Abu Khattala Will Be Tried In A Criminal Court, As He Should Be
The justice system works, there’s no need to scrap it.
Posts by 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.
President Obama’s Plan To Arm “Moderate” Syrian Rebels Is A Bad Idea
For some reason, President Obama wants to arm so-called “moderate” Syrian rebels.
Previewing Tomorrow’s Hobby Lobby Decision
The Supreme Court has saved the biggest case of the term for its last day.
Sarajevo, The Media, And ‘Breaking News’ Coverage, 100 Years Later
The news media of 1914 didn’t see World War One coming, but it’s not clear that we’re any better.
ISIS Threatening To Open A New Front In Lebanon
Is ISIS about to make the situation in the Levant even worse?
Mississippi GOP Senate Primary Gets Even More Bizarre
Mississippi goes from bizarre to, well, even more bizarre.
Special Prosecutor: Scott Walker Not A Target Of Investigation
It turns out there was much less to that Scott Walker document dump than the press coverage claimed.
News Media Mostly Ignoring Iraq War Critics
When it comes to Iraq, the media only seems to be giving Americans one side of the story.
Democrats Have A 2014 Voter Enthusiasm Problem
If current trends holds, Democratic candidates are going to have a problem turning out voters in November.
Sarajevo and Europe, 100 Years Later
A century later, the shots fired in Sarajevo 100 years ago still echo.
Unanimous SCOTUS Decisions Do Not Mean The Losing Side’s Arguments Were ‘Extreme’
We’ve seen a notable number of 9-0 Supreme Court decisions this term, but that doesn’t mean that the side that lost was making an extreme or meritless argument.
GOP Losing Cuban-American Vote Too
A new poll suggests that Republicans could be losing a constituency that is very key for them in the nation’s third most populous state.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Clinic Buffer Zones
Another solid victory for the First Amendment from the Roberts Court.
Republicans In Congress Move To Block Marijuana Decriminalization In D.C.
House Republicans go to war against marijuana in the District of Columbia
Supreme Court Restricts President’s Recess Appointment Power
The Supreme Court rules that Recess Appointments can only be made when there’s actually a Congressional recess.
New York’s Highest Court Kills Mike Bloomberg’s Soda Ban
Mike Bloomberg’s absurd soda ban is, thankfully, dead.
The Tea Party Needs To Stop Whining About Losing In Mississippi
Chris McDaniel and his Tea Party supporters are being very sore losers.
10th Circuit Court Of Appeals Strikes Down Utah’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban
A big step forward for the challenge to state-based bans on same-sex marriage.
Speaker Boehner To File Lawsuit Against Obama Over Executive Actions
A clash over Separation Of Power and the Imperial Presidency, coming soon to a Federal District Court in Washington, D.C.
Aereo Loses Big As Supreme Court Upholds Intellectual Property Protections
New technology doesn’t mean that the laws don’t apply.
Supreme Court Finds Broad Right To Privacy In Contents Of Smartphones
A unanimous Supreme Court rules that the Fourth Amendment bars police from searching your electronic device without a warrant.
On Many Issues, The Tea Party Is Out Of Step With The American Public
The people with the biggest voices in the GOP seem to be leading it to positions that most Americans disagree with.
Federal Court Rules Unvaccinated Children Can Be Barred From Public Schools
A New York Federal Judge has ruled that unvaccinated children can be forced to stay home during outbreaks.
Economy Shrank Nearly 3% In First Quarter
The first three months of the year were worse for the economy than first thought.
Thad Cochran Wins In Mississippi
After appearing to be at the end of his political career, Thad Cochran has pulled off a surprising victory over his Tea Party backed challenger.
Americans Have Lost Confidence In President Obama On Foreign Policy
The evidence is clear. When it comes to the ability to handle foreign crises, the President has lost the public’s confidence.
British Ban Teaching Creationism As Science, Should The U.S. Do The Same?
It is now illegal to teach creationism as science in the United Kingdom in any school, public or private, that receives public funding.
Rand Paul, Dick Cheney, And The Foreign Policy Battle Inside The GOP
The Kentucky Senator and former Vice-President are at the front of a battle that will unfold inside the GOP as we head toward 2016.
Hillary Clinton Keeps Committing The Same Gaffe About Her Wealth
Hillary Clinton does not come across well when she tries to play the empathy card.