Title: Thousands Hold Vigil For Mass. Marine

" This is the WBUR news podcast for Friday November 6 a service of WBUR. Boston's NPR news station I'm Bob Oakes coming up the town -- members invites former detainees from the Guantanamo Bay Cuba prison for terror suspects to call hammers home. And or on the campaign trail with congressman Michael -- Leno who's running for Ted Kennedy's US senate seat and first today. A Massachusetts town is preparing this morning for a military funeral. The services in North Attleboro our former marine captain Kyle Sandi -- who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan last month. Among the thousands of people who crowded onto a football field last night for a candlelight vigil where his young daughter and pregnant widow. WBUR. Spread Tice was there as people made their way towards community field."

" In the heart of the town students passed out American flags yellow ribbons and candles it's not Attleboro."

" Our community this is what we doing on action. That's Maryland -- I have two children that there. In the middle school and I thought it was important for them to see. How one person can make such a difference in that community. Into our country."

" And that was Maureen -- a few feet away was telling places that that's the whole thing I think that's what most you know. Probably 90% of the people oriented you know. But it's that you just drive around town look at the old -- Just touched everybody."

" A sign on the bleachers said big red country. Photographs of Kyle -- mania on the football field some in front of the helicopters flew for the Marines. Flashed on giant screen in -- so his family gathered under canopy at the other end. The crowd filled most of one side of the entire field in the bleachers on that side on the other bleachers lights form the word hero. When the field lights went out the football teams started to light the candles. On the scoreboard the lights -- six number twelve competent decent number when he played football at North Attleboro. And it's seen -- college in Manchester, New Hampshire. His high school football coach was Paul Sullivan."

" Okay. -- Not limited to. One. Blood -- time. Yeah. Like yeah. That was all that yeah. And the credit when people."

" Copping his candles throughout the vigil Charlie jedi seemed meditative he you can -- season only from watching him play on the football field. Asked what moved him to come up to the field last night in the small force. Said two words. It took --"

" America."

" communities whose brother Ryan. Who wrote a letter read by a friend Katie Fisher."

" You're my -- I am proud and honored to call you my brother. I remember before it left -- it's healthy rat. This to our. Best color. -- combat. Worst conditions yeah pretty much you classify it -- how. So it stops. -- you -- a little fear of my next thing if you could just not. Chance for other needs some sort. -- don't forget to laugh and -- the guys that to me it hit me I'm gonna get some. I've got -- Right now I don't."

" A few minutes later the vast crowd had dissipated into the cold night for WBUR. A different --"

" As the Obama administration works to close the prison for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay Cuba. One of the questions it faces is where to send the detainees who are set free. One Massachusetts town has put out the welcome mat. Voters in -- this week decided to invite detainees have been cleared of terrorism allegations. There're seven colleges in the Amherst area including UMass Amherst and Everest college lending to amorous image. As a center for liberal thought and the town has taken liberal positions on foreign policy. But WBUR is Deborah -- reports this issue as divided the town with many voters switching sides."

" And war. At the -- my special town meeting this week reaching a quorum meant that at least 12310. Meeting members where there to vote. Not exactly huge crowd that in a town where popular teacher reads Amherst where only the H is silent. Lengthy debate is a given especially on an issue like the Guantanamo Bay prison."

" I've certainly been very concerned about what animal. I wanted it to close it. I even demonstrated anything in this Supreme Court a year ago January with my orange jumpsuit on about closing Guantanamo. Long time town meeting member Ruth cook sponsored it to part non binding resolution on behalf of the newly formed group the pioneer valley no more on time demos. It urges congress to lift the ban on allowing Guantanamo detainees into the US and welcomes the men who are cleared to hammer. Obviously if we're going to close Guantanamo we have to have a place for -- people there you go well. Why not embarrassed while cook is no stranger to bringing foreign policy matters up at town meeting -- the Guantanamo resolution gained some unlikely."

" Supporters. It's kinda hard to finding cameras what what what a conservative would be I guess but yet I'm considered to be the conservative in hammers."

" Town meeting member -- Kelly proudly lists his votes opposing -- town meeting articles. But he says this time after being assured that no -- services would go to support the detainees he's siding with the left."

