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.
Republican Bill Could Eliminate Most Economic Statistics
A new GOP would make it very difficult to get a good read on the state of the nation’s economy.
FDA Makes Plan B Available Over The Counter To 15 Year Olds
The FDA has modified it’s rules on the availability of a politically controversial form of birth control.
China And The Future Of World Oil Markets
The world oil markets aren’t too far away from being hit by the shock of massively increased demand from China. Somehow, we’ll have to adapt.
Obama Says He’ll Try To Close Guantanamo Prison Again
President Obama said today that he wants to move forward with closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay but there’s little he can do on his own.
The American People Want To Stay Out Of Syria
A new poll shows that 62% of Americans oppose American military intervention in Syria’s civil war.
Did The FBI Violate Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s Sixth Amendment Rights?
New questions about the interrogation of the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect.
Sandra Day O’Connor: Maybe SCOTUS Should Have Stayed Out Of Bush v. Gore
Former Justice O’Connor seems to regret the fact that the Supreme Court got involved in the 2000 election. Her regrets are misplaced.
Senators Who Voted Against Manchin/Toomey Take A Hit In the Polls, But Does It Matter?
Several Senators who voted against the Manchin/Toomey background checks bill have suffered in the polls, but it’s unclear if that matters in the long run.
Civil Liberties In The Wake Of Boston
Are civil liberties once again at risk in the wake of the bombing attack in Boston?
Just This Once, John McCain Is (Partly) Right
John McCain is right that we shouldn’t send ground troops to Syria, but his idea for increased U.S. intervention in the country’s civil war is still too risky.
Black Voter Turnout Higher Than White Voter Turnout In 2012
2012’s election represented a significant change in voting patterns in the United States. What’s unclear is if the change is a permanent one.
The GOP And The Conspiratorial Mindset
The wacko fringe of the GOP is increasingly finding room in the mainstream of the party.
Congress Forcing The Army To Buy Tanks It Doesn’t Want
Once again, politics is dictating military policy.
Tom Brokaw Disses Nerdprom
Tom Brokaw has some good criticisms of what the White House Correspondent’s Association Dinner has turned into.
Biden: Without Economic Collapse, McCain Would’ve Won In 2008
John McCain’s problems in 2008 went far beyond an economic crisis.