Written

Monkey statues in see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil poses

Journalists find distrust of mail ballots inexplicable because they don’t want it explained.

By Justin Katz | October 10, 2023 |

Whether it’s deliberate manipulation or just a sloppy resort to groupthink, Nancy Lavin’s recent article on Rhode Island Current is a good illustration of how issues can be framed to support the preferences of the powerful. Note this section: Proponents tout these expansions as ways to improve voter turnout and access while easing the pressure…

A girl resembling Anne Frank sitting and covering her face

You could argue including the hidden parts of Anne Frank’s diary is a secondary violation.

By Justin Katz | October 9, 2023 |

A recent teapot tempest in the Censorship Wars (at least the skirmishes over keeping arguably pornographic and sex-promoting work out of elementary school libraries) has to do with parents’ objecting to a graphic novel version of Ann Frank’s diary.  You can dig multiple layers into the story, though, for a more-full picture. The first layer,…

A crowd argues and riots in a large, dark hall

Let’s give real thought to why American government is in such a state.

By Justin Katz | October 8, 2023 |

As Americans on both sides of the political aisle highlight how poorly situated our federal government is in a time of international volatility (albeit for different reasons), we can’t look only at events of the past few months.  We also can’t assume we know the full answer fully from our own perspectives, so this is…

A water drop and ripples

What’s the outrage standard we should apply to video of Biden kicking his dog?

By Justin Katz | October 7, 2023 |

I ask because that looks pretty clearly to be what happens in the video attached to this tweet: Given some online interactions, I’m not even sure Democrat partisans are psychologically capable of seeing the kick — as if it’s one of those optical illusions that some people just don’t process. I suppose the best-case scenario…

A young figure looks up the stairs in a shadowy building

Don’t allow the trans movement to undermine good parenting.

By Justin Katz | October 6, 2023 |

As public figures establish new norms in keeping with the fashionable ideology of the trans movement, parents have to recall their primary responsibility, even if it means the discomfort of suggesting other parents are wrong.

A water drop and ripples

Don’t let the Connecticut mail ballot fraud slip out of awareness.

By Justin Katz | October 5, 2023 |

I mentioned to Mike Stenhouse on an episode of In the Dugout that will air soon that the danger of mail ballots may only be resolved when powerful people begin to worry that they won’t be better at it than their opposition.  That’s why it’s important to increase awareness of videos like this, from Connecticut: I…

A water drop and ripples

RI still has the worst roads. What happened to RhodeWorks?

By Justin Katz | October 3, 2023 |

Remember when then-Governor Gina Raimondo (a Democrat, if that needs saying) insisted we needed truck tolls to fund her RhodeWorks program to finally fix the state’s infrastructure?  Well… As with the state’s pension system — which the state went right back to reamortizing as soon as Raimondo left her treasurer role — she’s a master…

The word, "vote," on puppet strings

Rhode Island should study Ana Quezada’s fabulous mail ballot results. (Updated)

By Justin Katz | October 3, 2023 |

State Senator Ana Quezada was a stand-out recipient of mail ballots, with surprisingly targeted support in specific precincts that didn’t spread into in-person votes as should have been expected.

A water drop and ripples

There’s a great retro-80s movie plot in this.

By Justin Katz | October 2, 2023 |

Underdog sports team hires a beautiful and pop star with a surprising soft side to pretend to date one of its players to boost its ratings, and they wind up falling in love.

A water drop and ripples

Rhode Island should just cancel the lone, last-minute Congressional debate.

By Justin Katz | September 29, 2023 |

I mean, what’s the point? Not only has Secretary of State Gregg Amore already publicly proclaimed Amo the winner, but by the time of this debate it’s likely more than 30% of all ballots will already have been cast. Let’s cut to the chase.  Instead of an election, Rhode Island might as well have a…