Mac Daniel called me today, and will have a little blurb in the Globe about the rally tomorrow. We will definitely have some media coverage, so be sure to feather your hair and wear your best tubetops, visors, and red-white-and-blue sweatbands!

As I may have mentioned, one of the first people I contacted about the rally was Mike Dukakis. He finally got back to me this morning, sending regrets that he would not be able to attend, and suggesting I contact Deval Patrick, who will be at the hearing.

But I was way ahead of him. About a week-and-a-half-or-so ago I sent all the gubernatorial candidates an email asking for comment on the proposed fare hikes. None felt the urge to respond except Deval Patrick, and he is by far the cutest of them all, so we know who’s getting whose vote come election day, don’t we? Anyway, a spokeswoman from his campaign informed me that he was already planning to be at the hearing to make comments. She sent his regrets that he would not be able to attend the rally beforehand because of a prior television engagement. Fair enough. The point is that his campaign obviously views the fare hikes as a serious enough issue, that they’ve got him putting in an appearance at the hearing. Bravo, I say.

I will be in Copley Square, Dartmouth side (MAP) from 3PM. The rally will start promptly at 4PM and will be over by 4:30. Please plan to attend the hearing, not to rabble rouse, but to give your testimony on the fare hikes. A big showing outside will be good, a big showing inside at the hearings will be even better.

Take a moment before the hearing to prepare a short statement. Try to keep it sharp and focused and don’t ramble or monopolize the mic. Trust me, there will be enough crazy people on hand who go to all these freaking meetings who will. Just don’t be one of them.

But don’t let that keep you from actually stepping up to the mic and taking your turn. It’s important that the T hear from as many people willing to go on the record against the current fare hikes as possible.

I want to take a minute to thank Sarah Shugars for dragging me into this with her idea of a public action of some sort. And Lee Matsueda of the T Riders Union (TRU), whose materials and encouragement have been invaluable. I hope that Lee will speak at the rally tomorrow as well. And to those of you who read this blog and intend to show up, and to those who don’t and do, too, my thanks in advance to you all as well. Please be nice to me. I am not as mean in person.

And big fat raspberries to everyone else.