greater Boston on 11.08.11
Interesting mix on the MW3 panel. I was surprised by each of them The "gamer" was well spoken the "industry expert" admitted that he does not play games often and, the "professor" presented her point without being judgemental. I would have to agree with the "gamer" in that gaming is more akin to being sociable than some primal desire to blowup stuffalthough that is the icing on the cake.

MaryTheresa commented on Greater Boston on 11.05.11
"God Bless",Emily. Your Dad was " The Best" he must have been very proud of you. Many prayers are being sent to you the family. MaryTheresa

Arthur commented on Greater Boston on 10.27.11
This is a comment on the interview portion of the carsharing segment on Oct 27ths "Greater Boston." The interviewer Jared Bowen? commented that Relay Rides "wouldnt be for families!" Why not? With a little carpooling and using the legs God gave me, I manage to get my kids to school, soccer, church, their friends houses, AND have my car on Relay Rides. Yeah we live in the city, not the suburbs guess what Jared, lots of families do!

Ann commented on Greater Boston on 10.09.11
Extremely disappointed with Emily Rooneys flippant remarks about the OWS protestors on 10/7 show. She singles out a young man who says he wants "peace and love" or something to that effect thats the kind of remark I would expect from Fox news! And then to dismiss the protestors with a "what do they want?" Emily,do you only want to cover news stories with easy "sound bites"? Thats what it sounds like you are saying. Thank you, Callie Crosley, for your intelligent discourse!

Kathryn commented on Greater Boston on 10.07.11
To Greater Boston re Occupy Wall Street Coverage Thank you, thank you, Callie Crosley, for being the one to call out the elephant in the living room Yes, above any and all particularized demands there IS an "overarching message"! And that overarching message, just as Callie recognized, is OUR VOICES ARE NOT BEING HEARD!! Why do the media keep playing dumb on this point? Why do you keep burying your head in the sand of particularized complaints, demands and issues, then spitting it out in terms of dismissing the movement for lack of organization, or a leader, or a defined agenda or program? Do you realize how many iconic movements in our history have met with precisely those same criticisms? Have you stopped to consider the developments that led to the American Revolution, how many different grievances there were, and frustrations in getting any of them addressed, before they ultimately came together to articulate the realization that throwing off the oppressor and becoming their own nation was the only solution to ALL the grievances, and that became their unifying message, their objective in the Declaration? Doesnt it occur to you that the phenomenal upspringing of the "Occupy" movement, its growth and coordination despite lack of formal organization, a leader or a defined agenda, attests all the more to both its powerful significance and its unity? In Robert Borosages editorial "Whose side are you on" q.v. is this "Movements arent tidy. They arent organized. They unleash energy. They inspire ordinary people to leave their daily routines and do extraordinary things." So quit expecting to be able to ask a designated spokesperson for a formal statement, and do what real journalists are supposed to do find out the truth of what this historical phenomenon is, and report on it! But by the way, there IS a Declaration of the Occupation though still in draft. A search on that title will take you to it. Yes, there IS an overarching message, or "objective," and this is how I put it THROW OFF THE PLUTOCRACY and TAKE BACK OUR DEMOCRACY!!

Patricia commented on Greater Boston on 10.07.11
RANT! so disappointed in Emilys facile, lazy "what do they want" stance toward the Wall St protester. Heres what I want from the media stop expecting a newborn grassroots movement to have your media experience and savvy. get out there and dig, cover the story instead of waiting to be spoon fed via press releases these people have stories of betrayal fueling their actionsinterview them, for crying out loud. \bear in mind that the Tea Party got its unified, coherent messaging only when it was handed to them by media manipulators like by Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck and other Fox luminaries.

Nancy commented on Greater Boston on 09.30.11
I too have a rant for Greater Bostonand the press in general. No one would seem to know that there are other good candidates running for the Senate seat now held by Scott Brown. I have listened to all of them except one and I am impressed with the caliber of people who are willing to spend their time and energy on this quest because they honestly believe in public serviceit heartens me to know they are out there, but no one else would seem to know that anyone but the two Warrens and Khazei are or were running. Tom Conroy has been a very effective state representative with a widely varied background who has defeated a beloved Republican candidate, Bob Massie has run for lt. governor, Marisa de Franco is an immigration lawyer with interesting ideas and an effective delivery of them. And all are debating in Lowell next Tuesday at 7 p.m. You do the public a great disservice by not even mentioning most of them. Shame on you.

Patty commented on Greater Boston on 09.30.11
Sorry, Emily, youre dead wrong about Elizabeth Warren. Anyone whos been paying attention to national news, watches "60 Minutes" or reads the newspaper has seen EW emerge as a sorely needed consumer protection leader, for which, shockingly, shes gotten nothing but grief and threats to become somewhat of a hero. Patty Morin Fitzgerald

Ed commented on Greater Boston on 09.13.11
Dear Emily, I enjoyed your coverage of ARTs revival of Porgy and Bess. It was so nice to hear debate and discourse on such a cultural topic. Bostons vibrant music and art scenes need more coverage similar to this. Your research on the events surrounding the creation and original of this work bring broad perspective to the version being staged today. Keep up the great work!

Rick commented on Greater Boston on 09.13.11
Re Porgy Bess for an organization that prides itself on sensitivity to various groups, OK, political correctness!WGBH has a lot to learn about objectifying people with physical disabilities. Two nights in a row, both the sensitive Jared and the perpetuallyoutraged Callie had no problem referring to a character in the play as "a cripple". Having spent a lot of time with disabled people and being one myself, I thought perhaps it was me and my closeness to the issue that clouded my perception. A quick check of Wikipedia and MerriamWebster reaffirmed my suspicions however. This word has been considered pejorative for over 50 years! We dont call little people the "m word". We dont use pejorative terms to describe race, sexuality or any other status that often presents challenges to peoples lives. Yet a 50 year old insult for someone with a physical disability is perfectly acceptable? I havent even heard this word on the street in years. Perhaps Callie and Jared need to spend some time with people in wheelchairs. Its tough to be insulting to someone whom you consider to be a friend.

Deborah commented on Greater Boston on 09.09.11
Todays program 9911 I found riveting and informative, and as always, I enjoy the show because of its civilized and noncombative format. Thank you.

Nicole commented on Greater Boston on 08.25.11
Hi Emily and Callie and all. I wonder if you could cover this rant maybe you already did on a Friday. The upper left hand corner of the Boston Globe home page often has a section called something like "about town" with a bunch of pictures of rich people at parties. Is this really appropriate for a newspaper. It seems so elitist? I rarely read the globe site now because of it, unless I need to tune in for something local like the upcoming storm.

David commented on Greater Boston on 08.14.11
Emily Anticipating your 8/15 show on the glacial pace public works projects in Mass, in 2006 I moved to Waltham and noticed the Totten Pond Rd exit resembling a sandbox with jersey barriers and earth movers which never seemed to move earth. Last year I moved to Michigan but in March of this year I passed Waltham on 128 lo and behold, the Totten Pond Rd interchange looks just as it did in 2006, and further south, the stretch by Route 1 in Norwood 138 in Canton are also unchanged playgrounds for bulldozers and union hardhats who...play elsewhere. Newsflash when you pay people by the hour, why would they hurry to finish work? My daughter will graduate from Simmons in 2014 and I am serenely confident that these static work sites will look then when I attend commencement as they do now. Not unlike the Green Line work in Sville, theyll be done about 12 years from next Tuesday. My school yeah, its a private school broke ground on a new performing arts theatre in October and we had performances in it this summer. I live in Michigan now, and just as nobody wants the cars they make here, nobody trusts the p.w. projects the state of Mass initiates. Happy cycling!!

Donald commented on Greater Boston on 08.03.11
Donald commented on Greater Boston on 08.02.11 Dear Ms. Rooney, My wife and I thought it was rather odd when you reacted with laughter, actually a cackle, when Jared Bowen commented about Mary Todd Lincolns bipolar condition and alcoholism. Our compliments go to Mr. Bowen for his good taste, discretion and very fine reporting.

Barbara commented on Greater Boston on 07.29.11
I feel that I must comment on Sapphires comments on foster care that she presented on your show. Frankly her information is greatly out of date and her impression that foster parents become foster parents due to the reimbursement they receive. In the state on Massachusetts gays, lesbians and single persons have been able to be foster parents and adoptive parents for over two decades. On top f that parental rights need to be terminated before children in the foster care system can be adopted that means that before the courts a determination has to be made that the parents are unfit. I have some knowledge from reading about Ms Sapphires own life of her own struggles which no doubt get reflected in her writing. However she does a disservice when the world has moved on and she attempts to present as current information false data.

lynne commented on Greater Boston on 07.28.11
I thought tonights show was really great !

margaret commented on Greater Boston on 07.13.11
I thought that your show tonight Wed July 13 was going to have something on the Rockport Performance Center? Was I mistaken?

matthew commented on Greater Boston on 07.09.11
I was a bit surprised that during discussion of the "hacking into cell phone" subject that no one mentioned the obvious hacker getting Sarah Palins Yahoo account in 2008. I thought Callie had it....nope. Same issue, same invasion of privacy. And it was basically a press outlet. I cant believe that none of the media superstars referenced the obvious US parallel.

Joe commented on Greater Boston on 07.01.11
Your program on 7/1 was profoundly embarrassing in one respect central to your theme on the Bulger Brothers. At precisely the same time the court assigned one of the most prominent and expensive lawyers to defend Whitey, and regularly absorbs the remarkable costs of his transport to and from Plymouth by an elaborate retinue or helicopter, the state has deeply cut the funding for the Committee for Public Counsel Services CPCS, http//www.publiccounsel.net/ the only alternative to Public Defenders able to defend indigent defendants. At the same time we pay for the highest and most connected of Mafia warlords, we cut the services to the poorest and least connected defendants. This contrast, which was only underscored by Whiteys $13,000 copter ride over his own turf yesterday, was and continues to be completely ignored by all your comments and commentators. Might this contrast reflect the political influence of Whiteys brother? The anxieties of our Governor to project a highly visible case as if it were independent of all funding conditions? The real disdain our politicians feel toward the low level defendant at a DUI trial? And, as you bemoan the failure of the press to connect Whitey with Billy, arent you doing the exact equivalent by ignoring the contrast between high profile cases and sleazy, quiet, and immensely regressive budget cuts that now leave indigent defendants depending on public defenders with huge caseloads?

