Barry M. Mechanic, Publisher Daniel H. Trafford, Executive Editor Richard J. Blockson, General Manager Brian DeCesare, Managing Editor Kathleen Needham, Controller Terry Nau, Managing Editor/Sports Diane Ames, Advertising Manager Russ Olivo, Assistant Editor Jorge Londono, Distribution Manager OPage A-4 pinion Thursday, November 18, 2010 Woonsocket, R.I. Commentary Travel broadens someone else’s mind By MARC MUNROE DION Of course, that burqa would- n't stay on long, not any longer While President Barack than Obama's Indonesian-ness Obama was reaching out to the will stay on before he becomes Muslim world and reminiscing Korean or Kansan or lawyerly about the pleasures of a partial- or socialist-like or whatever it ly Indonesian childhood, I was takes to pass health care bills in Las Vegas, where the goings no one understands. on are guaranteed to offend But they're good-hearted, every major religion. those health care bills. They I don't like to travel, so I reach out to the average don't, but I had business in Las American just like the average Vegas (yes, that's possible), American was Indonesian or and so I went. Korean. Obama is nothing if I didn't mind taking off my not good-hearted, unless of boots and belt to get on an air- course he's Indonesian that day plane. It's my way of reaching more than he is good-hearted out to the Muslim world, some or if he's having one of his of whom want bloody chunks lawyer days. You're best off of my body to rain down on an catching him on one of his Illinois cornfield. good-dad days, when you just Obama, God or Allah love might score some free health him, figures us fat, flip-flop care. You don't want to catch wearing home folks want to Obama on one of his hear that Indonesia is "part of Republican days. If you do, him." Which part? The part you're going to get another from Hawaii, the Harvard part, deployment to Afghanistan. the lawyer part, the black part, Vegas is weird. It's like the the white part, the African Lego version of the real world, Nov. 18 - The Great American Smokeout part, the Kansas part, the can't- which is why the Hispanic guys get-us-out-of-Afghanistan-or- handing out whorehouse busi- Iraq part or the smiley, hope-y, ness cards seem so out of good dad part? place. After all, you're standing Yeah, Obama's got more in front of a big replica of the Local Commentary parts than Frankenstein, and I Eiffel Tower, just about to go kinda wish the guy would pick into a gift shop run by a friend- a part and stick with it. ly looking Asian lady. Why -- in Vegas was fine, just full of that moment of Lego-con- happy Americans, all kinds, structed French, smiling Asian Congratulations to John happy foreigners, mostly the lady, about-to-buy-something- Asian kind, happy drunk peo- for-your-mom fun -- would you ple, mostly the European kind, be looking for a whore? some snooty Argentineans and And you're really not even a raft of Hispanics who do the supposed to use the word Chan for winning blues award actual work. If there were any "whore" anymore. Polite peo- Muslims there, they weren't ple use "prostitute" when wearing "traditional garb." they're writing and "hooker" Woonsocket tract bids, contract battle” (economic development). The I lost three bucks in a slot when they're talking. You can't Woonsocket businessman John Chan is awards and the actual booklet revealed some interesting facts machine and got half whacked say "Moslem" anymore, either. going to Memphis in February to receive construction of the about Woonsocket in the heyday of textile on $3-a-pop Irish whisky shots You have to say "Muslim." the prestigious “Keeping the Blues Alive plant is 36 months manufacturing including 4 pages of com- in a lounge with poker Obama says "Muslim." Award” in the nightclub category. The away. Questions panies operating within the city including machines set right into the bar. Me and Obama. Two 2011 Keeping the Blues Alive Awards will remain whether to a paper tube, rubber products, mattress It was my way of reaching out American boys who grew up to be presented in Memphis on Saturday, hook up with products, confectionary and dozens of tex- to the Hispanic bartender. take our love and our money to February 5, 2011 at 10:00am. The Blues Pawtucket’s water sys- tile related companies. Included in the When drinks are only $3, I tip the ends of the earth, me to Las Foundation will honor 21 individuals and tem or build a plant brochure was an organizational chart of well. Vegas and Obama to wherever organizations including John. The 27th nearby. Even as late as Woonsocket government where the Mayor Continuing on his big "peo- America's enemies need reas- International Blues Challenge (IBC) week- Monday night, Roger Bouchard (Toupin) was paid 3500 yearly salary. ple who hate me tour," Obama surance from someone who end of events will feature the final rounds Annarummo says other There were 5 aldermen and 15 common headed off to South Korea, to may or may not be just like of the world’s most prestigious blues com- options are under council members paid 300 and 200 respec- visit some American jobs. He them or me or you. petition and largest gathering of blues acts, review. Emotions ran high this week as tively. The city also employed a milk should go to China next, Obama. The Lego presi- as well as seminars, showcases, and recep- officials complained the issue is being inspector and tree warden. School com- because that's where the rest of dent. You can put his parts tions for blues societies, fans, and profes- debated on radio talk shows (WNRI) with mittee members served for no pay in 1935. the jobs went. together any way you want, sionals. The recipients of this year’s misinformation and rumors about the proj- Woonsocket’s population was 49,643 com- Meanwhile, back in Vegas, I anywhere you want, and then awards are people and organizations who ect that have political overtones rather pared to 44,000 in the year 2000. saw three Elvis impersonators you can take him apart and put are an integral part of not only promoting than factual information. As Mike in three days, all of them wear- him back together a new way. blues music, but of preserving it as well. Annarummo put it “a little knowledge is a Woonsocket ing traditional garb, or at least In a way, it's a pity Obama Their work applies to the business of dangerous thing and that’s what happens Former state representative and majori- traditional Elvis garb. went into politics. If he had recorded music, but also to live events, on the radio a lot of times….you really have ty leader and Woonsocket native Gerard On the strip, small Hispanic