How on Earth is anyone from the rational middle or the conscientious left supposed to “engage the other side” in meaningful dialogue when the Republican Party is led by Donald Trump and sycophants like Matt Gaetz?And not just Gaetz, the Florida congressman, but many like him.Many in the GOP — let’s make that most — … Continue reading Nightmare scenario: Matt Gaetz as Attorney General in a second Trump administration
Trump is a big story, but climate change is bigger
Fellow journalists, here and everywhere: There’s no question that the indictments against Trump are unprecedented and have powerful meaning for our democracy. It’s a big story. But climate change is a bigger story, and it’s time again to balance things out.Newspapers, magazines, the BBC and NPR do a good job of keeping climate change in … Continue reading Trump is a big story, but climate change is bigger
No, Trump is not being ‘persecuted.’ And no, this is not a ‘banana republic.’
Trump blasted the latest charges against him as “persecution of a political opponent” Thursday, after pleading not guilty to committing fraud in his bid to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.But, of course, he’s wrong.He’s being prosecuted, not persecuted.Persecution means “hostility and ill-treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation … Continue reading No, Trump is not being ‘persecuted.’ And no, this is not a ‘banana republic.’
Was there a ‘golden age’ in our time? Will we see one again?
A high school classmate of mine believes our generation was the last to experience “the last golden age” of America, and maybe the last on Earth.I have been weighing this assertion since she made it. I think I understand why she believes it.Baby boomers— that’s us — were born between 1946 and 1964, and we … Continue reading Was there a ‘golden age’ in our time? Will we see one again?
DeSantisized American History: Regarding the ‘good’ of slavery, here’s what Lincoln said
The wars being waged in Texas and Florida against “woke” — that is, against a full and objective understanding of American history, good and bad — clearly represent an effort by Republicans to white-wash the past and preserve the white patriarchy’s exceptional view of itself. These efforts are underway throughout the country, most vigorously in … Continue reading DeSantisized American History: Regarding the ‘good’ of slavery, here’s what Lincoln said
50 years ago: The Watergate summer and my first newspaper job: Obits, clam-digger fees and 27 lousy nursing homes.
Butterfield I know exactly what I was doing on July 16, 1973, when Alexander Butterfield told the Senate Watergate Committee that all Oval Office conversations in the Nixon White House were recorded: Watching the hearing on television while getting dressed for the 4-to-midnight shift as a reporting intern for The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, Mass. … Continue reading 50 years ago: The Watergate summer and my first newspaper job: Obits, clam-digger fees and 27 lousy nursing homes.
My long-time companion
I reached for it today, to turn a screw in an awkward spot, and realized something: We go back at least 40 years together. That's a good while to keep an everyday thing close by, or in your pocket, and not lose it down a storm drain or leave it in a bar. It's a … Continue reading My long-time companion
Listening for trout in the gloaming
On a recent float trip on the Lehigh River, the guide suggested we sit quietly and wait for trout to rise at dusk. We were listening for them, hoping to hear them rise to an evening hatch of sulfur-colored mayflies. The experience reminded me that I've developed a skill from fishing for so many years: … Continue reading Listening for trout in the gloaming
NPR listeners react: “In the presence of all these weapons, I’m just not feeling very free these days.”
Some reaction to my comments on NPR’s Morning Edition about 400 million guns inhibiting our sense of freedom on the Fourth of July. Thank you for sharing your insights regarding Independence Day during your interview on NPR this morning. As I listened to the radio while dropping my family off at the Denver airport (coincidentally … Continue reading NPR listeners react: “In the presence of all these weapons, I’m just not feeling very free these days.”
In one place: Statements of Maryland’s governor, members of Congress in reaction to the regressive Trump Court rulings
I receive statements by members of Congress and other elected officials in reaction to Supreme Court rulings. Doubting the public ever gets to read these in full, I’m posting some here: Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger:The Supreme Court has now issued three bad rulings in two days, all of which walk back legal precedent and much … Continue reading In one place: Statements of Maryland’s governor, members of Congress in reaction to the regressive Trump Court rulings
Dan Rodricks 