Trial In Walter Scott Shooting Ends In Hung Jury, Mistrial

Despite a video that clearly shows what appears to be cold-blooded murder, the trial of a South Carolina cop who shot an African-American man in the back while he ran away ended in a hung jury. Fortunately, this isn’t the end of the road.

Random Observations on Trump’s Election

Trying to make sense of that which makes no sense.

Supreme Court Begins New Term Short A Member And Without Any Real Blockbuster Cases

The Supreme Court begins another term faced with the prospect of having to spend much of their time dealing with the fact that they’re short a member.

With Eight Weeks To Go, A Tighter Race But It’s Still Advantage Clinton

The election is now fifty-six days away and, while the race is tighter than it has been, it’s still one in which Hillary Clinton has seemingly all the advantages.

Donald Trump’s Attacks On The Media Are Irresponsible And Irrational

Donald Trump has spent more time recently attacking the news media than anything else. He ought to be condemned for it.

Charges Dropped Against Remaining Officers In Freddie Gray Case

After four straight losses, prosecutors in Baltimore are throwing in the towel in the Freddie Gray case.

Hillary Clinton Makes History As Convention Tone Changes

The second night of the Democratic Convention seemed much calmer than the first, as the Clinton campaign moves forward toward the biggest speech of Hillary Clinton’s life.

Donald Trump’s Bad June Shows Up In The Polls

Donald Trump has had a bad June, and it’s showing in the poll numbers.

Once Again, The Supreme Court Stabs At The Heart Of The Fourth Amendment

The Supreme Court has once again issued a ruling that further chips away at the protections of the Fourth Amendment.

No, Judge Curiel Has Not Demonstrated Bias Against Donald Trump In His Rulings

Donald Trump has claimed that the Judge presiding over the Trump University lawsuits is biased against him, but there’s absolutely no evidence to support this argument.

Dilbert’s Scott Adams and Donald Trump

The cartoonist and student of human psychology is fascinated by the con artist who would be president.

Trump the Presumptive Nominee (Some of What I got Wrong)

In case anyone noticed: I got the Trump nomination wrong.

Yes, The Trump/Clinton Polls Are Tightening. No, It Doesn’t Mean Much Of Anything

Several recent polls have shown the race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton tightening, but it likely means far less than the media hype makes it sound like.

Trump Says He’ll Skip Fox News Debate

Donald Trump takes his war with Fox News Channel up a notch, saying he won’t participate in Thursday’s Republican Presidential Debate.

Supreme Court Accepts Appeal Of Ruling Halting Obama’s Deportation Relief Programs

The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in what is guaranteed to be a high profile case heading into the 2016 elections.

Tamir Rice And The Question Of How The Law Should Handle Officer-Involved Shootings

The decision by a Cleveland Grand Jury to decline to indict a police officer in the shooting of 12 year old Tamir Rice raises once again questions about how the law handles shootings involving police officers.

Internet Hoaxes Can’t Be Debunked Anymore

People don’t much care whether information supporting their prejudices is true.

Majority Opposes Trump’s Muslim Immigration Ban, But It’s A Different Story With Republicans

Polling shows that most Americans oppose Donald Trump’s plan to bar Muslim’s from immigrating to the United States, but Republicans are far more receptive to the idea.

Justice Department Opens Investigation Of Chicago Police Department

The Justice Department has launched a widespread investigation into the operation of the Chicago Police Department in the wake of the murder of LaQuan McDonald.

Paris, San Bernardino, And The Dangers Of An Anti-Muslim Backlash

As we deal with the fall out from the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, we need remember the years after September 11th, 2001 and avoid holding an entire religion responsible for the actions of fanatics.

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.

Ben Carson’s Odd Relationship With Truth

As Ben Carson rises in the polls, it’s worth noting his many examples of having what can only be called a very odd relationship with truth and the basic facts of history.

Houston Voters Reject Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

Houston voters rejected a broad anti-discrimination law largely due to a campaign that focused almost exclusively on concerns about transgender rights.

