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.

On The Syrian Refugee Issue And The Internment Of Japanese-Americans During World War II

Remarks by a Democratic politician in Virginia regarding the Administration’s Syrian refugee program have brought up disturbing reminders of a shameful time in American history.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Poll Shows Majority Of Americans Oppose Administration’s Syrian Refugee Policy

Not surprisingly, a new poll shows that most Americans are at the very least skeptical about the Administration’s plans regarding Syrian refugees.

Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, And The Minister Who Thinks It’s Okay To Kill Gay People

Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee recently kept company with a very disturbing religious leader.

The Battle Of The 2016 Narratives

To a large degree, the narrative you believe will govern the 2016 elections depend on which party you want to see win. But what’s the most likely outcome?

Even Ben Carson’s Own Advisers Admit He’s Clueless On Foreign Policy

Even the people hired to advice Ben Carson on foreign policy seem to recognize that he is clueless on the subject, and has no apparent desire to educate himself.

What, Exactly, Does Uttering The Words “Radical Islamic Terrorism” Accomplish?

Republicans insist that uttering the words “Radical Islamic Terrorism” is somehow important in the fight against ISIS and other terror networks, but it is entirely unclear what doing so would accomplish.

No, Americans Should Not Feel Guilty For Showing Solidarity With France

In the wake of the attacks in Paris, some people have argued that American solidarity with France, in contrast to seeming disregard for tragedy elsewhere, is something we should feel bad about. That argument is ridiculous.

Sarah Palin: Now That I Think About It, Katie Couric’s Questions Were Fair After All

Sarah Palin To The ‘Lamestream Media’: Never Mind

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Thanks To Pandering And Fearmongering, Syrian Refugees Are Now Pawns In American Politics

Syrian refugees have quickly become political footballs in the United States in the wake of the Paris attacks, and it’s become an exceedingly shameful display of pandering and fearmongering by a group of largely Republican politicians.

Russia Confirms Metrojet 9268 Brought Down By Bomb

Confirming speculation that had already been all but confirmed, we now know that it was a bomb that brought down a Russian passenger jet on October 31st.

Sony Is Finally Killing Off Betamax. Wait, Betamax Was Still Alive?

You thought Betamax died three decades ago didn’t you?

Even After Paris, A Syrian No-Fly Zone Is A Foolish Idea

In the wake of the attacks in Paris, there’s a strong impulse to do “something,” but that doesn’t mean we should do something utterly foolish. And a no-fly zone would be utterly foolish.

The 2016 GOP Race And The Battle To Define What ‘Conservative’ Means

Much more so than in the past, the race for the Republican Presidential race has become a battle to define what it means to be a ‘conservative.’ Especially on issues like immigration and national security, one side seems to be winning the battle.

Pennsylvania Court Reinstates Jerry Sandusky’s State Pension

This is likely to outrage a lot of people, but it may not be incorrect under the law.

France Strikes ISIS As Investigation Into Paris Attacks Continues

France launched its first attacks against ISIS even as the investigation into Friday’s attacks continues, but it’s not clear that the retaliation really accomplished anything.

Hillary Clinton: I’m Close To Wall Street Because Of The 9/11 Attacks

Hillary Clinton’s attempt to explain her relationship with Wall Street and banking interests makes it sound like she’s channeling Rudy Giuliani.

The GOP Candidates And The Attacks In Paris

The initial responses of the Republican candidates for President to the attacks in Paris are about what you’d expect, but it’s far too early to tell what impact the events of the weekend will have on the race for President here in the United States.

The Paris Attacks Have Made The Syrian Refugee Crisis Much More Complicated

The news that at least some of the men who were involved in the terrorist attacks in Paris were among the refugees who have arrived in Europe since the summer is likely to complicate an already complicated situation.

Democrats Debate In The Shadow Of The Paris Attacks, And Iowa Football

A Saturday night debate wasn’t likely to get much attention to begin with. A Saturday night debate in the wake of a major terrorist attack, and a major football game for Iowa’s premier college football team, likely got even less attention. That’s probably good news for Hillary Clinton, and bad news for her two remaining rivals.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

SCOTUS Accepts Virginia Redistricting Case That Tests Use Of Race And Politics In Drawing Lines

The Supreme Court has accepted for appeal a Virginia case that deal with the issue of using race and politics as a basis for drawing district lines.

