Rights and Democracy
The Nincompoop Caucus Sets a Record
The GOP-led House of Representatives has already achieved a historic legislative record. A record in futility, that is. And absurdity. In February, for the 56th time, they focused the entire array of brain cells in their 245-member caucus on an effort that would...
Giuliani: Nutball or Sleazeball?
I’m trying to make up my mind about Rudy Giuliani: I can’t decide whether he’s a nutball or a sleazeball. For now I’m going with a sleazy nutball, but I’m open to suggestions. In a series of hysterical attacks on Barack Obama in recent weeks, Giuliani has all but...
A Mythical Right to Discriminate
The Supreme Court is now considering cases that could usher in nationwide marriage equality, and state-level gay marriage bans are falling faster than you can say "equal protection under the law." People who want to turn back the clock on rights for their lesbian,...
Forget the Stereotypes
When an angry neighbor murdered three Muslim students in North Carolina, my Facebook feed lit up. Tragic, I thought, and I scrolled on. Then another post caught my eye. A Muslim friend cried out that the triple murder was a hate crime — and fumed that the news was...
Goosey as Ever
Ready or not, the race is on — for president, I mean. Yes, Election Day is still nearly two years away, but the candidates are already on the loose. And they're as goosey as ever. So far, the goosiest has been Mitt Romney. The GOP's 2012 loser was asked last year if...
Taking on ‘Mayor 1 Percent’
The people of Chicago are grappling with a big question that people in nearly every urban place face: Can anyone really govern such a sprawling, brawling city? Reclaim Chicago — an upstart populist coalition that has become a major force in the city — says the answer...
Net Neutrality’s Biggest Deal Ever
One of the greatest public policy victories in decades is just around the corner. The issue? Net Neutrality — the principle that keeps Internet users in charge of their online experience. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has confirmed that he'll base new Net Neutrality rules...
At the Fringes No Longer
It's that time of year and Americans are honoring some of our favorite presidents. How about honoring our female presidents this time around? Oh, I forgot. There aren’t any. Frankly, I find America's two-centuries-and-counting streak of all-male presidents astounding....
Telling the Truth about Religious Violence
President Barack Obama committed the ultimate political blunder the other day. He blurted out the truth. Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast, he warned his Christian brethren against “getting up on our high horse” when condemning the violence of Muslim...
Friends Like These
When I was growing up, my older Mexican-American relatives had an expression: “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.” It was my family’s way of making me careful about choosing my friends. Even then, I could see they were right. The smart kids...
