http://www.spokenedition.com en A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/8ae35474-5ab2-11e7-ba94-fb86de7018cb/image/slate-voice-v2-1400x1400.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress http://www.spokenedition.com no episodic Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice

]]> Yes SpokenLayer distribution@spokenlayer.com http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/centrist-democrats-2020-amy-klobuchar-sherrod-brown.html The early days of 2019—which is to say, the early days of the 2020 campaign—have been dominated by the Democratic Party’s left wing. Early big-name entrants Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand were all quick to plant their flags squarely on progressive soil. Wed, 20 Feb 2019 12:34:47 -0000 full Slate The early days of 2019—which is to say, the early days of the 2020 campaign—have been dominated by the Democratic Party’s left wing. Early big-name entrants Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand were all quick to plant their flags squarely on progressive soil. 457 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/trump-followers-believe-lies-wall.html On Monday night, President Donald Trump held a rally in El Paso, Texas. He chose the location based on his claim, delivered in last week’s State of the Union address, that a border wall had rescued the city from rampant crime. By the time Trump arrived, fact-checkers had demolished this lie, pointing out that the wall had no effect. But Trump told his followers to dismiss the numbers and trust him instead. Tue, 19 Feb 2019 12:34:41 -0000 full Slate On Monday night, President Donald Trump held a rally in El Paso, Texas. He chose the location based on his claim, delivered in last week’s State of the Union address, that a border wall had rescued the city from rampant crime. By the time Trump arrived, fact-checkers had demolished this lie, pointing out that the wall had no effect. But Trump told his followers to dismiss the numbers and trust him instead. 411 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/ilhan-omar-israel-tweets-democrats.html The day that began with a media furor around Rep. Ilhan Omar’s recent tweets did not end the way many on the left feared it would. While centrist Democrats and the party’s leadership predictably criticized the first-year congresswoman from Minnesota for her tweets about the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), most of the party’s progressive base rallied behind her. Mon, 18 Feb 2019 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate The day that began with a media furor around Rep. Ilhan Omar’s recent tweets did not end the way many on the left feared it would. While centrist Democrats and the party’s leadership predictably criticized the first-year congresswoman from Minnesota for her tweets about the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), most of the party’s progressive base rallied behind her. 506 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/border-wall-trump-deal-congress.html President Donald Trump is not a fan of the border deal that congressional negotiators struck Monday night, the one that he would need to sign by the end of the week to avoid the year’s second government shutdown. While he said at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that he would have to “study it,” he was “not happy about it. It’s not doing the trick.” But! He didn’t say he would veto it. Thu, 14 Feb 2019 12:34:23 -0000 full Slate President Donald Trump is not a fan of the border deal that congressional negotiators struck Monday night, the one that he would need to sign by the end of the week to avoid the year’s second government shutdown. While he said at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that he would have to “study it,” he was “not happy about it. It’s not doing the trick.” But! He didn’t say he would veto it. 452 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/sotu-trump-authoritarian.html Three years ago, when Donald Trump emerged as the Republican presidential front-runner, critics decried his ruthlessness. Since then, they’ve grown numb to it. They think his State of the Union address on Tuesday night was long, trite, and boring. In reality, the speech was laced with authoritarianism. Here’s what Trump said and why it’s dangerous. 1. I am the savior of the nation. Wed, 13 Feb 2019 12:34:28 -0000 full Slate Three years ago, when Donald Trump emerged as the Republican presidential front-runner, critics decried his ruthlessness. Since then, they’ve grown numb to it. They think his State of the Union address on Tuesday night was long, trite, and boring. In reality, the speech was laced with authoritarianism. Here’s what Trump said and why it’s dangerous. 1. I am the savior of the nation. 403 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/trump-is-not-pro-life.html On Tuesday night, in his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called for legislation to outlaw abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. “Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life,” said Trump. On Thursday, at the National Prayer Breakfast, the president renewed his plea. “Every life is sacred,” he declared. “We must build a culture that cherishes the dignity and sanctity of innocent human life.” Abortion is a serious matter. Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:34:30 -0000 full Slate On Tuesday night, in his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called for legislation to outlaw abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. “Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life,” said Trump. On Thursday, at the National Prayer Breakfast, the president renewed his plea. “Every life is sacred,” he declared. “We must build a culture that cherishes the dignity and sanctity of innocent human life.” Abortion is a serious matter. 437 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/2015-presidential-campaign-polls-scott-walker-jeb-bush-trump.html We’re still 368 days away from the Iowa Caucus (Feb. 3, 2020), 532 days from the end of the Democratic National Convention (July 16, 2020), and a whopping 642 from Election Day (Nov. 3, 2020). It is understandable if you prefer to check out from the permanent campaign for at least a few more months. Mon, 11 Feb 2019 12:34:43 -0000 full Slate We’re still 368 days away from the Iowa Caucus (Feb. 3, 2020), 532 days from the end of the Democratic National Convention (July 16, 2020), and a whopping 642 from Election Day (Nov. 3, 2020). It is understandable if you prefer to check out from the permanent campaign for at least a few more months. 421 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/virginia-blackface-debacle-democratic-party-representation-changes.html In the days since a racist photo from his 1984 medical school yearbook was published, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has resisted calls for resignation from all corners of his party. The Democratic caucuses of both branches of the Virginia state legislature have asked Northam to step down, as have Northam’s predecessor, Terry McAuliffe, and multiple Democrats who’ve announced 2020 presidential runs. Fri, 08 Feb 2019 12:34:26 -0000 full Slate In the days since a racist photo from his 1984 medical school yearbook was published, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has resisted calls for resignation from all corners of his party. The Democratic caucuses of both branches of the Virginia state legislature have asked Northam to step down, as have Northam’s predecessor, Terry McAuliffe, and multiple Democrats who’ve announced 2020 presidential runs. 634 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/ralph-northam-is-lying.html Ralph Northam, the governor of Virginia, swears he’s telling the truth. On Friday, Northam confessed to appearing in a racist photo in a 1984 yearbook. On Saturday, after Democrats called on him to resign, he reversed himself and said it was a case of mistaken identity. “I will stand and live by my word,” Northam told reporters at an afternoon press conference. Thu, 07 Feb 2019 12:34:37 -0000 full Slate Ralph Northam, the governor of Virginia, swears he’s telling the truth. On Friday, Northam confessed to appearing in a racist photo in a 1984 yearbook. On Saturday, after Democrats called on him to resign, he reversed himself and said it was a case of mistaken identity. “I will stand and live by my word,” Northam told reporters at an afternoon press conference. 410 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/trump-says-americans-want-wall-wrong.html President Donald Trump says he has a mandate to build a border wall. “I was elected partially on this issue,” he declared at the White House on Thursday. Trump thinks that by claiming to have won the 2016 election based on his pledge to build a wall, he can bully Congress into accepting it. He’s bluffing. A close look at election results in 2016 and 2018 shows that Democrats who reject the wall—even those who represent states Trump won—are standing on firm ground. Wed, 06 Feb 2019 12:34:29 -0000 full Slate President Donald Trump says he has a mandate to build a border wall. “I was elected partially on this issue,” he declared at the White House on Thursday. Trump thinks that by claiming to have won the 2016 election based on his pledge to build a wall, he can bully Congress into accepting it. He’s bluffing. A close look at election results in 2016 and 2018 shows that Democrats who reject the wall—even those who represent states Trump won—are standing on firm ground. 502 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/virginia-abortion-third-trimester-law-kathy-tran.html Conservative politicians and right-wing activists have targeted a Virginia state legislator this week and in the process reignited a nationwide debate about third-trimester abortions. Delegate Kathy Tran’s bill, which was tabled by a House of Delegates subcommittee this week, would have loosened some restrictions on second- and third-trimester abortions, which are legal in the state under specific circumstances. Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:34:42 -0000 full Slate Conservative politicians and right-wing activists have targeted a Virginia state legislator this week and in the process reignited a nationwide debate about third-trimester abortions. Delegate Kathy Tran’s bill, which was tabled by a House of Delegates subcommittee this week, would have loosened some restrictions on second- and third-trimester abortions, which are legal in the state under specific circumstances. 613 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/trump-grocery-stores-paul-ryan-narrative.html It was most likely the airports that finally broke the dam. Friday afternoon, as news reports of disrupted flights poured in and the shutdown hit Day 36, Donald Trump finally announced that he would cave completely—if temporarily—on his demands for a border wall. The government will now reopen for three weeks, at the end of which time, he was careful to threaten, he may declare a national emergency if he doesn’t get his way. Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:34:45 -0000 full Slate It was most likely the airports that finally broke the dam. Friday afternoon, as news reports of disrupted flights poured in and the shutdown hit Day 36, Donald Trump finally announced that he would cave completely—if temporarily—on his demands for a border wall. The government will now reopen for three weeks, at the end of which time, he was careful to threaten, he may declare a national emergency if he doesn’t get his way. 498 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/shutdown-automatic-continuing-resolution-fund-government-budget.html How long must a government shutdown go on before Congress decides it can’t risk another one? We may soon find out if 35 days was long enough. The longest government shutdown in history just concluded with the instigator, President Trump, suffering the same fate as instigators past: humiliating himself for all to see, enraging elements of his base by caving, and failing to secure even a dime of the policy for which he had been holding out. Shutdowns are lousy leverage. Fri, 01 Feb 2019 12:34:42 -0000 full Slate How long must a government shutdown go on before Congress decides it can’t risk another one? We may soon find out if 35 days was long enough. The longest government shutdown in history just concluded with the instigator, President Trump, suffering the same fate as instigators past: humiliating himself for all to see, enraging elements of his base by caving, and failing to secure even a dime of the policy for which he had been holding out. Shutdowns are lousy leverage. 358 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/republicans-trump-wall.html President Donald Trump has yet to break ground on his great border wall, but already it’s proving to be a powerful deterrent. Republicans are running away from it. In TV interviews last weekend, Republican lawmakers bent over backward to avoid the word wall. “I happen to agree with the president on barriers,” said Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine pledged “to continue to build physical barriers. Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:34:42 -0000 full Slate President Donald Trump has yet to break ground on his great border wall, but already it’s proving to be a powerful deterrent. Republicans are running away from it. In TV interviews last weekend, Republican lawmakers bent over backward to avoid the word wall. “I happen to agree with the president on barriers,” said Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine pledged “to continue to build physical barriers. 577 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/ed-case-hawaii-congressman-asian-trapped-in-white-body.html Hillary Clinton said that she kept hot sauce in her bag when she was interviewed on black talk radio in April 2016. Jeb Bush released a Spanish-language Cinco de Mayo ad to celebrate the holiday in 2015 and sold a $75 branded “guaca bowle” on his campaign website during the 2016 Republican presidential primary. The person standing next to me immediately said, “We need to primary this guy in 2020. Wed, 30 Jan 2019 12:34:42 -0000 full Slate Hillary Clinton said that she kept hot sauce in her bag when she was interviewed on black talk radio in April 2016. Jeb Bush released a Spanish-language Cinco de Mayo ad to celebrate the holiday in 2015 and sold a $75 branded “guaca bowle” on his campaign website during the 2016 Republican presidential primary. The person standing next to me immediately said, “We need to primary this guy in 2020. 611 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/hacienda-healthcare-incapacitated-woman-birth-vegetative-state.html Last month, a 29-year-old woman who’s been in a persistent vegetative state since she was a toddler went into labor and gave birth. An employee of the Arizona health care facility where she’s resided for more than 26 years swears no one had any idea she was pregnant until she started exhibiting signs of physical distress during labor. Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:34:49 -0000 full Slate Last month, a 29-year-old woman who’s been in a persistent vegetative state since she was a toddler went into labor and gave birth. An employee of the Arizona health care facility where she’s resided for more than 26 years swears no one had any idea she was pregnant until she started exhibiting signs of physical distress during labor. 730 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/maga-teen-news-cycle-event-politics.html I’d naively hoped that America would spend the anniversary of Roe v. Wade talking about what the future holds for the tired and embattled women of this country, some of whom have finally won a little political power. Instead (and as usual) the nation spent the day arguing over the inflammatory actions of a bunch of dudes. The inciting incident was a short video of an inconclusive confrontation. It was shot—absurdly, but maybe appropriately—in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Mon, 28 Jan 2019 12:35:06 -0000 full Slate I’d naively hoped that America would spend the anniversary of Roe v. Wade talking about what the future holds for the tired and embattled women of this country, some of whom have finally won a little political power. Instead (and as usual) the nation spent the day arguing over the inflammatory actions of a bunch of dudes. The inciting incident was a short video of an inconclusive confrontation. It was shot—absurdly, but maybe appropriately—in front of the Lincoln Memorial. 808 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/men-male-fragility-metoo-progress.html These are devastating times for survivors of sexual assault. It is devastating to live through the constant barrage of new accusations, and it is devastating to have witnessed a credibly accused man like Brett Kavanaugh elevated to the Supreme Court. It is also devastating to have lived through the 2016 election, when credible accusations of sexual misconduct and assault from numerous women did not prevent Donald Trump from becoming president. Fri, 25 Jan 2019 12:36:05 -0000 full Slate These are devastating times for survivors of sexual assault. It is devastating to live through the constant barrage of new accusations, and it is devastating to have witnessed a credibly accused man like Brett Kavanaugh elevated to the Supreme Court. It is also devastating to have lived through the 2016 election, when credible accusations of sexual misconduct and assault from numerous women did not prevent Donald Trump from becoming president. 1093 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/pelosi-trump-shutdown-fight-no-end-in-sight.html What does it look like for a legislative stalemate of four weeks, during which time zero progress has been made toward a conclusion, to actually begin getting worse? It looks much like the two central players in the stalemate trolling each other through the cancellation of the other’s plans. Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:34:26 -0000 full Slate What does it look like for a legislative stalemate of four weeks, during which time zero progress has been made toward a conclusion, to actually begin getting worse? It looks much like the two central players in the stalemate trolling each other through the cancellation of the other’s plans. 345 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/right-wing-terrorism-trump-rhetoric.html Politics quickly eclipsed horror after Robert Bowers allegedly gunned down 11 worshipers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in October. The shooting, the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history, almost immediately became intertwined with Donald Trump’s divisive presidency. Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:35:14 -0000 full Slate Politics quickly eclipsed horror after Robert Bowers allegedly gunned down 11 worshipers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in October. The shooting, the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history, almost immediately became intertwined with Donald Trump’s divisive presidency. 495 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/womens-march-2019-anti-semitism-feminism-trump.html When I attended the Women’s March convention in October 2017, I expected to witness little more than a three-day pep rally. Women with the financial capacity to take time off work, travel to Detroit, and abide the business-casual dress code would spend a weekend listening to rousing speeches and celebrity-stocked panels. Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:34:31 -0000 full Slate When I attended the Women’s March convention in October 2017, I expected to witness little more than a three-day pep rally. Women with the financial capacity to take time off work, travel to Detroit, and abide the business-casual dress code would spend a weekend listening to rousing speeches and celebrity-stocked panels. 701 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/trump-russia-interactions-four-questions.html In the last week, we’ve learned several new things about past and ongoing contacts between President Donald Trump, his aides, and Russia. These revelations cast doubt on the president’s denials of collusion. Trump and his surrogates dismiss these stories, but their answers raise further questions. Those questions can and should be investigated. Here are the new developments. Mon, 21 Jan 2019 12:34:24 -0000 full Slate In the last week, we’ve learned several new things about past and ongoing contacts between President Donald Trump, his aides, and Russia. These revelations cast doubt on the president’s denials of collusion. Trump and his surrogates dismiss these stories, but their answers raise further questions. Those questions can and should be investigated. Here are the new developments. 