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.

Polls Show Support For Gun Control Measures At 25-Year High

Polls released since the Parkland, Florida shooting show that support for gun control measures is at its highest level since 1993, but will it last?

The Pompeo And Haspel Nominations Could Be In Trouble In The Senate

The nominations of Mike Pompeo and Gina Haspel could be in trouble in the Senate.

Federal Judge Sides With Transgender Student In Bathroom Access Case

Another Federal Court has ruled in favor of a student seeking to use the restroom facilities that correspond with their gender identity.

Latest Attempt To Fix DACA Fails In The Senate

Congress is no closer to a resolution of the DACA fix than it was earlier this year.

Renowned Physicist Stephen Hawking Dies At 76

Stephen Hawking possessed one of the greatest minds in history, but he will likely be most remembered for not letting a debilitating disease stop him from contributing to our understanding of the universe.

Trump’s Pick For New C.I.A. Director Has a Troubling Record On Torture

By all accounts, Gina Haspel is exceedingly well qualified to be the next C.I.A. Director, but she has a troubling past that the Senate will need to at least force her to answer questions about.

Tillerson’s Ouster Was Hardly A Surprise

While the nature of Rex Tillerson’s firing as Secretary of State was shocking in its abruptness, taken in context with the rocky nature of his tenure it was hardly surprising.

Former Secretary Of Nobel Committee Says Obama’s Peace Prize Was A Mistake

Nine years later, at least one member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee is admitting what seemed at the time a rather obvious fact.

House Intelligence Committee Ends One-Sided Russia Probe, Claiming No Collusion

Ending an investigation that was flawed and tainted with partisanship from the start, the House Intelligence Committee has abruptly concluded its investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Democrat Holds Slight Lead In Congressional District Trump Won By 20 Points

Tomorrow’s Special Election in Pennsylvania isn’t looking good for Republicans, even if their candidate manages to eke out a win.

Donald Trump Has Already Undermined Any Talks With North Korea

By threatening to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran, Donald Trump is making it far less likely that any upcoming talks with North Korea will succeed.

Arlington National Cemetery Will Run Out Of Burial Space By 2040

Absent changes in policy, the nation’s most hallowed military cemetery will run out of space in two decades.

Trump Backs Away From Age Restrictions On Gun Sales

Not surprisingly, the Trump Administration is backing away from gun regulations opposed by the N.R.A.

Trump Lawyers Consider Legal Action To Stop CBS From Airing Stormy Daniels Interview

Anderson Cooper has interviewed adult film star Stormy Daniels for 60 Minutes, but lawyers for President Trump are apparently considering legal action to stop the report from airing.

So Trump Is Getting His Military Parade

There won’t be any tanks, but it looks like President Trump will get his military parade.

N.R.A. Sues Over New Florida Gun Law

Within hours after the new Florida gun law was signed by Governor Rick Scott, the National Rifle Association had filed a lawsuit seeking to strike it down.

Florida Passes New Gun Control Law

A big win for gun control advocates in a deeply Republican state.

Judge Hearing Twitter Blocking Lawsuit Against Trump Asks: Why Not Muting Instead Of Blocking?

The Judge presiding over the lawsuit brought by a group of Twitter users blocked by President Trump may have sent a hint about how she’s inclined to rule during a hearing this week.

Vulnerable Republican Senator Speculates That Justice Kennedy Will Retire This Year

Once again, there’s speculation in Washington that Justice Anthony Kennedy could retire this year.

A Booming Jobs Market For February

A better than expected jobs report for February, but wage growth slowed for the month.

Amelia Earhart’s Remains May Have Been Found On A Remote Pacific Island

The eighty year old mystery regarding the fate of famed aviator Amelia Earhart may have taken a step toward being solved if the results of a new forensic study are correct.

Republicans In Tennessee And Kentucky Block Bills That Would Bar Child Marriage

What the heck is going on in Kentucky and Tennessee?

Some Maryland Legislators Want To Require Candidates For President To Release Taxes

Maryland’s legislature is considering a law that would require candidates for President to release their tax returns. It’s probably not Constitutional.