Jim commented on Greater Boston on 06.28.11
I usually enjoy watching Emily, even when I dont agree with her. However, I am rapidly tiring of her obsession with James Bulger. Her interview with his former mistress, Lindsey Cyr, was revolting. I resented having to listen to this bully rattle on about her monster boyfriend. I thought it was telling that she said that if a man had molested her child, she would kill that person in their sleep. She is cut from the same cloth as Bulger. Why would you have such a snake on your program to let her spew her poison. I cant even imagine what the reaction must have been from any of Bulgers victims families. Shame on you for giving a sounding board to this miserable person.

Alex commented on Greater Boston on 06.27.11
First I love your show and really appreciate Emily Rooney as a host who generates conversation from all sides of issues. Tonight, I am watching your interview with Lindsey Cyr. I find her attitude toward Whiteys victims disgusting and I find her whining about how tough it has been for her since going public intolerable. In her own words, "she knew what she was getting into." Her blind spot where this man is concerned is unfathomable. I understand why you had her on the show and I do not object to your having her. I only hope the she and others like her are someday slapped in the face with the facts of what a monster Whitey Bulger is.

Jack commented on Greater Boston on 06.27.11
It is getting to be truly aggravating and painful to watch Beat The Press. Emily Rooney, if not under contract should be dismissed forthwith and if under contract,it should not be renewed. Wow!Is she annoying and out of her element! Stammering,verbally stumbling, physically jumpy and nervous, many times unprepared,obviously always wondering if the cameras on her.She makes viewers uncomfortable as she tries hard to look comfortable and in control but loses it with her herky,jerky mumbles. Lets get some good,solid, young blood in her chair. Its rime for all to realize for Emily its over!! Whomever is chosen to replace her,provided its not one of her lackeys, certainly could not be any worse.

Esther commented on Greater Boston on 06.06.11
On your program this evening, June 6th I was surprised to hear your guest refer to Henry _WORDSWORTH Longfellow. Listen to the tapeI could be wrong but I dont think so. She was working so hard to get a point across. Esther

Liz commented on Greater Boston on 05.27.11
Hi Emily, Having just read some of the comments, I wonder if we are a bit in your face when we have the anonymity the internet provides. I say this because most of the comments were negative, and hopefully you realize that none of us could produce a show like yours. Its amazing to me that you are able to interact with your guests with such ease, and that you possess the grace and knowledge to do so. LM

Philip commented on Greater Boston on 05.26.11
Dear Emily I used to truly enjoy Greater Boston for its intelligent conversations. However, over the last couple of years you seem to be playing fast and loose with facts. As example in a conversation about mental illness and criminal trials you mentioned a ruling in California where a judge ordered the prison system to let loose 30,000 inmates. That is factually untrue . Granted the general media headlined the story that way but they were mistaken also. Which is why I watch PBS and not the general media for news, because the general news stations get it wrong. Please stop shooting from the hip and change the facts of a story. If you want to use talk radio standards do so on talk radio but not on PBS.

phil commented on Greater Boston on 05.19.11
You have to hand it to Terry at bishopaccountability.org for keeping the numbers on responsible criminals keep it up! And to clarify what Emily is wondering about and hopefully Terry advised her on, the "secret handshake" is the practice of promoting "problem priests" into positions in the leadership when found to be "troubled" This then keeps them out of work activities where they are with the parishioners and importantly their children. In addition as was noted the john jay study would not look at the issues of a queasy nature so as to upset the church. The sharing of target victim names by priests and pageant infused gang rapes that were found by records on file at greenburg trautig law firm in Boston available to the public. This from the churches own records crimes of which they were unwilling to report to law enforcement. And only under civil court order and dragging their feet until the last minute greenburg trautig opened these records up to anyone who wished to see them at the time, 2003. I am unclear as to availability but advise Emily to call them to verify.

Linda commented on Greater Boston on 05.15.11
Dear Emiliy, Your recent comments on those who do not have nor do not choose to purchase own a television were extremely arrogant and narrowminded. I do not own a television. I gave the one I owned to my mother who was in a nursing home it had a dvd player and a vcr player. I never had cable and after the changeover my television didnt work and it would be useful to my mother. Furthermore, I more or less stopped watching televsion 15 years ago during one of those "Turn your TV off for a week" campaigns. I did and never looked back. I had been using TV as a crutch, so as not to have a life watching reruns of the Commish on my evenings off, Friday/Saturday, was a dead give away. Once I stopped watching TV, I found my life improved markedly. As for watching important events, I watched Obamas bin Laden annoucement livestreaming CNN on my laptop. I am much more productive and happier since giving up television. Why dont you acknowledge your own monetary interest in keeping people addicted to television instead of putting down people like me who have taken responsibility for their lives I work fulltime, am a parttime Masters graduate student, have been taking care of two elderly parents, etc and I find I dont need TV to have a full life and dont miss it. I listen to NPR a lot. An apology would be nice, but I wont hold my breath, because you dont seem like the sort of person who is openminded enough to admit when you are wrong. You only know how to make judgmental pronouncements about other peoples lives, even when, by getting rid of their TV habit, they become more informed, productive, responsible citizen.

jerry commented on Greater Boston on 05.07.11
Emily we watch your show every night. It is one of the best news shows available. 2 comments to help you get even better 1. You need to allow other people to finish their sentences. It seems rude to keep cutting them off, despite time constraints. Show must be taped so what differnce does it make to allow a complete thought to be spoken? 2. Re comments about bin laden photos on Fridays show we certainly agree that news MEDIA love blood and gore to boost their ratings and therefore their advert/other revenue. It is not necessary and does not add to the impact of the broadcast. It shows a gutter tendancy and not taking a higher road. We expect more of WGBH. Jerry and Diane Hequembourg

wayne commented on Greater Boston on 05.06.11
great show as always I would like to get some imput and or opinions on the D.J.Henry case. As with the bullying you advocate addressing the problem with reteaching childern. lets retrain the police across the country. facts 93 of those killed by police were of color

R. commented on Greater Boston on 04.27.11
I dont know who the ignorant blockhead was during your birther discussion who was speaking so disparagingly about the president, JUSTIFYING the whole birther discussion but I didnt stay around to find out. I am sick and tired of the disrespect shown to Mr.Obama. He started blathering and I turned to watch one of the cooking programs.

Joan commented on Greater Boston on 04.25.11
I can not believe what I just witnessed on Greater Boston. First Emily, not only did you not listen to or understand what your guests were trying their best to explain about rape on college campuses, but you pointedly made excuses for yourself with your next guest, Judge Nancy Gertner! Rape under any circumstances is a crime. Drinking does not excuse anyone from civilized behavior. "Complicated" is not the issue. As your guests so pointedly tried to explain, we need to get serious about the consequences of rape UNDER ANY CONDITIONS. The fact that you then felt compelled to use your next guest to justify your position was astonishing. Why do you have such a fuzzy attitude toward rape? I have never been raped and am not coming to this subject with my own agenda. My husband and I regularly watch Greater Boston, but after tonight we will be reconsidering. Please think about what you did and said tonight. Im appalled. Joan Grant

Rick commented on Greater Boston on 04.06.11
Well this is a new one. Business asking for MORE taxes and regulation. Oh wait not on themselves. Should the Mass. sales tax apply online? No. Disadvantaged by Amazon my butt. Online retailers have shipping costs. And the overpriced sports guy is as likely to lose sales to KMart, Walmart or Target as he is to some online retailer. Also, many states allow big retailers to keep part of sales taxes collected. http//online.wsj.com/article/SB122697088824835751.html The part by the whiny retailer about Amazon selling groceries was hilarious. Theres no sales tax on food. Nor is there sales tax on lower priced clothing. This is just tax and spend nanny state blood suckers at it again.

Donald Warner commented on Greater Boston on 03.19.11
Budgeted for with public funds, the stenographic machine at Boston City Council records the deliberations in the public meeting, all the Councilors words for public feedback, comment, questions, suggestions. Then this original public record is removed from City Hall that noone can get access to it. An Open Boston City Council http//anopenbostoncitycouncil.blogspot.com

Mark commented on Greater Boston on 02.24.11
Is Dukasis related to the former governor?

Dennis commented on Greater Boston on 02.24.11
Emily A suggested "rant" for Friday...People who use cell phones to video record events e.g. Cairo should learn how to use them. 99 of the videos uploaded are shaky and, for the most part, of little value in conveying events. The phones owner is on the front lines and in a great position to record events, but misses the mark in large part by producing very poor quality images.

marly commented on Greater Boston on 02.22.11
Dear Emily,I usually watch your program twice a week and I think you are very good at what you do. It was sad to see that lady who claimed to be a Bible scholar state things that a little kid who goes to Sunday School wpuld know . Concisely, there are things that she has to understand, one thing is doctrine and the other is history. Meaning if there is a adultery in the Bible it surely doesnt mean God approves it. Tks

