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Category Archives: Politics
The Crazy Comes for Clean Energy
by Paul Krugman (thanks to Diana C.) I do three things every morning: I start a pot of coffee, I feed the cat, and then I fire up my laptop. The first two are calming routines. The third is a … Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Economics, energy, Government, Mental Health, Politics, Science and Technology
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Fascism and Narcissism go hand in hand
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson This morning, J.D. Wolf of Meidas News pulled together all of Trump’s self-congratulatory posts from Sunday morning, when the president evidently was boosting his ego after Friday’s disastrous meeting with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics
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Gerrymandering possibility in California
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Today, flanked by California’s Democratic elected officials and union leaders, California governor Gavin Newsom responded to Trump’s attempt to strongarm the Texas legislature into redistricting the state to give Trump the five additional congressional representatives … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics
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Word with a Past: Gerrymander
from History in the Margins – (thanks to Pam P.) If Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814) had played his cards right, he could have been a minor but respected figure in American history. He signed the Declaration of Independence, helped draft the … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics
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Democratic legislators exit Texas to prevent gerrymandering
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Today, Democratic lawmakers from the Texas House of Representatives left the state to deny Republican lawmakers the quorum—the number of legislators required to pass legislation—they need in order to push through a new district map … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics
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A New Populism: Ideas for Democrats
By David Brewster One basic axiom for a party in trouble with voters is to absorb and expand the reach to new voters. The Democratic Party is losing touch with voters, so here are some expansion ideas. My main suggestion … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Communication, Education, Essays, Government, Philanthropy, Politics
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The Trump Musk Breakup (and more) – commentary by Heather Cox Richardson
Thanks to John R. Here’s a link to a Facebook podcast by historian and author Heath Cox Richardson. John notes, “You might want to digest it in pieces as she covers a lot of topics.” Addendum: Or you can watch … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics
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Scott Pelley speaks to 2025 graduates
Thanks to Mike C. Good morning, everybody. What a beautiful day. What a beautiful North Carolina day for a graduation. Incredible. Thank you, President Wente, Provost Gillespie, members of the Board of Trustees and Katy Harriger, my faculty sponsor, for … Continue reading
DOGE and the Peace Corps meet up
Ed note: I just received the sad but expected message below from the National Peace Corps Office. Please note that this beloved creation of President John F. Kenney has a very modest budget. Peace Corps: ~$430.5 million; Department of State … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Government, Military, Politics, Social justice, Volunteering
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Down is up – “It’s totally bananas bonkers”
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson This morning the Bureau of Economic Analysis released a report showing an abrupt reversal in the U.S. economy. Gross domestic product (GDP), which measures the total market value of goods and services, shrank from a … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Government, Immigration, Politics
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First They Came – by Pastor Martin Niemöller
from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust First they came for the CommunistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a CommunistThen they came for the SocialistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a SocialistThen they came for … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics, Religion
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What’s Happening Is Not Normal. America Needs an Uprising That Is Not Normal.
Ed note: This “call to action” by David Brooks is a challenge to us all. What steps strategically will help to slow the tsunami of dysfunctional destructive edits coming from the White House? Doing nothing, thus caving in, isn’t an … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Education, Government, Law, Politics
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The tragic story of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia
by Heather Cox Richardson (thanks to MaryLou P. and others) This evening, lawyers for the Department of Justice told a federal court that the administration does not believe it has a legal obligation to return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Government, Immigration, Law, Politics
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This Is Why My Texas Town Lost Trust in Public Health
By Carrie McKean in the NYT Ms. McKean is a writer based in Midland, Texas. Ed note: Smugness and demonizing those that disagree with us has wormed its way into our political discourse all too often. This article reminds us that … Continue reading
The Progressive Congressman Who Wants to Take On JD Vance
Ro Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley, sees the vice president — a likely heir to President Trump’s political movement — as a unique threat to the constitutional order. By Shane Goldmacher in the NYT Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, has … Continue reading
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From Churchill to Trump – a terrifying transition
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson (thanks to Mary M.) In the gym of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, on March 5, 1946, former and future prime minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill rose to deliver a speech. Formally titled … Continue reading
Posted in Government, History, Politics
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James Carville: It’s Time for a Daring Political Maneuver, Democrats
Ed Note: There’s an old joke–The masochist and sadist meet up. Masochist says, “Beat me, beat me.” The sadist replies, “No I don’t think I will.” So who wins in the battle of retreat? Thanks to Mary Jane F. By James … Continue reading
Commentary update by Heather Cox Richardson
Ed note: Historian Heather Cox Richardson helps make the current current political chaos understandable putting events in context. In an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) yesterday, billionaire Elon Musk seemed to be having difficulty speaking. Musk brandished … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Government, Politics, Race
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Understanding RFK Jr.
Ed note: Since the time of Pasteur, Lister, Koch and Semmelweis we’ve all (but for a few) accepted the germ theory of disease. One of those few who does not accept established science is RFK Jr. Yet, he’s about to … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Health, History, Politics
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A sidelined Congress and Republicans are largely mum about the seizure of their power.
Heather Cox Richardson Feb 10 On Friday, President Donald Trump issued an executive order “protecting Second Amendment rights.” The order calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to examine all gun regulations in the U.S. to make sure they don’t infringe … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics
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ACLU at Town Hall
Thanks to Bob P. ACLU Town HallFighting Trump’s First Attacks Tuesday, February 4, at 4:30pm EST
Posted in Government, Politics
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In Praise of California
Paul Krugman in Krugman Wonks Out (thanks to Kate B.) One of the unwritten rules of American politics is that it’s OK to sneer at and smear our big cities and the people who live in them, while it’s an … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, environment, Government, Politics
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James Carville: I Was Wrong About the 2024 Election. Here’s Why.
By James Carville in the NYT Mr. Carville is a veteran of Democratic presidential campaigns, including Bill Clinton’s in 1992, and a consultant to American Bridge, a Democratic super PAC. I thought Kamala Harris would win. I was wrong. While I’m sure … Continue reading
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A Tribute to Jimmy Carter
Heather Cox Richardson Former President Jimmy Carter died today, December 29, 2024, at age 100 after a life characterized by a dedication to human rights. His wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, died on November 19, 2023; she was 96 … Continue reading
How Do You Like That Filibuster Now?
by Michele Cottle in the NYT As Republicans prepare to take control of both chambers of Congress and the presidency, Senator Joe Manchin, the conservative West Virginia Democrat turned independent, has a question for his former Democratic teammates: “How do … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics
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