Foundation Seeks To Extend Copyright On Anne Frank’s Diary By Naming Her Father As Co-Author

The Foundation that holds the copyright on one of the most famous works about the Holocaust is seeking to extend their copyright in Europe by naming Otto Frank co-author of his daughter’s published diary.

French President Blames ISIS For Paris’s Night Of Terror, Vows French Response

France’s President blames ISIS, vows response, as death toll from Paris terror attacks stands at at least 127.

A Night Of Terror In Paris

Reports of at least up to sixty dead, a hostage situation, and attacks at multiple locations in Paris.

Supreme Court Accepts Texas Abortion Law Case For Review

The Supreme Court has accepted a case involving a new Texas abortion law for review, the first abortion rights case it will hear in eight years.

Another Trump Speech Leads To Another Round Of ‘Is Trump Imploding?’ Speculation

Donald Trump’s latest tirade has led to another round of speculation as to whether or not he’s ‘gone too far’ and reached the beginning of the end of his campaign. Don’t count on it.

Ben Carson’s Incoherence And Ignorance On Foreign Policy Should Be Disqualifying

Ben Carson displays incoherence and ignorance on foreign policy issues that disqualify him from being considered a serious candidate for President of the United States.

With New Poll, It Looks Like Smooth Sailing Ahead For Hillary Clinton

A new poll provides further evidence that Hillary Clinton’s path to the Democratic nomination looks to be clear.

Mitt Romney To The GOP’s Rescue? Don’t Count On It, Republicans

Increasingly concerned by the rise of Donald Trump and Ben Carson and the failure of any establishment candidates to click with voters, some top Republicans are reportedly turning their lonely eyes to Mitt.

Republican Voters Agree With Trump On Immigration

A new poll shows that a near majority of Republicans agree with even some of Donald Trump’s most controversial statements on immigration.

Majority of Americans Oppose Ground Troops In Syria And Iraq

In the wake of President Obama’s to send Special Forces to Syria, a new poll finds the public doesn’t like the idea very much.

You Can Forget About Obama’s Promise To Close The Guantanamo Bay Prison

President Obama is set to sign a military spending bill that effectively guarantees that his 2008 campaign promise to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba will go unfulfilled.

Americans Continue To Hate Congress, Will Still Re-Elect That Same Congress

A new Gallup poll shows public approval of Congress once again approaching historic lows, but it means far less than anyone thinks.

No, Donald Trump Isn’t “Self-Funding” His Campaign

Donald Trump likes to tell people that he’ll never be beholden to special interests because he’s self-funding his campaign. So far, though, that doesn’t really seem to be true.

Fox Business Network Debate Draws Roughly 13 Million Viewers, The Fewest Of Any Debate So Far

Ratings slipped for last night’s debate, but the numbers were still very respectable.

Supreme Court Considers Case Where Civil Asset Forfeiture And The Sixth Amendment Collide

The Supreme Court is now considering a case that deals with the problem of overly broad civil asset forfeiture laws and a Defendant’s right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment.

Kentucky’s Governor-Elect Proposes Solution To The Kim Davis Problem

Kentucky Governor-Elect is backing a change in state law that would eliminate the problems created when Kim David refused to issue marriage license to same-sex couples.

Republican Candidates For President Clash In Fourth Debate

Last night’s debate in Wisconsin was arguably the most substantive we’ve seen so far between the Republican candidates, and one that displayed quite starkly the policy differences between them.

Republicans And The Legacy Of George W. Bush

Republicans haven’t really moved beyond the legacy of George W. Bush’s failed Administration as much as they’d like to think, but it doesn’t seem to be hurting them very much.

Federal Judge Rules N.S.A. Mass Data Collection Unconstitutional

A Federal Judge has ruled that the N.S.A. metadata collection program is unconstitutional, but it’s unclear if the ruling will have much of an impact.

Legislators In Catalonia Push Measure For Independence From Spain

Legislators in Spain’s Catalonia region took a step toward independence, but Madrid apparently wants nothing to do with it.

Mexico’s Supreme Court Opens The Door To Marijuana Legalization

A decision from Mexico’s Supreme Court has opened the door to legalization of marijuana south of the border, but it’s likely to proceed much slower than in the United States or Canada.