2012 Woonsocket Memorial Day Parade

Veterans Memorial Bridge

Woonsocket, Rhode Island is a city with a great deal of pride. A beautiful city of classic industrial era mills, homes and churches, it has lately fallen on hard economic times, and is currently looking to have the State of Rhode Island take over its finances. At the same time, Woonsocket has found itself embroiled in a First Amendment controversy centered around a mid-sized World War II monument that sports a Christian cross on its summit. The Freedom from Religion Foundation complained, and in response, the city, led by Mayor Leo Fontaine, decided to fight to keep the cross on city property, raising a $15,000 war fund in the process.

In fighting to keep the monument where it is, the argument is being made that the cross is not just a religious symbol, but a secular monument to veterans who fell in war. As such, the monument has historical and secular value, as it is in the interests of the state to support and memorialize our veterans. The Memorial Day parade has been a wonderful tradition in Woonsocket for years, and would provide an excellent means by which to demonstrate their case.

Having read in the Woonsocket Call descriptions of the parades and events that were conducted around the various monuments, I was eager to see what traditions this year's parade would honor. The video below covers the entire parade, but certain things stand out for me. To avoid sitting through the entire forty minute video, I've noted the YouTube time code for the events of note.

04:30- Korean War veteran Bob Duchamp uses his time to give a Christian prayer. Here in lies the problem with trying to say that these memorials don't give preference to a particular religious point of view, in contradiction to the Constitution. Every time Woonsocket flavors their secular event with religion, it's always Christianity.

09:50- The reading of Lincoln's Gettysburg address at the Civil War monument. Abraham Lincoln delivered a campaign address in Woonsocket in 1860, and Lincoln has a special place in Woonsocket's heart as a result.

17:10- Veteran of the Year Thomas Paine, when given a chance to speak, delivers a two minute long prayer. Given that his name sake, the original Thomas Paine, founding father and author of Common Sense was most likely an atheist, I can't help but feel a little disappointed.

19:14- Three members of the Air Force ROTC drop flowers off the Veterans Memorial Bridge and into the river to commemorate those who lost their lives at sea. This tradition goes back a long way in Woonsocket, and is quite moving.

31:08- Mayor Fontaine's speech is quite good. To my mind, despite differences in our perspectives, Mayor Fontaine seems a good man, and a hard working mayor.

38:50- The two completely crazy, Christian themed floats drift by. The first from an elder care facility, the second featuring two white crosses (in support of the monument at Jolicoeur Place?) This was of course followed by a Christian motorcycle club. This ended the parade with a message that should be clear to non-Christian residents; Patriotism equals Christianity.

I love Woonsocket. I want them to get through these hard times and become that great city they once were once again. But they can't have it both ways. They can't maintain that the cross is a secular symbol on the one hand, not favoring any religion, but at the same time flaunt their Christianity at large, public and secular events. Not showing favoritism to any one religion means exactly that: not showing favoritism.

Reader responds in a confusing way:

In response to a post I wrote about Bishop Tobin, a reader suggested I watch this:

What the hell?

Anti-Choice Zealots hold Medical Bill Hostage

On Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at around 5:00 PM a Rhode Island State subcommittee meeting was held to discuss an amendment to bill S 2286, RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - LICENSING OF GENETIC COUNSELORS. The bill is a no-brainer really. Right now there is no statute regarding the licensing of genetic counselors in Rhode Island, opening the door for those without appropriate training and codes of ethics to exploit and potentially harm patients. Fifteen states have licensure laws, and seventeen more, including Rhode Island, have bills in consideration or preparing to be introduced.

Rhode Island’s bill was crafted by Senators Perry, Nesselbush, Sosnowski, Miller and Pichardo. It is a fine bill and has the complete approval of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Genetic Counselors from Rhode Island are keen to see the bill passed, as it speaks to their professionalism and commitment to proper patient care. Passage of such a bill should be an easy slam dunk, as it will prevent patients from being victimized by the unscrupulous and the improperly educated.

So of course this bill can’t be passed by our General Assembly. Why? Because anti-abortion rights activists have stymied the bill for years. Let that sink in. For years versions of this bill have been advanced, only to be continually sidelined by activists like Barth E. Bracy, Executive Director of Rhode Island Right to Life, who said, in 2010:

Genetic counseling can be used for good or for evil, in the same way that fire can be used to cook food or burn down a house. Insofar as genetic counseling can be used in order to enhance and sustain human life and well being, it is a good thing. And we agree that the State of Rhode Island has an interest in regulating the practice of genetic counseling... Our primary concern regarding the Genetic Counseling Licensure Act is to include at least some conscience protection for genetic counselors who do not accept abortion as a valid treatment option in cases where some disability or undesired trait is possible, probable, or even present in an unborn child.

The position statement of the National Society of Genetic Counselors is quite clear on the issue of reproductive freedom:

REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM: NSGC supports the right of all individuals and couples to make reproductive choices. These include using information from genetic counseling and/or testing to decide whether to pursue a pregnancy, to utilize assisted reproductive technologies, to prepare for the birth and future needs of their offspring, to make an adoption plan, or to end a pregnancy. NSGC firmly believes that reproductive decisions should be made in the context of unbiased and comprehensive information, free from discrimination or coercion.

As a result of this conflict between the medical professionals of the NSGC and the anti-abortion zealots represented by Bracy, a so-called conscience amendment was added to the bill:

5-86-8. Counseling concerning abortion.- Nothing in this chapter may be construed to require any genetic counselor to participate in counseling with respect to abortion, nor shall licensing of any genetic counselor be contingent upon participation in such counseling with respect to abortion, and the refusal of the genetic counselor to participate in such counseling with respect to abortion shall not form the basis for any claim of damages on account of the refusal or for any disciplinary or recriminatory action against the genetic counselor, provided that the genetic counselor clearly informs the patient, in a manner consistent with ethical standards… that he or she will not participate in counseling with respect to abortion and offers to give the patient a list of licensed councilors in the state. The genetic counselor’s disclosure of non-participation and offer of a list of other licensed genetic counselors shall be made at the start of the counseling relationship and at other appropriate times, if any, based on the genetic counselor’s professional judgement.

Steve Brown, Executive Director of the Rhode Island ACLU, noted, in a letter to Senator Perry that this amendment:

…Would allow genetic counselors to refuse to counsel “with respect to abortion,” a counselor could potentially use this as an opening to, for example, withhold information about potential fetal abnormalities from women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant. A counselor could, by omission, mislead a patient about her options when serious fetal abnormalities are detected late in the pregnancy. A counselor could even suggest that no other options are available, but so long as the counseling was otherwise “consistent with ethical standards,” the amendment could appear to immunize the counselor from any state regulation or sanction.

In other words, it seems that the bill to license genetic counselors, with this amendment intact, would do nothing to assure the public that genetic counselors are professionals bound by a code of professional ethics to serve the best interests of their patients, because the bill will contain a loophole that will allow potential licensed genetic counselors to place their own consciences above that of their patients rights and needs. As a result, the ACLU proposed small modifications to the language, but these modifications could not win the support of Bracy's RIRTL.

Speaking at the subcommittee meeting Wednesday evening, Benjamin Brown, a 4th year medical student speaking on behalf of Medical Students for Choice, put it quite well:

What concerns me here is that you have heard from the genetic councilors in the room that it is not within their code of ethics not to discuss abortion. And you have heard from other people speaking today that that is a professional requirement. So why would it be necessary to include this language about not talking about abortion if people are going to be acting within their code of ethics of their profession which states that they must discuss abortion? So to me this language makes no sense, it has nothing to do with professional regulation, and it has nothing to do with the professional standard practice of the profession of genetic counseling. It has to do with the fact that there are people who want to restrict access to abortion. This language has no purpose except to give an anti-choice genetic councilor room to hide behind a legal excuse for not providing information about abortion when the code of professional ethics says that you should have given that information, they can say, "Well, but I practice in Rhode Island." [emphasis mine]

We should be clear at this point: The genetic counselors in Rhode Island would greatly prefer a clean version of this bill bill, one without the amendment, but so desperate are they to get some sort of licensing structure approved that they are willing to make a deal with the devil. They are willing to take the bill with the amendment. But what they might not realize is the precedent they are setting here. Paula Hodges, of Planned Parenthood, said it well:

There is a broader concern … that with the approval of such an amendment this committee will have all but formalized the practice of allowing legislation regarding liscensure in the medical field to be held hostage until the wishes of those opposed to abortion are considered and incorporated into the bill’s language. … We know that the Rhode Island ACLU has offered specially crafted improvements to this language which has not been adopted. Regardless, should this committee approve this amendment, with or without improvements, we head down a path where we all meet in these hearings, year after year, as each type of profession seeks to routinely improve or expand its scope of practice. The irrelevant demands of abortion opponents will need to be placated year after year.

The genetic counselors of Rhode Island are just following their code of ethics in capitulating to the unreasonable and irrelevant demands of anti-choice zealots like Barth Bracy and RIRTL. They are seeking to protect the interests of their patients at any cost, counting on their national group’s code of ethics to carry them through the ethical morass created by the amendment. Right now all fourteen people covered under this bill are pro-choice, but what of the future? What is to prevent someone who is anti-choice from becoming licensed and withholding information that would serve the best interests of their patients? In the amended bill, nothing prevents this.

Senator Nusselbaum early on pointed out that the language in the bill is specifically crafted for those who are not pro-choice. Is it really necessary in our society to start crafting two sets of laws, those that cater to the whims of the religious, and those that serve the rest of us? With all the trumped up fear mongering being spread about such nonsense as Sharia law in America, why are we unable to make the small cognitive leap to the emergence of a two-tiered justice system respecting conservative Christian values? 

Further, since when has the General Assembly had any luck crafting these last minute conscience clauses to their bills? Those who remember the much less than satisfactory civil unions bill of last year may recall that any rights such a bill ostensibly granted were seriously undercut by the Corvese amendment, which in some cases may have taken away rights enjoyed by committed same-sex couples who had gone to the trouble of establishing durable powers of attorney for each other. This genetic counseling licensure bill with the amendment included may have a similar effect of establishing a short term gain but a long term loss in the quality of the counselors licensed as anti-choice advocates move into the field, perhaps to work at one of the many fake pregnancy counseling centers that exist only to trick women into not realizing all their health care options.

When a group of bright, committed medical professionals, with the full support of the medical establishment, presents itself to the legislature and asks for legislation that will serve to protect the integrity of their profession and the health of their patients, the legislature needs to listen to them, and not to anti-choice cranks who care nothing for the health and safety of anyone save for the the unborn.

This bill should be passed, immediately and without any amendments.

 But don’t hold your breath.

Clinic Defense May 19, 2012

On Saturday morning, May 19, 2012, Humanists of Rhode Island teamed up with the Rhode Island Anti-Sexism League in a clinic defense, essentially counter-protesting the anti-choice crowd that gathers outside a women's reproductive health care facility every Saturday to intimidate and harass those who need to avail themselves of the services.

This kind of action is important because without the presence of those who support women's reproductive rights making their opinions known, the issue becomes dominated by the right-wing, Evangelical and Catholic agenda.

City Hails 3 Hero Brothers In Memorial Day Highlight

From the Woonsocket Call, June 1, 1952

Note: The microfilm of this edition of the Woonsocket Call available at the Woonsocket Library has many places where the words have become indecipherable. These areas are indicated with ellipses.

City Hails 3 Hero Brothers In Memorial Day Highlight

 … from the … City Hall and flanked by the Tricolor of France … emblem, served as the patriotic setting for Mayor Parent and City Council members, French Vice Consul Rene Cerisoles of Boston, leaders of veterans organizations and other dignitaries as they officially … yesterday’s Memorial Day parade.

Not only did area residents turn out by the thousands to view the traditional procession and pay tribute to the nation’s dead of all wars, but several thousand persons gathered … to attend the dedication of the monument in honor of the Gagne brothers … who lost their lives in the nation’s service during World War II.

Cerisloes, spokesman of the French Republic, was one of the keynote speakers at the dedication, and recalled that more than 30 years ago the intersection was dedicated by Marshal Ferdinand Foch in memory of William Jolicoeur who lost his life during the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

“I am proud and honored to represent my government at the dedication …in memory of three of your …lost their lives … World War … “it makes me feel very humble to be … Memorial day, on the same place where stood the commander-in chief of all Allied forces in World War I.”

Cabana Also Speaks

Other speakers at the dedication, which highlighted the day’s local observance, included Aldermanic President Paul J. Cabana of the Fifth Ward and Anthony J. Doyle of Pawtucket, national committeeman of the Disabled American Veterans.

Th program at Place Jolicoeur opened with flag raising ceremonies, singing the National Anthem by Mabel Morgan of WWON, “Taps” by Philip A. Desautels and the unveiling rites by Eugene L. Jacobs of the DAV.

The dedication speech was given by Alderman Cabana after the benediction by Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. Adrien Forest, pastor of St. Ann’s Church. Armand F. Plaisance, commander of Carpentier-Bacon Post, DAV, which sponsored the monument, was master of ceremonies.

Dedication rites included presentation of a bouquet to Mrs. Bernadette Gagne of 34 Hamlet avenue, mother of the memorialized trio, by Alice Bacon, commander of the DAV auxiliary; presentation of a memorial plaque by Raymond Michaud, president of Narragansett Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles; presentation of American and State flags by Harold Dumais, of the Franco-American Veterans and Frank Suffoletto of Woonsocket Lodge of Elks, respectively. Wreaths were placed at the base of the monument by the various veterans groups represented.

Six-Division Parade

The six-division parade formed at the junction of Hamlet avenue and Cumberland Hill road shortly after 10 a.m. And particitants found ideal marching weather. Light showers began shortly before the dedication but lasted only a few minutes. Cloudy skies kept the mercury in the 60-degree bracket throughout the forenoon, much to the comfort of the paraders, who concluded their march about noon at Young (Market) square.

Alderman Cabana, in paying tribute to Mrs. Gagne, pointed out that millions of American homes were called upon to give sons or daughters to the defense of our nation but that few had suffered such a loss. “No more could be asked of any mother.”

He commended the DAV for arranging the program, Herbert and Lester Bicknell, the Blackstone Valley Gas & Electric Company, and the municipal parks department workers for their part in the erection of the memorial and read the memorial resolution enacted in the City Council.

“It is most appropriate and fitting that this dedication take place here at Place Jolicoeur,” Cabana added, “Many of you here today were present in 1921 when Marshal Foch of our great ally France dedicated this location in honor of William Jolicoeur, killed in France in 1918. To the members of the Jolicoeur family we say - “We have not forgotten your great sacrifice, we never will.” Place Jolicoeur will always remain such. Three younger buddies have now joined Bill Jolicoeur.

Contributions Too Little

“I call upon everyone of us to re-examine his present everyday contribution to the cause of freedom and democracy. Examination will show that every last one of us in this community contributes too little by comparison to the sacrifices imposed upon the Gagne family… power and personal glory. Let us pledge to the memory of these, and all other Woonsocket men and women of all wars who have given their all— that they shall not have died in vain.” Cabana concluded with the hope that the community will never forget.

French Consul Cerisoles said the presence of an official of France at the dedication rites was “proof again that our two countries have been standing side by side in moments of need; from Lafayette to Eisenhower and Ridgeway, French names have been linked to those of Americans.

“Your soldiers have fought for the same ideals, for the same cause, together with their brothers from my country. They fought for liberty in America as well as in France, just as they are now fighting in Korea and Indo-China.”

 Toll In Indo-China

Cerisoles said not many French troops are in Korea because France is fighting single handed and without the aid of foreign troops, the costly war in Indo-China. He pointed out that France has 340,000 troops there and losses from 1945 to 1951 have risen to more than 29,000 dead or missing, of which more than 1,000 were officers. This year alone, four hundred million francs or more than one billion dollars has been appropriated for military purposes in Indo-China.

“Without this French effort the independence of the three associated states of Vietnam, laos and Cambodia would not last long and everyone knows what would be the consequences of a Communist victory in Indo-China.”

Cerisoles said President truman recognized the role France has played and explained the situation to West Point cadets a few days ago. Indo-Chinese nationals are being trained to defend their own country and additional divisions will be established if enough American weapons can be sent to indo-China.

Discussing promises made to this country to defend Europe, the vice… mobilization.

 Thankful To This Country

“It requires a tremendous financial effort and we certainly are thankful to the United states to have helped us in so many ways and to have enabled us to play an important role in the “common effort” Cerisoles told the gathering.

He concluded by paying respects to the American War dead who gave their “lives so that liberty and freedom would not be mere words. As a Frenchman, as a friend of the US and as a veteran, I sincerely hop and wish that there will not be a third time.”

National Committeeman Doyle of the DAV pointed out that his organization is dedicated “to keep faith with the men who came back from battle for liberty, physically and mentally handicapped” and said it I the duty of every citizen to protect the war-disabled by offering them adequate medical and hospital treatment, proper living conditions and a chance to make a decent living through the use of their remaining abilities, and preference in obtaining government jobs.

“I am sure that if they could join us today, the men who lie beneath the white crosses would prefer a good deed performed in their name for their living disabled comrades to a memorial wreath laid upon their own graves.” Doyle asserted.

Tribute To Sailor Dead

Just before the parade got underway, members of the Marcia Ransom Abbot Auxiliary, United Spanish War Veterans, dropped flowers of the Hamlet Avenue Bridge into the waters of the Blackstone River. In past years the tribute to the sailor dead was conducted off Court street bridge.

Tribute was also paid to the soldier dead at ceremonies held shortly after 11 o’clock at Monument square where the procession made a brief halt.

The ceremonies at the Soldiers’ Monument opened with the playing of “America” by the Amvets band, a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Herrell, pastor of the First Methodist Church, recitation of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address by Joseph Cimerol, an honor student of the class of ’52 at Woonsocket Senior High School. It concluded with the National anthem by the Amvets Band, benediction by Dr. Harrell and the sounding of “Taps.”

Lt. Col. Henry C. Card was chief marshal of the parade and James R. Tempest was chief of staff. Heading the procession was a platoon of police headed by Sgt. Michael J. O’Brien and the color bearer and guards.

The Bishop Wears no Clothes

Many Roman Catholics look to those who hold exalted positions within the hierarchy of the church for guidance on moral issues, but if polls on the behavior of Catholics in their personal lives regarding such issues as birth control and marriage equality are any indication, most Catholics find their morality elsewhere.

Still, this does not stop some high ranking prelates, such as Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Archdiocese of Providence, from publicly pontificating on issues of concern to the Church and using his not inconsiderable political power to influence the General Assembly to hue closely to Catholic ideals. As reported on RI Future, “The President, the entire congressional delegation, the governor and the House all would support marriage equality in Rhode Island. But ‘probably two handfuls’ of Catholic state Senators still stand in the way.” Unfortunately, those two handfuls of Catholic Senators give the impression of answering to Bishop Tobin first, and their constituents and the Constitution of the United States second.

Tobin is unafraid to take strong stands to advance the political agenda of his church in a very public way. In 2009 the bishop famously denied Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy the sacrament of communion because Kennedy supported a woman's right to choose in matters of abortion and family planning.

Speaking on Fox News’ Bill O'Reilly show in December of 2009, Tobin said:

I think the Church has every right and indeed the obligation to be at the table in these important questions of public policy and certainly the bishops have been for a long time now involved in the question [of] health care and the legislation that's been developing and lots of other issues too and as I've often said, if the church, not just the Catholic church, but the religious community, if we don't bring these values, this spiritual vision to these discussions, who else will do that?

O'Reilly, to his credit, pushed back against Tobin somewhat, asking why he would deny legislators sacraments in the case of supporting abortion rights but not in the case of a politician supporting capital punishment. Tobin differentiated between abortion and capitol punishment:

Abortion we believe is intrinsically wrong, it's always wrong. There are no circumstances under which abortion can be justified… the church has been very clear and very consistent about that. However the church has also taught pretty consistently the death penalty, while it is not necessary and probably immoral in our time, at least in theory there may be circumstances that allows the death penalty to be a moral option.

To a non-Catholic Tobin's distinction may seem arbitrary or overly legalistic, but the bishop, when speaking on matters of Catholic theology and doctrine should be taken at his word. Tobin clearly intends to ground his public comments on political issues in morality as interpreted by the Catholic Church. He said as much recently on the May 15, 2012 Buddy Cianci Show. Talking about marriage equality, Tobin said:

We don't want to fight with [proponents of same-sex marriage] but we do have the right and I think the duty to comment on these issues and the pieces of legislation we think are objectionable and we'll try to do that but we'll try to do that respectfully.