Miriam commented on Greater Boston on 02.22.11
Dear Emily, I like watching your shows whenever I can, and I think over the years you have proven to be a pretty straightforward and fairminded commentator. It was however sad to see you interview a lady on Monday the 21st of February 2011, who claimed to be a Bible scholar but was very confused about the Word. It was pitiful to see her blame the Bible for her confusion in saying that it was not clear in its standing on sexual morality. I just wanted to stop by in an effort to clarify some of her confusions. She used her misunderstanding of the incident of King David taking Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba and committing adultery with her, to say that she somehow felt the Bible was not condemning adultery when it was committed with women who were not Jewish. If only she had read the Word correctly and completely she would have found out that profit Nathan was sent to convict David of that very same sin. The parable or incident that he quotes before David is about a rich man who thoughtlessly takes the only lamb the poor man had, which he had fondly brought up and nourished and “which had grown up together with him…” 2 Samuel 12 3. Now this is the incident or an example he quoted to invoke David’s anger against himself because of his sin of adultery taking that which was another man’s. If you continue to read in verse 10 of the same chapter, God’s word clearly shows that the sin of adultery was being condemned “Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me the Lord, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife” Adultery is adultery no matter who you are committing it with Jew or Gentile, is exactly what the Word is saying. The Word goes on to say that because you have committed this sin of adultery the same will happen to your house. There is clearly nothing confusing or ambiguous about that. Another incident she quoted was “Judah and Tamar” in an effort to justify her confusion on the Bibles stand on prostitution. Again she displayed her ignorance in saying prostitution was somehow allowed in those days. What she failed to understand is, first, the word of God is an account of true incidents. And in those days and even today, I think it was sinful to throw on the ground something which was the essence of life, or something that carried life semen so if she had read the full incident and had asked God for his wisdom to understand His word, She would have well comprehended the fact that Judah’s son died for this same reason Genesis 38. And Judah was supposed to have given his other son in marriage to the wife of the Son’s who had died Tamar. But he did not, so Tamar played the prostitute and slept with Judah so she could have a child through him, an heir, something she would have had if Judah had kept his promise and given his son. Judah in his week moment, resorted to prostitution which he was later ashamed ofV 23. And prostitution was a condemned act V 24. As a result of this act, Tamar bore him not one son but two, and he never touched her again in repentance of his sin. I personally think, she bore one son in lieu of what should have been given to her. And another one so Judah cannot disclaim her or the children she bore him and he was bound to protect and take care of her till the end, because of his mistake. Here again the Bibles stand is clearly against prostitution. It is important to understand the Bible in light of the culture of that time As has always been the case, the culture of the land and time was an integral part that bound its people to their conscience. A kind of mirror that reflected their true selfsomeone who has traveled the world and has tried to understand other cultures will understand what I am talking about. Another thing the lady falsely assumed was that women were treated like property. What she failed to understand was that women needed to be protected. And there were laws that deemed them that right to protection and safety. You will be limited in some ways if you try to comprehend some narrations of true incidents outside its cultural context or try to understand it comparing it to today’s culture in the US. But if you can only put yourself in the culture of that time or even if you can go out of the comfort of your house and put yourself in other cultures around the world, you will understand this a little better. For example, we see what is happening in Egypt, the sexual assaults and abuse on women etc. This was some of the things the law was trying to protect women against. If what you were saying about women being treated like property were true, any woman denied her right would not have been given the right to spit of the face of the man who denied it Deuteronomy 25 9. Spitting on someone’s face was an extreme disgrace and a woman was allowed to do that when her right was denied. Also, God did not create 10 women for Adam, He created one—Eve, to be his companion. If man felt the need to marry more than one woman and if his culture permitted that, don’t blame God or his word for that. Also, unlike what she said, the Bible is very clear on its stand on Homosexuality. It is sinful for a man or women to sleep with members of the same sex. That was an underlying truth from the beginning of time God created Man and Woman and not man and man to be companions, and as a well pronounced truth in several places in the Bible. Anybody with common sense would get that, let alone someone who claims to be a scholar. This abominable act is referred to by the term homosexuality in English, in many other parts of the world it is called something completely different, but it still means the same. Her illogical reasoning that since the bible does not have the term ’homosexuality’ somehow means that it is ambiguous of the act is totally ridiculous and is typical of a person who in their heart is finding a way to accommodate and justify this behavior as not being sinful because of some family member or friend who is a victim to this addiction. I can call ‘sin’ as ‘disobedience to God’s will’ and can be referring to the same thing in any given context… Having said this, I have to conclude by saying the word of God is a doubleedged sword—to the sinner it can be a book of convictions, to a critic it can be a source of criticism. To a skeptic, an idea for skepticism… and to those who truly long to know the heart of God… a source for doing just that. If the simplicity of man’s mind is capable of confusion merely at the sight of physical differences among people, how much more its confusion in understanding the great truths and wonders hidden and reveled in the timeless epic of the Word of God. But in humility and prayer we can all too clearly understand this living Word. Hebrew 412 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest twoedged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

marianne commented on Greater Boston on 02.19.11
Emily Rooney and Kara Miller were brilliant in their commentary about the assault on Lara Logan. Thank you for expressing your outrage with the lack of coverage, misplaced coverage in the Globe, and for making this your lead story.

Nancy commented on Greater Boston on 02.14.11
Two comments 1. Emily Rooney was too soft on Mitt Romney when she said, almost at the end, "lets not go there." when one of the panelists commented on his abortion flipflop. With the current attacks on freedom to abort, that is a very relevant issue. 2. Why no coverage of the labor dispute between WBGH and its members?

David commented on Greater Boston on 02.12.11
Where did WGBH get someone like Wendy Murphy? Alimony and the real damage of the current massachusetts alimony practices are substantial and well documented. For example 1. There are thousands of current cases where second families are close to or already in bankruptcy because of perpetual alimony awards. 2. There are thousands more children who have no college savings because of this damaging policy. Many of these children will never go to college despite the fact that an exspouse is getting decades of alimony and intentially avoiding work to keep the alimony gravy train flowing. 3. There are also thousands of men and woman who have no retirement savings because of this same policy. Many of these people will eventually become wards of the state despite productive careers. In the future I request that WGBH please conduct proper screening of people who you interview and position as having an educated point of view. Regardless of what position a person takes on an issue, there needs to be a requirement that the inteviewee or subject matter expert has an understanding of the issues, trends, data, and FACTS. In the case of Wendy Murphy, there is a lot real estate between her views and the facts of life with respect to Massachusetts Alimony.

Joseph commented on Greater Boston on 02.04.11
I am disgusted with the repeated appearances of the conservative Michelle McPhee on your show. Her obvious disdain for any Democrat and her anger in every word she spoke this week on your set was an ironic precursor to your show about the Tufts media study. To hear this woman blame the Dukakis administration for the recent slayings in transitional housing was beyond offensive and speaks to her ignorance. These facilities are currently suffering from staff shortages and lack of oversight due to limited funding, which is one of the first things folks like McPhee want on the chopping block when it comes time for cuts to services. The residents of these facilities, and adults with intellectual handicaps are the most easily disregarded population and one that needs more positive attention. Ms McPhee even slipped and referred to them as "retahds". This woman is also one who thought the best way to illuminate the issues surrounding the recent "Craigs List Killer" storytruly tragic on all countswas to have a PARTY at a bar celebrating her made for TV moviebefore the bodies of the dead involved were really even cold. Really Emilywe have watched your show since you started airing and now question whether youre going down a completely different roadone we do not want to travel with you! Shame on you.

Michael commented on Greater Boston on 02.02.11
I hope you are aware and if not now are of how offensive was the unprofessional gratuitous sourness with which Michelle McPhee sullied a tragic story about caretaker deaths when she unnecessarily chose to cite Deval Patrick and Michael Dukakis as, by innuendo, being complicit in those deaths especially since if you want to get political about it the budget cuts of Wiliam Weld and Mitt Romney probably are far more responsible for the hazards faced by social workers.

Nancy commented on Greater Boston on 02.01.11
Suggesting a rave for Beat the Press this week NBC News, Brian WIlliams, Richard Engel and the crew reporting live from Cairo. Great coverage.

Sarah commented on Greater Boston on 01.26.11
Please do not have Eugene Rivers on again because of his asinine use of the term "race card" in discussing the Chuck Turner case. His assertion that because Massachusetts has Deval Patrick and the US president is a person of color saying that this a racially motivated prosecution of Turner and Wilkerson is inappropriate. Its not paranoia, if someone is chasing you! Carmen Ortiz may be offended because the racists practices of the federal court/FBI cabal are being called out, emphatically. If the feds were trying to clean up Massachusetts, they are frying some very small fish. Ortiz and the judge and the other legal professionals who wrote the Turner sentencing memorandum are in Eugenes terms playing the "race card". Their own paid informant had to be coerced to testify against Turner because he finally realized there is no larger group of elected officials being prosecuted. America is better but racial injustice is not over by any means.

Stan commented on Greater Boston on 01.22.11
There is a place for political correctness if used to treat other human beings with respect. However, being PC can be taken quite over the top, as in Jeannes message below. The results are quite the opposite of respect meaning, disrespectful accusations like anger, racism, infanticide, hostility, bigotry. I do not believe that Ms. Rooney meant to convey any of that. My read of Emilys remark was that she was poking fun at her own parenting, as if to say that perhaps she had been too lenient as a parent no different than saying, "If I were in Cambridge and a group like the SPB Strict Parenting Brigade had known about me, one of my daughters would have ended up in the Charles River". Making a comment within the context of another culture does not necessarily make that comment rascist.

Jeanne commented on Greater Boston on 01.21.11
Emily Rooneys final comment regarding Amy Chuas book sounded like "If she were in China one of her daughters would have ended up in the Yangtze River". I was absolutely stunned by the undercurrent of anger and racism of this summation. The author is an American writing about a parenting style that she points out, is shared by many first generation immigrants. She also presents it as an extreme that needs balance. Emily Rooneys interjection of infanticide was shocking in its hostility and bigotry. Amy Chua certainly has hit a nerve.

Christine commented on Greater Boston on 01.19.11
I watch "Beat the Press" on Greater Boston every Friday night. I have particularly high regard for Callie Crossleys opinions, and I almost always agree with her. However I was disappointed when she advocated on last Fridays show that the media all get together and agree to stop covering Sarah Palin. Ive learned a lot about journalistic standards from "Beat the Press," so I was surprised that nobody contested her suggestion that the press should, basically, conspire to stop reporting on a leading politician! To Emily and other panelists do you really agree with this? I feel, like Chester, Jr. below, that this particular episode of "Beat the Press" was slanted to an extent that is not typical for the show.

Karen commented on Greater Boston on 01.17.11
EMILYS show on Jan 12 had the meteorologist Bruce Shwoegler on who kept steering his comments toward the theory of global warming. Never mind the abundant evidence sea levels, glacier melts etc, his very narrow beliefs that the earth is just in a slight natural cycle were just left out there as if the jury is not in on this subject. The jury is in and Emily, one of the most fairminded commentators out there, never contradicted him.

