Responsible Blue-State Government

The Rhode Island Statehouse is full of drunk legislators doing shots inside the capitol, newly elected Providence Democratic Rep. Moira Walsh alleged this week....

“I am probably gonna get in a lot of trouble for saying this but the drinking, it is the drinking that blows my mind. You cannot operate a motor vehicle when you’ve had two beers, but you can make laws that affect people’s lives forever when you’re half in the bag?” she said. “That’s outrageous.”

When asked to clarify if lawmakers are drinking during session Walsh demurred, though she did say they took shots together on the floor on at least one occasion.

“Dude they put shots on our desk for the Dominican Republic day and we all just did shots on the floor,” she offered.

10 comments:

Gringo said...

I doubt that Rhode Island legislators would do any better in a sober condition. This is the state that blessed us with Mayor Buddy and Sheldon Whitehouse. Rhode Island is the state where many went viral over a jocular remark about yoga pants. Furthermore, Wendy Davis, former candidate for Texas governor, is from Rhode Island.

Disclaimer: my dislike of Rhode Island was formed from visiting cousins who used to live in East Greenwich, next door to West Warwick, the home of Wendy Davis. My cousins had the good sense to get out of Rhode Island.

Gringo said...

For additional Rhode Island bashing, consider Froma Harrop., who has spent much of her career affiliated with the Providence Journal. Good old Froma, who was part of the Restoring Civility project. Good old Froma used decidedly uncivil language about the Tea Party, and got a response on her blog. Froma's response: “Am I uncivil? I see incivility as not letting other people speak their piece……Comments are closed.”

jaed said...

(...recalling the musical 1776, and contemplating that Rhode Island legislators may simply be honoring their age-old traditions...)

"The stores of rum and other drinking spirits are hereby closed to the colony of Rhode Island for a period of three days."

"Yes, sir!"

"Johnny, you can't do that!"

"Sit down, Mr. Hopkins. You've abused the privilege."

Anonymous said...

If they put shots on the desks, and she's a lightweight, does she have to drink?

Just asking.

Valerie

PS. I know people who can gleefully take a (one) shot, and be fine afterward. Me, I will either barf or go to sleep, and so I sip and leave most of it behind.

james said...

Aren't they missing a step? I thought the Persian idea was to converge on a plan while drunk, and then review it when sober.

Grim said...

That's true, they are leaving out an important part of the process.

Ymar Sakar said...

Humans are barely rational and in control of their own wills via self discipline, sober. Drunk states don't really make much of a difference, it just lets their true selves out a bit more, the one that isn't restrained by the fear of human laws.

Tom said...

Hm. Do I have to live in RI to be elected to their legislature?

Gringo said...

Tom: Hm. Do I have to live in RI to be elected to their legislature?

Nonresidents of RI may be elected to the RI legislature provided that they are illegal aliens, with the proviso that their place of residence has to be within 3000 miles of the Rhode Island state line. Nonresidents of RI who are US citizens may be elected to the RI legislature provided that Mayor Buddy has vetted them. This vetting may involve a contribution of sorts to the Mayor Buddy Benevolent Fund. The death of Mayor Buddy last year does not in any way change the above requirements.

Gringo said...

One good thing about Rhode Island: Scarborough Beach, and the fried clams you can purchase there.MMM, good. That almost makes up for Mayor Buddy. Almost.