JIM: THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT," PROTESTS ON GAZA COME TO PROVIDENCE.

AND THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE LANE CLEARING THE CLOGGED TRAFFIC.

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, FOR OVER 30 YEARS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS ON THE ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.

JIM: JOINING US ON THE PANEL, PABLO RODRIGUEZ, SUSIE YANKEE, AND ADAM MYERS.

WELCOME IN, I’M JIM HUMMEL.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT THE PROTESTS AT IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS LEADING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE -- NATIONAL NEWS THIS WEEK WOULD REACH RHODE ISLAND.

THEY DID AT BROWN UNIVERSITY WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO CLEAR THE TENTS FROM THE GREEN, VIOLATION OF UNIVERSITY POLICY.

WE ARE TAKING FRIDAY MORNING.

ADAM, LET ME BEGIN WITH YOU.

THE LARGER QUESTION IS WHERE DOES FREE SPEECH CROSS THE LINE INTO MAYBE MAYBE NOT PROTECTED FREE SPEECH?

ADAM: IT’S A COMPLICATED SITUATION THAT UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS FIND THEMSELVES IN RIGHT NOW.

AS YOU SAID, UNIVERSITIES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PLACES OF FREE THOUGHT AND THEY SHOULD FACILITATE THE FREE SPEECH RIGHTS OF STUDENTS, BUT IT IS IN PORTON TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE ARE A SMALL NUMBER OF THE STUDENTS.

THE ONES WHO MAY AGREE HAVE RIGHTS, TO, AND A RIGHT TO BE SAFE.

THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO USE THE FACILITIES THAT THEIR TUITION DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE RIGHTS OF THE PROTESTERS AGAINST THE RIGHTS OF EVERYONE ELSE?

SUSIE:S I THINK THAT AMERICANSU THEY BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT TO PROTEST.

WHEN DOES THE RIGHT TO PROTEST TURN INTO INTIMIDATION?

THE STUDENTS THAT FEEL THAT THEY ARE BEING INTIMIDATED.

THE OTHER THING IS, THIS IS SUCH AN ORGANIZED PROTEST.

GO BACK TO SEATTLE, IT WAS A MESS AND NOT ORGANIZED.

LOOK AT THESE PROTESTS FROM COLUMBIA TO BROWN, 10S ALL OVER THE -- TENTS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

JIM: THEY ARE PRETTY NICE ONES.

SUSIE: AND EXPENSIVE.

I DIDN’T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THIS IN COLLEGE, SO WHO IS REALLY PROTESTING AND ARE THEY AGAINST WESTERN CIVILIZATION?

IS IT A PRO-TERRORIST GROUP?

COLLEGES HAVE A BIG MESS ON THEIR HANDS.

PABLO: THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT THERE ARE ELEMENTS COMING INTO THIS PROTEST THAT ARE ANTI-SEMITIC, THAT HAVE OTHER IDEAS IN MIND, BUT ON THE WHOLE THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS ARE BASICALLY PROTESTING AGAINST A WAR IN GAZA WHERE THEY ARE SEEING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE GETTING KILLED.

THESE KINDS OF MOVEMENTS ARE JUST LIKE ANTI-APARTHEID.

AGAINST THE VIETNAM WAR, IT ALWAYS BEGINS IN COLLEGES.

IT’S A PROBLEM FOR UNIVERSITY WHENEVER YOU TRY TO STOP THE EXERCISE OF FREE SPEECH.

EVEN FREE SPEECH THAT IS, YOU KNOW, OBJECTIONABLE.

IN ANY PROTEST, SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FEEL INTIMIDATED.

THAT CANNOT BE THE MEASURE OF WHAT IS AN APPROPRIATE PROTEST AND WHAT IS AN INAPPROPRIATE PROTEST.

IN MY UNIVERSITY, THE ONE THAT I HAVE IN MY IN ADULATION, I WOULD JUST BRING PIZZA TO THE PROTESTERS AND HAVE THE POLICE PRESENCE JUST PROTECT AND PREVENT ANY KIND OF INTERACTION.