Chester, Jr. commented on Greater Boston on 01.14.11
Your "Beat The Press" program on this Friday 1/14/11 was a great disappointment. It was more like "Beat the Republicans." Among the millions of people in Massachusetts could you not find one Republican to state their side of the debate? I finally changed the channel when one of your guests started in on Sarah Palins use of the term "Blood Libel." He obviously had not read the op ed in todays "Wall Street Journal" by Rabbi Boteach in which he gave the history of the term and indicated that Gov Palins use of the term was right and proper. He says in part, "...a false indictment of murder against any group threatens every group." Your groups "Debate" of the topic was nothing but a sad echo chamber in which each person repeated the same baseless charges, without any supporting facts and piling on the Republicans, thereby belying their oftstated conviction that we all should tone down the rhetoric. Thankfully President Obamas remarks yesterday and Senator McCains remarks today were more moderate and should set the tone of future discussions on this important topic. Chester Kunz, Jr.

Vinnie commented on Greater Boston on 12.25.10
Emily, Your analysis of the political agendas of The Boston Herald, Fox News, and MSNBC were interesting because it showed your bias against conservative excluding MSNBC, of course leaning news organizations. You conveniently ignored the agenda of the leftleaning Boston Globe. You have always shown a bias towards The Boston Globe to the detriment of The Boston Herald. The Boston Globe is very good at slanting news coverage to suit its leftwing agenda. The Globe covered the scandal involving Congressman John Tierney’s wife quite well. John Tierney incredibly claimed he knew nothing about his wife’s finances. However, after presenting all this information to its readers the Globe then inexplicably found that it had to endorse the congressman for reelection. If the globe did not feel that Tierney’s Republican opponent was worthy of a seat in the Congress then why not be an honest broker and not endorse either of these two candidates. As for the opinion that was given by your panel about the lack of an agenda by NPR that is shear nonsense. Juan Williams was mentioned by your panel who was obviously fired by NPR because even though he is a liberal he was not liberal enough to suit leftist requirements of NPR. NPR was allowed to go unscathed after firing a respected male black journalist. If this had happened at Fox or the Herald the Justice Department would have been called in to investigate. Speaking of the Justice Department, why was wasn’t the comment by Nina Totenberg discussed? She after all found it necessary to apologize for using the phrase “Christmas Party” when she said that she had attended a Christmas Party at the Justice Department. Emily, tell Jon Keller that The Boston globe would have better served the voters of Massachusetts if it had published the political scandals involving the probation department and SSI before the November elections and NOT withholding this information until after the elections. By the way, if the Globe was being the honest broker why did it endorse all the incumbents that have been directly or indirectly to these scandals? Emily, furthermore you should put someone on your panel that understands that just maintaining the status quo in Massachusetts politics the control by the Democratic Party over Massachusetts government does not serve the greater good of the Commonwealth. The political agenda of your program and that of The Boston Globe fails to serve this need. Finally, I know a woman who works for the USPS in South Boston. A memo went around to the annex from their diversity office instructing that Christmas decorations were not allowed in the building. Christmas is a recognized national holiday. The USPS sells Christmas stamps. Another shot across the bow by those in the federal government imposing political correctness across the US. You should bring this up as one of your topics. Merry Christmas Vinnie from Tewksbury

andrew commented on Greater Boston on 11.19.10
What happened to your set? The new background is horrible. The design cuts peoples heads off with harsh lines and angles. The patterns distract the viewer from looking at the guests. And the colors are 1950s bathroom colors. I really cant watch anymore. I just listen to your radio show instead.

Debbie commented on Greater Boston on 11.04.10
Contrary to the person who commented below...I thought that Ms. Thomass view from the point of civility and manners was right on point. What is sorely lacking in campaigns and speeches both acception and concessionis manners. Politicians should be humble and show respect. They do not have manners...and this comes through loud and clear. They should all take lessons in the correct protocol... As an aside...so should most of the people who can only make negative comments and not see the positives.

commented on Greater Boston on 11.04.10
We liked the subject of your second piece yesterday Best and worst candidate speechesbut your guests Mimi Gross and Rosanne Thomas were pointless and unnecessary. Why not just keep it teteatete with Adam Reilly, who is knowledgeable and has something interesting to say. Great job, Ms. Rooney, for hiring him as your political reporter!

Dana commented on Greater Boston on 11.02.10
Im ok with the content, most of the time, but I dont like the new "look" of the Greater Boston set or its new logo. The old set was intimate and felt more personal. Now its cold and boring and it doesnt even feel like Emily is talking to the guests, just to the camera. Whoever designed it should go back to school.

Michael commented on Greater Boston on 10.28.10
GBs profile of Tim Cahill was quite revealing about Tim and PBS. The reporter and Emily were awed by Tims pedestrian reading material. Its nice to see someone with something other than pulp fiction or celebrity magazines on their coffee table. However, Tims popular biographies and journalistic political tracts are hardly the stuff of another John Randolph of Roanoke.

Merelice commented on Greater Boston on 10.28.10
Greater Boston aired an unprofessional interview Thursday with two of the three candidates for State Auditor and failed in its responsibility to inform its audience so we can cast a knowledgeable vote for State Auditor. Candidate Nat Fortune would have brought more light than heat to this pretense of conducting a candidates debate. As shocked as I am at Emily Rooneys negligence, I am equally disappointed that neither of the other two candidates who have participated in several threeway forums had the integrity to refuse to appear unless all three valid candidates were included. They both claim they want to bring transparency to the office, but where was their transparency tonight?

Carol commented on Greater Boston on 10.19.10
Thank you for Kris Frieswicks probing report on the pinking of breast cancer. You are both absolutely right This is a pink veiled commercial marketing campaign aimed at increasing corporate sales that uses misleading tactics and preys on public fears and a need for simple, feelgood solutions. Even more importantly, it underscores the loss of focus and public urgency on what should be the real goal ending breast cancer. After years of Pink Octobers and billions of government and private research dollars, where are we? There are new and very expensive new drugs but no real imact the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has increased and the number of women who die of the disease has not changed dramatically. The National Breast Cancer Coalition www.stopbreastcancer.org, the nation’s leading grassroots breast cancer advocacy organization, has called for a bold new approach to end breast cancer, and a deadline January 2020.

Will commented on Greater Boston on 10.14.10
Emily, Your interview was biased. You thought you were being fair by cutting off Congressman Frank, but you did not give him time to answer the questions. I will grant you at the beginning his answers were not clearbut the second half he was clearly answering your questions and you repeatedly cut him off. A real discussion is not 5 second sound bites. Regrettably, Will Stevens Boston, MA

Steven commented on Greater Boston on 10.08.10
Last nights "feature" on Brookline and the ruckus over their recylcing bins was one of the most vapid segments I have ever seen. While the city of Boston announces they are closing schools, while the residents of Mattapan struggle with gangrelated violence on their streets, Emily Rooney decided that the increased size of reclycling bins in Brookline is a more newsworthy story? I watch "Greater Boston" for information no infotainment

Bob commented on Greater Boston on 10.07.10
I was very interested in the Oct. 7 program! Regarding the Cahill lawsuit, I agree with Emily it will HELP his poll numbers. Cahill may not win, but he will do far better than the pundits expect. Regarding the Brookline recycling bins, Framingham has just gone to a similar system. Our bins are black. Households were given the choice of a 64 gallon bin or a 96 gallon bin. Many of the same issues and complaints going on in Brookline are going on in Framingham. There have been drastic cuts in school transportation, for instance, but the Town spent a fortune on the bins. And, the elderly are complaining the new bins are too big and difficult to store. I live in a single family home with no garage. The bin may be a bit of a challenge during the winter!

Donald commented on Greater Boston on 10.05.10
WGBH overall attempts to be nonbiased in their reporting. However Ms. Rooney in no way tries to hide her biases, or even question them.

D Paul commented on Greater Boston on 09.30.10
Mattapan shootings Three cheers for Emily for pointing out the obvious “What is up with these people?” The pathetic response from the pols was mere rhetoric. This situation IS hopeless. Why aren’t these communities taking charge of their own situation? If this type of behavior was going on in Wellesley or Hingham or Weston, people would be gobsmacked! Yet, when it happens in Roxbury, it’s just a way of life . . . that is the true outrage! When these things happen, why doesn’t the story expose the wider picture? Did any of these victims finish school? How old is this girl with a 2 year old? Where is her husband? Do they have jobs? Does the mother of the woman have a husband? Does the mother of the mother have a husband? How do all they people derive an income? Why are these girls having babies? Let’s get a camera and expose the entire world of the inner city. Yes, many work and are good people but the vast majority are living in this remarkable cycle of poverty and crime. Perhaps there should be requirements for having babies. 1. Income 2. Insurance 3. Husband 4. Education. We all have requirements for less important matters in our lives drivers license, obtaining a loan, securing a job. Why shouldn’t there be requirements for a matter that is much more crucial, having a child? These girls are simply giving birth to the gang members of tomorrow. It would take two generations to clear up this problem. It’s been going on now for close to seven generations. They can let it go on for as long as they’d like but I am sick of paying my taxes for these people to live this way.

