In Front of Our Noses: Plans to Pardon a Convicted Drug Cartel Leader

(While murdering people without due process because of [checks notes] drugs.)

NYC Mayor Thoughts

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 3, 2020. Ford is underway conducting carrier qualifications. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 3, 2020. Ford is underway conducting carrier qualifications.

We’re on the Verge of War With Venezuela (and Maybe Colombia)

What could possibly go wrong?

President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025. President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025.

Trump Won’t Ask Congress for Approval

“What are they going to do? Say, ‘Gee, we don’t want to stop drugs pouring in?’”

Criminals or Enemy Combatants?

I guess if we fail to vaporize you, you get treated like a criminial.

The Free Speech Presidency Rolls Onward

Colombia’s President said the wrong thing and had his visa revoked.

US Blows Alleged Drug Smuggling Boat Out of the Water

Who needs due process when you have drones?

A Way Authoritarianism Spreads

Following the Dear Leader.

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.

The Nationalist Movement and the Transformation of the Republican Party

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

Tabby Wednesday

Higher Ed is an Area of Trade Surplus

But the Trump administration is out to wreck it.

There is No Plan

Just in case that wasn’t already obvious.

Everyone Pollute Again

The new EPA.

Adams and Homan

The abuse of power is obvious.

Follow-up Tabs

Links related to various recent posts.

The Great US-Colombian Conflict is Over!

Thoughts on an unnecessary confrontation.

Trump Deploys Tariff Hammer on Colombia (Updated)

More immigration politics.

Making Imperialism Great Again

Greenland, Canada, and Panama. Oh my.

On Fentanyl and the Border

Spoiler: tariff threats and other “one weird trick” approaches won’t work.

Thinking About the Border

Plus some thoughts on mass deportation.

Ch-ch-changes

Time may change me, but I can’t trace time.

US Says Israel Likely Committed War Crimes

A Congressionally-mandated report finds “reasonable” evidence but acknowledges limitations.

Argentina Applies for NATO Partnership

The Western sphere widens.

Faith In Democracy on the Decline

People around the world are more skeptical about governing institutions.

Where The Gays Are

A breakdown of new survey data.

Immigration Roiling Politics Globally

Those seeking to escape the global south are facing resistance from DC to London to Paris.

Israelis Divided on Ground Offensive

A poll on Israeli support.

Colombia’s President Calls for End of War on Drugs

He is seeking a new regional consensus.

On Hand-Counting of Ballots

It’s a really bad method

The World Is Catching Up

Americans have taken the dominance of the Women’s National Team for granted.

Hippos of Colombia

An unintended consequence of the drug trade.

Addiction and the Public Health Question

A brief foray into looking at Alabama state policy on fighting addiction.

Chinese Balloon Mania

Tales of threat assessment and media reactions.

On Spurious Majorities and Other Thoughts on Electoral System Critiques

Because sometimes the comment box is just too small.

Post-Weekend Tabs

Some quick hits.

The Absurdity of the Hunter Biden Story

He met with people. And, get this, with his father!

Riot (or Worse) Thwarted in Idaho

A group of extremists are stopped from instigating a riot.

Thursday Tab Clearing

Pop those tabs!

On Perceptions and Crime

Some thoughts.

Round One in Colombia

The first round produced two very different candidates.

The Identity Politics of Identity Politics

Who gets to claim Latino heritage?

Multiparty Presidentialism

No, presidentialism does not lock us into two parties.