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.
NASA’s New Mission: Muslim Self-Esteem ?
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in an interview that he considered raising Muslim self-esteem about their contributions to science one of the goals of his agency.
Lockerbie Bomber Not Dying After All
It turns out that Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi isn’t dying after all, at least not any faster than any other human being.
Sarah Palin, One Year Later
One year ago today, Sarah Palin resigned as Governor of Alaska after only 2 1/2 years in office.
Pentagon Tightens Media Access Rules
It’s going to be much harder for reporters to get access to the military thanks to new rules announced last night by the Pentagon.
Michael Steele Under Fire For Afghanistan Remarks
Once again, the knives are out for Michael Steele after his recent Afghanistan gaffe.
25% Of Americans Don’t Know What Independence Day Is All About
Another depressing poll demonstrating American historical ignorance.
Sarah Palin: Fiscal Conservatism Shouldn’t Apply To Defense Spending
Sarah Palin is among a group of Republicans concerned that the Tea Party movement’s fiscal conservatism could pose a danger to defense spending.
Charlie Cook: “Hurricane GOP” Bearing Down On Democrats
The latest poll trends have pollster Charlie Cook thinking that the Democrats could be in for a very bad trouncing on Election Day.
Michael Steele: Afghanistan Is A “War Of Obama’s Choosing”
The Chairman of the RNC is expressing doubts about America’s war effort in Afghanistan.
Almost Everything You Know About The Supreme Court Is Wrong
Not surprisingly, American’s partisan views on the Supreme Court are pretty much wrong.
June Unemployment Report Shows Anemic Job Growth
So much for the Obama Administration’s “Summer of Recovery.”
Health Care Reform Faces First Courtroom Challenge
The health care reform law faced it’s first legal test in a Courtroom in Virginia yesterday.
Lindsey Graham: Tea Party Movement Is Unsustainable
South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham sees the beginning of the end of the Tea Parties, and he’s probably right.
Kagan Ends Testimony With Confirmation Assured
Not surprisingly, Elena Kagan finished her testimony without giving any real ammunition to the Republicans.
Bogus Polling May Have Influenced Arkansas Senate Race
The Democratic Senate primary in Arkansas may have been influenced by questionable poll results from Research 2000.
Larry King Hanging Up The Suspenders
The most shocking news about Larry King’s retirement announcement was the realization that he was still on the air.
Some Real Questions For Elena Kagan
George Will has some real questions for Elena Kagan. Too bad nobody’s going to ask them.
Elena Kagan, Jeff Sessions Spar Over Harvard Military Recruiting Issue
The testiest exchange during today’s hearings in the Senate came when Jeff Sessions tried to confront Elena Kagan over military recruiting at Harvard Law School, and failed miserably.
Andrew Breitbart Offers $ 100,000 For JournoList Archives
If you know where the JournoList archive is, Andrew Breitbart has got some cash for you.
John Boehner Steps On The Third Rail
The House GOP Leader is proposing that we get serious about Social Security reform.
Daily Kos Suing Former Polling Partner
Markos Moulitsas gets a lesson in caveat emptor from his former pollster.
Kagan Backtracks On “Meaningful Discussion Of Legal Issues”
Elena Kagan’s interest in vigorous and open confirmation hearings ended roughly the moment she was sworn in by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Day One Of Kagan Hearings Fail To Excite, Or Educate
Miss yesterday’s opening round of the Kagan hearings ? You didn’t miss much.
No Election For Byrd’s Senate Seat Until 2012
Thanks to a rather odd interpretation of West Virginia law, there won’t be an election to fill Robert Byrd’s Senate seat until November, 2012.
Supreme Court: Christian Group Can’t Exclude Gays While Accepting Public Funds
Once again, the Supreme Court affirmed today that there is no Constitutional right to receive public funds.
Supreme Court Holds 2nd Amendment Applies To The States
The Supreme Court resolved a 100+ year old Constitutional ambiguity today, but the legal issues surrounding gun control remain as murky as ever.
