But there is more here to confront than the negligence of a handful
of contractors. The state must also confront the ``Big Dig culture" on Beacon Hill -- which is one of neglect and inaction, where politics is more important than governing -- because that culture created the conditions for last week's calamity.

As far back as 1998, the state inspector general issued warnings about safety issues with the tunnels. Recent flooding and falling debris provided more reasons for concern about the project's structural integrity. Questions about cost overruns have been with us even longer. Yet few elected leaders showed the least curiosity about potential design flaws or where the money went.

The failure of the Big Dig, in other words, is a failure of politics-as-usual. It is the failure of leaders to do the jobs they were elected to do. The Big Dig culture of Beacon Hill allowed corners to be cut and oversight to be lax. The culture is a failure to take the role of Government seriously.

After years of known cost overruns, leaks, defective concrete, and lax management, the buzz of activity over the past week by elected officials
is late -- too late for the Del Valle family, but hopefully not too late for the rest of us.

I think Deval is right to at least get himself out here on the Big Dig
issue. He has been almost non-existent in news coverage since the
incident. This is good and concrete and if he can demonstrate that he will
be part of a different culture on Beacon Hill that can people can believe him than this effort will be effective.