In Front of Our Noses: The Continuing Grift

In this case, Noem’s rent-free living.

Chainsaw Killers Don’t Care About Statistics

Nor does Benny Johnson.

Bondi Puts Head of DEA in Charge of DC Police

A heavy-handed move.

A Photo for Friday

“Upward”

In Front of Our Noses: Fascism

“Influencer” Benny Johnson wants to bulldoze certain neighborhoods in DC.

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Trump Center Honors

A weird, unnecessary intervention.

Meanwhile, Still in North Korea

The Kennedy Center “Honors” get a Trumpian makeover.

Genocide, War Crimes, and Gaza

There are no satisfying answers.

Meanwhile, in North Korea…

A review of museums.

President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

Troops as Props

This is all for show.

Hegseth Appreciates Pastor Wilson Is All

The takeaway of Hegseth’s video and the Pentagon’s clarification is meant to be obvious. 

President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

Bloodshed, Bedlam, Squalor and Worse

Authoritarianism is popular.

“Now They Are Allowed to Do Whatever the Hell They Want”

Authoritarian instructions from Trump.

Unreality in the Streets of DC

Trump likes to use force.

AG Monday: Godzilla!

Tom and Steven talk the King of the Monsters this week on Ancient Geeks!

The Trump Administration’s Not-So-Quiet Advance of Christian Nationalism

We are observing an effort to embed democratically questionable sectarian norms into the day-to-day life of federal workplaces. 

The Nationalist Movement and the Transformation of the Republican Party

Thinking about the evolution (or is it devolution) of the GOP since the 1990s.

A Very Good Week For Putin

The Russian autocrat may be on the verge of getting what he wants.

Reactionary Christian Nationalism on Display

A window into White Christian Nationalism (as endorsed by Pete Hegseth!).

Two Americas, Redux

Are Red and Blue states even part of the same country anymore?

(12 Nov. 1966) --- Astronaut James A. Lovell is photographed inside his Gemini spacecraft during the Gemini-12 mission. Astronaut Edwin Aldrin is seen in the background and to the left (12 Nov. 1966) --- Astronaut James A. Lovell is photographed inside his Gemini spacecraft during the Gemini-12 mission. Astronaut Edwin Aldrin is seen in the background and to the left

Jim Lovell, 1928-2025

The pioneering astronaut is gone at 97.

TGI Tabs!

President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral dinner for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, July 7, 2025, in the Blue Room. President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral dinner for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, July 7, 2025, in the Blue Room.

Israel To Retake Gaza City

The seemingly inevitable next step.

Federal Grants Must ‘Demonstrably Advance President’s Policy Priorities’

Politicizing scientific inquiry is a bad idea.

A Photo for Friday

“Mystic Gateway”

Meanwhile, in North Korea

A gift for Dear Leader.

Hiroshima Bombing’s 80th Anniversary

The last survivors want us to remember the horrors of nuclear war.

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Ohio River Raised for Veep Kayaking Trip

The optics are not good.

Thursday’s Forum

The Enablers of Authoritarianism

In this case, Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council.

“Because we can”

A member of the Texas legislature reminds us that we are in an era of pure power politics.

Space Waste?

Nuclear reactors to the moon!

AG Monday

This week: the Fantastic Four movie.

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Fact Checking in an Era of Bullshit

One of the big ones has given up.

In Front of Our Noses: Firing the Messenger

It is textbook authoritarianism.