Mark Curtis Media

(Providence, Rhode Island) – Happy Cinco de Mayo to all my Mexican friends. It’s become like St. Patrick’s Day when everyone – whether you are Irish or not – celebrates! Hey, if good food is involved, I’m there, too! There is a lot of politics to chew on in “The Brunch” this week. Here are some of the tidbits:

“We’re Number 10” – Thursday Rhode Island became the tenth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage, when the General Assembly passed the bill and Governor Lincoln Chafee signed it into law. A crowd of hundreds gathered and cheered on the State House steps Thursday evening. Yes, the law made history in Rhode Island; but, when you are number 10 to do something, it’s not really groundbreaking on a national scale. Still, it meant a lot to the same-gender couples here, many of whom now want to marry when the law takes effect August 1.

“Be Careful What You Wish For!” – The most memorable line from the floor debate came from State Representative Deb Fellela (D-RI). She got up and spoke in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, saying marriage is a privilege. “Even though - in my situation - maybe right now it isn’t a privilege,” said Fellela, whose husband was arrested twice in recent weeks. The chamber erupted in laughter. “That may be the best line of the debate,” openly-gay House Speaker Gordon Fox said, to even more laughter.

“An Economic Issue?” – Since the day of his inaugural address in 2011, Governor Chafee has been touting same-sex marriage as a way to boost the economy of a state that has one of the worst economies and unemployment rates in the nation. “With marriage equality becoming law tomorrow [Thursday] night in Rhode Island, we are sending a clear message that we are open for business, and that all are welcome,” Chafee said on the eve of signing the law. The economic theory is "iffy" at best. Rhode Island is the last of six New England states to legalize same-gender marriage; and bordering New York has it, too. It’s hard to fathom that people or companies are going to flock here over just one issue. Friday I called a number of people who work in the catering, photography and floral industries to see whether they are getting a rush of August same-sex wedding business. “Not yet,” said one, “but we are hopeful.” The benefit to the wedding sector may be the only economic boost.

“Massachusetts Leans Red???” – Many Republicans in Massachusetts lamented that former GOP Senator Scott Brown passed on another U.S. Senate Special Election. They may not need him. Tuesday night businessman Gabriel Gomez – who has never held office – won a three-way Republican primary against two actual politicians. Gomez will now face longtime Democratic Congressman Ed Markey on June 25. Markey, in fact, has been in Congress, for 37 years. So it’s an insider vs. outsider race, with the public in an anti-incumbent mood. Plus, Gomez is a retired Navy Seal and is Hispanic. The first poll from Public Policy Polling has Markey ahead by just 4 points. This could be another GOP upset, just like Brown’s win in 2010. The key is winning the lion’s share of the 52 percent of voters in the Bay State who declare their party affiliation as Independent.

“South Carolina Leans Blue???” – If Republicans have an unusual advantage in Massachusetts, then Democrats have an equally odd advantage in South Carolina. Former Governor Mark Sanford, whose tenure was marked by a sex scandal, is trying to win back a Congressional seat he safely held for six years. He is running against Elizabeth Colbert Busch, sister of TV’s political comedian Stephen Colbert. The latest PMI poll has it tied 46 to 46 percent, with 7 percent undecided. The Special Election is Tuesday. So, two key races are turning conventional politics on its ear. As I always say, you can’t make this stuff up.

“Spousal Privilege?” – In hindsight, Katherine Russell Tsarnaev, of North Kingston, Rhode Island, may not view her marriage to deceased Boston bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev as a privilege, but it may entail key legal benefits. As discussed in this column last week, Katherine (pictured above with her lawyer) may face charges of obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting a terrorist. This much we know: She and Tsarnaev had a phone conversation after the Boston Marathon murders, following the FBI’s release of suspect photos. "The Washington Post" reports that there was terrorism information on her laptop computer (which, of course, her husband could have downloaded without her knowledge). But whether or not Katherine can be compelled to disclose anything may fall under the legal principal that says one spouse cannot be forced to testify against the other, or be forced to disclose confidential communication, even if one is now dead. Will she be charged anyway? Stay tuned.

