♪ >> TONIGHT ON "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY" -- >> WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUPREME COURT, JUSTICE IS SUPPOSED TO BE BLIND.

SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE INSISTS SPECIAL INTERESTS ARE SPENDING BIG MONEY TO BUY INFLUENCE.

>> THE COURT IS CONTROLLED BY PRIVATE ORGANIZATION.

NOWHERE IN THE WORLD EASIER PRIVATE ORGANIZATION CONTROLLING THE TURNSTILE TO ITS SUPREME COURT, BUT THAT IS THE WAY IT HAS WORKED IN THE PAST ADMINISTRATION.

>> ONE OF THE ICONIC D. PALMIERI'S BAKERY PRODUCTS IS ITS VERY OWN PIZZA STRIP.

>> MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER STARTED SELLING IT.

PEOPLE LOVED IT.

IT IS CHEAP AND SIMPLE.

IT'S A PERFECT SNACK, PERFECT FOR PARTIES.

IT IS WHERE IT IS A RHODE ISLAND THING.

♪ MICHELLE: WELCOME TO "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY."

PAMELA: WE BEGIN WITH A WIDE-RANGING INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE.

WHILE SOME PEOPLE SAY WASHINGTON, D.C. IS A SWAMP, RHODE ISLAND'S JANITORS SENATOR -- JUNIOR SENATOR CALLED TODAY TSUNAMI OF SLIME.

DARK MONEY, ANONYMOUS SPENDING THAT BOOSTS SPECIAL INTEREST.

OPEN SECRETS ESTIMATES DARK MONEY SPENDING TOPPED $1 BILLION IN THE 2020 ELECTION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

PINCH-HITTING REPORTER DAVID WRIGHT SAT DOWN WITH THE SENATOR TO DISCUSS THE STATE OF CORRUPTION IN POLITICS, AS WELL AS SOME OF THE BIGGEST TOPICS GRIPPING GOVERNMENT TODAY, FROM SUPREME COURT TO CLIMATE CHANGE, TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S NEW ADMINISTRATION.

>> MADAME SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

DAVID: WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN HAVING JUST FINISHED HIS FIRST 100 DAYS, -- >> AMERICA IS ON THE MOVE AGAIN.

DAVID: RHODE ISLAND SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE SAYS HE IS OPTIMISTIC.

DAVID: HOW WAS HE DOING SO FAR?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I THINK IS DOING REALLY WELL.

IT IS NOT EASY.

HE HAD THE COVID PANDEMIC RAGING.

THERE WERE ALL THE ELECTION DISPUTES.

THEN JANUARY 6 AND CONGRESS GOT DISRUPTED AND INVADED.

[SOUNDS OF RIOTING] SEN. WHITEHOUSE: THAT'S A HELL OF A WAY TO START.

HE'S BEEN CRANKING OUT STRONG AS A GET OF ORDERS, GOT GOOD NOMINEES THROUGH, AND WILL PASS TO OF THE BIGGEST PIECES OF LEGISLATION HEALTHY MEGA PUBLIC PAST SINCE THE NEW DEAL.

>> 100 DAYS AGO, AMERICA'S HOUSE WAS ON FIRE.

WE HAD TO ACT.

DAVID: BIDEN TRIED EMPHASIZE UNITY AND BIPARTISANSHIP.

>> IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY PLAN, LET'S AT LEAST PASS WILL WE ALL AGREE ON.

DAVID: SOME DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS HAVE URGED A BOLDER, MORE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH.

WHERE YOU COME DOWN AND THAT?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: IT WILL BE A BETTER COUNTRY AND SENATE IF WE DO MORE THINGS IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION.

THE DANGER IS IF YOU COMMIT YOURSELF TO A BIPARTISAN PATH AND DON'T KEEP THE PARTISAN OPTION OPEN, THAT BECOMES QUICKSAND.

DAVID: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT.

YOUR COLLEAGUES, SENATOR MARKEY, PROPOSED REDRESSING THE BALANCE OF THE COURT.

>> WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT IS BROKEN.

IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

DAVID: DO YOU SUPPORT THAT?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I'M GLAD HE DID THAT.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

WE NEED TO WORK HARD TO MAKE OUR CASE TO OUR JUDGE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AS TO WHY IT IS NECESSARY.

>> I'M HERE NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE.

I AM TERRIFIED.

