Monique Chartier

“We Can’t Afford the Government that We Have”

By Monique Chartier | May 30, 2009 |

So said Mayor Lombardi yesterday morning on the John DePetro Show. While the comment might also apply to our state and federal governments, in actuality, it referred to the status of the town of North Providence. Indeed, one has to wonder what the town’s options are at this point to deal with a $10 million…

Carcieri’s Nominee for Chief Justice

By Monique Chartier | May 28, 2009 |

… lacks a high powered lobbyist spouse. From the ProJo’s 7 to 7 News Blog. Governor Carcieri nominated Supreme Court Justice Paul A. Suttell Thursday to be the next chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The nomination requires the confirmation of the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. If confirmed, Justice…

It’s Definite: President Obama Will Not Prosecute Members of Bush Admin for “Torture” Crimes

By Monique Chartier | May 25, 2009 |

So reports Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff in a fascinating article posted last Thursday. (H/T Newsbusters.) The decision was announced during an off-the-record meeting that President Obama held last Wednesday with some disgruntled supporters. Administration officials organized the session just a few days [prior], summoning the leaders of groups such as Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First,…

Iran: Quick Electoral Update and a (Nuclear) Question

By Monique Chartier | May 23, 2009 |

Did you know Iran has an election coming up on June 12? It’s amazing the things you learn sitting in a coffee shop, browsing electronic headlines and pretending to be an intellectual. (Drinking your coffee black enhances the illusion image.) Iran’s elections have a history of surprises, with unknown candidates suddenly ending as victors. [President…

Dave Barry’s “Commencement Address”

By Monique Chartier | May 23, 2009 |

In the season of graduation, his column from 2004 doesn’t so much contain advice as, perhaps, hold up a mirror to the graduating “audience”. This is your big day — the day when you jam four years’ worth of unlaundered underwear into a Hefty bag and leave college, prepared by your professors to go out…

2010 AG Race: Ian Donnis’ Interesting Conversation with the Current AG

By Monique Chartier | May 22, 2009 |

… can be found at Donnis’ blog on WRNI. It sounds like the current AG read a recent comment here by Joe Bernstein – something about the inadviseability of two Lynchs running for two out of five General Offices in 2010 – and has taken it to heart. During a taping this morning of WPRI/WNAC-TV’s…

Import of Gitmo Detainees: Assuaging the Wrong Fear

By Monique Chartier | May 22, 2009 |

From President Obama’s speech yesterday: Where demanded by justice and national security, we will seek to transfer some detainees to the same type of facilities in which we hold all manner of dangerous and violent criminals within our borders — namely, highly secure prisons that ensure the public safety. As we make these decisions, bear…

WW Voters to WW Budgeters: No, Thanks

By Monique Chartier | May 20, 2009 |

Dateline: Takebackourtownville. Taxpayers defeated the municipal budget, school budget, and voted down any tax levy with a resounding majority at the Town Financial Meeting last night. Of the 416 voters counted by the West Warwick Board of Canvassers in a ballot vote, 333 voted against the municipal budget presented by the town council at $30,512,700,…

Pelosi: Approval Numbers in the Range of the Revolting Newt?

By Monique Chartier | May 20, 2009 |

Egad. Nearly half of all Americans — 48 percent — disapprove of how the California Democrat she is handling her job as Speaker of the House in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Monday, while 39 percent approve of her performance. * * * That puts her approval rating at roughly the levels Newt Gingrich…

Attorney General: Pay No Attention to that Plea Agreement Behind The Bench

By Monique Chartier | May 19, 2009 |

In 2007, Attorney General Patrick Lynch charged Ryan Greenberg with Second Degree Murder; Operating a boat to Endanger, Death Resulting; Refusal of a Chemical Test for Intoxication; and Minor Possessing Alcohol – charges related to the death of Patrick Murphy on the Barrington River. Yesterday, Ryan Greenberg pled no contest to being involved in a…