November 16, 2006
Mayor Steve Laffey on the Passing of Milton Friedman
Cranston, RI -- Mayor Laffey today ordered that Cranston flags be lowered to half-mast to honor the life of Nobel prize-winning economist, Milton Friedman, who passed away today at the age of ninety-four. The Mayor commented, "Milton Friedman's belief that individual freedom should rule economic policy is inspirational to all of us who truly believe in the American Dream." Mayor Laffey added that Friedman, "along with Margaret Thatcher, Pope John Paul, and of course, Ronald Reagan were all part of a team that brought us out of the global malaise of 1970's and collectively -- though in very different ways -- contributed to the overwhelming victory of Democracy over Communism."(via John J. Miller of National Review)
What can one say about Milton Friedman but that he was a visionary with a common touch.
I am gratified the Mayor Laffey has elected (pun intended) to officially honor him.
Steve Laffey's gesture also makes me even more irate (if that is possible) that the nationals and state Republican establishment interfered with the Republican primary and used Democrats to prop up that horse's behind Chafee, who as a trust fund baby is obviously incapable of grasping the inherent wisdom of Friedman's teachings.
Thank the heavens that Chafee lost and is no longer embarrassing the Republican Party by holding office.
RIP, Professor Friedman.
Posted by: Tom W at November 16, 2006 6:56 PMRIP Steve Laffey's political future.
Finally some media exposure on his attempt to barter his *genuine* Senate run into a good job at URI or in the diplomatic corp. Character matters! Laffey has none! Lowering flags for dead economists isn't going to help Steve Laffey. Rhode Island will not buy what he has to sell. Not now and not in 2010.
>Rhode Island will not buy what he has to sell. Not now and not in 2010.
Actually, in a State that serially reelects Patrick Kennedy, if it is true about Laffey yjem his political capital will actually go way up!
Posted by: Tom W at November 16, 2006 9:08 PMRest in peace, Mr. Friedman. You inspired many of us. Too bad Tim won't give it a rest. He is as obsessed with Laffey as Bobby Oliveira is with the Governor.
This URI story came up last summer on Channel 10 news conference with Taricani. I saw it. The Governor himself denied the rumor that Laffey tried to barter URI for the Senate.
Posted by: OhBrother at November 16, 2006 10:45 PMVery sad about the passing of Milton Freidman. Big fan here. Glad the mayor took the time to recognize him for the positive work that he did in his long and influentual life. Too bad more people in Rhode Island either aren't aware of his contributions to the idea of freedom in this country, as well as elsewhere. BTW, don't know if you are aware that Mayor Laffey's dog is named Milton.
That URI thing is old hat. I think there may have been some off the cuff banter about it, but it was never anything close to a serious proposal. Laffey has much higher aspirations than being a career bureaucrat.
Posted by: Will at November 17, 2006 12:48 AMre: Laffey & URI....True or not true, Pat Morgan out to keep her mouth shut and quietly go away...I have only heard clips, but if they were any indication how does this work to build the RIGOP?
Posted by: TCC3 at November 17, 2006 8:13 AM"...but if they were any indication how does this work to build the RIGOP?"
Yes, the high drama is fun but there are substantive matters that need our attention. Plus, this takes the spotlight off the expensive shenanigans of the Dems.
If this alleged meeting actually took place and Laffey really did try to "extort" the URI Presidency or a diplomatic position, don't you think it would have been included in a TV commercial or negative mailer during the Chafee-Laffey primary?? What possible reason could the Chafee campaign have for sitting on this??
Posted by: Henry Gondorf at November 17, 2006 10:47 AMLaffey wasn't present at the meeting and neither was Pat Morgan, so we're getting all this as heresay information.
Posted by: Will at November 17, 2006 5:58 PM