521 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-sexism-female-politicians-looks-beauty.html In all the noise surrounding Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, much of the attention centered on her has been hostile or leering, racist or white-knighty or paparazzish—and predictably focused on her looks. While the left certainly isn’t exempt, the response from the right has been notable not just for its frenzied ubiquity, but for the gendered stink of the efforts to undermine her. Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:34:33 -0000 full Slate In all the noise surrounding Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, much of the attention centered on her has been hostile or leering, racist or white-knighty or paparazzish—and predictably focused on her looks. While the left certainly isn’t exempt, the response from the right has been notable not just for its frenzied ubiquity, but for the gendered stink of the efforts to undermine her. 994 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/tucker-carlson-capitalism-monologue-fox-news-free-market-critique.html In a monologue that aired on Tucker Carlson’s nightly Fox News show on Jan. 2, the right-wing pundit did something out of character: He leveled a radical critique of policies supported by Donald Trump and the Republican Party. A prominent host criticizing the right on its favorite network would be surprising enough. But the nature of Carlson’s commentary was shocking. Thu, 17 Jan 2019 12:35:11 -0000 full Slate In a monologue that aired on Tucker Carlson’s nightly Fox News show on Jan. 2, the right-wing pundit did something out of character: He leveled a radical critique of policies supported by Donald Trump and the Republican Party. A prominent host criticizing the right on its favorite network would be surprising enough. But the nature of Carlson’s commentary was shocking. 817 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/jeff-kruse-oregon-legislature-sexual-harassment.html The dynamics of workplace sexual harassment are often easy to understand. Typically, the harasser is in a position of power, making it difficult for his or her victims to resist or to report sexual advances without risking their careers. Wed, 16 Jan 2019 12:35:09 -0000 full Slate The dynamics of workplace sexual harassment are often easy to understand. Typically, the harasser is in a position of power, making it difficult for his or her victims to resist or to report sexual advances without risking their careers. 491 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/terrorism-border-national-counterterrorism-center.html Taken at face value, rhetoric from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security would lead Americans to believe that the United States is facing a terrorism crisis at our southern border. The picture being painted is one in which thousands of terrorists have been stopped from crossing the border to infiltrate the homeland. If that were true, that would indeed be a crisis. In reality, no such crisis exists. Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:34:24 -0000 full Slate Taken at face value, rhetoric from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security would lead Americans to believe that the United States is facing a terrorism crisis at our southern border. The picture being painted is one in which thousands of terrorists have been stopped from crossing the border to infiltrate the homeland. If that were true, that would indeed be a crisis. In reality, no such crisis exists. 577 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/prevent-government-shutdowns.html As we enter the 20th day of federal workers being unable to go to their jobs, contractors being unable to get paid, and those reliant on federal services being unable to access them, all because the president is unyielding in his demand that a physical barrier be constructed on the southern border, it is worth considering: Isn’t there a better way? Of course there is. Various options exist for eliminating government shutdowns permanently, some of which have been kicked around for years. Mon, 14 Jan 2019 12:34:30 -0000 full Slate As we enter the 20th day of federal workers being unable to go to their jobs, contractors being unable to get paid, and those reliant on federal services being unable to access them, all because the president is unyielding in his demand that a physical barrier be constructed on the southern border, it is worth considering: Isn’t there a better way? Of course there is. Various options exist for eliminating government shutdowns permanently, some of which have been kicked around for years. 656 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/trump-border-wall-military-congress-shutdown-emergency.html As the shutdown stretches on, the Trump administration is beginning to realize theseverity of its consequencesfor millions of Americans and is desperately searching for a way out. While President Donald Trump did notdeclare a national emergencyduring his speech on Tuesday night and subsequently direct the military to build a border wall, the plan remains on the table. Fri, 11 Jan 2019 12:34:24 -0000 full Slate As the shutdown stretches on, the Trump administration is beginning to realize theseverity of its consequencesfor millions of Americans and is desperately searching for a way out. While President Donald Trump did notdeclare a national emergencyduring his speech on Tuesday night and subsequently direct the military to build a border wall, the plan remains on the table. 770 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/comey-fbi-clinton-emails-unilateral-decisions.html Last month, special counsel Robert Mueller revealed something disturbing about former FBI Director James Comey. Here’s what Mueller disclosed: In January 2017, when Comey sent FBI agents to interview then–national security adviser Michael Flynn, Comey bypassed his own boss, Acting Attorney General Sally Yates. The story sounds innocuous, and it doesn’t serve either party’s narrative, so nobody made a fuss about it. But it’s important. Thu, 10 Jan 2019 12:34:29 -0000 full Slate Last month, special counsel Robert Mueller revealed something disturbing about former FBI Director James Comey. Here’s what Mueller disclosed: In January 2017, when Comey sent FBI agents to interview then–national security adviser Michael Flynn, Comey bypassed his own boss, Acting Attorney General Sally Yates. The story sounds innocuous, and it doesn’t serve either party’s narrative, so nobody made a fuss about it. But it’s important. 630 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/ocasio-cortez-tlaib-news-women-power-ruth-bader-ginsburg.html There’s an extraordinary scene in the new Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic, On the Basis of Sex,in which crusading civil rights attorney Ginsburg takes her rebellious teenage daughter Jane to a rundown street somewhere in Manhattan sometime in the ’70s to meet with civil rights attorney Dorothy Kenyon, played Kathy Bates–ishly by Kathy Bates. Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:34:41 -0000 full Slate There’s an extraordinary scene in the new Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic, On the Basis of Sex,in which crusading civil rights attorney Ginsburg takes her rebellious teenage daughter Jane to a rundown street somewhere in Manhattan sometime in the ’70s to meet with civil rights attorney Dorothy Kenyon, played Kathy Bates–ishly by Kathy Bates. 491 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/trump-shutdown-wall-talking-points.html To: Congressional Republicans From: The White House Re: Talking points on the shutdown Over the past two weeks, we’ve noticed that many of you are having trouble articulating where our party stands in the present impasse. You seem confused about whether we support or oppose the shutdown, what we’re waiting for, and what we’re trying to accomplish. We encourage you, as always, to follow the president’s lead. Here are the points he has emphasized since Dec. Mon, 07 Jan 2019 12:34:38 -0000 full Slate To: Congressional Republicans From: The White House Re: Talking points on the shutdown Over the past two weeks, we’ve noticed that many of you are having trouble articulating where our party stands in the present impasse. You seem confused about whether we support or oppose the shutdown, what we’re waiting for, and what we’re trying to accomplish. We encourage you, as always, to follow the president’s lead. Here are the points he has emphasized since Dec. 542 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/house-democrats-rules-package-paygo.html House Democratic leaders made public on Tuesday night one of the first big pieces of legislation they would vote on: the rules governing the 116th Congress. The package makes substantial changes to the rules under which House Republicans had governed for the past eight years. Fri, 04 Jan 2019 12:35:09 -0000 full Slate House Democratic leaders made public on Tuesday night one of the first big pieces of legislation they would vote on: the rules governing the 116th Congress. The package makes substantial changes to the rules under which House Republicans had governed for the past eight years. 459 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/2020-democratic-presidential-candidates-polls-frontrunners.html It’s officially 2019, which means it’s time to talk about 2020—or more specifically, who could win the Democratic nomination and the right to take on Donald Trump in the general election. Several dozen Democrats have already emerged as potential challengers, with Elizabeth Warren getting a head start on everyone else by announcing her candidacy on New Year’s Eve. Thu, 03 Jan 2019 12:34:32 -0000 full Slate It’s officially 2019, which means it’s time to talk about 2020—or more specifically, who could win the Democratic nomination and the right to take on Donald Trump in the general election. Several dozen Democrats have already emerged as potential challengers, with Elizabeth Warren getting a head start on everyone else by announcing her candidacy on New Year’s Eve. 968 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/claire-mccaskill-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-interviews-abortion.html Since she lost her bid for a third term as a U.S. senator from Missouri, Claire McCaskill has been trashing the left to anyone who’ll listen. She’s insulted Democrats who wanted her to be a more vocal critic of the president, Senate colleagues who questioned her opposition to banking regulations, and progressives who try to push their more moderate representatives to the left. Mon, 31 Dec 2018 12:34:30 -0000 full Slate Since she lost her bid for a third term as a U.S. senator from Missouri, Claire McCaskill has been trashing the left to anyone who’ll listen. She’s insulted Democrats who wanted her to be a more vocal critic of the president, Senate colleagues who questioned her opposition to banking regulations, and progressives who try to push their more moderate representatives to the left. 587 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/jeffrey-epstein-shocking-year-of-heinous-men.html If it surprised you when Sen. Fri, 28 Dec 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate If it surprised you when Sen. 1079 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/2020-democratic-primary-white-candidates-trump-racism.html Before Barack Obama’s election in 2008, the relationship between white racial views and partisanship wasn’t as clear-cut as one might think. Yes, Republicans won the large majority of white voters who believed black disadvantage could be attributed to a lack of hard work or effort—a key measure in the “racial resentment scale”—but a substantial minority of white voters was part of the Democratic coalition as well. Thu, 27 Dec 2018 12:34:54 -0000 full Slate Before Barack Obama’s election in 2008, the relationship between white racial views and partisanship wasn’t as clear-cut as one might think. Yes, Republicans won the large majority of white voters who believed black disadvantage could be attributed to a lack of hard work or effort—a key measure in the “racial resentment scale”—but a substantial minority of white voters was part of the Democratic coalition as well. 530 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/paul-ryan-deficit-house-gop-majority-legacy.html In 2009, House Republicans went hat-in-hand to the American people begging for a another chance. After squandering their majority status in the George W. Bush years and getting creamed at the polls in 2006 and 2008, they promised voters that they would do better next time. Specifically, they pledged that they wouldn’t send deficits soaring again. GOP Reps. Tue, 25 Dec 2018 12:34:53 -0000 full Slate In 2009, House Republicans went hat-in-hand to the American people begging for a another chance. After squandering their majority status in the George W. Bush years and getting creamed at the polls in 2006 and 2008, they promised voters that they would do better next time. Specifically, they pledged that they wouldn’t send deficits soaring again. GOP Reps. 509 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/trump-impeachment-clinton-nixon-congress.html Twenty years ago, a sharply divided House of Representatives voted to impeach President Clinton, against the wishes of a majority of the American people. Now that President Trump has been publicly implicated in serious criminal conduct, the question of whether the president will be impeached and removed from office is once again front and center. Mon, 24 Dec 2018 12:34:55 -0000 full Slate Twenty years ago, a sharply divided House of Representatives voted to impeach President Clinton, against the wishes of a majority of the American people. Now that President Trump has been publicly implicated in serious criminal conduct, the question of whether the president will be impeached and removed from office is once again front and center. 589 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/trump-giuliani-attack-cohen-lies.html President Donald Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, claim that the men around the president have betrayed him. First these “rats” turned on Trump. Then they lied about him. Then they did the dirtiest thing of all: They produced evidence. Fri, 21 Dec 2018 12:34:50 -0000 full Slate President Donald Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, claim that the men around the president have betrayed him. First these “rats” turned on Trump. Then they lied about him. Then they did the dirtiest thing of all: They produced evidence. 611 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/nancy-pelosi-term-limits-deal-speakership.html Nancy Pelosi has at last put down the rebellion against her and will now have the votes she needs to return to the speakership after eight years in the House minority. She did it, though, by negotiating on the one issue that she had refused to even consider when the rebellion began. Wed, 19 Dec 2018 12:34:39 -0000 full Slate Nancy Pelosi has at last put down the rebellion against her and will now have the votes she needs to return to the speakership after eight years in the House minority. She did it, though, by negotiating on the one issue that she had refused to even consider when the rebellion began. 409 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/weekly-standard-killed-no-trump-love-media.html The Weekly Standard shut down on Friday after 23 years of publication. In an unceremonious execution, MediaDC, the magazine’s owner, instructed staff to clear out their desks by the end of the day. According to co-founder John Podhoretz, MediaDC chose to kill the outlet so it could strip-mine its assets and subscriber list. Tue, 18 Dec 2018 12:34:36 -0000 full Slate The Weekly Standard shut down on Friday after 23 years of publication. In an unceremonious execution, MediaDC, the magazine’s owner, instructed staff to clear out their desks by the end of the day. According to co-founder John Podhoretz, MediaDC chose to kill the outlet so it could strip-mine its assets and subscriber list. 497 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/trump-border-wall-government-shutdown.html President Trump thinks he’ll win a fight with Democrats over paying for a wall on the Mexican border. “If we don’t get what we want … I will shut down the government,” Trump told Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker–designate Nancy Pelosi in a televised Oval Office meeting on Tuesday. Mon, 17 Dec 2018 12:34:33 -0000 full Slate President Trump thinks he’ll win a fight with Democrats over paying for a wall on the Mexican border. “If we don’t get what we want … I will shut down the government,” Trump told Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker–designate Nancy Pelosi in a televised Oval Office meeting on Tuesday. 407 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/nancy-pelosi-trump-burn.html Americans may never rid ourselves of our collective need to narrate political conflict in military terms. Everything must be understood as a pitched battle between two clear opposing sides. This is not an especially illuminating way of looking at things—nor does it meaningfully narrate the messiness of the present. Still, for years now, media narratives have tended to flatten complicated dynamics into the simpler concept of battle. Fri, 14 Dec 2018 12:34:24 -0000 full Slate Americans may never rid ourselves of our collective need to narrate political conflict in military terms. Everything must be understood as a pitched battle between two clear opposing sides. This is not an especially illuminating way of looking at things—nor does it meaningfully narrate the messiness of the present. Still, for years now, media narratives have tended to flatten complicated dynamics into the simpler concept of battle. 558 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/supreme-court-planned-parenthood-defunding-cases.html The Supreme Court declined to hear two Planned Parenthood–related cases on Monday, leaving in place two lower court opinions that favor the health care organization. Those opinions held that states violate federal law when they cut Planned Parenthood affiliates out of state Medicaid programs, as many states have tried to do since 2015. Thu, 13 Dec 2018 12:34:45 -0000 full Slate The Supreme Court declined to hear two Planned Parenthood–related cases on Monday, leaving in place two lower court opinions that favor the health care organization. Those opinions held that states violate federal law when they cut Planned Parenthood affiliates out of state Medicaid programs, as many states have tried to do since 2015. 301 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/republican-democracy-stress-test-michigan-wisconsin-north-carolina.html In 2012, North Carolina Republicans won a “trifecta” of legislative and executive power. They used their newfound power to aggressively gerrymander the electoral map and impose new restrictions on voting. In 2016, Democrats reversed those gains, narrowly toppling incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory—and the GOP Legislature responded by stripping the incoming executive of key powers and privileges. Wed, 12 Dec 2018 12:34:27 -0000 full Slate In 2012, North Carolina Republicans won a “trifecta” of legislative and executive power. They used their newfound power to aggressively gerrymander the electoral map and impose new restrictions on voting. In 2016, Democrats reversed those gains, narrowly toppling incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory—and the GOP Legislature responded by stripping the incoming executive of key powers and privileges. 430 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/wisconsin-power-grab-gop-urban-vs-rural-voters.html On Tuesday, Wisconsin Republicans escalated their lame-duck power grab, confirming 82 appointees from outgoing Gov. Scott Walker after passing bills to lock in conservative policy and keep incoming Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers from exercising meaningful power over state government. The hypocrisy is striking. In 2010, then–Gov.