Outside the Beltway

And a little Electoral College for good measure.

While everyone is paying attention to the government shutdown, the Trump Administration is preparing for a never-ending, unwise, and unauthorized military commitment in Syria.

Two Republicans spoke out today against the President’s war on the news media, but don’t expect their colleagues to follow suit.

A Federal Court in North Carolina has issued a stinging ruling against the partisan gerrymandering undertaken by the Republican legislature in that state.

Donald Trump’s latest Twitter rant is one of his most bizarre.

Whatever goodwill may have existed between the Trump Administration and Steve Bannon appears to have evaporated.

After nearly twenty years, the Republican domination of the Virginia House of Delegates came to an end thanks to a single vote.

The difference is, dare I say, huge.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a second case dealing with political Gerrymandering.

After a long wait, gays and lesbians in Australia have achieved marriage equality.

Negotiations over government formation is not a crisis.

After more than thirty years in power, Robert Mugabe is on his way out in Zimbabwe, but that doesn’t mean things will improve.

An overwhelming majority of Australians voted in favor of marriage equality in a non-binding referendum. The ball is now in the court of the nation’s legislature to move forward.

The Moore situation illustrates the nonhierarchical nature of US parties. This is nothing new.

Will Joe Biden be ‘tan, rested, and ready’ enough to take on 2020?

The first in an occasional series.

Things are heating up very quickly in Catalonia.

John McCain has been standing out from his fellow Republicans largely by unleashing on President Trump, and it is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy has said he will act to remove Catalonia’s pro-independence leadership from power.

President Obama spoke out yesterday against his successor and the America he has created.

Without mentioning his successor by name, former President Bush delivered a stinging rebuke to Trump and Trumpism.

Donald Trump is continuing to up the ante in his rhetorical war against one of America’s most fundamental freedoms.

A complicated concurrence to Steven Taylor’s recent postings.

More thoughts related to Gill v. Whitford and the problem of extreme gerrymandering.

And even moreso when they are consciously created by the winner.

After Sunday’s referendum, the government of Catalonia says it may declare independence from Spain as early as Monday. However, it’s likely to be a completely meaningless act.

The Supreme Court appears split on the question of whether or not partisan Gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

More evidence of apparent Russian-backed efforts to interfere in the election.

As the date for Catalonia’s disputed independence referendum nears, tensions are rising between Madrid and Barcelona.

Some more interesting post-election commentary from Hillary Clinton.

Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer poked fun at himself on last night’s Emmy broadcast, and the political pundits are all in pearl-clutching mode because of it.

In less than a month, voters in the Catalan region of Spain will be voting whether to remain part of Spain or assert independence.

A Federal Appeals Court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Gary Johnson and Jill Stein regarding their exclusion from Presidential debates.

Another Cabinet member rebukes the President for his comments about Charlottesville.

The pardoning of Joe Arpaio was distasteful and an affront to the Rule of Law, but it was completely within the powers of the President and should not be a ground for impeachment.

President Trump continues his war on one of the most important guardians of American democracy.

Donald Trump gave a campaign-style speech in Phoenix last night and reminded us of everything that’s wrong with him.

The dangers of the tyranny of the majority have only magnified.

Yes, even Nazis must have their rights to peaceful speech and assembly protected.

Authorities are being second-guessed over their handling of Saturday’s protests. Virginia gun laws are the more obvious problem.

More stupid, irresponsible rhetoric from the President of the United States.

A Duke history professor uncovers “stealth plan” by “fifth columnists” who are seeking to overthrow democracy in the U.S. for their plutocrat masters.

Thoughts on the quality of our democracy.

The FARC have disarmed. Now to the hard part.

Foolishly, President Trump is rolling back part of President Obama’s opening to Cuba.

Maryland and the District of Columbia are suing President Trump based on alleged violations of two provisions of the Constitution that have never been litigated before.

President Trump is reportedly considering at least partly reversing one of the great foreign policy successes of the Obama Presidency.

Some thoughts on presidential interruptions.

President Trump’s speech on Islam was a change of tone. However, as critics noted, it was short on substance and is unlikely to accomplish anything.