Outside the Beltway

The Commonwealth’s undemocratic political system is, shockingly, unrepresentative of the will of its people.

The first shoe has dropped.

With choices like these it’s easy to understand why people take plea deals

The 45th President is unlikely to face Federal prosecution but state and civil suits are not going his way.

The bar for defaming public officials is too high.

The anti-vax-and-other-stuff protest is spreading to Europe.

Our system lacks accountability.

Two unclassified after-action reports shine a new—if one-sided—light on the evacuation.

Musings about US politics and culture.

Western intelligence agencies continue to predict an invasion under absurd pretexts.

A protest against vaccine mandates is growing with a little help from our adversaries.

Can the Misery Index be far behind?

Former President Trump routinely broke the law with respect to protecting public records.

Blue and red states alike are ending mask mandates and other restrictions.

Out of a sense of fairness, I gave a listen.

In their censure of Cheney and Kinzinger the GOP wants to rewrite history.

The American way of war kills a lot of noncombatants.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion. Alas.

People, details do in fact matter!

The downside to online archives of pre-print articles.

There are more old drunks than there are old doctors.

The United States and its NATO allies are in a dangerous standoff.

The singer and actor, born Marvin Lee Aday, is gone at 74.

Let the browser be cleared!

We deserve better.

It doesn’t add up.

Some pundits have high standards.

Two stories about our culture’s focus on punishment

The highest court in the land issued a split decision on President Biden’s COVID policy.

A year after the Capitol riot, DOJ is coming after the most violent perpetrators.

The beloved comedian and actor is gone at 65.

A pioneering Black actor is gone at 94.

It’s always a good idea to reread a text before referencing it, especially if you’re a history Ph.D. like Newt Gingrich

After more than a year and countless investigations into election fraud, the big lie continues to be a big lie

A roundup of reflection on a somber anniversary.

How the host’s off-camera views contradict what he was telling his audience

For your consideration.

A lone judge has halted the military’s vaccine mandate.

People failing to treat emergencies as emergencies make matters worse.

A number of GOP politicians criticized Trump over 1/6 and some resigned.

The legendary football player and coach is gone at 77.

The biggest news doesn’t always get the most attention.

The television star increasingly known for her longevity has passed days shy of her 100th birthday.

When life doesn’t imitate art.

The Hall of Fame coach and legendary broadcaster is dead at 85.

The longtime Senate leader is gone at 82.