Barack Is the Anti-Change Candidate...Hillary is the FutureBarack Obama claims to be the candidate of change. Yes, as the first African American male to have a real shot at the presidency he is correct. Saying he is the harbinger of change because of policies he has advocated is not necessarily true. All three Democratic candidates are the harbingers of change in terms of policy. There is virtually no difference between Clinton, Obama, and Edwards. No matter which candidate wins the election, we will see dramatic changes in War policy, healthcare, etc….all those things which are important to Democrats.
The real change that can take place here is the election of a woman, Hillary Clinton. The male establishment have come together to oppose that…One only has to watch critically the various cable and network television programs each and everyday leading up to the most recent primary to see how Obama is privileged and Hillary because she is a woman, indeed a strong and forceful, highly intelligent woman, is attacked in ways that Obama and Edwards are not.
For example, Obama’s spouse and indeed Edwards’ spouse are highly outspoken about and critical of other candidates. Elizabeth Edwards has been made iconic because of her forceful support of her husband. All those talk shows, Tucker, Matthews, Blizter, that I’ve mentioned all praised Elizabeth Edwards. The same is true when Obama puts his wife in as a surrogate when he cannot be present. Let it be Bill in as a surrogate for his spouse, Hillary Clinton, and whamo, Hillary is attacked, denigrated, called anti-feminist, nasty, etc…by all the commentators, and mostly all men.
All those men in the Senate, where Hillary is uniformly praised as one of best, are now moving and mostly all to support Obama, the other electable male in the race. Even Ted Kennedy is said to be on the verge of endorsing Obama. Caroline Kennedy writes in today’s Times that Obama is “a president like my father” because Obama DOES excite people. He does give a great speech. He does give hope and mouths the need for change.
But Kennedy did give excitement and hope to many of us, but when it comes to experience and substance, Kennedy’s presidency does not come across well. It was Lyndon Johnson who brought us real change, and Lyndon was the Hillary of the 1960 campaign that saw style over substance win the democratic nomination.
Hillary Clinton is clearly the most qualified of the candidates. Yet, and I believe it because she is a woman, that the male establishment is coming together to block her earned nomination even if it means electing an African American candidate for the first time. The world won’t fall apart if Obama is elected, and under different circumstances I would vote for him in a snap, but not now. But, those men who are supporting Obama now, especially South Carolina, are men who block African Americans for centuries.
The woman happens to be the most qualified of the candidates, and the men don’t like that. Conservative men in South Carolina who for centuries debased and kept in slavery black men all voted for Obama rather than have a woman. South Carolina has a sizeable black population, and they rightly voted for Obama along with conservative white Christians who don’t like Hillary or the social agenda she represents.
No, Obama is not the candidate for change any more than John Kennedy was the candidate for change. He in fact is the anti-change candidate by blocking a breaking of the highest and strongest of the glass ceilings in America and especially in American political life: the block against women of all colors as equal when it comes to running for highest political office.
Hillary Clinton has earned the Democratic nomination for president. As attractive as Obama is as a candidate, and he is, there is no man on the current American political landscape who deserves the nomination of the Democratic party over Hillary Clinton.
As Bill Clinton said, he wants to vote for Obama for President some day, but right now, Hillary—a woman—is the more qualified candidate. She is the candidate who has earned this nomination even over Obama. We need to elect her.
ri politics democrats republicans civil liberties hillary obama john edwards gay rights 2008 elections bill+clinton Joe Scarborough and the Racist PreacherJoe Scarborough has been painting Mike Huckabee as worthy of the Presidency. Mika makes it clear she has his reservations. Here's the guy Scarborough promotes:
Does Huckabee pray to Jesus with that mouth? So much for our Christ-invoking preacher. Now he's suggesting that civil rights advocates shove flag poles up their ass. Not a very nice, or mature, thing for any adult candidate to be saying, let alone the guy who says that God wants him to be president and that he's going to amend the Constitution to bring it in line with the Bible. I don't think the Bible says anything about shoving flag poles up your ass.Oh yeah, Huckabee's also hanging out with the same white supremacist that Trent Lott and far too many southern Republican racists hang out with.
[T]he former Arkansas governor told a Myrtle Beach crowd on January 17, referring to the Confederate flag. "If somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell them what to do with the pole. That's what we'd do."Making coded appeals to white racism is nothing new for Huckabee. Indeed, well before he was a nationally known political star, Huckabee nurtured a relationship with America's largest white supremacist group, the Council of Conservative Citizens.
