In response to this ruling, the ACLU of Rhode Island issued the following statement regarding The Providence Journal Company et al. v. The RI Dept. of Public Safety:
]]>The ACLU is very disappointed by the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Caleb Chafee case. We believe it fails to give sufficient weight to the important public interest in monitoring police investigations of high-profile cases.“In denying the Providence Journal access to any of the requested documents, the Court inexplicably points to the large number of records that were withheld as proof that ‘a thorough investigation was performed.’ But without being able to examine the documents, it is impossible to determine a key fact behind the records request — whether the public outcome of the investigation properly reflects what the undisclosed investigation actually uncovered.“For decades, the ACLU has strongly supported both the individual’s right to privacy and the public’s right to know. In this instance, we believe the Court tipped the scales the wrong way. Instead, the decision highlights the need for a stronger open records law in order to allow the public more critical oversight of the state’s law enforcement agencies.”
Besides, the rumor around town is that he has already told the local GOP committee he won’t run, and if he does he won’t even campaign … I hear local conservatives are practically begging him to throw his hat in the ring because they know what a strong candidate Democrat Mark Schwager is. The doctor and former town councilor is a fiscal moderate and a social liberal.
Big time congrats goes to my good buddy Matt Allen, of WPRO, who broke the story of Caleb Chafee having a party at the family farm in Exeter. Matt is one of the hardest workers and deepest thinkers in the local marketplace of ideas – and while I don’t agree with him philosophically, he’s got a moral compass that would make George Washington jealous. That said, we are talking about an 18-year-old having a party. This isn’t a scandal, it’s called growing up.
Best line of the week: “There’s no crying in taxpayer-backed video game development!”
The Projo the other day misreported the percentage of teens who get pregnant in Central Falls. The actual number is 8.5 percent but the Journal reported that it was 85 percent. 85 percent? How could anyone think – for even a brief moment – that almost 9 out of 10 teens in Central Falls get pregnant? Would this mistake have been made if we were talking about Barrington?
Did you know you can see giant wild sea turtles in Barrington this time of year? Me neither.
Here’s what Rhode Island’s constant complaining about taxes has gotten the Ocean State: the worst bridges in the country and the second worst roads next to, yep, Alaska … I’ve never been the Last Frontier, but I’m pretty sure I want our public infrastructure to be way better than it is there.
More on RI public sector pensions, this time The Economist weighs in.
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