Marc Comtois

GOP Convention in town

By Marc Comtois | May 1, 2007 |

Spotted in Providence – Both members of the RI GOP! OK, just kidding (maybe?).

RE: Wingfield’s Letter

By Marc Comtois | April 26, 2007 |

I share Justin’s concern that some of what has gone on may not be “out of deliberate strategy” and instead may be for the sake of “the sheer self-gratifying joy of subversion and recognition.” It is this line between publicity-for-its-own-sake and polemic that is sometimes hard to toe. (Ann Coulter comes to mind). So, perhaps…

The Carbon Offset “Smokescreen”

By Marc Comtois | April 26, 2007 |

According to a report in the Financial Times: Companies and individuals rushing to go green have been spending millions on “carbon credit” projects that yield few if any environmental benefits… The FT investigation found: ■ Widespread instances of people and organisations buying worthless credits that do not yield any reductions in carbon emissions. ■ Industrial…

Re: Outgoing State College Republican Chair: Make Sure What You Say is Politically Correct Before You Say It

By Marc Comtois | April 26, 2007 |

It’s apparent that the sort of bareknuckle, in-your-face ideological battles that his fellow College Republicans are waging is too much for Wingfield. Some may recall that Wingfield was the head of the Reformed Christian Fellowship at Brown University, which was suspended last year. Wingfield perservered and, with the help of FIRE, they were reinstated. Wingfield’s…

Meanwhile, at URI….

By Marc Comtois | April 25, 2007 |

While the Roger Williams University radio controversy rages on, the URI Senate is deciding whether or not to de-recognize the URI College Republicans. Here’s a press release from Ryan Bilodeau, Chairman of the URI College Republicans: Kingston, RI – April 25, 2007 – Displaying a dramatic disregard for students’ constitutional rights, a committee of the…

Roger Williams U Gets into the Censorship Game? (UPDATED)

By Marc Comtois | April 25, 2007 |

First it was the URI College Republicans, now a couple conservative college radio hosts have been “fired” from WQRI, the Roger Williams University student radio station. Their offense? Repeating the Don Imus “nappy headed ho” phrase on the air while discussing the incident itself. Call it second-hand censorship. Now, I believe that because RWU is…

RE: Mollis Recommends Photo ID… Mollis forms “Voters First Advisory Committee”

By Marc Comtois | April 25, 2007 |

Building on Andrew’s post (and apparently this is a case of lunch-hour, blog-posting serendipity) Jim Baron of the Pawtucket Times reports: Secretary of State Ralph Mollis has assembled a bi-partisan “Voters First Advisory Committee” — which includes the woman who ran against him in the November election – to hash out a list of 10…

Leadership: Free Health Care for Legislators is a Constitutional Right

By Marc Comtois | April 23, 2007 |

According to Katherine Gregg’s reports in the ProJo, the leadership in the General Assembly believes that free health care for RI legislators is a Constitutional Right House Speaker Murphy and Senate President Montalbano say they have no intention of making premium co-pays mandatory. Asked last week why lawmakers alone should be spared, Murphy issued this…

An Aside on the Hazards of Comparing International Statistics

By Marc Comtois | April 20, 2007 |

“Tom Paine” takes the Brits to task for their “smug” and “gleeful” take on the recent Virginia Tech massacre. He also makes this acute observation about comparing British and American homicide rates: Britain’s only statistical advantage in the field of crime is that our homicide rate is lower. That’s largely because we only count convictions,…

Reminder: Presidential Primary Day is Tomorrow!!!

By Marc Comtois | April 18, 2007 |

Just a reminder!!! The Rhode Island legislature has passed a law moving the state’s presidential primary to tomorrow, forcing candidates from both parties to hastily revise their schedules and platforms. “I love Rhode Island, always have—especially the people,” said Sen. John Edwards while being briefed on Rhode Island politics aboard a plane bound for Providence.…