DEAR READER,

Did you bother listening to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s State of the City address last week? How about Governor Charlie Baker’s State of the Commonwealth? I didn’t think so.

Lucky for you, we hung around the perimeter of both, rapping with the people moving in and out of these annual festivities, as well as those who were demonstrating. It seems that despite what our elected leaders say from their respective podiums, the actual positions of our state and city all depends on who you ask. And what you ask them.

For those reasons and because it’s our job and mission to eviscerate the status quo, this week both our news hole and Free Radical column by Emily Hopkins look between the lines of Walsh’s claims.

And since we’re on the topic of social justice in the face of corporate bullshit and gentrification, I hope that you enjoy our feature interview with Justin Peters, whose new book on Aaron Swartz, who took his own life three years ago this month, is mandatory reading. To Swartz and everyone else who rejects the lies and half-truths we are regularly served by politicians: We salute you.

-Chris Faraone, News + Features Editor

OH, CRUEL WORLD

Dear Type A Male Driver of Mid-Size SUV,

You’re not rolling in one of those quarter-million dollar street tanks that police use to drive over black people in Baltimore. You’re driving a puny SUV that’s smaller than a Ford Explorer, probably with something corny like Dave Matthews on full blast, and you’re weaving in and out of traffic in the snow like a dogsled on acid. I guess no one’s told you this before, but your average front-wheel drive sedan handles better in the snow than even superior SUVs. With your overpriced tin can familymobile, you’re bound to end up in the guardrail. Which I guess wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.