Posts by 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.
Illinois Abolishes Death Penalty
Illinois became the 16th state to abolish capital punishment today. That’s far too few.
A Libyan No-Fly Zone Won’t Stop Gaddafi
Establishing a no-fly zone in Libya won’t stop the Civil War, and it’s likely to draw the United States further into a conflict that it needs to stay out of.
Leave The Strategic Petroleum Reserve Alone
As gas and oil prices rise, the pressure is increasing to tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It’s a dumb idea.
The Shameful Treatment Of Bradley Manning
Pfc. Bradley Manning is being treated worse than a Prisoner Of War, and he hasn’t been convicted of a crime yet.
Boehner, House GOP About To Take A Huge Risk On Entitlement Reform?
Republicans are about to take a walk along the third-rail of American politics.
Finally, Signs Of A Recovery On The Jobs Front
Much like the buds starting to appear on the Cherry Blossom trees in Washington, D.C., February’s jobs report offers some signs of new life for the labor market.
Mike Huckabee Rips Natalie Portman For “Glamorizing” Single Motherhood
Mike Huckabee channels Dan Quayle when he decides to comment on the pregnancy of Oscar winner Natalie Portman.
Public Acceptance Of Same-Sex Marriage At All-Time High
Two new polls reflect the extent to which public attitudes on same-sex marriage have changed dramatically over the past twenty years, and it’s only a matter of time before that’s reflected in the law.
Florida Judge Issues Stay Of Own Ruling Finding Affordable Care Act Unconstitutional
Judge Roger Vinson stayed his own ruling in the Florida ObamaCare lawsuit today and acted to speed up the appellate process, but not by much.
Have Republicans Lost The Public Relations War Over Public Sector Unions?
As the standoff in Wisconsin drags on, there is no sign that the public accepts the argument being made about public sector unions by Governor Scott Walker and other Republicans.
22 New Charges Against Pfc. Manning, Still No Connection To Wikileaks
Pfc. Bradley Manning faces twenty-two new charges, including one that could put him before a firing squad, but investigators still can’t prove any direct links between him and Wikileaks.
Mike Huckabee Doubles Down: Obama Has A “Different Worldview” From The Rest Of Us
A day after apologizing for an odd comment about the President’s upbringing, Mike Huckabee now feeds into the conservative myth that Barack Obama isn’t a real American.
U.S. Military Intervention In Libya? Just Say No
Intervening to “help” the Libyan revolt is very tempting, but it’s a temptation we ought to resist.
Supreme Court: Westboro Baptist Church Funeral Protests Are Protected Speech
The Supreme Court rules that “offensiveness” does not trump the First Amendment. And they’re right.
Ben Bernanke: GOP Spending Cuts Will Not Harm Economic Growth
Speaking before Congress yesterday, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke debunked the assertion that the GOP’s relatively modest $61 billion spending cut package would significantly harm economic growth.
Getting Rid Of Gaddafi May Not Be As Easy As You Think
Establishing a no-fly zone isn’t likely to be enough to remove the current Libyan regime from power.
