A handful of local town meeting officials in the western Massachusetts town of Amherst are actively campaigning to host a couple of GITMO detainees there. Funny thing is, at least one of them is also responsible for making sure that American flags don’t fly in downtown Amherst on the anniversary of 9/11.

Michael Graham reports in today’s Boston Herald:

“Selectman Diana Stein was uncertain about supporting the article, the Springfield Republican reported, until she realized her fear of the detainees had been “propagandized” into her. The other “yes” vote, Gerald Weiss, had no such qualms, saying the detainees were “suffering because of the U.S. government.”

“Music to the ears of Ruth F. Hooke, who wrote the article and says the detainees “sound like fine guys. They’d fit right in Amherst.”

“She should know. As a member of Town Meeting, Hooke supported resolutions calling for the impeachment of President George W. Bush, the immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq and granting the right to vote to non-citizens.”

“What does Hooke oppose? Military action against Iran and the flying of American flags in downtown Amherst – on 9/11.”

“Read that again: Ruth Hooke wants released Guantanamo detainees roaming downtown Amherst next Sept. 11, but she opposes flying American flags to commemorate that horrific day.”

Hey middle America, meet Amherst, Massachusetts where the American flag is (to some) a “symbol of terrorism.”

The volume on this video isn’t great but stay with it. Then walk around for a few minutes counting to ten so you don’t pick up your chair and start smashing things.

Michael Graham is a radio host at Boston talk station 96.9 WTKK. He has more details on this story at his website.

Harvard Pilgrim CEO and Republican, Charles Baker, has announced his candidacy to run for Governor of Massachusetts in 2010.

“The Massachusetts governor’s race is more than a year away, but it’s heating up fast, with the head of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care now saying he’s going to resign his post there and toss his hat in the ring as a Republican.”

“A state that can’t grow jobs, can’t keep it’s young people, is in deep, deep, serious long-term trouble and that’s what I see when I look at Massachusetts right now,” Baker said.”

Deval Patrick’s slogan based, David-Axelrod-orchestrated-campaign of Yes We Can “Together We Can” is wearing thin with many Bay State residents who feel they are over taxed and under-represented. Massachusetts is dominated exclusively by Democrat politicians, a few of whom have been brought up on charges of bribery and fraud in recent months.

The Boston Herald (the Boston newspaper that’s not going broke) is already reporting that 2010 may be the “Real Year of Change”

“The premature pop of the starter’s pistol in the 2010 race for governor has rattled summering pols amid Beacon Hill buzz the campaign season could bring an unprecedented shuffle in major elected seats.”

Charles Baker will no doubt receive massive support from listeners of Michael Graham at 96.9 WTKK, who was recently dubbed Boston’s “Maestro of Conservative Controversies” by the Boston Phoenix.

Michael Graham has been using his experience as a former campaign manager to organize ordinary Massachusetts citizens to run for state and local office in an effort to break the bureaucratic stranglehold on the Bay State.

“150 citizens, normal people, political novices and neighborhood activists jammed the dining room of Ken’s Steakhouse at 8am on the most beautiful Saturday we’ve had in New England this year.  Their hands are raised because I’ve just ask(ed) “How many of you plan to be on the ballot in 2009 or 2010.”

“The response was overwhelming.”

WTKK’s afternoon talker Jay Severin, a conservative Libertarian and WTKK’s evening talker Michele McPhee, an expert on crime reporting are also likely to throw their support behind Charles Baker, as well as WRKO’s longtime favorite, Howie Carr, a frequent critic of Governor Deval Patrick.

2010 may still be a way off but the growth of the Tea Party movement and the massive increase in ratings for FOX News bodes well for conservatives.

If successful, Charles Baker’s announcement to run for governor in the bluest of blue states may become known as the conservative shot heard around the USA.

The Boston Tea Party of 2009 started on Boston Common and ended at Christopher Columbus Park on the waterfront.

At 4 pm, Michael Graham took over as emcee.  Graham is a conservative libertarian and popular talk radio host on Boston’s 96.9 WTKK.

He has guest hosted for Glenn Beck and is a contributor to National Review. You can visit his website via our blogroll.

But before you do that, watch this: