Projo Politics Blog

Just how thin is Governor Carcieri's political skin?

An April 22 letter the governor sent to Robert Walsh, executive director of the National Education Association of Rhode Island, the teachers' union, may provide a clue.

"It has come to my attention that Mr. Patrick Crowley, assistant executive director of the NEARI, has taken a strong position against my recent executive order on illegal immigration,;'' Carcieri wrote in a letter obtained by The Journal.

Referring to a position taken by Crowley, a frequent blogger on RIfuture.org, in an e-mail to a particular group, Carcieri reprises Crowley's criticism of the executive order:

"He (Crowley) states the governor of Rhode Island has committed the worst attack on immigrant's rights in at least a decade by issuing an executive order that targets undocumented immigrants and will affect every Rhode Islander.''

A copy of Crowley's e-mail was not available, but Crowley did not dispute its contents as described by the governor.

In his letter, Carcieri continues, "I would like to know if this is the official position of the National Education Association. Does Mr. Crowley speak for the NEA? I think it is shameful that a person of Mr. Crowley's position would inflame the debate and mischaracterize my executive order. I have made very effort to praise the accomplishments of legal immigrants and celebrate diversity in our state.

"From his position, I would have to assume that the NEA supports the hiring of illegal immigrants, believes it is proper for contractors to do business with the state to hire illegal immigrants and disagrees hat upon release of known illegal criminals from the ACI that we notify ICE. Am I correct in these assumptions?''

When contacted, Crowley said he was surprised that his comments so enraged Carcieri. ``I just couldn't believe it,'' said Crowley, noting that his position is similiar to one taken by some of the state's top religious leadwers, including the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, and the Rev. Donald Anderson, executive minister of the R.I. State Council of Churches.

NEA's Walsh replied to Carcieri, stating that Crowley's positions are his own. ``Pat does a lot of things,'' said Walsh, referring to Crowley's blogging and union activism as co-chairman of the state's Jobs With Justice group, which supports labor organizing among groups not traditionally well-represented in the labor movement, such as janitors.

The official spokesmen for the NEA on state issues are Walsh and NEA President Lawrence Purtil, Walsh said.

On immigration, the "NEA believes what the courts have ruled, which is that all children no matter where they come from are to be given access to public education without being stigmatized,'' said Walsh.

``I think the governor's letter speaks for itself','' said Jeff Neal, Carcieri's spokesman, when contacted.

Comments

Carcieri's Market said:

It is good to see the "Don" finally reveal his tru nature. It is either the "Don's" way or the highway, everyone agree with the "Don" and his policies/initiatives or be taken to the whipping post. It is also good to see the "Don's" privatization initiatives continuing down the crapper such as the new security companies hired by he or his subordinates, etc. Way to go Don and company. Nice work again.

Link | May 8, 2008 1:22 PM
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