moved to Vegas, he would have print media, radio and visual broadcasts, to have the full picture.” Martineau gets out of prison today. The men handed my wife and I been a great Elvis imperson- and increasingly, the internet. former lawmaker who was convicted of "business cards" directing us to ator. John Chan decided to add music to the Woonsocket corruption is due to be released from fed- the nearest whorehouse, where Editor’s note: Our weekly restaurant while a student at Providence A little good economic news is always eral custody this morning, Martineau, I assume traditional garb is columnist Connie Schultz is on College. In 1977, the first act to perform encouraging. At Monday’s council meet- who sold paper and plastic bags, admitted optional, though I bet the help assignment. During her absense, at Chan's was a band featuring vocalist ing, it was revealed that a packaging man- using his political influence to defeat legis- will be more than happy to put we are using Marc Munroe Dion Jean McKenna O'Donnell, Alvin Pulley on ufacturing company at 128 Singleton lation opposed by major customers, CVS on a burqa if you pay extra. of Creators Syndicate. guitar, Rodney Delassantra on accordion, Street in the former Jacob Finklestein coat and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Bill Gilbert on drums and Woonsocket leg- manufacturing building is stepping up Island. He pleaded guilty in November end Sam Sherman on slide trombone. As operations. Diversified Distribution, a 2007 and was sentenced the following time went on Chan introduced blues company that molds foam packaging mate- February to a 37 month prison sentence. Letters to the Editor artists and the line up shifted from jazz to rials, needed permission from the city He was the second ex-legislator, after John blues performances and the supper club’s council to increase electrical capacity to Celona, to admit to selling his office in a reputation as a blues venue grew. accommodate new equipment recently probe known as Operation Dollar Bill. As Congratulations to John’s work in keeping installed. The small company is expected part of a $900,000 corruption scheme that Revisit street light policy the music going from this international to employ 9 to 12 employees to run the the longtime Woonsocket Democrat music organization. machinery. admitted to, Martineau sold 10 million The recent fatal accident in selves if inadequate lighting is a bags to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Slatersville is heart wrenching factor in a fatal accident in an Woonsocket Woonsocket Island — but fewer than 2 million bags were to those of us who knew and area where a street light has Clearly the future construction of the The internet is impacting radio listen- ever manufactured. loved 13-year-old Scott Wright. been turned off? Woonsocket water treatment has surfaced ing. A company that monitors listening to It is a horrific tragedy beyond It is the responsibility of the as one of the three biggest issues under radio stations on the internet released its Woonsocket words for his family and count- Town Council to provide safe consideration by Mayor Leo Fontaine’s mid November popularity ratings of The book is now available. A newly less other individuals. road conditions for everyone. administration. The first issue is fiscal sol- news/talk stations. Website Streaming published book by Woonsocket photogra- Over the past year or so the Those traveling in automobiles, vency with enough cash flow to pay cur- Radio Guide reveals that WPRV 790am/ pher, Judith Potter will be sold and signed North Smithfield Town on bicycles, and by foot depend rent and future bills. The second issue is Providence came in #1 with a popularity tonight. A Feminine Touch: Women Council has reduced the num- on that. If it is determined that reconciling the school department’s rating of 77, WNRI 1380am/Woonsocket Working in Woonsocket, is Potter’s por- ber of street lights in the town we can’t afford this additional finances with the city’s ability to fund its was # 2 with a 67 rating, WHJJ trait of the high achieving women of with as a cost-saving measure. I do lighting, perhaps the priorities share of the department’s budget. But 920am/Providence was #3 at a 45 rating leadership roles in the community. The believe that at this point in time in this town need to be changed clearly there is a group of citizens, some of and WPRO 630am/Providence ranked 4th book showcases 34 leading women in the it is critical that the council so that we can. whom work for the water department, oth- with 19 rating. The statistics were released Woonsocket area. review this policy. Here are I certainly hope that the ers from the Woonsocket Taxpayer’s on November 15th. There will be two book signings, tonight some questions that I hope the recent accident will lead to a Coalition and several other private citizens from 5:00-7:00pm at the Museum of Work council members will ask them- change in the current town pol- who are monitoring how much the water Woonsocket and Culture and Monday November 22nd selves in the process. icy that will result in safer project will cost and whether the project There’s an interesting little shop at 999 from 6:30-9:00pm at the Harris Library on Is the lighting of athletic roads. The bottom line is: Can takes on a local or regional direction. And Cass Avenue called Ducharme Jewelry, Clinton Street. Cost is 20.00 a copy. Roger fields and tennis courts for late we afford not to turn these while important decisions are under con- Coins and Collectibles. Owner Larry Bouchard will be master of ceremonies night events more important lights back on? sideration, the city’s veteran public works Ducharme showed me a 1935 industrial and Mayor Leo Fontaine will the city’s than providing safer roads? Doreen Gardner director Michael Annarummo is phasing survey authored by Arthur I. Darman local greetings. The public is invited to both How will you live with your- North Smithfield himself out of city government as he looks industrialist, theater owner and chairman signings. toward retirement. Under a 2013 consent of Woonsocket Industrial Board. The 150 Roger Bouchard is general manager order by DEM to get the plant going, a cit- page document was written to encourage of Woonsocket radio station WNRI. Email Poet’s Corner izen’s advisory committee will be named manufacturing to locate in Woonsocket him at [email protected]. His col- shortly, a series of public hearings, con- and to “keep politics away from the field of umn appears every Thursday. 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