William commented on Greater Boston on 09.28.10
I am a long time viewer of your show, but after I saw your line up tonight I was very disappointed ! Would you have cut Barney Frank short so you could have a has been singer segment ? If anything you should have made the whole program about the shootings and murders in the city ! You were not very fair with Mr.Bielet and If your gonna feature and make time for someone like Macy Gray your show is gonna go down the tubes ! I had no idea what she was talking about and really who cares about her record company ! Keep your show the way it has been and give more people information that they need to get this City Of Boston back on track !

lisa commented on Greater Boston on 09.23.10
I have just seen the piece about NOW National Organization of Women on Emily Rooney. I am a woman, and an employee of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a feminist, a person who has spent the last few decades working to end violence against women. And, I am appalled that NOW can say that they are speaking for me. If they want to ask the employees about gender inequality, fine. Not one email, flyer, etc, has asked me or other employees how I might view Paul Levy or the administration of the hospital. Also, when asked by Emily Rooney, does she think that this is just a way to unionize the hospital she said no, I say, " get your head out of the sand." NOW you are being used, and in this case not for good. Lisa Hartwick

David commented on Greater Boston on 09.20.10
RE Panel on Governors race, where was the Democratic Analyst in tonights program? I felt that there was no balancedefinitely proBaker tone. Does Emily really feel that Bakers role in the big dig is irrelevent and a dead issue? I depend on WGBH for impartial and objective reportingtonights segment was anything but. I cant tell you how disappointing this was to me. I think we have made great strides under Patricks termdifficult issues but so much accomplished. As a registered Democrat on the Cape, I wonder where is the clarion call"Whose fault is it that we are in such difficult times?" I want to share two things that have caused me great concern over the past several days. First, today, I went to pick up my mail at the Barnstable Village Post Office. In front of the post office on the sidewalk was a table set up with 2 postersone of our president with a Hitler moustache the other with the words, Impeach Obama. Freedom of speech unquestioned, but the defamation of character and lack of respect for our President left me reeling. Secondly, the Republican breakfast for Jeff Perry was held several days ago with many supporters in attendance. How troubling it was to read that the speaker and invited guest was Howie Carr. Fasten your seatbelt, and God help us.

Richard commented on Greater Boston on 09.17.10
Concerning the mosque and Muslim issue, I am stuck on one problem. How does a little tin airplane pulverize a giant steel building?

commented on Greater Boston on 09.11.10
I believe she was referring to Janet Brown, who want s to colonize Mars as one of her issues, as the Barney Frank opponent.

Steve commented on Greater Boston on 09.10.10
On this evenings Greater Boston/Beat the Press, Emily Rooney referred to the person running against Barney Frank as a "nutty candidate." I find this to be inappropriate. Lets bring the candidate on the show so that the viewers can decide. The Boston Globe had this excerpt about Bielat and he did not sound like a nutty candidtate when I read the following "Bielat is a whipsmart 35yearold Marine, a successful business manager, and a firsttime candidate for Congress out to topple the 29year incumbent whom many consider the face of liberal Washington arrogance. "

Richard commented on Greater Boston on 08.11.10
I just watched your discussion about the Jet Blue flight attendants onthejob meltdown. No one seemed to realize that the source of the problem is the Reagan era deregulation of the air industry. I dont live in the US, but I used to, and I fly regularly outside the US. I avoid flying on any American carrier or through any American airport because deregulation has produced a third world air industry. I hope I am not insulting the third world by comparing the current state of affairs in the US industry to them. Not long ago it was dangerously common for flights in Nigeria and the Congo to crash. That is the direction in which the US industry is heading. Im not particularly worried that Ill die in a plane crash, but neither do I plan to invite trouble, so if anyand I mean ANYalternative is available, I will avoid all US air carriers and airports.

Lianne commented on Greater Boston on 08.08.10
I watch Greater Boston fairly regularly and usually find it informative and interesting but lately I have noticed comments/questions from Emily that I feel show a disturbing lack of knowledge regarding the every day experience of the average Boston citizen. Recently Emily interviewed two unemployed Boston residents, one who had exhausted her unemployment benefits. Emily enquired as to how much one normally receives in benefits and then offered that maybe it was perhaps 60 percent of pay. Her guest assured her that it was much less and even lower than her second guess of 40. I must say that I was shocked by Emilys lack of preparation or research. The second comment was on the most recent Beat the Press where Emily pronounced the Yacht tax that Senator John Kerry had to pay onerous and suggested that he should have moored his boat out of the country as other celebrities have done. Again not only does Emily seem out of touch but were talking about a senator who owns a multimillion dollar yacht. If he can afford the yacht he can afford the tax. If Emily wants her show to continue to be relevant to the viewing public she should reaquaint herself with them.

Susan commented on Greater Boston on 07.13.10
Emily in response to the violence in Boston, I propose starting at the root and teaching young parents about how to parent. I am a parenting expert, coach and author of "Raising Able how chores cultivate capable young people." I plan to start leading parenting support groups in Boston starting in September. Can you help by hosting a show on this? please contact me http//www.raisingable.com

Richard commented on Greater Boston on 07.06.10
Have you folks looked into the reason Cindy Campbell is no longer the traffic reporter on ch 5. I understand that she no longer works for Westwood One, the traffic reporting company but wonder why. Why was there no explanation by ch 5 about the change? We really enjoyed her reporting and she was such a comfortable personality. Or maybe you already reported on it and I missed it.

Bill commented on Greater Boston on 06.29.10
Very good and dare I say balanced show on the governors gun bill. Certainly obvious that more laws for the same crime straw purchases really do not address the root cause of violence in the inner cities. A recent Globe editorial referring to 90 of the crime occurs on 5 of the street corners or something like that again backs up that we have an inner city social problem and my owning a dozen or so guns it quite irrelevant. The only real critique was not following up on the local police chiefs control in the licensing process. If it was anything else except firearms you would be demanding an end to such a corrupt system. I think the original idea made sense at the time but it is by any other definition corrupt. Regards,

Eileen commented on Greater Boston on 06.24.10
I am a long time viewer of the Greater Boston show but I was very upset listening to the interview with Charlie Baker today. Emily made a remark and casually used the Lords name in her comments. I am extremely upset and disappointed that she would use this language. I have come to expect a higher standard from her and hope that she will not include this language in the future.

MaryAnne commented on Greater Boston on 06.21.10
Great Show! I am a big fan and regular viewer. I particularly enjoyed the segment regarding online comments. It saddens me that so many comments are just plain stupid. I admit I rarely have the patience to wade through all the crap. Once and a while I will try to read comments, for example the Skip Gates fiasco. I really felt a tremendous under current of hate and racism in the comments that was disheartening. I believe in freedom of speech but most of the time it seems like just waste of speech. I am not referring to any particular news websites. Personaly I would just rather read articles and editorials, maybe even letters to the editor and just ignore the online comments. If I want opinions I will watch Beat the Press on Friday nights. By the way, Emily, great jacket!

Nicholas commented on Greater Boston on 06.21.10
Nice jacket tonight! But seriously, your show is a great contribution to the community. I think you ask some of the best questions and have great guests. Keep up the good work!

Jonas commented on Greater Boston on 06.21.10
perhaps you dont get any comments stating that people like your show because no one likes your show.

John commented on Greater Boston on 04.22.10
I watched with interest the piece on the MA RMV because I had a trip to the RI DMV in my future. I thought, MA is pretty bad, RI cant be as bad. Here is what happened to me. A trip to the Rhode Island DMV to renew my license great, one of my favorite chores. Being over a certain age I must appear in person for an eye test and photograph. Having just seen a piece on the Massachusetts DMV on Greater Boston, I was certain that the lines couldnt be any longer than those at the Watertown office shown on the piece. Still, it was probably prudent to arrive early to get a low queue number. Events intervened, and I arrived half an hour after the opening. By that time the room was full, noisy, and hot. The greeter was a small machine giving out numbers. It decreed that I was 43rd to be served at the license window. No advice was given as to what forms I had to present, although signs were warning that every bit of paperwork required for each transaction had to be prepared prior to being served at the window. People in various stages of bewilderment were milling about, looking at their numbers and at the display showing what number was being served now. Others were settling in for the long haul on the benches (which were full) with laptops or books. I milled about. I was 43, but there was no advice as to which number was being served at the license window. All the action seemed to be at the registration windows. A woman had the eye test machine opened up and was peering inside with hand to chin. After a while a finger went to scratch her head. Then she started to reel up something on a spool, slowly and at great length. At last, after more peering, she closed up the machine, gave it a look, and made her way back behind the counter. Open for business! She pushed her number button, and number 2 in the license queue was being served! Hmmm, 43 minus 2 meant a lengthy wait. No seats, hot room, BP rising what to do, come back tomorrow (and be EARLY this time)? Then, as if by divine intervention, my gaze was drawn to a small sign on the wall which told about some services done at AAA. It claimed to do license renewals. I didnt believe it. Surely I was a special case, needing a photo, eye test, and a special old age two year renewal that only a DMV office could handle. No, said the guy at AAA on the phone, we can do everything! Still incredulous I drove the 5 min to AAA. Another 5 min and I was done, fee paid, license zapped over the wires to the State of RI. My AAA membership was the bargain of the year.

Michael commented on Greater Boston on 04.19.10
At the end of the episode on MA casinos, Ms. Rooney and her guests crow in unison that the term "gaming" is a "PR term" and that "gambling" is more appropriate. Before so doing, each of them should have done a little etymological research "gaming" is the older term to describe what we now know as "gambling," preceding it by over 250 years. The latter term came into use as slang, and the OED even suggests was used principally by those who disapproved of gaming altogethersee this page for more http//www.americangaming.org/Industry/factsheets/general_info_detail.cfv?id=9. I have no particular love for gaming/gambling, but as someone who routinely reads literature that predates 1700, I recognized the error of host and guests immediately as an uninformed prejudice against a perfectly legitimate usage.

jeffrey commented on Greater Boston on 04.12.10
Emily, My wife and I love "Greater Boston." We sat in your chair after the Anne Frank event Wednesday. I wish you had been tougher of Representative Capuano on Thursday (April 8). Your question on healthcare ("Does everybody agree with you now?") wasnt much of a challenge. You should have challenged him on the finances. Many assumptions underlying the CBO estimate are clearly false.

Daniel commented on Greater Boston on 03.11.10
I just watched your program on Congressman Patrick Kennedys "tirade" against the news medias treatment of the war in Afghanistan. I am a fan of the show but there are times, like tonight, when Ms. Rooneys skepticism looks more like cynicism. Clearly, Mr. Kennedy acted out of frustration and disappointment when he lashed out at the press. His anger was raw and, yes, the message turned somewhat muddled at times. But you and your guest seemed anxious to dismiss his remarks out of hand, citing his struggles with depression and substance abuse, as if no other conclusion could be drawn from his actions. I found it cheap and selfserving to attribute, even implicitly, his remarks to mental illness or addiction without any proof. Further, you sidestepped an opportunity for honest debate about how the mainstream news media has covered the war, particularly when nearly everyone concedes that news organizations have cut resources and paid more attention to celebrity culture and political scandal. By now, I expect Ms. Rooney to be dubious about nearly everything, particularly if it clashes with her personal taste or politics. Still, I hope she treats issues such as this with more humility and thoughtfulness the next time.

