Debate This! Debate This!
Women were not the only ones left out of the last presidential debate. Here's what the next moderator should ask.
Oct 11, 2012 / Column / Katha Pollitt
Our Lizard-Brain Politics Our Lizard-Brain Politics
We dismiss the anti-intellectualism of the right at our own peril.
Oct 11, 2012 / Column / Patricia J. Williams
Romney Outsources His Foreign Policy to the Neoconservatives Romney Outsources His Foreign Policy to the Neoconservatives
“After 9/11, the neocons captured one Republican president who was naïve about the world. Now…they have captured another would-be Republican president and vice president, both jejune about the world.” —Maureen Dowd, The New York Times Advisers to Mitt from the neocon right Believe that America must show its might. Though draft dodgers all, they’re in favor of force— With other folks’ kids on the front lines, of course. Through Romney’s campaign, they have all slithered back— The people who brought you the war in Iraq.
Oct 3, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Shut Up About the Jews Already… Shut Up About the Jews Already…
How right-wing Jewish organizatons misrepresent both the views and the influence of American Jews.
Oct 3, 2012 / Column / Eric Alterman
What Race Has to Do With It What Race Has to Do With It
This election has posed a challenge of self-control for Republicans raised on a diet of welfare queens and Willie Horton.
Oct 3, 2012 / Column / Gary Younge
I’ve Got the Mitt Thinks I’m a Moocher, a Taker Not a Maker, Blues I’ve Got the Mitt Thinks I’m a Moocher, a Taker Not a Maker, Blues
(Sung by three members of the 47 percent) Well, I work two jobs, and that makes for a kinda long day. And the boss deducts the payroll tax that I’ve gotta pay. With sales tax too, I kinda thought I was paying my dues. I’ve got the Mitt thinks I’m a moocher, a taker not a maker, blues. Well, the wife and I took retirement some years ago. And Social Security accounts for most of our dough. Though we contributed to that so we’d have it there to use. I’ve got the Mitt thinks I’m a moocher, a taker not a maker, blues. Well, I went to Nam while Mitt went on his mission to France. A buddy needed rescuin’ and I thought, “Well, I’ll take a chance.” A wounded-vet pension’s not the salary that I would choose. I’ve got the Mitt thinks I’m a moocher, a taker not a maker, blues. (All, in chorus) Yes, he thinks we’re bums, and work is something we would refuse. Entitlements, he says, are what we just live to abuse. With his fat-cat friends, what he says about us is J’accuse. So some of us moochers would sure like to see him lose. We’ve got the Mitt thinks that we’re moochers, takers and not makers, blues.
Sep 26, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Blasphemy Is Good for You Blasphemy Is Good for You
What if the right to be a jerk is where freedom begins?
Sep 26, 2012 / Column / Katha Pollitt
A Rallying Cry From the Romney Camp A Rallying Cry From the Romney Camp
“Amid Discord, Romney Seeks to Sharpen Message on His Agenda” —The New York Times We’ve got to go now hell for leather. We’ve got to get our act together, ’Cause even right-wing pundits say That this campaign’s in disarray. With our endeavor such a mess We find it difficult to press Our message that this country needs A man who’s proven by his deeds That he can turn a firm around, That he is someone who’s renowned For skills in management writ large. But wait: that’s who we’ve got in charge.
Sep 19, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
The Problem of Conservative ‘Intellectuals’ The Problem of Conservative ‘Intellectuals’
As Mitt Romney’s campaign descends into increasingly indefensible terrain, a few right-wing stalwarts are still standing by their man.
Sep 19, 2012 / Column / Eric Alterman
Casualties in the Education Reform Wars Casualties in the Education Reform Wars
The stakes are high for students unlucky enough to be caught in the crossfire.
Sep 19, 2012 / Column / Melissa Harris-Perry