Jim Langevin

Latest Articles

Immortalizing Irene: dressed up to clean up, tales of survival, and blowhards

Paging Babe the Blue Ox
Phillipe had to endure Irene at Casa Diablo South in Newport. No problems at all, save for a titanic poplar limb, whose size had already led P&J to dub it "Johnny Wadd," falling all the way across the circular driveway and nearly taking down the power lines.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | August 31, 2011

The way I roll

A florid salutation; the changing Times ; more on the Roots Café
As you may have read in this space last week, my decades-long partner in crime, Chip Young, has left the column for a gig at golocalprov.com . So first, a word about the new "Cool, Cool World."
By RUDY CHEEKS | March 16, 2011

The Independent Man, and greased to go

Our last words on campaign ’10; acting up; farewell, Len Jardine
Phillipe and Jorge were given a subtle indicator that it was going to be a tough election night when an ad for his-and-hers KY Jelly ran right after the early ballot projections on Channel 6's news at 9 pm. This was to be a Ben Dover Production, indeed.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | November 04, 2010

Post-primary punditry; war games; holy howlers; words worth reading

Fallen chips
OK, boys and girls, the primaries are over. Let’s see what hit the floor when the chips fell on Tuesday.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | September 16, 2010

The most wonderful (not) time of year: P+J's endorsements

Plus, pushing for a free press at CCRI; remembering Nathan
Yes, it's election time and, sad to say, all those ridiculous television ads that are designed to capture the "moron vote" (by far, the largest sector of the voting public) are in heavy rotation.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | September 08, 2010

Blowin’ up good!

Going ballistic on the fireworks bill; Baccari is at it again; more electioneering
Pretty shrewd. In a state that suffered through a horrific nightclub fire in 2003 that killed 100 people, the General Assembly pushed through legislation that some thought would permit people to buy the type of fireworks (called “gerbs,” which means they must resemble disgraced former Governor Ed “Gerber Baby” DiPrete) that led to the disaster inside the Station.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | June 24, 2010

The first Latino mayor?

Angel Taveras’s moment suddenly arrives
Until recently, to talk about Angel Taveras was to talk about the future.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | April 15, 2010

Down ballot drama

Important races to watch in '10
The race for governor and the scramble to replace retiring Representative Patrick J. Kennedy have obsessed Rhode Island's chattering class. But all the talk has obscured an intriguing set of "down ballot" races for lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, and secretary of state.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | March 10, 2010

Political pig pile

Kennedy sets off a free-for-all; bad news for Loughlin and Dennigan
For some time now, we at Casa Diablo have been aware of what is either a heinous conspiracy involving the timing of local news revelations or just another unfair law of nature.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | February 24, 2010

What now?

Kennedy's exit rewrites the political game book.
Representative Patrick J. Kennedy's campaigns were always about something far larger than Rhode Island's First Congressional District, which snakes from Burrillville down through the Blackstone Valley and into Newport.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | February 17, 2010

The next Scott Brown?

John J. Loughlin’s suddenly high-profile campaign to oust Patrick Kennedy
Republican Scott Brown's victory last month in the race for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat has every two-bit GOP hopeful in the Northeast claiming the mantle of the pick-up truck populist.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | February 10, 2010

Does Scott Brown’s victory mean doom for RI Democrats?

Fallout
Republican Scott Brown's stunning victory this week in the race for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts has created something approaching panic in the ranks of Congressional Democrats.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 20, 2010

What’s next for Cicilline?

After a couple of tough years — and some jabs from Buddy — how bright is his political future?
Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline rode into office seven years ago as the fresh-faced anti-Buddy. Bleach for a soiled City Hall.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 21, 2010

It will not be a dull year!

The governor’s race, gambling, drama on Smith Hill, and more is on tap in 2010
The New Year is shaping up as potent dope for the political junkie.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 06, 2010

Easy Ed strikes again

More propaganda from Achorn. Plus, legislative musings and more.
It’s always easy for Ed. That’s “Easy Ed” Achorn, the Other Paper’s deputy editorial pages editor who is the equivalent of a right-wing P&J.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | November 11, 2009

Vo Dilun’s ultimate reality show

What’s up with Williams? Plus, The Gov and Glenn, and a time for Jen
Attention all real housewives of New Jersey, Atlanta, and Orange County, Jon, Kate and all Kardashians and Biggest Losers: your lunch has just been taken. That’s right, when it comes to bizarro reality world excitement, you just can’t touch the Biggest Little.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 07, 2009

Camelot: The Next Generation

Patrick Kennedy is a square peg in his family's historic round table
Senator Ted Kennedy's months-long battle with brain cancer inspired endless commentary about the demise of Camelot.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | October 01, 2009

State House status

In a purportedly liberal state, the Rhode Island General Assembly has a stubbornly conservative bent. But can progressive politics make a dent in 2010?
Rhode Island voters, for all their supposed insularity, are an increasingly progressive bunch.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | August 12, 2009

Interview: Jim Langevin

This Just In
Rhode Island Congressman Jim Langevin has been in the news of late.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | July 29, 2009

Artful dodger

Keep the RISD Museum open in August! Plus, the weirdness on C Street.
Phillipe and Jorge are quite disappointed to see that the Rhode Island School of Design Museum will be closing for the month of August, largely due to its endowment being down due to the economic recession.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | July 15, 2009

Carcieri pushes for Medicaid waiver

Talking Politics
With the impact disputed, Carcieri pushes for his Medicaid waiver.
By IAN DONNIS | January 15, 2009

With the impact disputed, Carcieri pushes for his Medicaid waiver

Talking Politics
There's a certain audacity to Governor Carcieri's drive to put a global Medicaid waiver in place in Rhode Island.
By IAN DONNIS | January 14, 2009

Obama for president

Plus, Reed for Senate, Kennedy and Langevin for US House, and choices for State Senate, House, and more
The Phoenix endorses Barack Obama for President and Joe Biden for Vice President.
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX EDITORIAL STAFF | October 29, 2008

RI ’08: Prelude to 2010

In a national year of change, stasis is likely to prevail at the General Assembly
During a national election season in which “change” remains the dominant motif, Rhode Island politics is locked in a holding pattern marked by a Democratic stranglehold on state and federal offices.
By IAN DONNIS | October 31, 2008

30 on 30

30 local luminaries look back on 30 years of the New Paper and the Providence Phoenix
The Providence Phoenix celebrates 30 years with 30 interviews
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX STAFF | October 24, 2008

Critics say bill co-sponsored by Langevin and Kennedy heightens tensions

Iran
Rhode Island peace activists say a resolution co-sponsored by US Representatives James Langevin and Patrick Kennedy could lead to war with Iran.
By STEVEN STYCOS | August 13, 2008

Is Homeland Security dough well spent?

Follow the money
“Because it is human nature to overspend on unlikely catastrophic events, it is likely that terrorists have succeeded in getting the world to overspend on counterterrorism,” they write.
By PETER VOSKAMP | April 02, 2008

The battle of the smallest state

The Rhode Island wields a rare impact as Clinton and Obama go head to head
Clinton bathed in the intense affection of an adoring crowd, her every statement punctuated by wild applause, chants, and a rising sea of blue signs touting her campaign.
By IAN DONNIS | February 29, 2008

A one-stop guide to RI’s delegates and superdelegates

Democracy?
Get a load of how the Democratic Party selects its presidential nominee — and how Rhode Island fits into this process.
By MATT JERZYK | February 27, 2008

The best of times

Local notables share their favorite holiday traditions
Holidays and their attendant celebrations foster memories — of all kinds, to be sure — but it’s the good ones we strive to re-create.
By JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | December 14, 2007