-elect Scott Walker asked outgoing Democratic incumbent Jim Doyle not to “finalize any permanent civil service personnel” as he finished his term. Tue, 11 Dec 2018 12:34:17 -0000 full Slate On Tuesday, Wisconsin Republicans escalated their lame-duck power grab, confirming 82 appointees from outgoing Gov. Scott Walker after passing bills to lock in conservative policy and keep incoming Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers from exercising meaningful power over state government. The hypocrisy is striking. In 2010, then–Gov.-elect Scott Walker asked outgoing Democratic incumbent Jim Doyle not to “finalize any permanent civil service personnel” as he finished his term. 455 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/bari-weiss-eve-peyser-twitter-new-york-times.html Just in time for the holidays, the New York Times has published a heartwarming tale of Twitter enemies who learned to be friends. In the piece, Bari Weiss, the Intellectual Dark Web–fetishizing Times opinion writer, and Vice politics writer Eve Peyser explain how they came to like each other’s IRL personas better than their Twitter ones. Mon, 10 Dec 2018 12:34:29 -0000 full Slate Just in time for the holidays, the New York Times has published a heartwarming tale of Twitter enemies who learned to be friends. In the piece, Bari Weiss, the Intellectual Dark Web–fetishizing Times opinion writer, and Vice politics writer Eve Peyser explain how they came to like each other’s IRL personas better than their Twitter ones. 392 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders-foreign-policy-authoritarianism.html It feels much longer than 14 years since President George W. Bush declared that the U.S. should have “the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world … by force of arms when necessary” in his second inaugural address. Fri, 07 Dec 2018 12:35:09 -0000 full Slate It feels much longer than 14 years since President George W. Bush declared that the U.S. should have “the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world … by force of arms when necessary” in his second inaugural address. 950 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/trump-khashoggi-killing-lies.html When the CIA catches dictators doing bad things, the dictators often pay lobbyists to lie about what’s been discovered. Now the dictators can save their money because President Donald Trump is doing their hatchet work against the CIA for free. Trump has dismissed the agency’s findings about Russian interferencein the 2016 election. He has brushed offU.S. intelligence showing that North Korea isbuilding new missiles. Thu, 06 Dec 2018 12:34:52 -0000 full Slate When the CIA catches dictators doing bad things, the dictators often pay lobbyists to lie about what’s been discovered. Now the dictators can save their money because President Donald Trump is doing their hatchet work against the CIA for free. Trump has dismissed the agency’s findings about Russian interferencein the 2016 election. He has brushed offU.S. intelligence showing that North Korea isbuilding new missiles. 526 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/nancy-pelosi-speaker-of-the-house-sexism.html Nancy Pelosi cleared the first hurdle to regaining her former position as speaker of the House on Wednesday, earning 203 yes votes and 32 noes from her fellow Democrats. To get the gig, she has to turn 15 of those no votes into yeses by January, when the floor vote takes place. It’s been frustrating to watch members of both parties do battle over who Pelosi is, what she’s done, and whether she deserves another term as speaker, because there seems to be little room for nuance. Wed, 05 Dec 2018 12:34:35 -0000 full Slate Nancy Pelosi cleared the first hurdle to regaining her former position as speaker of the House on Wednesday, earning 203 yes votes and 32 noes from her fellow Democrats. To get the gig, she has to turn 15 of those no votes into yeses by January, when the floor vote takes place. It’s been frustrating to watch members of both parties do battle over who Pelosi is, what she’s done, and whether she deserves another term as speaker, because there seems to be little room for nuance. 555 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/12/george-hw-bush-obit-presidential-legacy.html Some presidential reputations are like great red wines: They get better with time. There is no modern president about whom this is more true than the one we lost Friday, George Herbert Walker Bush. Twenty-six years ago, when he ran for re-election, Bush received the lowest percentage of the vote of any incumbent since William Howard Taft in 1912. He had been rejected by the American people and felt it. Tue, 04 Dec 2018 12:34:31 -0000 full Slate Some presidential reputations are like great red wines: They get better with time. There is no modern president about whom this is more true than the one we lost Friday, George Herbert Walker Bush. Twenty-six years ago, when he ran for re-election, Bush received the lowest percentage of the vote of any incumbent since William Howard Taft in 1912. He had been rejected by the American people and felt it. 730 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/russia-mueller-2016-election-roger-stone-trump-clinton-wikileaks.html The special counsel’sdraft statement of offense for Jerome Corsiincludes much extraordinary information. Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:34:27 -0000 full Slate The special counsel’sdraft statement of offense for Jerome Corsiincludes much extraordinary information. 686 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/donald-trump-unpopularity-chuck-schumer.html With most of the votes from the midterm election tallied, we now have a better sense of the scale of the Democratic victory. It is historic. Thus far, Democrats have earned more than 8.8 million more votes than Republicans, flipped 39 seats, and are poised to win a 40th as election officials continue counting ballots in California. In terms of their House margin, this makes 2018 the Democratic Party’s strongest midterm performance since Watergate. Fri, 30 Nov 2018 12:35:15 -0000 full Slate With most of the votes from the midterm election tallied, we now have a better sense of the scale of the Democratic victory. It is historic. Thus far, Democrats have earned more than 8.8 million more votes than Republicans, flipped 39 seats, and are poised to win a 40th as election officials continue counting ballots in California. In terms of their House margin, this makes 2018 the Democratic Party’s strongest midterm performance since Watergate. 377 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/russia-mueller-2016-election-meddling-spies-trump-clinton.html Theprimary mandateof special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation is to determine if there are “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump. Thu, 29 Nov 2018 12:34:27 -0000 full Slate Theprimary mandateof special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation is to determine if there are “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump. 776 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/sue-mullen-bedford-nh-interview-state-representative.html I grew up in Bedford, New Hampshire, an extremely Republican town of about 23,000 people that hadn’t elected a Democrat to state office since before World War II. That is, until earlier this month, when my middle school guidance counselor won her very first political campaign. Sue Mullen, 62, bested six Republicans, five other Democrats, and one libertarian to become one of Bedford’s 6½ (it’s complicated) representatives in the state House. Wed, 28 Nov 2018 12:35:38 -0000 full Slate I grew up in Bedford, New Hampshire, an extremely Republican town of about 23,000 people that hadn’t elected a Democrat to state office since before World War II. That is, until earlier this month, when my middle school guidance counselor won her very first political campaign. Sue Mullen, 62, bested six Republicans, five other Democrats, and one libertarian to become one of Bedford’s 6½ (it’s complicated) representatives in the state House. 722 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/trumps-christian-apologists-are-unchristian.html Ed Stetzer is grappling with a moral crisis. Stetzer, the director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, is preaching the Gospel to his fellow Christians. And they’re not listening. “White evangelicals are highly motivated to support President Donald Trump around the issue of immigration,” Stetzer, a Trump critic, wrote in Vox on the morning of the midterms. Tue, 27 Nov 2018 12:35:07 -0000 full Slate Ed Stetzer is grappling with a moral crisis. Stetzer, the director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, is preaching the Gospel to his fellow Christians. And they’re not listening. “White evangelicals are highly motivated to support President Donald Trump around the issue of immigration,” Stetzer, a Trump critic, wrote in Vox on the morning of the midterms. 927 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-republicans-obsessed.html Incoming congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez visited Capitol Hill this week for an orientation program for newly elected representatives. Conservative commentators relished the opportunity to take a few shots at their new favorite political punching bag. Mon, 26 Nov 2018 12:35:18 -0000 full Slate Incoming congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez visited Capitol Hill this week for an orientation program for newly elected representatives. Conservative commentators relished the opportunity to take a few shots at their new favorite political punching bag. 450 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/michael-avenatti-domestic-violence-allegation-resistance-hero.html I can’t say I was surprised when Michael Avenatti was arrested on suspicion of felonydomestic violence on Wednesday. It’s not that he seems like someone who’d assault a romantic partner. For one thing, that’s not something you can accurately glean from a guy’s tweets and cable news appearances. For another, Avenatti strongly denies the allegations. Fri, 23 Nov 2018 20:11:22 -0000 full Slate I can’t say I was surprised when Michael Avenatti was arrested on suspicion of felonydomestic violence on Wednesday. It’s not that he seems like someone who’d assault a romantic partner. For one thing, that’s not something you can accurately glean from a guy’s tweets and cable news appearances. For another, Avenatti strongly denies the allegations. 357 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-instagram-stories.html If you watched the first video clip in Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Instagram story on Monday without knowing a thing about her, you might think you’d stumbled across an extremely popular, refreshingly unpolished lifestyle blogger. “As promised, I’m going to give you the recipe for this Instagram Live black bean soup,” she said, her smartphone camera wobbling from a poorly lit pot of brown sludge to her own un-made-up face. “It is from Bon Appétit. Thu, 22 Nov 2018 12:34:59 -0000 full Slate If you watched the first video clip in Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Instagram story on Monday without knowing a thing about her, you might think you’d stumbled across an extremely popular, refreshingly unpolished lifestyle blogger. “As promised, I’m going to give you the recipe for this Instagram Live black bean soup,” she said, her smartphone camera wobbling from a poorly lit pot of brown sludge to her own un-made-up face. “It is from Bon Appétit. 538 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/democratic-presidential-candidates-2020-diversity-white-men.html The midterm elections did not give Democrats a singular leader to rally behind, nor did it settle ideological divides in the party. But the results can tell us a lot about the mood among Democratic voters, and what they might be looking for in a 2020 presidential nominee. First, much hay has been made about the choice between progressives on one hand and moderates or “centrists” on the other. Wed, 21 Nov 2018 12:34:27 -0000 full Slate The midterm elections did not give Democrats a singular leader to rally behind, nor did it settle ideological divides in the party. But the results can tell us a lot about the mood among Democratic voters, and what they might be looking for in a 2020 presidential nominee. First, much hay has been made about the choice between progressives on one hand and moderates or “centrists” on the other. 543 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/nancy-pelosi-speaker-challenge-tim-ryan-seth-moulton.html Following House Democrats’ first full meeting with both their departing members and incoming members-elect, reporters asked Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan—who’s organizing a suddenly serious opposition to Nancy Pelosi’s bid for speaker—whether he and his allies would really follow through with the effort that’s driving such a rift within the caucus, on its first day in charge, during its first vote. “Yes,” he said. He didn’t miss a beat. Tue, 20 Nov 2018 12:34:42 -0000 full Slate Following House Democrats’ first full meeting with both their departing members and incoming members-elect, reporters asked Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan—who’s organizing a suddenly serious opposition to Nancy Pelosi’s bid for speaker—whether he and his allies would really follow through with the effort that’s driving such a rift within the caucus, on its first day in charge, during its first vote. “Yes,” he said. He didn’t miss a beat. 532 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/midterms-blue-wave-statistics-data-analysis.html This story originally appeared on AndrewGelman.com and has been republished here with permission. What can we really learn from what happened in the 2018 midterm elections? When we talk about election results, we’re always discussing them on three levels: their direct political consequences, their implications for future politics, and what they allow us to infer about public opinion. Mon, 19 Nov 2018 12:34:34 -0000 full Slate This story originally appeared on AndrewGelman.com and has been republished here with permission. What can we really learn from what happened in the 2018 midterm elections? When we talk about election results, we’re always discussing them on three levels: their direct political consequences, their implications for future politics, and what they allow us to infer about public opinion. 537 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/fox-news-midterms-reaction-sessions-resigns-steve-doocy-shep-smith-neil-cavuto.html This article is part ofWatching Fox, a Slate series about Fox News. When the sun rose on Wednesday morning, Steve Doocy was pouring coffee at a diner in Branson, Missouri. The Fox & Friends co-host had been in Springfield the night before, reporting on Missourians’ reactions to the midterm election results, and he had gone out for some breakfast. Thu, 15 Nov 2018 12:34:19 -0000 full Slate This article is part ofWatching Fox, a Slate series about Fox News. When the sun rose on Wednesday morning, Steve Doocy was pouring coffee at a diner in Branson, Missouri. The Fox & Friends co-host had been in Springfield the night before, reporting on Missourians’ reactions to the midterm election results, and he had gone out for some breakfast. 648 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/white-women-2018-midterms-georgia-florida-texas.html Ever since Donald Trump won 53 percent of white women’s votes in the 2016 election, a predictable back-and-forth plays out in progressive circles when exit polls trickle in from right-leaning states and districts. Analysts and activists tweet out the numbers, remarking that white women supported the Republican candidate over the Democratic one. Wed, 14 Nov 2018 12:34:29 -0000 full Slate Ever since Donald Trump won 53 percent of white women’s votes in the 2016 election, a predictable back-and-forth plays out in progressive circles when exit polls trickle in from right-leaning states and districts. Analysts and activists tweet out the numbers, remarking that white women supported the Republican candidate over the Democratic one. 681 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/jaclyn-corin-interview-parkland-2018-midterms-thousand-oaks.html In the nine months since Jaclyn Corin survived the Februaryshooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, she hasorganized a lobbying tripto Tallahassee for 100 of her classmates, traveled the country registering young people to vote, and helped lead amarch of thousandson the National Mall. Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:35:01 -0000 full Slate In the nine months since Jaclyn Corin survived the Februaryshooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, she hasorganized a lobbying tripto Tallahassee for 100 of her classmates, traveled the country registering young people to vote, and helped lead amarch of thousandson the National Mall. 623 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/midterms-democratic-party-election-odds-triumph.html If you, like me, are a pessimist, you may be startled by the extent to which Tuesday’s election felt improbably hopeful. I expected the far-right takeover to accelerate, as often happens when you concentrate wealth with the rich and leave people to squabble in a state of artificial scarcity. Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:35:01 -0000 full Slate If you, like me, are a pessimist, you may be startled by the extent to which Tuesday’s election felt improbably hopeful. I expected the far-right takeover to accelerate, as often happens when you concentrate wealth with the rich and leave people to squabble in a state of artificial scarcity. 742 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/trump-house-midterms-exit-poll-takeaways.html There are three things you can count on after every election: panic, clichés, and self-serving bullshit. The president will claim to have buoyed his party. The gun lobby will claim to have punished its enemies. The left will fret about racism. The right will boast of a backlash against the left. People on all sides will interpret the results as mandates for their agendas. Fortunately, there’s a way to sort out what’s true and what isn’t: by studying exit polls. Fri, 09 Nov 2018 12:34:24 -0000 full Slate There are three things you can count on after every election: panic, clichés, and self-serving bullshit. The president will claim to have buoyed his party. The gun lobby will claim to have punished its enemies. The left will fret about racism. The right will boast of a backlash against the left. People on all sides will interpret the results as mandates for their agendas. Fortunately, there’s a way to sort out what’s true and what isn’t: by studying exit polls. 756 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/why-democrats-lost-key-2018-midterm-races.html What is it about Democrats’ 2018 election performance that feels so… meh? So bleh? A couple of things pop to mind. The general-election candidates that Democrats became so emotionally invested in nationally—Beto O’Rourke in Texas, Stacey Abrams in Georgia, and Andrew Gillum in Florida—all lost (or appear headed for certain defeat). Gillum’s loss was especially painful, since he was ahead in just about every poll of the state. Thu, 08 Nov 2018 12:34:42 -0000 full Slate What is it about Democrats’ 2018 election performance that feels so… meh? So bleh? A couple of things pop to mind. The general-election candidates that Democrats became so emotionally invested in nationally—Beto O’Rourke in Texas, Stacey Abrams in Georgia, and Andrew Gillum in Florida—all lost (or appear headed for certain defeat). Gillum’s loss was especially painful, since he was ahead in just about every poll of the state. 