BUT I JUST CANNOT SEE HOW SETTING UP A COUPLE OF TENTHS IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY WAS GOING TO INTERRUPT THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.

JIM: BUT IT IS NOT JUST THAT.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO, YANKEE?

SUSIE: CONSERVATIVE SPEAKERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO UNIVERSITIES TO PRESENT THEIR IDEAS.

LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO RILEY GAINS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO.

THEY PROTESTED SO MUCH, SHE COULDN’T EVEN TALK.

CHARLIE KIRK, YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH HIS IDEAS, BUT YOU ARE NOT ALLOWING CONSERVATIVES TO COME TO UNIVERSITIES TO PRESENT THEIR IDEAS.

ISN’T THAT WHAT UNIVERSITY IS ALL ABOUT?

PRESENTING BOTH SIDES.

YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GAZA, SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE SO ILL-INFORMED AND IGNORANT ABOUT THE ISSUES.

LET’S HAVE A REAL DEBATE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES WHERE BOTH SIDES ARE PRESENTED IDEAS.

JIM: THAT STARTED WITH RAY CALLEY AT BROWN, THE POLICE COMMISSIONER, THEY SHOUTED HIM DOWN.

ADAM, WHAT YOU SAID WAS INTERESTING TO ME.

I HAVE WATCHED A LOT OF THE NATIONAL COVERAGE, PARTICULARLY IN COLUMBIA.

IS IT COINCIDENTAL?

ARE THEY REALLY WORRIED ABOUT COVID, COVERED IN MASKS AND WEARING SUNGLASSES?

SKEPTICAL ME, IS THAT NOT TO THEM SECURE FACIAL RECOGNITION?

ADAM: IT ALMOST CERTAINLY IS.

I CAN’T IMAGINE IT’S PRIMARILY ABOUT COVID.

LOOK, AGAIN, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE SOMETHING I SAID EARLIER.

THE NATIONAL MEDIA IS PAYING A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION TO THESE PROTESTS.

PERHAPS THEY SHOULD, RIGHT?

AS BEST I CAN TELL, IT IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ENGAGED IN THESE PROTESTS AND THESE CAMPUSES ARE A RELATIVELY SMALL SHARE OF THE AMERICAN HIGHER ED SEEN, MORE BROADLY SPEAKING.

YOU KNOW, IT IS AN OPEN QUESTION , THE EXTENT TO WHICH THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE A NATIONAL ISSUE AND HOW MUCH IT COULD AFFECT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

ALL OF THE POLLING DATA SO FAR SUGGESTS THAT THE MIDDLE EAST ISSUE IS NOT AT THE TOP OF THE MINDS OF MOST VOTERS AND NOT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEMS WHEN PEOPLE ARE ASKED WHAT YOU THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM IS.

JIM: AND GRADUATION IS IN A MONTH.

REMEMBER OCCUPY PROVIDENCE ALL OF THOSE YEARS AGO?

IT GOT COLD AND EVERYONE WENT HOME.

PABLO: THAT IS WHY I WOULD BRING PIZZA.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU REPRESS SPEECH, BUT YOU CREATE IS MORE ANIMOSITY.

YOU CREATE MORE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO THEN SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO PROTEST THIS NARRATIVE.

THIS WILL BECOME A WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT.

THIS IS ALREADY BECOMING WORLDWIDE.

JIM: THEN THE ISSUE AT COLUMBIA, KIDS THAT STARTED IN THE PANDEMIC, THIS IS THEIR SENIOR YEAR, THEY ARE VIRTUAL THE REST OF THE SEMESTER NOW?

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THEY CANCELED THE BIG GRADUATION.

CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING A PARENT?

SUSIE: I WOULD BE FURIOUS, THE ONE THING THAT YOU ARE CELEBRATING, YOUR STUDENT’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS, TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU.

IT’S NOT RIGHT.

IF I WAS A PARENT PAYING THAT EXORBITANT TUITION THAT THEY ARE CHARGING, I WOULD WANT A REFUND.

