Justin Katz

The Power of Headlines and Scandal

By Justin Katz | October 21, 2008 |

So, if you were to see the headline “Priest compelled to reveal he’s gay,” what would you expect to see in the story? That the Church (or somebody) forced him to admit his orientation as a targeted effort laced with malice. But in actuality, the LA Times story to which the Providence Journal gave that…

The Guilty Husband

By Justin Katz | October 21, 2008 |

In the past decade or so, every divorce of which I’ve been aware has been initiated by the wife. That’s hardly a broad or representative sample, but I do wonder whether the post-divorce cards are so heavily stacked in women’s favor that it affects their understanding of and behavior toward their marriages. With this sort…

Working for Change in Tiverton

By Justin Katz | October 21, 2008 |

Anybody interested in changing the way in which Tiverton’s government conducts business should consider attending Tiverton Citizens for Change’s volunteer/candidate night tonight. We’ll be looking for people to help in myriad ways, from canvassing neighborhoods to putting up yard signs, but even those who aren’t able or willing to help out are invited to meet…

On Murder and Politics

By Justin Katz | October 20, 2008 |

I’m probably not alone in having allowed my mouse to hover over links to Denver Archbishop Chaput’s speech on civic participation in accord with the Roman Catholic Church. It’s worth a click and a read, though: As adults, each of us needs to form a strong Catholic conscience. Then we need to follow that conscience…

The Non-Case for Same-Sex Marriage as a Republican Issue

By Justin Katz | October 20, 2008 |

So Damien Baldino, blogger at RIRepublican.com and candidate for the Rhode Island House, supports same-sex marriage. I sympathize. I do. In fact, when I began considering the issue back in the spring/summer of 2001, I held the libertarian view, as a government matter, but I rapidly discerned the weakness of the pro side for SSM,…

Carrots Down the Rabbit Hole

By Justin Katz | October 20, 2008 |

The range of protected groups continues to, umm, grow: For years, Swiss scientists have blithely created genetically modified rice, corn and apples. But did they ever stop to consider just how humiliating such experiments may be to plants? That’s a question they must now ask. Last spring, this small Alpine nation began mandating that geneticists…

A Question on Public Contracts

By Justin Katz | October 20, 2008 |

I understand that arbitration is a wildcard that Rhode Island officials might not wish to risk, but something about the latest deal — as with previous deals — worked out with public sector union leadership brings into relief the practices that have gotten our state into its current difficulties: Council 94’s new agreement — like…

Putting up Roadblocks to More Spending

By Justin Katz | October 20, 2008 |

Whether or not Rhode Island voters pay so little attention to what they’re doing that they’d confuse political ads from Massachusetts as applying to ballot questions in Rhode Island, I don’t know. But as always, my recommendation is to vote “no” to transportation bonds — our Question 1: Although it’s described as an $87-million bond…

Poise by Contrast

By Justin Katz | October 19, 2008 |

Ann Althouse isn’t sure how to understand Saturday Night Live‘s script as delivered by Alec Baldwin, standing next to Sarah Palin: Alec Baldwin got to stand next to Palin and insult her — by accident, thinking she was Tina — and then got to say something that’s true: Sarah Palin is more attractive than Tina…

Don’t Overlook This Part of the Story

By Justin Katz | October 19, 2008 |

It doesn’t pass judgment upon nor level recriminations against Regino Romero — who appears to be doing his best to support his family and do right by his children — to note an easily ignored and often dismissed piece of his story (emphasis added): If money were not so tight, Regino Romero would use the…