Marc Comtois

Of Gambling, Casinos and Economic Growth

By Marc Comtois | February 14, 2005 |

For the record, I thought I’d register my opposition to the placement of a casino in Rhode Island. However, I do support the people of Rhode Island being able to vote on the matter, so long as it is presented legally (unlike the fiasco last summer). During the controversy last summer, I posted about a…

An Example That Should Inspire

By Marc Comtois | February 14, 2005 |

Julia Steiny provides an example of a school that has improved through the work of its teachers. When the Rhode Island state authorities designated North Kingstown’s Stony Lane Elementary only “moderately performing” last year, the school staff was miffed. Indeed, they were so not-okay with the label, brainstorming about how to ramp up their students’…

An Example of Abusing History for Rhetorical Advantage

By Marc Comtois | February 11, 2005 | Comments Off on An Example of Abusing History for Rhetorical Advantage

If you’re interested, over at Spinning Clio I’ve posted on how a piece of historical “fact” has been misused to support the oft-used “the-Founders-weren’t-religious” argument. (Fair warning: it deals with treaty language.)

Crossing Up Cicilline

By Marc Comtois | February 11, 2005 | Comments Off on Crossing Up Cicilline

So, Providence Mayor Cicilline thinks he’s made quite a deal with the Providence Crossing Guard union because he negotiated down the hourly wage of new guards from $16.95 to $11.20. The truth of the matter is that guards are guaranteed a four hour work day, so it is essentially a 20 hour, $224/week salaried position.…

RE: A Wacky Idea

By Marc Comtois | February 10, 2005 | Comments Off on RE: A Wacky Idea

Hm. Well, now it’s my turn to think out loud. Dems–>Repubs has been done before, especially in the south. But I somehow doubt such would occur here. Instead, what would probably happen is that Langevin would become characterized as an “independent” Democrat. My guess is that the “politics of the polity” in Rhode Island would…

RE: A Foregone Conclusion

By Marc Comtois | February 10, 2005 |

A commenter to Justin’s post remarks: One would hope that maybe Steve Laffey would challenge Linc for the Republican nod. Of course the White House would probably offer the traitorous Chafee the same support it gave Arlen Specter. In a Kennedy-Chafee race, truly a contest of empty suits I think I would have to abstain.…

RIC v Felkner: A New Voice

By Marc Comtois | February 9, 2005 |

We have written of the educational travesty being committed against Bill Felkner by the Rhode Island College School of Social Work before. Now, similarly outraged, Brian Bishop of The Foundation for Intellectual Diversity at Brown University has produced a well-reasoned explanation as to why so many of us find the actions of those who run…

RE: Airing the Lottery Commision’s “Chaos”

By Marc Comtois | February 7, 2005 | Comments Off on RE: Airing the Lottery Commision’s “Chaos”

As Justin wrote last week, none of us were really surprised that “independent” lawyer Joseph Tarantino sided with the Legislature on whether their members could legally stay on the Lotto Commission given that Separation of Powers had been passed. (He said “Yes”). Now, it has been reported that Tarantino managed to profit financially, too. The…

Oil-For-Food Update

By Marc Comtois | February 4, 2005 | Comments Off on Oil-For-Food Update

According to an interim report by Paul Volcker, Benon Sevan, head of the Iraq/UN Oil-for-food program was as corrupt as was suspected. An interim report by a commission investigating the U.N. oil-for- food program in Iraq said the former head of the program had violated the U.N. Charter by helping a company run by a…

WITMO (cont): Brown University President on Intellectual Diversity

By Marc Comtois | February 4, 2005 |

Brown University President Ruth Simmons spoke about intellectual diversity on campus at her Spring Semester Opening Address on Wednesday. After her speech. . .Simmons responded to students’ questions on. . . the impact of faculty sharing political opinions in class. . . Simmons began by telling the audience that one of the questions she receives…