Marc Comtois

The Power of (Urban) Myth

By Marc Comtois | November 2, 2011 |

This is the first time I’ve heard this version* of a rather infamous story involving a certain current Presidential candidate: It was the spring of 1980. I was 13 years old, and we were about to leave Fairfax, Va., and drive to Carrollton, Ga., for the summer. My parents told my sister and me that…

To Hell With “Government Experts” 2: Keep Covering Your Ass

By Marc Comtois | November 2, 2011 |

Almost exactly two years ago, I wrote a post titled “To Hell With ‘Government Experts’, Keep Feeling Your Boobies” in which I explained my disagreement–admittedly in a gut-level sense–with new guidelines pushing breast cancer screenings for women out a decade further (from 40 years old to 50). I ended by warning, “And men, don’t take…

Car Tax Evaluation Committee: Typical?

By Marc Comtois | October 28, 2011 |

Warwick Car Tax Revolt leader Rob Cote has done a great service to the citizens of Warwick and the state by keeping the heat on our elected officials regarding the car tax. Further to that end, he decided to drop in on the annual Car Tax Evaluation Committee meeting, buried somewhere in the State House…

Eating on Only $4.50 a Day

By Marc Comtois | October 25, 2011 |

Anti-poverty activists have thrown down the gauntlet to those of us lucky enough to eat regularly and (as obesity statistics show) too much. Anti-poverty activists are challenging Rhode Island residents to spend just $4.50 a day on food for a week as part of a campaign to draw attention to the importance of funding for…

Education Idea: Flipping

By Marc Comtois | October 24, 2011 |

I found this interesting: Students watch short online videos of lessons at home and do homework in class with their teacher’s help….The videos are mostly created by the district and led by the best teacher on a topic. And when kids do homework, they’re getting help from their teacher, rather than parents at home….Teachers say…

Putting Theory to Test

By Marc Comtois | October 22, 2011 |

“Within every city there are people who freeload, who make people’s lives miserable. We just deal with it. We can’t kick them out.” In response to dissatisfaction with the…General Assembly, many…have adopted a new…model, which allows each working group to act independently without securing the will of the collective. “This streamlines it,” argued Zonkers. “The…

Food for (Weekend) Thought

By Marc Comtois | October 21, 2011 |

From Kevin Williamson writes: Between the candidates’ debates and my conversations with the Occupy Wall Street protesters, it seems to me that there is a persistent, dangerous disconnect between our political conversation and reality. He lists some points: 1. There is no austerity. 2. There was no deregulation. 3. You can’t trust Republicans on spending.…

Occupy Providence Releases Mission Statement

By Marc Comtois | October 13, 2011 |

As Patrick alluded to, the nascent Occupy Providence movement has released its manifesto mission statement (via WPRO’s Bob Plain). Here’s the full text: Dear People of Rhode Island, We the people of the Occupy Providence movement respectfully convey our intent to gather in Burnside Park on Saturday, October 15th at 5:00 pm and remain there…

Two Headlines, One Question

By Marc Comtois | October 12, 2011 |

“Raimondo: Politics threaten reform“: State Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo told the Rotary Club of Providence on Tuesday that the biggest potential hurdle to pension reform is “politics, politics, politics: special interests lobbying politicians and telling them, if they pass this reform, they’ll go after them in the next election.”…Look, this is politics. Special interests. You…

Even if it’s Amazing, It’s not fair, so I hate everything

By Marc Comtois | October 10, 2011 |

Trying to figure out this Occupy thing? Right now, this seems to explain it the best (h/t):Remember this bit by Louis CK (thanks for reminding me, Will)? Protest song! …a sultan and student both have iPhone 4s…it’s not fair Overall, much of the logic seems to go something like this (h/t): ADDENDUM: I put this…