I AM HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS MY CIVIC DUTY TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE BRETT KAVANAUGH AND I WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE, SENATOR WHITEHOUSE HAS SHOWN SHARP ELBOWS.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I BELIEVE HE DODGED AND ASSEMBLED, RANTED AND RAVED, FILIBUSTERED AND PROPAGATED.

I DID NOT FIND HIM CREDIBLE.

DAVID: HE QUESTIONED HIM ABOUT HIS YEARBOOK.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: LOOK AT BEACH WEEK RALPH CLUB.

WHAT DOES THE WORD RALPH MEAN?

>> IT PROBABLY REFERS TO THROWING UP.

I AM KNOWN TO HAVE A WEAK STOMACH.

LAST TIME I WAS HERE JUST ABOUT HAVING CATCH UP ON SPAGHETTI -- KETCHUP ON SPAGHETTI.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: TO THE WORD RALPH -- >> I ANSWERED THE QUESTION.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: DID IT RELATE TO ALCOHOL?

>> AT LIKE BEER.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU LIKE BEER.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DRINK?

DAVID: DO YOU LIKE BEER?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: OF COURSE I LIKE BEER.

DAVID: -- IF YOU ARE DOING A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO AN ALLEGATION LIKE THIS, THE FIRST THING YOU'D WANT TO DO IS TEST CONTEMPORANEOUS STATEMENTS OF THE ALLEGED ASSAILANT AS TO WHAT WENT ON.

THE CLOSEST THING WE HAD TO STATEMENTS CONTEMPORANEOUS TO THAT TIME PERIOD BY THE ALLEGED ASSAILANT WHERE THE THINGS HE WROTE AND THAT OTHERS WROTE IN THE YEARBOOK.

DEVILS TRIANGLE?

>> DRINKING GAME.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: HOW WAS IT PLAYED?

>> THREE GLASSES AND A TRIANGLE.

DAVID: DWIGHTHOUSE -- WHITEHOUSE IS CONVINCED THAT KAVANAUGH PERJURED HIMSELF.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: WITH NO INVESTIGATION WE CAN'T TELL.

DAVID: HE INSISTS THE FBI NEVER INVESTIGATED THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS MADE BY DR. CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD.

HE HAS WRITTEN A READ INTO THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL DEMANDING ANSWERS.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: THEY NEVER LOOKED AT ANY OF THE TIPS THROUGH THE TIP LINE.

THAT IS A FRAUD ON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

IT IS BENEATH THE FBI.

DAVID: THE VENEER OF AN INVESTIGATION BUT THE LEADS ARE NOT FOLLOWED UP?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: BARELY LOOKED AT AS FAR AS I CAN TELL.

DAVID: WHAT IS THE ENDGAME?

DO YOU WANT TO SEE HIM REMOVED FROM THE COURT?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I WANT TO SEE SOME BUT ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT WAS DONE DURING HIS CONFIRMATION.

HE'S ON THE COURT NOW.

DAVID: HE IS THERE TO STAY.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: IS ONLY OFF BY AN IMPEACHMENT THAT TAKES 67 VOTES.

THAT SEEMS HIGHLY IMPROBABLE.

KNOWING THE FACTS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN UNDERSTANDING THE TYPE OF POLITICAL PRESSURE THAT WENT INTO STUFFING THAT INDIVIDUAL ONTO THE COURT DESPITE ALL OF HIS VERY EVIDENT DISABILITIES AND TROUBLES IS A STRONG SIGNAL TO THE PUBLIC THERE IS SOMETHING MORE GOING ON IN THIS SELECTION BUSINESS THAN JUST PICKING QUALIFIED PEOPLE.

WOULD YOU PUSH TO IMPEACH HIM?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I WOULD.

DAVID: BEFORE SEEKING ELECTED OFFICE, WHITEHOUSE CUT HIS CHOPS AS A PROSECUTOR.

AS U.S. ATTORNEY ATTORNEY FOR RHODE ISLAND APPOINTED BY BILL CLINTON, HE LAUNCHED THE CORRUPTION PROBE THAT ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN THE CONVICTION OF FORMER PROVIDENCE MAYOR BUDDY CIANCI.

HE LET OTHER HIGH-PROFILE INVESTIGATIONS INTO ORGANIZED CRIME.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: IT WAS PRETTY LIVELY FOR A WHILE.

DAVID: ARE THE MOB DAYS BEHIND RHODE ISLAND?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: YEAH.

A THING OF THE PAST.

