Rhode Island 1935

in a sense yes. you can't represent RI without representing (unintentionally at a minimum) the mafia. seperating the mafia from rhode island is kind of difficult when they have their tendrils laced into so much of the state's industries. chances are also he knows somebody in it, has a relative in it, or has been affected by it (negatively or positively). i'm not implying at all that he is corrupt. far as i know he's a stand up guy. course. and he wouldnt' be AS representative as say - the mayor of central falls.

and like i said, RI has a very pragmatic atbreastude regarding mafia in particular and corruption in general. they are not quite as enamored as the charlestown residents (a boston suburb known for widespread close-lippedness during police investigations. they handle things "in house". and like most mafia neighborhoods, these areas are VERY safe for little old ladies and women in general. you do a purse snatch in a mafia neighborhood,or lord forbid rape-buttault a woman, and you won't have the standard law enforcement treatment. you'll get the mafia treatment. and these common thugs fear the latter FAR more than the former. for good reason. )

RI pragmatism regarding corruption-mafia ties etc. is best represented by mayor cianci saga. even more intriguing, imo, than the whole marion barry thang.

i happened to know a kid from a mafia family. i subsequently studied his family history when i went to college, in a clbutt on organized crime.

i mean how could i NOT know somebody buttociated with the mafia when i lived in RI? :)

whit