“Hillary Hot Water” – Keep an eye on Congress this week, as two “whistleblowers” in the State Department will give testimony about what really happened in Libya during the September 11 attacks last year that killed four Americans. Also under fire, long-time diplomat Thomas Pickering and retired Admiral Mike Mullen, who led the investigation. Critics are curious why they never interviewed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the attack and its aftermath. Clinton remains the odds-on-favorite to be the Democratic nominee for President in 2016, but this troublesome Libyan issue is likely to hound her right through the entire election process, which – truth be told - is already underway.

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(Providence, Rhode Island) – Lots going on in the world of politics this week. Here’s a look at some of the more interesting items:

“Missed Opportunities” – It now turns out that Boston bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev was on an FBI watch list – not once, as first reported, but twice. And his mother was also added as someone with militant views against the United States. Despite this, Tamerlan was interviewed by the FBI and then given a pass. Does this sound familiar? Remember back in 2011, two FBI agents – one in Phoenix and one in Minneapolis – each independently received tips about students at local flight schools who, oddly enough, wanted to learn to fly planes but weren’t interested in learning take-offs and landings. We all know how that played out on September 11, 2001. Once again, opportunities were missed. Why do these leads continually fall through the cracks?

“The Greatest Nation” – Many Americans probably just took for granted an amazing event that took place Thursday. All five living U.S. Presidents gathered in Texas for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library. And, in the process, we saw three Democrats – Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and, yes, even Jimmy Carter – say nice things about “Bush 43.” They praised him on how he handled certain issues, though all had been critical of other Bush policies over the years. You see, in the U.S. an effort to circle the wagons and stand together at times, something we see in particular at times of crises such as the Boston bombings and 9/11. In many respects, what happened Thursday was more of a tribute to the office of the Presidency and our form of government, than it was a tribute to once single person. It’s this show of unity, strength and freedom that drives the radical jihadists crazy. It’s one of the many reasons why they can’t defeat us.

“The Bomber’s Widow” – The buzz continues here in Rhode Island over Katherine Russell Tsarnaev, the North Kingston woman who is the widow of Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Her lawyers held a brief news conference to maintain her innocence on Thursday. But questions continue to swirl about what she did, and did not know, of her husband’s activities and radical Islamic beliefs. For where it stands now, she may have had nothing to do with any of the Boston violence. But here’s what federal investigators are looking for: 1) Did she call her husband and brother-in-law after seeing their photos on TV the day before they were killed or captured? If the FBI finds evidence to that effect, she could be charged with aiding and abetting fleeing felons; 2) Did she (and her parents) turn over all computers and phone records that the FBI may want to examine? If not, she could be charged with obstruction of justice. Again, let’s be very clear. She enjoys the complete presumption of innocence, but these are the two key areas of investigation.

“Same-Sex Marriage” – Last Wednesday Rhode Island became the tenth state in the nation to approve same-sex marriage (photo above). The State Senate vote was 26 to 12. Some minor differences with the House bill are to be worked out this week, and Governor Chafee will sign it into law this week. No matter where you stand on the marriage issue, many people on both sides of the debate feel it is ultimately a “states’ rights” issue for each individual state to decide, without the federal government being involved. Twenty-five other states have enacted bans on same-sex marriage, either by law or by constitutional amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court could decide by the end of June whether same-sex marriage is a federal civil rights issue, or a states’ rights issue of self-determination. It continues to be an interesting debate.

“Marriage Rights?” – One of the more fascinating aspects of the gay marriage debate is where a lot of the opposition originates. Here in Rhode Island, the clear majority of people who came out to vocally oppose same-sex unions were Hispanic-American or African-American. To them it is a religious issue, not one of civil rights. State Senator Harold Metts, (D-Rhode Island), a prominent African-American lawmaker spoke to me this week. Senator Metts said, “God's word, Matthew 19, is very clear. Marriage is supposed to be between one man and one woman. It's in Scripture; so, for me, they trivialize the Word of God." Proponents of same-sex marriage claim it is a civil right, yet the two groups who in recent history that have benefitted the most from civil rights legislation are largely opposed to same-gender unions. I’m not saying I agree or disagree, just that the irony is worth noting.

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