Justin Katz

Sunday’s First Page, Above the Fold, Part II: A Media Surge Against the Military

By Justin Katz | September 16, 2007 |

There’s something sinister about the timing of the Providence Journal’s five-part series about Corporal Patrick Murray. A production this large was most definitely a long time in the making, but issuing part one this week makes it resonate as a response to General Petraeus, and its execution reinforces the impression. Murray certainly deserves to have…

Sunday’s First Page, Above the Fold, Part I: Chafee Quits the Party!

By Justin Katz | September 16, 2007 |

In a piece that was apparently written yesterday, the Providence Journal’s Bruce Landis explains that Lincoln Chafee didn’t leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left him: Lincoln D. Chafee, who lost his Senate seat in the wave of anti-Republican sentiment in last November’s election, said yesterday that he has left the party. Chafee said…

Kerr Must Be in the Index…

By Justin Katz | September 16, 2007 |

Bob Kerr somehow got his hands on a copy of Rescuing Providence blogger (and regular AR commenter) Michael Morse’s forthcoming book of that name, and he really thinks you should read it: Morse has been an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter in Providence for 16 years. He is one of those people, like most…

Where Did the Good Times Go?

By Justin Katz | September 16, 2007 |

That question usually implies that the good times have disappeared, but if by “good times” one means “strong economic growth,” Greg Kaza would argue that the good times have gone to the Red states: Political pundits identify 18 bona-fide Blue states, which backed Democrats Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004, and 29…

Poor Diagnoses, or Munchausen by Proxy?

By Justin Katz | September 16, 2007 |

Rhode Island Kids Count’s Jill Beckwith is correct that Rhode Island is “heading in the wrong direction” when it comes to healthcare.

Primary Misstep: How Laffey’s Supporters Made the Worst Out of Whatever Influence Anchor Rising Enabled

By Justin Katz | September 15, 2007 |

I’ll confess: I’m as curious as anybody about commentary related to myself and things in which I’m involved, which is why I found myself standing in the Middletown Barnes & Noble in my dirty carpentry garb a couple of hours ago flipping to the index of Steve Laffey’s just-released book, Primary Mistake: How the Washington…

TGI Anchor Rising

By Justin Katz | September 13, 2007 |

Although unsure what to expect, we though it would make for an interesting evening to invite y’all to an informal get-together next Thursday night, September 20, at the bar area of the TGI Friday’s in Warwick (by the Michael’s craft store and across from the expensive-car sales plaza). Although we’re prepared to enjoy yet another…

Behind My Reaction

By Justin Katz | September 12, 2007 |

My purpose with last night’s post from the parking lot, now that I’m able to do it, was to convey my gut reaction to the experience. Having slept on it, I think I can better articulate what was bothering me. The truth is that some of the requests from the teachers raised worthwhile questions, even…

Whither the Don’t Knows Will Go

By Justin Katz | September 12, 2007 |

Under the headline “Hiring plans looking up in Providence area“: More than 4 of every 10 Providence-area employers plan to maintain their current staffing, while few plan to cut their payrolls in the fourth quarter, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. The study showed that from next month to December, 43 percent plan…

A License to License

By Justin Katz | September 12, 2007 |

As an add-on to my recent column about the effects of occupational licensing on competition, I wanted to note an article from Sunday’s Projo that doesn’t appear to be available online: Pharmacists, barbers, electricians, elevator mechanics, massage therapists, travel agents, landscape architects, acupuncturists, fire alarm installers, auctioneers. All those occupations, and lots more, are licensed…