Australia Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

After a long wait, gays and lesbians in Australia have achieved marriage equality.

Presidential Authority To Order Nuclear Launches In The Trump Era

Is it time to reexamine Presidential authority to launch a nuclear strike?

Fox News Host Shepard Smith Debunks His Own Network’s Favorite Clinton Conspiracy Theory

A Fox News host has debunked the Uranium One conspiracy theory being pushed by his own network.

Australians Vote Overwhelmingly In Favor Of Marriage Equality In Non-Binding Referendum

An overwhelming majority of Australians voted in favor of marriage equality in a non-binding referendum. The ball is now in the court of the nation’s legislature to move forward.

About the Uranium

Squirrel!

American-Backed Forces Capture Raqqa, But ISIS Is Far From Defeated

The capital of the purported caliphate declared by ISIS has apparently fallen, but that doesn’t mean the end of ISIS. In fact, it may make the group more dangerous.

A Weak Defense of Extreme Gerrymandering

More thoughts related to Gill v. Whitford and the problem of extreme gerrymandering.

Trump Slump? International Travel To U.S. Suffers Noticeable Drop Since January

Commerce Department figures report a measurable drop in international travel to the United States since the start of 2017.

Pair Of New Lawsuits Challenge Trump’s Transgender Military Ban

President Trump’s effort to ban transgender Americans from serving in the military faces two new legal challenges.

Trump Administration Set To Formalize Transgender Military Ban

The Trump Administration has reportedly finalized its order to the Defense Department regarding a ban on military service by transgender soldiers.

Charlottesville Reopens The Debate Over Confederate Symbols

It’s time to stop honoring the symbols of a nation of racist traitors.

Transgender Troops Sue Trump Over Military Ban

Just about two weeks after being announced, the President’s proposed ban on military service by transgender troops is being challenged in Court.

Trump Endorses Plan To Cut Legal Immigration By Half

The President has endorsed a bill that would cut legal immigration in half.

Trump Announces Ban On Transgender Military Service

A step backward on civil rights from a President who claimed he would be a friend to the LGBT community.

Trump And Putin Had Previously Undisclosed Meeting At G-20

Is there anyone in the Trump Administration or family who hasn’t held undisclosed meetings with Russians?

Robert Mueller Investigating Jared Kushner’s Finances

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has a Trump family member in the cross hairs.

Withdrawal From The Paris Accords: Much Ado About Nothing?

President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accords was neither the big win his supporters claim nor the disaster his critics fear.

Trump Considering Reversing Obama Policy On Cuba

President Trump is reportedly considering at least partly reversing one of the great foreign policy successes of the Obama Presidency.

Trump Reportedly Ready To Withdraw U.S. From Paris Climate Accord

Reports indicate that President Trump is preparing to fulfill a campaign promise and withdraw the U.S. from the accord on climate change reached in Paris in 2015.

Donald Trump’s European Vacation

Donald Trump’s first overseas trip went about as badly as you’d expect it would.

Canada On Track For Marijuana Legalization By Mid-2018

Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party is set to follow through on a campaign promise.

At Least Three Dead, Twenty Injured, In Apparent Terror Attack In London

An apparent terror attack outside Parliament in London.

Estimates of the Trade and Welfare Effects of NAFTA?

I am going to construct a complicated mathematical model of the economy, and then I’m going to calibrate it using some actual data, and in the end I will be able to tell everyone how much better or worse off they are given various changes in the economy. And it will be totally and completely true. Trust me, it’s math and therefore science.

Mattis Right on NATO

My latest is out at RealClearDefense.

A ‘Trump Slump’ In The U.S. Travel Industry?

Travel industry experts are reporting a noticeable drop in international travel and tourism since Donald Trump was elected President.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Deal or No Deal Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Republicans Against Legal Immigration

Two Republican Senators are introducing legislation that would result in drastic reductions in the number of people allowed into the country legally.

Trump Reverses Obama’s Course On Keystone XL Pipeline And Other Projects

President Trump reverses a decision made by President Obama just over a year ago.

A “Republic v. Democracy” Lexicon

Concepts, basic applications, and even a bibliography! Merry Festivus, everyone.

The Coal Industry Is Dying, And It Isn’t Coming Back

Canada is phasing out coal as a source of electricity production by 2030. The same thing will happen in the United States no matter how much politicians try to stop it.

Leonard Cohen, Legendary Singer, Songwriter, And Poet, Dead At 82

Another great loss for music in what has been a difficult year.

I’m A Political Junkie, But 2016 Has Burned Me Out

I’ve been something of a political news junkie for 40 years now. This year has burned me out.

Summer Olympics Were Lowest Rated Since 2000

Despite being much more conveniently located for viewers in the United States, viewership for the just-concluded Olympics were the lowest they’ve been in sixteen years.

Dozens Dead, Dozens More Injured, As Truck Rams Bastille Day Crowd In Nice

A night of terror mars Bastille Day celebrations in France.

What Does The Success Of Brexit Tell Us About Donald Trump’s Chances? Pretty Much Nothing

Many pundits are arguing that the victory for ‘Leave’ presages good news for Trump in November, but there’s no reason to believe that.

So…That Stimulus

A report card for the 2009 Stimulus Bill.

Morley Safer, Legendary 60 Minutes Correspondent, Dies At 84

A journalistic legend has passed away just days after his retirement was officially announced.

Egyptian Airliner With 66 On Board Crashes In Mediterranean Sea

An EgyptAir jetliner with 66 on board disappeared from radar just before beginning its decent into Cairo.

Harriet Tubman To Replace Andrew Jackson On $20 Bill

Woman who liberated slaves to replace slaveholding President who presided over Native American genocide on American currency.

New Jersey Judge Rules Ted Cruz Is A “Natural Born Citizen”

A New Jersey judge, along with a Judge in Pennsylvania, is among the first to rule on the meaning of the ‘natural born citizen’ clause.

Trump And Cruz Split ‘Super Saturday’ Wins While Rubio And Kasich Struggle To Stay Relevant

Donald Trump and Ted Cruz split the wins on ‘Super Saturday,’ while Marco Rubio and John Kasich continue to struggle for relevance in the 2016 race.