Declare Your Curiosity

Dear Santa: Make Things Easy Again

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:50:08 GMT

**Director's Note** For the following blog, David Wade will be talking aloud like a curmudgeon while typing. Please keep that voice in mind while reading. Thank You

What happened to innocence? What happened to easy? What happened to Christmas?

In my day (remember that curmudgeon voice) things were simple. Christmas time came. We asked Santa for stuff. Santa brought us stuff. We liked it. We loved it!! Sure it was the old days of the 1980's and early 1990's, back when Aerosmith was a group and Madonna made news, but it was easy. I remember walking 10 feet, in the snow, downhill both ways, to the school bus. Everything was pure and innocent.

Now?

Well, look at the story about sending letters to Santa at the North Pole. For years, a child could send a wish list to Santa through the U.S Postal Service to North Pole, Alaska and the kids would get a letter back from Saint Nick with a "North Pole" postmark. Pure and innocent. But, then a postal worker realized one of the volunteers writing to the kids at one post office was a sex offender. After an avalanche of security changes, the Post Office now uses a complicated system.

But in North Pole, Alaska, a tiny little town, they can't afford all the changes and may have to can the whole idea. Volunteers in the much bigger Anchorage are helping to process the letters, but the folks in North Pole think that cheapens the novelty of the postmark.

The whole thing is confusing. And that's my point .

In my day (love that curmudgeon voice), things were far simpler. And if they were simple in the 80's, I can't imagine how innocent and easy things were in the 50's and 60's.

I'm tired of everything being so difficult. I just want kids to be able to write to Santa without worrying about a million things.

How about you? Am I right? Were things really more simple before? Or does nostalgia blind us from the truth- that things have always been this way?

More Cancer Screening Changes

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:36:18 GMT

First, it was the controversy over breast cancer screening.

A government panel told us, earlier this week, to give up on the self-exams and the mammograms starting at age 40. Instead, the panel recommends mammograms at age 50.

Confusing? Yes.

Many doctors don't like the new advice, and more than a few people wonder whether this is just a way for insurance companies to get out of paying for, what can be, a crucial test.

Now, a group of doctors says that the annual test for cervical cancer is unnecessary.

They say it's better, for most women, to get it every OTHER year. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also says that women can delay their first Pap test until they're 21 or within three years of intercourse.

What will you do? Do you feel more comfortable with the latest advice because it's from a group of doctors, not a government panel?

And, if you're a mom whose daughter is soon to be of an age where she'd have her first Pap test, will you hold off and wait a little longer?

Lost in Boston

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:49:26 GMT

Posted by web editor on behalf of Karen Anderson

We all know that getting around Boston isn't easy. I grew up in Massachusetts, live in Boston now and I still can't find my way around the Financial District... or Longwood... to name a few neighborhoods.

That's why I when I heard about MIT researchers’ project called Lost in Boston, I gave them a call.

They're trying to help neighborhoods design their own signs on private land, with directions to neighborhood gems. Using private land means no bureaucratic red tape.

It got us thinking… What do you think is the most confusing place in the city?

And learn more about the Lost in Boston project in my report at 6pm.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:39:25 GMT

Get your game face on, ladies and gentleman. The holiday shopping season is about to begin. And it can be downright dangerous.

Remember last year's death of a Long Island Wal-Mart worker?

He was trampled to death BY SHOPPERS the day after Thanksgiving. Witnesses say about 200 people crashed through the doors to scoop up the bargains.

No discounted "Tickle Me Elmo" could have been worth that.

What’s the worst shopping rage you’ve ever seen? Have you ever been a victim?

As a former retail employee, I remember watching shoppers wrestle over sale sweaters, but it never got violent. It seems, sadly, those days have changed.

OSHA is even out with guidelines for retailers to make sure that shoppers are protected and stores have a security plan.

Wal-Mart says it's consulted with security experts to come up with a plan for each and every store.

Almost makes you wish you'd started shopping months ago...

Peg Rusconi is reporting this story tonight on WBZ NEWS AT FIVE.

Why Am I Jealous of Vampires??

