Not to keep returning to Ed Fitzpatrick’s column, but this statement from a local teachers’ union head has been bugging me:

Robert A. Walsh Jr., executive director the National Education Association Rhode Island, which helped organize the boycott, said DePetro has a right to say what he said. “And those who were offended by that have a First Amendment right to say what they’re saying, including calling for a boycott and calling for his removal,” he said. “The ironic thing is DePetro has twice called for my resignation. Once he encouraged his listeners to call our office. It says something about being hoisted on your own petard, living in glass houses or all bullies turn out to be cowards.”

Count it among Rhode Island’s systemic problems that labor union heavyweights get away with that sort of comparison.

So, a local talk host has made comments about Walsh and suggested his audience (which, on the main, has zero leverage with the NEA) call to express their displeasure with him, and that’s equivalent to… using taxpayer money collected via member dues to fund an organized campaign to pressure elected officials to boycott an entire radio station, and petition private companies to cease advertising on it, until that host is booted from the air?

Only in the fantasy world that governs Rhode Island (where we’re encouraged simply to pretend things are what they are not) could that give the impression of a reasonable comment.  It’s that sort of thinking that allows Progressives and the media to feel like they’re part of the insurgency when they’re really fighting on behalf of the establishment.