Justin Katz

A water drop and ripples

Think about Democrats’ election rhetoric.

By Justin Katz | October 24, 2022 |

They spent all of Republican President George W. Bush’s two terms talking about how he was “selected, not elected.”  They spent all of Republican President Donald Trump’s term claiming he’d won because of Russian interference. Now they’re claiming that if their party doesn’t win majorities during the election in a few weeks, it will be…

Boy in a library

Rhode Island is doing especially badly with boys’ education.

By Justin Katz | October 21, 2022 |

From time to time, I get in a little spat with some well-meaning progressive on social media that reminds me of something I figured out decades ago but periodically forget:  In the belief system of many (most?) progressives, no machinery is required between intent and achievement.  Wanting to help people means making it a law…

Crazy Eggs

Can the U.S. Survive the Madness of Its Politics?

By Justin Katz | October 20, 2022 |

It may be Crazy Season, but the rationale Democrats are giving for their votes is enough to make one despair of our nation’s capacity to analyze problem, develop solutions, and survive.

A junk car in a yard

Politics this Week with John DePetro: McKee’s Redneck Rhode Island

By Justin Katz | October 17, 2022 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz keep up with the accelerating political season.

A confused girl

We’re watching our children be messed up in real time.

By Justin Katz | October 14, 2022 |

The Rhode Island Department of Health’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey is beginning to capture the ways in which we’re sowing confusion and discord among our children.

A water drop and ripples

Basically, McKee thinks Rhode Islanders are the rednecks of New England.

By Justin Katz | October 13, 2022 |

Whatever your political affiliation, you should recognize that Democrat Governor Dan McKee’s “you’re not from here” attack ad on Republican Ashley Kalus is dark and disgusting: You can’t lead a state you don’t know. I am proud to call Rhode Island home. pic.twitter.com/jPr9qkXyXP — Governor Dan McKee (@DanMcKeeRI) October 13, 2022 Even if we ignore…

A scale

COVID propaganda could be a great communications lesson (but probably won’t be at URI).

By Justin Katz | October 13, 2022 |

Professor Renee Hobbs specializes in media literacy education for the University of Rhode Island Harrington School of Communication and Media.  This tweet of hers therefore struck me as indicative of misplaced focus: An important note of specificity is needed:  Paxlovid skepticism is only a communication failure for those who wish to promote it (for profit,…

A businessman stands on a broken bridge

Politics this Week with John DePetro: Disconnects as a Sign of Dysfunction

By Justin Katz | October 12, 2022 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss the dysfunction of Rhode Island politics.

A water drop and ripples

What to make of a union-led pro-McKee rally outside of a television studio?

By Justin Katz | October 11, 2022 |

Looks mainly like an attempt to intimidate his political opposition to me. The candidates have arrived for tonight's RI gubernatorial debate at the @wpri12 studios. Both greeted by a crowd which appears to be largely made up of McKee supporters. pic.twitter.com/2wLHQbJAjH — Ryan Welch (@RyanWelchPhotog) October 11, 2022

Dan McKee

The strange story of Rhode Island politics presents an opportunity.

By Justin Katz | October 11, 2022 |

Remarkably consistent polls from WPRI and the Boston Globe tell a strange, yet familiar, story. Rhode Islanders think their state is going in the wrong direction — 45% versus 34% (WPRI) and 48% versus 35% (Globe).  Meanwhile, favorable opinions of incumbent Democrat Governor Dan McKee almost match those results inversely to what one would expect —…