Written

Divest Our Pensions sign

Is the General Treasurer divested of fiduciary responsibility?

By Justin Katz | April 22, 2021 |

I ask because in a new press release from Rhode Island’s General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, the progressive Democrat announces his office’s step to divest the state pension fund of investments in fossil fuels: This morning, in advance of Earth Day, Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner announced a nearly 50 percent decrease in the Rhode…

Hieronymus Bosch, 7 Deadly Sins

It’s Evil that keeps us unable to work toward a better world.

By Justin Katz | April 21, 2021 |

Sometimes Michael Morse’s memoirs of life as a Providence firefighter-EMT read like they could be plot pitches for a Netflix series spun off from the movie, Se7en.  Such is the case with a recent essay on his Rescuing Providence site. Particularly striking in a post he titles “Get Out As Soon As You Can” is the profound…

Do Not Get Raped sign

Teen Homelessness, Drugs, and Rape in South Kingstown

By Justin Katz | April 21, 2021 |

The story of a drug-fueled sexual encounter among a young woman from South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and four young men of a different race is raising the question of blame. If you want to know which side to blame in South Kingstown’s juxtaposition of BLM against #MeToo, the answer is us.

State laws on self defense

Rhode Islanders have to run away from danger.

By Justin Katz | April 21, 2021 |

Eugene Volokh has posted a quick updated review of state laws concerning when residents have a right to use deadly force to defend themselves.  And wouldn’t you know it, Rhode Island is one of only twelve states that fall in the “duty to retreat” category.  The rest of the states are some variation of “stand…

United Way RI tweet on Chauvin case

Justice is supposed to be about the facts of the case.

By Justin Katz | April 21, 2021 |

We agree on the rules and the process, in light of inalienable rights, and justice is the result.  If the system manifestly is not producing justice, then we adjust the rules and the process.  But the process cannot simply be a show we put on to give the impression of rules. That is the context…

Rivera & crew seek vaccination sign-ups

Politicians have to walk (and constituents have to enforce) a subtle line.

By Justin Katz | April 20, 2021 |

Something in Dan McGowan’s Rhode Map column today reminded me of a question I had for Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera.  Asked by McGowan what has surprised her in her first 100 days in office, Rivera replied, in part: “I’m surprised by the enormous stress of providing basic city services while, at the same time, tackling…

A man fuels his car

Coalition Looks for TCI Sanity from McKee

By Justin Katz | April 20, 2021 |

During a time of hoped-for economic recovery after COVID lockdowns, a coalition of state, national, and local groups is asking Governor Daniel McKee to reverse his predecessor’s pledge for the Ocean State to join a handful of others in imposing a new gas tax.

Painting of a forest monster.

Humanity’s brakes really are starting to fail.

By Justin Katz | April 20, 2021 |

The year 2020 became a cultural cliché, given the sense that reality’s wheels were coming off, but it might be more accurate to say that people (particularly elites) are refusing to accept traditional safeguards that were simply passed down culturally and accepted intrinsically.  (Think media objectivity, colorblindness, the existence of truth, and so on.) Leslie…

Police, protesters, and smoke on Jan 6

The media has a death grip on its January 6 narrative.

By Justin Katz | April 20, 2021 |

The lede text on a WPRI Facebook post caught my attention (emphasis added): Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was injured while confronting rioters during the Jan. 6 insurrection, suffered a stroke and died from natural causes, the Washington, D.C., medical examiner’s office ruled Monday. Was Sicknick injured?  I can’t remember seeing any reports to…

Image of Police Line tape.

Identity politics is a distraction from uncomfortable reality.

By Justin Katz | April 19, 2021 |

The Providence Journal’s headline on a Katherine Gregg story draws attention to an important point about what is hidden: “RI lawmakers ask: Should police face stricter discipline?”  Put simply, the bright spotlight on race makes conspicuous what the politicians, unions, and activists are trying to keep off to the side, in the dark. International Brotherhood of Police…