DAVID: YOU HAVE WRITTEN A LOT ABOUT THE CORRUPTING INFLUENCE OF MONEY AND POLITICS.

AS A U.S.

SENATOR, WHITEHOUSE ARGUES CORRUPTION IS RAMPANT IN WASHINGTON.

>> BECAUSE YOU ARE A HUGE SPECIAL INTEREST IN YOU WANT THINGS YOUR WAY.

DAVID: MUCH OF IT UNTRACEABLE BECAUSE OF DARK MONEY, THE TRUE SOURCE OF THE FUNDS OBSCURED BEHIND VARIOUS SHELL COMPANIES.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: LIKE THE RUSSIAN NESTING DOLLS WHERE YOU SET UP A SHELL CORPORATION.

ONLY THE LAWYER KNOWS WHO WAS EHIND IT.

THEN HE GOES TO A 501(C) FOUR THE DOESN'T HAVE TO REPORT DONORS.

THEN YOU HAVE TRIPLE PRODUCTION.

ANYONE LOOKING FOR A TRIPLE PROTECTION IS OFTEN A GOOD.

I'M PREPARED TO POSIT.

DAVID: THE WHITE HOUSE --WHITEHOUSE SAYS HE IS WORRIED ABOUT DARK MONEY ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I DON'TSEN.

WHITEHOUSE: GET IT.

I DON'T SEE HOW PEOPLE IN THIS BODY CAN SAY IT IS OK TO HAVE HUGE SPECIAL INTERESTS THAT WILL SPEND $17 MILLION AT A LICK, $50 MILLION AT A LICK, $10 MILLION AT A LICK SECRETLY CONTROL WHO GETS PICKED TO BE ON THE SUPREME COURT.

DAVID: HE SAYS DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, DARK MONEY SOUGHT TO INFLUENCE NOT ONLY THE SELECTION OF JUDGES, BUT ALSO THE CASES PENDING BEFORE THE COURT.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: THAT TURNSTILE IS CONTROLLED BY A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION.

NOWHERE IN THE WORLD DO YOU SEE A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION CONTROLLING THE TURNSTILE TO ITS SUPREME COURT, BUT THAT IS THE WAY IT HAS WORKED IN THE PAST ADMINISTRATION.

NOW YOU HAVE A FLOTILLA OF MAYBE 50 FRONT GROUPS THAT ARE FUNDED BY DARK MONEY AND THEY PITCH THE JUDGES IN UNISON AND CHORUS AND ORCHESTRATED HARMONY ON WHAT IS THAT THE DARK MONEY FOLKS WANT THE COURT TO DO.

THAT IS A TERRIBLE COMBINATION OF FACTORS.

EVERYBODY IS IN ON THE JOKE EXCEPT THE PUBLIC.

>> JOSH BARRETT, -- JUDGE BARRETT, YOU CAN TAKE A BIT OF A BREATHER ON YOUR RETURN TO THE COMMITTEE.

DAVID: DURING THE MOST RECENT CONFIRMATION HEARINGS WEEKS BEFORE THE ELECTION, WHITEHOUSE TOOK A RADICAL QUESTION TIME AND ALL BUT IGNORED JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT.

HE OFFERED AN IN-DEPTH TUTORIAL ABOUT DARK MONEY.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: ONE SCHEME WITH THE SAME FUNDERS SELECTING JUDGES, FUNDING CAMPAIGNS FOR THE JUDGES, AND SHOWING UP IN AMICUS FLOTILLA'S TO TELL THE JUDGES WHAT TO DO.

DAVID: WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT THAT?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: DISCLOSURE IS, I THINK, THE MOST IMPORTANT WEAPON.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMERICAN POPULATION, YOU CAN TAKE EVERYBODY FROM A BURNING BRO TO IT TO PART -- TE PARTYIER AND THEY WILL AGREE THE CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE NO BUSINESS IN POLITICS.

DAVID: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL GAVE YOU FLAK.

JIM JORDAN GIVE YOU FLAK.

>> THE SENATOR WILL NOT TAKE QUESTIONS?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: NO.

DAVID: AFTER TESTIFYING, THE SENATOR DECLINED TO ANSWER CONGRESSMAN JORDAN'S QUESTIONS ABOUT IF HE ACCEPTS DARK MONEY HIMSELF.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: NO.

I'M A PUBLIC OFFICIAL.

