This weblog is no longer being maintained. All information here has been ported to EclecticEchoes.com. This site (heupel.com/eclectic) remains only for archival purposes.
Under sharp criticism, Rhode Island Governor Carcieri pulled his bill on Homeland Security saying “This is not the kind of reaction that I anticipated or expected”. What does this say about his understanding his constituents and of the state’s history? Carcieri admitted that he had not read the bill which made modifications to existing, antiquated, anti-anarchy laws. The Rhode Island ACLU is pressing to have those old laws—blatantly unconstitutional laws restricting speech and assembly—removed from the books by the legislature. For a complete critical look at the ex-bill at it’s chilling effects take a look at the ACLU’s analysis (pdf).
While the bill is dead (thankfully) the Governor doesn’t seem to understand why there was such an uproar over it, and has promised to introduce a new bill this legislative session to provide heightened Homeland Security for Rhode Island. He has stated that he will seek input from interested and informed parties. So basically all Rhode Island citizens then?