Wokism

A water drop and ripples

Michael Munger’s reference to Bastiat’s proposal to grow the French economy by burning Paris is a worthwhile reminder.

By Justin Katz | December 27, 2022 |

For that lesson alone, readers should give it a few minutes.  But this paragraph near the end captures something far more intimately relevant to our times than even Munger may have intended: Once you are duped into believing destruction is productive, almost everything that a rational public policy would label as a cost becomes, by…

A wolf removes its sheep mask

Another front that reasonable people in RI can’t forget.

By Justin Katz | December 23, 2022 |

I know, I know… put something else on the list why don’t you?  Well, this is an area that cannot be forgotten: Progressives have spent decades deliberately invading institutions with an eye toward turning them politically to their favor, which mean first making them political.  I’m not among those on the other side who believes…

A water drop and ripples

Being arrested for praying is on the road U.S. progressives are dragging us down.

By Justin Katz | December 22, 2022 |

Sure, yes, this is in England, which does not have a First Amendment: A charity volunteer has been arrested and charged on four counts after she told the police she “might” be praying silently, when questioned as to why she was standing on a public street near an abortion facility. This appears to be video…

A water drop and ripples

When the mainstream thinks they’re counterculturalists…

By Justin Katz | December 19, 2022 |

This tweet from local left-wing writer Phil Eil, quoting WPRO journalist Steve Klamkin, is some months old, but it’s still worth a head-shaking ponder: Is it possible that progressives don’t recognize that their co-ideologues are the ones forbidding a counterculture from forming because they’re in power and don’t want alternative views to be heard?  Is…

Jose Clemente Orozco, The Clowns of War Arguing in Hell

“Stamping Out Hate” is not the way to address bigotry, including anti-Semitism.

By Justin Katz | December 9, 2022 |

People of Jewish heritage (as distinct from the “alliances” that claim to represent them) would arguably be better off if antisemites felt more comfortable expressing their views.

Racial conflict fist as a green light

Politics This Week with John DePetro: When Activism and Complaints Become Community

By Justin Katz | December 5, 2022 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz wonder about the consequences when activism swamps everything.

Judge Wisely Disregards Maliciously Misinformed Mob in Jeann Lugo Ruling

By Monique Chartier | November 17, 2022 |

Judge Joseph Terence Houlihan yesterday acquitted then-police officer Jeann Lugo of simple assault at the June 24 melee at the State House, finding that Lugo was trying to break free from Rourke who was restraining him from entering the “melee” that occurred at the rally. Kudos to Judge Houlihan for issuing this wise and thoughtful…

A cat man plays accordion

Bartholomew’s cat-trans stance is typical of backwards progressives.

By Justin Katz | October 27, 2022 |

Clearing out the links I’ve put aside, I came across a tweet that Bill Bartholomew sent out with a clip of himself on A Lively Experiment in early September, and he makes a point that’s still worth considering, related to stories around that time that schools were accommodating students who’d declared themselves to identify as cats:…

Boy in a library

Rhode Island is doing especially badly with boys’ education.

By Justin Katz | October 21, 2022 |

From time to time, I get in a little spat with some well-meaning progressive on social media that reminds me of something I figured out decades ago but periodically forget:  In the belief system of many (most?) progressives, no machinery is required between intent and achievement.  Wanting to help people means making it a law…

A confused girl

We’re watching our children be messed up in real time.

By Justin Katz | October 14, 2022 |

The Rhode Island Department of Health’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey is beginning to capture the ways in which we’re sowing confusion and discord among our children.