Odd then, that even given the distinction he makes between between abortion and capital punishment, Tobin would be more concerned with opposing marriage equality and standing up for such seemingly trivial matters as the prayer banner in Cranston or the cross in Woonsocket than in standing up against capital punishment. These other issues are certainly not life or death propositions, though certainly the quality of life would be improved immeasurably for many in our state by the passage of a marriage equality bill.

Clarifying his position on the death penalty through the lens of the Pleau case, Tobin explains why he does not feel qualified to speak out on this issue on the May 10, 2012 John DePetro Show:

The position of the church on capital punishment is rather clear, that we do do not think that the use of capital punishment in necessary or appropriate in our culture and in our society today. I've intentionally stayed away from this particular issue because it gets quickly involved in constitutional issues and state's rights issues and federal law and local law that I'm really not qualified to talk about. So while in principle I would support the rejection of the use of capital punishment I've intentionally stayed away from this particular [case] because it does get rather involved in technical legal issues that I'm not at all qualified to address.

Elaborating further, if a bit repetitively, Tobin adds:

…there are some technical legal questions involved and again that's why I've deliberately tried to stay out of that issue because it's well beyond my competence to try and say where the Federal law begins and where the state law begins and the responsibilities of the federal government and governor. While [Catholics] certainly reject the use of capital punishment in our culture and our society today because it is, again, the taking of a human life, we don't think it’s necessary. This is a very complex issue that involves law and the Constitution on the one hand, but very deep and personal and heartfelt emotions on the other and it’s enormously difficult to balance the two.

So with this deft bit of verbal lawyering Tobin divorces himself from having to speak out on the issue of capital punishment because he is not a lawyer. This makes sense, in a way, because Tobin is a theologian, not a lawyer, and should optimally only be engaged in theological pursuits and providing moral guidance for the Catholics in his church. But how do we square Tobin’s reluctance with his earlier assertion that he and his church “…have the right and I think the duty to comment on these issues and the pieces of legislation we think are objectionable…”

Tobin can certainly sound lawyerly when he wants to. Speaking about the Cross in Woonsocket now at the center of a church/state separation debate, Tobin said:

It certainly has nothing to do with the separation of church and state, this is not the establishment of a denomination, it's not the establishment of a particular church or the recognizing of a church by the state, this is a cultural symbol…

One might be led to believe that the Woonsocket Cross is not “a very complex issue that involves law and the Constitution” that Tobin is “not at all qualified to address” but is instead a simple moral issue that the bishop feels well qualified to speak out on. On this issue and others, Tobin is not prepared to claim legal ignorance but instead speaks out forcefully.

On the May 10th DePetro Show Tobin decried President Obama’s recent declaration that his position has evolved and that he now personally supports marriage equality. Tobin said:

It’s a very, very strange evolution. The man has no real moral foundation, moral compass. This is clearly politically driven… It's unfortunate that the leader of our nation doesn't have a stronger moral compass to direct him… and you know, some of the other politicians who have chimed in on this I think have the same lack of moral foundation, whether you talk about President Obama or Vice President Biden or the Senators, Whitehouse and Reed or the Congressmen Langevin and Cicilline, none of them have a strong moral foundation or compass, there's not a single profile in courage among the lot.

Speaking of Reed, and the rest of the Rhode Island delegation, Tobin added:

I think the whole group … are driven by the Democratic agenda.

and

In many of these cases, for some of these politicians it's more important for them to be a Democrat than a Catholic and in many cases they've abandoned the basic teaching of the church.

Let’s go back to Tobin’s attack on Congressman Kennedy, a Democrat. Let’s go back to the silly issue over the Christmas Tree, or Holiday Tree, as Governor Chafee’s office called it. Even though plenty of evidence was produced to show that former Governor Carcieri, a Republican, had also referred to the tree in the Rhode Island State House as a Holiday Tree on more than one occasion, Tobin never had an issue with the designation until Governor Chafee took office. Chafee, an Independent who strongly favors marriage equality, is disliked by Bishop Tobin whereas Carcieri found in Tobin a staunch supporter.

This is likely why Tobin will not take a strong stance on the Pleau case. Governor Chafee is making a very strong, moral case that Rhode Island’s long and historic opposition to the death penalty necessitates exhausting every legal option, up to and including the Supreme Court, to prevent a Rhode Island citizen from facing the death penalty on a Federal level. Though it is a complex legal case, the morality of the death penalty is a comparatively simple moral stance to take from the point of view of a Roman Catholic, but Tobin balks. Though the bishop would, in theory, oppose the death penalty on Catholic theological grounds, he seems to not want to do anything that might make it appear that he is supporting the governor, a political enemy.

It should surprise no one that Bishop Tobin’s political bent is not progressive or liberal. It is right-wing and authoritarian in the worst way. He is anti-gay rights, anti-women’s rights, and even opposed to the constitutional separation of church and state. Tobin is a theocrat. Even the most progressive stance he espouses, that the death penalty is at least in theory morally wrong is shrouded in caveats:

…we do do not think that the use of capital punishment is necessary or appropriate in our culture and in our society today.

