Monique Chartier

Identify that Historic Figure

By Monique Chartier | July 17, 2008 |

A snippet from his life and writings. – Hundreds were reportedly executed on his watch, and that doesn’t include the deaths incurred in the wars he was constantly trying to start. – When describing the differences in the strife between “Europeans” and “the black,” … [he] wrote, “their different attitudes of life separate them completely:…

If Supply is not a Factor, Why Should Oil Companies “Use It or Lose It”?

By Monique Chartier | July 16, 2008 |

Those opposed to new domestic oil drilling attempt to deflect criticism of their stance by pointing to factors other than supply which may be contributing to the high and climbing price of gas and heating oil. Count all four members of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation in these ranks. In Sunday’s Providence Journal, John Mulligan describes…

Fenway: Should You Have to Be This Tall To Get In?

By Monique Chartier | July 15, 2008 |

Over at Not For Nothing, Ian Donnis raises the critical question of youngsters – real young youngsters – at the ball park. In the course of a recent discussion of Pink Hats (male and female), some of the hosts on WEEI vented about what they called an excess of babies and toddlers during games at…

The New Yorker Misses Its Mark (And Then Some)

By Monique Chartier | July 15, 2008 |

Looking at the cartoon on the cover of this week’s New Yorker magazine, it struck me that cartoons do not easily lend themselves to third party satire. In a press release announcing its latest issue, The New Yorker describes the cartoon thusly: On the cover of the July 21, 2008, issue of the The New…

When Does the PPD Fax the List to ICE?

By Monique Chartier | July 14, 2008 |

Mayor David Cicilline stated on the Helen Glover Show this morning that the Providence Police Department informs ICE of suspects in custody before they are released from court. He is flatly contradicting his own Chief of Police. But [Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman] later acknowledged that Providence police don’t do any investigation on their own…

A Small Correction, Mr. President (or maybe not)

By Monique Chartier | July 11, 2008 |

From the Telegraph (UK); h/t Mark Steyn filling in for Rush Limbaugh. Departing the G-8 Summit yesterday, President George Bush who has been condemned throughout his presidency for failing to tackle climate change, ended a private meeting with the words: “Goodbye from the world’s biggest polluter.” He then punched the air while grinning widely, as…

Jesse Jackson Unintentionally Weighs In

By Monique Chartier | July 10, 2008 |

In his quest for the Presidency, has Senator Barack Obama been talking down to African Americans? [For my part, I have no idea; I haven’t been able to get past the price tag of some of his proposed initiatives.] If he has, was the reaction by Reverend Jesse Jackson appropriate and proportional? ADDENDUM Video available…

Arlene Violet on the Immigration Verification Policy of the PPD

By Monique Chartier | July 5, 2008 |

This awful crime brought into focus the technologically retarded procedure whereby the Providence police check the immigration status of people who come into their official custody. We should note here that it was the Mayor of Providence, not the police department, who arranged and ordered this procedure. Arlene Violet did some research and determined exactly…

Dolphins on the Greens

By Monique Chartier | July 4, 2008 |

Semi-retired columnist Dave Barry attended the Miami Dolphins’ annual charity golf tournament a couple of weeks ago and files a report of sorts on the Dolphins, who apparently did not do so well last season. I decided to go scout the Miami Dolphins on Monday, to see how they look this year. This is important,…

Crossroads and the Issue of Charity

By Monique Chartier | July 3, 2008 |

The website of Crossroads, Providence, describes it as “a national leader in providing a continuum of care to the homeless”. This post is in no way a criticism of its staff, who are undoubtedly dedicated and work very hard, or of those residents who find themselves in genuine straits. On his blog Rescuing Providence, in…