Outside the Beltway

We seldom blame presidents for bold actions that go wrong. We despise them for appearing weak and indecisive.

Joe Biden says we can’t afford a president who has to learn foreign policy on the job.

The Obama campaign’s cheap politicizing of the SEAL raid that took out bin Laden is unseemly. And unnecessary.

How about we recognize that we do have ongoing and serious racial tension in this country rather than ignoring the issue most of the time and only deploying it when the game of politics is being played?

It would be nice if people in power would be a bit more introspective and thoughtful.

In reality, it probably doesn’t,

Animal’s Joel Johnson declares “Comments are Bad Business for Online Media.”

OTB’s comment section as a microcosm of the American political landscape.

Should you lie to your kids about holiday fantasy characters?

Andrew Sullivan wants the Catholic Church to give up its hatred of homosexuals. There’s another alternative.

A new book would classify most of us who consume alcohol as “almost alcoholics.”

Weeks of bizarre talk about contraception and vaginal ultrasounds has surprisingly alienated women from the Republican Party.

We’re literally choosing locking up drug offenders over investing in our children.

The student-athlete fairytale is true. Except where you would reasonably expect it to be a lie.

The old have most of the money and power in our society, a trend that is accelerating.

David C. Levy argues college professors at teaching universities are overpaid because they don’t put in enough hours.

Solutions come from understanding, not denial or political posturing

George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin met on the night of February 27th. Martin died, and a firestorm has erupted.

The cause of the pain you’re feeling at the pump has little to do with domestic energy policy.

Is it fair to single out the most powerful man in radio’s commentary for attention?

Romney eked out a win in the Michigan primary. He’s going to have a harder time there in November.

2012 may be the last chance for the current Republican Party to win the White House.

Reading journal articles, so you don’t have to.

In order to succeed on the right today, you have to do more than just say the President is wrong. You have to say that he’s evil.

It’s looking increasingly unlikely that anyone will have the race for the nomination wrapped up any time soon.

Is Rick Santorum’s momentum unstoppable?

The military promotion system does not reward top performers rapidly enough.

Contrary to myth, the USA is still a major manufacturing power. But the factory has changed radically.

Most people forget most of what they learn in school. Should we call the whole thing off?

If Romney loses in November, it could be the start of a bitter fight insider the Republican Party.

It’s not just low wages that have kept technology manufacturing jobs out of the United States.

Michael Hastings has yet another credulous story attempting to smear the United States military.

The former Utah governor will almost certainly never be the GOP nominee. But someone like him will be soon.

Vehement disagreement with the policy views of a country and prejudice based on immutable traits are not the same.

So, what’s next?

Understanding the state of the GOP field requires recognizing that President Obama is actually pretty moderate.

There is a fundamental problem with the feedback loop in American politics.

America’s greatest statesmen fear America’s political paralysis endangers our ability to lead the world.

The Establishment opposition to the current frontrunner has little to do with his policy ideas.

No, some mythical candidate will not swoop in and save the day for the Republican Party.

My wife, Kimberly Webb Joyner, died this morning in her sleep from unknown causes. She was 41.

How did Republicans get in this mess?

Treating entertainment as entertainment is one thing. Treating it as news and education is another.

Why we shouldn’t be surprised that police are using tools of violence against protestors.

The former pizza executive is a smart guy. But he’s not fit to run the country.

The Penn State child rape scandal raises some questions about what the heck has happened to people.

Michael Ellsberg argues that “Trying to Learn Clear Writing in College is Like Trying to Learn Sobriety in a Bar.”

A dwindling proportion of students are majoring in STEM fields. They’re likely making the wise choice.

Barry Ritholtz lists a dozen causes of the financial crisis.

It’s the 5% versus the 1% moreso than the 99% against the 1%.