A Morning Morality Play

Maybe you can figure out the point, although clearly some people can’t.

Loyalty Tests For Government Hiring

It was inevitable.

Ten Observations About College Students

These sweet, anxious, thoughtful, and genuinely loveable students know in their bones that their future is deeply uncertain and shaped by adults who appear to have no idea what they’re doing.

On Messaging and Other Variables

Hint: another variables may be the key.

Noem Can’t Define “Habeas Corpus”

That’s a problem, given her job and all.

The Authoritarian Fantasties of Stephen Miller

Habemus habeas corpus?

Authoritarian Intimidation

Arresting Newark Mayor Baraka is clearly a signal.

The free high-resolution photo of music, halloween, usa, musician, profession, performance, crazy, police, event, guitarist, trend, theme, performing arts, up to date, penalty, terrible, offender, assault and battery, evil clowns, fear and loathing, punishable, horror clowns, barmy, scare and injure people, without scruple, unscrupulously , taken with an unknown camera 04/06 2017 The picture taken with The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. The free high-resolution photo of music, halloween, usa, musician, profession, performance, crazy, police, event, guitarist, trend, theme, performing arts, up to date, penalty, terrible, offender, assault and battery, evil clowns, fear and loathing, punishable, horror clowns, barmy, scare and injure people, without scruple, unscrupulously , taken with an unknown camera 04/06 2017 The picture taken with The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0.

Clowns Criticizing the Clown Show

They wanted chaos but not this chaos.

A Speech in Praise of Liberty

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

emergency exit sign green emergency exit sign green

The Emergency

There may be no exit.

A PSA

Fifth Amendment edition.

On Collective Action Problems

An OTB example to illustrate a larger problem.

Trump Openly Defying the Courts

It’s good to be king.

American Exceptionalism

USA! USA! USA!

Being Sent to CECOT is an Inhumane, Slow-Motion Death Sentence

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

I Really Don’t Know Why I Keep Thinking These People are Fascists…

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

Brooks Writes a Paragraph…

…and I write a bit more than that.

X/itter Truth Bomb Of The Day

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

Musk Went Down to Wisconsin

He was looking for an election to buy.

Marine Le Pen Barred From 2027 Election

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

Attacking Centers of Truth

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

Trump Orders Proof of Citizenship to Vote

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

Preserving What is Good

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. 

The Dual State

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

Now Is It a Constitutional Crisis?

We are at least on the precipice.

“Freedom is Slavery”

Orwell came to mind this morning.

Two Recommendations

Informed, somber voices in these perilous times.

The Big Chilling Effect

Our leaders are afraid to lead.

The Myth Of Implosion

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

“We are the Federal Law”

Governing like a dictator.

Global Democracy at Two-Decade Low

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

Friedrich Merz (CDU-Parteivorsitzender); Porträt, Einzelbild Friedrich Merz (CDU-Parteivorsitzender); Porträt, Einzelbild

German Election Dominated by Parties of the Right

But a centrist grand coalition will likely govern.

A Note on Ukrainian Elections

Countering Russian (and now American) propaganda.

Mass Voting Behavior

How to create an echo chamber.

No, This Isn’t How Democracy Works

It certainly isn’t how the US Constitution functions.

Why Musk’s Politics Matter

An example linked to USAID

Kristol on Trump’s Authoritarianism

An accurate description.

The Purge Continues

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

Separation of Powers Ain’t What it is Cracked Up to Be

Partisanship is more important than institutional autonomy.

Malicious Compliance With Radical Orders

Piling absurdity atop cruelty.

lego people crowd lego people crowd

Musk’s Trolling

A billionaire troll with a West Wing office.

A Clear Example of a Misapplied Norm

Not all norms.

Biden Pardons Fauci, Milley, And Others

Going out on another unforced error

The Anti-Democratic Impulse

The Curtis Yarvin interview.

President Joe Biden in the Oval Office, October 19, 2023 President Joe Biden in the Oval Office, October 19, 2023

Biden Warns of Oligarchy in Farewell Address

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

President Joe Biden wears his aviator sunglasses while working at the Resolute Desk, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in the Oval Office. President Joe Biden wears his aviator sunglasses while working at the Resolute Desk, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in the Oval Office.

Biden Tries to Thwart Trump Immigration Policies

The honey badger strikes again.

Trump Raked in $200 Million Since Election

The real crime is what’s legal.