Patrick Laverty

The Closet of Professional Sports

By Patrick Laverty | April 1, 2012 |

Late last week, a man in Connecticut was arrested for allegedly attempting to extort Minnesota Twins pitcher Carl Pavano. The asking price was a new Land Rover, navy with tan leather interior. Give the guy credit. If you’re going to extort someone, know exactly what you want. But what was the other part, what was…

Re: Dime Ain’t Worth A Dime

By Patrick Laverty | March 31, 2012 |

I certainly didn’t think the post about the cost of creating and distributing coins would create such a stir. But that’s great, comment away. In related news, Canada has decided to stop production of their penny. In an effort to cut costs, the Canadian government released its 2012 budget Thursday without any money designated to…

Did He Really Go There?

By Patrick Laverty | March 30, 2012 |

I’m not sure what exactly I would do without Ted Nesi’s Twitter feed. Today, he had a link to a Huffington Post OpEd from Congressman David Cicilline titled “They Just Don’t Get It” where he bashes the budget passed by the House yesterday. Did he really state “they just don’t get it” and referred to…

A Dime Ain’t Worth a Dime Anymore

By Patrick Laverty | March 28, 2012 |

Well, actually a dime wasn’t ever really worth a dime, it’s worth less than ten cents. However, the cost to produce a penny and a nickel has more than doubled its own face value. The cost of making pennies and nickels are about twice the face value of the coins–2.4 cents for a penny and…

You Want Flexibility? Try Yoga

By Patrick Laverty | March 27, 2012 |

The President believes he’ll have additional flexibility after the November elections. He was recorded on a live microphone telling Russian President Medvedev, in the context of national defense systems: “This is my last election,’’ Obama is heard telling outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. “After my election, I have more flexibility.’’ What exactly could that mean?…

Maybe the Worst Kept Secret

By Patrick Laverty | March 27, 2012 |

The usual federal income tax filing deadline could be another not great news day for Congressman David Cicilline. It appears that local businessman Anthony Gemma will finally throw his hat in the ring for Rhode Island’s District 1 Congressional seat. This morning, via his Twitter account Gemma tweeted: Big things coming my friends! Save the…

The Rhode Island Economy and Change

By Patrick Laverty | March 26, 2012 |

A recent Providence Journal article (Thanks Ted) remarked on the business economy in this state: If the state did not develop new industries and revive old ones, future generations would have trouble making it in the Ocean State. and A heavy reliance on a single industry made the state “highly vulnerable to shifts in consumer…

Full Time Pay To Attend College

By Patrick Laverty | March 19, 2012 |

In the video below, WJAR’s Jim Taricani dug up a provision in Rhode Island Local 580’s contract that says they may attend college full time to obtain a master’s degree in social work while being paid their full time salary. I am familiar with businesses that offer a tuition reimbursement plan, but I’m not familiar…

Bovine Burglary

By Patrick Laverty | March 19, 2012 |

Ok, maybe this isn’t a lighter note to the owner of the cows, or maybe even to the cows themselves I would suppose, but I’m guessing when you heard of stolen cows, you had the same response. How the heck do you steal cows? It’s not like you can just slip one inside your coat,…

Got a Spare $30,000?

By Patrick Laverty | March 16, 2012 |

According to 630wpro.com, former US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will be in Rhode Island next week to headline a fundraiser to benefit the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Also mentioned as possibly being in attendance is our own Congressman, David Cicilline, along with co-sponsors Gina Raimondo and former Congressman Patrick Kennedy. This sure sounds…