Right-Wing Musical Chairs on Satellite TV

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

Hakeem Jeffries, Fox News, and the Dangers of Sloppy Rhetoric

It would be nice if politicians and cable news outlets were more responsible.

This image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0 via pXhere. This image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0 via pXhere.

Lawyers Win SCOTUS Case, Forced to Leave Firm

A rather bizarre coda to yesterday’s big Supreme Court decision.

A Fascistic and Authoritarian Response

Donald Trump and friends speak to the NRA.

America’s Gun Problem is Here to Stay

The obstacles to fixing the problem are many.

Federal Agents Using Strong-Arm Tactics in America’s Cities

Portland may be a preview of what’s to come.

South Carolina Debate Was Terrible

CBS did a lousy job.

Senate Report Alleges NRA Became A ‘Russian Asset’

A Senate report alleges that the National Rifle Association allowed itself to become a Russian asset,

Yes, More Problematic Communications from Trump

Not surprisingly, there are other phone call transcripts and other communications that further complicate Trump’s position.

Beto O’Rourke Hands Republicans A Gift On Guns

At last week’s debate, Beto O’Rourke handed Republicans and gun rights advocates a nicely wrapped gift with his claim that he would seize guns from otherwise law-abiding Americans.

Trump Backs Away From Gun Control Yet Again

As he has in the past, President Trump has backed away from support for any gun control measures in the wake of the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

Conservatism Has Become A Haven For Grifters And Frauds. No Wonder We Got Trump

At some point, what we call conservatism turned into a racket. It’s not surprising that this led directly to Trump.

Capitol Hill Republicans Kill Trump’s Infrastructure Plan In The Womb

Republicans have aborted President Trump’s lofty plan for a $2 trillion infrastructure deal just days after it was conceived.

Oliver North Out As NRA President Amid Ongoing Scandal

After just a year in office, Oliver North is out as President of the National Rifle Association as the group faces an ongoing series of scandals centered around Wayne LaPierre and others.

Kamala Harris Disqualified Because She Owns A Gun?

One opinion writer says that Senator Kamala Harris should be disqualified as a Democratic candidate because she owns a handgun.

Memetic Warfare and Stochaistic Terrorism

America’s tradition of unlimited free expression increases the danger of violence.

Federal Judge Blocks Release Of Plans For 3-D Printable Guns

A Federal Judge in Washington State has, at least temporarily, blocked the release of files that would allow anyone to make a 3-D printed gun. The First Amendment seems to clearly indicate that this ruling is wrong.

The Annapolis Shooting and the Gun Debate

Jarrod Ramos should have been in jail, let alone allowed to have any weapon more dangerous than a butter knife.

Efforts To Arm School Teachers Run Up Against A Problem: Insurance Companies

In the end, it may be insurance companies that have the biggest voice in the debate over arming teachers. 

N.R.A. President Oliver North Blames School Shootings On Drugs Used To Treat ADHD

The new President of the National Rifle Association has a new theory to explain mass shootings, but there’s no basis for believing it’s accurate.

Pence And Trump Teams Clash As Pence Tries To Assert Control Of Republican Politics

Quietly, Mike Pence is seeking to create his own power base inside the GOP even as the White House pushes back.

Oliver North: N.R.A. Being Treated Worse Than African-Americans During Jim Crow

Oliver North is fitting right in at the N.R.A.

Oliver North Named New President Of National Rifle Association

A blast from the past as Oliver North, who was once at the center of a major Washington scandal, is named President of the National Rifle Association.

NRA’s Post-Parkland Tone Deafness

Personal attacks on teenagers whose friends were murdered is a strategy sure to backfire.

McMaster Out, Bolton In

Uh oh.

Ralph Peters Suddenly ‘Ashamed’ of Fox News After Decade of Appearances

The network’s longtime “strategic analyst” is “ashamed” of his association because they’ve become a “propaganda machine.”

The Strange World of Shepard Smith

Having journalistic integrity at the Fair and Balanced network has never been more challenging.

National School Walkout Commemorates Florida School Shooting

Students across the country are staging 17-minute protests at 10 am in their time zones.

Trump Backs Away From Age Restrictions On Gun Sales

Not surprisingly, the Trump Administration is backing away from gun regulations opposed by the N.R.A.

N.R.A. Sues Over New Florida Gun Law

Within hours after the new Florida gun law was signed by Governor Rick Scott, the National Rifle Association had filed a lawsuit seeking to strike it down.

Smug Liberals, Conservative Trolls, and Jake Tapper

Two seemingly contradictory essays out today highlight the exhausting political conversation environment.

President Jello Walks Back His Comments On Gun Control

Once again, the Administration is walking back the President’s statements on a controversial issue.

Next-Generation Assault Rifle to ‘Pack a Punch Like a Tank’

Will the NRA lobby to have these on America’s streets?

Did Trump Really Move Left On Guns? Don’t Count On It

President Trump appeared to change positions on several gun control ideas, but he probably doesn’t mean it.

Walmart Joins Dick’s To Raise Minimum Age To Buy Any Gun To 21

Following yesterday’s move by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart has raised the age for all gun sales to 21.

Donald Trump Channels Archie Bunker

“All In The Family” predicted a policy proposal that President Trump and many other conservatives have made in the wake of the Florida school shooting.

Prospects For Congressional Action On Guns Are As Dim As Ever

Despite the activism we’ve seen in the wake of the school shooting in Florida, it’s unlikely that we’ll see significant Congressional action on guns.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Announces Limits On Gun Sales, Stops Selling “Assault Weapons”

Dick’s Sporting Goods will no longer sell “assault weapons” at any of its stores, and will limit the sale of any gun to people aged 21 and above.

Words You Can’t Say

The February 2 episode of This American Life gets at some of my frustrations over our inability to have a meaningful discussion about pretty much anything.

FedEx Takes Right Position on NRA, Faces Backlash

The shipping giant FedEx is coming under serious pressure to sever its ties with the NRA. Its president has issued a strong statement as to why they won’t.

Georgia May Strip Delta Tax Break Over Its NRA Break

I don’t see how the state legislature making tax decisions on the basis of the public position an company takes is legal under the 14th Amendment. 

Poll Shows Increased Support For Gun Control In The Wake Of Florida Shooting

New polls show increased support for various gun control measures, including limitations on so-called “assault weapons,” but that doesn’t mean we’re likely to see Congressional action on the subject.

Anti-NRA Boycott Gaining Steam

More than a dozen companies have ended relationships with the gun rights organization and protesters are demanding more follow suit.

Are Laws Banning ‘Assault Weapons’ Unconstitutional? According To Four Federal Courts Of Appeal, They Aren’t.

Since the Supreme Court handed down its decision in District of Columbia v. Heller four separate Federal appellate courts have ruled that state and local laws banning “assault weapons” do not violate the Second Amendment.

Momentum For A Law Banning Bump Stocks Has Slowed

Notwithstanding overwhelming public support, Congress is not moving forward on a proposal to ban bump stocks.

Republicans In Congress Open To Banning Bump Stocks

Don’t hold your breath, but the Las Vegas shooting may actually prompt Congress to do something.

The Vast Majority Of Americans Don’t Own A Gun

Some interesting statistics.

“America’s Greatest Domestic Threats”

Wayne LaPierre’s perverted view of the world in two sentences.

The Power of Narrative: Gun Sales and Obama

Perception v. reality.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Speak Softly and Carry A Ghundi Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.