THE MONEY I GET FROM MY POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS COMES THEREUNDER -- THROUGH UNDER FEDERAL FINANCE LAWS.

EVERY DOLLAR IS DISCLOSED.

IT IS REALLY A COMPLETE NONISSUE.

THEIR OBJECTION, I THINK, IS WHEN I GO AFTER THIS AS AGGRESSIVELY AS I DO, I TARGET THE REPUBLICAN DARK MONEY.

THEY WILL POINT OUT THERE IS DARK MONEY THAT SUPPORTS DEMOCRATS AS WELL.

IF THAT'S THE CASE, AND THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THAT BEING A CONCERN, JOIN ME IN GETTING RID OF ALL OF IT.

DAVID: IF THE PROCESS IS SO TERRIBLY FLAWED, F IF WE APPOINT FOUR MORE JUDGES, ISN'T THAT STACKING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: YOU COULD SAY THAT.

IT WOULD BE NICE IF THERE WAS MORE BALANCED WAY TO TAKE THE COURT OUT OF THAT ROUTINE.

THERE ARE PROPOSALS TO THAT EFFECT.

DAVID: YOU WOULD SUPPORT TERM LIMITS?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I WANT TO WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS WORKS OUT BEFORE I DECIDE ON EXECUTIVE WITH THE PACKAGE OF REFORMS IS AT THE END OF THE DAY.

THE STUFF I HAVE CHAMPIONS SO FAR HAS BEEN THAT THE JUDGES TO BE UNDER AN ETHICS CODE.

THEY SHOULD DISCLOSE THEIR GIFTS AND TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY THE SAME WAY WE DO IN CONGRESS, EXECUTIVE OFFICIALS DO, EVEN CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES DO.

PEOPLE WHO WRITE BRIEFS SHOULD HAVE TO IDENTIFY WHO IS REALLY BEHIND THEM, FINDING THEM.

WE SHOULD TREAT THE MANIPULATION OF THE SELECTION PROCESS LIKE YOU WOULD A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SO THE DONATIONS INTO THAT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED.

BE THAT WE WILL SEE REAL CHANGE ON THAT ISSUE?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I THINK QUITE.

IF I DIDN'T HAVE HOPE, I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME GOING TO WORK.

I DO HAVE HOPE.

PEOPLE ARE RIGHT TO BE ANGRY ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE RIGHT TO BEING RUDE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN LISTENED TO.

CONGRESS LISTENS TO SPECIAL INTERESTS.

MICHELLE: AFTER A SHORT BREAK, ANOTHER ISSUE SENATOR WHITEHOUSE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT, CLIMATE CHANGE.

STAY TUNED.

♪ >> NEXT, IMAGINATIVE SHORT FILMS THAT WILL TAKE US ON A JOURNEY ACROSS THE GLOBE.

FROM ANIMATION, DOCUMENTARIES AND LIVE ACTION FILMS, DOUBLEFEATURE IS YOUR PORTAL TO THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL CINEMA.

IT IS WHERE YOU WILL DISCOVER THE NEW VOICES OF INDEPENDENT FILM.

SEE YOU HERE ON RHODE ISLAND PBS.

MICHELLE: DURING HIS TENURE IN CONGRESS, SHELDON WHITEHOUSE HAS MADE CLIMATE CHANGE HIS SIGNATURE ISSUE.

THE OCEAN STATE IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO PROBLEMS LIKE SEA LEVEL RISE.

HERE IS DAVID WRIGHT WITH MORE OF HIS INTERVIEW.

>> MR. PRESIDENT.

DAVID: EVERY WEEK, LIKE CLOCKWORK-- >> I AM HERE AS THE PRESIDING OFFICER KNOWS FOR THE 43RD TIME NOW TO SAY IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP -- DAVID: FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, SENATOR WHITEHOUSE HAS SOUNDED THE ALARM.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I COME WEEKLY TO THE SENATE WHENEVER WE ARE IN SESSION TO GIVE MY TIME TO WAKE UP SPEECH.

DAVID: TIME TO WAKE UP ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON EVERYTHING FROM SPORTS -- SEN. WHITEHOUSE: SKI TRIPS IN VERMONT, ICE HOCKEY ON FROZEN PONDS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, OF FISHING TRIPS OFF THE COAST OF RHODE ISLAND.

DAVID: TO NATIONAL SECURITY.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I'M HERE FOR MY 178TH TIME TO WAKE UP SPEECH.

