| Aug 22, 2011 | Rights / DemocracyTim Pawlenty, erstwhile governor of Minnesota, gave up his bid for the presidency after finishing third in Iowa’s Ames Straw Poll, shocking the vast majority of Americans who didn’t know he was running. I don’t know whether it was a wise move or not,...
| | Environment / HealthOur problem in Washington is this: we have too many 5-watt bulbs sitting in 100-watt sockets. Any doubt about this was erased in July when House tea partiers joined old-school right-wing ranters to pass a light bulb bill. This was the culmination of a loopy crusade by...
| Aug 15, 2011 | Economy / BusinessIf I were Thomas Paine (which I sometimes think I am) I would say: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” If I were Charles Dickens (which I never think I am) I would say: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” And if...
| Aug 1, 2011 | Economy / BusinessThere are those who will tell you that the debt ceiling crisis is a bipartisan production and both sides are to blame. Don’t believe them. This has been from beginning to end a Republican Party party. There’s no good reason for it — none —...
| Jul 25, 2011 | Rights / DemocracyWill Rogers said that when Congress is in session, the public gets the same panicky feeling as “when the baby gets hold of a hammer.” Rogers’ observation can also be applied to the mayhem that has broken out in various smash-happy state legislatures....
