Real cut-ups in the Newton Fire Department

Head over to this Newton firefighters union Web site. After it finishes playing the theme song for "The Banana Splits" (whoa: flashback for all you children of the '60s), click on View my guestbook to see how warmly local motorists now feel about the firefighters following their rush-hour protest in Newton Corner yesterday, which backed local traffic up into Watertown Square and turnpike traffic to Rte. 495 (yes, 495!).

I agree that Mayor Cohen is a bonehead, but what you did yesterday was very unruly and unprofessional. I can only assume that your union has been just as unruly and unprofessional in its negotiations with the mayor. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm on the Mayor's side now.

That's one of the calmer messages.

Oh, and make sure to squint to read the message from a union member on the home page about the protest:

we are dedicated in serving you, serving you in which we'll put our life's on the line for you and not think twice about it more than l can say about some radio commentators and some people who work at HAAARVARD univ yes we are sorry we disrupted your day, but maybe you can call the mayor and complain cause if he keeps cutting fire engines then he really won't have anything to ride on to his block parties.

More notes on the protest and traffic.