" They're real against the town when they canceled westside story when they allowed high school to be the only one in it for the entire country to perform Regina monologues. But because of my love for. All the things that the flag represents. If these people really didn't do anything -- I have no problem with him living here and."

" Likely no votes came from select board chairwoman Stephanie O'Keefe. She says she understands the intent of the resolution that if Washington is having trouble figuring out what to do with men it was suspected of being terrorists but how can -- decide."

" I have no expertise on this at all I can only assume that the idea. Cleared detainees is more complicated. Then I understand and town meeting understands. So if you feel strongly that at Guantanamo. Situation needs to be fixed they can express that to their congressman to their senators -- people who are dealing with all of the information about this. --"

" He also finds himself in a different place than usual on this issue he's a member of the -- human rights commission and a victim of torture in Sudan. Amber's Ebert says would think differently about welcoming some of my talk show host Rush Limbaugh if -- right -- fanatics there's some from. Your own country excuse is like if -- for example. Our stories -- Fujian in semis everything in there -- signal. Although the resolution does not specify which detainees might come too embarrassed the supporters named two men they say have been cleared but cannot return to their home countries because of possible reprisals. -- he says one of the men has a questionable past that should be investigated which the supporters -- But those types of questions made clear -- vote now."

" Even if they are all not guilty the fact that they've gone through this experience. I'm not sure emerged as the place where they should come and -- this is that does not feel. To me like the next logical jump I would say there's a lot of other work it has to be done to security. Physical and mental help these people."

" The pioneer bailing -- work on -- the most group says as congress figures out how to close Guantanamo by January as promised. The country should take responsibility for the men it's wrongly imprisoned. The group says it's taking note to of the strong reaction in an immersed in drafting similar resolutions in communities across the country. For WBUR. And Deborah Becker and."

" Mac. --"

" A question facing massachusetts' policy makers and business leaders. Is the future of Massachusetts as a green energy center in doubt following word this week that Marlborough based Evergreen Solar. Is moving several hundred manufacturing jobs to China. The commonwealth gave ever green 58 million dollars and other assistance to build a new manufacturing plant in Evans. WBUR as business and technology reporter -- navigation says some lawmakers are now questioning the wisdom of that."

" Deal it was only July of last year when the sophisticated 165. Million dollar facility opened. The big ribbon cutting celebration with the governor and company officials -- more than 700 new jobs. Proof that Massachusetts. Was becoming a green energy powerhouse."

" Since then -- plant has been ramping up its production of solar wafers and cells. Workers then put those in the handles like BC and the roots of building. It didn't and I felt all. --"

" But that last part of the process panel assembly."

" Will transition to a factory in China in the middle of next year. Ever green CEO Rick Phelps told investors in a conference call that solar panel prices fell 30% over the last year. He says assembly abroad would help the company lower costs to keep pace."

" That is compelling that the the cost of China alone we'll capital -- thoughtful -- caught."

" The loss of the -- jobs angered some state policy makers including state senator mark might take me."

" We giving taxpayer resources for company it's using the resources to build their product in China. It's outrageous and the taxpayer is getting ripped off."

" Company officials take issue with that. Is part of the deal with the state evergreen pledged to create 350 jobs and the company says it will keep those manufacturing jobs here. The company's chief financial officer Mike L allow told investors the factory could produce more again if the market improves. But for now he says there hasn't been enough US support for solar energy."

" It got it to be the trash we had hope from the new federal government of President Obama. A paramedic -- hoping that was number two of them but one with a focus on health care."

" In contrast China is spending more of its economic stimulus on renewable energy. The government there is paying for two thirds of ever greens new solar panel factory in Wuhan."

" You've seen a lot of companies in the solar space and the renewable energy space generally move. Moving over to China."

" Stephen lacy analyzes the industry for renewable energy world dot com in New Hampshire. He says solar used to be dominated by Europe and the US. Not anymore."

" China's gonna do First Solar panels would it do to protect issues and that is to drive down the costs as rapidly as possible that we get the industry. --"

" Lacey says we need this speakers that cheaper solar energy gets the more sales Massachusetts companies will see."

" And that translates into local jobs."

