Opinion | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

ACLU: With Roe overturned, what comes next for abortion rights?

The Supreme Court’s ruling today, which overturned Roe v. Wade , is nothing less than a shameful, sweeping, … more

By Jessica Arons, ACLU Senior Policy Counsel | 6/25/22

Letter: An open letter to Ted Cruz of Texas

Thanks to you, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, we have the solution to school safety. One single entrance with an armed guard at his/her post. Well, by golly, this idea requires a closer … more

6/24/22

Commentary: Senate needs to act on shoreline access

The Rhode Island General Assembly has a singular opportunity in this session to end years of chaos and confusion regarding where Rhode Islanders can exercise their constitutionally-protected rights … more

By Thomas J. Gibson, Jr. | 6/13/22

Letter: Courage comes by making change, not slinging an AR-15

Special kudos to Republican senators! They have instilled courage into every student in America. You see, as astute people know, there is no courage without vulnerability. And because the GOP is so … more

6/10/22

Letter: Pass bill that bans sale of new fur products

To the editor: This is a plea to Rhode Island state senators to take quick action in passing S2646, the bill to ban the sale of new fur products throughout the state. This bill … more

6/10/22

Rhode Island must address PFAS

By Reps. Terri Cortvriend and June Speakman They are in the coating of your nonstick frying pan. The wrapper of your favorite burger. The stain-resistant upholstery of your couch, and even the … more

6/10/22

Gun debate looms large in General Assembly’s final days

The Senate Judiciary Committee is the key battleground for contentious legislation in Rhode Island. So what happens when the majority of support on the committee for gun … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/7/22

Not another moment of silence

I’m sick to death of observing another moment of silence when children have been murdered, particularly in a school setting. Since 2018 there have been 119 school shootings. The most recent … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 6/3/22

Editorial: Pass new gun laws now

Rhode Island has enacted a handful of smart gun laws in the past decade, but it is not enough. At least five common-sense gun regulation bills sit stagnant in the Rhode Island General Assembly, where … more

6/2/22

Letter: What religious freedom on abortion actually means

To the editor: Our legislators must pass H7442/S2549, the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act, out of committee in the name of religious freedom. In listening to the testimonies provided to the … more

5/26/22

Letters: Internal combustion engines aren’t the problem

To the editor: If Mr. Voutes (“Blown away by gas-powered lawn equipment” letter, May 19) seeks solitude and improved health by the elimination of internal combustion engines (ICE) he's … more

5/24/22

Op-ed: How will children grade us?

One in four households with children in Rhode Island are food insecure, meaning they struggle to afford adequate food. more

By Andrew Schiff | 5/20/22

Ashley Kalus’ media buy is a knockout

Since she is an unknown candidate in the gubernatorial race, Republican Ashley Kalus has commenced a media buy in order to get name recognition. One campaign ad shows her as a boxer (with … more

By Arlene Violet | 5/13/22

Letter: Opposed to taxpayer funding for abortion on demand

I am writing in strong opposition to taxpayer funding for abortion on demand in Rhode Island. There is a bill in the state legislature (S2549 and H7442) which will allocate your tax … more

5/13/22

Letter: Patience! Spring, and life, is returning

To the editor: It was such a long wet winter that the fields couldn’t be mowed until a few weeks ago. This did not please my beautiful pheasant and he fled next door where there was a nice … more

5/13/22

May baskets — our forgotten Rite of Spring

By Jenny O'Neill Westport’s old-timers have fond memories of a now forgotten tradition of May baskets. These hand-made paper or cardboard baskets, filled with small treats and trinkets, … more

5/6/22

Letter: America, imploding from within

To the editor: Ka-Boom! Could our democratic society implode from internal causes? Tragically, this is becoming thinkable and even likely. Many Americans seem clueless or … more

5/6/22

Letter: Pay attention to the real threats to our liberty

To the editor: Liberty, in common usage, means “freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.” Thankfully, because of our constitution, we have a system of laws to … more

4/29/22

Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle

Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more

By Diane LeValley | 4/29/22

Letter: An open letter from Be Great for Nate

Dear community members, Be Great For Nate was created four years ago to support youth in our community by raising suicide awareness. It has been our honor to serve in this organization in memory … more

4/26/22

Letter: Work on shoreline rights was superb

To the editor: Scott Pickering's extensive article in East Bay Life on the extremely complex issue of rights to our shoreline, a cause championed in the 1986 Constitutional Convention by Bristol's … more

4/21/22

Letter: Potty-mouth politics belong in private, not public

To the editor: Several days ago I entered my local gym only to see a twenty-something guy hoofing it on a treadmill, earbuds in, wearing a “F*** BIDEN” t-shirt. Writing this, I … more

4/20/22

Letter: Isn't it wonderful to witness Spring's return?

To the editor: This winter for the first time I had Goldfinches at the Niger feeder. Although both male and female were a drab, nondescript pale brown, they were easy to distinguish from English … more

4/15/22

Letter: What will become of Ukrainian refugees?

To the editor: Refugee: A person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war or persecution. Nobody, absolutely nobody should ever have the fate of being a refugee. Forced to … more

4/15/22

Letter: America today — what a headache

To the editor: Some tensions are part of our lives. But have you ever had a tension headache? Bad ones are really bad and you think you just might collapse. Well, I think America may be … more

4/15/22