Emelia commented on Greater Boston on 03.10.10
Athenahealth is being investigated for securities fraud. Please read more at http//www.kaplanfox.com/investigates.php?id=156.

William commented on Greater Boston on 03.09.10
I am a longtime, faithful viewer of this program. I have always found you to make an effort to present some level of balance in the issues you cover . . . that is until tonights segment featuring John Bush. There was no balance, in fact I found the segment to be irresponsibly unbalanced. Mr. Bush has an obvious economic interest in his point of view about health insurance reform. He continually referred to the "government option" which isnt included in the current package under consideration. More irksome, however, was his blaming the government for increases in premiums using pseudoeconomic theory as his rationale. Emily, at the end of the segment you said we have to get you back. If you do, please put someone, like Uwe Reinhardt from Princeton, who actually understands health care economics on the show. I expect much better from you and the show. If I wanted what I saw tonight Id watch Fox News.

Glenn commented on Greater Boston on 03.01.10
Thank you for the good coverage on the state of alimony in Massachusetts. A significant change in the law is very much needed. It is incredible that self interest still rules, and that payer of alimony are sentenced to a lifetime of servitude. In my case, payment does not end with my death as I am required to have a life insurance policy with the beneficiary being my exwife. Please continue to cover this issue as the legislature considers reform this spring. I hope that Bill 1785 will pass.

Emmett commented on Greater Boston on 02.27.10
Thanks for turning the spotlight on Massachusettss terrible alimony laws. At age 50 I remarried. The marriage lasted 6 years. Although I had no children, my thenwife did. I agreed that she would work parttime because of her kids, though she worked fulltime when I met her. I provided at least 2/3 of our income during that 6 years. The judge awarded her lifetime alimony that takes about 20 of my income. I probably will be supporting her for a length of time that exceeds the number of years we were married by 3 or 4 times. How can anyone think thats just? There should be time limits on alimony. No one should receive alimony for a length of time longer than the duration of the marriage. Why wont the legislature act to change these deplorable laws? Whats wrong with these people?

Phil commented on Greater Boston on 02.26.10
Great segment on Alimony. My question to proalimony people (if there are any) is why is alimony oneway? Somehow its ok to force the exhusband to perform breadwinner services for the exwife, but its not ok to force the exwife to perform homemaker services for the exhusband. How come one party after the divorce can be chained to their old marital role as if they were still married, and but the other party isnt chained whatsoever beyond the divorce filing date? If you are going to have alimony, it has to be twoway, or none at all.

Susan commented on Greater Boston on 02.24.10
Hi Emily, thank you so much for doing the show on Alimony reform. The laws in Massachusetts are outdated and inconsistent with the lives women and men lead in the 21st century. The proposed law supported by the attorney on the show does not address the issue of entitlement, and would do nothing to stop the egregious practice of using second wives income to pay alimony to the first wife, nor provide for the paying exspouse to retire. If child support has a statutory end date, alimony should as well. Why cant a woman get an education if she needs one and go back to work? If her ex has to provide for a few transition year, fine. But what entitles her to a lifetime income from the man she no longer lives with. The bill being proposed in the House is simple and based on common sense, and should be supported by our legislators. Mr. Hitner is doing a fantastic job of getting exposure for this issue and he is to be commended.

Tony commented on Greater Boston on 02.24.10
Thank you for airing the segment on alimony reform. It should be noted that the amendment proposed by Senator Creem would add a total of two words ("and duration") to the Section 34 of Chapter 208 of the General Laws. Thus, with this change the law would read, "In determining the amount of alimony and duration, if any, to be paid, or in fixing the nature and value of the property, if any, to be so assigned, the court, after hearing the witnesses, if any, of each party, shall consider the length of the marriage, the conduct of the parties during the marriage, the age, health, station, occupation, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities and needs of each of the parties and the opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income." In short, Senator Creems recommendation would have no substantial impact on how judges determine alimony and would provide no useful guidance on concerning the duration of payments. Senator Creems laughable amendment is a cynical attempt to blunt genuine reform and to maintain the status quo. Louis J.

Donalyn commented on Greater Boston on 02.24.10
Elizabeth 2/24 Thank you so much, Ms. Rooney, for shedding light on the great injustices that so many 2nd families are suffering due to the punitive Alimony Laws in Massachusetts. The current laws that impose a "Lifetime Sentence" on former husbands who are ordered to support an EX spouse, until the end of their natural life, have been in effect since the 1700s in Massachusetts, and have no place in our society in 2010!...Where is the healing after divorce? Why arnt these women moving on with their lives, utilizing their educations and contributing to society? From where does this attitude of entitlement originate? (Perhaps from the Mega Divorce lawyers who are making millions off of the lifelong stream of court hearings that have no end!) When two people divorce the only tie that should remain after the marital assets are divided is in the raising of the children of the former marriage, and the only continous financial obligation should be for the support of those children. There is NO WAY that a man should be forced to financially support an EX wife for the rest of his lifetime! This is America, people! The home of the free!!! Lifetime alimony is unconstitutional and these archaic laws should be reversed immediately! How embarrassing for the State of Massachusetts, the home state of Harvard, BU, and BC Law Schools, to be so far out of step with modern family law statutes as exemplified in the other 49 states! Please, may we hear more about the progress of Bill 1785 in future shows? Mr. Hittner is a true American who isnt afraid to stand up for justice. He started as one voice...and now there is a choir behind him... The people are speaking, and its about time!

Eileen commented on Greater Boston on 02.24.10
The current "guidelines" for alimony need to be revised. When I got my divorce last year I was required to pay alimony to my former husband who was "unemployed" for 20 out of the 28 years we were married. (I have worked fulltime since I got out of college 35 years ago.) Under the divorce agreement my former husband was absolved of any financial responsibility for our son, who is 20 and autistic. My son will need support for the rest of his life and the $530 he gets from Social Security each month wont cover all of his needs. I am very upset that the $2000 per month that I am required to pay as alimony is not available for my son.

Diana commented on Greater Boston on 02.24.10
Judges should not be free to make their own decision on alimony. In the county I live in the judges are very promother even if the mother is abusive to the child. As a second wife, the ex asked that my ability to make a living be considered in deciding how much to force my husband to pay even though she was in good health with a good education and I was in poor health. It is demeaning to women (decent women) to assume were incapable of supporting ourselves. If the judges want to give alimony to help the woman become selfsuporting, then set a limit as to how long it can be. A man (and his next family) should not have to suffer for life for the mistake he made while he was young in marrying such a woman! These women who can not move on with their lives continue to clog up Family Court with one complaint after another costing the former husband many thousands of dollars in legal fees. In Massachusetts a man is forced to pay child support, college expense and alimony all at the same time. In Massachusetts, only children of divorce are guaranteed a college education paid by their parents. Massachusetts needs to catch up with the times and stop living in the horse and buggy age.

David commented on Greater Boston on 02.24.10
Massachusetts alimony practices (there is no true law in this regard) are obscenely unfair, blatantly discriminatory, and rooted in a bizarre extremist mentality that alimony is a lifetime benefit. As such, these alimony practices hurt our economy, weaken our social structures (such as marriage rates), and have a toxic effect on "second" spouses and children. The alimony practices in Massachusetts are particularly noteworthy for how strikingly aberrant they are in comparison to ANY other state in the union. The Bar Association support of Senate Bill 1616 and opposition to MEANINGFUL alimony reform as embodied in House Bill 1785 is a shameful attempt by lawyers to preserve their economic status at the expense of the public interest. Why is it that HB 1785 has more than 70 legislative cosponsors (in contrast to one for SB 1616) and cannot make it out of the Judiciary Committee for a vote? The answer lies quite simply with the incredibly forceful opposition by the wellorganized and financed divorce lawyers. Similar to prior battles that pitted the public interest against the shockingly exorbitant compensation of the legal profession (for example, the public interest versus the bar when it came to auto insurance reform) shows that lawyers will stop at nothing to protect their golden egg. Any change in the alimony status quo that would move toward some semblance of sanity and predictability means less conflict between exspouses and less lucrative fees for the ethically challenged divorce lawyers. I think it is nothing short of a criminal conflictofinterest that a wellhealed divorce lawyer (Sen. Cynthia Creem and sponsor of SB 1616) sits as chair of the legislative Judiciary Committee and, by virtue of her public office, is empowered to successfully block any and all attempts at truly meaningful alimony reform. Until Sen. Creem and her divorce lawyer cronies are appropriately held accountable for their role in the corrupt culture that permeates our state senate whereby the public interest is subservient to that of special interests, much needed alimony reform will never happen in Massachusetts.

anita commented on Greater Boston on 02.23.10
hello, I just watched your segment regarding alimony payments. I am wondering if the lawyer relizes that even though not all marriages same, the marriage is over at that point and time. I am a woman, I am also a second wife. I am appalled at the notion that I have to work, because my husbands first wife is getting alimony. The lawyer made a comment that actually made me mad listening to him, he stated that both parties in the event they have someone living with them will submit there income therefore it should be taken into consideration when coming up with an agreement on alimony. What is he new to the job, blind, or still learning that some people lie. I speak from experience. Although my husband and I produced a legitimate finance report when he went to court, we know for a fact that his exwife did not, she has been living with somone since they seperated and has yet to tell that to the court. I just recently quit a job as a shipping/rec/production manger position, because I am 49 years old and small built women, I just couldnt do the heavy lifting any more, I would go home at night in pain. But I need to work, my husbands pay doesnt cover all of our expenses. We are supporting our kids. My husbands son lives across the street from us with his gf and has a daughter, we help them as much as we can, I have a daughter that has a little boy, we help her also when we can. I have car that is broken down, but dont have the money to fix it. But yet his exwife is taking him to court this friday for more money, for life insurance even though she is living in canada with her boyfriend on property that her boyfriends father gave them. But yet this lawyer gets on her and states there is honesty on both sides and there fore all income should be taken into account when deciding the alimony amount and time period. Please I have worked all my life even when I had two kids, I found employment, even if it was waitressing at night so someone could stay with my childern, there are ways, you dont have to sit at home, I went to college took two years, found work, and it didnt take a lifetime to do it. There is no reason for a free ride, women fought for equality did that only count for as long as they didnt get a divorce. Before anyone gets upset I know that some of the spouses out there are men taking advantage of their wives income and asking for alimony, in that regards, I say get off your lazy but and get a job, act like a man and go to work.

