Category - Politics

The Problem with Lying

The problem with lying is that, eventually, it gets harder and harder to remember what you’ve said earlier — apparently even within the space of a single interview. Donald Trump tweeted on November 27, 2016: President Trump, in an ABC...

Liars are Often Dangerous

Years ago, we knew a young man — we’ll call him “Stuart” — who was a compulsive liar. Stuart gave us cheap glass knick knacks and insisted they were Waterford crystal. Stuart claimed to have a degree from Oxford University, but he had actually never...

Inspired to Find My Voice

With very few exceptions, I avoid talking or writing about politics. This is changing. Because I love you so much, I want you to know why. If you are a conservative or a Republican: our country needs you now more than ever. We need people who...

Smart People Ask for Evidence

By now, you’ve heard the CIA says Russia tried to sway votes toward President-Elect Trump. Have you seen any proof of that? If I tell you I can fly, you shouldn’t have to take my word for it: you should ask me to buzz around the room. If I tell you...

How to be a Fascist

Jeff Kottke reminded me of a 1995 New York Review of Books post written by one of my favorite authors, Umberto Eco (well before this election season, mind you). In the article, Eco outlines fourteen features of “Eternal Fascism” —...

If Obama Wins

Politicians running for president love to issue warnings about what will happen if other candidates get elected. Inspired by some of this year’s dire predictions, I’ve decided to go back and see what pundits and politicians said would...