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:28:47 GMT

They whisper. They blush. They giggle. They howl at the Werewolf signing books. They bite their lip over the Vampire on the red carpet.

They are young moms. They work here at WBZ-TV. (you know who you are: Paula Ebben, Kate Merrill, Eileen Curran) They are as excited about the opening of New Moon as the tweens.

But here's the question: Why does it make me, and some other men (you know who you are: Robi) uncomfortable? Are we jealous that women my age are swooning over men that look like boys?

I call it the Cougar Phenomenon. It's a societal shift that has suddenly made it okay for women to openly lust for men who are much younger. Men have always done this. A pre-train wreck, 19 year-old Britney Spears comes to mind. Men, not always openly, thought she was hot. Women thought it was disgusting.

Oh, but what do we have now. Young actors like Robert Pattinson, who is actually 23 now, play teenage roles and the young moms love it. They line up at movie theaters, often under the guise of being there to escort their young daughters. And what do the women say about this? Well, let's go to the source.

In a first here on the Curiosity blog, a dual author: Eileen Curran. She saw the movie in a special sneak preview here in Boston last night. Eileen also interviewed Kellan Lutz (a New Moon vampire) the other day.

Me: Hello Eileen.

Eileen: First off David, I hate the word 'Cougar.' It does not apply to me or my girlfriends. I did go to the premiere last night with two of my girlfriends, Jill and Mary and Mary's teenage daughter Kyle. We moms all read the books a year ago because Kyle was reading them and we wanted to know what these teenage girls were reading. We LOVED them.

Me: You loved them because you thought the young male characters were hot?

Eileen (laughing): I think the teenage girls liked the books because they think the guys are hot. I truly believe, we like the books because it's what we think love should be like.

Me: So, young moms think love should be between a woman and a Vampire?

Eileen: Of course not. In fact, I say they are not vampire books. They are love stories.

Me: Okay, but don't you think it's creepy to see 35+ year-old women screaming for men that look like boys?

Eileen: Yes. Just like when I see an older guy drooling over a younger woman. But, I will say, at the movie last night, it was the teenagers who gasped when the men took off their shirts, while the moms were chuckling.

Me: So, you ladies weren't as excited?

Eileen: We were a mature excited. The difference between young girls who haven't lived life and women who have. I will say we did see some moms going over board. And just between you and me, David, I did think Taylor Lautner was a hunk!

What do you think? Is New Moon sparking a new phenomenon? Is there a double standard that allows men to fawn while women are expected to be more mature? Let us know what you think. We'll talk about it at 5.

Do Lawmakers Need A Break?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:34:29 GMT

Written by Peg Rusconi

At the end of the day, state legislators end their formal session for the year, with a lot of business (bills on elderly driving, texting, health care payment reform) left unfinished. They’ll return in January.

Under legislative rules, formal sessions in non-election years must end by the third Wednesday in November.

Governor Patrick wants lawmakers to waive those rules to stay in session and finish work on an education reform bill. The Senate passed it earlier this week, and it awaits action by the House.

Should lawmakers stay in session to get more accomplished?

Lawmakers vs. School Bullies

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:14:23 GMT

His first school dance and a 12 year old autistic boy on the Cape was dancing his heart out and having a blast. A classmate using her cell phone video tapes his moves and posts them on Youtube. He becomes the targets of taunts and teasing. The school’s response, a teacher told him to “suck it up and move past it.”

A Springfield 11 year old repeatedly teased at school for what he was wearing comes home and hangs himself with an electrical cord. He left a note telling his family he loves them and gave his Pokemon games to his 6 year old brother. His mother tried getting school administrators to help.

Are school districts doing enough to stop bullying? Today the State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education will be looking at House Bill 483. It defines bullying and requires all schools to create a policy to effectively deal with it. 37 states already have this kind of legislation.

Is it long overdue for Massachusetts to get on board with this kind of legislation? Or is this a situation where schools should decide for themselves how to handle bullying? Will a law make a difference?

Tell us what you think and we'll talk about it today at 5pm on WBZ News.

