California Wildfires: The Fire Still Rages
This is the first in a short series of photo essays about the California wildfires. This first post will focus on the fires themselves.
Recent Stories
Biden Takes Victory Lap on Tenuous Ceasefire Deal, Trump Wants Full Credit
Both the outgoing and incoming US presidents patted themselves on the back after announcing a deal that, if implemented, would halt fighting in Gaza and guarantee the return of the hostages that Hamas has been holding for more than a year.
Hegseth’s Nomination Hearing a Troubling Sign of Things to Come
If Democrats cannot do a better job of highlighting how unqualified a nominee like Pete Hegseth is, and if Republicans cannot muster the courage to reject someone like him, we might as well just do away with this “advice and consent” farce.
In Damning Report on Trump’s Coup, Smith Puts His Neck on the Line for Justice
In his final report, recently resigned special counsel Jack Smith left no doubt that Donald Trump got off on a technicality.
The Wrong Lesson From Trudeau’s Fall Is That Climate Action Is Unpopular
What the country craves is fewer selfies and more action to confront the emergency.
Anger at Health Insurance Is So 2024 – Are Home Insurers Next?
Just like health insurance companies at the end of 2024, property insurers may be getting a lot of unwanted attention in the aftermath of the California wildfires.
Hunter Biden Special Counsel Rips President Over Criticism of Son’s Prosecution
The special counsel whose investigation led to Hunter Biden being convicted of separate federal crimes hit back at the president, who had claimed that the prosecution of his son was politically motivated.
Fires, Trump, Musk, Climate Denial & Reality: Notes From the End of the World
A wake up call; time to suit up.
Musk Wants to Divide the UK, Instead Manages to Get Them All to Dislike Him
After buying himself a US president, Elon Musk has been meddling in European politics. British voters are not amused.
California Wildfire Relief: Republicans Are Only ‘Patriots’ on Their Own Terms
Republicans see an opportunity to play politics with the suffering of Californians impacted by the deadly wildfires in the state. And they are going to capitalize on it.
Nature Does Not Care What You Think About Climate Change (or How Rich You Are)
But Nature can’t teach what we refuse to learn.
Mark Zuckerberg Will Take Any Position To Win King Donald’s Favor
Zuckerberg went down to Mar-a-Lago to assure Donald Trump that he will help him lie to Meta’s users.
The New War of Northern Aggression
In which Donald Trump forces us to bend the knee to some historically nice folks.
One Small Thing: Caring About People Through Small Actions
With little time left before the transition of power, using your voice now can be powerful.
Catch & Release: How Donald Trump (Largely) Evaded Justice
A slap on the wrist for Donald Trump is a slap in the face for the American justice system.
Biden’s Jobs Record Sets a High Bar for Trump
Donald Trump will once again benefit from inheriting a fairly robust economy. Now the question is what he is going to do with it… and whether Americans will be able to objectively measure his performance.
Algorithms and Empathy: The Human Cost of Innovation
Is technology helping us thrive or tearing us apart? Explore how rethinking innovation could lead to a more connected and human future.
Adieu to Jean-Marie Le Pen
Despite France’s best efforts, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the country’s extreme-right National Front, was impossible to ignore
California Wildfires: A Perfect Storm of All That Ails America
The explanations will have to wait.
Climate News to Watch in 2025
2024 was a mixed bag for climate change. Here’s what’s on the horizon for 2025.
The One Place Trump Doesn’t Have to Annex: Crazytown
In a world that needs stability, it’s not ideal that the US president is nuts.
An Amicable Nomination Process for Trump’s Picks Is Off to a Bad Start
Will Republicans try to push through some of Donald Trump’s nominees without providing Democrats with the required documents? In at least one case so far, it seems that way.
Vivek Is Lying Low After Offending MAGA Faithful
After causing an uproar by criticizing American culture, Vivek Ramaswamy has been biding his time and hoping this storm will pass without jeopardizing his promising MAGA career.