Note that Tobin qualifies that statement with the word, “today.” The death penalty was appropriate in the past (perhaps when the Catholic Church had nearly unlimited political power) and may one day be morally correct in the future (in that nightmare world where the Catholic Church has massive political power once more.) It is only today, when the moral certainty of the Catholic church is marginalized by secular society, that capital punishment is considered wrong by Tobin.

Tobin’s reactionary politics may be abhorrent to progressives and humanists, but in truth little more can be expected from a man so deeply vested in the ancient theocratic mindset prevalent in today’s Catholic Church. I would venture that Tobin’s tenure as Bishop has been devastating to Rhode Island Catholics especially since under his tenure the percentage of Catholics in the state has dropped to 44% according to a study by the Association of Statisticians of American religious Bodies. Indeed, Rhode Island can no longer claim to be the most Catholic state in the United States, that distinction now belongs to Massachusetts.

Worse than his politics is Tobin’s style of public discourse. On the marriage equality debate, Tobin said:

…let me emphasize [when] we [the Roman Catholic Church] participate in these public debates it's never intended to be insulting or personally offensive [to people of] same-sex orientation. They are children of God and certainly our brothers and sisters in the community.

Apparently the insulting and personally offensive comments are reserved for those working to preserve the reproductive rights of women. On the Providence Diocese website RICatholic.com, The American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, Humanists of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Medical Society, Brown Medical Students for Choice and Catholics for Choice were referred to as “radical promoters of death” for speaking out against laws that seek to limit a woman’s right to access birth control, including abortion.

Tobin equates atheism with a lack of morality, though even the most conservative Catholic theologians understand that people can be moral with a belief in God. Tobin is quick to make gross, sweeping characterizations about non-believers. Speaking on the April 24th John DePetro Show about the cross in Woonsocket, Tobin makes the following, almost paranoid statement:

Do we want a state and a nation completely free of any expressions of faith or references to God or moral values or spiritual values order we want a state and a nation where these things are part of our life and part of our culture. I think the church, the religious community, the faith community has so much to contribute to our citizens, to our individuals but to our common life together that's the kind of nation state we have had historically, but unfortunately these other forces of secularism and atheism are encroaching upon us. You know the governor has that famous quote he said that "the world is changing" well I hope it's not changing that much because then we're going to be completely separated from God and we'll be living truly in an atheistic culture and society and i don't think most of our people want that.

Tobin fears living “in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute—where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote—where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference—and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him.” Tobin fears this because in this America he would just be just another priest, ministering to his flock, watching his religion become ever more redundant in a world that has left ancient and medieval beliefs behind. By the way, the above quote is from John F. Kennedy in his address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association from September 12, 1960.

Tobin seems well acquainted with this former president. Not only is former Congressman Patrick Kennedy JFK’s nephew, Tobin obliquely referenced the first and so far only Catholic president when speaking of the Congressional delegation from Rhode Island, saying, “there's not a single profile in courage among the lot.” Profiles in Courage is a 1955 Pulitzer Prize winning book by JFK that “describes acts of bravery and integrity by eight United States Senators throughout the Senate's history.” Tobin knows the popularity of JFK among his Catholic constituency, and his use of the presidents book title to disparage our present crop of senators and congressmen is particularly appalling given Kennedy’s expressed views on church/state separation.

Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, famously said, “…when one mixes religion and politics, one gets politics” and that’s something that Bishop Tobin should pay more attention to. The more involved the Catholic Church gets involved in politics the less it becomes a church and the more it becomes just another conservative political lobby. Mythological belief systems may work to under gird a system of personal morality for some people but actively working to enforce those personal values on everyone in our secular society is theocratic, anti-Democratic and anti-American.

Bishop Thomas Tobin frocks himself in the garments of moral authority and spiritual leadership but his conservative politicking on social issues reveal him as a naked hypocrite. When it comes to morality and ethics, the Bishop has no clothes.

Woonsocket Celebrates Fourth With Fitting Observance

From the Woonsocket Call July 5, 1921

Woonsocket Celebrates Fourth With Fitting Observance

Dedicates Squares Re-named As Tribute to This City’s Fallen Heroes in Great World War— Big Parade and Exercises at Cold Spring Park Features of Celebration— Numerous Handsome Floats Add Touch of Color to Parade.

Woonsocket celebrated in grand style, yesterday, the Fourth of July, 1921, the 145th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Fourth of July, 1776, and on the occasion of this same celebration, dedicated to the perpetual honor and respect of all Americans of all times, the memory of those Woonsocket heroes who made the supreme sacrifice that not only America, but civilization might live, free and unfettered.

In vivid contrast to the cold rainy days of last week the city awoke to a glorious Fourth and hustled around in the sweltering heat to do honor to its heroes and to fittingly commemorate the deeds, not only of those day of ’76 but of later years when Americans, all, responded to the call of Old Glory. Almost every available space in buildings and on poles throughout the city was decorated with the Stars and Stripes, and with this as a background, the veterans of three wars, officials, and all taking part in the parade, gathered between Cass avenue and Hamlet avenue, on Cumberland street, with the Chief Marshal Joseph Pratt and this staff at the corner of Cass avenue and Cumberland street, where the head of the parade was formed.

Parade Gets Underway.

The line started to form shortly after 9 o’clock, but it was over an hour later before the hosts that turned out were properly assembled and placed for the march. With the streets lined with spectators, Chief Marshall Pratt gave the order about 10:30 that started the line moving towards its destination. More than half of the procession was around the corner on Hamlet avenue, where the length of the parade necessitated its being placed for formation.