Tara commented on Greater Boston on 02.18.10
While Emily Rooney is certainly entitled to her opinion I have to say her comments and entire tone today while talking about male figure skating costumes made her sound ignorant and smallminded and I didnt expect to see something like that on WGBH. I was flabbergasted by her remark that Johnny Weir should concentrate more on his skating. I think he did a fantastic job along with all of the other skaters. It seemed like Ms. Rooneys two guests kept trying to steer the ocnversation away from the supposed awfulness of the costumes to talk more about artistic interpretation and expression and she just kept coming back to her opinion of how exhibitionist the sport has become. It even seemed like they were squirming in their seats a little. The whole thing just made me cringe and I have lost a lot of respect for your show.

Jen commented on Greater Boston on 02.18.10
I too was outraged by Emily Rooneys comments from last nights program when discussing mens figure skating. I usually enjoy putting Great Boston on because at that time all the other stations have trash tv on such as entertainment tonight etc. Almost immediately did I feel as though she was being antigay and souded very ignorant. Costumes are a part of a figure skaters performance and just because they might have feathers, sequins or some other "flamboyant" style to does not make it distracting. Women always have these features on their costumes, but it isnt flamboyant it is feminine and acceptable. The most easily comparable thing to mens figure skating costumes would be mens ballet costumes which often are of the same nature. Also her comments specifically about Johnny Weird really put me off. Her suggesting he focus on his skating more is just an ignorant comment. Maybe hes not at the top of his game anymore, because he is aging and 25 for a figure skater is not the prime age. I had to shut off the TV because I was so upset.

jeff commented on Greater Boston on 02.18.10
i found emilys comment on gay skaters to be homophobic and stereotypical. she stated " we all know that most male skaters are gay, but who cares, well i guess she does because she then proceeded to tell us why she thinks male skaters are gay.i have watched greater boston for years, but now must rethink my decision. kelli crosby , please set ms. rooney straight when it comes to stereotyping people! no pun intended

Michele commented on Greater Boston on 02.17.10
Re Greater Boston show today (2/17/10) Is Emily Rooney antigay or just anti gay male skaters? Her comments about the mens costumes being too "flamboyant" (code word for "gay") really surprised me, but I was especially shocked about her offhand comments on Johnny Weir. She said he should concentrate more on being a better skater than on his costumes. Excuse me, but did she even see him skate his Olympic short program? It was beautifully done, with no mistakes, and very elegantand all she can talk about is his costume and the fact that he blew a kiss to the audience? She even said she wants skaters to dress more "sophisticated" (code word for "masculine" or "straight"). Why are you so focused on what they wear, Ms. Rooney? It really makes you sound rigid and hung uplike the kind of people who say "Im not against gays, as long as they arent open about it, and they act and dress just like me..." By the way, I am a straight, middleaged wife and mom who happens to love Johnny Weirs skating for its beauty and elegance.

Mary commented on Greater Boston on 02.17.10
I love Greater Boston, but I am appalled by the blatant homophobia Emily and guests shared on tonights segment regarding Olympic mens figure skating. Really Emily? Here are just some of your choice quotes. You "cant stand the flamboyant costumes" that "look ridiculous." Your guest would "personally like to see a male skater dress and dance like a man (read because gay men arent men)." Your other guest commented, "little boys are driven away from the sport because they dont want to be like that (read gay... because that of course would be intolerable)." Frankly, you and your guests disgusted reaction is what was ridiculous... and dated. Who cares if mens figure skating is "overthetop?" Isnt it supposed to be? Please grow up and get over it.

Michael commented on Greater Boston on 02.09.10
good OLD boston politics! yesterday it was all softballs for irish steven lynch today "tough questions" to itialian robert deleo.

Sheila commented on Greater Boston on 02.09.10
I have been a steady viewer of Greater Boston and Beat the Press, especially as the local news networks have declined. I am, however, more disappointed in the quality of the program. I believe journalism continues to be challenged as Emily Rooney spends more time on voicing her opinions a la talk show radio rather than on conducting piercing interviews. There was a night that Kara Miller was a substitute host and frankly I thought did a better job than ER. Very disappointing.

Jonathan commented on Greater Boston on 02.09.10
Dear Emily, Last night with Jill Stein you stated that people at the top who are paying their fair share are paying 60 of their income. Where did you get that number? While I realize you freely express your opinion on your show, and I am a regular watcher, I do not believe this is anywhere close to accurate. Perhaps what you meant to say is that the top marginal rate is 60 but even that number strains reality. The top marginal tax rate is 39. Are you adding state tax, real estate tax, sales tax, etc? And are you accounting for the deductibility of those items on the federal return?

Marie commented on Greater Boston on 02.09.10
The Rep. Lynch interview would have benefited from some fact check prep. Rep. Lynch claims that Bear Stearns got 2 cents on a dollar while AIG got 100 cents on a dollar. Id thought that Bear Stearns ended up with more like $20 a share. CBS News and CNN report that the figure ended up $10 (or more) a share and a $29 billion Fed loan guarantee, which apparently ended up yielded some losses to the U.S. taxpayer. The $172 high for the share was prior to the 52 week high, which was 150something, and heavy losses preceded the final crisis. Why does the press so often allow politicians to say anything and go uncontested? I can take this as long as the NewsHour keeps its standards up. Dare I hope?

Olga commented on Greater Boston on 02.08.10
I was appalled by Emily Rooney’s interview tonight with Jill Stein, candidate for governor from the Green Party. To her credit, Jill Stein managed to respond to Ms. Rooney’s questions with informative content. Nevertheless, the interviewer ignored what Ms. Stein had to say, while also showing her bias with statements (paraphrasing) “I’ve always believed in trickledown.” Rooney also pushed her own support of a flat tax, while not picking up on Jill Stein’s remark (made more than once) that a flat tax would actually be more equitable than the tax structure we have now. (If Ms. Rooney is not interested in equity, perhaps she should have said that openly as well.) In addition, Rooney provided her editorial remark that those who earn a lot of money worked hard for it and deserve to keep it. I ask, “What planet does Rooney live on?” (to coin Rep. Barney Frank’s remark to an uninformed teaparty type). Did American taxpayers get an equitable resolution when the US banks failed? Rooney’s immediately prior interview with Rep. Lynch certainly put the light of day on this ripoff of the American people. The gap between rich and poor is widening in this country and Jill Stein has some good ideas to rectify the situation in a political environment that has a dearth of constructive solutions. Ms. Rooney should have paid more attention to what her interviewer was saying, and less to her own biases.

Michael commented on Greater Boston on 02.04.10
of course, the republicans asked for scott brown immediately! you dont need to provide balance to an absurd and ridiculous position.

Teresa commented on Greater Boston on 01.27.10
Interesting stuff on Toyota but it would be a great public service to tell the audience if the acceleration problem does happen to them they should put both feet on the brakes, shift into neutral, pull over and turn off the car.

Lynn commented on Greater Boston on 01.25.10
I commend your reporter on the new" Up in your business" segment. I found her delivery of statistical information and viewpoint comprehensive, accessible and concise. This segment will be a welcome addition to "Greater Boston" Also , I really apreciated the discussion between Emily Rooney and Martha Coakley. It was filled with intelligent observations, questions, and perspectives. Lovely to see 2 articulate and informed women discussing the political situation in Ma.

K. commented on Greater Boston on 01.24.10
Just as the President seems to have a tin ear about what people think, your Beat the Press panel seems to have the same malady. I cannot believe the comments made about how little affect talk radio has on elections. For folks who get a pay check working in the media, how can you sit there and say such nonsense? I accidentally listened to Dennis and Callahan after the Patriots lost the playoff and could not believe the vitriol they sputtered against Coakley. I will never listen to them again. Throw in Carr et al. Why would they spend such on a sports show bashing Dems if there were no potential effect? Shame on your panel for such a casual brush off. Also, the ending opinions of the Supreme Court decision seemed out of touch, too. I think a more independent panel of commentators is needed on this show. Too many conflicts of interests are possible with the existing panel.

Austin commented on Greater Boston on 01.23.10
Your instincts are good in suspecting the influence of talk radio bullies on the Senate race. Why not follow up with a show on the true mean spiritedness of shows like Dennis and Callaghan? Why not invite them to your show and expose them for who they are? If anyone local is capable of it, its got to be Emily Rooney!

L commented on Greater Boston on 01.20.10
Regarding the segment on "Angry Independents", does anyone have demographics on these"Independents"? They seem to be older, caucasian, suburban, middle to upper income..of course I could be wrong and am just speculating . Perhaps someone(Greater Boston) could have followed up on this information when showcasing those angry citizens. I do however question the gentleman named Howard in the lead in to the segment, Howard voiced his anger over immigration issues and CEO compensation .What I would like to know from Howard and all the other Howards who supported Scott Brown is thisif you are so angry about issues like CEO compensation, how is it that the newly elected Senator Scott Brown is going to help you ? Do you really think he is the guy who will go to bat for the regulations of the many Wall Street practices about which you are so angry? Do you think he wil fight to make banks more accountable for their underhanded investment , mortgage and credit practices? Sorry Howards , but Mr. Brown is going to have many Big Pharma, Big Business CEOs supporting him in Washington while he rejects bill after bill supporting regulation of these industries. Your anger was misdirected.