Federal Government Sues California Over “Sanctuary Cities” Laws

The Federal Government has fired another shot in the ongoing war over so-called “sanctuary cities.”

Michigan Man Sues Dick’s Over Gun Age Restriction Policy

Another lawsuit has been filed against Dick’s Sporting Goods over its policy barring gun sales based on age.

Stormy Daniels Sues Trump

Adult film star Stormy Daniels has filed a lawsuit against the President, handing the already beleaguered White House yet another headache.

Angela Merkel Reaches Coalition Agreement With S.P.D.

After six months, Angela Merkel has apparently succeeded in forming a coalition government.

Lindsey Graham Says War With North Korea Would Be “Worth It.”

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham says war against North Korea would be worth it. Ignoring the fact that it would result in casualties unlike anything America has seen since the Vietnam War.

President Jello Walks Back His Comments On Gun Control

Once again, the Administration is walking back the President’s statements on a controversial issue.

John Bolton Is Foolishly Calling For Preemptive War Against North Korea

John Bolton is leading a cry for preemptive war against North Korea.

States Renew An Old Argument Against Obamacare

A group of twenty states have revived an old argument to mount a new legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act.

Age Restrictions On Gun Sales And The Law

Is it legal for retail businesses to restrict gun sales based on age? The short answer appears to be yes.

Supreme Court Considers Whether Search Warrants Can Reach Data Stored Overseas

The Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether an American company can be required to turn over data stored on servers located overseas.

Trump Announces New Tariffs On Steel And Aluminum

President Trump has announced that he’ll be imposing significant tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This is an unwise decision.

Did Trump Really Move Left On Guns? Don’t Count On It

President Trump appeared to change positions on several gun control ideas, but he probably doesn’t mean it.

Ben Carson Cancels Order For $31,000 Dining Room Table

Ben Carson comes to his senses, but questions still remain about his family seeming to benefit from his position in government.

Supreme Court Mulls Whether States Can Ban ‘Political’ Apparel At Polling Places

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case pitting the First Amendment against the right of states to regulate elections.

What’s The Next Step On The Korean Peninsula?

With the Winter Olympics over, the next step on the Korean Peninsula is utterly unclear.

Walmart Joins Dick’s To Raise Minimum Age To Buy Any Gun To 21

Following yesterday’s move by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart has raised the age for all gun sales to 21.

Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit That Sought To Strike Down Federal Marijuana Laws

A Federal Judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to invalidate Federal laws against marijuana use and possession.

NSA Has Received No Orders To Act Against Russian Interference In 2018 Election

President Trump continues to deny the reality of Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, and he’s failing to act to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Donald Trump Channels Archie Bunker

“All In The Family” predicted a policy proposal that President Trump and many other conservatives have made in the wake of the Florida school shooting.

Prospects For Congressional Action On Guns Are As Dim As Ever

Despite the activism we’ve seen in the wake of the school shooting in Florida, it’s unlikely that we’ll see significant Congressional action on guns.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Announces Limits On Gun Sales, Stops Selling “Assault Weapons”

Dick’s Sporting Goods will no longer sell “assault weapons” at any of its stores, and will limit the sale of any gun to people aged 21 and above.

Ben Carson Spends $31,000 On A Dining Room Table For His Office

Ben Carson has expensive taste in office furniture.

Federal Appeals Court Rules That Employers Can’t Discriminate Based On Sexual Orientation

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals rules that existing civil rights laws bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Supreme Court Poised To Deliver Blow To Public Sector Unions

After yesterday’s oral argument, the Supreme Court seems poised to deal a major blow to public-sector unions.

Democrats Open Big Lead In New Generic Ballot Poll

Democrats appear to have regained momentum in the Generic Congressional Ballot.

Xi Jinping Solidifies His Hold On Power In China

China’s Xi Jinping solidified his hold on power well into the next decade over the weekend.

Supreme Court Rebuffs Trump Administration On DACA

The Supreme Court has declined an invitation to intervene early in the legal arguments surrounding DACA.