Mort Sahl, 1927-2021

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

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.

Colin Powell, 1937-2021

The trailblazing soldier-statesman has died at 84.

ESPN, Jock Culture, and Jon Gruden

Is the Worldwide Leader responsible oblivious to bigotry?

The Psychology of Internet Fame

Our brains are wired to seek approval but may not be equipped to handle our modern existence.

President Joe Biden observes trainers and apprentices at work at the final assembly station during a tour of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Lanham, Maryland. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden observes trainers and apprentices at work at the final assembly station during a tour of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Lanham, Maryland. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Selling the ‘Build Back Better’ Plan

The Catch-22 of passing a massive spending bill in an undemocratic system.

Michael K. Williams, 1966-2021

The actor known for his roles on “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire” is gone at 54.

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The Forever War Isn’t Over By a Long Shot

We may be out of Afghanistan but the ‘war on terror’ is likely to continue indefinitely.

A U.S. Marine opens the door as President Joe Biden prepares to disembark Marine One, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Antrim County Airport in Bellaire, Michigan. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) A U.S. Marine opens the door as President Joe Biden prepares to disembark Marine One, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Antrim County Airport in Bellaire, Michigan. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Biden Blamed for Afghan Fiasco

The collapse is not his doing. But he’s accountable for the poor planning.

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America Getting Less White

The long demographic trend continues.

The Radicalization of Ross Douthat

An interesting podcast conversation.

Biden’s Plunging Job Approval!

Democrats and Independents are losing their enthusiasm. But some perspective is needed.

The Problem isn’t Breyer, it is one of Constitutional Design

Put the frustration where it belongs.

Biden’s Entirely Normal Vacancies

He has nominated only 304 people out 1,200+ that require Senate confirmation.

Culture Wars the Liberals’ Fault?

Some people claim there’s a woman to blame.

McConnell Seems to Rule out Confirming Biden SCOTUS Pick after 2022

He’s in the minority but promises to start obstructing again if that changes.

Stephen Breyer’s Retirement Timing

Should he be worried about the appearance of partisan gaming?

ACA Record

Millions have health insurance who otherwise wouldn’t.

Who’s to Blame for the War Dead?

The answer seems simple but it isn’t.

Damon Weaver Dead at 23

The budding journalist interviewed President Obama as an 11-year-old.

President Donald J. Trump participates in a FOX News Channel virtual town hall entitled America Together: Returning to Work, with co-moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum live from the Lincoln Memorial Sunday, May 3, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) President Donald J. Trump participates in a FOX News Channel virtual town hall entitled America Together: Returning to Work, with co-moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum live from the Lincoln Memorial Sunday, May 3, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

The Fox News Effect?

Republicans are more partisan—and distrustful of government—than Democrats.

The Filibuster Isn’t The Problem

It’s undemocratic and we should get rid of it. But doing so isn’t a panacea.

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 Declares Armenian Genocide a Genocide

The President has overturned decades of US foreign policy and alienated a NATO ally for, well, reasons.

Walter Mondale, 1928-2021

Jimmy Carter’s Vice President and the 1984 Democratic nominee has died at 93.

Leaving Afghanistan After Only 20 Years

Four administrations and two decades later, it’s about to be over.

Trump Judges Will Hit Their Peak in 2040

A quirk in our system combined with shrewd gamesmanship will give them unprecedented power.

Virginia Legalizes Marijuana

My home state has become the first in the South to join the trend.

Democrats Have 9 Point Advantage

49 percent of Americans lean Democratic, compared to 40 for Republicans. Yet a plurality identify as Independent.

President Joe Biden signs two executive orders on healthcare Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House. President Joe Biden signs two executive orders on healthcare Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Biden’s Slow Appointment Process

Key posts across the government remain unfilled.

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.

Judging Presidents and Presidencies

We tend to focus on the wrong qualities in our early assessments.

Biden First Since Reagan to Get All Cabinet Picks Confirmed

The seemingly unremarkable event hadn’t happened in four decades.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a virtual bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in a virtual bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Liberals Upset Biden Foreign Policy is Biden’s

Those expecting Bernie Sanders’ agenda are sorely disappointed.

Yes, Presidential Approval Matters

An explanation to a question you likely weren’t asking.

Amazon Killing Libraries?

The quasi-monopoly power of the world’s largest bookstore is problematic. Maybe.

President Joe Biden signs two executive orders on healthcare Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House. President Joe Biden signs two executive orders on healthcare Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Biden’s First 50 Days

A way-too-early assessment of how it’s going.

President Joe Biden walks along the Colonnade of the White House Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, en route to the Oval Office. President Joe Biden walks along the Colonnade of the White House Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, en route to the Oval Office.

Biden’s Slow Start?

What’s taking him so long?

Fact-Checking in a Fact-Free World

Debunking urban legends and Internet rumors is harder than it used to be.

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Merrick Garland Ready to Take on Domestic Extremists

The man most famous for getting screwed out of a Supreme Court seat has a more interesting backstory.

Rush Limbaugh, 1951-2021

The talk radio megastar has died, aged 70.

Trump Trial Fallout: Who Knows?

Early analysis merely confirms analysts’ priors.

The GOP Isn’t Dead. It’s Resting.

The GOP, alas, is not going anywhere.

All Lies Are Not Created Equal

President Biden told a little fib.

Patriotism Re-ennobled

President Biden masterfully used the pageantry of the day to shatter the self-asserted Trumpian monopoly on patriotism.

Insecurity-in-Chief

Trump brags about being the “most admired” and provides yet another example of poor understanding of data.

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

Trump’s Final Meltdown

The President of the United States is an existential threat to the Republic.

Biden’s Team Shaping Up

Some square pegs are being forced into some round holes for the sake of inclusion.

Party of Grievance

Not of governance.

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Biden Can’t Fire Postmaster General

When an apolitical process gets politicized.

Biden’s Defense Secretary

My latest for Defense One.

More Nonsense About the Election

A shadowy flight into the realm of evidence that does not exist.