Quick Read

RI State House over caution tape

Is RI less corrupt because the BOE fined Moira Walsh?

By Justin Katz | November 12, 2021 |

Campaign finance law is one area in which contrarianism is certainly justified.  Imposing detailed accounting requirements for every candidate for every office, whether executive or legislative, at every level of government, whether volunteer or paid, is simply a regulatory disincentive for people to become involved. Nobody will be surprised to learn my opinion that the…

Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson in Netflix's Passing

With Netflix and Nella Larsen’s Passing, look for the relevant parallels.

By Justin Katz | November 11, 2021 |

Even in the pre-woke days of the 1990s, when I went to college, the traditional English curriculum was already giving way to identity politics.  More than one teacher for more than one class assigned books by Anzia Yezierska, which were good but not that good and which tended to tell the same story over and over…

A nurse sitting in a doorway

Reminder: unvaccinated employees are people with families, obligations, and responsibilities.

By Justin Katz | November 11, 2021 |

The headline on Alexa Gagosz’s Boston Globe article conveys the news: “R.I.’s state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital replaces unvaccinated staff.”  The text feels somehow inappropriately clinical, though, given the content: State-run Eleanor Slater Hospital has received just six vaccinated nurses to help replace the remaining unvaccinated staff. The nurses, who arrived on Wednesday, are believed to have…

Military on steps of Lincoln Memorial

Let’s strive for universal gratitude on Veterans Day.

By Justin Katz | November 11, 2021 |

One major point of concern in recent years for anybody who cares about the future has to be our diminishing agreement about patriotism.  In the past few years, radicals have increasingly mainstreamed the notion that the America flag is a symbol of hate and racism, especially when flown on trucks.  Some Americans get the creeps…

Parker Gavigan

The revolving door between Rhode Island media and government continues.

By Justin Katz | November 10, 2021 |

My very few personal interactions with Parker Gavin over the years have confirmed that he’s a great guy, and it hardly needs my affirmation that he’s been a great reporter for WJAR.  That said, I continue to believe it’s harmful to our system of government when journalists see work for government and politicians as one…

COVID-driven unemployment in RI by income

Conveniently, the RI comfortable made out pretty well during COVID lockdowns.

By Justin Katz | November 10, 2021 |

The past decade or so has been remarkable in the degree to which events have shed light on ideas and principles that used to be opaque and abstract.  Yesterday, I observed how radicals took advantage of the education system’s vulnerability to accelerate their plans, which begins to fill in explanatory pieces of the puzzle. Although…

A white student looks away

“Equity” and COVID joined forces to eliminate standards in school.

By Justin Katz | November 9, 2021 |

Approach Paloma Esquivel’s Los Angeles Times article about schools’ “ditching the old way of grading” with the appropriately skeptical eye, and it produces a curious effect.  On one hand, teachers’ desire seems reasonable to conduct a true assessment of what students have learned rather than relying on a rigid grading system that reflects their ability to perform…

Cortez Rice talks about doxing Rittenhouse jurors

Clarity about who genuinely cares about justice is important.

By Justin Katz | November 9, 2021 |

Yeah, social media is the land of wacky statements, but when themes emerge, they’re worth considering.  One theme that has emerged as the prosecution of Kyle Rittenhouse falls apart is threats that he’d be safer in jail than on the street or that the jury better find him guilty no matter what. The most prominent…

Hooded youths vandalize a car in Providence

Providence vandalism was a planned “riot” according to student on campus.

By Justin Katz | November 9, 2021 |

A student at Providence College tells Anchor Rising that vandalism depicted in a widely dispersed TikTok video was planned beforehand. According to the source, students who live in the area of Pembroke Avenue, a short walk from the campus, heard about the plans among non-students, calling it a “riot.”  Some students remained in their dorms in…

Silhouette over digital background

Here’s how to properly regulate Big Tech in two easy steps.

By Justin Katz | November 8, 2021 |

During a conversation with Blake Masters on a recent episode of his podcast (go to 48:40 at that link), Andrew Klavan mentioned the contra-regulation argument he sometimes hears that government is simply too slow and legislators too old and out of touch to regulate fast-moving technology.  The only response Masters and Klavan offered (per my…