On my Xitter feed this morning, I saw something that surely was someone falling for either fake news or a parody. Michael Flynn was going to be inducted into the RI Heritage Hall of Fame. Iooked at the Google News feed, with the search terms “Michael Flynn” “Heritage Hall of Fame” with the timeline for that past 24 hours, and sure it would be a hoax, and I was going to comment on the Xitter post. But it is indeed real. Say it ain’t so, Joe.
The Providence Journal in an article that does not appear to be behind a paywall, at least not yet, reports as of now, there been at least a half dozen resignations from the organization’s board of directors.
And it has led former Congressman Jim Langevin, who was also selected last week for induction into the honorary Hall of Fame, to serve notice: "If retired General Michael Flynn were to be included in this class I would not accept the nomination."
In her letter of resignation from the board, former Rep. Denise Aiken wrote: "I find that I am unable to be associated with an organization that would choose to honor a criminal who failed to keep this oath to the Constitution of the United States."
"The inclusion of Lieutenant General Michael Flynn flies in the face of honorable service," wrote Aiken, adding in a subsequent interview: "I just couldn't see placing that particular nominee on the same footing with so many fabulous people that have been honored in that way over the many years that it's been in existence."
The culprit seems to be the head of the organization, Patrick Conley, a history professor at Providence College, and a lawyer. He’s certainly not one of the progressive voices in the RI establishment, and has had some sleazy connections over the years, including connections to late, corrupt mayor of Providence, Vincent “Buddy” Cianci. Somehow, he was appointed Historian Laureate of the state, and managed to hold on the job for years, despite living in the wrong century. Uprise RI, a progressive blog that covers state issues posted this editorial back in 2021 about his antics and connections.
Here is an column from Mark Patinkin, columnist for the Providence Journal, and a member of the Heritage Hall of Fame reacting to this. He’s not one of the more liberal thinkers, but he’s appalled at this choice.
RI is a state that that for so long, it’s who you know that matters. It’s sort of small version of New Jersey, cronyism, connections, and mobsters. None of these three things are what they used to be in our state, but strange things still happen. A far right insurrectionist who quickly copped a plea for a lower sentence and then was pardoned is now in our Heritage Hall of Fame. Conley has already proclaimed the Flynn was innocent of all charges, and he wants to vindicate Flynn’s reputation.
My prediction is this will not stand. Most of the board will walk out over this if the induction is either not rescinded or if Flynn does not pull out. I do believe this is also it for Patrick Conley. He reeks of that old Rhode Island where connections are everything, an odor that has given this state a bad national reputation for years.
For anyone looking to let the RI Heritage Hall of Fame know how you feel. here is their website about us page.