Flint, 10 Years Later
In the decade since the start of the Flint water crisis, policymakers and communities have made improvements to the lives of residents, but opportunities for progress remain.
Congress Remains Firmly in ‘Christian’ Hands
Nearly all Republicans in the new Congress identify as “Christians,” while atheists and agnostics are grossly underrepresented.
Trump’s Imperial Ambitions Are No Laughing Matter
Donald Trump’s first term was marred by chaos. In two weeks, things will get much crazier. Just ask the people of Canada and Greenland.
The Cries That Bind
Underneath all the partisan bickering is a deep well of agreement.
Trump, Musk, Despair, Humor, and Hope: All on Tap for 2025
No shortage of reasons to despair — but humor and bits of hope still shine through.
Pardoning the January 6 Mob Is Just the Beginning
Americans don’t support pardons for jailed January 6 insurrectionists. However, on the fourth anniversary of Trump’s mob storming Congress, they seem inevitable. And that is likely just going to be the beginning of a perversion of justice the likes of which the country has not seen in a very long time.
Are Democrats Up for the Nomination Fights Ahead?
Senate Democrats may feel that Donald Trump’s nominees are unqualified, but they are not doing anything about it.
Donald Trump’s Lies Are Getting More Hurtful Every Day
Trump is like an energy vampire. His lies suck all of the rationality out of the body politic.
The Troubling Radicalization of Elon M.
Using social media platforms can lead to self-radicalization. Apparently, so can owning one.
Donald Trump’s Steps Down the Well-Trod Path to Authoritarian Rule
Consummate rule-breaker Trump follows The Rules.
America’s Healthcare Emergency: How to Fix It From the Ground Up
An MIT economist reveals why short-term fixes fail, and offers a blueprint for a complete system transformation.
Toe the Line or Total Chaos — House Republicans Make Their Choice Today
It would be crazy for fiscal conservatives to derail the vote for House Speaker today… which is why we are not betting against it.
As MAHA Looms, a Look Back on MAGA’s Big HCQ Lie
The paper behind Trump’s “game changer” COVID-19 cure has finally been retracted, but the damage is done — with many snake oil salesmen headed for Washington.
Sanders Jumps Into Fight Over H-1B Visas, Blasts DOGE Brothers
With an “America First” message of his own, progressive firebrand Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) waded into the debate over H-1B visas that is splitting MAGA Republicans.
New Orleans Attack Highlights Need for Rigorous Vetting of Trump’s Nominees
Republicans are using the New Orleans terrorist attack to make the case that Donald Trump’s national security nominees should be confirmed swiftly. Instead, it shows that they should be vetted especially carefully because of the importance of their jobs.
Why Elon Musk’s Demand for Suffering Won’t Stop at Mars
Critics describe Elon Musk’s guiding philosophy of longtermism as primed to justify “atrocities.”
Elon Musk’s New Year’s Day Bodes Poorly for 2025
The way Elon Musk spent his New Year’s Day, and what is evidently on his mind, are ominous signs of what’s to come.
My New Year’s Message: Help Us Find Out What Happened to America
Did Trump exploit the loneliness epidemic in America?
Roberts Hints at Trump as Threat to ‘Judicial Independence,’ Omits SCOTUS Woes
When addressing four main threats to judicial independence (while leaving out those affecting the Supreme Court itself), Chief Justice John Roberts might as well have addressed Donald Trump directly.
Heading Into the New Year, Things You Can Do to Make the World Slightly Better
We’re looking at a new year, and a new administration shortly after. There are things we can do right now that will be much less effective in a couple weeks. Here’s a list of them.
World’s Biggest Meatpacker JBS Wants Public Money to Fight Climate Change
Major Brazilian polluter champions agribusiness as a solution to hunger at G20.
WhoWhatWhy’s Best Sunday Cartoons of 2024
Here are our favorite works of DonkeyHotey from 2024.
Jimmy Carter: A Case Study in the Judgment of History
He slowly won me over, as he struggled with various crises and perfect storms that would cost him the support of many voters.