"I have to say, though, that I can't agree that some public involvement in a charity undoes real and palpable damage to the people of a city."

On the other hand, it does do wonders for former war criminals' reputations!

"Sources: Top Bush Advisors Approved 'Enhanced Interrogation'"
abcnews.go.com/print?id=4583256

@Russ
I guess Obama shouldn't wait to start his charity then.

"U.S. Approves Targeted Killing of American Cleric"

www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/world/middleeast/07yemen.html

No argument from me there. It's an outrageous claim being made by the administration and one where libertarians on the left and right should be united in opposition.

Also an example of Orwellian language with the Times calling it "targeted killing." Um, isn't that what we call "assassination" or
"death squads" (at least when other countries do it)?

"When he specifically thanked former Mayor David Cicilline, the audience roundly booed... and were softly chastised by the speaker for bringing politics into it."

General. Mr. Secretary. Sincerely and with respect: do yourself a favor and don't associate, even with words, even in the most seemingly innocuous way, with such mendacious trash.

"I'm attending the GetMotivated seminar in Providence."

I extend my deepest sympathies to you. I hope you left your credit cards at home.

If you're around Providence after work hours there are going to be a bunch of folks at Pronk, listening to marching bands. I'll buy you a beer. You know how to reach me.

isn't that what we call "assassination" or
"death squads" (at least when other countries do it)?
Posted by Russ at October 3, 2011 3:47 PM

Yeah, and aren't you proud for voting the assassin in 3 years ago-and voting for him next year too.

Justin, I have to ask:

How was Terry Bradshaw? lol! I mean, any motivational speaking tour featuring one of the most inept sportscasters of all time is kinda a joke in and of itself, no?

That said, I bet Gen. Powell and Bill Cosby had *something* halfway interesting to say that I might have my employer (if I were employed right now) pay for me to go hear.

As for the politics? Cicilline can lose in the General to a Republican for all the heck I care -- he's making some significant mistakes even as a congressman that I would judge him for if I were not leaving this ****hole of a state in 4 days forever ;)

Good luck guys. I really do love the natural beauty of RI, and a lot of the people -- but the horrible, detestable, completely uninspired Democratic Party has driven me away.

And the "progressives" over at RIFuture are too busy fighting for table scraps and jobs to actually push the party left. When I suggested we do something *serious* in terms of demonstration/protest (but not violent obviously) about the terrible GA session that pretty much shot down every progressive goal? They usual suspects in progressive organizing all balked.

Seriously, good luck guys -- I'll still check in when I can.

Jparis - You are, and always have been, one of the rational ones. It is no surprise to me that you have reached the only reasonable conclusion and are leaving the state. I left a little over a year ago and my life has been much better for that decision.

Don't believe the people who say that you gave up on the state, because the state gave up on your future there a long time ago. You are voting with your feet by leaving, and that is the only way your vote will ever matter in a rigged game. I hope you are moving somewhere warmer, friendlier, and more honest. What goes without saying is that you will be getting better public services for less money. Thank you for doing your part and refusing to fuel the corruption with you tax dollars any longer.

"Yeah, and aren't you proud for voting the assassin in 3 years ago-and voting for him next year too."

Um, no, I didn't vote for Obama except for in the Democratic primary, but we had only two choices in RI. You'd have prefered Hillary?

www.rifuture.org/a-primary-challenge-for-obama.html

A few people where I work who were "encouraged" by their boss to attend report that the whole thing was in reality a sales pitch for financial services. Lure 'em in with celebrity speakers, then sell them stuff they don't need.

"So, at my employer's insistence..."

Did I just read that Justin's employer thinks he lacks motivation? Just asking.

I heard Matt Foley was the best one. Any truth to that?

Before just applauding a charity, look into who runs it and the salaries of "non profit" executives. Consider, for instance, that the MLK Foundation demanded, and received, $800,000 for the use of his image and quotation on the recent memorial. I wonder where that money went.

Russ,there were more than two candidates on the Presidential ballot.
I voted third party for President. Did you?

Yes, I did vote 3rd party in the general election and in every election since 1988 when I voted Ron Paul.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Paul_presidential_campaign,_1988

When I say we (Democrats) had two choices, I meant in the primary. Everyone else had dropped out of the race by then so I chose between Obama and Clinton (formerly my Senator in NY so that wasn't going to happen).