Rising water levels in Wickford; controversy surrounding the Olympic Games in Paris
More needs to be done at Wickford Port
In a news article about flood defence construction at Wickford Harbour (“Keeping the bay…at bay,” News, August 9), Journal reporter Jonny Williams wrote: “Photos show large metal columns protruding from the water along the seawall of the Brown Street parking lot, like jagged teeth in the mouth of a sea monster.” What a writer! Thank you for reporting so accurately on the much-needed work in a frequently flooded area.
Perhaps Mr. Williams could share another problem with Wickford Harbor: the ineffective breakwater that protects the entire harbor from Narragansett Bay. Over the years of rising sea levels, the boulder breakwater is increasingly disappearing during most high tides. During Superstorm Sandy, the moored boats in the harbor, as well as the boats and docks at Pleasant Street Wharf and Wickford Marina, were badly damaged. The big sea just rolled over the barrier as if it wasn’t there, which in fact it wasn’t.
Politicians at the state and city levels don’t seem to be doing anything about the problem other than pointing to the Army Corps of Engineers. As far as I can tell, they’re not doing anything either. Where is the federal money for infrastructure?
Kudos to Jonny Williams for a great article.
John DH Smith, North Kingstown
False accusations about the Olympic ceremony
There were two letters to the editor in the Journal strongly criticizing the 2024 Paris Olympics and accusing the organizers of blasphemy and more related to a performance during the opening ceremony. One of the images claimed that the Christian Lord’s Supper was defamed and somehow depicted Christ and the apostles. This is a false accusation.
Thomas Jolly, artistic director of the Olympia ceremony, said: “The idea was to depict a great pagan celebration associated with the gods of Olympus and hence the Olympic Games.” The tableau was called “Festivity” and there was no interest in copying the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. I admit and understand the obvious similarity to Leonardo’s mural in Milan, history contains many such images of festive banquets. At the performance in Paris, over two dozen participants lined up and the focus was on the mythical god Dionysus emerging from a giant serving platter. So the perception of the “Last Supper” is in the eye of the beholder. And if an apology is due for these erroneous accusations, it should go to the Olympic Committee and the festival performers.
Unfortunately, there are many people in this world who harbor bigotry and prejudice and attack others for their beliefs (both figuratively and literally). This must be condemned. The Olympic Games, on the other hand, are a beacon of universal understanding and cooperation between our different cultures, races, religions and nations. The 2024 Paris Olympic Games embodied this and we should focus our attention on this prize.
Bill Newkirk, Providence
The author is Professor Emeritus at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Incompetence rules the state
I have just witnessed the spectacular closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The theme of the ceremony was a salute to the original Olympic Games in Greece and the creation of the iconic Olympic flag with the five rings symbolizing the five participating continents.
In a sort of “rebirth,” the five equal-sized circles were constructed by “workers” making the circles one at a time, carefully lifting them into a vertical position, rolling them into place, hanging them with precision and positioning them until they formed the Olympic symbol with the five rings. It was brilliantly designed and performed by hundreds of talented dancers and gymnasts, supported by stunning lights and music, and witnessed by the entire Olympia Theater. A brilliant feat.
And Rhode Island can’t build a bridge. After the tragic accident that caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, all shipping traffic into the harbor was fully reopened on May 20 following a massive cleanup operation that removed an estimated 50,000 tons of steel and concrete from the harbor, which was blocked by the bridge’s debris. March 24 to May 20. Two months!
And Rhode Island can’t build a bridge.
Less than a year after a major tanker truck accident and fire caused I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia to collapse on June 11, 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that a six-lane temporary freeway would open on June 23, 2023, just 12 days after the initial fire and collapse. In less than a year, the new permanent freeway was rebuilt and opened to full traffic.
And Rhode Island can’t build a bridge.
Vive La France! Shame on Rhode Island!
James P. Galkin, Cranston
An important decision in November
For now, Democrats are content to keep Vice President Kamala Harris in a bubble and let the media do its work for her. Apparently she’s so busy running the country that she hasn’t been able to hold a press conference since Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the race on July 21.
The American people have a major decision to make in November, depending on whether they want the country to remain as it has been for generations or continue its steep descent into an unrecognizable socialist nation. Before Biden withdrew from running for a second term, Vice President Harris’s poll numbers were even lower than Biden’s. In fact, the same traditional media that are now praising her reported that she had the lowest poll numbers of any previous vice president.
Can someone explain what has changed? While there is much more to say, I will close by asking voters whether they were better off before the pandemic during President Trump’s presidency than they are now under the Biden-Harris administration?
Peter Buonfiglio, Cranston
Vance wrongly questions enemy military service
I honor and thank both JD Vance and Tim Walz for their military service. But as a veteran myself, I am disgusted by Vance’s despicable attack on Walz’s National Guard service record.
Like these two gentlemen, I was fortunate enough to have no combat experience during my two years in the Army during the Vietnam War. The percentage of GIs who actually had combat experience during their service was, then as now, relatively small. The point of service was a willingness to put one’s own interests aside for the greater good of the country. While actual combat experience certainly “up the ante” and deserves additional honor and praise, all who have served in any capacity deserve thanks, recognition, and dignity.
For Vance to question the bravery and experience of a fellow veteran is a testament to his pathetic lack of character and integrity. His own veteran famously dodged the draft and never served. Vance should focus his attention on this man and leave Tim Walz alone.
Jim Manchester, Bristol
“Politically appointed” CRMC
It is unfortunate that in the article “Judge allows couple to keep seawall private” (News, August 14), the reporter baselessly referred to the Coastal Resources Management Council as “politically appointed,” thereby suggesting that it is a flawed group.
I must point out that the Supreme Court judge in this case was also a “political appointment” by the governor and, like the council members, was subject to the approval of the Senate.
Laurence W. Ehrhardt, North Kingstown
The author is a former state representative and CRMC member.