TO DISCUSS THE SECURITY RISKS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE PRESENTS TO OUR NATION.

DAVID: THE SENATOR HAS BEEN A BIT OF A BROKEN RECORD.

WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR RHODE ISLAND?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: THE FIRST THING IS THE MAP.

WE WILL HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT MAP IF WE HAVE A LOT MORE WATER.

A LOT MORE ISLANDS.

THINGS ARE MAINLAND NOW BECOME ISLANDS.

CRYSTAL BECOMES AN ISLAND.

-- BRISTOL BECOMES ISLAND.

DAVID: HE SAYS MUCH OF HIS THINKING HAS BEEN PARTLY SHAPED BY HIS WIFE SANDRA, A MARINE BIOLOGIST.

TELL ME ABOUT HER WORK.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: WE ARE TERRESTRIAL CREATURES.

WE THINK OF EARTH AS A TERRESTRIAL PLACE.

MOST IS COVERED IN OCEAN.

THE OCEANS HAVE TAKEN UP 90% OF THE HEAT WE HAVE ADDED FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.

WITHOUT THEM WE WOULD ALREADY BE WAY PAST DISASTER.

THEY HAVE TAKEN OF 30% OF THE CARBON DIOXIDE WE HAVE ADDED.

THAT CHEMICALLY MAKES THEM ACIDIC.

WE'RE HEADING FOR A REAL OCEAN CALAMITY.

SANDRA HAS THAT VERY CLEARLY IN HER MIND.

THERE WAS AN ARTICLE TODAY THE THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL ABOUT THE WINTER FLOUNDER BEING NO LONGER AROUND IN NARRAGANSETT BAY.

NOT VERY LONG AGO, SANDRA WROTE HER DISSERTATION ON THE WINTER FLOUNDER IN NARRAGANSETT BAY.

THAT IS GONE ALREADY IN LESS THAN A LIFETIME.

IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR THE FISHING INDUSTRY HERE BECAUSE SO MUCH OF WHAT USED TO BE OUR CATCH MOVED AWAY AS THE WATERS HAVE WARMED.

YOU GO DOWN TO SHORESIDE RESTAURANTS IN RHODE ISLAND NOW AND ORDER LOBSTER, AND IT'S COMING FROM MAINE.

DAVID: THAT'S BECAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: MY COLLEAGUE IN THE SENATE HAS A MAP THAT SHOWS WHERE THE CENTER OF HARVEST IS FOR LOBSTERS IN MAINE.

IT IS MARCHING RIGHT OF THE COAST OF MAINE NORTH.

DAVID: SOON IT WILL BE NEW BRUNSWICK.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: EXACTLY.

DAVID: THIS YEAR, THE WEEK THE PRESIDENT OF THE OATH OF OFFICE, THE WHITE HOUSE WAS OPTIMISTIC -- WHITEHOUSE WAS OPTIMISTIC.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: CONDITIONS ARE IN PLACE FOR REAL SOLUTION.

DAVID: HE FINALLY ENDED THE TIME TO WAKE UP FRANCHISE.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: INSTEAD OF URGING IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP, I CLOSE THIS LONG RUN BY SAYING NOW IT IS TIME TO GET TO WORK.

DAVID: IS 279TH SPEECH ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUE.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: FAREWELL.

WHITEHOUSE, AT LEAST ON TIME TO WAKE UP, OUT.

DAVID: AM IC DROP -- MIC DROP, HIGGINS MAY HAVE BEEN PREMATURE.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: TIME IS REALLY SHORT.

WE REALLY HAVE TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON, PARTICULARLY WHILE WE HAVE BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE WHITE HOUSE SO THE HANDS OF THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY ARE LESS ABLE TO DEPLOY TO INTERFERE AND OBSTRUCT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

DAVID: YOU HAVE THE DARK MONEY AFFECTING THE SUPREME COURT AND THIS?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: DARK MONEY AFFECTING THE SUPREME COURT, AFFECTING CLIMATE CHANGE, THE DARK MONEY ROLLING OUT VOTER SUPPRESSION.

IF PEOPLE THINK CLIMATE CHANGE IS A TRULY PARTISAN ISSUE, THEY ARE WRONG.

IT WAS NOT THE FIRST THREE YEARS I WAS IN THE SENATE.

IT BECAME PARTISAN THE DAY CITIZENS UNITED WAS DECIDED AND THE FOSSIL FEEL INDUSTRY GOT THAT NEW CLUB TO BATTER THE REPUBLICAN PARTY INTO CONFORMITY WITH ITS PUSH.

