A Blog Called Hope

From the ProJo blog:

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed will travel to Iraq tomorrow for his 11th visit there since 2003, his office announced.

The Rhode Island Democrat, a West Point graduate and Armed Services Committee senior member, is slated to meet with American commanders and Rhode Island soldiers serving there before returning to the United State on Jan. 19.

The U.S. military last week launched Operation Phantom Phoenix, an offensive aimed at “cracking down on al Qaeda-aligned terrorists and other insurgents in Iraq,” Reed’s office said.

Reed served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an infantry platoon leader.

So we cleaned out the ol’ TiVo box today and found some coverage of our great Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, and Mayor Cicilline tackling issues that are important to their constituents.

Here’s NBC 10’s coverage of Sen. Juan Pichardo’s efforts to protect renters in his district (an idea also supported by General Treasurer Frank Caprio).

Channel 12 has the story on Rep. Jan Malik’s legislation to toughen penalties on high schoolers who get caught with drugs or alcohol.

And finally, here’s more from NBC 10 on Mayor David Cicilline’s new initiative to provide city residents with carbon monoxide dioxide detectors.

Today’s Boston Globe has the story on MTV’s newest effort to reassert its relevance among the growing number of 18 and 20-somethings who are taking a real interest and getting involved in this year’s presidential election.

Better known now for its raunchy reality shows, MTV is trying to regain its cachet as the hippest election observer, a role lost in recent years to bloggers and Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” Starting Monday, MTV’s novice reporters – armed with laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders – will file weekly video news stories, blog, create podcasts, and send out dispatches on mobile phones as part of the network’s most ambitious election initiative.

Rhode Island General Treasurer Frank Caprio is pushing for a new law to better inform and protect renters facing eviction when their building is foreclosed upon.

From today’s ProJo:

The legislation would require lenders to inform renters of “pending foreclosures” and notify them, in writing, at least 60 days prior to eviction.

There is currently no requirement in state law that tenants be notified before a foreclosure; the law states only that tenants are given “reasonable notice” prior to being evicted. What is deemed “reasonable,” lawyers say, can range from as little as three days to 30 days or longer.

The legislation, which is being drafted, Caprio said, “will provide basic protections to those who have done nothing wrong and are simply trying to find a decent place to live.”

Congressman Kennedy and the Providence Bruins have partnered up with HealthNet Federal Services and Tri-Care to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Special recognition will be awarded to Hospital Corpsman Second Class Joshua Chiarini and Lieutenant Commander Justin Clancey.

“This country owes a great deal of gratitude to its veterans in recognition of their sacrifice, bravery, and human spirit. They are the epitome of what this country stands for and this night is a small token to show our appreciation.”

Over 400 Armed Services Veterans from across the state will be joining Kennedy at the event as the Providence Bruins take on the Springfield Falcons.

John McCain’s claims to be the biggest critic of George Bush’s war are flat-out laughable.

From yesterday’s Newport Daily News:

For the first time, Rhode Island could make public corruption a felony charge by passing the Government Integrity and Public Accountability Bill of 2008, as proposed by Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch.

If enacted, the bill would create a new chapter of law entitled Crimes Against the Public Trust, which would make “theft of honest services” a criminal offense and allow the state to vigorously prosecute those violating the public trust.

Jim Baron has the scoop on Lynch’s bill, which is being sponsored in the House by Rep. Peter Kilmartin.

 UPDATE: OK, so we had the resignation part right. Now we hear news that they just shuffled her off to take a new job as deputy secretary of the state Office of Health and Human Services. Here’s the BIG question: What former Old Stone employee is going to land Orifice’s former gig?

Lame Duck Governor Don Carcieri is rumored to be losing Department of Labor and Training Director Adelita Orefice, who is expected to announce her resignation later this afternoon.

Is it safe to say that we can expect more high-level departures from the increasingly less-relevant Carcieri administration in the coming months?

The Rhode Island House of Representatives welcomed the Lynch family to the State House yesterday for a moving tribute to former Pawtucket Mayor Dennis Lynch.

In case you missed it Monday night, NBC 10’s Bill Rappleye did a cool profile on Meghan Grady, one of the rising stars in the RI Young Dems. Meghan was in New Hampshire with other notable Rhode Islanders doing get-out-the-vote work for Sen. Clinton. Politics and public service definitely run deep through her family – her grandfather served on the Cranston City Council, Sen. Maryellen Goodwin is a cousin as is rock star fund-raiser Amy Gabarra.