“Rhode Island, United States” on The Daily Caller

1.) John Shadegg: House GOP is ‘on probation’ — After 16 years in the House, Rep. John Shadegg is retiring to Arizona. The Daily Caller’s Jon Ward caught up with the son of Barry Goldwater altar ego Stephen Shadegg on his way out the door. Ward asked him, for instance, what makes the Tea Party different from previous conservative waves, such as Newt Gingrich’s 1994 production, in which Shadegg had a walk-on part as a newly elected congressman. “When the Gingrich revolution happened, the Gingrich revolution collapsed,” Shadegg told Ward. “It had betrayed its supporters.” By “it” Shadegg means Republican detractors and other “old bulls” like Tom DeLay, who claimed in 2005 that the government could not cut its spending any further. Now the party is getting a second chance, Shadegg said. “What happens to this class? Does this class get turned by Washington? Does the class change or does this class actually change Washington? I personally think that’s the $64,000 question.” Or, you know, the $1.7 trillion question. (more)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio, in a radio interview Monday morning, reacted angrily to President Obama’s decision not to endorse him during a visit to the Ocean State Monday. (more)

What is the cost of corruption in government? For Rhode Island’s Central Falls, the smallest and most densely populated city in the nation, the cost of corruption was so great that it put the city into bankruptcy. And one reporter got it all on video. (more)

The Senate confirmed Elena Kagan last week, making her President Barack Obama’s second Supreme Court nominee to reach the bench. (more)

Congressional Democrats don’t always legislate as though they understand human nature. In fact, legislation in theory often deviates from its practical implementation. Senator John Kerry’s recent attempt to avoid the high boat-use tax rates of the Bay State shows that when a legislative body aims to alleviate its fiscal morass by imposing ever-higher tax rates on its people they often only succeed in producing unintended consequences. Those advocating the expiration of the Bush tax cuts should take note. (more)

Arizona school children are told they can’t pray in front of the Supreme Court building … Two University of Texas Arlington employees are fired for praying over a co-worker’s cubicle after work hours … In Cranston, R.I., a high school banner causes controversy when a parent complains it contains a prayer and demands that it be removed. (more)

Sen. John Kerry, who has repeatedly voted to raise taxes while in Congress, dodged a whopping six-figure state tax bill on his new multimillion-dollar yacht by mooring her in Newport, R.I. (more)

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he asked Google Inc. whether it tested its Street View software before using it, which he said should have revealed the unauthorized collection of personal data from wireless computer networks. (more)

I have been watching all of the colorful (pun intended) sights and sounds from the past week, wondering when did I walk into the 1960s all of the sudden – or, worse still, some altered version of the 1960s where civil rights organizations get it wrong on race, wholesome Americans get represented by a world-class bigot, and black people turn a blind eye to the deteriorating racial conditions within America by proclaiming that “institutionalized racism is dead.” (more)

(CNN) — Anti-establishment candidates are capitalizing on widespread anti-incumbent fervor and proposing term limits as a way to bring the power back to the people. (more)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Have a burning sensation? Consult your doctor. Have a burning question for Matt Labash? Submit it here.
 (more)

ALBANY — For the second time in a year, New York legislators are considering changing the name of one of the only state agencies in the country with “retardation” still in its title. (more)

Rep. Patrick Kennedy was spotted doing vodka shots last week at a Capitol Hill bar just hours after he spoke about his history of substance abuse at a charity event. (more)

 (more)

If this is an election year that’s supposed to bring a political sea change, why are so many ex-lawmakers dusting off their campaign signs and running to get their old jobs back? (more)

(CNN) — [intlink id="622515" type="post"]Flood-weary residents[/intlink] in Rhode Island surveyed the damage as waters started receding, with officials saying Thursday the long-term recovery could take months. (more)

The latest heavy rain across the Northeast, from a wind-powered storm that seemed to flood roads and basements almost as quickly as it snapped umbrellas inside out, threatened to set records as officials worried about rising water. (more)

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Hundreds of prime acres are up for grabs in this waterfront city and its neighboring towns, valuable commodity on an island known for prized beaches, lavish homes and natural beauty. (more)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Ohio had no shot to beat Georgetown. Robert Morris had no shot to beat Villanova. (more)

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian authorities are investigating three priests accused of sexually abusing altar boys after a video allegedly showing one case of abuse was broadcast on television, police and church officials said yesterday. (more)