Pols and Protestors

A few old items.

Here are some photos I came across recently.

This is a great photo from 1999 of Springfield Mayor Mike Albano at a Columbus Day parade. I think it captures perfectly Albano's personal charisma, the deceptive charm that blinded so many to his dark side. 

At the same parade was then State Senator Linda Melconian. When Albano left office in 2003 in a wave of scandal and fiscal collapse, Melconian was his chosen heir. Happily the Albano era was brought to an abrupt end when Melconian was defeated by Atty. Charles V. Ryan.

Here are three photos I found recently from a University of Massachusetts anti-war rally which are dated on the back, "October 13, 2001." Yikes, that's just about a month after the twin towers attack. No wonder the turnout was so sparse, as support for a military response was high among most of the public.. 

Thankfully, the "peaceful response" option was not used. 

Even the guitarist's friends look bored by her music.