In addition to hard-hitting news, WhoWhatWhy also brings you insightful, sometimes controversial, sometimes hilarious, and always thought-provoking commentary and opinion. Here are some of our favorite pieces from this year.
The outstanding work of our Images Department, which is headed by an artist who goes by the nom de guerre “DonkeyHotey,” is the main reason WhoWhatWhy has such a unique look.
We are proud of our daily panoramas and other images, which add an engaging visual dimension to our stories. In order to provide another outlet for the unbound creativity of that department and its editor, we run a weekly cartoon and supplement it with sharp-tongued yet light-footed text.
Here are some of our favorites from 2019.
Republican Strategy: blocking voters since 1971.
Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
Is the GOP Trying to Gaslight Americans on Voter Fraud?
Texas led the way, but expect more false claims of voter fraud from the White House and Republican-controlled states ahead of the 2020 election.
At home in the surveillance state. Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
Surveillance Capitalism: Threat to Democracy?
The widespread adoption of surveillance-based business practices by tech giants Amazon, Google, and Facebook poses an existential threat to a democratic capitalist society.
Vladimir Putin’s Employee of the Month ceremony.
Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
Trump, McConnell, Roberts — Who Will Be Russia’s Favorite Pawn?
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is doing everything in his power to make sure that US elections remain vulnerable. He is just the latest Republican to play into Russia’s hands — and he likely won’t be the last.
Outlaw on the Potomac. Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
The Rule of Outlaws
Let’s stop pretending the US is still a country of laws, because some people are allowed to get away with even the most blatant violations of society’s rules.
Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
The Worst Case Scenario in 2020 May Just Be a Narrow Trump Loss
While many Americans are dreading the prospect of a second term for President Donald Trump, maybe they should be even more worried about a narrow Trump loss. All signs indicate that, in order to stay in office — and out of jail — he will take US democracy down with him.
Trump’s daily mind meld. Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
Like a Fox — How a TV Channel Is Tearing America Apart
For two decades, Fox News has made piles of money from creating a fictional America in which conservatives are under assault and can play the victim. More covertly, it has been driving the Republican agenda.
How does the GOP define socialism? Anything helpful to average US families. Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
The GOP’s ‘Socialism’ Scam Is About to Backfire
For nearly a century, conservatives have labeled ideas they don’t like as “socialism” to get Americans to vote against their own interests. While that con worked when the Soviet Union was around, young voters today are embracing socialist ideas and turning their backs on the GOP.
Greta Thunberg, 21st century Paul Revere. Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
The Paul Revere of Our Times
Not all heroes wear capes. Some are young girls.
Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
Democrats Can’t Afford Unforced Errors in Impeachment Process
If Democrats want to do impeachment right, they have to do it by the book. And Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) is off to a bad start.
Is another economic crash coming? Photo credit: Charles Edward Miller / Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
A Move Toward the Next Financial Crisis
Federal regulators are taking steps that could expose the world to another financial crisis, though most people won’t realize it until it is too late. We’ve seen this movie before.
Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
Will Britain’s Boris Johnson Put a Shine on Populism’s Waning Star?
Evidence shows the tide is turning against right-wing populism and nationalism in Europe — but the UK could change that.
If you are a veteran or know a veteran who may be contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
Some of the Deepest Wounds of Veterans Go Undetected
Long after having left the battlefield, many veterans are still fighting. They wrestle with what they have seen, done, and become. For too many of them, this proves to be a battle they cannot win.
Mayor Pete takes the lead in Iowa. Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
Iowa and New Hampshire Are ‘First in the Nation’ at Being Full of Themselves
Political cowardice and the pettiness of people in Iowa and New Hampshire keep in place a primary system that is bad for democracy.
Archbishop and Child. Photo credit: DonkeyHotey / WhoWhatWhy (CC BY-SA 2.0) See complete attribution below.
The Sleeper Issue That Could Swing the 2020 Election
US Catholic bishops insist that abortion is the “preeminent” issue for Catholic voters in 2020. Will white Catholics in the Midwest listen to them?
The cartoon above was created by DonkeyHotey for WhoWhatWhy from these images: Donald Trump caricature (DonkeyHotey / Flickr – CC BY 2.0) and body (DoD).
Related front page panorama photo credit: Adapted by WhoWhatWhy from DonkeyHotey / Flickr.