Civil Liberties

A water drop and ripples

The scale of NYC’s banana-republicism is difficult for most people to fathom.

By Justin Katz | February 29, 2024 |

But Mark Steyn clarifies it with his usual panache: … one hears so much breezy chit-chat in America about appealing this and appealing that one takes one’s appellate rights for granted. Not so. In order to appeal, a losing party has to post a bond for the amount at issue. … This is no small…

A water drop and ripples

The ACLU of Colorado has reached the point of psychosis.

By Justin Katz | February 26, 2024 |

That’s the only explanation for this sort of thing:   The activist-lawyers at the ACLU would have us believe that they are so blinkered by ideology that they can’t see a distinction between a children’s hospital removing unhealthy breast tissue to stop cancer and removing healthy breasts for cosmetic reasons under the assertion that it…

A dense conformist neighborhood on the water

A word on housing.

By Justin Katz | January 24, 2024 |

Amidst all the other happenings in Rhode Islanders’ lives, it’s worth a moment to consider that we’ve reached the point that the General Assembly is delving into such levels of micromanagement as housing setbacks and in-law apartments in local zoning.  That’s a sign that we’re doing things wrong. In the mania of the day (or…

A water drop and ripples

Contrast the applications of rights to speech.

By Justin Katz | December 26, 2023 |

As we watch progressive activists disrupt life in America, apparently with impunity, progressive attorneys general are happy to provide contrary examples dependent upon political viewpoint: Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is suing an increasingly active neo-Nazi group and two of its leaders for an escalating pattern of harassing, intimidating, and confrontational conduct at anti-immigration…

A water drop and ripples

Those using the government to target individuals always think they’re on the side of “the people.”

By Justin Katz | November 6, 2023 |

This tweet from Democrat Attorney General Peter Neronha is a little old, but I didn’t want to let it pass without comment in this space: The people who own property in the state have rights, too.  Many, probably most, of them are “people of this great state.”  The AG has to enforce the laws as…

A scared white, male college student with his mouth covered threateningly from behind

The University of Rhode Island isn’t exactly representing the spirit of Roger Williams in the Ocean State.

By Justin Katz | November 6, 2023 |

Although it no-doubt reveals my prejudices, if I were to rank Rhode Island’s handful of institutions of higher education on matters of freedom of thought, I’d expect Brown University — the Ivy League bastion of the elites  and producer of the likes of Aaron Regunberg and Tiara Mack — to top the list of badness. …

A woman walks in a smokey alley

Politics This Week: Stories of Absolutely No Interest (To the Media)

By Justin Katz | September 11, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz tease out multiple stories that the local media could investigate to generate interest (but probably won’t).

"I Voted" sticker in a pile of leaves

Fewer Rhode Islanders are qualifying for the ballot.

By Justin Katz | August 18, 2023 |

Decreasing political participation is unhealthy, limiting voters’ choices, tilting incentives toward corruption, and separating We the People from the exercise of government authority, and campaign regulation reform would be a good place to start looking for a fix.

A house made of money

Politics This Week: Rights and Diversity

By Justin Katz | August 9, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss recent developments in RI politics.

A "Submit Nomination" button on a keyboard

Politics This Week: Trespassing on Political Grounds

By Justin Katz | July 24, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz dissect the CD1 signature fraud controversy and the implications of the state claiming oceanfront property.