WE HAVE FOUND THAT THESE VIRTUAL CLASSES, YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE SAME INTERACTION, NOT GETTING THAT SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH YOUR PROFESSOR, YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS, YOU ARE NOT IN THE SAME ROOM, IT’S NOT THE SAME QUALITY OF EDUCATION.

JIM: WE SHALL SEE.

SINCE DECEMBER WE HAVE BEEN TALKING A LOT ABOUT THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE AND IT MIGHT BE COMING TO AN END.

I FLEW IN THIS MORNING WITH THE THREE LANES, DOT HAS RECONFIGURED THE LANES EAST AND WEST.

PABLO, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

WE WERE SKEPTICAL THAT IT COULD RESULT IN MORE ACCIDENTS.

BY ALL ACCOUNTS, AND PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE EAST BAY, IT’S GETTING A LOT BETTER.

DOT GOT RIGHT ON THIS ONE.

PABLO: MORE LANES MEANS BETTER TRAFFIC.

THE PROBLEM IS, SUMMER IS NOT HERE YET.

ONCE PEOPLE START GOING TO THE CAPE, THEN YOU WILL KNOW IF THIS WILL REALLY WORK.

OR IF ACCIDENTS WILL INCREASE.

I THINK THE TRAFFIC SITUATION BROUGHT THE ATTENTION TO EVERYBODY, BUT WHAT WE SHOULD BE PAYING ATTENTION TO IS WHY ARE WE HERE, YOU KNOW?

BRIDGES DON’T HEAL THEMSELVES.

THIS IDEA THAT AN EXAMINATION OF THE BRIDGE SHOWED IT TO BE DEFICIENT 10 YEARS AGO AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOT BETTER?

THAT’S SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE FRONT AND CENTER AS OPPOSED TO IT TOOK ME ANOTHER 20 MINUTES TO GET TO WORK.

ADAM: YEAH, LISTEN, THE GOVERNOR MUST BE BREATHING A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF RIGHT NOW.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ALBATROSS AROUND HIS NECK.

CHANCES ARE, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE, BUT PERHAPS A SMALLER ALBATROSS.

THE FACT THAT THE NEW WESTBOUND PORTION OF THE BRIDGE ISN’T GOING TO BE COMPLETED UNTIL THE SUMMER OF 2026 MEANS THAT WE WILL BE HEARING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS TO COME AND TALKING ABOUT THIS DURING THE GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN SEASON A FEW YEARS FROM NOW.

YOU KNOW, MY SENSE IS THAT MOST PEOPLE, IT IS KIND OF BAKED IN AT THIS POINT.

MOST PEOPLE FACTOR IN THE SITUATION ON 95 INTO THEIR ROUTINE RIGHT NOW.

IT HAS BECOME A PART OF THEIR DAILY LIVES.

YOU KNOW, BY THE TIME THE NEXT RACE ROLLS AROUND, IT WON’T BE THE CENTRAL ISSUE, BUT THERE COULD BE A LOT OF PICKUPS THAT OCCUR ALONG THE WAY THAT CHANGE THAT.

SUSIE: YEAH, PEOPLE HAVE ALTERED THEIR BEHAVIOR.

THEY HAVE CHANGED THE WAY THEY HAVE GOTTEN BACK AND FORTH TO WORK.

I THINK THAT DR. PEDRO IS RIGHT -- [LAUGHTER] SORRY.

JIM: DR. PABLO.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT DR. PEDRO, BEFORE.

IT’S AN INSIDE JOKE.

GO AHEAD.

[LAUGHTER] SUSIE: I THINK THAT HE’S RIGHT, SUMMER IS COMING.

WHEN PEOPLE START GOING TO THE CAPE, IT IS GOING TO INCREASE THE TRAFFIC.

WILL THERE BE CONCERNS ABOUT THE OTHER SPAN?

HOW SAFE IS THAT?

YOU ARE INCREASING THE WEIGHT.

