hacking

So, Yes, It’s Russia Again — But.

First, the Post reveals that Russia is helping both Sanders and Trump this time around (conveniently just in time for the Nevada Caucuses).  Then CNN tells us the threat is greatly exaggerated.  Now we’re being told by Fox News that DoD says there’s actually no Russian activity at all, and it’s all a big hoax.

A reasonably intelligent person might well (more…)

Aside: On The Decoy Effect

People are deliberately inducing anxiety in you in order to manipulate your decisions.  You’re already aware of this, at least subconsciously; consider:
How many coffee sizes are there?

If you answered three — either small, medium, and large or tall, grande, and venti depending on where you get your caffeine — then (more…)

Why Won’t People Admit The Truth About Russia?

Frankly, it’s because the real truth is hard to admit:

Russia didn’t cost Clinton the election and give it to Trump.

It’s possible you did.


What did Russia do? They stole information — true information — and leaked it to the voters. They did so at the most effective moment and in the most damaging way. They did it less to sway voters than to create hatred and division between the parties. Looking out there today, you can see they were successful. (more…)

Comey Testifies Again; Still Says Nothing

On March 20th, I wrote an article about Director Comey’s testimony before the House Intelligence Committee.  The headline was, “Comey Testifies, Says Nothing”.  Today, he testified as a private citizen before the Senate, and the story is the same.  Once again, James Comey said nothing, and he said it well. (more…)

Breaking News: Comey Testifies, Says Nothing

In testimony before the House Intelligence Committee today, Monday, 20 Mar 2017, FBI Director James Comey confirmed that his agency is in fact investigating whether the Russian government attempted to influence the 2016 presidential election, and who if anyone colluded with them in their actions.  As well, he spoke at some brief length on the process involved in ordering wiretaps, stating that President Obama could not have tapped the phone lines at Trump Tower during the election.

Before I go on, let me just say that his testimony (more…)

Dead On Arrival: Trump’s Budget

Once again the headlines are blaring alarms.  This time, the stories are (allegedly) full of news about Donald Trump’s proposed budget.

To begin with, I’d like to mention in passing that his intent to slash services is not news.  We knew it already; it’s merely him keeping his campaign promises. Which, admittedly, is unusual for politicians in general, but Mr. Trump has kept a fair number so far, so this (more…)

Stupid Move: Why Russia Is A Mistake

The United States House of Representatives is one of the most universally detested and despised body of lawmakers in existence.  Their approval rating is generally only just in the double digits, and most citizens would sooner trust used car salesmen.  A 2013 survey ranked congress south of head lice, root canals, and colonoscopies.

Much of this bad reputation is undeserved.  Sometimes, though, it’s hard to remember why (more…)

Scoring A Touchdown

(Editor’s Note:  This is another in our ongoing series of guest columns on current events.  Rudyard “Duke” Milhaus of the Sports Desk is well-known for his passionate commitment to objective journalism.  Unfortunately, due to his exhausting schedule of hands-on research into America’s prisons and substance abuse problems, this is the only picture of him we can find.)

Have you ever tried to bargain with someone?  To dicker?  You know, tried to get the best deal on a car, or something else that’s flexible in price?  How you do it is, you start out with an extreme offer, then slowly work your way to a price that’s more in the middle ground, somewhere between what they want to get and what you want to pay. (more…)

Sports Desk: There Is No “Fake News”

Editor’s Note:  This is another in our new series of guest columns on current events.  Once again, here’s the infamous Rudyard “Duke” Milhaus, of the Sports Desk .

Huddle up, gather round, people!

There’s a new playbook being used.  It’s not the prettiest set of plays ever to hit the field, but the Opposition started it and now everyone’s picking up on it, so we’re gonna have to learn it too.  It’s called the “Fake News Play”.
(more…)

To Russia With Love, From The Sports Desk

Editor’s Note:  This is another in our new series of guest columns on current events.  Rudyard “Duke” Milhaus of the Sports Desk is well-known for his passionate commitment to objective journalism.  That we’re publishing his lovely and perfectly neutral article has nothing whatsoever to do with that large-bore handgun he keeps fiddling with.

What’s all this obsession we suddenly have with Russia?  Why is the media being so critical of them?  This is a country that not too many years ago I remember watching as we cheered their peaceful revolution, watched them embrace democracy and capitalism — and now we’re supposed to hate them?!  The new administration apparently wants to get along with them — what’s the matter with that? (more…)