Our government needs to normalize relations with Cuba.
We have nothing to fear from Cuba. Think about it: The Cold War is over. There is no more Supreme Soviet; there’s no risk the Socialists are going to come in from overseas to corrupt us. Truth be told, they’re already here and running for president, and a lot of people think that’s a good thing.
And let’s face it: Our southern (more…)
“But is it helpful to have the 2016 nominee suggesting that a congresswoman is a Russian asset?”
– Jake Tapper
Yes and no.
Yes it’s helpful; it’s a marvelous distraction. Clinton’s bizarre accusation draws criticism away from some of the more egregious flaws in the present nomination process. It was also timed perfectly to coincide with the release of a State Department report that criticized the former Secretary of State (more…)
A year ago, Maine’s Senator Susan Collins committed political suicide live in front of the nation.
It’s safe to say that wasn’t her intention. But hers was the last, and deciding, swing vote in the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, and that’s what everyone remembers. Most of the Senate made their decisions early, whether along party lines or for other causes — not the least of which being to avoid the limelight; there’s no way to win votes on something like this. (Heck, even I recused myself.) But Collins didn’t rush. (more…)
It’s all over the news, and every American politician (and French) seeking re-election is repeating it: Trump has betrayed the Kurds to Turkey, set ISIS fighters free, and is actively running the U.S. military in a way that benefits only Russia.
The danger with facts everyone knows is that there’s no easy way to convince people they’re wrong. Usually the problem boils down to oversimplification; it’s easy to be wrong when you don’t know anything. In this case, it’s that — plus, everyone’s got a massive axe to grind and Trump’s a great target to score points off.
But some of it’s definitely true, so we’ll start there and move on. (more…)
A friend posted this:
This is not a struggle between Left and Right. It’s a struggle to decide whether we’re to live in a Democracy or an Oligarchy. Which do you choose?
For most of us, it’s oligarchy. No question. (more…)
Memes like these speak truth by means of well-spun lies that invoke passion. That’s the lure of these; they’re evocative. It’s also their weakness, and a grave flaw it is too. Read on and I’ll explain. (more…)
The Not Fake News, as a general rule, tends to focus on events that fell out of the headlines too soon, or angles on stories that have plenty of merit but somehow get discarded by the major media. My reasoning behind this is simple: CNN has a zillion reporters, a massive staff, and a huge budget. I’ve got me, my internet Brain Trust of volunteers, and whatever spare change people kick into the pot to pay my web costs.
There’s no need for me to repeat work that CNN (more…)
It’s all over the internet and everyone’s re-posting it, but it’s a myth. Best as I can tell, there’s zero evidence to the effect that Donald Trump ever seriously suggested we should use nuclear weapons to stop hurricanes. Sorry, Cillizza; Axios may beat BuzzFeed as a source, but this is still not real news.
Which in a way is kind of a pity, because it’s not as insane as it sounds.
I know, right? Not a high bar. But there really is a fascinating (more…)
I keep having to say the same thing over and over: That Donald Trump said something does not in and of itself constitute proof that what he said is wrong. Today’s case in point is the proposed purchase of Greenland from Denmark.
There’s two reasons this isn’t insanity. The first is that, on its face, the offer isn’t insane.
Half a dozen times in our history, the United States has purchased land from other countries. All things being equal, it’s easier (and cheaper) than conquering it outright, so from an American viewpoint it makes good sense. From a Danish perspective, it’s one of the last of their colonial possessions, so national pride would likely (more…)
This is a study in principles of military history. It’s here because it’s relevant to modern-day American life. Follow along even if at first you can’t see why it’s relevant; I’ll explain.
Pacification: the process of inducing peace on a population, often by forcibly suppressing or eliminating hostile elements
The United States has an excellent track record fighting wars, but historically we’ve had decidedly mixed results ending them, from Vietnam to the Wars On Drugs and Terror. We’re not unique; enforcing peace on a hostile populace is not a task for which modern armies, particularly those of nations with modern sensibilites, are well suited. In ancient times, it was the custom to brutally suppress the conquered with mass slaughter and slavery, but such methods (more…)
The Not Fake News 
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