The parade moved to Place Belhumeur, (Social Corner) where it halted for one minute in honor of the dead soldier for whom the square was re-named.

The line of march was then resumed to Monument Square where the parade was again halted for a brief period to honor the memory of those veterans to whom the square has been dedicated. The next stop was at Flynn Square (Depot Square) where the dedicatory exercises were held.

As the marchers drew up to Flynn Square they were greeted by a salvo of salutes fired from the Court Street Bridge. The entire square was a mass of American flags, and every available position, on street, or, in the windows was occupied by the people who had ventured out to witness the exercises. Machines blocked all streets, packed with spectators.

Marchers Reviewed.

Mayor Adelard L. Soucy and members of the City Council were on the reviewing stand at the junction of High and Main streets. The parade was halted in the square while Mayor Soucy made the dedicatory address, dedicating the squares and consecrating the names of those who died for their country. Mayor Soucy said in part that, “the dedication of these squares today offers the utmost proof that in thus consecrating the names of these heroes, they have not died in vain.”

The line of march was then resumed and the parade reviewed by Mayor Soucy and the members of the City Council. The parade again halted, after passing through Main street, at Young Square, (Market Square), and from there passed over Arnold street to Railroad street, over Railroad street to Curtis Square, (Randall Square) where another halt of one minute was made. From there the procession moved over Harris avenue to Cold Spring Park, where the marchers were drawn up forming a hollow square, for the patriotic exercises. Following these, the parade was dismissed.

Parade Formation.

The Formation of the Parade follows:

Platoon of police, Sergeant Keenan in charge: patrolmen Salvas, Monegan, Plasse, Perron, Mailloux, Cunningham, McCormack and Kelley.

Chief Marshal, Joseph Pratt.

Chief of Staff, Adelbert LaRoche.

Members of staff (mounted): Norbert Drainville, Victor Lavimodiere, Frank Marcotte.

Color bearer, Harry Pratt, color guards, Leo Brien, Raymond O’Donnell.

First Division.

Marshal: Major Henry C. Card.

Aide: Louis Cabana.

Woonsocket Cornet Band, W. H. Houghton, director.

12th Company artillery, Rhode Island National Guard, Capt. Wolf.

United Train of Artillery, Providence, Col. Lyons and staff, Captain Young.

Rhode Island Division, Sons of Veterans, with representatives of camp 7, Providence, camp 10, Woonsocket, camp 16, Pascoag, camp 19, Providence. Division commander F. A. Hoyt, acting captain, F. L. Barrows.

Veterans of the G. A. R. In automobiles.

Ladies of the G. A. R. In automobiles.

Veterans of the Spanish-American War.

Consolidated posts, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States representing Darnbrough Parkin Post No. 152, Providence Payne Post No. 174, Providence Connell Post, No. 215, Providence Flynn Post No. 263, Woonsocket Yankee Division Post No. 272, Providence Getchell Post No. 306, Pawtucket Bretton-Perry Post No. 332, Providence McKenna Post No. 592. Providence Getchell Post was represented by its drum corps of twenty […] Past Inspector General of the National Encampment V. F. W. His staff consisted of Junior Vice Commander of the national encampment Ernest Goodread, Capt. Arthur C. Cole, president of the Second Division Association, Edward Donnelly, Sgt. F. E. Carr, Flynn Post 353 Woonsocket and Georges Toutin 45th Division French Infantry.

Second Division.

Marshal Robert Mason

Aide, Leo St. Onge.

Mounted color bearer Mrs. Walter Gaskill.

Eagle Band, 26 pieces, Samuel Cote, director.

A large delegation from Andrew F. Young Post No. 3 American Legion. Lester E Ramsey, commander. Color bearers George miller, Ovila Arsenault, color guards Leo Boucher, Edward Murray.

Drum corps of Post 45, V. F. W., Providence, Twelve pieces.

Women’s Auxiliary to Post No. 3, American Legion.

Conseil Gagnon, No. 183 l’Union St. Jean-Baptiste.

Degree team, Woonsocket Aerie No. 205, Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Third Division.

Marshal, Lorenzo heath.

Aide Eugene Lemery.

Alice Mill band, the Woonsocket Rubber Company. Stanley Sanski, Ukrainian Association. President Poboryski in command, director Representatives of Italian society in automobiles. Ukrainian Band. Floats.

Numerous Floats.

Four societies were represented in the parade by emblematic floats. The American Legion had a float showing the wounded soldier wound up in congressional red tape; Woonsocket Lodge of Elks showed the signing of the Declaration of Independence; the Daughters of the American Revolution had a float representing Betsy Ross making the first American flag and the Loyal Order of Moose had a float representing Mooseheart.

The manufacturers were represented by attractive floats showing the character of the articles they make and by others which were decorated in the national colors. Those in this section were the Guerin Spinning Co., Perseverance Worsted Co., Nyanza Mills, Park Spring Dyeing & Bleaching Co., Alsace Worsted Co., Montrose Worsted Co., Taft-Pierce Co., Glenark Mills and Enterprise Dye Works.

