Rhode Island, WTF?!??!!?

Rhode Island is a nice, plucky state. Bostonist loves to have the Ocean State in our neighborhood. It beats having Florida's panhandle on the southern border. But, recent headlines emanating from Rhode Island have resulted in a resounding "HUH?" from this Bostonist. Rhode Island is having an identity crisis and it's time for an intervention.

It's 2009. Roger Williams founded Providence, which ultimately became Rhode Island, in 1636. After 573 years, shouldn't you guys have figured out your name by now? The state's House of Representatives took the first step by voting 70-3 Thursday on a bill to change the name from "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to "The State of Rhode Island," which means the bill moves to the Senate and then to the ballot in November of 2010.

The name is not the only thing creating confusion for Rhode Island. The state is dealing with several social issues and taking apparently inconsistent positions. A few things to consider:

• Prostitution - As a result of the Craigslist killer case, we learned that indoor prostitution is legal in Rhode Island. Not for long, if the state legislature's efforts to ban indoor prostitution are a success.

• Marijuana - Last week, the state legislature overrode Governor Don Carcieri's veto to become the third state to allow the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

• Casino gambling - After the Twin River resort filed for bankruptcy, Gov. Carcieri determined the solution to their financial woes was, you guessed it, more gambling. An expansion of greyhound racing is on the table, too.

• Renewable Energy - Rhode Island is trying to go green. A new law requires National Grid to deal with producers of renewable energy. This might benefit the Deepwater Wind project, which is curently raising capital for two turbine sites.

• Gay Marriage - Only one state of the six in New England doesn't allow gay marriage. Yes, it's Rhode Island.

There lots to like about Rhode Island. First to declare independence from the British, Newport, PawSox, Federal Hill, Narragansett beer. Bostonist loves that stuff. Just pick a side, as Stephen Colbert might say. More gambling and no gay marriage seems incongruous with a pro-pot, pro-wind power state. Capiche?