Essay
The Providence Journal editorial page gets curiouser and curiouser: Of course, there will never be perfect separation of powers, all human institutions having varying levels of permeability between them. Still, the separation of powers between Rhode Island’s judiciary and the two other government branches has worked pretty well. … most politicians, and judges, are well-meaning…
I just noticed that NRO has posted the first section of my “One Man’s Marriage Trap” piece. It’s only about a tenth of the whole, so now there’s another step for you to take: Read the excerpt. Buy the magazine. Write to the editors promising that you’ll buy additional issues in which my work appears.…
So, in doing some research for yesterday’s post about questionable interactions between the judiciary and legislature in Rhode Island, I came across (and linked to) a Providence Journal piece on what appears to be a regular practice of nepotistic hiring between the two branches. Yet, today I read about some Ethics Commission charges against Governor…
In addition to the fine points brought up by Justin, I would also add that Mr. Tarantino attacked Achorn for “inuendo” and seeking to “inflame, outrage and slander.” Tarantino wrote that, “Mr. Achorn rants against abuses in government, whether they be actual, perceived or imagined. I prefer to deal with real problems in a productive…
The thing about lawyers — as about salesmen — is their ability to persuade people into forgetting well-formed opinions and garnered knowledge about their occupation. Of course, most lawyers are ethical, and many rise beyond that boundary to become downright admirable. The point is that they’ve honed an approach to addressing problems that one oughtn’t…
The Linc Chafee quotation in Marc’s post illustrates why Chafee’s so infuriating. Not only does he stand apart from his party, but he does so for reasons that are either deceptive or, if principled, just plain foolish. (Personally, I think it’s the latter.) By population, Rhode Island is 0.37% of the national total. By electoral…
Senator Lincoln Chafee has decided to join California Sen. Diane Feinstein in calling for the abolishment of the Electoral College. “Under the current system, the only states that get any candidate visits are the battleground states,” said Chafee. “As a Rhode Islander . . . I’d like to see the presidential candidates make an investment…
As a result of the separation of powers legislation passed in November, legislators are barred from serving on Rhode Island’s executive boards and commissions. Governor Carcieri has proposed a new slate of members for the Rhode Island Lottery commission. Senate President William Murphy, however, claims the lottery commission is exempt from the separation of powers…
Congrats to Will Ricci, of the NFRA of RI, for being named editor of the Rhode Island HQ pages of GOPUSA. The more conservatives in this state can reach beyond its borders, the better our chances of forcing change. Will’s got some blog-like posts of news from around Rhode Island, and he’s in the process…
A familiar refrain from Harry Staley of the Rhode Island Shoreline Coalition: Why am I concerned? Why can’t I be like those Rhode Islanders who embrace this state’s special brand of ethical conduct? Unfortunately, I was taught, albeit in other states, that the very perception of wrongdoing or improper influence by those granted the public…