DAVID: YOU SAY SOME COLLEAGUES WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AS YOU WOULD DEFINE IT.

BUT THEY ARE AFRAID TO BECAUSE -- SEN. WHITEHOUSE: THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY WILL IN THEIR CAREERS.

YOU HAVE TO GO AFTER THE DARK MONEY.

DAVID: HE READILY ADMITS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

YOU HAVE THE CLASSIC RESUME FOR A UNITED STATES SENATOR.

THE MAYFLOWER ANCESTORS, PREP SCHOOL, YALE, ETC.

TELL US SOMETHING THAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE.

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: I GUESS THE THING THAT WAS SURPRISED PEOPLE, FIRST, I GREW UP IN THE FOREIGN SERVICES.

I HAD A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND THAN MOST KIDS.

I WENT OFF TO BOARDING SCHOOL WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG.

DAVID: WE BELIEVE?

-- WERE YOU BULLIED?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: OF COURSE.

TO THIS DAY I'M STILL AT HEART A VERY SHY PERSON.

I CRANK UP GETTING OVER THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY IN ORDER TO GO OUT AND DO WHAT I DO, BECAUSE I DEEPLY BELIEVE IN DOING WHAT I HAVE GOT THE ABILITY TO DO.

DAVID: YOU GET OVER IT HOW?

IS THERE A SONG YOU LISTEN TO?

A ZERO MANTRA YOU REPEAT?

-- IS THERE A MONSTER YOU REPEAT?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: ON MY BUREAU IN MY BEDROOM THERE IS A LITTLE TINY MODEL OF THE BRITISH FIGHTER PLANE FROM THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN, THE SPITFIRE.

THOSE BOYS, AND THEY WERE BOYS, AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS.

CHURCHILL SAID NEVER BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF HUMAN CONFLICT HAVE SO MANY OATS SO MUCH TO SO FEW.

THEY WOULD GET UP EVERY MORNING AND GO TO THE FIGHTER SQUADRON AND CLIMB IN THOSE PLANES AND FLY UP INTO THE SKY AGAINST AN IMPLACABLE ENEMY TRYING TO KILL THEM, AND THEY DID IT.

INDEED, THEY EVEN TOOK A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF GALLANT CHEER OUT OF DOING IT.

DAVID: THAT IS WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

SEN. WHITEHOUSE: IF A 22-YEAR-OLD BRITISH BOY CAN DO THAT WITH LIFE AND LIMIT RISK, I OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT THERE AND RAISE A LITTLE HELL AS A 65 EUROS GROWN MAN.

LET'S SAY BAD ARTICLES FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL DON'T HAVE THE SAME STRENGTH AS AN ANTIAIRCRAFT BULLET.

MICHELLE: OUR THANKS TO DAVID WRIGHT FOR THOSE REPORTS.

FOR THE NEXT AWAY, BILL BARTHOLOMEW PROFILES ONE OF RHODE ISLAND'S ICONIC FOOD BUSINESSES THAT DATES BACK DECADES.

FOR ERIC PAUL MARY, THE THIRD GENERATION PROPRIETY OF JOHNSTON'S D. PALMIERI'S BAKERY, THE RECIPE, ADAPTATION AND A COMBINATION OF PALMIEREI'S SKILL.

>> IT WAS NEVER SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE IMAGINED BEING A PART OF AND I'M HAPPY TO ROLL WITH IT.

BILL: ROLLING DOUGH, ADDING SAUCE AND SPRINKLING CHEESE.

PIZZA ART.

FOR ERIC PALMIERI, HIS ART IS JUST ONE ELEMENT OF THE ROLL HE PLAYS AT D. PALMIERI'S BAKERY, THE ICONIC RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS HE NOW OVERSEES.

BUT, PALMIERI SAYS IT IS THE MOST REWARDING.

>> I HAD THAT BUG.

I STARTED APPLYING IT HERE.

IT'S REALLY GROWN.

IT STARTED VERY SIMPLE AND BASIC.

I REALLY HAD TO HONE MY SKILLS AND LEARN HOW TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

IT HAS BEEN REALLY FUN TO THROW MYSELF INTO SOMETHING AND TRY TO GET BETTER.

BILL: PALMIERI SAYS HIS PIZZA ART CONCEPT HAS IMPROVED THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION.

