middle east – RI Future

November 19, 2015November 19, 2015

Dems draw more with love than GOP does with fear

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There were two events at the State House today about the Syrian refugee crisis. A group of Democratic lawmakers, faith leaders and former refugees rallied to support the United State’s role in helping refugees of war in the Middle East while a smaller group of Republican legislators and anti-immigration activists spoke against helping the refugees.

To give you an idea of what Rhode Island thinks of these dueling perspectives, note the size of the crowd in the two pictures I took today.

Here is the Democratic rally in favor of helping refugees:

And here’s the Republican event against helping refugees:

And here are a few more stories RI Future has reported on the Syrian refugee crisis:

July 31, 2015

RI congressional delegation shows no leadership on Middle East

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Do RI Future readers have any idea of what is happening the Middle East? Have you heard enough from congressmen Cicilline or Langevin or senators Reed or Whitehouse on the Middle East turmoil and US policy? Have you heard anything from them on the nuclear treaty with Iran, which the entire Congress will soon vote on. Such a big issue and nothing but silence from our delegation.

I haven’t heard anything, but I would like something.

Why are we supporting the incessant Saudi bombing of Yemen by supplying the Saudis with the weapons, bombs, and intelligence used to kill thousands of innocents and destroyed their entire infrastructure? Why are we now cozying up to al-Qaeda in Syria and supporting groups who were formerly labeled as “terrorist” groups. I am sure most readers do not have a clue as to what we are doing and why we are doing it.

Where are representatives Cicilline and Langevin and senators Reed and Whitehouse on these issues? Nothing but silence from them, and I find their silence deafening. Shouldn’t “leaders” be holding town meetings with voters to explain the happenings, and to answer the many questions voters may have?

I call upon our congressional delegation to be “leaders” and come to us in town meetings with an explanation. Don’t be afraid; we won’t bite. It is amazing; they spend millions to gain a position of leadership then are afraid to lead. Show us some leadership and courage, for a change.

September 13, 2012September 13, 2012

Progress Report: Cicilline vs. Doherty, or Policy vs. Smear; Two Democratic Parties; Tax Cuts Don’t Stimulate, Tobin

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downtown from providence river — Downtown Providence from the Providence River. (Photo by Bob Plain)

The new best political narrative in Rhode Island is also the biggest battle for progressives: Congressman David Cicilline’s reelection battle against Brendan Doherty. Cicilline is among the most liberal legislators from the Northeast and Doherty would be one of the most conservative. That’s the case Democrats will be making these next 54 days, while Republicans will run more of a smear campaign. While the local mainstream media will probably care more about the character issues, we’re betting voters will care more about policy.

We don’t often find opportunity to write this sentence but here goes: there’s truth to what Donna Perry writes in GoLocalProv this morning about their being two very different factions of the Democratic Party at the State House. The blue dog Dems support tax cuts to the rich and retirement benefit cuts for the working class, marriage inequality and voter ID laws, while the progressive wing doesn’t. Which one sounds more like the traditional Democratic Party to you?

Speaking of tax cuts for the wealthy, a new study shows they don’t stimulate growth. Then again, Rhode Island is another study that depicts this trend…

One of the reasons Rhode Island has Democrats that skew to the right is we allow people who are completely out-of-touch with mainstream values like Bishop Tobin to define them.

But the Green Party will be on the Rhode Island ballot this November. This will help David Cicilline and progressives.

Providence Schools Superintendent Susan Lusi is encouraging all the city’s public schools to become charters; so far nine have taken her up on the offer.

Anti-America protests in Egypt, Libya and now Yemen, too.

Today in 1971, the Attica prison riot comes to an end after inmates held guards hostage for four days in a failed attempt to negotiate for more humane living conditions.