Outside the Beltway

Donald Trump has been surging in polls of Republican voters recently, but that doesn’t mean much of anything.

Andrew Bacevich refers to Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, and Samantha Power as “the Three Harpies.”

Ann Coulter says its time for Birthers to shut up.

A 15-month-old was accidentally served a mixed drink instead of apple juice.

Whenever I despair at the current state of the Republican Party, I remind myself that things aren’t much better across the aisle.

The Japan nuclear meltdown has now topped the scale used to measure such things, reaching the same level as the Chernobyl disaster. It’s a stupid scale.

David Petraeus’ 1987 PhD dissertation:After all, if a country with relatively few public opinion concerns or moral compunctions about its tactics cannot beat a bunch of ill-equipped Afghan tribesmen, what does that say about the ability of the United States — with its domestic constraints, statutory limitations, moral inhibition, and zealous investigative reporters — to carry out a successful action against a guerrilla force?

My first piece for The American Conservative, which they’ve titled “War Isn’t for Everyone–The military needs civilian control, not citizen soldiers,” is in the May issue.

Should kids be required to buy their lunch at school rather than bring whatever their parents might pack for them to eat?

Should transparency stop at the water’s edge?

Paul Krugman is disappointed with the President, but it’s really his own fault for being so naive.

President Obama sees the golf course as the only place to escape the pressures of the job.

Prepare to be underwhelmed by President Obama’s big deficit speech on Wednesday.

Public disclosure of campaign contributions makes it easier for incumbents to pressure backers of their opponent.

The Obama Administration is resisting efforts to expand Fourth Amendment protections to services like Gmail. That’s unfortunate.

Why did then-Governor Mike Huckabee’s office destroy all its office hard drives shortly before leaving office?

Defense Secretary Gates hinted this week that the U.S. would stay in Iraq if the Iraqis wanted. It doesn’t seem like they do.

“Internet addiction” is a made-up malady.

Can most people learn the traits to be highly successful in business?

Judge Sumi’s TROs arise from a veritable cornucopia of error.

Did the GOP toss social conservatives under the bus when it gave away the Planned Parenthood rider?

What, if anything, does the budget deal mean for the future?

As yesterday’s budget negotiations began, the GOP had a choice – appease the base, or make a deal. They made the right choice.