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.

Sanity Prevails In Case Of Sexting Teen Charged With Child Pornography

In some sense, justice has prevailed.

Hobby Lobby Is Not An Issue That Will Bring Voters To The Polls In November

Once again, we are reminded that the fact that people feel strongly about an issue does not mean it’s one that will cause them to get out and vote.

Bill Clinton On Eve Of 9/11: I Passed On Killing Bin Laden Because Civilians Would Have Died

Some words from the past, apparently uttered mere hours before the world changed forever.

Obamacare Subsidies Court Challenge Headed To Supreme Court

Another Obamacare case is heading to the Supreme Court, but it’s unclear if they’ll agree to hear it, or when they’d hear it if they did.

July Jobs Report Not A Home Run, But Still Pretty Good

While not as big as previous months, the July Jobs Report was still mostly good news.

72 Hour Gaza Ceasefire Collapses In Less Than Two Hours

A glimmer of hope in Gaza is quickly snuffed out.

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C.I.A. Admits Spying On Senate, Senate Finally Outraged About Surveillance

The C.I.A. has admitted spying on Senate investigators.

House Drops Border Bill, Tells President They Are Suing For Acting Alone To Act Alone

Once again, the Tea Party has gotten the best of House GOP Leadership.

House Border Bill In Doubt In Face of Tea Party Opposition

The usual suspects are blocking any action at all on the border crisis.

Elizabeth Warren’s Own Donors Say They Wouldn’t Support Her For President

Notwithstanding the hype, there’s one very big reason why the idea of Elizabeth Warren as a viable candidate for President doesn’t make much sense.

Obama To Take New Executive Action On Immigration?

According to some reports, President Obama may be about to make an end run around Congressional inaction on immigration reform.

Despite International Pressure, Israeli Public Supports Netanyahu On The War In Gaza

The Israeli public if overwhelmingly behind the war in Gaza, and that means it will probably continue for awhile.

Economy Bounces Back From The Polar Vortex Slowdown

A much better Second Quarter.

New Sanctions Announced Against Russia, But It’s Unclear Russia Will Care

The U.S. and Europe have announced a new round of sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis, but it’s not clear that the Russians will be motivated to change course.

Bob McDonnell Trial Opens On A Pathetic And Sordid Note

The trial of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife opened yesterday, and it sounded more like a soap opera than a legal proceeding.

Republicans Dismiss Impeachment As A Democratic Ploy, But May Still Face A Dilemma

Republicans are dismissing talk of impeachment as a Democratic fundraising ploy, but it may be they are protesting just a bit too much.

Federal Court Of Appeals Rejects New Constitutional Challenge To Obamacare

A Federal Appeals Court has rejected a challenge to Obamacare based on a somewhat obscure provision of the Constitution.

Majority Of Americans Say Children Who Have Crossed The Border Should Be Treated As Refugees

The American people don’t want to turn those migrant children from Central America away after all.

Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Virginia’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Another Circuit Court of Appeals has weighed in on the marriage equality debate.

Hobby Lobby Could Be Creating New Gender Gap Problems For Republicans

The Hobby Lobby decision could end up motivating women voters to turn out to vote against Republicans in the fall.

Federal Judge Strikes Down D.C. Law Barring Carrying Handguns In Public

In a logical extension of the Supreme Court’s decision in D.C. v. Heller, a Federal Judge has struck down D.C.’s law barring people from carrying handguns in public.

The Failures Of Obama’s Leadership

Fairly or not, the President has created the impression that he is not a good leader, and there’s not much he can do about it at this point.

Ukraine Is A Test For Europe. Does It Have The Will To Even Make The Effort To Pass?

What the West does in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine is largely up to Europe, not the United States.

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The New York Times Endorses Marijuana Legalization

The Grey Lady sees the light on a major part of the War On Drugs.

Americans Divided On Israel’s Actions In Gaza

A new poll shows that Americans are divided over Israel’s actions in Gaza, but this most likely will not impact relations between the two countries.

U.S. Evacuates Embassy In Tripoli Amid Renewed Violence

Add Libya to the list of the world’s trouble spots.

World War One And Ukraine

History matters.

Israel Rejects Temporary Cease Fire Plan As Gaza Conflict Continues To Rage

Hopes for a temporary respite in the Gaza conflict faded away today.

Russia Getting Ready To Escalate In Ukraine?

Things are getting serious in eastern Ukraine.

The Solar Storm That Nearly Destroyed Civilization As We Know It

Just about two years ago, we dodged a bullet. We might not be so lucky next time.

Majority Of Americans Oppose Both Impeachment And The House’s Lawsuit Against Obama

Once again the GOP finds itself on the wrong side of public opinion.

On Foreign Policy, Conservatives Should Leave Ronald Reagan Behind

Relying on the policies of a man who was President in a very different time is not a substitute for a rational foreign policy.