>> I HAVE SEEN MYSELF GET BETTER.

I HIT THESE MOMENTS WHERE I GET IN A RUT.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE I CAN GO WITH THIS.

THEN SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN, SOME BREAKTHROUGH AND IT WILL TAKE ME TO A WHOLE NEW PLACE I DID NOT KNOW EXISTED IN TERMS OF PIZZA ART.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS JUST TAKES OVER I GUESS.

BILL: ERIC'S GRANDFATHER DOMINIC LAUNCHED THE BAKERY BACK IN 1971.

THE BAKERY BRANCHED OFF FROM THE ORIGINAL FAMILY BUSINESS ON FEDERAL HILL, WHICH WAS OPENED BY ERIC PALMIERI'S GREAT, GREAT GRANDFATHER IN 1905.

ONE OF THE PRODUCT IT HAS BECOME A FOODIE LOVERS MUST IS THE BAKERY'S OWN PIZZA STRIP.

ERIC: IT IS COOL.

THERE ARE THEORIES AS TO WHERE IT CAME FROM.

IT IS HARD TO KNOW FOR SURE.

IT IS SORT OF A THING PEOPLE DID IN THE HOUSE.

ITALIAN FAMILIES WOULD MAKE THIS TOMATO PIE, WHICH IS ALSO CALLED SOMETIMES.

MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER STARTED SELLING IT.

PEOPLE LOVED IT.

IT IS CHEAP AND IS SIMPLE.

IT'S A PERFECT SNAP.

PERFECT FOR PARTIES.

IT IS WHERE IT IS SORT OF A RHODE ISLAND THING.

BILL: TODAY, ERIC PALMIERI, WHO STUDIED USING COMPOSITION, RUNS THE BAKERY WHICH PRODUCES BREADS, PASTRIES, AND PIECES STRIPS -- PIZZA STRIPS.

BUT PALMIERI SAYS WITH A GROWING SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AND LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE IS PIZZA ART CONCEPT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

ERIC: IT WAS A PERFECT MARRIAGE OF WORKING WITH FOOD AND BEING A CREATIVE PERSON.

BILL: FROM STAR WARS CHARACTERS TO ICONIC ARTISTS AND SINGERS, AND EVEN RHODE ISLAND MEDIA CELEBRITIES, PALMIERI DESIGNS PIZZAS FOR ALL OCCASIONS.

WHEN WE VISITED HIS BAKERY, PALMIERI PREPARED A CUSTOM PBS PIZZA.

HE SAYS IT IS HIS ARTWORK FOR CHILDREN THAT SPARKS THE MOST JOY.

WHAT IS IT LIKE WHEN YOU PRESENT 20 YEAR PIZZAS TO SOMEBODY?

ERIC: I LOVE SEEING WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

AS FAR AS PEOPLE WHO ORDER STUFF, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS FOR KIDS, I LOVE SEEING THE PHOTOS THEY SEMI-LATER OF THEM OPENING -- THEY SEND ME LATER OF THEM OPENING UP THE BOX WITH THEIR FAVORITE CARTOON CHARACTER AND IT IS A REALLY SPECIAL FEELING TO BE SOME PART OF SOMEBODY COZY DAY -- SOMEBODY'S DAY.

YOU HAVE ALMOST THE KEYS TO THIS RHODE ISLAND ICON.

IT MUST BE A RUSH COMING HERE EVERY DAY.

ERIC: IT'S A VERY EXCITING PLACE TO WORK.

I LOVE WORKING HERE.

I LOVE THE JOB.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED HERE FOR 40 YEARS SINCE I I HAVE KNOWN SINCE I WAS A BABY.

IT IS EVERYONE WHO WORKS HERE THAT BECOMES LIKE A BROTHER OR SISTER OR AUNT.

THAT IS A REALLY FUN ENVIRONMENT TO WORK IN.

MICHELLE: OUR THANKS TO BILL BARTHOLOMEW FOR THAT REPORT.

PALMIERI BEGAN HIS GOING SELLING HIS PIZZA ART THROUGH THE FAST-GROWING DIGITAL ASSET WORLD KNOWN AS CRYPTOCURRENCY.

PALMIERI SAYS PART OF THE PROCEEDS FROM HIS NEW CRYPTO ART VENTURE WILL GO TO LOCAL NONPROFITS.

I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

PAMELA: I AM PAMELA WATTS.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY," THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

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