329 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/pete-sessions-texas-midterms.html DALLAS—On an October Saturday morning in a quiet, residential north Dallas neighborhood, one of the most powerful elected Republicans in Washington was wearing a neon-green raincoat, cargo pants, and hiking shoes while holding a half-eaten breakfast burrito on one of his supporter’s lawns. About 50 or so staff and volunteers had joined Texas Rep. Wed, 07 Nov 2018 12:34:44 -0000 full Slate DALLAS—On an October Saturday morning in a quiet, residential north Dallas neighborhood, one of the most powerful elected Republicans in Washington was wearing a neon-green raincoat, cargo pants, and hiking shoes while holding a half-eaten breakfast burrito on one of his supporter’s lawns. About 50 or so staff and volunteers had joined Texas Rep. 779 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/pelosi-schumer-democratic-messaging-is-extremely-bad.html In June, the Supreme Court ruled that public-sector employees who are represented by unions in collective bargaining can’t be obligated to pay dues to those unions. Legal observers say that decision, in Janus v. AFSCME, could presage a similar ruling regarding private-sector unions. More broadly, Janus was a stark victory for the 1 percent, underlining a decades-long trend of working- and middle-class wage stagnation. Tue, 06 Nov 2018 12:34:26 -0000 full Slate In June, the Supreme Court ruled that public-sector employees who are represented by unions in collective bargaining can’t be obligated to pay dues to those unions. Legal observers say that decision, in Janus v. AFSCME, could presage a similar ruling regarding private-sector unions. More broadly, Janus was a stark victory for the 1 percent, underlining a decades-long trend of working- and middle-class wage stagnation. 1545 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/arizona-teacher-strikes-midterm-elections-red-for-ed.html Vanessa Arredondo began her teaching career five years ago in Phoenix with about 30 students in her second-grade class and a list of supplies she had to pay for out of her own pocket. In her first year, she watched veteran teachers quit out of frustration or desperation, leaving behind their overstuffed classes to ill-equipped substitutes. Mon, 05 Nov 2018 12:34:26 -0000 full Slate Vanessa Arredondo began her teaching career five years ago in Phoenix with about 30 students in her second-grade class and a list of supplies she had to pay for out of her own pocket. In her first year, she watched veteran teachers quit out of frustration or desperation, leaving behind their overstuffed classes to ill-equipped substitutes. 1410 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/christine-blasey-ford-gofundme-campaign.html Now that Brett Kavanaugh is sitting on the Supreme Court, Christine Blasey Ford is no longer making daily headlines. But she’s still making money via GoFundMe, where one of two massively successful fundraising pages is still collecting donations for a no-strings-attached pot that currently contains more than $633,000. An Oct. Fri, 02 Nov 2018 11:34:52 -0000 full Slate Now that Brett Kavanaugh is sitting on the Supreme Court, Christine Blasey Ford is no longer making daily headlines. But she’s still making money via GoFundMe, where one of two massively successful fundraising pages is still collecting donations for a no-strings-attached pot that currently contains more than $633,000. An Oct. 735 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/trump-synagogue-shooting-mail-bombs.html By now we’re all sadly familiar with the terrible crime that was committed last week: President Donald Trump was accused of fomenting violence. Some people believe that the true victims were the people targeted, wounded, or killed in multiple attacks. They say pipe bombs were sent to public figures the president had vilified and a Trump supporter was charged with sending them. Thu, 01 Nov 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate By now we’re all sadly familiar with the terrible crime that was committed last week: President Donald Trump was accused of fomenting violence. Some people believe that the true victims were the people targeted, wounded, or killed in multiple attacks. They say pipe bombs were sent to public figures the president had vilified and a Trump supporter was charged with sending them. 668 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/squirrel-hill-shooting-trump-anti-semitism-america.html Perhaps we should start here: We don’t yet know what we don’t know. Twelve people have been shot, 11 are dead at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. Six are injured. Four law enforcement officers were injured before the gunman was apprehended.Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Director, Wendell Hissrich has called the crime scene “one of the worst I have ever seen. Wed, 31 Oct 2018 11:35:09 -0000 full Slate Perhaps we should start here: We don’t yet know what we don’t know. Twelve people have been shot, 11 are dead at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. Six are injured. Four law enforcement officers were injured before the gunman was apprehended.Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Director, Wendell Hissrich has called the crime scene “one of the worst I have ever seen. 639 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/cesar-sayoc-fox-news-trump-fanaticism.html This article is part ofWatching Fox, a Slate series about Fox News. Around 12:20 on Friday afternoon, in the middle of Fox News’ Outnumbered, the tarp came off the van. The van in question reportedly belongs to 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc, who was arrested that morning in connection with the pipe bomb incidents that have roiled the country all week. Tue, 30 Oct 2018 11:34:30 -0000 full Slate This article is part ofWatching Fox, a Slate series about Fox News. Around 12:20 on Friday afternoon, in the middle of Fox News’ Outnumbered, the tarp came off the van. The van in question reportedly belongs to 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc, who was arrested that morning in connection with the pipe bomb incidents that have roiled the country all week. 764 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/fox-news-pipe-bombs-caravan-coverage.html This article is part of Watching Fox, a Slate series about Fox News. Viewers of the country’s most popular and least credible cable-news morning show woke up Wednesday morning to breaking news of America in crisis. “This is a Fox News alert,” announced Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy at 6:02 a.m. “[The] Wall Street Journal is talking about a new caravan—” “Ugh,” interjected Brian Kilmeade, the program’s foremost interjector of grunts. Mon, 29 Oct 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate This article is part of Watching Fox, a Slate series about Fox News. Viewers of the country’s most popular and least credible cable-news morning show woke up Wednesday morning to breaking news of America in crisis. “This is a Fox News alert,” announced Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy at 6:02 a.m. “[The] Wall Street Journal is talking about a new caravan—” “Ugh,” interjected Brian Kilmeade, the program’s foremost interjector of grunts. 884 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/trump-nationalist-gop-violence.html On Monday night, President Trump declared himself a nationalist. At a rally in Houston, he distinguished nationalists from “globalists,” people who, according to Trump, care more about the world than about their own tribe. Nationalism has a fascist pedigree, and Trump has a history of using race, religion, and ethnicity to turn the people he sees as real Americans—people who look like him—against those who have “Arab” or “Mexican heritage. Fri, 26 Oct 2018 11:34:31 -0000 full Slate On Monday night, President Trump declared himself a nationalist. At a rally in Houston, he distinguished nationalists from “globalists,” people who, according to Trump, care more about the world than about their own tribe. Nationalism has a fascist pedigree, and Trump has a history of using race, religion, and ethnicity to turn the people he sees as real Americans—people who look like him—against those who have “Arab” or “Mexican heritage. 477 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/donald-trump-bigotry-midterms.html Donald Trump runs on fear. Once again, he’s closing out an election season with a direct appeal to the darkest impulses of the American psyche. “The Democrats don’t care what their extremist immigration agenda will do to your communities,” he said at a rally in Arizona last week, packing xenophobia into the false assertion that “Democrats want to throw your borders wide open to deadly drugs and endless gangs. Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Donald Trump runs on fear. Once again, he’s closing out an election season with a direct appeal to the darkest impulses of the American psyche. “The Democrats don’t care what their extremist immigration agenda will do to your communities,” he said at a rally in Arizona last week, packing xenophobia into the false assertion that “Democrats want to throw your borders wide open to deadly drugs and endless gangs. 581 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/ted-cruz-beto-orourke-texas-senate.html DALLAS—The morning after his second and final Senate debate with Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Ted Cruz was happy to see me. Late the night before, I had published an assessment of the debate, crediting Cruz with getting the job done, but also mocking his over-the-top, fear-mongering portrayal of Texas under Democratic control, delivered in that famously smug voice that’s riled up millions—not all of them Democrats—for the last five years. Cruz said he liked the piece. Wed, 24 Oct 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate DALLAS—The morning after his second and final Senate debate with Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Ted Cruz was happy to see me. Late the night before, I had published an assessment of the debate, crediting Cruz with getting the job done, but also mocking his over-the-top, fear-mongering portrayal of Texas under Democratic control, delivered in that famously smug voice that’s riled up millions—not all of them Democrats—for the last five years. Cruz said he liked the piece. 719 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/trump-gianforte-violence-midterms.html On Thursday night, President Donald Trump celebrated a violent crime. At a rally in Montana, Trump saluted Rep. Greg Gianforte, who pleaded guilty last year to assaulting a reporter. Trump mimicked Gianforte’s takedown of Ben Jacobs, a Guardian correspondent who, on the final day of a special congressional election in May 2017, had tried to ask Gianforte about health care. Tue, 23 Oct 2018 11:35:19 -0000 full Slate On Thursday night, President Donald Trump celebrated a violent crime. At a rally in Montana, Trump saluted Rep. Greg Gianforte, who pleaded guilty last year to assaulting a reporter. Trump mimicked Gianforte’s takedown of Ben Jacobs, a Guardian correspondent who, on the final day of a special congressional election in May 2017, had tried to ask Gianforte about health care. 428 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/trump-beliefs-climate-change-saudi-arabia.html Last week, President Trump explained to a crowd in Erie, Pennsylvania, how he decides which polls to trust. “I believe in polls,” he said. “Only the ones that have us up, because they’re the only honest ones. Other than that, they’re the fake news polls.” Trump half-grinned, and the crowd laughed. But Trump really does let his beliefs follow his biases. He accepts the word of dictators and police, not of women, immigrants, or elected European leaders. Mon, 22 Oct 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Last week, President Trump explained to a crowd in Erie, Pennsylvania, how he decides which polls to trust. “I believe in polls,” he said. “Only the ones that have us up, because they’re the only honest ones. Other than that, they’re the fake news polls.” Trump half-grinned, and the crowd laughed. But Trump really does let his beliefs follow his biases. He accepts the word of dictators and police, not of women, immigrants, or elected European leaders. 440 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/republicans-illegal-immigration-2018-midterms-pew.html Donald Trump embraced his role as a radical nativist from the very beginning of his presidential campaign. Whether it was a conscious strategic decision or a product of his substantial populist instincts is almost beside the point. Fri, 19 Oct 2018 11:34:33 -0000 full Slate Donald Trump embraced his role as a radical nativist from the very beginning of his presidential campaign. Whether it was a conscious strategic decision or a product of his substantial populist instincts is almost beside the point. 471 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/hillary-clinton-bill-clinton-monica-lewinsky-metoo.html For all the powerful abusers exposed and censured over the past 12 months, one of the biggest accomplishments of the #MeToo movement has been the reintroduction and reframing of past misconduct. Thu, 18 Oct 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate For all the powerful abusers exposed and censured over the past 12 months, one of the biggest accomplishments of the #MeToo movement has been the reintroduction and reframing of past misconduct. 412 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/brian-kemp-polls-georgia-voting.html In a few weeks, the citizens of Georgia won’t just be casting ballots for their governor; they will be deciding the fate of their democracy. The Democratic nominee, Stacey Abrams, has pegged her campaign to progressive policy and voter mobilization, hoping to turn the state’s substantial population of white liberals, black Americans, and other nonwhite residents into a voting majority. If elected, Abrams would be the first black woman elected governor in the United States. Wed, 17 Oct 2018 11:34:47 -0000 full Slate In a few weeks, the citizens of Georgia won’t just be casting ballots for their governor; they will be deciding the fate of their democracy. The Democratic nominee, Stacey Abrams, has pegged her campaign to progressive policy and voter mobilization, hoping to turn the state’s substantial population of white liberals, black Americans, and other nonwhite residents into a voting majority. If elected, Abrams would be the first black woman elected governor in the United States. 427 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/minority-rule-not-in-the-constitution.html A central architect of the Constitution, James Madison was deeply sensitive to the threat majorities posed to minorities. On important social questions, “[N]o other rule exists … but the will of the majority,” he wrote in 1785 while a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, “but it is also true that the majority may trespass on the rights of the minority. Tue, 16 Oct 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate A central architect of the Constitution, James Madison was deeply sensitive to the threat majorities posed to minorities. On important social questions, “[N]o other rule exists … but the will of the majority,” he wrote in 1785 while a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, “but it is also true that the majority may trespass on the rights of the minority. 845 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/immigration-opponents-should-worry-about-global-warming.html Climate change is a hoax. If it’s not a hoax, it’s overrated. If it’s not overrated, it’s a problem for other countries, not for us. It’s just a pet issue for panicky liberals. If you believe any of these things, I have bad news: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—basically, the world’s best weather and earth scientists—has just issued a report on rising temperatures and the problems they’re causing around the world. Mon, 15 Oct 2018 11:35:09 -0000 full Slate Climate change is a hoax. If it’s not a hoax, it’s overrated. If it’s not overrated, it’s a problem for other countries, not for us. It’s just a pet issue for panicky liberals. If you believe any of these things, I have bad news: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—basically, the world’s best weather and earth scientists—has just issued a report on rising temperatures and the problems they’re causing around the world. 474 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/violence-against-women-act-immigration-domestic-violence.html Ana María Toledo Cáceres landed in Las Vegas on a sweltering September day in 2014. In the car with her fiancé, en route to her new home in Utah, the 49-year-old Guatemalan tried to take in the stark, red rock landscape. Cáceres had been sad to leave her two daughters behind in Guatemala City, but now she felt excited and ready to marry the man she loved. Fri, 12 Oct 2018 11:34:30 -0000 full Slate Ana María Toledo Cáceres landed in Las Vegas on a sweltering September day in 2014. In the car with her fiancé, en route to her new home in Utah, the 49-year-old Guatemalan tried to take in the stark, red rock landscape. Cáceres had been sad to leave her two daughters behind in Guatemala City, but now she felt excited and ready to marry the man she loved. 825 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/brett-kavanaugh-democratic-party-fallout-anger.html The salient feature of now-seated Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s testimony during the hearing that was intended to assess whether he had committed sexual assault in his youth was, as many have noted, his anger. It was anger that made him lash out inappropriately, anger that contorted his face in a way that made many viewers feel sick. Thu, 11 Oct 2018 11:35:36 -0000 full Slate The salient feature of now-seated Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s testimony during the hearing that was intended to assess whether he had committed sexual assault in his youth was, as many have noted, his anger. It was anger that made him lash out inappropriately, anger that contorted his face in a way that made many viewers feel sick. 828 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/susan-collins-brett-kavanaugh-speech.html On July 10, one day after President Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, reporters in the Capitol were trying to suss out Maine Sen. Susan Collins’ impressions of the judge. One asked if she was concerned that Kavanaugh might gut the Affordable Care Act’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions, as yet another lawsuit filed by Republican attorneys general sought to do. Wed, 10 Oct 2018 11:34:55 -0000 full Slate On July 10, one day after President Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, reporters in the Capitol were trying to suss out Maine Sen. Susan Collins’ impressions of the judge. One asked if she was concerned that Kavanaugh might gut the Affordable Care Act’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions, as yet another lawsuit filed by Republican attorneys general sought to do. 320 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/kavanaugh-wall-street-journal-op-ed-partisan.html Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, would like to correct a misunderstanding. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Thursday night, Kavanaugh promises to be an impartial justice, not the liberal-baiting flamethrower he played in his opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. We’ve seen this from Kavanaugh before: rage, animus, and political warfare, followed by a scramble to clean things up. The cleanup is an act. Tue, 09 Oct 2018 11:34:45 -0000 full Slate Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, would like to correct a misunderstanding. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Thursday night, Kavanaugh promises to be an impartial justice, not the liberal-baiting flamethrower he played in his opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. We’ve seen this from Kavanaugh before: rage, animus, and political warfare, followed by a scramble to clean things up. The cleanup is an act. 496 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/atticus-finch-brett-kavanaugh-john-cornyn-rich-lowry.html In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, dramatic action revolves around Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a young white woman, Mayella Ewell, in a small Alabama town in the 1930s. Atticus Finch is his court-appointed lawyer, and after he gets the case, his daughter, Scout, the narrator, must contend with the disdain and ostracism of their neighbors. Atticus, too, stands against the weight of public opinion, even stopping a mob of men eager to dispense vigilante justice. Mon, 08 Oct 2018 11:34:46 -0000 full Slate In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, dramatic action revolves around Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a young white woman, Mayella Ewell, in a small Alabama town in the 1930s. Atticus Finch is his court-appointed lawyer, and after he gets the case, his daughter, Scout, the narrator, must contend with the disdain and ostracism of their neighbors. Atticus, too, stands against the weight of public opinion, even stopping a mob of men eager to dispense vigilante justice. 