Wonk’s Fallacy: Media Edition

The extra effort it takes to go from modestly informed to well-informed is tremendous and, for 99% of the public, a ridiculous waste of time.

Nikki Haley Wins Republican Nomination For South Carolina Governor

Nikki Haley overcame a smear campaign and religious bigotry to come one step closer to the Governor’s Mansion in South Carolina.

Gulf Oil Spill To Hit Atlantic in October

A group of oceanographers suggest that the oil from the Deepwater Horizon explosion will leave the Gulf in a few months. What happens then?

McChrystal Offers Resignation

General Stanley McChrystal has “offered to resign” in the wake of the controversy of the day. We’ll see whether this is accepted or the president decides that McChyrystal must be fired instead.

Tyranny Yields to Lowly Judge

Americans on both sides of the aisle throw around words like “tyranny” and “fascism” about our system. But there are constant small reminders we are under the rule of law.

McChrystal vs. Shinseki

Is there a double standard in play when generals criticize Democratic versus Republican presidents?

Federal Judge Blocks Obama Administration’s Oil Drilling Moratorium

A Federal Judge in Louisiana has told the Obama Administration that it can’t ban offshore drilling in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

McChrystal Quotes Alcohol Fueled?

General McChrystal and company spilled their guts to Rolling Stone on a road trip during which they were imbibing steadily.

Law School Grade Inflation

Law schools are artificially raising student grades, sometimes retroactively, to make them more competitive on the job market.

McChrystal Summoned to Washington

General Stanley McChrystal has not only likely ended his career but seriously damaged the already dimming chances of success in Afghanistan.

House Democrats Announce No Budget Will Be Passed In 2010

The House Democrats have just handed the GOP another issue to bash them with in the fall.

Obama Gets Failing Grade On Oil Spill Response

President Obama continues to suffer politically as a result of the oil spill crisis.

About that Tyrannical Escrow Fund…

The escrow fund was a big negative for BP, yes?

Obama and the Road to Tyranny

President Obama is following the example of his predecessors in abusing his power to enact his preferred policies. Has he gone too far?

General McChrystal Crosses The Line

General Stanley McChrystal is opening his mouth again and, this time, it could cost him his job.

Waiving the Jones Act

Should Obama waive restrictions on international shipping, as Bush did during Katrina? It’s more complicated than you may think.

The President is Just Like…

It is notoriously difficult to judge a presidency mid-stream.

Caption Contest Winners

The Bad Robot Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Civil Discourse on teh Internets?

Daniel Larison and Reihan Salan have an intelligent discussion on the Internet, managing to persuade each other!

Fatherhood.gov Started Under Bush!

Fatherhood.gov, the website Obama launched to some criticism yesterday, actually has its roots in the Bush Administration and has a predecessor dating to 2000.

China Revalues RMB! (A Teeny Bit)

China has pledged to allow their currency to fluctuate. Don’t get too excited.

Times Square Bomber Faisal Shahzad Pleads Guilty

The Times Square bombing case has come to a swift end.

10 Easy Steps to Success in Afghanistan

Christian Bleuer provides a 10-step solution for victory over the Taliban.

Fatherhood and Other Things That Ain’t Government’s Business

In conjunction with Father’s Day, the Obama administration unveiled Fatherhood.gov, a website offering advice to men on raising kids. Why is this a job for the federal government?

More Lithium!

Do we care about lithium reserves in Afghanistan?

Quote of the Day: SUV Edition

The automobile industry is amoral in accommodation. It goes where invited and stays as long as it is profitable to do so.

Gulf Oil Spill Gives Charlie Crist A Major Boost In Florida Senate Race

The Florida Senate race has taken a turn that few people expected thanks to the political impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

White House, Rahm Emanuel Dismiss Departure Reports As “Ludicrous” And “B.S.”

The White House and Rahm Emanuel were quick to deny the reports that he has a plan to leave the White House.

A Little Perspective on a Potential Emanuel Exit

How super-dramatic, amazing and unprecedented would it be if Emanuel left his job at the WH?

Will Republicans Filibuster The Kagan Nomination ? It Depends What You Mean By “Filibuster”

Mitch McConnell says he’s open to a filibuster of the Elena Kagan nomination, but he has a very limited idea of what a “filibuster” actually is.

Caption Contest