The Globe reports that to aid the private organizing group's Olympic bid, he agreed to ban "city employees from criticizing Boston’s bid for the 2024 Summer Games."
No word on just what sort of penalties city workers would get for daring to criticize the private, un-elected group of rich business owners attempting to jam something down the throats of a city that may or may not want the games, let alone saying anything untoward about the undemocratic plutocrats at the IOC who see the games as their own personal plaything.
Read the document for yourself.
Update: The mayor's office has issued a statement:
Mayor Walsh is not looking to limit the free speech of his employees and, as residents of Boston, he fully supports them participating in the community process. This was standard boilerplate language for the Joinder Agreement with the USOC that all applicant cities have historically signed. The Mayor looks forward to the first citywide community meeting that will be held next week.
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Comments
Funny, I always thought
By Patricia
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 4:45pm
Funny, I always thought Philadelphia also had a part in the revolution.
You gotta laugh at the typical Northeasterner thinking that Boston actually is the Hub of the universe.
And I'm from around here!
Franklin, et al
By anon
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 5:07pm
Most of those who did the dirty work of revolution were from MA.
Originally or otherwise ... Franklin was born downtown and radicalized Philly.
Other than Franklin....
By Michael Kerpan
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 5:19pm
... the Pennsylvania delegation was pretty reluctant to declare independence.
Patricia, go back and reread your history texts
By Jeff F
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 6:01pm
Philadelphia was the site of the First and Second Continental Congresses for two main reasons - it was centrally located - ie within a week's travel for most delegates, and Pennsylvania's delegates and populace were considered overall relatively 'neutral' in terms of their feelings about the Crown. At least as late as 1774, most of the southern colonies were still quite opposed to any sort of break with England (Georgia didn't even send delegates to the first Congress).
Conversely, for some years before the War for Independence, the New England colonies had been home to the majority of recognized radical essayists and public figures (eg Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Roger Sherman etc). Boston really was the 'Birthplace of the American Revolution' in terms of philosophy and actual precipitating events.
(Btw, I'm not originally from here (I'm a New Jersey boy - which had many of the larger and nastier battles) - but even I can admit that Boston and Massachusetts can claim that appelation with legitimate pride.)
See..
By John-W
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 8:12pm
..this is what I love about UHub threads....you never know where they're going but they usually end up somewhere fun. Even better when they're fun, obscene and absurd.
I know you're upset
By DigitallyFrozen
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:19pm
And I know that this may come off as nitpicking (and I'm prepared to be called a number of bad things for doing so), but it's wicked bad journalism to use quote marks in the opening sentence
as it suggests that language is a direct quote from the primary document, which it isn't.
Section 2.05, the clause drawing concern doesn't use this language, so you can't use quotes around it to suggest that it does. You can paraphrase it as 'City employee can not make any public statements that reflect poorly upon the Olympic bid, USOC, IOC and related groups'
But if you're going for the sensational title and content, you can do whatever you want, just without the quote marks.
I have lots of feelings about primary sources. Sorry.
being a city employee seems
By thisisawkward
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:25pm
being a city employee seems awesome.
when are they unveiling the thought-police division?
you cant have it both ways.
By anon
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:28pm
you cant have it both ways. you all voted for him!
No, "we all" did not.
By Jeff F
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 6:11pm
Mr. Walsh received 52% of the vote. Enough to squeak a win, but by no means a widespread mandate.
Of course, that is itself beside the point as voting for an individual does not mean one must henceforth be an unabashed supporter of whatever baloney they choose to perpetrate.
Renderings of 2024 Olympics sites uploaded
By JohnAKeith
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:35pm
The Boston Business Journal has renderings of the (proposed) sites for the 2024 Olympics.
http://m.bizjournals.com/boston/real_estate/2015/0...
ugh
By cybah
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:37pm
some of these are just awful.
And love how they call Widett Circle "midtown".. please...
And walkable?!?!? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha please.
Designated permanant Olympic Site
By anon
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:49pm
When will people realize that the best thing is to have a designated, permanent site for the Summer Olympics and one for the Winter Olympics that is used each time the Olympics are held? They can even call it "Olympic City" or some such. This is the best way to do it and will prevent the waste and devastation that is left in the wake of the Olympics like London, Atlanta and even Athens.
They also relocated the
By gotdatwmd
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:27pm
They also relocated the courthouse to the river.
There's been a ton of whining
By Oh yea
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:49pm
There's been a ton of whining about the lack of transparency in the Olympics bid on this site and now there are a ton of details released and no Uhub article? What gives Adam? I found out on Google news first! :)
That's too perfect
By anon
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:50pm
The major sites will be all around the Bay Bay and South End, an easy town car ride for the wealthy and connected to travel to the heavily impacted neighborhoods of Southie, Allston, and Cambridge.
How do they figure....
By Michael Kerpan
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:50pm
... Olympics here in 2024 will cost only about one-quarter of those held in London in 2012?
And how muchof Boston Common be appropriated for beach volleyball?
Boston Common
By cybah
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:54pm
I wonder if this can be stopped. Isn't Boston Common a National Park? Wouldn't the Fed have something to say about its usage? Meaning its run/managed by the Park Service, not the Commonwealth of MA
(can someone explain how this works..)
