In Depth

Playing Catch-Up

By Justin Katz | November 24, 2004 | Comments Off on Playing Catch-Up

Apologies for the lack of posts over the past couple of days. Judging from my daily rounds, we don’t appear to be the only quick read out there. That’s no excuse, of course, and we do appreciate your readership. (Arguably that appreciation is served by not posting fluff just to fill space.) Among my reasons,…

No Child Left Behind – It’s Working

By Marc Comtois | November 23, 2004 | Comments Off on No Child Left Behind – It’s Working

Presiden’t Bush’s much vilified No Child Left Behind Act appears to be working, at least that’s the conclusion drawn from reading this story in today’s Providence Journal. More than half of Rhode Island’s public schools have jumped into the high-performing category, and school leaders across the state say that’s in no small part due to…

From the Outside In

By Justin Katz | November 22, 2004 | Comments Off on From the Outside In

The Projo editorial board’s comments on recent healthcare happenings in the state mention a strategy — perhaps a necessity — with much broader application: We are unmoved by Blue Cross’s complaint that United is “an out-of-state for-profit company.” In all-too-cozy Rhode Island, being out-of-state can be an advantage, avoiding as it does the local cronyism…

Facing the Judges

By Justin Katz | November 22, 2004 | Comments Off on Facing the Judges

A word on where Andrew and I differ most significantly on the Taricani matter: Andrew believes that one problem that conservatives face when attempting to trim the powers of the judiciary is that they “pick a hot-button issue — gay marriage, flag burning, ‘under god’ in the pledge of allegiance — to advance the cause…

Stone’s Alexander May Teach A Lesson…

By Marc Comtois | November 20, 2004 |

…though it may be one different than intended. When I first heard about Alexander I was naturally interested as it was an historical epic and history is, after all, one of my main interests. (Granted, I know how Oliver Stone tends to treat historical fact, but I’m still interested in the film.) Now, the current…

Help me with a Taricani Detail

By Carroll Andrew Morse | November 20, 2004 | Comments Off on Help me with a Taricani Detail

I have question about a “detail” in the Jim Taricani case that I have yet to see explained. Perhaps one of my fellow contributors or one of Anchor Rising’s readers can help me with this… Did Taricani voluntarily waive his right to a trial-by-jury in this matter, and if so, why?

Meeting the Emotional Needs of the Elite

By Justin Katz | November 19, 2004 |

Brown professor Anne Fausto-Sterling, recent Massachusetts-made spouse of Brown professor Paula Vogel, skirts the heart of the same-sex marriage debate (coming to a small coastal state near you) in a Providence Journal column today. Interspersed with a description of exactly the sort of ceremony that one would expect from New England radicals, Fausto-Sterling offers points…

Reason 4 to Pardon Jim Taricani: Hard Cases Make Bad Law

By Carroll Andrew Morse | November 19, 2004 |

There is a legal maxim that says “hard cases make bad law”. This has taken on a new urgency with respect to the Jim Taricani case. As a result of Judge Torres’ Thursday ruling, Senator Christopher Dodd from Connecticut has proposed a federal shield law for journalists. Let me make an important point I haven’t…

Black Robes and Conflicting Interests

By Justin Katz | November 19, 2004 |

Andrew, yes that notion that the judge can usurp executive powers when some among the executive branch might have a conflict of interest is the lynchpin. After I read, last night, Torres’s decision demanding that Taricani name his source (PDF), questions about the procedures and powers involved with forming grand juries and appointing special prosecutors…

So, Why DO “They” Hate Us?

By Marc Comtois | November 19, 2004 | Comments Off on So, Why DO “They” Hate Us?

I’ve always wanted to blog extensively on the various reasons as to why Europeans, and a lot of the rest of the world, seem to “hate” the United States. However, since so much has already been written, and much of it better than anything I could offer, I decided that it would be most beneficial…