Best Chance to Win or Blown Call?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:31:06 GMT

If you're expecting an apology from Bill Belichick over last night's 4th down play call...you may want to pack a lunch.

Coach Belichick stood by his decision during a press conference this morning saying:

"I thought it was our best chance to win. I thought we needed to make that one play and then we could basically run out the clock and we weren't able to make it."

The Pats failed to convert on 4th-and-2 from their own 28 with 2:08 left to go in the game.

The Colts stormed down the short field. Peyton Manning hooked up with Reggie Wayne to ice the game with just seconds to go.

Coach Belichick conceded there is room for improvement saying:

"From a coaching standpoint...there's always a lot things that could have been done better by me and the players and everybody else."

"We all gotta do a better job starting with me and find a way to win those games"

But again no apology.

There's nearly universal agreement that it was a bad call -- you've certainly made that clear in our Conversation Nation discussion. Do you accept Coach Belichick's explanation for the call? Does he deserve a pass? He's led the Pats to three Super Bowl Championships and a perfect regular season.

Let's hear your game plan and we'll talk about today on WBZ News at 5pm.

A White Elephant At The State House?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:45:48 GMT

Two more days to discuss important topics that affect all of our lives. Lawmakers at the State House won’t be discussing what to do with elderly drivers, or the dangers of texting behind the wheel, or even the need for alimony reform. Issues that affect so many. No, lawmakers instead are taking up Senate Bill 1870, the Treatment of Elephants.

Think I’m kidding…come on, I couldn’t make this up. This is what our lawmakers will be debating in the final days before their break. The treatment of elephants. No, not the indigenous population of elephants to Massachusetts, because there isn’t one. This has to do with the circus elephants that march into town once a year.

Nobody wants to see elephants hurt, abused, or mistreated, but a senate bill? Is this the best use of lawmakers' time? Or should they take up one of the many issues that affects so many?

Share your opinions and we’ll talk about it today at 5pm on WBZ News

Does the Punishment Fit to a T??

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:25:53 GMT

A rule is a rule.

We've all heard that a million times. But do you really believe that?

Is a rule always a rule? Is the corresponding punishment for breaking that rule always appropriate?

Here's why I ask: When a viewer gave our Ron Sanders a piece of video showing an MBTA operator using some sort of electronic device (looked like a cellphone), the T quickly said it would move to terminate the 45 year-old man. He had been on the job for 24 years. Twenty-four years.

Before you keep reading you can check out the video:

Now, there's no question that this operator knew the rules. It has been widely publicized that the MBTA went to a zero tolerance policy on electronic devices for its operators. It was all because a texting operator collided with another trolley near Government Center injuring 50 people.

The rule was simple. If you bring a phone to work, you get suspended. Use a phone on the job and you get fired. Z-E-R-O tolerance.

But here's the thing: the operator in this case was the rear operator. As the train made its way down a busy Huntington Avenue, this operator (we don't have a name) was sitting in one of the cars in the back. Unlike the quick-thinking woman who stopped that Orange Line train feet from a drunken woman on the tracks, if something or someone dashed out in front of the train, he would not be the one bringing the train to a stop.

Several months ago, the Globe did a story on the responsibilites of the rear operator. It is a job that is automated on the Blue Line and is non existent in most cities. In that article, Richard J. Leary, the chief of operations for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said this: "Their primary function is opening and closing doors."

Of course, the union has fought to keep those rear operator jobs. The union has always said it's an important job. So, today they can't turn around and say "ya know, he only put his head down for a moment, and his job is really not that important."

Still, I think it makes for a good debate. Should a guy who has worked somewhere for 24 years be fired for one mistake? Is the MBTA's zero tolerance policy appropriate? OR should the man's job responsibilities be taken into account before the punishment is handed down?

I know we need our T operators to be aware of what's happening around them at all times. I know this operator should have been aware that someone was taking cellphone video over his shoulder. I also know, I'd be bummed in a big way if I lost a job of 24 years because of one mistake.

Let us know how you feel. We will share your comments at 5pm.