YOU ARE INCREASING THE TRAFFIC ON THAT.

I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE DAY OF RECKONING.

PABLO: AND HE WILL TRUST THE INSPECTORS?

[LAUGHTER] SUSIE: I KNOW, YOU’RE NOT, YOU’RE RIGHT.

RHODE ISLANDERS GET THIS ATTITUDE OF OH WELL, IT’S RHODE ISLAND.

THIS IS TYPICAL.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE NEED TO EXPECT MORE OF WHAT YOU TAKE ON THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE STATE, HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

WHY DO WE NOT HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE MISTAKES?

WE JUST ALLOW THEM TO COLLECT UP TO FLORIDA AND EVERYTHING IS COPACETIC -- COLLECT A PENSION AND MOVED TO FLORIDA AND EVERYTHING IS COPACETIC.

JIM: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROSECUTED A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I WONDER -- THE FEDS ARE NOT LETTING THIS COW.

JUST BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC IS EASING UP A LITTLE BIT.

LAST WEEK WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE PATRICK ANDERSON STORY IN THE JOURNEY -- JOURNAL, POLITICAL FALLOUT WITH WARNING SIGNALS.

THE FEDS TAKE THEIR TIME, BUT I WONDER WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW.

THAT IS THE INVESTIGATION I THINK WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT.

PABLO: ABSOLUTELY, AND THEY ARE THE ONES MOST CONCERNED WITH BRIDGES THAT SOMEHOW HEAL THEMSELVES.

IT’S A PROBLEM IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS ALIENS.

REMEMBER, IT WAS BEING REFURBISHED WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS WORTHLESS.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO TO JAIL AS A RESULT OF THIS SITUATION.

JIM: YOU FEEL BADLY FOR THE BUSINESSES ON EACH SIDE.

THE GOVERNOR, IT’S FUNNY, HE PUT IN A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST.

WHERE DID HE COME UP WITH THAT MONEY?

HE TOOK IT FROM THE PROJECT IN EAST PROVIDENCE THAT HAS NOT GOTTEN FULLY UNDERWAY AND YOU JUST WONDER, $1.3 MILLION, HOW IS THAT HELPING THE BUSINESSES?

PABLO: IT’S A DROP IN THE BUCKET, SO THE ANSWER IS NO, BUT SYMBOLICALLY IT LOOKS GOOD, SUGGESTING THAT HE’S AWARE, HE’S TRYING.

FROM A POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BENEFICIAL, BUT I DO NOT THINK IT IS GOING TO PAPER OVER THE ECONOMIC LOSSES.

SUSIE: FOR ADVERTISING, AS WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE, WE ARE COOLER AND WARMER, EVERY ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND HAS TURNED INTO A COLOSSAL JOKE.

IS THIS GOING TO BE ANOTHER COLOSSAL JOKE AND ALBATROSS AROUND THE GOVERNOR’S?

MAYBE IT WILL NOT, IN TWO YEARS PEOPLE MIGHT FORGET, WE MAY HAVE AMNESIA ABOUT THE WHOLE RIDGE PROCESS, BUT I DON’T SO, THE BRIDGE WON’T BE DONE BY 2027.

JIM: QUICK POLL, WHO THINKS THE BRIDGE WILL BE DONE BY THE END OF 2026?

ANYBODY?

2027?

SUSIE: THEY ARE OPTIMISTIC.

[LAUGHTER] PABLO: SINCE 2016I HAVE TRIED NOT TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF PREDICTING.

[LAUGHTER] JIM: A GOOD SEGUE INTO THE LEGISLATION BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ABOUT THE WAY THAT WE VOTE.

YOU KNOW IT HAS CHANGED A LOT SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

EARLY VOTING, MAIL BALLOT VOTING.

SUE, I WILL START WITH YOU.

IT’S A MINOR BILL, IN MY MIND.

IF YOU ARE UNAFFILIATED AND WANT TO VOTE, YOU GO IN AND ASKED FOR THE BALLOT AND IF YOU DON’T DISS AFFILIATE, SURPRISE, THAT IS WHO YOU ARE FOR THE NEXT PRIMARY.