GOP Suspends Debate Partnership With NBC News And Telemundo In Wake Of CNBC Debate

In the wake of Wednesday’s debate, the Republican National Committee has suspended its partnership in a planned February debate with NBC News and Spanish language network Telemundo.

Ben Carson Overtakes Donald Trump In New National Poll

One unqualified outsider with a history of saying outrageous things replaces another unqualified outsider with a history of saying outrageous things, at least according to yet another new poll.

Ben Carson Wants To Turn The Department Of Education Into Thought Police

Instead of eliminating the Department of Education, Ben Carson wants to give it a new, bizarre, and dangerous mission.

Ten Dead, Multiple People Injured, In Shooting On Oregon College Campus

Up to 13 people are dead and as many 20 injured after another mass shooting on a college campus.

Special Prosecutors For Police-Involved Shootings?

Removing the responsibility to investigate police misconduct from the prosecutors who have to work with those police on a daily basis is a good idea.

Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof Indicted On Federal Hate Crimes Charges

Dylann Roof has been indicted in Federal Court for completely unnecessary reasons.

Women’s World Cup Pay Disparity Is Due To The Marketplace, Not Discrimination

The winners of the Women’s World Cup will get paid far less than the men that played last year, but that’s not because of sexism.

Trump and the Polls

He’s second in national polls!

Supreme Court Agrees To Wade Back Into The Affirmative Action Debate

The Supreme Court agreed yesterday to wade back into the thorny issue of race and higher education.

Supreme Court Sides With Muslim Woman In Religious Discrimination Case

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Muslim woman who was refused a job because of her hijab.

Nebraska Repeals The Death Penalty

Despite a veto from the state’s Governor, today Nebraska became the latest state to repeal the death penalty. Hopefully, others will follow.

What Can Republicans Learn From The Tory Victory In Great Britain?

Republicans could learn a few things from the Tory victory in the recent British elections, but they are in danger of drawing the wrong conclusions.

Navy Secretary Doubling Maternity Leave to 12 Weeks, Lowering Weight Standards

Ray Mabus is trying to make serving in the Navy and Marine Corps more attractive to women.

Justice Department Opens Investigation of Baltimore Police Department

The Baltimore Police Department will finally be under the Federal microscope. But it took the death of Freddie Gray for it happen.

Supreme Court Upholds Campaign Finance Limitations In Judicial Elections

In a marked departure from recent cases, the Supreme Court rules that states can impose significant restriction on solicitation of campaign contributions in judicial elections.

Stewart’s Guardian Interview

Some observations about Stewart’s interview (and some digression from me–okay, a lot of digression by me).

Jeb Bush Says He Doesn’t Read New York Times

The Republican frontrunner claims he doesn’t read America’s most important newspaper.

Justice Department Finds Widespread Racial Bias In Ferguson Police Department

A new Justice Department report has found widespread racial bias in the Ferguson Police Department, but it’s a problem that goes far beyond one Missouri suburb.

Bring Back the BCS!

Some preliminary thoughts on the inaugural college playoff system.

Did 24 Help Make Torture Acceptable?

In the wake of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on C.I.A. torture, some have suggested that eight years of Jack Bauer helped make torture more acceptable to the American public.

Republican Reaction To Obama’s Executive Action Makes Immigration Reform Much Less Likely

Judging by recent polling, the President’s executive action has hardened GOP opposition to immigration reform, making progress on the issue going forward much less likely.

Rolling Stone Walks Back Key Allegations Of Campus Rape Expose

An utter journalistic failure from Rolling Stone.

Ferguson Grand Jury Returns No Indictment In Michael Brown Shooting

A not unexpected decision from the Grand Jury that investigated the Michael Brown shooting.

ISIS’s New Beheading Video; Casus Belli, Or A Trap?

The latest ISIS video is horrible and barbaric but we should not take the bait they are offering before considering the consequences of our actions going forward.