Supreme Court Says Texas Can Ban Confederate License Plates, Endangering Freedom Of Speech

The Supreme Court ruled that states don’t have to grant license plates that display the Confederate flag. Their decision has the potential to seriously harm the First Amendment.

The Treasury Department Wants To Put A Woman On The $10 Bill

Surely it’s time to put a woman on American currency again, but why go after Alexander Hamilton?

Arlington Assholes Up Bullshit Fine For Swearing in Public

It could cost you $250 to say “F- Arlington” if you happen to be in Arlington when you say it.

Hillary Misrepresents Citizen’s United, Says She’ll Demand Promises To Overturn From Nominees

Hillary Clinton told supporters she’d require Supreme Court nominees to pledge to overturn Citizens United, a decision she completely misrepresented.

Republicans Are Talking About Eliminating Birthright Citizenship Again

Republicans on Capitol Hill are talking about fundamentally changing what it means to be an American, and it’s a bad idea.

Abraham Lincoln, 150 Years Later

150 years later, Abraham Lincoln continues to inspire us.

The Bright Side of RFRA

We’re down to debating whether bigots should have to sell cakes to gay people.

Putting the Civil Rights Movement into Historical Perspective

Thinking about comparative American struggles against tyranny.

Alabama First at Something

Sadly whenever Alabama is first at something (save perhaps in football) it is never for something good.

ISIS is What it Says it Is

The Atlantic has a fascinating cover story by Graeme Wood titled “What ISIS Really Wants.”

Ben Carson, Not A Serious Candidate, Still Equates America To Nazi Germany

Ben Carson is not a serious candidate for President, but he’s likely to get a lot of support from the GOP’s Tea Party wing.

Hyperpartisanship Harms American Politics, And American Life

There’s more to life than politics. Unfortunately, there are many Americans who don’t seem to recognize that fact.

Fear And Loathing In The Age Of Ebola

As usual, politicians and pundits are helping to create a climate of fear and concern about Ebola that is not justified by the facts.

Time To Get Rid Of The Star Spangled Banner?

After 200 years, Francis Scott Key’s most famous work may have outlived its usefulness..

Scottish Independence Becoming More Likely?

With just nine days to go, it’s anyone’s guess how the Scottish Independence vote will turn out.

Todd Akin Has No Regrets About His Comments About ‘Legitimate Rape’

Just in time for the midterms, Todd Akin is back to remind voters of the GOP’s problems with female voters.

Boko Haram Leader Vows to Sell Kidnapped Girls

Boko Haram is threatening to sell the 200-plus Nigerian girls it has kidnapped into slavery.

Two Weeks Later, 234 Nigerian Schoolgirls Are Still Missing. Where Is The American Media?

A prime example of the failure of the “infotainment” industry that American news media has turned into.

Rand Paul And Others On The Right Denounce Cliven Bundy

Cliven Bundy still has his defenders among the hardcore right, but many people have joined Kentucky’s junior Senator in throwing Cliven Bundy under the bus

Political Polarization vs Political Warfare

Polarization is not the cause of our problems.

Cohen Steps in it

More on the Symbols of the South

The notion that the past has been fully settled is simply incorrect and our debates over symbols illustrate this fact.

The Economics of Slavery

Some striking data to illustrate the role slavery played in the economy of the South.

Was The American Civil War Avoidable?

Rather than asking whether it was “worth it,” the important historical question regarding the Civil War is whether it could have been avoided.

Rejection Letters of the Philosophers

A new blog, Rejection Letters of the Philosophers, “imagin[es] what the greats of history might have been faced with, had they been forced to publish or perish.”

Was the American Civil War Worth It?

Yes, it ended slavery. But at a huge cost.

Questions For “Constitutional Conservatives” Regarding The House’s Abortion Bill

Why did House Republicans vote overwhelmingly for a bill that their own theories would find to be unconstitutional?

Only Obama Can Go To Morehouse

President Obama delivered another powerful speech on race.

Is The Gun Debate Over?

Conor Friedersdorf contends “The U.S. Already Had a Conversation About Guns—and the Pro Side Won.”

Jefferson Was Neither A Monster Nor A Saint

Vilifying Thomas Jefferson is as much as mistake as placing him on a pedestal.

Thomas Jefferson: Monster of Monticello?

In a NYT op-ed titled “The Monster of Monticello” Paul Finkelman expresses his befuddlement that people play down Thomas Jefferson’s legacy as a slave owner.

US Congress War Criminal Free

An ode to one-term Congressman Allen West.

Andrew Sullivan: If Romney Wins Virginia And Florida, It’s The Return Of The Confederacy

Equating opposition to the President with racism is absurd.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Todd Akin Believes Doctors Give Abortions To Women Who Aren’t Pregnant

Seriously, how did this guy ever get elected to Congress?

A Romney Critic’s Case Against Obama

Mitt Romney is a deeply flawed candidate, but that doesn’t mean the President is any better.

150 Years Ago Today, The Bloodiest Day In American History

Today is the anniversary of a significant turning point in the Civil War.