Posts by James Joyner

James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Everyone’s a Virologist Now

Is media coverage of experts’ struggles to understand COVID helpful?

Most Politics Is National

Tip O’Neil’s famous saying hasn’t been true in a long, long time.

Washington Post 6 January Report

A massive investigation into the Capitol riot looks at what came before, during, and after.

Nationalizing the Local

The appetite for content and clicks turns sensationalizes news that isn’t news.

Police, Money, and Perverse Incentives

Officers are under enormous pressure–including from the Federal government–to write tickets.

Red Dog Saloon in Jarbidge. At least we know the Internet is available in Jarbidge. The saloon was closed. The Outdoor Inn was open, but will close down on Halloween. The next day the Red Dog Saloon will be opened for the winter season. Apparently there's not enough staff to run both businesses simultaneously. The owner of these establishments is the cook at the Outdoor Inn and he has lived in Jarbidge his entire life. Red Dog Saloon in Jarbidge. At least we know the Internet is available in Jarbidge. The saloon was closed. The Outdoor Inn was open, but will close down on Halloween. The next day the Red Dog Saloon will be opened for the winter season. Apparently there's not enough staff to run both businesses simultaneously. The owner of these establishments is the cook at the Outdoor Inn and he has lived in Jarbidge his entire life.

‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Isn’t Going Away

A sign of our times.

NYC Shuttering Fire Companies Over Vaccine Refusal

The idiocy continues.

Bill Maher: The Pandemic is Over

Denial, whining, and truth wrapped into one segment.

FDA Approves Pfizer for Kids 5-11

Good news with mixed messaging.

Lincoln Project’s Dirty Tricks

Can we stop pretending these trolls and grifters are Republicans?

The Voter Enthusiasm Gap

44% of Republicans strongly disapprove of President Biden’s performance while only 22% of Democrats strongly approve.

SCOTUS Denies Emergency Injunction Against Maine Vaccine Mandate

There will be no religious exemptions. For now, at least.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the passing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Tuesday, August 10, 2021, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the passing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Tuesday, August 10, 2021, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

President Charlie Brown

Joe Biden has bet his presidency on a caucus that may simply be irreconcilable.

Air Force Could Lose 12,000 Vaccine Refusniks

While 96 percent of airmen are in compliance, the service is about to get smaller.

Battle for the Suburbs

There is a lot of anger out there.

Election Polling When There’s No Election Day

Late-breaking news may not matter that much anymore.

President Joe Biden takes notes doing a G7 Leaders’ Virtual Meeting Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in the White House Situation Room. President Joe Biden takes notes doing a G7 Leaders’ Virtual Meeting Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in the White House Situation Room.

Biden: Democrats Have Reached a Deal

$1.75 trillion ain’t $3.5 trillion but it’s something.

Kyrsten Sinema: Expert Troll

The enigmatic Senator is a world-class attention seeker.

Massive Worker Backlash?

The equivalent of Pennsylvania’s entire labor force is sitting on the sidelines.

Mort Sahl, 1927-2021

The first modern stand-up comedian has died at 94.

Kyle Rittenhouse Judge Allows Those He Killed to be Called ‘Rioters’ Not ‘Victims’

Pretrial rulings strengthen his self-defense claims.

Manchin in a Nutshell

The West Virginia Senator is the epicenter of contemporary American politics.

Was the ‘Rust’ Tragedy Inevitable?

Insiders argue that the era of Peak TV has contributed to shoddy practices on set.

Dave Chappelle’s Weak Response to Critics

It’s not funny when you have to constantly explain the jokes.

Rolling Stone Implies Congressmen Abetted 6 January Violence

A vague but inflammatory report sheds little light on the situation.

Peter Scolari, 1955-2021

The veteran character actor has died of cancer at 66.

The Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Tragedy

It appears that normal safeguards were ignored, leading to disaster on the set.

Congressional Insider Trading Still Widespread

At least 40 Members violated the law on reporting stock transactions.

President Joe Biden drives a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon during a clean cars event, Thursday, August 5, 2021, on the South Lawn Driveway of the White House. President Joe Biden drives a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon during a clean cars event, Thursday, August 5, 2021, on the South Lawn Driveway of the White House.

Biden Settling for Smaller Spending Package

The President seems to have persuaded the progressives in his party to settle for half a loaf.

Rachel Levine Becomes 1st Transgender 4-Star

The Assistant Secretary for Health has put on a uniform and become an instant Admiral.

Washington State Football Coach Fired Over Vaccine Refusal

Nick Rolovich’s request for a waiver based on unspecified religious objections was denied.

Colin Powell, 1937-2021

The trailblazing soldier-statesman has died at 84.

Sunday’s Forum

Stu Scheller’s Sideshow

The convicted criminal has taken his shenanigans to court.

Saturday’s Forum

high-resolution photo of acceptance, alphabet, bisexual, blur, close up, colorful, culture, equality, focus, gay, gay pride, gay wallpaper, gender, gender identity, hands, holding, individuality, lesbian, letters, lgbt, lgbt wallpaper, lgbtq, LGBTQIA, pride month, queer, rainbow colors, transgender high-resolution photo of acceptance, alphabet, bisexual, blur, close up, colorful, culture, equality, focus, gay, gay pride, gay wallpaper, gender, gender identity, hands, holding, individuality, lesbian, letters, lgbt, lgbt wallpaper, lgbtq, LGBTQIA, pride month, queer, rainbow colors, transgender

Pronouns and Probabilities

Should uncertainty be the default position?

Andrew McCabe’s Pension Restored

DOJ has settled a civil suit with the former official.

Yale Can’t Take a Joke

A party invitation going terribly wrong.

Trans, Nonbinary Actor Sues ‘Hamilton’

A former cast member charges that the show about equality wasn’t equal.

Irrelevant Republicans Being Ignored!

The liberal media is giving all their attention to the tax and spend Democrats!

William Shatner, 90, Becomes Oldest Man in Space

He boldly went where no nonagenarian had gone before.

ESPN, Jock Culture, and Jon Gruden

Is the Worldwide Leader responsible oblivious to bigotry?

So, You Wanna Leave Facebook?

Replacing the social media giant ain’t easy.

Jon Gruden ‘Resigns’ After Racist, Sexist, Homophobic Emails Revealed

A spectacular fall for a man who has been at the center of the football world for three decades.

Man Killed in Dispute Over Football Game

Disappointment turns to tragedy.

Biden’s Polls and Magical Thinking

The President’s approval has plummeted, largely because of factors outside his control.

Sunday’s Forum

Chappelle’s Last Netflix Special

“The Closer” delivers more of what people love and hate about the GOAT.

Punching Down

Sometimes, a headline contains all the information you need.

More Unvaccinated People Live in Blue Counties

A paradox that’s not hard to explain.