(… shoot, couldn’t think of a better word for capitol starting with “P”.)
George’s comment yesterday under Marc’s post

um, excuse me….
T H E S T A T E I S G O I N G
B R O K E !

reminds me (how could I have forgotten?!) of the remarks that Minority Leader Robert Watson (R) made last week in front of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce with regard to issue focus at the General Assembly this session. [Audio courtesy WPRO; the brouhaha broke on the Matt Allen Show.]

This year shouldn’t be about immigration and I know it will be. It shouldn’t be about gay marriage and I know it will be.
I suppose if you’re a gay man from Guatemala who gambles and smokes pot, you probably think that we’re onto some good ideas here.

Some members of the Guatemalan community have asked for an apology, saying that the remarks were offensive. President of the Immigrants in Action Committee Providence, Juan Garcia, is considering picketing Watson at his home or at the State House.
This ProJo article alludes to an upcoming news conference on the matter to be attended also by members of Guatemalan organizations from other states.
Watson has declined to apologize but did reiterate that his remarks pertained only to some of the (in his view) misguided issues that the G.A. will be taking up.

The truth of this is, we are preoccupied with a number of issues, primarily social issues, at a time when financially, we are burning to the ground.

My initial reaction was, why is Juan Garcia criticizing someone who agrees with him on illegal immigration? Garcia doesn’t want it brought up by the G.A. and it appears neither does Watson! The thought that occurred to me a couple of days later is that, while I am genuinely regretful if someone’s feelings are hurt, we are doing pretty darn good as a community if these mild remarks are deemed offensive. But possibly others wish to express a different reaction.