Posts by Doug Mataconis

Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Obama Talks About Race Relations In The Wake Of Charleston, Media Concentrates On One Word

President Obama gave an interesting and somewhat unusual interview to a podcaster late last week, but the media is obsessed over a single word.

Jeb Bush Up, Rand Paul And Ted Cruz Down In Latest GOP Poll

Jeb Bush’s campaign launch seems to be going well so far, while Rand Paul and Ted Cruz (and Donald Trump) seem to be slipping.

Republican Candidates Are Dodging The Issue On The Confederate Flag

With notable exceptions, most of the Republican candidates for President are refusing to take a stand on the propriety of South Carolina flying the Confederate Flag. That’s called cowardice.

Apple Reverses Course On Music Royalties

Well, that didn’t take long.

Taylor Swift, Apple Music, And The Future Of The Music Business

Taylor Swift is taking a stand against Apple’s new streaming music service, and she’s largely right.

It’s Time To End The Cuba Travel Ban

It’s easier for an American citizen to go to Iran or North Korea than it is for them to go to Cuba, That’s insane.

The Politics Of King v. Burwell

As early as tomorrow, the Supreme Court could issue its ruling in the latest Obamacare case. Depending on the ruling, Republicans could find themselves in a political firestorm.

Some Republicans Can’t Seem To Admit That Racism Was Behind The Charleston Murders

It’s been obvious from the moment the news broke that the murders in Charleston were rooted in racism, but some Republicans have had trouble acknowledging that.

Another Case Of Sex Offender Registry Insanity

A 19 year old from Indiana faces a quarter century as a registered sex offender because he met a girl who lied about her age.

It’s Long Past Time To Abandon The Confederate Flag

The murders in Charleston have revived a debate that should have been over a long time ago.

Pope Francis Writes On The Environment, And Many People Miss The Point

Pope Francis’s new encyclical isn’t exactly being received positively by American conservatives, because they seem to be missing the point.

Yes, Dylann Roof Is A Terrorist

A word that has come in recent years to be used to refer chiefly to Muslim fanatics obviously applies to a man who murdered nine people because they’re black.

Supreme Court Says Texas Can Ban Confederate License Plates, Endangering Freedom Of Speech

The Supreme Court ruled that states don’t have to grant license plates that display the Confederate flag. Their decision has the potential to seriously harm the First Amendment.

Putin Using Fear Of ISIS To Enhance Russian Influence In Central Asia

A well-founded fear of ISIS seems to be drawing many of the former Soviet Republics in Central Asia closer to Moscow.

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Brian Williams Will Stay At NBC, But Won’t Anchor Nightly News

Brian Williams will apparently stay at NBC News notwithstanding last year’s scandal, but he won’t be anchoring the network’s marquee newscast.

The Treasury Department Wants To Put A Woman On The $10 Bill

Surely it’s time to put a woman on American currency again, but why go after Alexander Hamilton?

Nine Dead In Shooting At African-American Church In Charleston, South Carolina

Nine people died overnight in a shooting at an historic African-American Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Marriage Equality Is Coming To Mexico

Thanks largely to a series of court decisions, same-sex marriage is effectively legal in all of Mexico.

Whether Republicans Are Ready Or Not, Hurricane Trump Is Coming

Whether Republicans are ready or not, Donald Trump is coming.

St. Louis Cardinals Officials Investigated For Hacking The Houston Astros

Cardinals executives were doing a little more than just stealing signs, apparently.

Bernie Sanders Is “Surging” In New Hampshire, But Don’t Read Too Much Into It

Two new polls show Bernie Sanders rising in the polls in New Hampshire, but they likely don’t mean anything in the long term.

Donald Trump Is Running For President, And Nothing Makes Sense Anymore

We live in a random and chaotic universe.

Supreme Court Declines To Review Ruling Striking Down North Carolina Ultrasound Law

Yesterday, the Supreme Court let stand a ruling striking down North Carolina’s mandatory ultrasound law.

Jeb Bush Enters The Race For President

To nobody’s surprise, Jeb Bush has entered the race for President.

Colorado Supreme Court Rules Employee Can Be Fired For Smoking Pot At Home

Marijuana is legal in Colorado, but it’s illegal under Federal Law. Because of that, the Colorado Supreme Court dismissed a claim by resident who was fired when he tested positive for pot.

Rachel Dolezal Resigns As Head Of Spokane N.A.A.C.P.

This should be the end of this story, but it probably won’t be.

New Michigan Law Allows Religious Adoption Agencies To Discriminate Against Gay Couples

A new Michigan law allows religious-affiliated adoption agencies to turn away parents for religious reasons, and it seems fairly obvious what the target is in this case.

Minnesota Archbishop Resigns In Wake Of Criminal Charges Over Sex Abuse

The head of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has resigned in the wake of criminal charges for covering up sexual abuse of children.

U.S. Poised To Store Military Equipment In Eastern Europe, Baltics

In what seems to be a clear signal to Russia, the U.S. is considering pre-positioning military equipment in nation’s very close to Russian borders.

Hillary Clinton “Re-Launches” Presidential Campaign

Hillary Clinton opened a new phase in her campaign for President yesterday with a speech in New York City.

George W. Bush Wants To Send Combat Troops To Iraq Again

Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us.

Appeals Court Tosses Military Tribunal Convictions Of Gitmo Prisoners

A Federal Appeals Court In Washington has ruled that the military tribunal convictions of one group of Guantanamo Bay detainees was unconstitutional.

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Congress Rebukes Obama On Trade, And Thus The Lame Duck Era Begins

House Democrats defied President Obama on an important trade deal today, thus arguably marking the official beginning of his lame duck status.

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Your Right To Be Drunk On Your Front Porch

The Iowa Supreme Court strikes a blow for liberty.

The Strange Case Of Rachel Dolezal

The head of the Spokane NAACP has apparently been lying about her racial background, and that’s led to a whole other argument.

The Iowa Straw Poll Is Finally, Mercifully, Dead

After 36 years, the quadrennial absurdity of the Iowa Straw Poll is dead.

Ohio Judge Finds Probable Cause For Murder Charges In Tamir Rice Case

A Judge in Cleveland has found that there is probable cause to charge a Cleveland Police Officer with murder in the death of Tamir Rice, but that is hardly the end of the matter.

Obama And Republicans Battle As Both Sides Await Another Obamacare Decision

Before the end of the month, the Supreme Court could issue a ruling that ends subsidies for the vast majority of people who bought insurance under the PPACA, and the political battles are already starting.

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New North Carolina Law Allows Government Employees To Refuse To Do Their Job

A new North Carolina law allows government employees to decline to perform their jobs by claiming it violates their “religious liberty.”