Shinzo Abe Murdered

Japan’s longest-serving prime minister was killed at a campaign rally. He was 67.

Boris Johnson Resigns as Tory Leader

He plans to hang on as PM through the fall but likely won’t be able to.

White House Rudderless, Aimless, and Hopeless?

Some Democrats are less than pleased.

Myths of American Democracy

Tweaking the message and getting out the vote don’t matter as much as strategists think.

CNN Boss Eschews ‘Big Lie’ Branding

The new honcho at the original 24 hour news network wants to be more subtle and less alarmest.

Takeaways From the Takeaways

It’s not all about Trump.

Observations on Day Two of the Hearings

Basically: Trump is a liar or delusional (perhaps both?).

Fox Tried to Derail the ‘Big Lie’ Before Going All In

Chris Stirewalt takes a victory lap.

Watergate at 50

Half a century have passed since a botched burglary changed history.

The January 6 Committee’s Audience

It was yuuuge! And nobody saw it!

The Anglicization of Spanish Place Names

You-VAL-dee? You-VAHL-day? Oo-VAHL-deh?

Two Republican Parties?

Some GOP governors are taking a stance against Trump.

Star Trek Goes Woke!

Has a franchise that’s always been political gone too far?

Monday Morning Tab Clearing

For your consideration.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, addresses his remarks at a roundtable on donating plasma Thursday, July 30, 2020, at the American Red Cross-National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour) Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, addresses his remarks at a roundtable on donating plasma Thursday, July 30, 2020, at the American Red Cross-National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

Fauci Shocked Americans Think Pandemic Over

We’re mostly back to “normal” while yet another new strain is surging.

Georgia Subpoenas Conservative Group Over Ballot Harvesting Allegations

Why would a group that claims it has evidence of ballot harvesting refuse to turn it over?

Depending on the Kindness of Strangers

Has the Internet made us more selfish?

Mike Lee’s Texts

He was clearly willing to subvert the election.

Has Trump Finally Gone Too Far?

Republicans are aghast that he’s abandoned his principles.

Louis C.K. Wins Grammy While Canceled

Is the creepy comic’s comeback complete?

John Clayton, 1954-2022

The longtime NFL reporter is gone at 67.

Jussie Smollett Case Gets Even Weirder

The convicted criminal has been released pending appeal.

Iranian Missiles Hit Near US Consulate in Iraq

No casualties, American or otherwise, have been reported.

Putin Doesn’t Care About Today

An incredibly isolated Russian leader is not interested in running the country.

Is Putin Predictably Irrational?

Putin is a monster, but he may also be just as irrational as the rest of us.

Biden ‘Leading from Behind’ on Ukraine

The American President is once again leading the free world.

Russia Really Invades Ukraine

Putin’s forces are in Kyiv.

Bob Beckel, 1948-2022

The Democratic strategist and longtime talking head is gone at 73.

P.J. O’Rourke, 1947-2022

The great conservative humorist is gone at 74.

Ivan Reitman, 1946-2022

The ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Animal House’ producer is gone at 75.

Nostalgic for Nostalgia

Is the past still the past?

Why Was Whoopi Goldberg Suspended?

Since when is it a crime to say stupid things on “The View”?

The Economics of Streaming

The industry is changing rapidly.

Meat Loaf, 1947-2022

The singer and actor, born Marvin Lee Aday, is gone at 74.

Bob Saget, 1956-2022

The beloved comedian and actor is gone at 65.

Public Health and the Public

Are Fauci, the CDC, and others getting a bum rap?

Sidney Poitier, 1927-2022

A pioneering Black actor is gone at 94.

January 6th Yeah But-ism

Yes the riots were a disgrace but the Democrats . . . .

Biden’s January 6 Anniversary Speech

A necessary but likely irrelevant gesture.

Sean Hannity’s TXT Messages To Mark Meadows [Updated]

How the host’s off-camera views contradict what he was telling his audience

Dan Reeves, 1944-2022

The legendary football player and coach is gone at 77.

Press Coverage of the Colorado Wildfires

The biggest news doesn’t always get the most attention.

Betty White, 1922-2021

The television star increasingly known for her longevity has passed days shy of her 100th birthday.

John Madden, 1936-2021

The Hall of Fame coach and legendary broadcaster is dead at 85.

Harry Reid, 1939-2021

The longtime Senate leader is gone at 82.

Pandemic, Trauma, and Identity

There’s something happening here. But what it is ain’t exactly clear.

Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci participates in a briefing Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Chandler West) Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci participates in a briefing Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Chandler West)

The Fauci Who Stole Christmas

You’re a monster, Dr. Grinch, Your heart’s an empty hole.

Manchin Shoots BBB Dead, Dead, Dead

The West Virginia Senator has taken the football from Charlie Brown and gone home.