Posts by Doug Mataconis

Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Gun Control Has Completely Faded As An Issue Voters Care About

After spiking in the wake of the Newtown tragedy, gun control has faded back into obscurity as an issue voters care about significantly.

Supreme Court To Decide If Congress Can Dictate Where Jerusalem Is

The Supreme Court will decide if Congress can override American foreign policy when it comes to declaring who has dominion over Jerusalem.

Report: Federal Civil Rights Charges Unlikely In Michael Brown Shooting Case

Reports from the Justice Department seem to be laying the groundwork for more disappointment for those hoping for charges against Officer Darren Wilson.

Supreme Court Rejects Legal Challenge To Filibuster

Not unexpectedly, the Supreme Court has declined to hear a case challenging the Constitutionality of the Senate filibuster.

2014 Midterm Election Predictions

Time to look into the crystal ball.

Eliminate Midterm Elections? Only If You Want To Make Congress Even Less Representative

Two Duke University academics make an incredibly weak, ultimately unpersuasive, argument in favor of eliminating midterm elections by changing the length of Congressional terms.

Cable TV Cord Cutting Won’t Come Quickly, Could Be More Expensive Than Cable

We are obviously moving toward an era of streaming and other services that don’t rely on Cable/Satellite providers, but it will still take some time to get there and for it to be cost effective.

Rand Paul Is Right. The GOP’s Brand Sucks, But That’s Only Part Of The Problem

Rebranding alone isn’t going to fix what’s causing the GOP to lose ground among a whole host of demographic groups.

The End Of Private Industry In Space? Hardly

A pair of accidents has led some to wonder if we are at the end of commercial ventures in space. Clearly, we are not.

Which Party Is Benefiting From Early Voting?

Early numbers seem to suggest that it depends on which state you’re looking at.

Creigh Deeds One Year Later, And The Problems With Mental Health Care In The U.S.

Just over one year ago, Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds was attacked by his son, revealing problems with our mental health system that have yet to be adequately addressed.

Do We Need A Bigger House Of Representatives?

Would increasing the size of the House of Representatives be the cure for what ails Congress?

Stop Trying To Intimidate People Into Voting

There’s nothing wrong with choosing not to vote.

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo Crashes During Test Flight

Another setback for commercial space ventures, the second this week and this time with tragic consequences.

Maine Court Rejects State Request To Quarantine, Restrict Movements, Of Ebola Nurse Kaci Hickcox

A Maine Judge has largely rejected the efforts of the State of Maine to restrict the movements of Kaci Hickcox

Trick Or Treating Didn’t Always Mean Getting Candy

Not too long ago, Trick Or Treating didn’t mean getting candy produced by large corporations.

Marijuana Legalization On The Ballot In Oregon, Alaska, And Washington, D.C.

Two states and the nation’s capital could have legal marijuana after Tuesday’s elections.

What If Republicans Don’t Win Control Of The Senate?

The odds say that the GOP will end up with a Senate majority in the 114th Congress when all the votes are counted, but if it doesn’t happen then there’s likely to be quite a battle inside the GOP.

Acela Corridor Pundits Don’t Like Chris Christie’s Style, Will The Rest Of America Agree?

Once again, reporters and pundits are arguing that Chris Christie’s “New Jersey style” won’t play well on the stump. I’m not so sure they’re right.

House Lawsuit Against Obama Hits Another Snag

At this rate, it’s unlikely the House will file any kind of lawsuit against President Obama until 2015, assuming it ever files anything.

Oil Prices Have Been Falling For Months, And That’s Likely To Have Wide Repercussions

Quietly, oil prices have been falling for months now. That’s potentially a very big deal.

Kaci Hickcox Threatens To Sue Maine Authorities Over Ebola Quarantine Order

We may have our first legal challenge to an Ebola quarantine order by tomorrow

Slipping Support Among Key Groups, And Obama’s Job Approval, Have Democrats Worried

Important numbers in recent polling suggest big problems for Democrats on Tuesday.

Pope Francis’s Remarks On The Big Bang Are Nothing New For The Catholic Church

Pope Francis restates something the Catholic Church has taught for a long time and, again, the American media thinks its something new and revolutionary.

The Phony Populism Of Politicians

Politicians on both sides of the aisle like to tell people they’re just “average Americans,” but they’re lying and the American people seem to have figured out that they’re lying.

Sarah Palin Pretending She Might Run For Office Again

With the midterms over, it’s time for Sarah Palin to start grifting again.

The New College Football Playoff System Won’t Be Any Better Than the B.C.S. Was

The B.C.S. was far from perfect, and the College Football Playoff system will be, at best, only slightly better.

Rand Paul’s Foreign Policy Ideas Present An Opportunity For the GOP

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul continues to challenge Republican orthodoxy on foreign policy, and that’s a good thing.

Ebola And Mandatory Quarantines: A Delicate Balance Between Personal Liberty And Public Safety

Mandatory quarantines are a massive violation of personal liberty. We ought to be careful in how, when, and why we impose them and who they are directed toward.