I'm applauded at the Boston Common picture btw... lets dig up beautiful Boston Common for a for-profit venture. Come on.. most groups aren't even allowed to use Boston Common anymore (which is why gay pride has moved to Gov Center) yet they are going to allow this?
I hope it fucking torrential downpours the entire time the Olympics happen.
National Landmark
By cw in boston
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:03pm
The Boston Common is now a National Landmark, but it is a city park of Boston. Owned and maintained by the City.
bah!
By cybah
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:13pm
bah!
Digging up the Common
By Ron Newman
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:14pm
Looks to me like the proposed temporary structure is on the largely treeless Parade Ground, the western part of the Common with a parking garage under it. Not much digging is possible there.
regardless
By cybah
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:17pm
My point was its going to be a mess. They just sent $$$$ to reseed that and sho'd all activities off for years saying that the grass needed to be replanted.
Now they want to do this?
In 10 years
By HarryMattison
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 4:19pm
It will probably be time to plant new grass.
Did you say "torrential downpour"?
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 4:40pm
Yeah, hurricanes are rare, but ...
Is the Boston Common going to
By Matt_J
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:45pm
Is the Boston Common going to become an "Olympic Zone?" You know, the type where only the approved advertising is allowed. You can not bring in any outside food, drink, or unapproved logos? No protesting, no unauthorized groups, no free speech?
Not to mention
By John-W
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:59pm
the full-on security rectal probe and metal detector dance to get into the "secure perimeter."
Wonderful to all those who
By gotdatwmd
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:12pm
Wonderful to all those who hated that the common was full of grass. Perhaps after the event the city can host a cyclocross event in all the mud.
Boilerplate, my a**!!
By Renee
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 2:48pm
Boilerplate is just a starting point, not an unchanging object. This language is probably unconstitutional in the US and Massachusetts, but it will be used to silence critics with fear and retaliation. This also prevents city workers from doing their jobs if that reflects "unfavorably" upon the bid or the committee. So if the head of DND's analysis shows that the Olympics would do damage to neighborhood (re)development, s/he would not be permitted to say so in writing or in any public forum. Or if the Small/Minority Business Development person discovered that few of the OIC vendors were local/minority/small businesses, s/he would not be allowed to say that. No city/state inadequacy, no negative impacts, no conflicts of interest of the Bid Committee could be openly discussed. Sure, it won't hold up in court. But tell that to the poor schmo who gets fired and whose career and life stand in ruin!
Non-disparagement clauses
By Bruce Wayne
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:01pm
Non-disparagement clauses like this are most often seen in legal settlements between parties, particularly former employees and companies or divorcing couples. The fact that the USOC requires this upfront is very telling.
Well that is a sure fire way
By whyaduck
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:04pm
to increase employee morale.
Quick Question
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:29pm
Mayor Marty Walsh signed this stuff.
Did they also have other city leaders sign these documents or agree to terms as well? Or is this a Boston-only problem?
I can only imagine how well this would go over in Cambridge ...
Yes
By cybah
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 3:31pm
I think so too.
I see some of the plans now and see how places like Magazine Beach are included which is in Cambridge. I am curious to know Cambridge's plans for this..,
Thank you....
By SBer
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 4:28pm
Thank you for posting this link to the renderings....I live in S. Boston and work across the street from the Boston Common. I felt like I was in "Ground Zero" before seeing these - now my head really hurts!
Does anyone know of plans for the use of Castle Island for any Olympic events/activities? I see it circled on a couple of the drawings...curious to learn what the plans are (if any) for that location.
>Off to get some Advil....<
Mayor has freedom of speech.
By anon
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 6:19pm
Mayor has freedom of speech. Just ask your protest friends Adam. You are a hypocrite and to hell with you, your blog, and your poser supporters.
If I trash talked my company publicly
By Grizzly Mama
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 7:40pm
well, I could lose my job. I wonder if this means speaking out publicly. Employees should be able to disagree with the bid, but I can understand if one is publicly bashing the Boston 2024 on social media and one is identifiable as a City of Boston employee.
Yes, but
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 8:51pm
1. The City of Boston employees are employed by the City of Boston - NOT the IOC;
2. This also keeps city workers in, say, public health or DPW or water and sewer from pointing out potential problems that might limit or even change the plans;
3. It likely violates any manner of state and local laws, as well as contract terms, making it a severe potential legal bomb for the city
4. It might interfere with the ability of workers to do their job properly out of fear of reprisals, and thus compromise public safety.
Address For The IOC?
By Suldog
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 9:41pm
Print this thread, as well as the others concerning the Olympics, and mail them to the IOC. If public sentiment against counts for anything, Boston's bid should spring a big leak.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
standard boilerplate language
By anon
Thu, 01/22/2015 - 12:10am
I have trouble imagining the King of Sparta submitting to aforeign gag rule.
How might City employees criticize the Olympics using new media?
By theszak
Thu, 01/22/2015 - 1:02am
How might City employees criticize The Olympics using new media?... without a risk of ever getting identified.
What happens after The Olympics leaves town?... that's the program to reveal in robust detail.
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