The extent of Huckabee's interaction with the racist group is unclear, but this much is known: he accepted an invitation to speak at the group's annual conference in 1993 and ultimately delivered a videotaped address that was "extremely well received by the audience."Descended from the White Citizens Councils that battled integration in the Jim Crow South, including at Arkansas' Little Rock High School, the Council (or CofCC) has been designated a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center.In its "Statement of Principles," the CofCC declares, "We also oppose all efforts to mix the races of mankind, to promote non-white races over the European-American people through so-called "affirmative action" and similar measures, to destroy or denigrate the European-American heritage, including the heritage of the Southern people, and to force the integration of the races." (Thanks to AmericaBlog)
dan abrams willie geist tucker carlson mike huckabee msnbc jeff zucker nbc universal mika brzezinski david shuster joe scarborough elections+2008 PETER FENN, GOOD MAN, Chris Matthews, and Pat BuchananDemocratic strategist, Peter Fenn, appears regularly on the Tucker Carlson program, and becuase I don't watch Tucker very often now that Willie Geist is on Morning Joe, thank heavens he is also regularly on other MSNBC programs. He's bright, articulate, and easily out shines when Tucker and others like Scarborough, when they start throwing their bull spins around. Peter Fenn is solid. MSNBC is moving in the right direction giving him more airtime. I also like Pat Buchanan. We have MANY differences, but at times, Pat shines, too. I also like his defense of his Catholicism.
I also like Chris Matthews , the good Irish Catholic, and his defense of his Catholic cultural background. Matthews (like Russert, Jesuit trained) and I probably have been raised in the same way (me an Irish Catholic mother/Italian father). Mass regularly, Catholic schools, etc. and in the same time frame. It was a good upbringing Tim Russert can attest, too, lol. Matthews and I also have a De Lasalle Christian Brothers connection I think, but the Franciscans were my major influence.
I particularly like Matthews confronting those, especially So. Baptists, who see Catholicism as a cult. Go Chris.
pat buchanan catholicism willie geist tucker carlson peter fenn msnbc jeff zucker nbc universal mika brzezinski david shuster joe scarborough chris matthews christians dan abrams tim russert WILLIE GEIST HAS BLOOMED!Missing Willie Geist here. I like the Morning Joe program. I've actually changed my habits. I now get up a little earlier at 5:30 a.m. just to make sure I am ready to watch the morning news. I used to be a Today Show regular. Now it's Morning Joe. I also like Mika Brzezinski. It's a good team her and Scarborough...always going after each other in one way or another. Little too high school at times, and that's Joe's fault.
Scarborough of course as we all know is a little on the light weight side, but he is a good balance to Mika and the more intelligent guests the program books.
And then there is the unsung David Shuster. He is pretty much a regular and he towers over Scarborough intellectually. Not hard to do. His analysis of political events is thorough and generally right on target.
But then there is Willie Geist. Nice as a balance to Mika and Joe. Quiet, reserved, rather like the referee. He obviously is better educated than Joe and probably Mika. He is measured in his responses and makes sure he knows what he is talking about....unlike Joe, lol. His grasp of popular culture and sports is encyclopedic. He's a man with soul and heart...it comes across easily on the tube....
And, of course, Willie is really easy on the eyes. So like Brady...Tom...that is . not in looks but in temperment. Good Catholic boys, raised by good parents, educated and trying to do their best at their chosen professions.
Scarborough comes across as backwoods Southern the minute you meet him and his politics reflect that regional view: fundamentalist, baptist, conservative, with a very narrow world view. He's probably gotten by on his attention-demanding, insecurities-infested personality for years...I bet he's fun at parties...he's just not good at analysis...
