Or you might look at OpenSecrets.org (http://tinyurl.com/n46eu8) which OpenCongress cites for more detail and comprehensive information.

And, along with some others inferring lots of military money, YOU ARE WRONG.

You, and several friends, are wrong in several respects. First, you really ought to talk with our Congressional delegation before you dictate how the Board of Aldermen ought to pass motions to direct them. The BofA barely advise the Mayor, much less the former Mayor, Teddy and Kerry. You have as much, if not more, influence with the delegation directly. They have sessions here, and webinars when they can’t make it. Sign up and shout your head off.

Second, there is apparently a broad and ideologically driven misconception that all science is military and all lobbying is evil. All of our delegation is well supported by union lobbies and campaigns; and marginally supported by lawyers, insurance, and other key industries in this district. They lack visible university support – which is, after all, the largest industry – but they have plenty of cash from developers creating R & D spin-offs for those same universities. And it’s not at all clear that those developers are the real badguys. They do generate good, well paid jobs even in this economy, which, ironically, in this region is far less impacted than in others where lobbying and contributions have been much, much more slanted.

Third, you and Barry and Kate seem very confident that grass roots efforts are most effective if targeting Congress, while, in fact, the city pays out lots of cash to white cops beating up black students (after first handcuffing them) who are still on the payroll. THAT is something the BofA really could impact, and, to date, it’s only Bill White who has made any serious noise about it.

Let us get our grass progressive before we get lost in the reeds. I was one of the founders of the National Gay Task Force, and am not particularly assured when, to avoid the heat of the Gates affair in Cambridge and to cover up the payoff on behalf of cops still on the payroll, they chose to hassle a few gay Latino hustlers at the Holiday Inn last week. I thought fag bashing was out of style, but apparently styles like that have yet to hit home.

In other words, let us clean up the act we really can clean up before getting lost in national concerns. As a point of order, Mike, Teddy and Kerry are just fine on hassling DOD, and this district and this state are not particularly hotbeds of military recruitment. Meanwhile, bashing black guys behind a gambling parlor and rousting Latino gayboys at a Holiday Inn seem more than a little central to what any OTHER progressive view of government would presume.

I am not here to fight Xumi’s battles but not using insults goes both ways. I am not singling you out but have noticed in my own posts that are not in agreement with leftist/progressives that the responses from others are filled with insults (i.e. “you listen to Rush, you watch Fox News, etc.”) The cattiness from both sides needs to stop. It is almost like dealing with middle school aged kids already. And as a former middle school teacher, you can probably get through to them easier than this group online.

Please understand that I, as a centrist democrat, believe everyone should have a say but believe that the leftist/progressive are too far left for me to side with them on some issues. I am witnessing the effects of my votes for Patrick and Obama. I have completely lost faith in Patrick and will not vote for again in the next election nor will I vote for any of the incumbents in my area. I truly hope that Obama can right the ship that seems to be going tremendously off course right now and is shown by the dwindling poll numbers.

I agree that “whiney kids” should have their say — I fought for you all to be able to have your say. Though it would be nice if you would whine more about the government being more fiscally responsible, less taxes for the middle class and cleaning up the wasteful programs at all levels. That would be the type of whining that I’d actually pat you all on the noggins for.

In a democracy such as ours even “whiney kids” deserve their say. I say let’s keep whining until we end the wars and shift military spending to our vital domestic needs. Maybe then, you’ll be glad we were so vocal.

Plus, Barney Frank!!? He’s the guy that got us into this whole economic mess in the first place. Anything he is behind — most of us wouldn’t get near.

You know… you progressives remind me of the whiney kid in class who was always complaining, whining, pee’ing his pants, but ultimately stealing all the teacher’s attention while the rest of us were trying to get something out of the class. I mean… you looked over at the kid and you just wanted to smack him upside the head and say “quit the whining and grow up!”.

Again…Barney Frank sponsored motion??? LOL!

The issue with the BU lab is what was going on in the lab that people had issues with-not where the money was coming from.

Actually the concerns are both about the source of the funds (DoD budget) and also the activities they support, according to the campaign against the biolab:

Boston University is receiving funding for the BSL4 lab (biolab) from the National Institute of Health from a line item funded by the Federal Department of Defense. Knowing that the Department of Defense has been funding chemical warfare development for years many fear that this technology will be used to develop disastrous biological weapons.

And Tricky, I have always stated that I am a conservative democrat. I don’t feel the need to be involved in EVERY single decision that is made by elected officials like the Progressives do. When I disagree with their decisions, I let my alderman know. I don’t feel the need to hound them that I need to be involved.