By Dan Yorke
GRAND JURIES are front and center in the news cycle last week and this week. The Ferguson and now Staten Island stories are causing protests across the country and the local region. We have to be careful to see the differences.
The Ferguson grand jury process, while unusual in aspects, was transparent at its conclusion. The prosecutor gave the members more information than usual in the Michael Brown case and then disclosed it all to the public after the grand jury decided not to indict. And there was no video evidence.
The Staten Island grand jury process has not been so transparent. No similar presentation has been made to the public but there is a video which shows the critical scene contributing to the death of Eric Garner.
While Ferguson has been has been hijacked by “Hands up don’t shoot”, an inaccurate portrayal…”I can’t breathe” hits the nail on the head.
There is more legitimacy to the outrage over the Garner case…but it doesn’t match the narrative of the alleged police abuse carried forward from Ferguson.
THE HUMMEL REPORT discloses possible serious abuse by a Pawtucket police major about time on the job. And while the state police are invited in to investigate, the major stays on the job. Explain that one. Great for leadership and morale.
GINA RAIMONDO hires an out of state chief of staff. While most likely offensive to many in the political arena, it’s a good signal that she will look for fresh perspective.
RHODE MAP RI is a concept you need to pay attention to. Billed as an economic and lifestyle plan for the state’s future…it may just be way too much of a hypocritical social engineering scheme. Further study is needed past next week’s already delayed deadline to formalize a plan that barely any citizens have read.
PC-URI basketball showdown next week will be great fun. It’s great to have these two major college programs on “the rise”…which is the marketing theme for the Rams. The Dunk will be rocking.
Time to get the tree up this weekend. The most wonderful time of the year…
