Deadline Poet / November 11, 2023

Senator Tuberville’s Block on Military Promotions

Calvin Trillin
Sen. Tommy Tuberville looks into the distance at the Capitol
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, talks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, May 16, 2023.(J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo)

And then there’s Tommy Tuberville.
With rules the Senate favors still,
He needs a single poison pill
To block the jobs we need to fill.
For Tuberville this is a thrill—
And manna for his campaign till.
Among his colleagues on the Hill
Respect for him is nearing nil.

Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

More from The Nation

Trump Foreign Policy

Trump’s National Security Strategy and the Big Con Trump’s National Security Strategy and the Big Con

Sense, nonsense and lunacy.

Robert L. Borosage

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, presents the FIFA Peace Prize to President Donald Trump during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC.

“This Is Historic”: FIFA and UEFA Presidents Are Accused of Aiding Israel’s War Crimes “This Is Historic”: FIFA and UEFA Presidents Are Accused of Aiding Israel’s War Crimes

A coming filing with the ICC accuses FIFA’s Gianni Infantino and UEFA’s Aleksander Čeferin of crimes against humanity for their financial support of settlement clubs.

Dave Zirin and Chuck Modiano

Sunset over Christ the Saviour cathedral in Moscow

Does Russian Feminism Have a Future? Does Russian Feminism Have a Future?

A Russian feminist reflects on Julia Ioffe’s history of modern Russia.

Nadezhda Azhgikhina

The Warner Bros. Discovery flag alongside the American one, outside Warsaw’s TVN broadcasting studio

One Buyout After Another One Buyout After Another

The multibillion-dollar takeover bids targeting Warner-Discovery show how Trump's corrupt model of governance-by-payback could destroy Hollywood.

Ben Schwartz

Lower Manhattan Uprising

Lower Manhattan Uprising Lower Manhattan Uprising

Joining activist networks, New Yorkers are ready to gather in the moment to turn back ICE. On Saturday, November 29, it worked. Find out about local resistance groups in your area!

OppArt / Steve Brodner

The Best Albums of 2025

The Best Albums of 2025 The Best Albums of 2025

From Mavis Staples to the Kronos Quartet—these are our music critic’s favorite works from this year.

David Hajdu