But, heck, I'm there for Willie...in fact, as i've written, i've changed my entire morning routine to make sure I get to see him. Can't wait for him to return....
dan abrams willie geist tucker carlson popular culture msnbc jeff zucker nbc universal mika brzezinski david shuster joe scarborough popular culture DES MOINES REGISTER ENDORSES CLINTON!The Des Moines Iowa Register, while praising the other Democratic candidates in the state such as OBAMA AND EDWARDS, has made it clear that the woman we should elect as President of the U.S. is Hillary Clinton when they wrote "that Democratic challenger Barack Obama "inspired our imaginations. But it was Clinton who inspired our confidence." Hillary is the candidate with the experience to carry out the job on day one....Hillary is the candidate that will do most for Rhode Island. I like Obama, I like Edwards, but at this time in our history a woman as president and a woman with all kinds of experience such as Hillary should be elected.
ri politics democrats republicans civil liberties bush hillary obama john edwards gay rights catholics christiansCatholics vs. GOPCatholics vs. GOP
Catholics United, which routinely criticizes Republicans, is running radio ads against 10 anti-abortion House members -- including five Catholics -- for voting against the expanded State Children's Health Insurance Program. ''That's not pro-life,'' the ad says. ''That's not pro-family. Tell Congressman (blank) to vote for health care for children.''
The five Catholics are Joseph Knollenberg and Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan; Steve Chabot of Ohio; Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida, and Gene Taylor of Mississippi (the only Democrat among the 10). Others targeted by Catholics United are Tim Walberg of Michigan (non-denominational Protestant); Michele Bachmann of Minnesota (Lutheran); Sam Graves of Missouri (Baptist); John Peterson of Pennsylvania (Methodist), and Thelma Drake of Virginia (United Church of Christ).
rep. steve costantino
whitehouse hillary edwards obama langevin patrick kennedy democrats republicans health care don carcieri rhode island politics reed catholics children HEALTH CARE AND THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATESEveryone has probably read this NYTimes Editorial. Everyone knows that the insurance "industry" is doing in American health care and that it is time for the U.S. government to takeover health care and make it a right for all Americans just like socialized education k-12, fire depts., police depts., etc.
"The findings underscore the need to ensure that all Americans have quick access to a primary care doctor and the need for universal health coverage — so that all patients can afford the care they need. That’s what all of the presidential candidates should be talking about. "
Yeah, that's what all candidates should be talking about.....how the government can give us health care just like all those other countries in the world who give their citizens health care as a condition of their citizenship! Where is the crowd on this one?
STOP THE INSURANCE HEALTH CARE SCAMS!!! NOW!!!!
michael vocino rhode island politics democrats republicans free healthcare universal healthcare national health plan hillary bill 2008 elections obama john edwards Obama Loses Votes BIG TIMEThat's it for me. No vote for Obama. He's still having this anti gay man leading his gospel campaign in South Carolina. He stands up for gays or we don't stand up for him.
Democratic Sen. Barack Obama kicked off a series of local outreach gospel concerts Friday in Charleston, South Carolina, that unexpectedly came back to bite his campaign. CNN
obama clinton south Carolina primary republicans democrats homophobia ri politics gay rights ANTI WAR RALLIES ACROSS U.S.SAN FRANCISCO — Thousands of people called for a swift end to the war in Iraq as they marched through downtown on Saturday, chanting and carrying signs that read: "Wall Street Gets Rich, Iraqis and GIs Die" or "Drop Tuition Not Bombs." The streets were filled with thousands as labor union members, anti-war activists, clergy and others rallied near City Hall before marching to Dolores Park. As part of the demonstration, protesters fell on Market Street as part of a "die in" to commemorate the thousands of American soldiers and Iraqi citizens who have died since the conflict began in March 2003. The protest was the largest in a series of war protests taking place in New York, Los Angeles and other U.S. cities, organizers said. No official head count was available. Organizers of the event estimated about 30,000 people participated in San Francisco. It appeared that more than 10,000 people attended the march. More>>>>
For the Boston March news is given by the Boston Globe.
iraq ri politics democrats republicans ping civil liberties bush hillary obama john edwardsanti+war+rally boston san+franciscoSLAMMING "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" Great stuff from the Washington Post :
Don't Ask
The military cruises a gay Internet site for employees, albeit briefly.
Friday, October 26, 2007; Page A20
THE U.S. MILITARY has positions to fill. Thousands of them. And, like any enterprise seeking employees, it casts a wide net to find qualified people -- as long as they're not gay. So it was the height of irony that military want ads were placed on a gay professional networking Web site last week. In fact, the placement would have made perfect sense were it not for the wrongheaded "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bans gay people from serving openly in the military.