510 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/anthony-kennedy-brett-kavanaugh-democracy-death.html “Perhaps we didn’t do too good a job teaching the importance of preserving democracy by an enlightened civic discourse,” said Kennedy on Friday, speaking to high-schoolers in his hometown of Sacramento, California. “In the first part of this century, we’re seeing the death and decline of democracy. Fri, 05 Oct 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate “Perhaps we didn’t do too good a job teaching the importance of preserving democracy by an enlightened civic discourse,” said Kennedy on Friday, speaking to high-schoolers in his hometown of Sacramento, California. “In the first part of this century, we’re seeing the death and decline of democracy. 708 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/kavanaugh-drinking-credibility.html Did Brett Kavanaugh drink a lot as a teenager? Is he lying about what he did while drunk? Should senators take that into account when voting on his confirmation to the Supreme Court? The answers to these questions are yes, yes, and yes. There’s been a lot of indignation on the right, including from Kavanaugh, over questions about his drinking and what they have to do with his merits as a judge. Thu, 04 Oct 2018 11:34:29 -0000 full Slate Did Brett Kavanaugh drink a lot as a teenager? Is he lying about what he did while drunk? Should senators take that into account when voting on his confirmation to the Supreme Court? The answers to these questions are yes, yes, and yes. There’s been a lot of indignation on the right, including from Kavanaugh, over questions about his drinking and what they have to do with his merits as a judge. 733 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/kavanaugh-fbi-investigation-potential-witnesses.html On Friday, Sen. Jeff Flake was joined by Sen. Lisa Murkowski and other swing-vote senators in calling for a one-week FBI investigation into the recent allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh before holding a final vote on his confirmation. Senate Republicans and the White House then announced that the bureau would, in fact, take a week to review “current credible allegations” against Kavanaugh. Wed, 03 Oct 2018 11:34:37 -0000 full Slate On Friday, Sen. Jeff Flake was joined by Sen. Lisa Murkowski and other swing-vote senators in calling for a one-week FBI investigation into the recent allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh before holding a final vote on his confirmation. Senate Republicans and the White House then announced that the bureau would, in fact, take a week to review “current credible allegations” against Kavanaugh. 671 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/brett-kavanaugh-hearing-angry-shouting.html Thursday’s judiciary committee hearing was a study in contrasts whose differences were oddly erased by their result. Christine Blasey Ford seemed terrified but brimmed with good will. The extent of her cooperation is measurable: She went to great lengths to be as painfully precise as she could be, clarifying her comments at every turn. She was considerate of the committee and answered every question, repeatedly going out of her way to offer more than was asked. Tue, 02 Oct 2018 11:34:48 -0000 full Slate Thursday’s judiciary committee hearing was a study in contrasts whose differences were oddly erased by their result. Christine Blasey Ford seemed terrified but brimmed with good will. The extent of her cooperation is measurable: She went to great lengths to be as painfully precise as she could be, clarifying her comments at every turn. She was considerate of the committee and answered every question, repeatedly going out of her way to offer more than was asked. 1047 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/whyididntreport-brett-kavanaugh-allegations-and-other-hashtags-metoo-notokay.html Every year for the past decade, the Family Research Council has hosted the Values Voter Summit, a convention of conservative activists who vote based on traditional right-wing values. Those values are predictable: They’re opposed to gay marriage, abortion rights, and immigration; they support gun rights, tax cuts, and personhood for both fetuses and corporations. Mon, 01 Oct 2018 11:35:40 -0000 full Slate Every year for the past decade, the Family Research Council has hosted the Values Voter Summit, a convention of conservative activists who vote based on traditional right-wing values. Those values are predictable: They’re opposed to gay marriage, abortion rights, and immigration; they support gun rights, tax cuts, and personhood for both fetuses and corporations. 714 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/brett-kavanaugh-allegations-yearbook-male-bonding.html For what it’s worth, and absent evidence or allegations to the contrary, I believe Brett Kavanaugh’s claim that he was a virgin through his teens. I believe it in part because it squares with some of the oddities I’ve had a hard time understanding about his alleged behavior: namely, that both allegations are strikingly different from other high-profile stories the past year, most of which feature a man and a woman alone. Fri, 28 Sep 2018 11:34:48 -0000 full Slate For what it’s worth, and absent evidence or allegations to the contrary, I believe Brett Kavanaugh’s claim that he was a virgin through his teens. I believe it in part because it squares with some of the oddities I’ve had a hard time understanding about his alleged behavior: namely, that both allegations are strikingly different from other high-profile stories the past year, most of which feature a man and a woman alone. 826 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/brett-kavanuagh-christine-blasey-ford-mistaken-identity.html While refusing anything so prosaic as an actual FBI investigation (which Anita Hill’s claims received when Clarence Thomas was a nominee), Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have reached a tentative agreement to hear the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, via a baroque negotiation that insists on their competence to “investigate” something like this while functionally stripping themselves of the power to actually investigate it. Thu, 27 Sep 2018 11:34:45 -0000 full Slate While refusing anything so prosaic as an actual FBI investigation (which Anita Hill’s claims received when Clarence Thomas was a nominee), Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have reached a tentative agreement to hear the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, via a baroque negotiation that insists on their competence to “investigate” something like this while functionally stripping themselves of the power to actually investigate it. 828 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/dsa-socialists-bernie-ocasio-cortez-interview.html One of the most surprising things about the Democratic Socialists of America is that there are democratic socialists in America. That was perhaps under the radar until Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez started making headlines. On a recent episode of The Gist, Mike Pesca spoke with Maria Svart, the national director of the Democratic Socialists of America. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. * * * Mike Pesca: Let’s go to 2011 and 2012. Wed, 26 Sep 2018 11:34:33 -0000 full Slate One of the most surprising things about the Democratic Socialists of America is that there are democratic socialists in America. That was perhaps under the radar until Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez started making headlines. On a recent episode of The Gist, Mike Pesca spoke with Maria Svart, the national director of the Democratic Socialists of America. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. * * * Mike Pesca: Let’s go to 2011 and 2012. 852 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/blasey-ford-kavanaugh-fbi-investigation-credibility.html On this week’s Political Gabfest, David Plotz and Emily Bazelon are joined by David French, senior fellow at the National Review Institute, to discuss the sexual assault allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. A transcript of this conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity, is below. Tue, 25 Sep 2018 11:34:28 -0000 full Slate On this week’s Political Gabfest, David Plotz and Emily Bazelon are joined by David French, senior fellow at the National Review Institute, to discuss the sexual assault allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. A transcript of this conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity, is below. 1295 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/brett-kavanaugh-christine-blasey-ford-assault-me-too.html It is a remarkable fact of American life that hordes of men are now defending sexual assault. It’s not immediately clear why. It seems like the very definition of an unforced error. Mon, 24 Sep 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate It is a remarkable fact of American life that hordes of men are now defending sexual assault. It’s not immediately clear why. It seems like the very definition of an unforced error. 859 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/brett-kavanaugh-christine-blasey-ford-elite-power.html What’s striking about the many defenses of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in the face of a credible accusation of sexual assault when he was a teenager is how they put broad concerns over accountability and impunity into sharp relief. Fri, 21 Sep 2018 11:34:34 -0000 full Slate What’s striking about the many defenses of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in the face of a credible accusation of sexual assault when he was a teenager is how they put broad concerns over accountability and impunity into sharp relief. 863 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-nomination-withdraw-necessary.html The nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s pick to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court, faces uncertainty this week after more details were revealed about accusations of attempted rape that were made by a former high school acquaintance, Christine Blasey Ford. Ford is a California-based professor. Thu, 20 Sep 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate The nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s pick to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court, faces uncertainty this week after more details were revealed about accusations of attempted rape that were made by a former high school acquaintance, Christine Blasey Ford. Ford is a California-based professor. 1260 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/democracy-threat-from-minority-rule-not-people.html Has American democracy been hijacked by the passions of its people, now a dangerous and untamable majority undermining the republic? In a new issue of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Rosen, head of the National Constitution Center, says yes. “[James] Madison’s worst fears of mob rule have been realized—and the cooling mechanisms he designed to slow down the formation of impetuous majorities have broken. Wed, 19 Sep 2018 11:34:34 -0000 full Slate Has American democracy been hijacked by the passions of its people, now a dangerous and untamable majority undermining the republic? In a new issue of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Rosen, head of the National Constitution Center, says yes. “[James] Madison’s worst fears of mob rule have been realized—and the cooling mechanisms he designed to slow down the formation of impetuous majorities have broken. 490 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/cynthia-nixon-andrew-cuomo-democratic-primary-results.html Andrew Cuomo didn’t need to do much to discredit Cynthia Nixon as a gubernatorial candidate. As soon as the actress and activist announced she was challenging the Democratic governor in March, social media feeds filled with jokes about the bawdy exploits of the lawyer Nixon played on Sex and the City. It was an obvious comparison; Miranda Hobbes was easy to imagine in public office, and it’s by far Nixon’s most-famous role. Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:34:42 -0000 full Slate Andrew Cuomo didn’t need to do much to discredit Cynthia Nixon as a gubernatorial candidate. As soon as the actress and activist announced she was challenging the Democratic governor in March, social media feeds filled with jokes about the bawdy exploits of the lawyer Nixon played on Sex and the City. It was an obvious comparison; Miranda Hobbes was easy to imagine in public office, and it’s by far Nixon’s most-famous role. 467 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/les-moonves-resignation-sexual-misconduct-allegations.html The resignation of Les Moonves, CBS’ chairman and chief executive, took many of us by surprise. In the weeks since sexual misconduct allegations against him first broke, we had begun to think Les Moonves wouldn’t go. And that—our pessimistic assumption that big men still get to do as they like—is worth interrogating. Why wouldn’t Moonves go? The accusations against him were credible and well-sourced. Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate The resignation of Les Moonves, CBS’ chairman and chief executive, took many of us by surprise. In the weeks since sexual misconduct allegations against him first broke, we had begun to think Les Moonves wouldn’t go. And that—our pessimistic assumption that big men still get to do as they like—is worth interrogating. Why wouldn’t Moonves go? The accusations against him were credible and well-sourced. 480 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/thinkprogress-weekly-standard-facebook-fact-check-kavanaugh.html Can journalists on the right honestly fact-check journalists on the left? That question erupted this week in a fight over Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings. The fight, as promised, has exposed media bias. But in this case, the bias is on the left. The dispute centers on an article published on Sunday by ThinkProgress. Fri, 14 Sep 2018 11:34:20 -0000 full Slate Can journalists on the right honestly fact-check journalists on the left? That question erupted this week in a fight over Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings. The fight, as promised, has exposed media bias. But in this case, the bias is on the left. The dispute centers on an article published on Sunday by ThinkProgress. 679 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/obamas-illinois-speech-and-the-limits-of-his-legacy.html Since the end of World War II, an informal rule has existed in American politics: Ex-presidents don’t play partisan against their successors. Truman didn’t campaign against Eisenhower; Eisenhower didn’t speak out against Kennedy; Johnson left the game under Nixon; Carter left Reagan in peace. This continued uninterrupted into the 21st century. Thu, 13 Sep 2018 11:34:37 -0000 full Slate Since the end of World War II, an informal rule has existed in American politics: Ex-presidents don’t play partisan against their successors. Truman didn’t campaign against Eisenhower; Eisenhower didn’t speak out against Kennedy; Johnson left the game under Nixon; Carter left Reagan in peace. This continued uninterrupted into the 21st century. 692 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/andrew-cuomo-re-election-subway-2018.html On Friday, Andrew Cuomo celebrated the opening of a new bridge named for his father, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, by driving Franklin Roosevelt’s black Packard east over the Hudson. This bit of primary-season fanfare was short-lived; later that night, the new span was closed over fears that the old bridge being disassembled next door might fall on it. “It is not our bridge. Wed, 12 Sep 2018 11:34:19 -0000 full Slate On Friday, Andrew Cuomo celebrated the opening of a new bridge named for his father, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, by driving Franklin Roosevelt’s black Packard east over the Hudson. This bit of primary-season fanfare was short-lived; later that night, the new span was closed over fears that the old bridge being disassembled next door might fall on it. “It is not our bridge. 752 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/anonymous-new-york-times-op-ed-will-congress-act.html An anonymous New York Times op-ed written by a senior Trump administration official was published on Wednesday. The person says they are working to frustrate the president because he is amoral, unprincipled, inconsistent, and dangerous. This author described themselves as an unsung hero who is part of the resistance, and the damning essay comes on the heels of an explosive new book about the Trump White House from award-winning journalist Bob Woodward. Tue, 11 Sep 2018 11:34:20 -0000 full Slate An anonymous New York Times op-ed written by a senior Trump administration official was published on Wednesday. The person says they are working to frustrate the president because he is amoral, unprincipled, inconsistent, and dangerous. This author described themselves as an unsung hero who is part of the resistance, and the damning essay comes on the heels of an explosive new book about the Trump White House from award-winning journalist Bob Woodward. 913 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/susan-collins-brett-kavanaugh-roe-v-wade.html Susan Collins talks a big game about reproductive rights. The Republican senator from Maine has said, for instance, that she wants her party to be “as synonymous with protecting a woman’s right to choose as the Democratic Party is with expanded government or raising taxes. Mon, 10 Sep 2018 11:34:20 -0000 full Slate Susan Collins talks a big game about reproductive rights. The Republican senator from Maine has said, for instance, that she wants her party to be “as synonymous with protecting a woman’s right to choose as the Democratic Party is with expanded government or raising taxes. 593 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/bob-woodwards-fear-trump-in-the-white-house-raises-the-specter-of-the-25th-amendment.html Ratified in 1967, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution allows the vice president and a majority of sitting Cabinet secretaries to remove the president if they decide he is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” Crafted in the wake of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, it’s been cited recently in response to President Donald Trump and mounting evidence that he’s not equipped to handle the office of the presidency. Fri, 07 Sep 2018 11:34:17 -0000 full Slate Ratified in 1967, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution allows the vice president and a majority of sitting Cabinet secretaries to remove the president if they decide he is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” Crafted in the wake of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, it’s been cited recently in response to President Donald Trump and mounting evidence that he’s not equipped to handle the office of the presidency. 698 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/kavanaugh-hearings-democrats-will-press-on-seaworld-abortion-and-those-bush-white-house-documents.html Framing—the act of constructing a way of viewing an issue—is a fascinating political skill. And in the days leading up to Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, I couldn’t help but get a kick out of the disparate ways Republicans and Democrats were framing their answers to the same question: How many pages of Kavanaugh’s records from his time in the George W. Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:34:20 -0000 full Slate Framing—the act of constructing a way of viewing an issue—is a fascinating political skill. And in the days leading up to Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, I couldn’t help but get a kick out of the disparate ways Republicans and Democrats were framing their answers to the same question: How many pages of Kavanaugh’s records from his time in the George W. 502 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/andrew-gillum-bill-nelson-and-the-state-of-play-for-florida-democrats.html On Tuesday, Florida Democrats nominated Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, as their candidate for governor. Gillum, who is African-American, ran an impressive come-from-behind campaign to defeat former congresswoman Gwen Graham; in the fall, he will face Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Trump admirer who kicked off the general election by saying that voters shouldn’t “monkey this up” by voting for Gillum. Wed, 05 Sep 2018 11:34:21 -0000 full Slate On Tuesday, Florida Democrats nominated Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, as their candidate for governor. Gillum, who is African-American, ran an impressive come-from-behind campaign to defeat former congresswoman Gwen Graham; in the fall, he will face Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Trump admirer who kicked off the general election by saying that voters shouldn’t “monkey this up” by voting for Gillum. 467 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/pennsylvania-report-on-catholic-church-abuse-dont-be-distracted-by-pope-francis.html The Catholic Church is exposed. A number of wide-ranging, deeply researched reports of molestation, rape, abuse, corruption, and concealment have been released in close enough time to one another that the magnitude of the horror might actually—for the average American, anyway—sink in. It all feels monumental, if also powered in part by coincidence. Tue, 04 Sep 2018 11:34:35 -0000 full Slate The Catholic Church is exposed. A number of wide-ranging, deeply researched reports of molestation, rape, abuse, corruption, and concealment have been released in close enough time to one another that the magnitude of the horror might actually—for the average American, anyway—sink in. It all feels monumental, if also powered in part by coincidence. 688 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/avital-ronell-harassment-case-some-things-arent-complicated.html One of the #MeToo movement’s lasting effects has been to highlight the strategies routinely used to delegitimize accusers. We know now that people—mostly men—accused of sexual misconduct will typically take several steps: They’ll clamor for “due process” that they privately try to game, usually with secret help from powerful friends. Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate One of the #MeToo movement’s lasting effects has been to highlight the strategies routinely used to delegitimize accusers. We know now that people—mostly men—accused of sexual misconduct will typically take several steps: They’ll clamor for “due process” that they privately try to game, usually with secret help from powerful friends. 1227 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/andrew-gillum-how-the-democratic-nominee-can-win-floridas-governor-race-in-november.html On Tuesday night, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum won Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial primary in an upset, startling the political establishment and earning immediate comparisons to upstart congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In retrospect, though, Gillum’s unexpected defeat of his closest rival, Gwen Graham, probably shouldn’t have been shocking. Fri, 31 Aug 2018 11:34:21 -0000 full Slate On Tuesday night, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum won Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial primary in an upset, startling the political establishment and earning immediate comparisons to upstart congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In retrospect, though, Gillum’s unexpected defeat of his closest rival, Gwen Graham, probably shouldn’t have been shocking. 676 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/most-of-the-articles-of-impeachment-against-nixon-could-easily-apply-to-trump.html As the specter of impeachment creeps into conversations about where President Donald Trump’s scandals may be heading, it’s worth recalling the specific “high crimes and misdemeanors” that ousted Richard Nixon from office in 1974. On July 27, the House Judiciary Committee approved, and voted to send the full House, three articles of impeachment, which charged Nixon with 15 separate acts of obstructing justice and abusing power. Thu, 30 Aug 2018 11:34:19 -0000 full Slate As the specter of impeachment creeps into conversations about where President Donald Trump’s scandals may be heading, it’s worth recalling the specific “high crimes and misdemeanors” that ousted Richard Nixon from office in 1974. On July 27, the House Judiciary Committee approved, and voted to send the full House, three articles of impeachment, which charged Nixon with 15 separate acts of obstructing justice and abusing power. 617 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/as-a-capitol-hill-reporter-i-was-skeptical-of-john-mccains-maverick-legend-until-i-started-covering-him.html I did not expect to be so torn up upon Sen. John McCain’s death. It’s difficult to sum up the counter-narrative against the hagiographic portrayal of McCain’s political career, but let’s try: He was overrated, in some ways dangerously. On domestic policy, he ably served the business community of Arizona. But that was never what mattered to him. Wed, 29 Aug 2018 11:34:32 -0000 full Slate I did not expect to be so torn up upon Sen. John McCain’s death. It’s difficult to sum up the counter-narrative against the hagiographic portrayal of McCain’s political career, but let’s try: He was overrated, in some ways dangerously. On domestic policy, he ably served the business community of Arizona. But that was never what mattered to him. 611 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/brett-kavanagh-has-ronald-reagan-to-thank-for-twisting-the-supreme-court.html Despite President Donald Trump’s high disapproval rating, it’s almost a certain that his U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, will be confirmed to the high court. And it’s no surprise—former President Ronald Reagan took steps to make the court a major issue for Republican voters, something that lead to the rise of the conservative Federalist Society, which has spent years sourcing and grooming potential justices. Tue, 28 Aug 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Despite President Donald Trump’s high disapproval rating, it’s almost a certain that his U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, will be confirmed to the high court. And it’s no surprise—former President Ronald Reagan took steps to make the court a major issue for Republican voters, something that lead to the rise of the conservative Federalist Society, which has spent years sourcing and grooming potential justices. 786 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/michael-cohens-guilty-plea-his-loyalty-to-trump-had-a-limit.html Rewarding as it is to see a self-dealing mercenary like Paul Manafort—whose previous clients include Mobutu Sese Seko, Ferdinand Marcos, and Jonas Savimbi—face some measure of legal consequences, the guilty plea of Donald Trump’s “fixer” Michael Cohen is, in Trumpworld, the much bigger deal. Mon, 27 Aug 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Rewarding as it is to see a self-dealing mercenary like Paul Manafort—whose previous clients include Mobutu Sese Seko, Ferdinand Marcos, and Jonas Savimbi—face some measure of legal consequences, the guilty plea of Donald Trump’s “fixer” Michael Cohen is, in Trumpworld, the much bigger deal. 655 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/trump-chose-putin-over-america-right-in-front-of-us.html On Tuesday, President Trump brushed aside questions about the conviction of his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and a guilty plea by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen. The two cases didn’t matter, said Trump, because they didn’t prove the central charge against him. “This has nothing to do with Russian collusion,” Trump told reporters as he arrived in West Virginia. Fri, 24 Aug 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate On Tuesday, President Trump brushed aside questions about the conviction of his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and a guilty plea by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen. The two cases didn’t matter, said Trump, because they didn’t prove the central charge against him. “This has nothing to do with Russian collusion,” Trump told reporters as he arrived in West Virginia. 1844 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/the-immigration-debate-should-focus-less-on-how-people-get-to-america-and-more-on-the-lives-they-build-after-they-arrive.html David S. Thu, 23 Aug 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate David S. 426 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/the-hot-seats-arpaio-aims-for-revenge-kansas-goes-crazy.html 1. Arizona Senate Joe Arpaio’s campaign goes for the murder-suicide against Kelli Ward.With just a week and change left until this final blockbuster Senate primary of the summer, the race has reached its nutty potential. Former state Sen. Kelli Ward and octogenarian former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have been splitting the conservative opposition to Rep. Martha McSally, with Ward getting the bigger half. Wed, 22 Aug 2018 11:34:21 -0000 full Slate 1. Arizona Senate Joe Arpaio’s campaign goes for the murder-suicide against Kelli Ward.With just a week and change left until this final blockbuster Senate primary of the summer, the race has reached its nutty potential. Former state Sen. Kelli Ward and octogenarian former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have been splitting the conservative opposition to Rep. Martha McSally, with Ward getting the bigger half. 484 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/trump-n-word-tape-how-the-country-would-react-day-by-day-if-such-a-recording-came-to-light.html For the past week, former Donald Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newman has been promoting her new tell-all book with claims that she has heard tapes, recorded on the set of The Apprentice, in which Trump can be heard using the N-word. There is reason to consider Manigault Newman an unreliable narrator, but rumors regarding the existence of these tapes didn’t start, and likely won’t end, with her. Here’s what might happen if such a recording came to light. Tue, 21 Aug 2018 11:34:20 -0000 full Slate For the past week, former Donald Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newman has been promoting her new tell-all book with claims that she has heard tapes, recorded on the set of The Apprentice, in which Trump can be heard using the N-word. There is reason to consider Manigault Newman an unreliable narrator, but rumors regarding the existence of these tapes didn’t start, and likely won’t end, with her. Here’s what might happen if such a recording came to light. 858 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/omarosas-tapes-are-booby-traps-in-her-mission-to-take-down-the-white-house.html Unlike her former mentor, whose inelastic deceptions crumble under the slightest scrutiny, Omarosa Manigault Newman repays close reading. I don’t mean her book (haven’t read it). I mean the publicity tour she’s on, which has twin goals: selling books and carefully dismembering the administration she served until she was fired in January. Mon, 20 Aug 2018 11:34:44 -0000 full Slate Unlike her former mentor, whose inelastic deceptions crumble under the slightest scrutiny, Omarosa Manigault Newman repays close reading. I don’t mean her book (haven’t read it). I mean the publicity tour she’s on, which has twin goals: selling books and carefully dismembering the administration she served until she was fired in January. 591 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/the-lessons-of-unite-the-right.html The meager turnout at the Unite the Right rally in D.C. on Sunday offered real confirmation that the alt-right’s organizing capabilities have seriously atrophied in the wake of last year’s Charlottesville rally as a consequence of both infighting and resistance. Jason Kessler, an alt-right leader and one of the organizers of both rallies, told the National Park Service that between 100 and 400 demonstrators could be expected to show up in front of the White House. Fri, 17 Aug 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate The meager turnout at the Unite the Right rally in D.C. on Sunday offered real confirmation that the alt-right’s organizing capabilities have seriously atrophied in the wake of last year’s Charlottesville rally as a consequence of both infighting and resistance. Jason Kessler, an alt-right leader and one of the organizers of both rallies, told the National Park Service that between 100 and 400 demonstrators could be expected to show up in front of the White House. 458 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/ben-jealous-drops-the-f-bomb-to-reject-the-socialism-label.html Asked by a reporter on Wednesday whether he identifies as a socialist, Ben Jealous gave a long-winded but generally on-point response implying he does not. Asked a second time for clarification, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Maryland gave a much shorter response: “Are you fucking kidding me?” You can guess which of the two answers people noticed. Thu, 16 Aug 2018 11:34:37 -0000 full Slate Asked by a reporter on Wednesday whether he identifies as a socialist, Ben Jealous gave a long-winded but generally on-point response implying he does not. Asked a second time for clarification, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Maryland gave a much shorter response: “Are you fucking kidding me?” You can guess which of the two answers people noticed. 450 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/unite-the-right-its-legacy-will-be-the-unity-forged-by-those-on-the-other-side.html One year ago, a torch-wielding mob chanting “Jews will not replace us” invaded my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. The following day, I was in the streets watching in horror as the modern-day Klan announced itself, flanked by heavily armed soldiers of hate in full fatigues and alt-righters chanting “Heil Trump” while flashing Nazi salutes. Wed, 15 Aug 2018 11:34:47 -0000 full Slate One year ago, a torch-wielding mob chanting “Jews will not replace us” invaded my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. The following day, I was in the streets watching in horror as the modern-day Klan announced itself, flanked by heavily armed soldiers of hate in full fatigues and alt-righters chanting “Heil Trump” while flashing Nazi salutes. 616 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/california-fires-and-the-states-war-with-trump.html California is burning. More than 15,000 firefighters have been fighting wildfires across the state. As of Monday, the Mendocino Complex fire became the largest in California history. Donald Trump recognized the tragedy by … inaccurately condemning the state’s water policies. This should give us pause, not because of what the president says, but because of the point this marks in Trump’s long, ongoing war with California. Tue, 14 Aug 2018 11:34:34 -0000 full Slate California is burning. More than 15,000 firefighters have been fighting wildfires across the state. As of Monday, the Mendocino Complex fire became the largest in California history. Donald Trump recognized the tragedy by … inaccurately condemning the state’s water policies. This should give us pause, not because of what the president says, but because of the point this marks in Trump’s long, ongoing war with California. 715 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/al-gore-campaign-finance-controversy-what-trump-could-learn-from-the-former-vp.html A foreign adversary trying to curry favor with a major American political party. Surreptitious and illegal efforts to influence the election in that party’s favor. A national officeholder and White House staff targeted. A resulting political furor, followed by criminal and congressional investigations. Replace Russia with China, the 2016 election with 1996, and President Donald Trump with Vice President Al Gore, and there are disturbing parallels. Mon, 13 Aug 2018 11:34:16 -0000 full Slate A foreign adversary trying to curry favor with a major American political party. Surreptitious and illegal efforts to influence the election in that party’s favor. A national officeholder and White House staff targeted. A resulting political furor, followed by criminal and congressional investigations. Replace Russia with China, the 2016 election with 1996, and President Donald Trump with Vice President Al Gore, and there are disturbing parallels. 965 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/tom-steyers-nextgen-america-releases-major-new-research-on-motivating-young-voters.html The first rule for improving the historically lackluster voting rate for millennials is to never, ever call them that. That’s just one of the many nuggets in a major new research project that NextGen America, one of billionaire Democratic donor Tom Steyer’s political organizations, will unveil at a presentation in Washington on Thursday morning. (This is a separate entity from Steyer’s other well-known project, Need to Impeach. Fri, 10 Aug 2018 13:48:06 -0000 full Slate The first rule for improving the historically lackluster voting rate for millennials is to never, ever call them that. That’s just one of the many nuggets in a major new research project that NextGen America, one of billionaire Democratic donor Tom Steyer’s political organizations, will unveil at a presentation in Washington on Thursday morning. (This is a separate entity from Steyer’s other well-known project, Need to Impeach. 445 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/the-biggest-developments-this-week-in-key-midterm-races.html Welcome tothe Hot Seats, Slate’s weekly guide to the seven midterms races that everyone is talking about now. We’re finally in August, an interminable final stretch of primaries and other weird nonsense that rises to national attention when people are bored in the late summer. The last big special election of the cycle will finally take place on Tuesday. It’s tight. Thu, 09 Aug 2018 11:35:12 -0000 full Slate Welcome tothe Hot Seats, Slate’s weekly guide to the seven midterms races that everyone is talking about now. We’re finally in August, an interminable final stretch of primaries and other weird nonsense that rises to national attention when people are bored in the late summer. The last big special election of the cycle will finally take place on Tuesday. It’s tight. 465 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/donald-trump-brett-kavanaugh-what-the-starr-report-says-about-whether-the-president-committed-an-impeachable-offense.html On Sunday, Donald Trump’s lawyer Jay Sekulow admitted that his client, President Donald Trump, ghostwrote, and instructed his son Donald Trump Jr. to issue, a false statement to the press about an active criminal investigation. Then, after the falsity of Trump Jr.’s statement was uncovered, the president seemingly lied to Sekulow, telling his lawyer that he had played no role in drafting it, and thereby induced Sekulow to repeat that falsehood to the nation. Wed, 08 Aug 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate On Sunday, Donald Trump’s lawyer Jay Sekulow admitted that his client, President Donald Trump, ghostwrote, and instructed his son Donald Trump Jr. to issue, a false statement to the press about an active criminal investigation. Then, after the falsity of Trump Jr.’s statement was uncovered, the president seemingly lied to Sekulow, telling his lawyer that he had played no role in drafting it, and thereby induced Sekulow to repeat that falsehood to the nation. 559 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/melanias-support-for-lebron-james-as-empty-as-ivankas-sadness-about-child-separation.html In 2001, Laura Bush famously departed from her husband’s stance on abortion by saying she thought Roe v. Wade should stand. The first lady was contradicting her president spouse on an issue of great import, and at the time, I thought it was a gutsy move that could have a positive impact on GOP abortion politics. Tue, 07 Aug 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate In 2001, Laura Bush famously departed from her husband’s stance on abortion by saying she thought Roe v. Wade should stand. The first lady was contradicting her president spouse on an issue of great import, and at the time, I thought it was a gutsy move that could have a positive impact on GOP abortion politics. 