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Political Dialog in the Age of Trump

It’s difficulty to have have a conversation with an albatross hanging over it.

Civility Strained by Coronavirus

We’re a long, long way from normal.

Boy Scouts File for Bankruptcy

The venerable youth organization has fallen on hard times.

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Analysis vs Advocacy

A recurring source of friction in the OTB conversation.

Paperwork and the Poor

Our measures for preventing abuse of our social welfare system are preventing those who need it most go without.

The Hidden Left-Liberal Divide

One side is arguing over rules while the other is focused on consequences.

Majority Supports Life In Prison Over Death Penalty, Poll Finds

A new poll finds that a strong majority of Americans support life in prison instead of the death penalty.

Thinking About Arguing About Politics Over Thanksgiving Dinner? Don’t

Given the times we live in, you may be tempted to argue about politics tomorrow. Here’s my advice — don’t do it.

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Don’t Be Afraid Of Technology

There’s far more good in technology than bad, but these days we seem to be far more focused on the bad right now.

Where Has the Decade Gone?

No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.

Discourse II

Expanding on yesterday afternoon’s post.

The Impossibility of Discourse

The liberal notion that people are persuadable through airing of ideas is obsolete.

The End of Consensus

A conservative columnist argues the legitimacy of our system is in question.

Bob Woodward Heckled for Doing His Job

The norms of social discourse are rapidly changing in the #MeToo era.

Fundraising While Black

An incident this week in Arkansas is just the latest example of a depressing and dangerous trend.

This Reactionary Moment

Continuing the conversation from James Joyner’s post.

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Conservatives, Reactionaries, and Backlash

Is the left unwittingly fueling a reactionary moment?

20 Dead, 26 Injured In El Paso Mass Shooting. Hate Crime Suspected.

Another day, another mass shooting and, as is becoming all too common in this country, this one appears to have been racially motivated.

What is American Patriotism?

There’s an inherent tension in our national ethos.

The Russia-Right Wing Talking Point Cycle

How insidious talking points spread in the modern media environment.

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Jeffrey Epstein and Guilt by Association

A weird media narrative has formed.

Is It Possible To Be Patriotic In The Era Of Trump?

Is it possible, or even appropriate, to express pride in a country that is being led by a President who stands against everything this country stands for?

Jon Stewart Blasts Congress for Indifference to 9/11 First Reponders

Almost eighteen years after the greatest terrorist attack on our country, we haven’t taken care of those who risked it all.

What Really Motivates The “Pro-Life” Movement?

At least some segments of the “pro-life” movement seem more concerned with policing morality than they do with protecting life.

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Men, Work, and Self-Worth

Most of us define ourselves largely through our jobs. That’s increasingly a problem.

Virginia Woman Ordered Dog Euthanized, Buried With Her After She Died

A Virginia woman left unusual instructions for the Executor of her will, and it’s become something of a controversy.

Is San Francisco’s Gentrification Such a Bad Thing?

The city by the Bay is rapidly transforming. Should we lament that?

Tony Robbins Accused of Harassment and Malpractice

America’s leading motivational speaker and self-help guru is coming under fire.

Is America “Ready” For A Gay President?

Despite poll numbers suggesting otherwise, one political analyst suggests that the United States may not be “ready” for a gay President.

Corruption in Baltimore

This is my shocked face.

Our Shrinking Cities

The New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago metro areas are all losing people.

Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Pledges from wealthy men to help rebuild Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire is generating backlash.

New Hampshire Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To Prosecutions Of Topless Women

The New Hampshire Supreme Court rejected a challenge by three women to their prosecution for going topless on a public beach in the Granite State.

Should There Be A Political Statute Of Limitations On Acting Like An Idiot?

The cases of Ralph Northam and Mark Herring raise a question of when, if ever, something we did in the past should follow us for the rest of our lives.

MAGA Hats the New White Hood?

Wearing Donald Trump’s famous campaign symbol creates a presumption of ill intent. Is that fair?

Is There Room For Forgiveness And Redemption In The #MeToo Era?

Can society forgive the men caught up in the #MeToo movement? Is it even our place to decide?

Days After Condoning Wearing Blackface, Megyn Kelly Is Out At NBC

Just days after appearing to condone donning blackface in the style of a 19th Century minstrel show, Megyn Kelly is out at NBC News.

Mormons Don’t Want to Be Called ‘Mormons’ Anymore

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints wants to be referred to by its given name. Shouldn’t we respect that wish?

Cold Civil War or Civil Cold War?

The Kavanaugh fight is just another indicator of our national divide.

Marijuana Legalization Continues To Move Forward

In November, Michigan voters will be able to make their state the tenth state to legalize marijuana. This is just the latest step in what seems to be an irreversible trend.

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Outrage Over Minority Rule

There is a frustration and a growing sense that the American political system is illegitimate.

Laura Ingall Wilder’s Name Stripped from Children’s Book Award

A pioneer woman born in 1867 depicted American Indians and African-Americans in ways that are cringe-worthy today.

The Racist New York Lawyer And Internet Vigilantism: How Far Is Too Far?

New York attorney Aaron Schlossberg found himself on the receiving end of an Internet firestorm this week. His case raises some interesting questions about Internet vigilantism.

Mormons Sever Ties with Boy Scouts

The church sponsors 20 percent of the youth organization’s membership.

The Limits of Comedy

Controversies involving Jimmy Kimmel and “The Simpsons” highlight a perennial question.

Women Competing With Porn?

Maureen Dowd blames the Internet for women having sex with men they find unattractive.

Kevin Williamson Doesn’t Want Women Murdered and Doesn’t Belong at The Atlantic

Argumentation without the intent to persuade is masturbation, not journalism.

Kevin Williamson and the Limits of Polite Discourse

The Atlantic fired one of their few conservative voices for saying women who have abortions should be hanged. Was this beyond the pale?

Woman Fired After Flipping The Bird To Trump’s Motorcade Sues Former Employer

A woman who was fired after a photograph of her giving the middle finger to President Trump’s motorcade went viral is suing her former employer. She doesn’t have much of a case.