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Mike Dukakis rides the Orange Line

By adamg on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:30pm

At least on days when he has to get from downtown to Northeastern, where he teaches a class. Rhea Becker reports on an encounter with the ex-gov - who still picks up litter.

Topics: 
The T
Free tagging: 
Mike Dukakis
Orange Line


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Comments

By Shava Nerad on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:59pm.

Actually I used to run into him semi-regularly commuting on the Green Line (B) in the late 70's. So is this news? :)

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By anon on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 12:44pm.

Ugh. If you don't like stuff like this, go and read some other website, Shava.

I am always so happy to see him on the T. Wish there were a lot more politicians like him. We could save the world with more people like that.

Whit

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By dan r on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 1:41am.

i've run into him billions of times on the o-line. he invited me to dinner once. couldn't accept. good guy. very approachable. little. this news?

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By anon-o-mus on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 8:16am.

If you're looking for breaking news, check CNN.

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By anon on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 9:17am.

Let's not equate news with CNN, Mkay?

And Adam had the scoop on South Street Diner, something important to the city that I didn't see on Boston.com

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By adamg on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 8:19am.

A slice of life. And a cool photo.

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By ShadyMilkMan on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 9:42am.

I do not believe this is a news site... It is a blog compiolator that occasionally rebroadcasts tweets and on occasion features indie reporting by the sites moderator or others. A walk in the forest of banality is more then welcome here.

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By bostonzest on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 8:37am.

When I grab a plastic shopping bag and fill it with trash as I walk along the Esplanade or in a park, I still call it the "Duke Walk" in his honor.

Well done is better than well said. ~Benjamin Franklin

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By Matt Frank on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 8:51am.

Back in 2004 I spent quite a bit of time volunteering for the John Kerry for president campaign and in the early days he went to Northeastern a few times for policy announcements. I remember being there twice and both times the former Governor was able to squeeze into the room after the session already started and make his way to the back of the room. I saw people notice him, smile and nod. By the end of the speech he was long gone. There was just something about how he moved and how he came and went that was so normal for a college professor. He wanted to see his friend but did not want to take away from him either.

Not making a scene when there are political people around, spending time to pick up trash, talking to anyone who wants to bend his ear. No wonder why he did not win in 1988 he was too nice to be President.

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By Rob on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 9:56am.

I'll always remember walking past Clemente field in the Fens when I was younger with my father (maybe coming from Sox game but dont remember exactly). I saw this guy walking towards us picking up trash. My father greets him and says "hello Governor." It was Mike Dukakis. I was blown away as a kid that a former governor would take the time to pick up trash. Good civics lesson :)

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By david_yamada on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 10:03am.

Michael Dukakis gives tirelessly of himself to students who are interested in public service, and not just the Northeastern kids. He's been over to Suffolk on numerous occasions over the years, always encouraging, openly reflective about his successes and failures, and willing to follow up with individual meetings.

I wish more governors, ex-governors, and other elected officials would hop on the T as an everyday part of their lives...

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By Suldog on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 2:00pm.

I had some interaction with him way back. I was dating the daughter of a good friend of his from Brookline. Whenever I spoke to him, he was cordial and seemed genuinely to care about what I had to say (I was a long-haired Libertarian, only difference now being the lack of hair.)

I've often disagreed vehemently with his politics, but his sincerity is something I've never had reason to question.

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

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By Finn on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 12:15pm.

We have much in common, the former Governor and I. We both take public transportation to and from work (I gave up my car years ago) and we both take time to pick up trash we come across - usually while I'm walking my dog. Speaking of which - why can't the city hire a couple of guys to sweep around park benches in the Common and Copley Square throughout the day? I know they clean up in the morning, but by the time a lot of people want to enjoy those spaces after work on a nice summer's evening, they are totally trashed with burger cartons, bags and liquor bottles. And don't get me started on the crappy job they did cleaning up before July 4th - had to do a lot myself because I knew company was coming over. Cheers.

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