Terrorist Plot, Or Entrapment?
Another FBI sting operation results in the arrest of a “terrorist,” or did it create a crime where none existed before?
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.
Wikileaks Releases Diplomatic Cables, Revealing International Secrets
A new round of Wikileaks documents is out, and it opens the door on diplomatic correspondence previously hidden from the public.
Joe Miller: From Alaska Maverick To Sore Loser
Nearly four weeks after Election Day, Alaska’s Joe Miller still won’t concede the inevitable.
Alan Simpson Fights Back Against Deficit Commission Critics
Former Senator Alan Simpson is fighting back against the critics on the left and the right who are shooting down the Deficit Commission’s plan before it’s even been released.
Body Scanners (and Groping?) Coming To A Train Station Near You?
If some security “experts” get their way, the security procedures we encounter at airports could start showing up elsewhere. Will Americans stand for it?
The GOP Dilemma: Tea Party Not Representative Of America As A Whole
According to a new poll, the Tea Party movement, which is largely now the base of the GOP, is not completely in step with the views of American voters as a whole.
TSA Groping For Thee, But Not For Me
Top administration and congressional officials can skip the indignities of airport screening, even when they fly commercial.
Federal Reserve Foresees Slow Growth, High Unemployment Through 2012
The latest forecast from the Federal Reserve foresees stagnant growth and high unemployment for the next two years.
Public Accepts Body Scanners, Divided On Pat-Down Searches
Despite the recent media outrage over TSA search procedures, public attitudes on the subject remain largely supportive.
North Korea Shells South Korean Island, Tensions Rise
Tensions are on the rise again on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea shelled a South Korean island.
Obama Seen As Biggest Impediment To Middle East Peace
Israelis and Palestinians don’t agree on much these days, but they do agree that Barack Obama hasn’t helped the peace process at all since coming to office.
Obama Politically Tone Deaf On TSA Outrage
President Obama’s response to the outrage that has accompanied new TSA screening procedures at America’s airports is incredibly non-responsive.
New Plant Raises New North Korean Nuclear Concerns
North Korea has unveiled to the world a new nuclear processing facility that puts back on the table the question of just what we should, or can, do about the fact that a rogue state possesses nuclear weapons and wants to build more.
Republicans Against The Military
Conservative Republicans who are typically deferential to the military are ignoring the advice of the military leadership on the new START Treaty.
Conservatives Ponder The Sarah Palin Problem
Some on the right are beginning to realize that Sarah Palin’s popularity may cause a serious problem for the GOP in 2012.
Will Republicans Play Chicken With The Debt Ceiling Vote?
Within the first few months of 2011, Congress will be required to take another unpalatable vote to raise the debt ceiling. Already, some incoming Republicans are talking about waging an effort to block the vote. That would be politically, and financially, stupid.
Repeal Of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell May Happen After All
Democrats are now confident that they have the votes in the Senate to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but do they have enough time?
