Henry Kissinger, 1923-2023

The most important and controversial American diplomat of the postwar era is gone at 100.

House Leadership Crisis Continues [Updated]

Jim Jordan is trying to bully his way into office. It almost certainly won’t work.

Journalistic Ethics and Mangled Quotes

Striking the balance between cruel and misleading.

Right-Wing Musical Chairs on Satellite TV

Weirdly, politicians who don’t understand the debt ceiling also don’t understand other things.

The GOP Clown Show

Just when you thought they couldn’t get more incompetent.

Tabs for Friday

Because I really do need to close some of these tabs.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a Medal of Valor ceremony, Monday, May 16, 2022, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a Medal of Valor ceremony, Monday, May 16, 2022, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

The News is Bad for Biden

The nature of American political reporting distorts our perception of reality.

Queer Couples, Divorce, and Custody Rights

An ugly divorce exposes a gap in our legal structure.

Orrin Hatch, 1934-2022

The longest-serving Republican Senator has died at the age of 88.

From the “You Can’t Make this Stuff Up” File

Drug smuggling edition.

Christmas Eve Tabs

Gotta make space for all the new tabs that we are going to get for Christmas!

The Phony-Tough and Crazy-Brave

Violence, masculinity, and American politics.

Today in Disingenuous Arguments for Voter ID

It really does feel like a daily occurrence.

COVID and Sons

Truly the dumbest timeline.

COVID-19 Has Killed More Americans than 9/11

We’re passing grim milestones on a daily basis.

Does Michael Bloomberg “Radiate Electability”?

One political scientist says yes. A bunch of others say wait, what?

No, Trump’s Courting of Senators isn’t ‘Bribery’

The President is committing enough high crimes and misdemeanors without us manufacturing them.

Leader Of ISIS Believed Killed In Raid In Syria

There’s apparently big news in the fight against ISIS.

Trump’s Approval Rating Higher Than Obama’s at This Juncture

A startling statistic that hides a more comforting reality.

Lee Iacocca, Who Headed Two Of The Big Three Automakers, Dies At 94

One of America’s fist celebrity CEO’s has passed away at the age of 94.

Fire the Commandant (if He Leaked the Memos)

There are even higher obligations than taking care of Marines.

Where Have All the Editors Gone?

Grammar and spelling errors abound at all but a handful of news sites.

The Demise of Time Inc.

For decades, it was the preeminent brand in American journalism. Now its pieces are being sold at bargain rates.

Why Do We Have Congressional Chaplains To Begin With?

The incident involving Paul Ryan and the House Chaplain has raised some questions.

OTB’s Engage Feed

You many have noticed the array of images and links under the footer of post pages. Here’s what it is.

Megan McArdle Hired as WaPo Columnist

While I don’t always agree with her, I’ve never ceased to be amazed at the sheer vitriol she inspires, given that she’s unfailingly polite, not discernibly partisan, and bends over backwards to acknowledge the merits of competing viewpoints.

Illegal Drugs Illegal Drugs

Norway Poised To Decriminalize All Illegal Drugs

Norway is poised to make some big changes to its drug laws.

Lawrence Lessig Spins A Bizarre Scenario To Put Hillary Clinton In The White House

There’s something in the water up at Harvard……

White House Aides Using Personal Devices, Private Email For Official Communication

While there are real differences between what’s being reported about White House officials such as Jared Kushner and what Hillary Clinton did, the charge of hypocrisy is well-founded.

Hillary Clinton Has A Theory To Explain Why White Married Women Didn’t Vote For Her

Hillary Clinton has found another group to blame for her loss, educated white married women in suburbia.

Trump Jr.’s Explanation For Russia Meeting Raises More Questions

Donald Trump Jr. spoke yesterday with Senate investigators, and his answers raise more questions than they answer.

John McLaughlin, McLaughlin Group Host, Dead At 89

A precursor to modern cable political news with an interesting past has passed away at the age of 89.

A Basic Observation on Trump (as Candidate and Potential President)

If you think that once elected Trump will be corralled by cooler heads and experts, I would submit to you that this week underscores this will not be the case.

Nancy Reagan Dead At 94

Nancy Reagan was a crucial part what made Ronald Reagan the man he was, and today she passed away at the age of 94.

Harper Lee, Author Of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird,’ Dead At 89

The reclusive author of one of the greatest American novels ever written has died at the age of 89.

Questions About Foreign Donations To Clinton Foundation Could Dog Hillary’s Campaign

New allegations regarding foreign government donations to the Clinton Foundation seem likely to become a campaign issue.

George W. Bush Gets CIA Award

President George W. Bush had a running battle with the CIA throughout his eight years in office. Now, they’ve given him an award.

Arnaud de Borchgrave Dead at 88

The intrepid foreign correspondent and editor Arnaud de Borchgrave has died, aged 88, of cancer.

Legendary Washington Post Editor Ben Bradlee Dies At 93

The passing of a true legend in American journalism.

Why Were Commercial Jets Flying Over Eastern Ukraine To Begin With?

Basically, the answer is that nobody really thought there was much of a risk that a plane could be shot down.

Obama Secretly Backing Warren Over Clinton, Declares Lying Hack

Ed Klein says he has “Democrat sources” who Obama wants Warren to continue his mission to “transform America into a European-style democratic-socialist state.”

Newsweek’s Golden Age

Eleanor Clift reflects on her “final issue after 50 years at Newsweek.”

William P. Clark, Reagan National Security Advisor, Dead at 81

Bill Clark, who served as National Security Advisor and Interior Secretary under Ronald Reagan, has died at 81.

Washington Post To Be Sold To Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos

One of the nation’s papers of record is changing owners for the first time in 80 years.

Older Mothers Have Taller, Thinner Kids

Kids born to over-35 mothers tend to be taller and thinner.