Written

A water drop and ripples

Basically, McKee thinks Rhode Islanders are the rednecks of New England.

By Justin Katz | October 13, 2022 |

Whatever your political affiliation, you should recognize that Democrat Governor Dan McKee’s “you’re not from here” attack ad on Republican Ashley Kalus is dark and disgusting: You can’t lead a state you don’t know. I am proud to call Rhode Island home. pic.twitter.com/jPr9qkXyXP — Governor Dan McKee (@DanMcKeeRI) October 13, 2022 Even if we ignore…

A scale

COVID propaganda could be a great communications lesson (but probably won’t be at URI).

By Justin Katz | October 13, 2022 |

Professor Renee Hobbs specializes in media literacy education for the University of Rhode Island Harrington School of Communication and Media.  This tweet of hers therefore struck me as indicative of misplaced focus: An important note of specificity is needed:  Paxlovid skepticism is only a communication failure for those who wish to promote it (for profit,…

A water drop and ripples

What to make of a union-led pro-McKee rally outside of a television studio?

By Justin Katz | October 11, 2022 |

Looks mainly like an attempt to intimidate his political opposition to me. The candidates have arrived for tonight's RI gubernatorial debate at the @wpri12 studios. Both greeted by a crowd which appears to be largely made up of McKee supporters. pic.twitter.com/2wLHQbJAjH — Ryan Welch (@RyanWelchPhotog) October 11, 2022

Dan McKee

The strange story of Rhode Island politics presents an opportunity.

By Justin Katz | October 11, 2022 |

Remarkably consistent polls from WPRI and the Boston Globe tell a strange, yet familiar, story. Rhode Islanders think their state is going in the wrong direction — 45% versus 34% (WPRI) and 48% versus 35% (Globe).  Meanwhile, favorable opinions of incumbent Democrat Governor Dan McKee almost match those results inversely to what one would expect —…

A water drop and ripples

As the election draws nearer…

By Justin Katz | October 11, 2022 |

I’m noticing an increase in the rank dishonesty of progressive Democrats with an understanding of how things actually work and lunacy among those who don’t.

A water drop and ripples

Democrats argue with themselves on social media (without realizing it).

By Justin Katz | October 5, 2022 |

I’m seeing two conflicting talking points permeate my social media feeds.  Out one side of their mouths, they insist that people must vote against Allan Fung no matter who he is, what he’s done, or what he believes, because he’s simply a vote for a Republican Congress.  Out the other side of their mouths, they…

Abuse during the Chinese Cultural Revolution

Look for the signs of misdirection in Providence schools’ denunciation rallies.

By Justin Katz | October 5, 2022 |

The student protest against Providence teacher Ramona Bessinger ought to be a teachable moment.  Thus far, not a single credible accusation against her relates to anything she’s done in the classroom or involving particular students.  The students are incensed by her personal social media activities. Linda Borg’s article on the matter is telling. The tone…

Lizzo is the perfect illustration of the dishonest game being played.

By Justin Katz | September 29, 2022 |

We can have honest discussions about propriety and the conflicting emotional reactions people have to public images, but the strange controversy over pop-star Lizzo’s playing an historic flute of James Madison’s is a great illustration of the dishonesty of mainstream progressive rhetoric. It is as clear as a crystal instrument that the mainstream isn’t interested…

Cooling towers at Brayton Point

A passing thought on the outrage about the PUC’s energy-price increase.

By Justin Katz | September 28, 2022 |

I saw in the Boston Globe, today, some spin blaming Donald Trump for New England’s worsening energy woes.  The phrases are almost like a trick image that looks different when you cross your eyes or look at it directly. The reporter’s eyes appear to be crossed, and those of the progressives citing the text on social…

A dark, empty Medieval marketplace

Shadows cover the Rhode Island political marketplace.

By Justin Katz | September 26, 2022 |

The Rhode Island Saga, Post 4 Watching their comfortable surroundings erode and darken, the heroes of the Rhode Island Saga head out in search of answers and to see whether they can do something with their unique, but undefined, gifts to turn the trends around.  To them, restoring the balance of cooperation and individual liberty…