Outside the Beltway

Gee, I wonder why?

Liberty may be natural to the individual, but political liberty remains an uncommon achievement.

There may be no exit.

Fifth Amendment edition.

An OTB example to illustrate a larger problem.

It’s good to be king.

USA! USA! USA!

To the Trump administation this a feature, not a bug.

Todd Lyons, acting Director of ICE provides the latest example.

…and I write a bit more than that.

This one should come with a warning label (especially as it cuts both ways)

He was looking for an election to buy.

The courts have ruled the far-right leader ineligible to run.

The media, the academy, and the courts, are all in the crosshairs.

Yet another test of Executive power for the courts to resolve.

Sad and strange circumstances have forced the Democratic party to become the conservative party now. It’s important to remind ourselves of what is good in our lives and what is worth defending. 

First thing we do, let’s intimidate all the lawyers.

We are at least on the precipice.

Orwell came to mind this morning.

Informed, somber voices in these perilous times.

Our leaders are afraid to lead.

Waiting for the other side to self-destruct has always been ridiculous and dangerous.

Governing like a dictator.

Perhaps longer, but the worst in the history of the Economist Intelligence Unit report.

But a centrist grand coalition will likely govern.

Countering Russian (and now American) propaganda.

How to create an echo chamber.

It certainly isn’t how the US Constitution functions.

An example linked to USAID

An accurate description.

The new administration is gutting the senior ranks of the civil service.

Partisanship is more important than institutional autonomy.

Piling absurdity atop cruelty.

A billionaire troll with a West Wing office.

Not all norms.

Going out on another unforced error

The Curtis Yarvin interview.

It “literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.”

The honey badger strikes again.

The real crime is what’s legal.

Eleven weeks with no accountability.

Our transitions are too long.

I question the timing.

Some discussion of history, politics, and policy.

A disturbing loyalty test.

Autocracy in America.