THIS WILL REMAIN UNAFFILIATED, BUT I THINK THE LARGER ISSUE IS ABOUT HOW THE NATIONAL LOCAL PARTIES ARE GOING TO APPROACH THE ELECTION THIS FALL.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS ARE HERE TO STAY.

SUSIE: INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, STATISTIALLY ABOUT 10% OF PEOPLE VOTE BY MAIL.

THAT CHANGED DURING THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO GO TO THE POLLS.

YOU HAD ABOUT 33% OF PEOPLE IN 2020 VOTING BY MAIL.

BY 2022, IT WENT BACK DOWN TO THE 10% TO 11%.

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, MOST PEOPLE STATISTICALLY STILL VOTE IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY.

THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO GET THE BULK OF YOUR VOTERS.

THE EARLY VOTING, COURSE, HAS PROBABLY TAKEN AWAY FROM SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO VOTED BY MAIL, BECAUSE YOU HAVE GIVEN HIM THE OPPORTUNITY.

PERSONALLY I THINK THE EARLY VOTING IS TOO LONG AND TOO EXPENSIVE FOR A LOT OF THESE LOCAL CITIES AND TOWNS.

THE EARLY VOTING THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE NOW, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, IN SOME JURISDICTIONS, 8:00 TO 4:00, WHO IS THAT HELPING?

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO EARLY VOTING, DO IT FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION AND KEEP IT OPEN ON THE WEEKENDS SO THAT YOU REALLY ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE AND GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY.

HAVE TO SHOW YOUR ID, YOU GO IN AND IT IS A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO VOTE.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GET RID OF THIRD-PARTY BALLOT HARVESTING.

IT’S ABSOLUTELY UNNECESSARY AND IT EARLY COULD AFFECT HOW SOMEBODY VOTES.

YOU HAVE HEARD THESE HARVESTERS GO IN AND SAY I AM REPRESENTING JON JONES, WE WILL TAKE YOUR BALLOT FOR YOU.

THE PERSON THAT IS VOTING, IT’S NOT PRIVATE.

YOU HAVE SOMEBODY LITERALLY LEANING OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND GRABBING YOUR BALLOT.

IT’S UNDUE PRESSURE TO VOTE FOR THAT SPECIFIC CANDIDATE.

YOU CAN HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER, CAREGIVER, WE HAVE NO OBJECTION.

BUT THIRD-PARTY BALLOT HARVESTING SHOULD STOP.

WE SHOULD SKINNY DOWN HOW LONG WE DO EARLY VOTING.

IT’S EXPENSIVE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PAST HOW PEOPLE HAVE VOTED, MAYBE THE FIRST DAY YOU GET AN UPTICK IN THEN YOU DON’T SEE A LOT OF EARLY VOTING UNTIL THE END.

LET’S BE PRACTICAL ABOUT IT.

JIM: IT’S 20 DAYS NOW, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

ADAM: I THINK THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG ON EARLY VOTING.

THE NATIONWIDE TREND IS TO EXPAND VOTING OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE.

RHODE ISLAND HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN BEHIND THE TIMES IN TERMS OF GIVING PEOPLE DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

JIM: REALLY, RHODE ISLAND BEHIND THE TIMES?

SHOCKER.

ADAM: SHOCKING.

LOOK, IN SOME STATES IT IS ALTHOUGH BY MAIL, RIGHT?

OREGON, WASHINGTON, ALL THE WEST COAST STATES, COLORADO, UTAH, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

THE STATE GOVERNMENT MAILS A BALLOT TO EVERY SINGLE REGISTERED VOTER.

THEY HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST TURNOUT RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

TO SUE’S POINT, IT’S IMPORTANT TO STATE THAT BORDER -- VOTER FRAUD AND BALLOT HARVESTING ARE RARE, INCLUDING FOR VOTE BY MAIL, BUT IT DOES HAPPEN.

