America 250 Statue of Liberty America 250 Statue of Liberty

America’s 250th Celebration on Hold

Perhaps it’s just as well.

Brooks Writes a Paragraph…

…and I write a bit more than that.

Val Kilmer, 1959-2025

A great actor is gone at 65.

George Foreman, 1949-2025

The boxing great and grill pitchman is gone at 76.

DOGEing It Out

Is the DOGE now on a leash?

Trump’s Very Long Congressional Speech Roundup

It made history in many ways.

Gene Hackman, 1930-1925

The legendary actor is gone at 95.

German Election Dominated by Parties of the Right

But a centrist grand coalition will likely govern.

Dan “Razin” Caine Nominated for Joint Chiefs Chairman

The retired 3-star National Guard officer is an unorthodox pick.

Speaking of Unserious

We deserve better than clowns giving political commentary.

Trump’s Mind on Display After Plane Crash

Trump’s reaction to the air disaster is telling in a variety of ways.

Trump Pardons Capitol Rioters, Even Most Violent

Proud Boys and Oath Keepers insurrectionists are now free.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

“I Voted for Trump…”

“…but I didn’t vote for that.”

Education Department Requires Equal Pay for Women Athletes

Title IX, football, and the economics of college athletics.

Assad Regime Toppled

A fifty-year dictatorship has been ousted. What now?

Iran Retreats From Syria

Another setback for Teheran.

Trump the Antihero?

The cruelty isn’t the point.

South Korea Under Martial Law

Breaking News

Two Tweets

The politics of humiliation and gaslighting.

A Reminder About Hitler Comparisons

And, more broadly, about the normalization of Trump

Normalizing Hitler

When the abnormal ceases to be.

Slow Vote Counting is a Problem

Not knowing the results of an election a week later is unacceptable.

Israel Hits Iran With Limited Strikes

After 29 days . . . a proportionate response.

John Amos, 1939-2024

The actor known for “Good Times,” “Roots,” and “The West Wing” is gone at 84.

Pete Rose, 1941-2024

The Hit King is gone at 83.

Hundreds Wounded in Pager Sabotage

A massive Israeli operation. To what end?

A Viral Win for Harris

And proof of Trump’s media diet.

James Earl Jones, 1931-2024

The legendary star of stage and screen is gone at 93.

Image of a scupture of a snake eating it's tail. Photographer: Leo Reynolds Image of a scupture of a snake eating it's tail. Photographer: Leo Reynolds

The Fox News/Trump Ororboros

To what degree is right wing media shaping Trump’s view of Harris?

Is Disney Too Big?

Yet another service disruption over rights fees calls attention to the issue.

Harris Pivots to the Center

It’s not 2019 anymore.

Kamala Harris and Incumbency Curse

The sitting Vice President isn’t getting blamed for the economy.

Phil Donahue, 1935-2024

The talk show pioneer is gone at 88.

Flag Ukraine Silhouette Ruins Soldier War Flag Ukraine Silhouette Ruins Soldier War

The Kursk Incursion

A bold reversal of fortunes. For now.

Not Your Father’s GOP

Beyond politics, there’s culture.

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

News Travels Faster

Five minutes is an eternity in the current information environment.

The Changing Spotlight

An odd juxtaposition in the major press.

Bob Newhart, 1929-2024

The legendary comedian is gone at 94.

Trump Assassination Attempt Update

We don’t know much but the early details are all too familiar.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, 1928-2024

“Dr. Ruth” is gone at 96.

We’re Stuck With Biden

Democrats desperate for a different nominee are falling in line as the President refuses to go.

French Elections Leave  Quel Désordre

The far right won the first round. The far left won the second. It’s a mess.

Spies Unlike Us

Our natural instincts in hiring are wrong.

Greedflation Politics

Democratic strategists are complaining that Biden is being too honest.

The Future of College Sports

Faux amateurism is dead. What replaces it remains to be seen.

Putin Escalates War Abroad While Purging Enemies at Home

The Russian autocrat is emboldened.

Will Trump Leaners Come Home to Biden?

The weirdness of this year’s polling gives the President’s team hope.

Biden Rejects Commission on Presidential Debates

The President wants an alternative schedule and format.