Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - September 25, 2015
Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - September 25, 2015
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - Sept. 25, 2015
HOT
Viola Davis
The Central Falls native got a much deserved Emmy Award earlier this week for as best actress in a drama for her role in How To Get Away With Murder. Davis latest victory is another chapter in the inspiring rags to riches story of Davis, who grew up in extreme poverty. Davis has truly become a symbol of hope for those who started their lives under unfortunate circumstances.
HOT
Providence Stadium Opponents
The poorly funded, grassroots opponents (many of which with wildly different political ideologies who joined together for a common cause) of building a new stadium on the relocated route 195 land in Providence scored a major victory when the team announced it had abandoned plans to build a taxpayer funded stadium there. This doesn't mean that Rhode Island taxpayers won't ultimately be forking over tens of millions of dollars to build a new stadium for the wealthy Pawtucket Red Sox owners, but it does mean the taxpayers have at least won round 1 of the fight.
HOT
Richard Jenkins
It was really an awesome night for Rhode Island at the Emmy's on Sunday. In addition to Davis, Rhode Island's own Richard Jenkins scored his first Emmy victory for his performance as Outstanding Actor in a limited series for his work on Olive Kitteridge. Jenkins, who has had fantastic performances in so many movies over the years, including The Visitor, Let Me In, and Burn After Reading, (to name a few), had to beat out former Oscar winner Adrien Brody to win the award.
HOT
Mike Stenhouse
The CEO of the Rhode Island based free market think tank, the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity, makes a good point in a GoLocalProv this week article about the non-profit institutions in Rhode Island. Stenhouse pointed out that the organizations are wealthy, influential, yet still don't pay their full fair share of taxes.
HOT
Pope Francis
You don't have to agree with all of the Pontiff's political views to respect this man's humility and awesome Christian perspective. Francis turned down an opportunity to have dinner with Washington DC's most influential lawmakers last night and instead dined with homeless folks, whom he called the city's most vulnerable. The Pope is teaching us all a lesson about the value of helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
HOT
Kris Dunn
Providence College's standout point guard was named Blue Ribbon's Preseason Player of the year. Blue Ribbon is an extensive publication that's about as deep into college basketball as humanly possible. So that's about as high praise as one can get. However, the ranking does give Dunn high expectations and pressure in the upcoming year that he hopefully will live up to. He's going to need to be awesome if the Friar's are going to return to the NCAA tourney.
NOT
38 Studios Documents
The release of the 38 Studios documents stemming from the depositions in the civil lawsuit should have sent smoke out of the collective ears of every honest citizen in Rhode Island. The documents showed us that former Governor Donald Carcieri, former Speaker Gordon Fox (who now resides in federal prison on an unrelated corruption charge) and former House Finance Chairman all lied about the origin of the disastrous 38 Studios deal. More and more, Rhode Island government seems like an instrument for the insiders to profit at the expense of the general population.
NOT
Lincoln Chafee
It continues to remain rough sledding for the Rhode Island presidential candidate. Poll after poll continues to find literally no support out there for the former Warwick Mayor, and Rhode Island US Senator and Governor. Further, given previous Chafee's insistence on extreme measures of separation of church and state (remember his refusal to have a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony when he was Governor) raises questions as to whether or not Chafee would be a gracious host to Pope Francis in the future, assuming he did somehow win the Presidential election.
NOT
Brown University
According to a survey of Brown University students, roughly 25 percent of women at the school who participated in the study experienced "unwanted sexual touching" since entering the school. The numbers were similar to what was found at the other 27 schools participating in the survey and suggests that something needs to be done nationwide to change the culture on college campuses.
NOT
Nicholas Mattiello
The House Speaker has argued that Governor Gina Raimondo should not grant drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants through an executive order. That may please some people who think the undocumented are the cause of all our problems (they're not), but what was most annoying were Mattiello's comments. Mattiello referred to the legislative process as "designed to be open and transparent." I don't know how he can make that argument considering the fact that legislative leaders have admitted that they negotiate important budget matters with one another behind closed doors. What he calls an open and transparent process often looks like nothing but window dressing.
NOT
Voter Initiative
The Providence City Solicitor has rejected a bid by Providence voters to create a petition opposing the construction of a baseball stadium somewhere in the city for the Pawtucket Red Sox. The opinion seemed based on solid legal footing, but it's a setback for direct democracy, once gain, in Rhode Island.
NOT
Draft Kings
Yes, the fantasy football website is making money hand over fist. But the Massachusetts Attorney General's office has launched an investigation into whether or not the website engages in illegal online gambling. It's hard to see how the website isn't based on gambling considering how the players wager money and hope their selections of players win them money in return. In any event, the investigation could have far reaching implications.
NOT
DCYF
GoLocalProv reported on Thursday that the Rhode Island State Department of Children, Youth, and Families is a complete mess. The department is plagued with financial irregularities, potential misuse of funds, and shoddy record keeping. There were 10 contracts that were awarded without having gone out to bid, and half of those were started after the contract was signed. Sounds the typical "know a guy" culture of RI. When will the people demand reform?
