Regular readers of this column may be aware that I represent pro bono (no legal fee) the elderly retirees who had worked at St. Joseph’s and/or Fatima Hospital before St. Joseph’s closed …
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By Arlene Violet
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7/30/21
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Congress has a bill on its plate that would remove the sole decision-making authority over whether serious crimes are prosecuted from the military chain of command and assign these cases to …
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By Arlene Violet
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7/9/21
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Sam Young was a black man who was at Bailey’s Beach every day. As the social register habitues arrived for their swim, this gentleman dressed in gold livery collected their jewelry and held the …
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By Arlene Violet
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7/2/21
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While the Rhode Island General Assembly fusses over whether to mandate civics education and ponders whether critical race theory will be the demise of democracy, I am forced to admit that I think all …
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By Arlene Violet
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6/25/21
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Whether it is on talk radio, in the RI legislature or about a school district in my hometown of Barrington, folks are getting pretty lathered up about the concept of “critical race theory …
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By Arlene Violet
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6/9/21
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Megan L. Ranney is an emergency physician and associate dean at Brown University. Her essay in TIME (April 12, p.26) should be required reading, particularly with the City of Providence earning the …
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By Arlene Violet
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6/4/21
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Make no mistake: I think there should be a Congressional study commission that analyzes all domestic terrorist groups perpetrating violence. The Capitol onslaught on January 6 is an obvious choice. …
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By Arlene Violet
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5/28/21
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While I oppose some Congressional Republicans’ posture on certain issues, they were prescient about one thing, i.e. the unintended consequences of extending and paying unemployment benefits …
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By Arlene Violet
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5/7/21
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The Rhode Island House of Representatives just passed “The Civics Literacy Act”, which would require a high school student to demonstrate proficiency in civics education before high …
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By Arlene Violet
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4/21/21
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I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the bill introduced by a Coventry Democrat and 8 sponsors which would make vaccination status a protected class under the state law that bars …
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By Arlene Violet
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4/16/21
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Several bills have been introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly to add a new top state personal income tax bracket, thereby threatening to impose a higher tax burden on business, and …
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4/14/21
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Why is it that some educational leaders seem hell-bent on casting such a noble profession in such a poor light? First, we had the spectacle of the union honchos in the National Education Association …
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By Arlene Violet
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4/8/21
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As I listened to the President’s address on March 11, I was at first struck by the very few “I”s in the speech. Unlike his predecessor whose speeches were never-ending …
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By Arlene Violet
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3/19/21
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Congressional Republicans are objecting to the $1.9 trillion legislation being pushed by the president and the Democrats to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic fallout. They …
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By Arlene Violet
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3/12/21
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Before any General Officer addressed the chaotic sign-up for the COVID-19 vaccine, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner was advocating for a centralized registration process and coordination. Two …
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By Arlene Violet
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2/24/21
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In the space of one week, changes in the RI political landscape have been breathtaking. Regrettably, far too often what made the public gasp was the sheer audacity of the actions taken by a …
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By Arlene Violet
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2/18/21
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Chances are that most top RI democrats were critical of ex-president Donald Trump‘s repudiation of science when it came to fighting COVID. Governor Gina Raimondo often referenced science as the …
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By Arlene Violet
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2/5/21
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Very little is certain about fundamental change with the advent of Joseph Biden’s presidency. Just about the only prediction is that he will face substantial obstacles. Sweeping reforms may be …
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By Arlene Violet
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1/29/21
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As former president Donald Trump exits the White House he leaves behind a legacy of polarization fanned by his inflammatory rhetoric. Economic inequality has never been greater as the tax laws and …
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By Arlene Violet
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1/20/21
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No matter whatever way you want to slice or dice it, the attack on the Capitol was an attempted coup encouraged by President Donald Trump and his minion, Rudy Giuliani. Look at the rhetoric by Mr. …
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By Arlene Violet
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1/14/21
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This is the time when new year resolutions abound. I certainly have a few of my own as well as some suggestions for political leaders. Here they are:For me: Perennially, I resolve to follow my …
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By Arlene Violet
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1/8/21
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By Arlene Violet
Does the good outweigh the bad in 2020?
Were someone to ask what events do I remember about 1980, 1990 or 2000 — even 2010 — I’d have to wrack my …
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By Arlene Violet
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12/18/20
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As the pandemic pummels the population, particularly in the United States, including Rhode Island, far too many folks have surrendered to pandemic fatigue. Governor Gina Raimondo has imposed a …
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By Arlene Violet
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12/11/20
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With citizens’ rapt attention focused on whom would be the next occupant of the Oval Office, members of Congress have gotten a pass despite their failure to pass any major 2020 legislation save …
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By Arlene Violet
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12/4/20
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The verdict is in. The U.S.A. is a winner with its record ballot turnout by mail and in person despite obstacles to voting, including the ever-lurking coronavirus. The election of President-elect …
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By Arlene Violet
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11/12/20
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