HOST INTRO: There has been a mixed response from liberals to President Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. Two cases in point -- Rhode Island's two Democratic congressmen, James Langevin and Patrick Kennedy, who are staunch supporters of Obama on almost every issue --except Afghanistan. WRNI's Scott MacKay explains why the reluctance of Rhode Island's representatives could spell trouble for president's troop build up.

Democrat Mary Duffy Messier of Pawtucket has won the lottery to appear first on the ballot in the Dec. 29 special election to fill former state Rep. Betsy Dennigan's seat.

Republican Thomas Cluny of East Providence will appear second on the ballot followed by independent Paul Dinsmore of East Providence.  The lottery for ballot placement was conducted by Secretary of State Ralph Mollis.

The iconic image of a New England Town Meeting was painted by Norman Rockwell in his World-War II-era Freedom of Speech illustration. The 1943 painting, inspired by a Vermont town meeting, shows a plainly-clothed working man speaking up while his white collar neighbors look on.

The working fellow delivered an unpopular opinion, but no one objected to his remarks.