Lese is More

Let's make this debate quick, the Red Sox are playing. I got a chance to catch the State Senate race up close and personal last night at the Cape Cod Women's Organization dinner meeting. The CCWO is a fantastic networking and mentoring organization for women on Cape Cod.

The candidates staked out their territory early; Rob O'Leary's (D-Barnstable), primer is Education, Gail Lese's (R-Yarmouth), perscription is Healthcare, and Lou Gonzaga's (U-Hyannis), trade in stock is the Economy. O'Leary wants more money for our schools; Lese wants medical insurance for the uninsured; Gonzaga wants better paying jobs for local citizens.

But the best shots took place over needle exchange legislaton that O'Leary sponsored. As a doctor, Lese opposes the plan endorsed by the Mass Medical Association to give needles to heroin addicts. Far from promoting drug abuse, it prevents the spread of AIDS and infectious desease, according to O'Leary.

Lese objected, siting the danger of improper disposal of used needles "washing up on our beaches". For those of us who have grown up on these beaches, the faux pas was instructive. Lese is reading from a script.

Some years ago, needles did wash up on some (non-Cape) shores from the improper disposal of medical waste by hospitals; disposed of in sewer systems with outfall pipes, or trash barges that dumped in the ocean illegally. The problem was addressed. Laws were passed.

Although, I can imagine a few addicts shooting up on the beaches of P-town, the greatest risk for shore walkers is the aftermath of sex on the beach, not drugs on the beach. You would know that if you walked the beaches of the Cape.

But it was Gonzaga's turn to remind the audience that Lese is not from here, holding up a t-shirt with the words "Cape Cod is not for Sale", refering to her spending over $250K to unseat O'Leary.

Lese uses the word "exponentiates" alot. She is "profoundly grateful", has the "highest honor", and the "priviledge", to pursue this "noble" profession. In all she had a pretty good night in front of friendly audience.

Memorable lines from the debate:

Lese to O'Leary: "You have to live by the votes you take."

O'Leary to Lese: "You can't spend the same money twice."

Gonzaga to voters: "A vote for Lou is a vote for you."

(U) may stand for Underdog, but then again the Red Sox are in the World Series.