Without social media and the web, we would not have a local, independent, online publication that allows us to go toe to toe with our national and international competitors. The web is powerful. We love it. It can bring down tyrannical dictators and free whole societies. Used the wrong way, a tweet or sensational blog can also take down a whole body of good deeds or destroy the reputation of a business that has been a landmark in its community for 35 years. Even the truth can destroy good intentions when the whole story is not told.

The financial state of the MBTA is bleak; horrifically bleak.  It is currently $8 billion in debt. The $1.6 billion agency has less than $27.4 million in reserve, of which only $8.8 million is available for operating costs. There is currently a $161 million budget deficit for Y2013. State law mandates the MBTA balance its books each fiscal year, which begins on July 1. If the T were a medical patient, it would be on life support.

It’s time for me to break down and tell the world.

I like the TV show Glee.

To be clear, we are not an impartial news publication. We write about what excites us and, sometimes, what infuriates us. We support local non-profits because art matters, our kids matter, helping people who are struggling matter and Karma matters. We support local independent shops because they are the last line of defense against the gentrification of our main streets.

The Green Street Crosswalk in Coolidge Corner is the most talked about crosswalk of all time. For some reason, it has been determined that the route of all evil in Brookline is this 125-foot long slice of pavement. If we can just put a signalized light there, suddenly all our traffic cares and woes will go away.

We found this storefront in Newton.  We welcome your contributing editorials.

The Brookline Card has faced ample fallout as a result of issues with the smart meters, even though they have no involvement in manufacturing or programming them. Like residents that struggled to use them and local merchants that fielded their customer’s frustrations over the meters, The Card’s creator, PXT Payments, was caught in, rather than the creator of, the dilemma.  With the town moving forward toward a solution with the meter's creator, it's time to acknowledge the Brookline Card's value to residents, business and the community.

Everyone is responsible for the introduction of Smart Meters into Brookline. Every Board and Committee in town supported it. The Transportation Department, with buy-in from the community, did their best to recommend the model and company it felt would put Brookline in a position to succeed. Bottom line - we’re all to blame that it has hurt local business and made parking even more of a burden for residents.

What does Marty Rosenthal think of the Pledge of Allegiance? Right now, that’s not my concern. My concern is that people who love Marty must pray that the base element of our society doesn’t put their ignorant threats into action.

The situation Marge Amster experienced did not occur in a vacuum. Our Town Government created an environment that made it possible.