" Steve Rhodes is the CEO of the solar company sat -- he expects to add 100 positions over the next two years in Boston."

" It's our corporate headquarters so we're doing older -- deal or engineering out of Boston. The corporate functions for the company."

" Just not manufacturing. That was never the plan. The news that Evergreen Solar is moving production jobs to China. Well it's a reminder that Massachusetts is profiting from its competitive technical prowess. But the manufacturing future for green energy is difficult. For WBUR. I'm -- make it. And when it."

" This morning we continue our conversations with the candidates for Ted Kennedy's US senate seat. As we hear from Democrat and congressman Michael cap UN -- from Summerville. We met him the other day at a senior center since August where he greeted people just sitting down to launch. I'm like cap -- for some area -- say okay. -- you Lana was on a tight schedule as directly after our interview he had to catch a flight to Washington. You're talking to us now with the senior senator and yet. In a few minutes he needs leave to fly to Washington because health care debate starts almost immediately. If he had trouble trying to figure out how to juggle. Your duties in Washington emissaries."

" I'm really not mean new you know I know I have to be here a couple of days a week I have decided to skip some of the votes in the new naming bridges and that kind of stuff. But I ain't my first responsibility is to make the important votes and helped him gain on the most important politically. My job -- to be --"

" Do you and your fellow democratic candidates agree that we need a public option. On health care Massachusetts. Has achieved close to full health care coverage. -- without a public auction by clamping down on private health insurers health care experts here feel. That if we in the bay state have to have a public option the Costa health -- here in this state will increase in services will deteriorate. Do you think that -- Public option is in the best interest of the people here in --"

" Jesus quoting these experts -- like that experts in Massachusetts in the disagree with everything you just sent me. And many of them think that the Massachusetts -- was unsustainable it's a great experiment I think there's some lessons to learn from it but in order to sustain that we needing national policy."

" In the campaign you've been emphasizing near Washington insider status and there are some who say that. Insider status is not something necessarily to be proud of when you're talking about working in Washington -- and important."

" Let me ask you questions what was take Kennedy's. Was he not the penultimate. Insider Washington yet maintaining his philosophical progressive views when and when appropriate I think that's probably the best thing that we share."

" Special interest money pac money as becomes somewhat of an issue in the campaign -- a couple of the candidates. Have said that there are not going to I take any of that money. You weren't taking money from quote unquote special interest what when you're looking voters in the I mean how -- Convince them that that's not."

" Important I would get that from the media that you want to choose to because most pac money is union money most -- when he comes from things like that Sierra Club. I've with a mature -- house -- sold while I don't know we lived most of my friends and -- multimillionaires. I've never been very good at raising money. And I'm not gonna be the best -- indicate here. And -- if I don't do this they know working class person can ever run for office and that's the goal that you want to anybody else once they need to say. Working class people need not apply we only want multimillionaires in the Senate."

" For some people who say some observers of this campaign who sensed that. You're impatient that -- he ranchers to moderator says that some of the forums have been. Below on not humility and high on overconfidence. -- as -- as --"

" campaign and you take a look at every independent judgment of the debate that we have I want everyone of -- including on your radio station ended. In my passionate yes I you -- might intolerant. Of what I consider to -- Questions that are unimportant. In and very important election yes -- yes. Why do you think in a recent -- your 24 points behind Martha Coakley and why do you think you're in a statistical dead heat with. The new guy in the race Steve apparently you can because the poll was stupid and we have polls that show is a lot closer than that. And my polls done by the best forces in the state that people who spends Ari that's we don't talk about numbers with a single digits. With close that's almost say I never expected to be head I don't want to be paid yet because as soon as they do that used to -- even tougher questions."

" You're the son of a decorated World War II veteran. You voted against sending troops to Iraq he said you don't wanna send any more troops to. Afghanistan. The president's making that decision may be within the next couple days certainly it's under discussion. This week again at the White House if you had a one on one with him today what was your talent."

