Marc Comtois

U.S. Incomes Aren’t Falling

By Marc Comtois | August 22, 2007 |

That this NY Times story on how “U.S. incomes are falling” is being seized upon by those looking to denigrate the “Bush economy” (and continue playing the class warfare card) is, well, unsurprising. Too bad the premise of the piece ain’t exactly true, according to U.S. News economist/columnist James Pethokoukis (commenting on a derivative story…

Anachronistic History: Ruth Simmons on George Washington

By Marc Comtois | August 22, 2007 |

In a ProJo story about the annual reading of George Washington’s Letter to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Brown University President Ruth Simmons is quoted thusly: She touched upon the moral contradictions underlying the noble desires of past leaders who were eager to uphold freedom, despite an indifference to the injustice of slavery. “We all…

Broder talks to Fred Thompson

By Marc Comtois | August 18, 2007 |

In case you missed, it David Broder talked to Fred Thompson and got some insight into what concerns the pending (c’mon already!) candidate: The approach Thompson says he’s contemplating is one that will step on many sensitive political toes. When he says “we’re getting a free ride” fighting a necessary war in Iraq with an…

Something Smells Fishy About State Beach Concessions

By Marc Comtois | August 17, 2007 |

This puff piece on House Deputy Majority Leader Peter G. Palumbo (D., Cranston) that details his efforts as a summertime vendor at the Misquamicut Beach Cafe provokes some questions. It’s about 3 p.m. on a hot summer day, and Peter G. Palumbo, a deputy majority leader of the state House of Representatives, is greasing doughboys.…

DCYF Asks for More

By Marc Comtois | August 17, 2007 |

Via 7to7: Rhode Island must hire almost 50 social workers at the state’s foster care agency to meet national guidelines. That’s according to testimony today from Patricia Martinez, the director of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. She spoke before a state Senate committee investigating how DCYF handles children in foster care. A federal…

ProJo: In Foreclosure, there’s profit!

By Marc Comtois | August 17, 2007 |

What to make of the “Housing in R.I.” section displayed prominently on today’s ProJo.com frontpage? Let’s see, hmmm….wow, how ironic, Both condo sales and foreclosures are rising. Weird. Aw gee, Foreclosures taking a toll on Providence neighborhoods that’s sad. Not just here either? Nation’s mortgage woes put brakes on construction of homes, apartments. Yikes. Wait…

RE: Who’s Making Way for Buddy? Nobody

By Marc Comtois | August 16, 2007 |

According to 7to7, who got this from WPRO Station Manager Paul Giammarco: Program Director Paul Giammarco said the details of the station’s line-up of talk show hosts will be announced later. Giammarco said that the station’s four existing hosts, St.Pierre, John DePetro, Rush Limbaugh and Dan Yorke, will all remain at the station. “Ron, John,…

No Need to Worry About Chinese Toys

By Marc Comtois | August 15, 2007 |

Upon hearing that Mattel was recalling several toys made in China, including the much-beloved Polly Pockets that can be found living throughout my house, my wife decided to explain the situation to my inquisitive daughters. (Incidentally, they had already noted before that a lot of toys were made in China). Anyway, my wife explained that…

On Journalism

By Marc Comtois | August 14, 2007 |

A couple few related thoughts on today’s journalism. First, former NY Times Magazine editor William Katz on today’s journalists (h/t, via Powerline): There have been many changes in journalism since World War II, but the most striking has come in the resumé of the journalist. Of course, there have always been college graduates in journalism.…

Post-Modern Conservatives

By Marc Comtois | August 11, 2007 |

Over at Spinning Clio (two mentions in a week!), I’ve posted about the Post-Modernism of Russell Kirk. I know, I know…but if your interest is pique, please take look.