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.

When Did Posters From A Defeated Murderous Dictatorship Become Pop Art?

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney’s choices in home decor raise an interesting question.

NATO Plans New Deployments In Response To Russia

NATO seems intent on sending a signal to Vladmir Putin that there are limits to his patience.

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Absurd, Pointless Lawsuit Against Filibuster Dismissed By Federal Appeals Court

An unsurprising result in a lawsuit that never should have been filed

Supreme Court To Decide If Politicians Can Be Sued For Lying During A Campaign

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next week in an important First Amendment case.

Federal Judge Rules Ohio Must Recognize Out Of State Gay Marriages

A partial victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Edward Snowden Leaks Earn Pulitzer Prize For Washington Post, Guardian

Thanks to Edward Snowden, the Washington Post and the Guardian are Pulitzer Prize winners.

No Justice Stevens, We Don’t Need To “Fix” The Second Amendment

The Second Amendment isn’t broken, and you don’t fix things that aren’t broken.

Is George H.W. Bush America’s Greatest Living President?

In retrospect, and in comparison with other recent Presidents, George Herbert Walker Bush’s four years in office were pretty darn good.

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Vance McAllister Should Ignore The Calls Of His Fellow Republicans To Resign

Unlike David Vitter, he didn’t break the law.

NATO Commander Warns Alliance May Send Troops To Eastern Europe

NATO may be preparing to send Russia a message.

113th Congress Set To Be Least Productive In History, But Is That A Bad Thing?

The current Congress is on pace to pass fewer laws and bills than any since the end of World War II. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Egypt On The Brink Of Economic Chaos?

Could economic chaos bring Egyptians back out into the streets?

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Virginia GOP Candidate: No Incest Exception For Abortion, Because Sometimes Incest Is Voluntary

Perhaps the only good thing you can say about Virginia Delegate Robert Marshall is that, while he may be nuts, at least he’s consistently nuts.

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House Committee Ignores Fifth Amendment, Holds Lois Lerner In Contempt

Despite the fact that she asserted her right against self-incrimination, a House Committee has voted to hold Lois Lerner in contempt for refusing to testify.

House Conservatives Plotting Against Boehner Again?

Once again, the Tea Party wing of the GOP is talking about taking out John Boehner.

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There Is No “Middle” In Congress Anymore

At least on Capitol Hill, the political middle is dead and buried.

What’s So Great About A “Cashless Economy?”

Electronic payments are convenient but sometimes there’s nothing better than money in your pocket.

Bill Clinton Has A Different Take On Edward Snowden Than Barack Obama

Bill Clinton seems far more understanding of Edward Snowden than the current President