Outside the Beltway

“The Closer” delivers more of what people love and hate about the GOAT.

A paradox that’s not hard to explain.

A long-overdue change appears to be happening.

We’re an incredibly divided country but splitting it into two is impossible.

Several stories for your consumption.

The Catch-22 of passing a massive spending bill in an undemocratic system.

The Democratic legislature is likely to set aside the map proposed by the independent commission.

It’s happening again. This time, it was easily preventable.

A few observations on Whole Woman’s Health, et al., Applicants v. Austin Reeve Jackson, Judge, et al.

Regardless of one’s views on abortion, the enforcement provision in the new Texas law should be concerning.

The Lone Star State has enacted some peculiar new laws.

A new story archetype is all too common.

The President is looking for any leverage he can to get refuseniks vaccinated.

A legendary journalist is gone.

Part of the ongoing, slow-motion tragedy.

Could it be?

Two stories tell, well, a story about Texas and the pandemic.

Whataboutism about a visit to Whataburger (and other tales of obfuscation).

Florida has a lot of cases.

Legislatures and school boards politicize what our kids are taught.

ZZ Top’s longtime bass player is gone.

Texas and Oklahoma have reopened Pandora’s Box.

Oh, FFS.

Tab clearing time.

Another R/D cleavage?

It’s not getting any better, folks.

This time: the Alaska GOP.

An arrest underscores what the problem isn’t.

Not surprisingly, it has been a bit contentious.

Some Democratic election observers think so.

He will challenge Greg Abbott for the GOP nomination.

The southern one.

New York Times columnists are not a representative sample.

Stupid is as stupid does.

Stories, links, and brief observations from the week that never grew into posts.

Critical race theory rears its ugly head yet again.

Quick takes from the week.

It passed the Senate unanimously.

The question is: for how long and ultimately how much?

Retired generals are no longer in the military.

Brought to you by the son of Moon.

Cries that American democracy is in jeopardy are not hyperbole.

A special session looms. (And how this is not like the filibuster in the US Senate).

Federal police officers continue to be immune from lawsuits.

A third of the party’s Members of Congress voted against a popular bill.

And general considerations on mid-term elections.

Huge swaths of the country are underserved.

The latest bogey man is likely not well understood.