Dust in the Light

Small Cuts Credited, Huge Windfall Ignored

Rhode Island politicians are taking credit for an apparent $17 million surplus, while not mentioning hundreds of millions in federal gifts.

Bonds, Morals, and Conservatism

Anchor Rising's Andrew Morse called in to the Matt Allen Show to discuss conservatism, bonds, and morality.

Don't Let the Bureaucrats Bite

The government bans chemicals that helped to make bedbugs seem like a thing of the past, and now people are resorting to even more dangerous methods as protection against a resurgence of the bugs.

The Confusion of Success with the Meaning of Life

Try as they might, secular Darwinian materialists cannot avoid the necessity of religion and tradition.

Even Unto the Primaries

A movement is afoot to install some fresh faces in the General Assembly. Of course, that's difficult to do when candidates have already been the subject of investigative reports and local controversy.

One Workforce for the Price of Two

Thanks to retirement rules, Providence is providing more than two healthcare benefits for every actual full-time position it currently funds. Say it with me, this is not sustainable.

An Argument for a Burqa Ban

It's not a matter of immediate concern, yet, in the United States, but European experience with the burqa and lesser veils suggests that we would do well to adjust our culture in preparation, perhaps thereby to avoid the need for legal bans.

How Central Falls's Property Tax Rate Nearly Doubled Year Over Year

Property values went down in Central Falls, RI, and the government is increasing its overall take, saddling homeowners with a near doubling of their tax rate.

The Mystery of Good Teaching

Teaching is not a matter of untestable magic.

Self-Serving Accusations of Hypocrisy

William Lobdell blames the hypocrisy of Christians for others' loss of faith. I'd say the attacks of the likes of Lobdell bear more responsibility.

Some Sacrifice

School administrators in Cumberland, RI, apparently believe that sacrifice is when teachers receive smaller raises than they're used to.

Fighting Tyranny Inherently Breaks the Rules

The ugly situation in Central Falls is getting uglier, with the city council hiring an independent lawyer against the wishes of the city's new receiver-king and with no plan to pay the bill.

An Interesting Place to Visit (or at Least to Read About Visiting)

A parable from Afghanistan seems like it might be applicable to cross-cultural dialogue.

Covering AR Ground

Monique Chartier took last night's Anchor Rising spot on the Matt Allen Show.

A Model Governor and Some Pointers on Government Structure

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie not only offers a political model, he raises notions about potential changes to political structure.