" It's a mission to Afghanistan was to. Harass allocate it move al-Qaeda -- to kill them -- captions and we have accomplished that according to the president's own military advisers. But the chief general on the ground in Afghanistan general Stanley crystal says that he needs more troops in order to finish the mission. What do you know that he doesn't hide it from a military perspective nothing this is not a military issue this is a policy issue. I do not think American troops should be used to bring democracy to the world if you had to pick. What you would consider to be a defining moment of your political career what -- day. My political Korea the whole career. I don't. I don't know that I've had in defining moments of always vote my conscience have always acted on things that struck me is the right thing at the time. And what do you want voters to know about you that they might not know yet all I want people to do is to judge me on the whole picture. And another suggest that anyone's gonna agree with me on every issue this Afghan situation and I said what -- said what I will do I have an obligation to be clear about. And I studied it and right now not very clear yet on how -- vote and help him. Because I know what I want but we now the deal was studying the bill we checking our views against other smart people -- also reading the -- If you told speaker Pelosi -- not necessarily gonna vote for the health care bill that she came out and touted in that big news conference last week does mean that -- studies. I know what I wanted up until last Thursday we didn't have a specific -- now we do. And so the question is no longer philosophical and is now specific will you vote for this bill and which I think that right now."

" Congressman Michael have you wanna thanks lines. Congressman Michael can't you -- is running for Ted Kennedy's US senate seat."

" And now out of the city of Cambridge which is lost an iconic and beloved figure. One of the original performance artists the flamboyant storyteller brother blue has died. The Ivy League educated performer entertained audiences in venues around the world and on public access cable television in Cambridge. But his WBUR. As Andrea -- reports brother blu is best known for telling stories to anyone who wanted to listen. On street corners in Cambridge."

" Community oh are an Angel and I walked straight to our star isn't a day how some of cottages. If you spent time in Harvard Square in the past three decades or so you've probably seen brother -- with the crowd gathered around telling stories. He stood out of the urban environment in his signature bright blue ensembles. Brother -- also told stories in classrooms and jail house's anywhere he could find an audience. He and his wife Ruth. Also produced hours of programming on Cambridge community television where this recording is main. Susan Fleischman is the public access stations executive director and says the show street corner classics which brother -- was adored."

" Everybody programs -- that many of the children. I doubt there 20s30s and forties remember him from what they were younger -- such iconic character."

" Placement first met brother -- in 1974. When he was performing on Boston Common. She says from and get ago he had the power to touch people in a direct even wrong way."

" I think they're OK can -- just. Right up there and just try to pick which is still I would consecrated people."

" I'm gonna start -- about usually -- How are you familiar name."

" You're names -- the lady."

" You can judge nobody about a way to it'll."

" The greatest joy was actually watching him. Performing live on the streets."

" Long time Cambridge resident and freelance journalist Phillip Martin says. Brother -- was not your average street performer."

" You would just put absolutely if you have that -- You know 120 years. And he was sincere and it was not a product. He had this spirit that lifted -- and it was part of this story telling."

" Martins says brother -- stories were steeped in humanity they were about hope and reconciliation."

" It was after the two racial approach -- About people coming together and and he was a firm believer in that."

" Martin says on the surface you might never suspect that brother blu AKA Hugh hill with a Ph.D. He graduated from Harvard no small feat for a black man in the fifties and served in World War II. Further blues experiences colored his craft says Martin the story teller always spoke truthfully about what's going on in the world today."

" And he could talk about an -- Berkeley he can talk about it directly. But the bottom line was he was engaged he was animated."

" Brother -- animated spirit was complemented by his wife's he and -- engaged each other in 2006. In WBUR series' story core."

" Every story -- dollars from my heart. I wanna heal a heart of this brutal world. He didn't do ever wished that you had a different kind of life that you weren't just no I'm. I don't know. Those -- called normal -- you can't resist the call you have to do it."

" dies you brother -- died at home in Cambridge on Tuesday the age of 88 and is survived by his wife Ruth. For WBUR -- yesterday."

" Now we go to these jails. Always bring you want to goals and see how one black man preaches lately -- bring you -- and they respect him. If you're a natural. Like the wind is that terrain. -- You straightforward."

" And now. Thank you will want the world to know. Cause if you want to. Do. Yeah."

" You can hear the entire story core exchange between brother blue and his wife on our website wbur.org."

" This podcast is a free service of WBUR Boston to make a contribution to support the news go to our website wbur.org."