America 250 Poll: Democracy Optional?
Exceptionalism got bruised in the latest survey. Fair enough. But elsewhere, something’s lurking under the basic tenet of American democracy. Continue reading America 250 Poll: Democracy Optional?
Category: Parenthetical
Corporate Personhood: The Ruling That Wasn’t
Fourteenth Amendment protection for corporations was (very) intentionally not part of this 1886 SCOTUS decision. So how did one Chief Justice and a court employee let things get so off the rails? Continue reading Corporate Personhood: The Ruling That Wasn’t
Campaign Finance Sanity Lands An Hawaiian Punch
The latest strategy against corporate influence has gotten up on its board with a new law in the 50th state. Continue reading Campaign Finance Sanity Lands An Hawaiian Punch
That’s Not Her Father
Oklahoma manages to buck an entrenched right-wing culture that rails against child trafficking but is pretty OK with picking just one and settling down. Continue reading That’s Not Her Father
The Trump Phone and Other Callbacks
Nobody’s calling this fiasco the Don & Eric Phone. Also: updates on Virginia’s redistricting and the effort to pack immigration flights with South African whites. Continue reading The Trump Phone and Other Callbacks
The Grift Goes On Forever
Give us $100. Borrow somebody’s phone to call someone who cares. Cameos by Billy Joel and Robert Earl Keen. Continue reading The Grift Goes On Forever
Virginia: Sitting In Limbo
The state’s crucial redistricting vote could get overturned by its Supreme Court. But the dope is that there’s still hope, and here’s why. Continue reading Virginia: Sitting In Limbo
Pushback Day In Virginia
It’s a pivotal moment in Trump’s redistricting gambit to stay unimpeached. State Senator L. Louise Lucas is only too pleased to be one face of FAFO. Continue reading Pushback Day In Virginia
DoorDash Grandma’s 15 Minutes
Sharon Simmons flew 2,400 miles to hand POTUS fast food and hype a tax provision that serves some empty calories. Continue reading DoorDash Grandma’s 15 Minutes
Fix The “War” Word-Weaseling
We need to add political pain to reshape how the Oval Office weighs its warmongering Continue reading Fix The “War” Word-Weaseling
Don’t Be Scared To Keep It Simple
With two decisions that only he could make, Trump has made survival more expensive for Americans since the week he took office. Continue reading Don’t Be Scared To Keep It Simple
Markwayne Beats Up The Peter Principle
On the bright side, if Hegseth had died from tattoo-related sepsis, Mullin could be leading the DoD right now. Continue reading Markwayne Beats Up The Peter Principle
Reality Gets A Shot In The Arm
Bobby Junior’s HHS is the administration’s latest big loser in court. Cameos by Wilco, Janis Joplin, and Bing Crosby. Continue reading Reality Gets A Shot In The Arm
TV, Tehran, And Armageddon Agitators
Hugh Laurie joins one cast while another crew of alarming authority clamors for more bloodshed for Jesus. Continue reading TV, Tehran, And Armageddon Agitators
Assigning Blame Keeps Me Grounded
It’s too early for administering justice for this Iran attack, so we settle for blame. Also, why is this woman reading about Lindsey Graham? Continue reading Assigning Blame Keeps Me Grounded
Ch-Ch-Changes In Quakertown
A two-minute video for law enforcement who want to live up to negative stereotypes and cultivate the next Good Trouble generation. Continue reading Ch-Ch-Changes In Quakertown
ICE Intimidation Tour: Who’s Next?
Rumination on the who and the how of the next chapter, with help from Loni Anderson and Johnny Cash. Continue reading ICE Intimidation Tour: Who’s Next?
Is It ICE Or Is It DOGE?
A parlor game for our times. Are you ready? Continue reading Is It ICE Or Is It DOGE?
Whistleblower vs. Gabbard: Her Secret’s Safe With Her
Oh, that accusation? I’m afraid that one’s just too serious to do anything about. Sorry! Continue reading Whistleblower vs. Gabbard: Her Secret’s Safe With Her
Bovino and Bondi Overplay Their Hand
With cameos from Peter Gabriel, John Donne, and A Fish Called Wanda. Continue reading Bovino and Bondi Overplay Their Hand
Grabbing A ‘Peace’ Of The Action
In which DJT tries to globalize the swamp in perpetuity, Beyond the billion-dollar buy-in, you won’t believe the terms he’d like to enforce. Continue reading Grabbing A ‘Peace’ Of The Action
Tuesday Trio: High-Profile Pushback
Here, take some comfort from Mssrs. Powell, Smith, and Kelly. Guest starring an unidentified woman from Minnesota. Continue reading Tuesday Trio: High-Profile Pushback
There Is No GOP, There Is Only Zuul
A rogue state on a psychotic break. We’re all Sigourney Weaver now. Continue reading There Is No GOP, There Is Only Zuul
The Predator’s Friend
Actually, this is barely about Epstein. Since my last column, DJT has been busy helping out his favorite category of jerk. Continue reading The Predator’s Friend
They’ll Be Gone For Christmas
For the second time in as many chances, a Republican president has invaded the wrong country. Consider the abused National Guard this season. Continue reading They’ll Be Gone For Christmas
FIFA Fête and Other Fiascos
The things these people can do with a straight face. Plus some troubling signage at the White House. Continue reading FIFA Fête and Other Fiascos
Putting The Self- Back In Service
Death By Lightning leads up to the origin of the modern civil service that MAGA can’t stand. Continue reading Putting The Self- Back In Service
The Trump Touch: Torn and Frayed?
Amid a series of missteps, POTUS is wearing out his welcome in a way he used to reserve for 16-year-olds in pageant dressing rooms. Continue reading The Trump Touch: Torn and Frayed?
Pitching Pennies
Eliminating the one-cent coin raises more questions than you might think. Peer into the future and call it in the air. Continue reading Pitching Pennies
Pardon Me, Is This Election Taken?
A straight-up election heist, and they got away with almost getting away with it. Featuring Randy Newman and Supertramp. Continue reading Pardon Me, Is This Election Taken?