Civil Liberties

Richard August and Charles Calenda on State of the State

State of the State: The Republican Candidate for Attorney General

By Richard August | February 20, 2022 |

Host Richard August speaks with attorney Charles Calenda, who is seeking election to the AG’s office out of concern for how the office has been run under incumbent Peter Neronha.

A truck in a rearview

Checking in on Canadian Democracy

By John Loughlin | February 19, 2022 |

Karen Straughan gives John Loughlin the Canadian perspective on the “highly embarrassing” actions of her country’s government.

The moon over a weathervane

Dr. Skoly coverage may be another indication that the narrative is changing.

By Justin Katz | February 8, 2022 |

Among the encouraging signs that are beginning to peak out of the COVID chill like early buds in spring is that coverage of Dr. Stephen Skoly’s lawsuit hasn’t been limited to the website of the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity, of which he’s chairman, and national conservative sites like The Daily Signal.  The Providence Journal…

A man with a full face medical mask

Politics This Week with John DePetro: Old Disguises Wearing Thin

By Justin Katz | February 7, 2022 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz talk about the ways in which people are beginning to see through Rhode Island insiders.

A water drop and ripples

An issue so obvious that I agree with Al Sharpton.

By Justin Katz | February 7, 2022 |

Having grown up in the New York City tri-state area, I’ve been aware of Al Sharpton for a long, long time.  This may be the first time I’ve ever been aware of agreeing with him: “… you cannot normalize what they are doing in China. And to go there and act like all is well…

Doctors, Police, and a Trump Impersonator

By John Loughlin | February 6, 2022 |

John Loughlin and his guests discuss cancer, policing, suing the state over vaccine mandates, and what President Trump would think about Rhode Island news and media.

A water drop and ripples

We’re living in Dolores Umbridge’s world.

By Justin Katz | January 31, 2022 |

Jon Miltimore explains why Dolores Umbridge is the best character in the Harry Potter books (as distinct from his favorite character).  She’s an archetype, and unfortunately, our society is becoming more archetypal, these days, so to speak: Like Dolores Umbridge, Australian leaders (and Lemon) apparently see no problem in using force for the greater good, including using…

A water drop and ripples

By Justin Katz | January 28, 2022 |

Isn’t it curious how things that aren’t this are decried when Republicans are in office, but things that are this are not decried when Democrats are in control? Besty Woodruff Swan and Daniel Lippman broke the details this week of a new Capitol Police initiative that involves deep dives into the speech, background, and lifestyle…

RI State House over caution tape

Take note of the socialist assumptions of AutoZone criticisms in Cranston.

By Justin Katz | January 26, 2022 |

Buzzwords flow through political and ideological debates — at the state level even more so than the federal — to the extent that one has to wonder whether the people using them really subscribe to the ideas that they represent. Consider Democrat Representative from Cranston Brandon Potter, tweeting about the city’s decision to permit construction…

Surveillance cameras on a pole

Take the expansion of surveillance cameras into your community to heart.

By Justin Katz | January 25, 2022 |

Ellen Liberman’s article in Rhode Island Monthly about police programs using the Flock Safety system is important and timely for a number of reasons: The “Flock hit” is a reference to the Flock Safety system, a network of time-stamped license plate-reading cameras linked to a vehicle’s make, model, color and distinguishing marks. The image information…