National Politics

Warren: Ethical Controversy for Another New England Democrat Candidate

By Justin Katz | September 29, 2012 |

Retired Providence Journal political columnist M. Charles Bakst has offered, via Ted Nesi’s Saturday column, a cute analysis of how both Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren could wind up in the U.S. Senate next session. While RI’s mainstream press ponders hypotheticals about the Senate race next door, Rhode Island blogger and Cornell law professor William…

Things We Read Today (13), Tuesday

By Justin Katz | September 18, 2012 |

Days off from retirement in Cranston; the conspiracy of low interest rates; sympathy with the Satanic Verses; the gas mandate; and the weaponized media. Continue reading on the Ocean State Current…

Things We Read Today, 9

By Justin Katz | September 12, 2012 |

No deep theme, today, but bad British commentary, union priorities, stimulus as wishlist, the fame of Dinesh, and a response to Dan Yorke’s Congressional District 1 analysis.

Things We Read Today, 8

By Justin Katz | September 11, 2012 |

Today: September 11, global change, evolution, economics, 17th amendment, gold standard, and a boughten electorate… all to a purpose.

Things We Read Today This Weekend, 6

By Justin Katz | September 9, 2012 |

First, scroll down and read Monique’s postings on Rep. Spencer Dickinson. Then… The topics of hope and hopelessness pervaded this weekend’s readings, from absurd labor rules in schools, to the likely outcome of Make It Happen, to Spencer Dickinson’s insider view, and then to Sandra Fluke.

Things We Read Today, 4

By Justin Katz | September 6, 2012 |

Today, I touch briefly (for me) on long-term vs. short-term recovery, who’s better off, RI’s long spiral (and potential for quick resurgence), and the significance of different ballot types in Cicilline-Loughlin.

Things We Read Today, 3

By Justin Katz | September 5, 2012 |

Today’s short takes address misleading labeling at the DNC, misleading fact-checking, fading national competitiveness, and the September 10 mentality.

Things We Read Today, 2

By Justin Katz | September 4, 2012 |

Today’s quick(ish) hits touch on: Partisanship as evidenced by Bill Maher, Rachel Maddow, and Nick Gillespie. The libertarian-conservative divide and this year’s election. Ed Fitzpatrick’s one-way love of fact checking. The dependency nation as an existential threat. Read all about it on the Ocean State Current…

When I Grow Up, I Wanna Be a Crony

By Marc Comtois | August 24, 2012 |

I can’t confirm if this was filmed in Rhode Island or not (h/t): “I’m gonna fight for MY piece of the taxpayer pie.” “What’s a crony?” “It’s like having a best friend who gives you other people’s stuff.” “We take care of our friends.” “We get to spend taxpayer money any way we want.” “Why…

Rasmussen Explains Gap Between Mainstream America and Official Washington

By Marc Comtois | August 21, 2012 |

Pollster Scott Rasmussen explains how common poll questions offered by Beltway “professionals” make no sense to average Americans: In Washington, it’s a given that more government spending is needed to help the economy. Most Americans hold the opposite view. So when you ask whether cutting spending or helping the economy is more important, the question…