ISIS Attack Kills More Than 140 In Baghdad

A third major terrorist attack inside of a week.

At Least 41 Dead In Terror Attack On Istanbul Airport

A massive attack hits Istanbul’s airport.

Donald Trump Resurrects The Worst Of Clinton Derangement Syndrome

For Donald Trump at least, the start of the General Election campaign is the perfect time to dredge up decades old conspiracy theories.

Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Shooter Robert Dear Found Incompetent To Stand Trial

No trial for Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Robert Dear, at least not for now.

Democracy, Demagogues, and Populist Pandering

The rise of Trump and Sanders has resurrected a debate as old as Western civilization.

Paul Ryan Rules Out The Idea Of Being Drafted As GOP Nominee

Paul Ryan takes himself out of contention as a potential Republican nominee.

Terrorist Attacks Strike Brussels

A series of bomb attacks across Brussels has left at least 26 dead, and dozens more injured.

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.

If Only A Contested Convention Can Stop Trump, It’s A Plan That’s Unlikely To Succeed

It seems increasingly apparent that the only way to stop Donald Trump now is by trying to force a contested convention. It also seems clear that such a plan probably wouldn’t succeed.

United States Putting ‘Advisers’ On The Front Lines In Nigeria’s War Against Boko Haram

The U.S. is poised to send troops to the front lines of yet another war we have no reason to be involved in.

Rush Limbaugh Really Doesn’t Get Donald Trump

Chris Cillizza thinks “Rush Limbaugh totally gets Donald Trump.” I disagree.

Michael Bloomberg Apparently Thinking Of Running For President For Some Reason

We’re in another Presidential election cycle so it must be time to speculate about Michael Bloomberg again.

Iraq/ISIS Updates

Boko Haram Update

The Radicalization of Luke Skywalker

A pseudonymous government relations professional examines “The Radicalization of Luke Skywalker: A Jedi’s Path to Jihad.”

Have There Really Been 355 ‘Mass Shootings’ This Year? Only If You’re Relying On Bad Data

No, there really haven’t been 355 ‘mass shootings’ since January 1st. Not unless you’re relying on completely unreliable data.

Frank Gifford, C.T.E., And The N.F.L.’s Continuing Concussion Problem

The news that the late football legend Frank Gifford suffered from the same chronic brain disease that has been diagnosed in many N.F.L. players in recent years, and the upcoming release of a new film on the issue, seems certain to increase pressure to protect players at all levels of football.

Democrat John Bel Edwards Handily Defeats David Vitter In Louisiana Governor’s Race

Democrat John Bel Edwards scored an easy victory over Senator David Vitter last night in Louisiana, and Vitter announced that he’d be leaving the Senate after his term is up.

Chief Suspect In Paris Attacks Killed In Police Raid, French Authorities Report

French officials have confirmed that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the man believed to be the plotter of last Friday’s attacks in Paris, was killed in a police raid early Wednesday morning. This doesn’t mean authorities in France or elsewhere in Europe are any less concerned about future attacks, though.

No, Americans Should Not Feel Guilty For Showing Solidarity With France

In the wake of the attacks in Paris, some people have argued that American solidarity with France, in contrast to seeming disregard for tragedy elsewhere, is something we should feel bad about. That argument is ridiculous.

France Strikes ISIS As Investigation Into Paris Attacks Continues

France launched its first attacks against ISIS even as the investigation into Friday’s attacks continues, but it’s not clear that the retaliation really accomplished anything.

The Paris Attacks Have Made The Syrian Refugee Crisis Much More Complicated

The news that at least some of the men who were involved in the terrorist attacks in Paris were among the refugees who have arrived in Europe since the summer is likely to complicate an already complicated situation.

French Suicide Bomber Posed as Refugee

This was not only predictable but predicted.

French President Blames ISIS For Paris’s Night Of Terror, Vows French Response

France’s President blames ISIS, vows response, as death toll from Paris terror attacks stands at at least 127.

A Night Of Terror In Paris

Reports of at least up to sixty dead, a hostage situation, and attacks at multiple locations in Paris.

California’s Governor Signs Right To Die Bill

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide, making California the fifth state to legalize the practice and possibly giving real political momentum to the Right To Die movement.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Goo Goo Ga Joob Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

California Legislature Passes Bill Legalizing Physician Assisted Suicide

California’s legislature has approved a bill that would legalize physician assisted suicide in the nation’s largest state.

Voters Would Blame Republicans For Government Shutdown, Poll Shows

Some Republicans are threatening a government shutdown over funding of Planned Parenthood, but a new poll shows that it would be a big political risk for Republicans.

Another Troubling Police Encounter with a Black Motorist

A few days late, but a story worth noting if it has escaped notice.

‘Hillary Loses’ Scenario Demonstrates Why She Wins

A Republican political consultant says Hillary Clinton is in danger of losing the nomination.

Supreme Court Declines Review In Case Involving San Francisco Handgun Law

In a setback for the gun rights movement, the Supreme Court has let stand a San Francisco law that places tough restrictions on handgun ownership.

Americans Are Becoming More Liberal On Social Issues

A new poll shows that Americans have moved to the left on a wide variety of social issues.

Vast Majority Of Americans Support Physician-Assisted Suicide

A new poll shows that nearly seven in ten Americans believe that people who are terminally ill should be allowed to end their lives with the help of a doctor.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Needs More Cowbell Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

The Triumph Of Bureaucracy: Al Qaeda’s Job Application

Who knew terrorists had an H.R. Department?

Meanwhile, In North Korea

North Korea now claims it has miniaturized nuclear warheads sufficienctly so that they can be placed on missiles. They also say they can launch missiles from submarines.

How Will ‘Mad Men’ End?

The final episode airs tonight. How will Matt Weiner will wrap it up?

ISIS is What it Says it Is

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

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Who’s Your al-Baghdadi? Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Only One Person Has ‘Blood On His Hands’ In The Deaths Of Officers Ramos And Liu, And He’s Already Dead

NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were shot dead while sitting in their patrol car In Brooklyn. And those suggesting that anyone other than the killer has “blood on their hands” are being absurd.

Sandy Hook Shooting Families File Legally Dubious Lawsuit Against AR-15 Manufacturer

The families of many of the Sandy Hook victims are seeking to have the manufacturer of the AR-15 held legally responsible for what happened. While understandable, their lawsuit is misplaced and largely without legal merit.

American Held By Cuba Released, U.S. And Cuba To Begin Talks On Normalizing Relations

An American freed from captivity, and potentially huge changes in America’s diplomatic and trade relationship with Cuba.

Sowell Deploys a TTBS