THERE WAS THAT THE TORY’S CASE YOU MIGHT RECALL OF THE BALLOT HARVESTING CAN -- SCANDAL.

JIM: THE WHOLE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

ADAM: THAT’S RIGHT.

LAWS TO GET THAT TIGHTER ARE IMPORTANT.

BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, RHODE ISLAND POLICYMAKERS SHOULD ACCEPT THAT PEOPLE WANT MORE OPTIONS TO VOTE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WHAT SUE SAID IS TRUE, VOTING BY MAIL AND RHODE ISLAND WENT UP DURING PANDEMIC, BUT 2022 IT WENT DOWN.

SO, A LOT OF PEOPLE APPRECIATE AND PREFER TO VOTE IN POLLING PLACES ON -- ON ELECTION DAY AND WE SHOULD FACILITATE THAT AS WELL.

PABLO: WE SHOULD EXPAND BY AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

THE GOVERNMENT NOW IS ELECTED BY FEWER THAN HALF OF THE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THE POOR REPRESENTATION.

IN OTHER COUNTRIES, 92% OF PEOPLE VOTE.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FACILITATE RECENT PARTICIPATION, THE GOVERNMENT WE HAVE IS NOT ELECTED BY THE MAJORITY, IT SELECTED BY MINORITY.

IN TERMS OF VOTING BY MAIL AND GETTING ASSISTANCE FROM SOMEBODY , SOME PEOPLE NEED ASSISTANCE.

SOME PEOPLE CAN’T READ WELL.

SOME PEOPLE CAN’T READ AT ALL.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE CANNOT HAVE POLICY BY EXCEPTION.

IN ANY KIND OF GOVERNMENT INTERACTION, YOU WILL HAVE SOME REAL FRAUD.

IT DOESN’T MATTER, YOU WILL NOT OUTLAW EVERYTHING.

THERE WILL BE SOME DEGREE OF FRAUD.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE, INCREASING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION BEING GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY.

JIM: QUICK RESPONSE?

SUSIE: YOU DON’T ACCEPT FRAUD.

YOU TRY TO PUT PARAMETERS IN PLACE.

YOU PUT GUARDRAILS SO THAT THESE THINGS DON’T HAPPEN.

WITH OUR MAIL-IN BALLOTS, YOU CAN ACCEPT AN AX.

PREVIOUSLY THERE HAD TO BE TWO WITNESSES OR A NOTARY, SOME KIND OF IDENTIICATION ON THE BALLOT SAYING THAT THIS IS THE PERSON WHO IT IS.

I SAT THROUGH THE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION.

IT’S A JOKE.

IT’S LITERALLY A JOKE, THEY ACCEPT EVERYBODY.

THEY ACCEPT ALMOST EVERY SIGNATURE.

YOU DON’T WANT TO DISENFRANCHISE SOMEBODY WHO IS VOTING, BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF SAFEGUARD THEIR THAT THE PERSON VOTING IS WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE.

WHY DO WE HAVE VOTER ID IN RHODE ISLAND?

BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH ANASTASIA WILLIAMS WHEN SHE WENT TO VOTE.

SHE WAS A BIG PROPONENT OF MAKING SURE THAT THE PERSON WHO IS VOTING IS WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE.

SO, I’M A BIG PROPONENT.

YOU NEED ID FOR EVERYTHING.

MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOME KIND OF IDENTIFICATION.

ARE THERE THINGS THAT GO WRONG IN EVERY ELECTION?

SURE, THERE ARE ANOMALIES THAT HAPPEN.

DOES IT CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY?

JIM: BUT YOU WANT TO HAVE CONFIDENCE.

SUSIE: YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE.

JIM: THE LAST ISSUE, ABORTION IS ON THE MIND OF THE SUPREME COURT THIS WEEK.

PABLO, YOU BROUGHT THE CASE TO MY ATTENTION IN IDAHO, I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THAT LAW EXISTED.

THE LARGER DISCUSSION IS -- HOW WILL THAT FIT INTO THE ELECTION?

