History

National Maritime Day

By Marc Comtois | May 22, 2007 |

As the resident maritimer (KP, ’91), I’d be remiss if I didn’t take note that today is National Maritime Day. Besides, one would think that denizens of the Ocean State would be at least mildly interested. (Though the idea of the sea as anything other than an avenue for pleasure craft or something to “keep…

Elaborating on MacKay’s Immigration History

By Marc Comtois | April 2, 2007 |

Scott MacKay’s immigration piece in the Sunday ProJo was a good piece of historical writing. However, and inevitably, it will be used by some as proof for their arguments in the contemporary illegal immigrant debate. Namely that the U.S. has “historically” allowed all immigrants, whether illegal or not. My first thought after reading the piece…

State of the Union Open Thread

By Carroll Andrew Morse | January 23, 2007 |

I was going to write a high-snark-factor post about how nothing memorable has ever occurred in a State of the Union Address. However, I came across this Whitehouse webpage (the building, not the Senator; this is going to be really annoying for the next six years) which lists some impressive State of the Union moments…1823:…

Remembering Dr. King

By Marc Comtois | January 15, 2007 |

In remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., take some time to read his “I Have a Dream” speech. Also, there are quite a few pieces extolling the inherent conservatism (and Republicanism) of Dr. King. For instance, the Heritage Foundation held a lecture in 1993 concerning “The Conservative Virtues of Dr. Martin Luther King” and…

Christmas During War (revisited)

By Marc Comtois | December 24, 2006 |

{Nota Bene: Two years ago I wrote this post offering some thoughts from soldiers and others concerning spending Christmas at war. I still believe it to be relevant today. Merry Christmas.} With the current confluence of Christmas and our nation at war, I think it appropriate to mention a few noteworthy writings that deal with…

‘Tis the Season For…

By Carroll Andrew Morse | December 21, 2006 |

…year-in-review articles. Ian Donnis files his entry in this week’s Providence Phoenix…Imagine a year when the Narragansett Indians were energetically pitching a casino, cynical Rhode Islanders had plenty of reason to reinforce their jaundiced views, and state house Democrats maintained the upper hand over hapless Republican opponents without even breaking a sweat…. Yet whether the…

Pearl Harbor, 9/11 and Conspiracy Debunking

By Marc Comtois | December 7, 2006 |

For those so inclined, I’ve put up a longish piece (WARNING: excessive scholarliness may induce drowsiness) over at Spinning Clio that touches on Pearl Harbor, 9/11 and conspiracies about each. (Though it is mostly about debunking the Pearl Harbor conspiracies.)

It all started because Samoset wanted a beer…

By Marc Comtois | November 23, 2006 |

Friday, the 16th, a fair warm day towards; this morning we determined to conclude of the military orders, which we had begun to consider of before but were interrupted by the savages, as we mentioned formerly. And whilst we were busied hereabout, we were interrupted again, for there presented himself a savage, which caused an…

Mayor Steve Laffey on the Passing of Milton Friedman

By Carroll Andrew Morse | November 16, 2006 |

Cranston, RI — Mayor Laffey today ordered that Cranston flags be lowered to half-mast to honor the life of Nobel prize-winning economist, Milton Friedman, who passed away today at the age of ninety-four. The Mayor commented, “Milton Friedman’s belief that individual freedom should rule economic policy is inspirational to all of us who truly believe…

Remember

By Marc Comtois | November 11, 2006 |