Since 1993, more than 11,000 people have been discharged from the services because of their homosexuality. Of those, 800 were in positions deemed "mission-critical" by the Pentagon. Those would be combat engineers, medical professionals and linguists (58 of whom spoke Arabic) -- the very people the Army, Navy and Air Force were looking for when their job postings showed up on GLEE.com, which stands for Gay, Lesbian & Everyone Else.
According to USA Today, which informed the Defense Department of its unusual advertising venue, the Navy is looking for Arabic translators and intelligence analysts, the Air Force is looking for social workers and nurses, and the Army and Army National Guard have infantry and artillery positions available. Mind you, the military didn't go to GLEE.com directly. The ad placements involved a mix-up with the military's private ad agency. And the listings were removed once the Pentagon was informed.
The whole sorry episode highlights the absurdity of the ban on openly gay people in the military. Israel, Australia, Britain and 21 other countries have no problem with gays and lesbians serving openly in their armed forces. With its military stretched to the breaking point, the United States should follow their wise lead. That it doesn't is as shortsighted as it is unjust.
michael vocino rhode island politics democrats republicans gay marriage catholics gay rights homophobia christians hillary bill don’t ask obama john edwardsWILLIE GEIST It has been sometime since I've posted about America's #1 TV personality, Willie Geist. I hope everyone has been watching him on Morning Joe starting at 6 a.m. EST. He's been a real addition to the program and with Mika makes it well worth watching. Willie sometimes plays straightman to Joe a little too often, but in the final analysis, his command as guru of pop culture has brought great insight into the society and culture we live in....thanks Willie...I think pop culture and the analysis of how it effects our country, indeed our world, is very important. Keep up the good work...BTW, your happy face is great to wake up to as night takes over morning......
joe scarborough geist msnbc nbc universal gay icon gay rights jeff zucker
OBAMA EMPOWERING THE ANTI GAY RIGHT!Obama brings an anti-gay advocate onto his official travelling tour in South Carolina to win votes. The bigot? Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin.
"I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin’s views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division," the statement added.
That's nice, Senator. You strongly disagree with the bigot who thinks I need to be cured, and who has declared "war" on me and my people, but you're going to put the guy on stage with you anyway in order to make a few bucks. Nice.
I wonder what Obama would say if Hillary invited David Duke to speak at an event but then said, not to worry, she really loves black people - kisses!
If you're afraid to lead, Senator, then maybe you're not the leader we thought you were. America Blog for more....
gay rights south Carolina primary republicans democrats ri politics hillary edwards obama Donnie mcclurkin homophobia OBAMA DUMPING GAY AMERICANS.Sadly, Obama has joined the anti-gay crowd in an attempt to win the South Carolina primary election. He's sold his soul.
From the NYT:
As religious conservatives gather in Washington this weekend for the "Values Voters Summit," Senator Barack Obama's campaign announced its latest effort to attract people of faith to the campaign: a gospel concert tour.
All three of the dates of the "Embrace the Change" tour are in South Carolina, where Mr. Obama is locked in battle with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for black voters.
Gospel acts including Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and Hezekiah Walker, Byron Cage and the Mighty Clouds of Joy are scheduled to appear.
"This is another example of how Barack Obama is defying conventional wisdom about how politics is done and giving new meaning to meeting people at the grassroots level," Joshua DuBois, the campaign's religious affairs director, said in a release.
Yes, sucking up to anti-gay bigots and joining them on stage - no, giving them a stage - is certainly defying conventional wisdom as to how a Democrat becomes president. Oh, and McClurkin also believes that gays can, and need to, be "cured."
Washington Post:
Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who has detailed his struggle with gay tendencies and vowed to battle "the curse of homosexuality," said yesterday he'll perform as scheduled at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, despite controversy over his view that sexuality can be changed by religious intervention.
"I can't let off. I didn't call myself -- God called me to do what I do," McClurkin told The Post's Hamil R. Harris. The Grammy winner declared, "If this is a war, we are willing to fight. Not a war of violence, but a war of purpose." from AmericaBlog.
michael vocino rhode island politics democrats republicans gay marriage catholics gay rights homophobia christians hillary bill 2008 elections obama john edwards Good God. Mukasey "OKs" torture too!Good God. The AG candidate, Michael Mukasey, says torture is ok. What ever happened to the belief that Americans don't do that kind of stuff....The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee clashed on Thursday with attorney general nominee Mukasey over what constitutes torture and whether the White House could be found in contempt of Congress.