IN 2002 IT WAS A BIG DEAL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND IN THAT THE CARE, WHOM IT DOESN’T AFFECT, THIS COURT IS VERY INTERESTED RIGHT NOW.

PABLO: IN 2022 IT WAS A CLEAR SHOWING.

THE BALLOT WILL BE BORDER SECURITY VERSUS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO MOVE AWAY FROM PEOPLE’S RADAR.

THE FACT THAT AS A PHYSICIAN, I, IF I WAS IN IDAHO, I HAVE TO SIT A PATIENT THAT IS BLEEDING, WAITING FOR THE PATIENT TO GET CLOSE TO DEATH SO THAT I CAN DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THAT PATIENT?

THAT IS WHAT THIS LAW, THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE HAS CREATED.

EVERYONE KEEPS TALKING ABOUT ABORTION.

ROE V. WADE HAS NOT ONLY IMPACTED ABORTION, IT HAS IMPACTED MEDICAL CARE, EMERGENCY CARE, PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, WOMEN BLEEDING AND DYING IN THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TREATED AS A RESULT OF THIS LAW.

IN THE STATES WITH THE BAND HAS GONE INTO EFFECT AFTER THE DECISION, WE HAD 64,000 RAPE VICTIMS WHO BECAME PREGNANT AND WERE NOT ABLE TO HAVE AN ABORTION.

FORGET ABOUT THE IVF SITUATION THAT HAPPENED IN ALABAMA.

IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEART, I DON’T GO TO A PLUMBER.

IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEART, I GO TO A CARDIOLOGIST AND THIS IS THE PROBLEM HERE.

LEGISLATORS ARE TRYING TO PRACTICE MEDICINE AND THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

SUSIE: ROE V. WADE SAID THAT THERE IS NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ABORTION.

WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS IN CONTROL, IT GOES BACK TO THE STATES.

IT’S A DEAD ISSUE IN RHODE ISLAND.

JIM: BUT IT WILL BE DECIDED.

KANSAS ALREADY DECIDED.

FLORIDA IS ON THE BALLOT.

ARIZONA, I DON’T KNOW ABOUT IDAHO.

I WONDER FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY PERSPECTIVE IF THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THAT WILL DRIVE MOTORS IN CONSERVATIVE STATES, TRADITIONALLY, YOU GET MORE VOTERS COMING OUT FOR THAT ISSUE AND IT COULD PUT THAT STATE IN PLAY.

IS THAT A CONCERN?

SUSIE: IT CERTAINLY WAS A CONCERN IN 2022.

SOME OF THE CANDIDATES DIDN’T ADDRESS IT PROPERLY OR ANSWER THE QUESTION.

I LOOK AT ISSUES, WE HAVE AN OPEN BORDER.

IT’S A HUGE ISSUE.

I LOOK AT THINGS THAT AFFECT YOU ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.

LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF ABORTIONS WE HAVE HAD IN RHODE ISLAND.

2020, 5000.

TWO THOUSAND 20 2, 1500.

WITH THE -- 2022, 1500.

TAKE SOME PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

IT IS SUCH A SMALL PERCENTAGE.

I DON’T THINK THAT THERE IS A PHYSICIAN OUT THERE THAT WILL ALLOW A WOMAN TO DIE IF IT’S BURIED -- IF SHE IS BLEEDING OUT.

THAT’S MEDICAL MALPRACTICE.

PABLO: BUT THAT’S WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW.

SUSIE: BUT IT SHOULDN’T BE HAPPENING.

YOU ARE NOT A GOOD PHYSICIAN IF YOU ARE ALLOWING A WOMAN TO DIE.

PABLO: YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO JAIL IF SOMEONE FILMS YOU?

SUSIE: THAT IS RIDICULOUS, WHO WILL PUT A PHYSICIAN IN JAIL WHO ACTUALLY SAVES A WOMAN’S LIFE?

