The O'Neill name and the Big Dig -- all in the family

The Boston Globe ^ | July 30, 2006 | Joan Vennochi

[libstripper]

WHAT WOULD Tip think?

House Speaker Thomas P. ``Tip" O'Neill Jr. goes down in political history as the Big Dig's big booster. The legendary Democrat from North Cambridge stoked it with federal dollars, spurred by his belief that it was a transportation necessity and an economic boost.

Today, Thomas P. O'Neill III, the late speaker's son, represents Bechtel Corp. -- the company that helped supervise the project from dream to reality to fiasco.

This summer, tons of concrete crashed down from a connector tunnel ceiling, killing a woman. Since then, everything about Boston's Big Dig, from design and construction to inspection and maintenance, is under review and assault. And so is Tip O'Neill's vision.

[Freedom_no_exceptions]

You're trying to absolve those very voters of the responsibility for this fiasco that they so eminently deserve.

How did you get this from my post? I was just joking about the term "Beaners" - I think Bostonians are known as "Beaneaters," but that's a whole 'nother story. I agree with you, and absolve NO ONE for what happened. My posting history (the serious comments, anyway) shows that anytime I disagree with a political result, I blame EVERY INDIVIDUAL involved in the process, from the executive to the legislature to the administrators to the "law enforcers" to the tax collectors to the lobbyists to the voters to the beneficiaries of government largesse. EVERYONE involved is to blame - I could not agree with you more. Plus, I've spent most of my life in Boston, so you can imagine how much the political scene here sickens me.

BTW, my apologies for the delayed reply - I've been out all day after my post.

[Freedom_no_exceptions]

Is he that funny all the time? Is his show still on?

Sorry for the delay in responding. Yes he is, and Comedy Central is about to begin airing his 3rd season. Cool!