Another Bush guy in favor of violating everything Americans hold dear about their country.
republicans democrats bush ri politics hillary edwards obama torture mukasey Gays in the Vatican WE are active in the Church. There is HOPE!
Monsignor Suspended; Reported to Say His Gay Sex Isn’t Sin
The Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, told reporters that, while the case was under investigation, the monsignor was suspended from his job as a top official in the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy, which aims to ensure proper conduct by priests. “The case is being handled with utmost reserve,” Father Lombardi said. A private Italian television network broadcast a program this month in which some priests were interviewed about their homosexuality. Vatican teaching holds that homosexuality is a sin. The men, including the monsignor who was suspended, were interviewed with their faces obscured and their voices altered so that they would not be recognized. But Vatican officials recognized the Vatican office in which the monsignor was interviewed, the newspaper La Repubblica reported on Saturday. During the interview the monsignor said he “didn’t feel he was sinning” by having sex with gay men, La Repubblica reported. The Vatican did not name the monsignor. NYTimes
michael vocino rhode island politics democrats republicans gay marriage catholics gay rights homophobia christians hillary bill 2008 elections obama john edwards Youth Turned Off By Christianity Young people have graded Christianity, and so far, the report card doesn't look good.
Majorities of young people in America describe modern-day Christianity as judgmental, hypocritical and anti-gay. What's more, many Christians don't even want to call themselves "Christian" because of the baggage that accompanies the label.
A new book based on research by the California-based research firm the Barna Group found that church attitudes about people in general and gays in particular are driving a negative image of the Christian faith among people ages 16-29.
MORE>>>>
catholics rhode island politics democrats republicans christians Christian youth jesus tobin
41 million in U.S. can't afford basicsThis is what 8 years of Republican "leadership" has brought the American people:
About one in five working American families can't afford basic needs, and many scrape to get by on insufficient income and government aid, policy researchers conclude in a report (.pdf file) released today.
Many of these workers earn too much to qualify for "work supports" such as Medicaid and food stamps, while their employer-provided health insurance doesn't cover enough of their basic medical costs, according to the report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research and the Center for Social Policy at the University of Massachusetts.
If this is America, THIS is disgusting.
poverty clinton don carcieri republicans democrats health care ri politics christians gay rights catholics education RI Court to Hear Gay Divorce Case Today The state Supreme Court will hear arguments this morning in Rhode Island’s first same-sex divorce case.
Lawyers for Margaret R. Chambers and Cassandra B. Ormiston are scheduled to appear before the high court at 9:30 a.m. The Supreme Court has denied motions from the attorney general and others to participate in today’s arguments, courts spokesman Craig N. Berke said Friday. The court will hear only from Chambers’ lawyer, Louis M. Pulner, and Ormiston’s lawyer, Nancy Palmisciano, who agree on the basic issue before the court. Berke has said it’s unusual — but not unheard of — for the court to allow friends of the court to participate in oral arguments. Providence Journal We are all hoping the court does the right thing and recognizes gay marriage, too. We know the legislature under William Murphy and Joe Montalbano will not do the right thing by our gay citizens, so we depend on the court on hope it continues to expand civil rights for gay people.
rep. steve costantino whitehouse hillary edwards obama langevin patrick kennedy democratsrepublicans gay divorce gay marriage rhode island politics reed murphy montalbanoBUSH: SHAMING US WITH CONTINUED TORTUREThe Washington Post has a good editorial this a.m. that the Bush administration continues to defy congress, the laws, international treaties, etc. with a secret legal system created by his buddies such as AG Gonzalez that permitted and still permits torture tactics by such organizations as the CIA.
Now, Bush says that the permissions are in place, but we never torture. He's lying again and the Washington Post gives us the insights that tell us that.
I don't think I can wait until Jan. 9, 2009, to get back my country. Bush has shamed us at home, and abroad and it needs to come to an end. Can't Congress do SOMETHNG?
torture ri politics democrats republicans ping civil liberties bush hillary obama john edwards gay rights catholics christians DOBSON AND OTHER QUACKS ON THE RIGHT
On Thursday's Op/Ed page of The New York Times Dr. James Dobson relayed the minutes of a meeting of “pro-Family leaders” that took place in Salt Lake City the previous Saturday. Those assembled, according to Dobson, unanimously agreed that “if neither of the two major political parties nominates an individual who pledges himself or herself to the sanctity of human life, we will join others in voting for a minor-party candidate.”