M commented on Greater Boston on 01.15.10
I watched with interest last nights segment on the impact of Legacy Place on Dedham Square. I find it amusing that the Legacy Place developer said people are "starving for something new and different" and theyll find it at Legacy Place. This new retail complex hardly offers anything "new and different". Drive 20 minutes from Dedham in any direction and you can find the same stores Victorias Secret, the Gap, Bath Body Works, Urban Outfitters, Borders Books, Yankee Candle, among others. Sure, there are a few stores that arent as ubiquitous, but for the most part, Legacy Place is just another cookie cutter mall except with no roof. . Even having LL Bean isnt so special there is one in Mansfield and one in Burlington. The 8 (?) restaurants at LP do offer additional choice but their price points are high and Im curious to see how theyll fare in this economy. I believe there is definite opportunity for mom and pop stores on Main Street to survive in the midst of big box retail nearby. Many people, like myself, are looking for something authentic and were not going to find it at Legacy Place or any other mall. If youre looking for unique stores and restaurants that will offer you something different than the cookie cutter experience, go to Dedham Square or other nearby downtowns. The personal attention these shopkeepers give to their customers cannot be matched by big retail. Contrary to what Ms. Rooney says, that there isnt much in Dedham Square, there are several really good restaurants (Isabella, Deli After Dark, Kouzina, Kikuyma, Courtside Cafe, among others) and plenty of stores that offer unique merchandise (Maribu, Nest, The Dedham Exchange, The Blue Bunny, Cheeky Diva), not to mention the incredibly quaint Dedham Community Theatre. I would much rather see a film at DCT and support this locally owned business than give my money to Showcase Cinemas. Not to mention that the throngs of teenagers at Showcase every weekend are reason enough to keep me away. One last point I realize that people will often opt for convenience and more choice, which is why Legacy Place is drawing so many patrons. If consumers would start thinking about where they spend their dollars many would perhaps think twice before they do. Its the mom and pop businesses that are the ones that support the schools, the local sports teams and all the community groups (requests for donations to stores and restaurants at Legacy Place dont even compare to the generosity from the locally owned businesses). They are owned by and employ dozens of local residents, contribute significantly to the towns tax base and are the heart and soul of our community.

Crystal commented on Greater Boston on 01.06.10
1/6/10 Ms Rooney I feel your coverage of the WGBH/CRB situation was not balanced or fair. There was no voice for the hundreds, if not thousands, of people disenfranchised by WGBH because they live west and south of Rte 495. In the SE region of the state there is no way to get 99.5 for classical music (?) in this area without either the tin sound of a computer (that is never where you want to listen to music) or a huge new investment in electronic and sound systems. All you heard on this porgram were Bostonians, who have many other choices for classical music we in the SE portion of the state have no such choices, and WGBH has narrowed our field to the detriment of all in the area. This deserves more than 7 minutes of your show this is a violation of all the faith, dollars and support that people such as myself have given to WGBH for many, many years. This is the first time in 40 years that I or my family has NOT given to WGBH. I get better choices of classical performances in the wilds of upper Maine, than in the urban area west and south of Boston!

Paul commented on Greater Boston on 12.22.09
Would you be so kind as to ask someone from the MBTA to come on Greater Boston again, to explain what improvements in safety theyve made recently? This is directly from the MBTAs own web site http//mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=16939month=year=, and I quote "MBTA drivers are involved in 2,000 to 2,500 crashes per year about 400 to 600 of them are considered preventable. Thats out of 4.5 million bus trips, according to MBTA statistics. Since 2000, MBTA buses have been involved in 11 fatalities.". I feel it would be very helpful to hear some encouraging news about the T.

Joanne commented on Greater Boston on 11.27.09
Thank you Emily for a great forum with the candidates for Dem. Senate. I come away excited and hopeful. None of these candidates would be bad. Your questions are so often my questions. I may have to vote for the most idealistic candidate. That should leaved everyone guessing..

Jimmy commented on Greater Boston on 11.26.09
Concerning the Greater Boston episode aired Wednesday, Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Holiday tips and recipes, any chance in posting a printerfriendly version of the butternut squash risotto and apple crostata recipes.

Steven commented on Greater Boston on 11.25.09
I have now watched both Senatorial debates. I am glad you allowed the candidates to refocus the discussion away from some of the extremely naive questions that were asked by Peter Meade and to a lesser extent by Emily Rooney. The way almost all of the candidates were able to get away from the false choices presented to them in the questions and talk about how talented people actually get things done makes me more confident in the candidates that we have running for this office.

Chris commented on Greater Boston on 11.23.09
I just listened to the forum for U.S. Senate candidates. It was a huge disappointment. I thought the moderator, Emily Rooney, didnt do a good job of keeping the candidates from interrupting each othershe even seemed to encourage it. I had trouble telling which candidate was speaking. If this was just a radio broadcast of a TV program, I think WGBH shouldnt do this againit was nearly impossible to distinguish the candidates. Emily Rooneys questions did not succeed in helping listeners to distinguish the candidates from each another (or helping them to distinguish them from one another). Two questions Rooney asked seemed particularly problematic her question to Mike Capuano about whether he would let his tenants slide on rentdoes that really help us to understand his positions on the foreclosure crisis? It personalized the issue unnecessarily. And toward the very end, her question to (who? I couldnt tell which candidate she was questioning) about withdrawal from Afghanistan she asked several times (at least three) whether he wanted to "defund the troops". What did she mean by that? This was baiting. Whoever it was did a good job in response. But what use did that question serve? It is a regular talking point of the right wing that antiwar members of congress who want to withdraw troops are "defunding" troopsi.e. not supporting them. Why is Rooney asking baiting questions like this? I dont listen to WGBH muchI tend to listen to WBUR. But I am not favorably impressed by tonights forum.

RAY commented on Greater Boston on 11.19.09
On a recent program discussing the new recommendations restricting the use of mammograms to women over fifty you almost leaped out of your chair with the accusation (paraphrasing), “It’s those darn insurance companies trying to cut costs”. The fact is that the recommendations were made by a Federal Task Force whose research was financed by the US Government. The real danger is not from those “Big Bad Insurance Companies” but from the US Government applying these and other “cost effective” recommendations to Medicare and Medicaid and then to all the future socalled government approved insurance policies under the health care reform proposals.

Clare commented on Greater Boston on 11.17.09
In regard to the segment about the controversial new mammogram guidelines, Dr. Kopans is exactly the wrong kind of doctor for "having that private discussion to decide treatment". He wouldnt let Emily Rooney ask some very good questions or make some points that may have been in opposition to his view. He obviously favors technology over relationship. Maybe its easier to bully women into having impersonal , possibly ineffective diagnostics than to actually listen and have a conversation. If Emily Rooney couldnt engage him, imagine a powerless woman, naked and scared in the great doctors office.

George commented on Greater Boston on 11.17.09
You need to give more time to legitimate conservative commentators like the Wall Street Journal editorial staff instead of the Glenn Becks and Rush Limbaughs of the world, who are so easy to caricature. You need to point out the the Wall Street Journal has found a way for a traditional newspaper to survive and even flourish in the internet age as opposed to wringing your hands over failed ideas like the New York Times. The secret is factbased reporting instead of liberal touchyfeely reporting.

George commented on Greater Boston on 11.14.09
The Wall Street Journal never seems to figure in any of your "Beat the Press" Friday show discussions. I find this curious and disappointing on two counts. One fairly consistent (and interesting) theme of your Friday shows is the crisis in various forms of media, including traditional newspapers and their webbased counterparts. Your panel discusses the need for the media to differentiate itself from other outlets if they are to have a hope of surviving in the future by charging for access to their web sites. The BEST existing example of this type of success is the Wall Street Journal which has become the number 12 online news paper in the United States and is growing in readership. Yet, never a word is heard about its success on Greater Boston. Why not? The other thing I find curious is that when discussing individuals and organizations on the right of the political spectrum, the panel tends to mention the "usual suspects" Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Fox News which are so easy to caricature and dismiss. Yet, here, too the Wall Street Journal never gets mentioned. I have found the WSJ editorials and opinion page articles to be factbased, measured and well reasoned. Why not bring this level of conservative intellectual rigor into the discussion?

Rick commented on Greater Boston on 11.06.09
All accidental overdoses are caused by adulterated, improperly labeled, and improperly manufactured drugs produced by this illegalization war just like the previous Prohibition war on alcohol consumers produced the same results. Legalized, pure drugs packaged in safe doses are 100 safe. It is impossible to accidentally overdose on properly labeled drugs that are packaged in safe doses just like it is impossible to accidentally jump off a tall bridge and impossible to accidentally swallow fifty pills when you intended to take only two. Even the illegalizers, who are certainly the most illinformed people on the planet, could not do so. The Dangerous Epidemic is the drug war, not drugs. The biggest danger to young people and everyone else to murdered, assaulted, robbed, and/or arrested by the armies of government and private thugs who have been produced and sustained by this evil war against human beings and their freedoms. Likewise, young people are in danger of being killed or seriously injured by all the adulterated, poisoned, and improperly labeled drugs that are produced by this insane prohibition war. Millions of young lives have been destroyed by being put in prison and millions more have been devastated because their parents were put in prison. Opiates such as morphine and its analogs which include heroin are the safest and most effective pain medicines. Unlike the synthetic pain drugs such as vioxx and hundreds of other drugs produced by the government licensed cartel which have killed millions, opiates are safe and do do not cause organ damage. When opiates such as heroin were legal along with cocaine and cannabis, there were practically NO accidental overdoses. Likewise there was no crime or violence associated with these products when drug fighters and illegalizers were not allowed to murder, assault, rob, and arrest millions of innocent people.

Kathy commented on Greater Boston on 09.24.09
Regarding the Sec. Reville interview, it would have been better reporting to have someone with an opposing view. As you can see, Reville statements contradict his own written words, i.e. the email that is referenced.

Sarah commented on Greater Boston on 09.21.09
I just wanted to comment on your segment about Women being unhappy. I thought it was fantastic but wanted to add a few cents. No way should women still be doing all of the work at home. The womans movement was not to continue the "jobs" they were doing but to do more. It was about equality. I would be damned if my husband didnt pull his share around the house. Some males wont and those need to be let go back into the sea. The more standards us women have and stand by them the more males will step up and the less load on one person. Our society still puts down women. The media is unhealthy and depressing toward women as are some men still. Women need to take stands for change. Thank you for a fantastic show and the extremely important topic. Kudos to you Emily on a continued awesome job well done.