The merchants represented by floats were Harris & Mowry Co., Goodnow-Morse-Brooks, Bresnahan Grocery Co., Lefrancois Transfer & Teaming Co., Armour & Co., Eagle Garage, Sylvestre & Brodeur, Clinton Cash Market, Blackstone Valley Gas & Electric Co., Kane’s Furniture Store, Dulude & Gervais, and the Canadian Hay & Grain Co.

Prizes for Floats.

The judges on the floats, who were Superintendent of Schools Wendell A. Mowry, Rev. Ernest Morin and Rev. E. Dean Ellenwood, awarded the first prize for the best float representing a patriotic event in American history to the Woonsocket Lodge of Elks, its float representing the signing of the Declaration of independence. The prize is $50. The second prize, $30, was awarded to the Daughters of the American Revolution, the float representing Betsy Ross making the first American flag.

In the mercantile division the first prize, $25, was awarded to Goodnow-Morse-Brooks; the second prize, $15, to the Breanahan Grocery Co.; $10, to the Blackstone Valley Gas & Electric Co.

First prize in the manufacturing division, $25, was awarded to the Park Spring Dyeing & Bleaching Co.; second prize, $15, to the Enterprise Dye Works; and third prize, $10, to the Nyanza Mills.

Exercises at Park.

Hundreds braved the heat to attend the patriotic exercises at Cold Spring Park at the close of the parade, and enjoyed an excellent address by Representative Francis B. Condon of Central Falls. Mayor Adelard L. Soucy presided as master of ceremonies and following a selection by the Woonsocket Cornet Band and the singing of “America” by the school children under the direction of F. E. Kettlety, introduced Mr. Condon himself a Legion member who was attached to the 77th Div. At Camp Merritt.

Mr. Condon, in opening his address, paid tribute to the city in selecting the 145th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence […] Woonsocket soldiers who met death in the late war by renaming the squares of the city in commemoration of their supreme sacrifice.

“Woonsocket has done itself proud today” said the speaker, “In so honoring the brave men who died to prevent foreign aggression, who gave up their lives that people of America might enjoy liberty and democracy. These were not generals, these men did not command armies, but proved themselves heroes in the ranks.

“Let us not forget their sacrifice in the name of democracy,” continued the speaker, “Let no pseudo-American step in and destroy that which they died to save. Let us stand guard at the gate of American liberty and let no one darken its history which began with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.”

In conclusion the speaker urged the co-operation of the American people with the American Legion in its efforts to give aid to disabled service men who have done so much for the world and all humanity.

Following two selections by the school children “There’s a Long Long Trail” and “Keep the Home Fires Burning” the program was brought to a close with the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The Committees.

The observance was in charge of committees representing the City Council together with various societies, the Woonsocket Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. Alderman Thomas F. Rodgers was chairman of the general committee while City Auditor J. V. Normandin was secretary and A. Colitz, assistant secretary.

The general committee, representing the City Council and composed of members of the City Council included the following: Aldermen Thomas F. Rodgers, James F. Carroll and Frank P. O’Donnell and Councilman Augustin Fealhaber, Adelard E. Peloquin, Louis T. Allard, Edward W. Reade, Henry W. O’Brien and Raoul Renaud.

The various sub-committees were as follows:

Music: Councilman Fealhaber, T. P. Magee, Joseph Pratt; horribles, Councilman Peloquin, Ernest heath, Guilford Liard, Napoleon Breton, Louis Archambault; decorations, Councilman Renaud, John Linton, Gustave Hummel; committee on chief marshal, Alderman Carroll, Louis Cabana, Major James R. Kane; refreshments, Councilman O’Brien, Mrs. Ruth Carr, Mrs. Emma Drury, Mrs. Henry Card, Mrs. Napoleon Chevallier, F. A. Carr, William A. Wilson, Mr. Hamilton; school children, Councilman Reade, T. P. Magee, Mrs. Gertrude W. Carpenter; battery salutes, Councilman Allard, Capt. William P. Shunney, Major James R. Kane; floats, C. E. Smith, chairman, Alderman Frank O’Donnell, Mrs. Edith Gaunt, A. Colitz, Mr. Sawyer, Mrs. Ruth Carr, Mrs. Melina Luduc, George Macgregor, C. E. Conkey, T. E. Sharkey, Joseph Pratt and Evan Urquhart; speakers, Councilman O’Brien, harry Brown, R. R. Heroux; transportation, Councilman Peloquin, Clyde O/ Dudley, Frank McKenna; parade, Councilman Reade and Govel, David R. Howard; publicity, L. B. Taft, P. Dellerose, John Linton, C. E. Smith; budget, members of the City Council committee; reception committee, Mayor Adelard L. Soucy, H. J. Lagace, Dr. J. G. Boucher, P. J. Hemond, Sinai Belanger, Joseph Roy, martin M. McLaughlin, Louis Drodeur, Dr. J. J. Gearon, P. J. Cox, E. S. Lafayette, Edmund Guerin, Hugo Jarrett, John R. Higgins, Joseph O. Lefrancois, Dr. Alfred Poirier, Dr. J. V. O’Connor, Charles L. Warner, Dr. R. G. Reed, Dr. W. G. Bernard, Philip Boucher, Alphonse Gaulin, John C. Cosseboom, Edwin Belheumer, J. B. Brindamour and Judge Earle Brown.