Pioneer of Freedom

[Cartoonist]

Anyone here from Rhode Island? How are things now?

[ret5hd]

1. He, Roger Williams

by Slim Cessna's Auto Club: (crank it up and ENJOY!)

I know I'm off topic, but IMO this is one of the best songs out there, Makes me smile every time!

chorus:
His name is Roger Williams
Man, he's got a soul
He's a man of the cloth he likes to rock & roll
Beating on his bible just to stay in time
Ten little indians standing in a line
All the Narragansetts never had a clue
Roger Williams don't take, we'll deliver you
Wash away our red, purify our skin
All so we may be a puritan
Just like Him, Just like Him
Just like Him a puritan
Just like HIm

[DavidDvorkin]

2. I wonder his actual words were

I'm not sure he would have referred to "this new country of America" in 1637. The colonists didn't start referring to themselves as Americans until some time in the 18th century -- around mid-century, I think, and I think the generic use of "America" to refer to the American colonies dates from the same time.

[onager]

3. Another "Pioneer of Freedom:" Jessica Ahlquist, 2012

Rhode Island seems to have sadly devolved in the area of religious freedom. But I don't live there and am just being a Verminous Asshole, as usual:

Following the ruling on the case, police involvement has increased, both escorting Ahlquist to classes and investigating threats, mostly originating in Cranston.[3] An unnamed student was disciplined by the school because of threats. Local florists also refused a delivery to Ahlquist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahlquist_v._Cranston

[Lordquinton]

4. Guess their hearts weren't really in it

On the day of the agreement, a group consisting of three students, three alumni, and a North Providence resident filed a motion to stay. The motion was dismissed on the basis of being untimely and that they lacked standing. The group filed a notice of appeal over the ruling barring their intervention. Of the seven appellants, as of October 2012 four had not signed the notice of appeal, and mail sent by the First Circuit Court of Appeals to a fifth appellant's address was returned as undeliverable with no forwarding address.

[Act_of_Reparation]

5. The thing about "religious freedom" is...

It's very appealing to minorities and very threatening to the majority. Rhode Island was an attractive destination for a particular religious minority who, upon becoming the majority demographic in the state, found their perspective had shifted somewhat and promptly forgot about all that "freedom" shit Roger Williams seemed to care about so much.

[uriel1972]

6. It seems 'Religious Freedom'

Is another term for 'Religious Privilige' in some peoples vocabulary.