I can't believe that people actually listen to this dolt, James Dobson.
Others have given some insightful peeks into Dobson and his looney movement, Focus on the Family.
james dobson rhode island politics democrats republicans gay marriage catholics gay rightshomophobia christians hillary bill 2008 elections obama john edwards
Willie Geist: Setting My Clock I usually get up early in the morning. I like to be at work well before 7. I live just across the street from the campus, so it only takes me a few minutes to reach my desk. However with opportunity to see Willie Geist, everyday in the morning at 6 on Scarborough Country, I actually had to go out and buy an alarm clock so that I don't oversleep Willie.
He's really great at giving the news, commenting, even sometimes in opposition to Scarborough, is great. I love this guy.
I thought is was particularly 'cute' this a.m. when Willie and Mika firmly clutched hands in support of the NYYankees after the Red Sox supporter, Andy Card, noted how great the Sox are doing this year. Willie did not look happy. LOL....
MSNBC is catching on to the fact that Willie is a huge asset, and they are giving him the airtime he should have.
Congrats Will!
willie geist dan abrams joe scarborough popular culture msnbc jeff zucker nbc universal
Bu$h Screws Children out of IdeologyPresident Bu$h because of ideology that is disfuntional has vetoed the expansion of State Childrens Health Insurance Program.
These people are soooooooooooooooo pro-life.....yah, right.
s-chip clinton bush republicans democrats children’s health care ri politics christians gay rights catholics Bu$h Ignores Children's Health Plight"PRESIDENT BUSH appears determined to veto the $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program that the House and Senate approved last week. Although there's scant hope of changing the president's mind, here's a fact-check of some of the administration's arguments against the measure." Washington Post
It is clear that Bu$h is more concerned with protecting the profits of his corporate buddies in the insurance industry than he is about protecting American children. He once wanted to bring them all under this umbrella for health care ... but millions will go without coverage...the Washington Post did a fact check on the President's reasons for his veto, and of course none of his positions are facts.
clinton children’s health care republicans democrats health care ri politics christians gay rights catholics bush REPUBLICANS DUMP AFRICAN AMERICANS, AS USUALThe lesser-known Republican presidential candidates condemned their top rivals on Thursday for skipping a debate on minority issues and said their absence hurt the party's image and amplified racial divisions.
Mike Huckabee (R-ARK) stated:
"Frankly, I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed for our party and I'm embarrassed for those who did not come, because there's long been a divide in this country and it doesn't get better when we don't show up," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said in the nationally televised debate.
Is anyone really surprised? Republicans have long pushed the agenda of the middle and upper class white man to the detriment of others especially African Americans.
michael vocino ri politics democrats republicans ping electoral college california hillary obama john edwards gay rights catholics christians Paul Crowley, Champion of Education and Health CareIt isn't often that the Boston Globe would give notice to the death of a RI state legislator. They did today for Paul Crowley who championed education and health care for RI's youngest:
Paul Crowley; championed education in R.I.
PROVIDENCE - Representative Paul Crowley, the longest-serving Democrat in the Rhode Island House, died of skin cancer yesterday at his home in Newport, a legislative spokesman said.
Representative Crowley, 57, who owned La Forge Casino Restaurant, was first elected to office in 1981 and served as deputy chairman of the House Finance Committee. Much of his legislative career was spent trying to improve Rhode Island's school districts.
He backed a law that created annual school evaluations, and he supported consolidating Rhode Island's school districts to save money. He also backed charter schools, pushed for increased vocational education, and wanted more predictable state funding for education.
Governor Don Carcieri ordered state flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Mr. Crowley.
"Paul Crowley was a legislator who served the public well, with a legendary work ethic and a decades-long commitment to improving education," Carcieri said in a written statement. Representative Crowley mentored Patrick Kennedy when Kennedy won a seat in the Rhode Island House in 1988. Kennedy is now a congressman.
"He really had this old Irish-Catholic sense of social justice to him," Kennedy said. "That made him a voice for the state's poorest children and their education. He would plow ahead through any bureaucracy and through any legislative process to fight for those kids."
Representative Crowley leaves his wife, Diana, a daughter, and two sons. Unlike the current RI Gov. Carcieri, this politician worked for us and especially for our children.
michael vocino clinton paul crowley republicans democrats health care ri politics christians gay rights catholics education
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