What’s Up With Rhode Island?
EmailNew Hampshire became the sixth state to allow gay marriage today when Gov. John Lynch sign the legislation into law.
That leaves Rhode Island as the lone New England state not to have legalized same-sex marriage. Why has the movement stalled in Rhode Island? Several reasons,according to the Associated Press, including a stalemate at the Rhode Island Statehouse, a loss in the state's top court and continued opposition from religious leaders.
Religion also remains among the biggest hurdles in heavily Roman Catholic Rhode Island. A recent survey by Trinity College in Connecticut showed 46 percent of Rhode Islanders identify themselves as Roman Catholic, a larger percentage than any other state.
But a recent Brown University poll showed 60 percent of registered voters in the state said they would support a law allowing gay couples to marry, and 75 percent said they would support a law allowing civil unions. Thirty-one percent said they would oppose a gay marriage law.
New Hampshire joins Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa as states establishing same sex marriage laws.
–Troy McMullen
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I make our old jeans into reusable grocery bags. The baggers at the grocer think they’re “really cool” and with their clothe handles, they’re so easy to carry. Plus they never rip through. I wish I thought of this years ago.
Posted by: Cherie Day | June 3, 2009, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Without plastic grocery bags, how are we supposed to follow our dogs walking in urban/suburban areas. Scoopers without bags make for a stinky situation.
Posted by: Betsy | June 3, 2009, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
If anyone saw the program 2100 last evening on ABC there wouldn’t be a question as to what we should do. Americans must be forced to change and if it means charging for it then so be it. We are an inherently lazy society. We take most everything we have for granted and often times show very little appreciation for it. Charge a dollar for the bags! We don’t have time to waste…make gasoline not available one day a week and see how quickly change happens…..turn off the electricity in a major city and see how quickly we can become an appreciative and changeable society.
I strongly suggest that the program 2100 be shown to every school district in the country, for it is their generation that will have to cope with the problems that their parents and grandparents have left for them. Maybe the youth of this country can make their parents see the grave errors of their ways
Posted by: Jodi | June 3, 2009, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
so many countries have already realized the amount waste building up and how we need to preserved our earth. i know when i was in korea 5 years ago, they had already started charging for every every plastic bag used. wake up, america!!! it’s not biggy. just take a bag with you. as a woman, it shouldn’t be hard since we carry a bag almost all the time.
Posted by: Angie | June 3, 2009, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
If we’re going to be serious about this environmental issue, I think that EVERY plastic AND paper bag from grocery stores and department stores should be TAXED at an amount significant enough to make a difference, say at least $1 or perhaps $2. Then, and only then, will patrons decide that a reusable cloth bag is the way to go.
In that same regard, I wish that our conscientious politicians would have the backbone to increase the federal gasoline tax to a significant level also. Raise the current federal level from its current value of 18.4 cents per gallon to at least $1 or $2. Then, even with gas prices in the $2.50 range, as they seem to be approaching for the summer period, would be raised closer to the seemingly magical threshold of $4/gal where drivers are more interested in higher mileage cars. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get out of the current thinking that everyone “needs” an SUV. Sure, some do, but I think there are many who have one just to “keep up with the Jones.”
Posted by: Skip | June 3, 2009, 8:58 pm 8:58 pm
think everyone agrees plastic bags are bad for the environment. Paper is biodegradable, made from renewable forests not old growth, forestry, transportation and paper fabrication jobs depend on the paper industry. Considering food costs, unemployment, etc. more taxes? YEAH Let’s send jobs to China to make reusable bags.
GREAT IDEA! Use American paper products keep jobs here and no new taxes!.
Posted by: Rick H | June 3, 2009, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm
We all agree that Plastic Bags are bad, however being someone that has worked within the grocery business for years, I don’t understand why the cost “tax” is being passed on directly to the consumer. We all know we will be charged one way or another. However concider this when we go to the local bakery for a cake do they say that the box will cost an extra dollar or does McDonalds charge us for the cup, paper wrap and straw – No, the cost is already worked into the cost of the product we are purchasing. Therefore don’t tax the consumer directly, charge the companies as it would be much eaiser to pass along a 1 cent upcharge thought the products we purchase, and if the consumer brings there own bag then give them a refund of 1 cent per item purchased.
Posted by: Mark | June 3, 2009, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
“That leaves Rhode Island as the lone New England state not to have legalized same-sex marriage.” – Troy McMullen
That’s because the people in Rhode Island understand that there isn’t any such thing as same sex marriage.
It’s called garriage.
Marriage is the union of a man and a woman.
Garriage is the union of two people of the same sex.
Posted by: Noz | June 4, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
There is no doubt that something needs to be done about this. We have taken steps at our house to helpf reduce the use of paper and plastic bags. A big start if everyone can do the same.
I am troubled by the comments on the news lately that show and report a type of faulty logic thinking. We learn this in college, but fall for it as adults. The news reports statements such as 14 million trees are lost to the use of paper bags. This can be googled very easily and anyone on deadline for a story can find it quickly. But I am curious how many of those trees are planted for the purpose of harvesting them for use. There is a big difference in the numbers if you question this.
I am just curious of the state of the news today when (society) accepts less than all the facts.
Posted by: sheri | June 4, 2009, 8:55 am 8:55 am
I FEEL THE GOVERMENT NEED TO GET OUT THE POOR PEOPLE POCKET. I CANT AFFORD TO BUY FOODS NOW,SOME STORE IF YOU WANT TO SHOP YOU PLACE YOUR FOODS IN BOXES, SOME YOU BUY BAGS FROM STORE.EVERYTHING IS GETTTING HIGHER WHAT ABOUT THE WORKING POOR LIKE MYSELF I CANT AFFORD TO BUY FOODS SOMETIME. I DONT HAVE HEALTH INS. FROM MY JOB AND CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY IT ON MY OWN BECAUSE OF WHAT I MAKE 9.00 AN HOUR. PLEASE HELP ME TO MAKE IT FROM DAY TO DAY. I NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR I CAN’T NO MONEY AND GAS IS GOING UP JUST ABOUT EACH DAY. THE POOR NEED HELP THE GOVERMENT NOT LOOKING OUT FOR US THEY LOOKING OUT FOR BIG COMPAINES ETC.THANKS.
Posted by: B.Williams | June 4, 2009, 9:37 am 9:37 am