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February 3, 2011
One Man's Left-of-Center Is Another Man's Far Left
Really, what could we say about RI House Speaker Gordon Fox's appointment of Rep. Edith Ajello as Chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee that would surprise anybody or that would have any effect on anybody's opinion? The state's political leadership is zagging when it needs to zig, and she's a strong indication of it.
The labels that the Projo article announcing her appointment applies to her, however, are interesting. The headline writer dubbed her "unabashadly liberal." Reporter Philip Marcelo eased up with "unabashadly left-of-center." The woman herself says, "I feel that, in some way, I'll have to step away a little from my progressive, liberal extreme left advocacy to do the job of chair properly." Perhaps Marcelo meant to emphasize the "step away," when it appears that Ajello wanted to emphasize the "in some way" and "a little."
One quote in the article, however, is a bit more than just interesting:
Observers reject the notion that Ajello's appointment heralds a political shift in the House leadership under Fox, who is beginning his first full two-year term as speaker.[House Minority Leader Robert] Watson, the GOP leader, says the elevation of the left-leaning Ajello in concert with other more conservative-leaning lawmakers, such as Brien, points to a level of pragmatic politics. "He is being very careful and deliberative in trying to bring varying factions and groups under one umbrella," Watson said.
Why on Earth would Watson want to bolster the spin that appointing Jon Brien as chairman of Municipal Government in any way counterbalances Ajello as chairwoman of Judiciary? One might as well pretend that Watson's status as Minority Leader counterbalance's Fox's as Speaker or Nicholas Mattiello's as Majority Leader.
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haha-this is like comparing the jobs we got in grade school-errand monitor was the best-you got to walk all around the school-that would be Ajello-Brien got the functional equivalent of eraser monitor-you got covered in chalk dust after beating erasers on the schoolyard wall.
Posted by: joe bernstein at February 3, 2011 3:35 PM"I'll have to step away a little from my progressive, liberal extreme left advocacy to do the job of chair properly"
Well if it's any consolation, Crowley's head just exploded.
Posted by: Patrick at February 3, 2011 4:32 PMBrien's going to be the point man for the Speaker on the Central Falls bankruptcy situation - that's pretty important. The complaints that Ajello got a chair only minimize the pretty big job Brien got.I don't understand what's so horrible about Ajello chairing Judiciary instead.
Posted by: bella at February 3, 2011 4:49 PMbella-what's wrong with Ajello in Judiciary as Chairman?
Posted by: joe bernstein at February 3, 2011 5:52 PMFor starters she and Art Handy were the only two members of the GA to vote against Jessica's Law.If that doesn't bother you,I guess it's a waste of time telling you anything.
Plus-she shills for the ACLU by frequently hosting their show on public access tv.This means she is promoting ACLU policies and then presiding over hearings where the abominable Steven Brown is always testifying on one bill or another.That is a stacked deck and there's no way to deny it.
Anyone who runs interference for predatory pedophiles is a piece of garbage.
Hi!
Posted by: Scott Bill Hirst at February 3, 2011 6:23 PMWhat is of real interest is Rep. Ajello is a NON attorney. I remember years ago Frank Sgambato, a labor leader was Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman,. Non lawyers heading these panels are of interest.
Regards,
Scott
Justin asks,
"Why on Earth would Watson want to bolster the spin that appointing Jon Brien as chairman of Municipal Government in any way counterbalances Ajello as chairwoman of Judiciary?"
Justin, Bob Watson is a TWENTY YEAR veteran of the General Assembly. He is a prime example of the good old boys club up there. He's not a hardened member of the opposition by any means. What's frightening is rather than being embarrassed by his endless Gen Ass lifestyle, Watson is actually proud of it. Why the right leaning media gives that chump a forum is beyond me. Guys like Bob Watson are part of the problem not the solution.
Posted by: Tim at February 3, 2011 8:20 PMWhen I hear people sling the word "pedophile" around here, I think of the McGuffin in a Hitchcock movie...stands out, but ultimately means nothing.
Posted by: bella at February 3, 2011 9:52 PMFox put two conservatives (Brien and Petrarca) in key Senate chairs, so I have no sympathy with the moaning about Ajello. And based on his comments in the ProJo two weeks ago, Brien, to his credit, doesn't seem to have a problem with Ajello getting a chair.
bella-the provision of Jessica's Law applied to CONVICTED sexual predators-what part of CONVICTED do you not understand?
Posted by: joe bernstein at February 4, 2011 3:18 AMDo you have children?
A McGuffin?Means nothing?
You are a real idiot.
Bob Watson is the John McCain or Lindsay Graham of the GA.
Posted by: BobN at February 4, 2011 8:58 AMA few years ago,Watson went to a Democrat fund raiser????That's really stupid,but maybe he wanted a special little perk for his office.
Posted by: joe bernstein at February 4, 2011 9:20 AMI've been to a Democrat fund raiser,but that was for someone much more conservative than the RINO Watson.
Think of some past Republicans-Chafee,Sapinsley-hey,why go on-the point is made.:))