End of Year Awards
As 2012 comes to a close, it’s natural for this to be a time of reflection. This was a busy year in the Biggest Little State in the Union, much was done and undone and that calls for awards being handed out to those who made a difference, whether they be heroes or villains. So, [...]
2013: The Year for Tax Equity in Rhode Island
Progressives have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming legislative session. While everyone expects a high profile debate on marriage equality, it seems that State House leaders will consider tax equity, too. The Providence Journal reports this morning that House and Senate leaders are open to the idea of rolling back the Carcieri-era [...]
‘Les Mis’: Jean Valjean Is a Friend of Mine
Most reviews of Les Miserables discuss the singing, editing, and acting, disregarding the original text of Victor Hugo. I write the simple reflections of a former prisoner who read this ex-con tale while sitting in a cell, with only a feint hope of ever being an ex-con at all. The movie, by the way, is a masterpiece. To me, [...]
2012 Politico of the Year: David Cicilline
When 2012 began, U.S. Representative David Cicilline looked finished. Polls had shown his favorability ratings in the pits, and it seemed like all that Republicans needed to do to take the seat was nominate a somewhat moderate candidate. The threat of a Providence bankruptcy weighed heavily, and Mr. Cicilline’s fate seemed tied to the fate [...]
RIP, Richard Walton
Legendary local progressive activist, author and one-time vice presidential candidate Richard Walton has passed away, confirms the Providence Journal. The word first spread via his Facebook page, where a friend wrote this morning, “Richard Walton, former reporter, teacher, activist for social justice and the man who got me online in 1989, has died. Peace at [...]
Sheldon Introduced Two of 2012 Most Important Bills
How important was the Ocean State’s own Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to the national progressive agenda in 2012? Two bills he sponsored in the year that was were flagged by ThinkProgress as being among the five most important pieces of legislation blocked by Republicans. Whitehouse’s DISCLOSE Act (which RI Future was the first news organization to [...]
DINO of the Year: Anthony Gemma, Jon Brien
Here in Rhode Island, where the people lean far to the left, we don’t have to worry too much about Republicans screwing up our state. Instead, we’ve got Democrats who screw up our state by acting like Republicans. RI Future has a long tradition of identifying these covert conservatives as DINOs – Democrats in Name [...]
Gary Sasse Op-Ed: Not Only Wrong, Not Constructive
Gary Sasse is generally an honest actor and sometimes a smart economist, but his piece in today’s Providence Journal displays neither of these attributes. Sasse argues that because the governor did not follow the bad advice of right-wing think tank he used to lead that, “Rhode Island leaders are denying economic reality.” Not only is [...]
2012: My Year in Pictures
Here are some of my favorite pictures from 2012, mostly in chronological order and all taken with my iPhone … Here’s hoping you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them…
Privatization of Higher Ed Violates State Constitution
As reported here and here, the University of Rhode Island has spent close to $500,000 on repairs of its president’s tuition-funded home, which is among the fringe benefits that come with the president’s job, such as a car, an expense account, and club dues. Excessive administrative spending is but one of many results of nationwide privatization of [...]
Anchor Sinking: The Dismal Science of the Right
For a site with such an optimistic name, it’s funny how you can always count on Anchor Rising to pounce on anything that can be spun to reflect poorly on the state of Rhode Island. No, the glass is not half full according to that other blog; it’s defective, leaking, and surely the fault of [...]
A Brief Word On Guns
We all need to realize that allowing people to purchase and own AR-15s is just as much social engineering as not allowing them. Either way creates a certain sort of society, which is pretty much the definition of social engineering. The problem is not pro-gun per se. The problem is that the current manifestation of [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: The Arrival
“We are looking for a couple with a newborn baby,” Ani said quietly. “We think the baby may have been born yesterday. Although, it might not be until tomorrow. We are a little uncertain. Have there been any births today?” Not only did she have three strangely dressed foreigners standing before her, their question was [...]
Watch – ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
This is my Christmas present to everyone who has ever been overcome by stress during the holiday season and also to all the progressives who works so hard at making Rhode Island a better place. George Bailey got the holiday blues too, and he even doubted his own tremendously beneficial influence on Bedford Falls. Happy [...]
Best Nontraditional Christmas Movies
Every year, we watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, or It’s A Wonderful Life, or Miracle on 34th Street, or any of the various other Christmas movies that have become staples of holiday watching. So, in the interest of varying your Christmas pleasure here are a few nontraditional Christmas films that I think are reasonably fun, [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: ‘We Are Close’
“The most important person to come out of Illinois, in my opinion, was Abraham Lincoln. While he was not born there, he was raised there and was a resident of Springfield, when he was elected president. I will recommend that you receive a visa. However, since this is a most unusual request, a letter will [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: Joined for a Purpose
“Without a doubt we are joined together for a purpose,” said Ani. “I will study all my charts again. Perhaps with the information you have shared with me, I will be able to better understand what they are foretelling and what is expected of us. I have the feeling we should not waste any time. [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: The Long Journey West
Following the path through the forest from the Shugseb Nunnery to the center of McLeod Gunj, Ani Rinpoche hardly noticed the incline or the smell of the pines or the beautiful rhododendron. Even the view of the Dhauladhar range and the Kangra Valley below failed to catch her attention. She was in a hurry. Ever [...]
A Christmas Poem
Christ wasn’t born on Christmas Day Forget what all the carols say Or why talk-radio makes a fuss This time of year belongs to us The twenty-fifth of December Is the day kids all remember When the real world ceased to be And gifts appeared beneath a tree A healthy dose of make-believe The sweet [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: Anna on the Nightshift
This had not been a particularly busy night at Memorial Medical Center, but it seemed as if Anna Schaeffer had been on the go all night. She had just finished mopping up a patient’s blood and vomit around an emergency room bed and changed the sheets. Now Anna was hoping she could take a short [...]
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