PABLO: DOCTORS BELIEVE THIS AS A RESULT -- MEDICINE -- THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING ALIVE AND BEING DEAD DURING A COMPLICATION IN PREGNANCY CAN TAKE SECOND, MINUTES, HOURS, YOU DON’T KNOW.

THERE’S NOT A SWITCH.

THE PROBLEM IS YOU ARE VIOLATING THE LAW IF YOU INTERVENE WHEN YOU THINK IT IS MEDICALLY APPROPRIATE AND LAWYERS DECIDE YOU ARE NOT.

JIM: WANT TO JUMP IN HERE?

ADAM: NO.

JIM: YOU ARE IN THE CROSSFIRE.

[LAUGHTER] DISPENSING WITH OUTRAGE TO FINISH THE DISCUSSION.

ADAM: I’M NOT GOING TO WEIGH IN.

SUSIE: I HAVE A GREAT OUTRAGE.

COME ON.

JIM: QUICKLY.

ADAM: I WON’T WEIGH IN ON THE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE OF ABORTION, MY COLLEAGUES HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB IN THEIR DEBATE AND I WILL LET THEM HAVE IT.

SO I WILL SAY THAT IN TERMS OF THE ISSUE OF ABORTION IN THE WAY IT HAS OUT THAT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, HAS A POLITICAL SCIENTIST WHO STUDIES COMPARATIVE STATE POLITICS, WHAT HAS BEEN FASCINATING FOR ME TO WATCH IS THE WAY ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE USED THE BALLOT INITIATIVE OPTION THAT EXISTS IN A LOT OF STATES, THE ABILITY OF VOTERS TO BYPASS POLITICIANS INPUT POLICY ISSUES DIRECTLY ON THE BALLOT FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE ON, THEY HAVE USED THAT INITIATIVE OPTION TO LEGALIZE ABORTION IN RED STATES, RIGHT?

LIKE OHIO, ALMOST CERTAINLY LIKE ARIZONA IN NOVEMBER AND FLORIDA AS WELL.

IN MY VIEW THIS IS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.

IT DOES RAISE THE QUESTION OF WHY WE DON’T HAVE THE BALLOT INITIATIVE HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.

I THINK THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH IT.

THE BALLOT INITIATIVE IS A TOOL THAT NEEDS TO BE EXERCISED SPARINGLY AND BE RESTRICTED BUT WHEN A POLITICAL SYSTEM IS JAMMED UP AND WHEN THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS NOT BEING FOLLOWED, IT’S A WAY FOR THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE TO BE HEARD.

JIM: AND THAT GOES BACK TO STATES RIGHTS, THEN?

SUSIE: WOULDN’T IT BE WONDERFUL IF WE HAD BALLOT INITIATIVES?

JIM: I SAW YOU SMILING OVER THERE.

PABLO: IT WOULDN’T BE FOR ABORTION RIGHTS, TWO THIRDS OF AMERICANS BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LEGAL.

SUSIE: AND THEY BELIEVE IN RESTRICTIONS.

PABLO: THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ALREADY.

JIM: THE POINT YOU MADE, THOUGH, IS THAT IT’S MALPRACTICE.

30 SECONDS LEFT.

IN IDAHO THEY ARE LEAVING BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION AND ARE WORRIED ABOUT BEING PROSECUTED.

PABLO: ABSOLUTELY, PHYSICIANS ARE LEAVING.

JIM: AND IN TEXAS, TOO.

QUICKLY, YOUR OUTRAGE?

SUSIE: WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS DONE WITH TITLE IX, CHANGING IT, YOU’RE TAKING AWAY WOMEN’S RIGHTS, DUE PROCESS, TAKING AWAY FREE EXPRESSION.

I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS, THE CHANGES TO TITLE IX.

JIM: SORRY, YOU CAN TELL ME OFF-CAMERA.

FOLKS, THAT’S ALL THE TIME.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME FOR THIS LIVELY "LIVELY."

THANK YOU.

JOIN US AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

WE ARE IN THE HEART OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IN THE BACKSTRETCH, WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT NEXT WEEK.

COME BACK, WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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