By Dan Yorke, WPRO
WE HAVE A NEW PAPA!!!!
There is something so powerful about the announcement of a new pope. When Pope Francis emerged onto the balcony Wednesday evening (3 p.m. our time) he was stepping onto a world stage. Say what you want about the position of Rome in today’s humanity, but it comes home as a simple truth: The Catholic Church is still profoundly important.
The humble majesty of this pope will be something to watch. His leadership on matters theological will no doubt be powerful as the Holy Spirit moves from him. His leadership on social and political topics is another matter of opportunity given the feeling of leadership void across the globe.
SPEAKING OF WHICH…
The issue of same-sex marriage takes an interesting turn here in Rhode Island. Senator Frank Ciccone deftly changes the language in a referendum proposal which could end up getting traction. Rather than simply ask the legislature to approve a constitutional request to defend marriage between a man and a woman, he asks for approval of marriage between any two people. It may be enough to get the referendum approved by the Senate. That would then be a big decision for the House. It has a real chance of creating a stalemate, which in the end, is a victory for Ciccone and the folks opposed to same sex marriage. The key committee vote comes next week.
IT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE “BLOCK REPORT”
And it serves as another exercise of incompetence in “Lincworld.” Former gubernatorial candidate Ken Block delivers on his promise to report on waste and fraud in the social services arena. He offers his pro bono professional expertise in the field of “data mining” which results in both specific savings and general observations that could lead to huge multi-million dollar savings. But by the time we got to the release of his report this week, we saw the pathetic passive aggressive politics of the governor who got painted into a corner over the simple question of its release because he didn’t want to share the limelight. And he had plenty of enablers under his payroll wing do his bidding. What comes of this report is anybody’s guess. What isn’t a guess is the minefield of waste and fraud that costs us dearly.
“MOVING THE NEEDLE”
The State Senate just introduced a package of legislation to improve the economy. Cripes, how about a simple big time tax move that shakes up the model, and creates a buzz for the state felt nationwide? Why does it have to be so damn complicated?
Wes Welker to the Broncos? Ouch. And new penalties for running backs and receivers for lowering their helmets. What’s next, a reduction to flag football?
Have a great weekend.
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Dan Yorke