609 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/rep-jim-jordan-is-trying-to-silence-the-former-students-who-have-accused-him-of-knowing-about-sexual-abuse.html Twenty-five years ago, student wrestlers at Ohio State University thought their assistant coach, Jim Jordan, was a stand-up guy. Now they’re learning the hard way that he isn’t. A report published on Wednesday by NBC News adds to the case against Jordan: He’s orchestrating a campaign to cover up what he and other coaches knew about sexual abuse at OSU. The man at the center of Wednesday’s story is Dunyasha Yetts, who wrestled for OSU in 1993 and 1994. Mon, 06 Aug 2018 11:34:28 -0000 full Slate Twenty-five years ago, student wrestlers at Ohio State University thought their assistant coach, Jim Jordan, was a stand-up guy. Now they’re learning the hard way that he isn’t. A report published on Wednesday by NBC News adds to the case against Jordan: He’s orchestrating a campaign to cover up what he and other coaches knew about sexual abuse at OSU. The man at the center of Wednesday’s story is Dunyasha Yetts, who wrestled for OSU in 1993 and 1994. 557 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/rudy-giuliani-is-workshopping-rebuttals-to-michael-cohen.html President Trump’s new lawyer has a warning about President Trump’s old lawyer: Don’t trust him. According to CNN and NBC News, Donald Trump’s previous lawyer, Michael Cohen, has said he’s prepared to tell investigators that in June of 2016, he witnessed Donald Trump Jr. tell Trump about a Russian offer of dirt on Hillary Clinton. The offer led to the now-infamous meeting at Trump Tower, which Trump claims to have known nothing about. Fri, 03 Aug 2018 11:34:37 -0000 full Slate President Trump’s new lawyer has a warning about President Trump’s old lawyer: Don’t trust him. According to CNN and NBC News, Donald Trump’s previous lawyer, Michael Cohen, has said he’s prepared to tell investigators that in June of 2016, he witnessed Donald Trump Jr. tell Trump about a Russian offer of dirt on Hillary Clinton. The offer led to the now-infamous meeting at Trump Tower, which Trump claims to have known nothing about. 507 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/donald-trump-says-he-didnt-try-to-end-the-mike-flynn-investigation-rudy-giuliani-isnt-so-sure.html Did President Trump ask FBI Director James Comey, in a February 2017 meeting, not to pursue a Trump adviser who had misled investigators about conversations with Russians? If Trump made that request, it could be evidence of obstruction of justice, particularly in light of Comey’s subsequent firing. Trump denies it, but Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, seems to think that it may have happened. Thu, 02 Aug 2018 11:34:36 -0000 full Slate Did President Trump ask FBI Director James Comey, in a February 2017 meeting, not to pursue a Trump adviser who had misled investigators about conversations with Russians? If Trump made that request, it could be evidence of obstruction of justice, particularly in light of Comey’s subsequent firing. Trump denies it, but Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, seems to think that it may have happened. 560 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/trumps-options-in-iran-regime-change-or-a-summit-with-rouhani-brokered-by-putin.html Who knows what was going through President Trump’s head when he tweeted out an all-caps threat at Iranian President Hassan Rouhani earlier this week. Perhaps even the president himself doesn’t know. It is possible that Trump has visions of regime change in his mind. Or he may be looking to repeat his North Korea gambit: a self-inflicted crisis followed by a theatrical summit that allows him to assume the mantle of statesman. Either of these scenarios could come to pass. Wed, 01 Aug 2018 11:34:19 -0000 full Slate Who knows what was going through President Trump’s head when he tweeted out an all-caps threat at Iranian President Hassan Rouhani earlier this week. Perhaps even the president himself doesn’t know. It is possible that Trump has visions of regime change in his mind. Or he may be looking to repeat his North Korea gambit: a self-inflicted crisis followed by a theatrical summit that allows him to assume the mantle of statesman. Either of these scenarios could come to pass. 561 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/russian-election-interference-only-worked-because-americans-were-primed-for-it.html Given an administration this adept at manufacturing crises, it can be easy to stack scandals until you lose sight of the real problems that need solving. This is the risk of “Russiagate.” The Trump campaign’s Russia connections are probably a scandal, and the attacks on the election are undoubtedly a crisis. But there’s a caveat: Russia’s conduct, formidably strategic though it seems to have been, wouldn’t have worked without American susceptibility. Tue, 31 Jul 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Given an administration this adept at manufacturing crises, it can be easy to stack scandals until you lose sight of the real problems that need solving. This is the risk of “Russiagate.” The Trump campaign’s Russia connections are probably a scandal, and the attacks on the election are undoubtedly a crisis. But there’s a caveat: Russia’s conduct, formidably strategic though it seems to have been, wouldn’t have worked without American susceptibility. 628 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/stand-your-ground-laws-in-markeis-mcglockton-killing-why-michael-drejka-gets-police-level-impunity.html Last Thursday, 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton, who is black, was killed outside a convenience store in Clearwater, Florida. Surveillance video shows McGlockton, his girlfriend Britany Jacobs, and their three children pulling into a handicapped parking space in front of the store. While McGlockton was in the store with his 5-year-old son, a man later identified as 47-year-old Michael Drejka, who is white, went up to the car to argue with Jacobs. Mon, 30 Jul 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate Last Thursday, 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton, who is black, was killed outside a convenience store in Clearwater, Florida. Surveillance video shows McGlockton, his girlfriend Britany Jacobs, and their three children pulling into a handicapped parking space in front of the store. While McGlockton was in the store with his 5-year-old son, a man later identified as 47-year-old Michael Drejka, who is white, went up to the car to argue with Jacobs. 749 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/third-ways-centrism-is-dead-the-left-has-already-won-the-debate-over-the-democratic-party.html Last week, moderate Democrats gathered for Opportunity 2020, an invite-only convention in Columbus, Ohio, hosted by the prominent centrist think tank Third Way. “Unlike a traditional conference, expect a stimulating mix of thought provoking presentations and interactive small-group sessions focused on the urgent need for the next generation of Democrats to offer a new social contract for the Digital Age,” the event’s webpage read. Fri, 27 Jul 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate Last week, moderate Democrats gathered for Opportunity 2020, an invite-only convention in Columbus, Ohio, hosted by the prominent centrist think tank Third Way. “Unlike a traditional conference, expect a stimulating mix of thought provoking presentations and interactive small-group sessions focused on the urgent need for the next generation of Democrats to offer a new social contract for the Digital Age,” the event’s webpage read. 1091 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/trumps-correction-on-russia-is-an-excellent-joke-lets-keep-it-going.html WASHINGTON, July 17—President Trump today walked back comments he made in Helsinki on Monday at a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the press conference, Mr. Trump was asked whether Russia was guilty of interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as alleged in a federal indictment issued last week. He replied, “I don’t see any reason why it would be.” Today, however, Mr. Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:34:30 -0000 full Slate WASHINGTON, July 17—President Trump today walked back comments he made in Helsinki on Monday at a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the press conference, Mr. Trump was asked whether Russia was guilty of interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as alleged in a federal indictment issued last week. He replied, “I don’t see any reason why it would be.” Today, however, Mr. 452 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/arizonas-new-frozen-embryo-law-is-terrible-news-for-couples-thinking-about-in-vitro-fertilization.html The modern pro-life movement isn’t quite sure what to think about frozen embryos. In vitro fertilization helps people get pregnant, and pro-lifers are unlikely to denounce a procedure that has helped create more than 1 million U.S. babies. But almost every person who has undergone IVF ends up with excess embryos that will never get implanted. Wed, 25 Jul 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate The modern pro-life movement isn’t quite sure what to think about frozen embryos. In vitro fertilization helps people get pregnant, and pro-lifers are unlikely to denounce a procedure that has helped create more than 1 million U.S. babies. But almost every person who has undergone IVF ends up with excess embryos that will never get implanted. 452 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/bill-browder-on-being-called-out-by-putin-during-the-helsinki-press-conference.html On this week’s Trumpcast, Jacob Weisberg talks to Bill Browder, who was mentioned by name by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the press conference with Donald Trump on Monday in Helsinki. Browder is the author of the book Red Notice, which tells the story of the murder of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, in a Russian prison, and his efforts to bring the killers to justice through the sanctions law known as the Magnitsky Act. Tue, 24 Jul 2018 11:34:17 -0000 full Slate On this week’s Trumpcast, Jacob Weisberg talks to Bill Browder, who was mentioned by name by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the press conference with Donald Trump on Monday in Helsinki. Browder is the author of the book Red Notice, which tells the story of the murder of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, in a Russian prison, and his efforts to bring the killers to justice through the sanctions law known as the Magnitsky Act. 716 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/peter-strzok-is-the-hero-we-need.html At his press conference in Helsinki on Monday, President Trump couldn’t bring himself to say anything critical of Vladimir Putin. Instead, Trump attacked Peter Strzok, an FBI agent who helped lead the investigations of Hillary Clinton’s emails and Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mon, 23 Jul 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate At his press conference in Helsinki on Monday, President Trump couldn’t bring himself to say anything critical of Vladimir Putin. Instead, Trump attacked Peter Strzok, an FBI agent who helped lead the investigations of Hillary Clinton’s emails and Russian interference in the 2016 election. 559 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/democrats-can-capitalize-on-donald-trumps-failed-policies-in-the-midwest.html For the better part of two years now, reporters have been trying to find the issue or offense that could fracture Donald Trump’s base of support. They have traveled to “Trump country” for regular updates from working-class whites and other key Trump constituents, only to find that those voters have been unmoved by each controversy. Fri, 20 Jul 2018 11:34:53 -0000 full Slate For the better part of two years now, reporters have been trying to find the issue or offense that could fracture Donald Trump’s base of support. They have traveled to “Trump country” for regular updates from working-class whites and other key Trump constituents, only to find that those voters have been unmoved by each controversy. 897 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/john-bolton-had-5-million-reasons-to-work-with-cambridge-analytica.html This story was published by theCenter for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington. John Bolton needed billionaire Robert Mercer’s attention and support—so badly that Bolton spent more than $1 million of his super PAC’s money on “comically bad” data from Mercer’s now-defunct voter profiling firm, Cambridge Analytica. Thu, 19 Jul 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate This story was published by theCenter for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington. John Bolton needed billionaire Robert Mercer’s attention and support—so badly that Bolton spent more than $1 million of his super PAC’s money on “comically bad” data from Mercer’s now-defunct voter profiling firm, Cambridge Analytica. 722 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/liberals-are-spending-too-much-time-playing-detective.html On Sunday, New York magazine published an essay by Jonathan Chait that outlines a “plausible theory of mind-boggling collusion” between Donald Trump and his circle and the Russian government during the 2016 campaign. Wed, 18 Jul 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate On Sunday, New York magazine published an essay by Jonathan Chait that outlines a “plausible theory of mind-boggling collusion” between Donald Trump and his circle and the Russian government during the 2016 campaign. 704 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/harith-augustus-shooting-chicagos-abusive-police-state-is-untenable.html Early Saturday evening, a Chicago police officer shot and killed Harith Augustus, a 37-year-old black American barber working in the neighborhood where the police had confronted him. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) released body-camera video that shows Augustus becoming agitated after being surrounded and grabbed by officers. As he attempts to flee and appears to reach for a gun in his waistband, an officer begins firing on him, and Augustus falls. Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate Early Saturday evening, a Chicago police officer shot and killed Harith Augustus, a 37-year-old black American barber working in the neighborhood where the police had confronted him. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) released body-camera video that shows Augustus becoming agitated after being surrounded and grabbed by officers. As he attempts to flee and appears to reach for a gun in his waistband, an officer begins firing on him, and Augustus falls. 743 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/abortion-family-separation-and-how-the-trump-administration-uses-female-pain-as-punishment.html Last spring, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress worked together to pass a bill that would have gutted the Affordable Care Act. That piece of legislation doubled as an ideological manifesto: By letting states waive insurance protections for women who’ve been pregnant, given birth, survived a sexual assault, or experienced domestic violence, the GOP laid out a medical framework that treated women’s bodies as inherently sick, aberrations from the norm. Mon, 16 Jul 2018 20:03:45 -0000 full Slate Last spring, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress worked together to pass a bill that would have gutted the Affordable Care Act. That piece of legislation doubled as an ideological manifesto: By letting states waive insurance protections for women who’ve been pregnant, given birth, survived a sexual assault, or experienced domestic violence, the GOP laid out a medical framework that treated women’s bodies as inherently sick, aberrations from the norm. 924 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/jim-jordan-republican-defense-of-congressman-shows-how-trumps-transgressions-have-trickled-down.html Rep. Jim Jordan, a founding member of the Freedom Caucus and a candidate to replace Paul Ryan as speaker, is one of the most firebrand conservatives in the House of Representatives. But Jordan himself is now under fire, after multiple men accused him of turning a blind eye to sexual abuse when he was assistant coach of the Ohio State University wrestling team from 1986 to 1994. Fri, 13 Jul 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate Rep. Jim Jordan, a founding member of the Freedom Caucus and a candidate to replace Paul Ryan as speaker, is one of the most firebrand conservatives in the House of Representatives. But Jordan himself is now under fire, after multiple men accused him of turning a blind eye to sexual abuse when he was assistant coach of the Ohio State University wrestling team from 1986 to 1994. 704 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/jim-jordans-wrestling-double-standard.html Jim Jordan, a Republican congressman from Ohio, wants to be speaker of the House. But he has a problem. From 1986 to 1994, Jordan was the assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University. Several men who wrestled for OSU during those years say Jordan knew that the team doctor, Richard Strauss, was molesting members of the team. Jordan says he knew nothing about it. He swears that if he’d known, he would have rushed to inform the authorities. Accusations such as these can be hard to adjudicate. Thu, 12 Jul 2018 11:34:50 -0000 full Slate Jim Jordan, a Republican congressman from Ohio, wants to be speaker of the House. But he has a problem. From 1986 to 1994, Jordan was the assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University. Several men who wrestled for OSU during those years say Jordan knew that the team doctor, Richard Strauss, was molesting members of the team. Jordan says he knew nothing about it. He swears that if he’d known, he would have rushed to inform the authorities. Accusations such as these can be hard to adjudicate. 610 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/democratic-leaders-should-stop-worrying-and-embrace-calls-to-abolish-ice.html Traditionally, conservatives have maintained a monopoly on the kind of rhetoric that imagines dismantling large pieces of the federal government, calling for the abolition of everything from the Departments of Energy and Education to the Internal Revenue Service. In response, Democrats have typically dismissed these calls as the spasms of a lunatic fringe. But President Trump’s outrageous immigration policy has led Democrats to create their own abolition movement. Wed, 11 Jul 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Traditionally, conservatives have maintained a monopoly on the kind of rhetoric that imagines dismantling large pieces of the federal government, calling for the abolition of everything from the Departments of Energy and Education to the Internal Revenue Service. In response, Democrats have typically dismissed these calls as the spasms of a lunatic fringe. But President Trump’s outrageous immigration policy has led Democrats to create their own abolition movement. 724 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/southwest-key-and-family-separations-was-the-shelter-complicit.html In 2014, four years before it became synonymous in the public imagination with the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” family separation policy, Southwest Key Programs applied for a permit from the city of Escondido, California, to open a children’s shelter. The wave of unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border, which President Obama that summer labeled an “actual humanitarian crisis,” was at its apex. Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:34:18 -0000 full Slate In 2014, four years before it became synonymous in the public imagination with the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” family separation policy, Southwest Key Programs applied for a permit from the city of Escondido, California, to open a children’s shelter. The wave of unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border, which President Obama that summer labeled an “actual humanitarian crisis,” was at its apex. 1230 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/roe-v-wade-why-republicans-wont-repeal-it.html Justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring, and liberal panic has set in. “You are going to see 20 states pass laws banning abortion outright—just banning abortion—because they know that there are now going to be five votes on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade,” CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin declared last week. “Abortion will be illegal in a significant part of the United States in 18 months. There is just no doubt about that.” Let me introduce some doubt. Mon, 09 Jul 2018 11:34:20 -0000 full Slate Justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring, and liberal panic has set in. “You are going to see 20 states pass laws banning abortion outright—just banning abortion—because they know that there are now going to be five votes on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade,” CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin declared last week. “Abortion will be illegal in a significant part of the United States in 18 months. There is just no doubt about that.” Let me introduce some doubt. 476 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/donald-trump-is-leading-the-republican-charge-to-preserve-a-shrinking-white-majority.html Under the Trump administration, even naturalized citizens are now a target. The government agency that oversees immigration applications is hiring lawyers and immigration officers to review cases of immigrants suspected of obtaining citizenship through fake identities or other false information on their applications. Cases would be referred to the Department of Justice, where offenders could lose their citizenship or legal status. Fri, 06 Jul 2018 11:34:31 -0000 full Slate Under the Trump administration, even naturalized citizens are now a target. The government agency that oversees immigration applications is hiring lawyers and immigration officers to review cases of immigrants suspected of obtaining citizenship through fake identities or other false information on their applications. Cases would be referred to the Department of Justice, where offenders could lose their citizenship or legal status. 916 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/midterms-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-won-in-part-because-of-demographics-and-thats-a-good-thing.html It’s been less than a week since Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her primary, and she’s already risen from longshot newcomer to Democratic household name. The Bronx-born 28-year-old—who ousted 10-term Rep. Thu, 05 Jul 2018 11:34:30 -0000 full Slate It’s been less than a week since Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her primary, and she’s already risen from longshot newcomer to Democratic household name. The Bronx-born 28-year-old—who ousted 10-term Rep. 545 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/kennedys-retirement-gives-trump-virtually-unchecked-power.html On Thursday’s edition of the Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discussed the political and historical implications of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s decision to retire from the bench. The excerpt from the show below has been edited and condensed for clarity. David Plotz: What does Kennedy’s resignation mean for the court? Is Roe v. Wed, 04 Jul 2018 11:34:20 -0000 full Slate On Thursday’s edition of the Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discussed the political and historical implications of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s decision to retire from the bench. The excerpt from the show below has been edited and condensed for clarity. David Plotz: What does Kennedy’s resignation mean for the court? Is Roe v. 1240 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/trumps-lies-are-winning-you-can-fight-back.html These are confusing times, and they’re getting worse. On the one hand, there’s tons of misinformation: Some of it is disseminated through technology, trolls, and bots; some through Trump’s lies and propaganda (helped by a news cycle he drives); and some by Supreme Court cases like NIFLA v. Tue, 03 Jul 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate These are confusing times, and they’re getting worse. On the one hand, there’s tons of misinformation: Some of it is disseminated through technology, trolls, and bots; some through Trump’s lies and propaganda (helped by a news cycle he drives); and some by Supreme Court cases like NIFLA v. 594 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/supreme-court-is-now-trumps-and-so-we-grieve-for-america.html Because countries are not people, it’s tricky to translate whatever “loving one’s country” means—it’s quite abstract—into the language of heartbreak. It sounds melodramatic. What can heartbreak mean as a civic matter? And yet it is what I feel. A corrupt but weak president—this has been my comfort, his weakness—has been given a gift that will make him strong. Mon, 02 Jul 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Because countries are not people, it’s tricky to translate whatever “loving one’s country” means—it’s quite abstract—into the language of heartbreak. It sounds melodramatic. What can heartbreak mean as a civic matter? And yet it is what I feel. A corrupt but weak president—this has been my comfort, his weakness—has been given a gift that will make him strong. 780 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/jordan-peterson-brings-the-dark-web-to-aspen.html ASPEN, Colorado—The “intellectual dark web” came to the sunny slopes of Aspen on Tuesday night, when New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss interviewed Jordan Peterson, the popular and provocative University of Toronto psychologist, who has built a best-selling brand on the idea that his ideas about gender and politics are being silenced by mainstream critics. Fri, 29 Jun 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate ASPEN, Colorado—The “intellectual dark web” came to the sunny slopes of Aspen on Tuesday night, when New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss interviewed Jordan Peterson, the popular and provocative University of Toronto psychologist, who has built a best-selling brand on the idea that his ideas about gender and politics are being silenced by mainstream critics. 511 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/incivility-toward-trump-officials-isnt-new-but-its-necessary.html Fifty years ago this summer, the collapse of this country seemed not only plausible, but imminent. Martin Luther King Jr. had been killed, touching off a series of riots across the country that led to dozens of deaths, thousands of arrests, and the razing of large swaths of major cities. Two months later, Robert Kennedy was murdered in the middle of a presidential campaign. Thu, 28 Jun 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate Fifty years ago this summer, the collapse of this country seemed not only plausible, but imminent. Martin Luther King Jr. had been killed, touching off a series of riots across the country that led to dozens of deaths, thousands of arrests, and the razing of large swaths of major cities. Two months later, Robert Kennedy was murdered in the middle of a presidential campaign. 763 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/ben-jealous-tries-to-recreate-stacey-abrams-progressive-landslide-in-moderate-maryland.html When Sen. Cory Booker wanted to convey the progressive potential of Ben Jealous’ campaign for Maryland governor, he didn’t invoke Barack Obama or even Bernie Sanders. “I think he’s going to energize this country,” Booker said at a rally for Jealous earlier this month. “He is really like a Stacey Abrams right now, which really can spark the moral imagination of this country to who we can be when we come together. Wed, 27 Jun 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate When Sen. Cory Booker wanted to convey the progressive potential of Ben Jealous’ campaign for Maryland governor, he didn’t invoke Barack Obama or even Bernie Sanders. “I think he’s going to energize this country,” Booker said at a rally for Jealous earlier this month. “He is really like a Stacey Abrams right now, which really can spark the moral imagination of this country to who we can be when we come together. 595 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/sen-chris-van-hollen-is-appalled-by-trumps-immigrant-family-separations.html On Thursday, Sen. Chris Van Hollen pushed through an amendment to an appropriations measure that would force the State Department to reveal travel ban numbers it has previously kept secret. Slate spoke to Van Hollen about his amendment, the imminent Supreme Court decision on the travel ban, and his recent trip to the Mexican border to visit families that had been split by Trump’s since reversed child separation policy. Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate On Thursday, Sen. Chris Van Hollen pushed through an amendment to an appropriations measure that would force the State Department to reveal travel ban numbers it has previously kept secret. Slate spoke to Van Hollen about his amendment, the imminent Supreme Court decision on the travel ban, and his recent trip to the Mexican border to visit families that had been split by Trump’s since reversed child separation policy. 618 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/a-federal-public-defender-on-child-separations-and-immigration-cases-on-the-texas-border-right-now.html On Wednesday’s Trumpcast, Jacob Weisberg spoke with Erik Hanshew, assistant federal public defender for the Western District of Texas, about the family separations along the U.S.–Mexico border. After the families’ arrest, the adults are taken into custody for federal criminal prosecution, which is where Hanshew and his office come in to provide counsel. The children are taken into the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Mon, 25 Jun 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate On Wednesday’s Trumpcast, Jacob Weisberg spoke with Erik Hanshew, assistant federal public defender for the Western District of Texas, about the family separations along the U.S.–Mexico border. After the families’ arrest, the adults are taken into custody for federal criminal prosecution, which is where Hanshew and his office come in to provide counsel. The children are taken into the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. 742 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/why-trump-headlines-make-him-sound-strong-and-powerful.html Under massive public pressure—from his opponents, from his party, from the world—Trump has signed an executive order ending his own administration’s new policy of taking children away from their parents at the border. This is a crucial juncture: Telling this story correctly will require enormous care. In abusive relationships, abusers know how grateful people feel when the suffering they’ve inflicted stops. Fri, 22 Jun 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate Under massive public pressure—from his opponents, from his party, from the world—Trump has signed an executive order ending his own administration’s new policy of taking children away from their parents at the border. This is a crucial juncture: Telling this story correctly will require enormous care. In abusive relationships, abusers know how grateful people feel when the suffering they’ve inflicted stops. 574 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/child-separations-we-are-all-complicit.html A doctor on the television is saying that locking children up in cages away from their parents could be considered child abuse. It is strange to hear this being spelled out—it’s like a herpetologist popping up in your kitchen to shout that rattlesnakes aren’t toys. You never thought they were, but the obvious is being asserted with desperation, afraid that it won’t be believed. It is bad to rip children from their mothers and fathers, the doctor says. Really. Thu, 21 Jun 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate A doctor on the television is saying that locking children up in cages away from their parents could be considered child abuse. It is strange to hear this being spelled out—it’s like a herpetologist popping up in your kitchen to shout that rattlesnakes aren’t toys. You never thought they were, but the obvious is being asserted with desperation, afraid that it won’t be believed. It is bad to rip children from their mothers and fathers, the doctor says. Really. 557 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/stephen-millers-family-separation-policy-is-already-backfiring.html Stephen Miller has always liked to provoke. Before he was a White House adviser, Miller was a teenage provocateur devoting his time and talents to “trolling” his ideological foes. He brought that same ethos to the Trump administration, delighting in the outrage accompanying his travel ban and his push against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, indifferent to the human cost of his favored policies. Wed, 20 Jun 2018 11:34:31 -0000 full Slate Stephen Miller has always liked to provoke. Before he was a White House adviser, Miller was a teenage provocateur devoting his time and talents to “trolling” his ideological foes. He brought that same ethos to the Trump administration, delighting in the outrage accompanying his travel ban and his push against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, indifferent to the human cost of his favored policies. 465 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/trumps-arguments-about-two-fbi-agents-suggest-ample-evidence-of-russian-collusion.html President Trump and his attorneys used to demand a high standard for proving collusion. Words alone, they argued, weren’t enough. Trump and his aides might have met secretly with Russians, solicited campaign help, received campaign help, and done favors for Russia. But without proof that all these words and deeds were connected, they insisted, there was no basis for investigation. We can now junk that argument, because Trump and his lawyers have shown they don’t believe it. Tue, 19 Jun 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate President Trump and his attorneys used to demand a high standard for proving collusion. Words alone, they argued, weren’t enough. Trump and his aides might have met secretly with Russians, solicited campaign help, received campaign help, and done favors for Russia. But without proof that all these words and deeds were connected, they insisted, there was no basis for investigation. We can now junk that argument, because Trump and his lawyers have shown they don’t believe it. 580 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/fbi-ignored-anthony-weiners-laptop-and-it-may-have-cost-hillary-clinton-the-election.html Was the FBI biased against Donald Trump in 2016? Trump and his supporters think so, and now they have fresh evidence: a 500-page report on the Hillary Clinton email investigation, prepared by the Justice Department’s inspector general. The report includes text messages in which two then-FBI officials, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, spoke of “stopping” Trump. Mon, 18 Jun 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate Was the FBI biased against Donald Trump in 2016? Trump and his supporters think so, and now they have fresh evidence: a 500-page report on the Hillary Clinton email investigation, prepared by the Justice Department’s inspector general. The report includes text messages in which two then-FBI officials, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, spoke of “stopping” Trump. 442 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/family-separation-is-horrifying-but-we-cant-go-numb-and-turn-away.html As a purely descriptive matter, it’s surely true: We are all going numb. As Donald Trump makes war with Canada and peace with dictators and human rights abusers, the narrative is that everyone’s lost all feeling. Polls show the public believes that Trump paid off a porn star, and they don’t care. They believe that he lies habitually, and they also don’t care. Fri, 15 Jun 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate As a purely descriptive matter, it’s surely true: We are all going numb. As Donald Trump makes war with Canada and peace with dictators and human rights abusers, the narrative is that everyone’s lost all feeling. Polls show the public believes that Trump paid off a porn star, and they don’t care. They believe that he lies habitually, and they also don’t care. 485 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/trumps-deal-with-kim-jong-un-is-a-con-job-and-youre-the-mark.html At the press conference following his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on Tuesday, President Trump called himself “an emissary of the American people” and spoke of “my instinct, my ability or talent” for negotiation. “My whole life has been deals,” said Trump. “I’ve done great at it.” Trump is indeed a skilled salesman, and his presentation of the new U.S.-North Korean denuclearization agreement is a fine sales job. Thu, 14 Jun 2018 11:34:29 -0000 full Slate At the press conference following his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on Tuesday, President Trump called himself “an emissary of the American people” and spoke of “my instinct, my ability or talent” for negotiation. “My whole life has been deals,” said Trump. “I’ve done great at it.” Trump is indeed a skilled salesman, and his presentation of the new U.S.-North Korean denuclearization agreement is a fine sales job. 310 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/mitt-romney-predicts-democrats-will-move-too-far-to-the-left-but-evidence-shows-otherwise.html In comments made to GOP donors last week, former Republican presidential candidate and Utah’s likely next senator Mitt Romney predicted that President Trump is likely to win re-election in 2020. “I think President Trump will be renominated by my party easily, and I think he’ll be re-elected solidly,” he told the audience at his E2 political summit. Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:34:22 -0000 full Slate In comments made to GOP donors last week, former Republican presidential candidate and Utah’s likely next senator Mitt Romney predicted that President Trump is likely to win re-election in 2020. “I think President Trump will be renominated by my party easily, and I think he’ll be re-elected solidly,” he told the audience at his E2 political summit. 529 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/rob-fords-brother-doug-could-return-populism-to-power-in-ontarios-premier-election.html Though American voters have managed not to elect more populist right-wing businessmen with legal trouble so far this year, the same may soon not be true in its neighbor to the north. In Thursday’s Ontario elections, Doug Ford, brother of infamous Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, could become the second-most powerful politician in Canada. Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Though American voters have managed not to elect more populist right-wing businessmen with legal trouble so far this year, the same may soon not be true in its neighbor to the north. In Thursday’s Ontario elections, Doug Ford, brother of infamous Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, could become the second-most powerful politician in Canada. 488 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/the-secret-letter-from-donald-trumps-counsel-doesnt-exonerate-the-president.html Last weekend, the New York Times published a long letter that was sent by President Donald Trump’s lawyers to special counsel Robert Mueller in January. The letter argued that Trump shouldn’t have to give an interview to Mueller’s investigators, in part because the president is entitled to pardon anyone, fire anyone, or shut down any investigation for any reason. But beneath these imperial claims, the letter inadvertently substantiates much of the case against Trump. Mon, 11 Jun 2018 11:34:29 -0000 full Slate Last weekend, the New York Times published a long letter that was sent by President Donald Trump’s lawyers to special counsel Robert Mueller in January. The letter argued that Trump shouldn’t have to give an interview to Mueller’s investigators, in part because the president is entitled to pardon anyone, fire anyone, or shut down any investigation for any reason. But beneath these imperial claims, the letter inadvertently substantiates much of the case against Trump. 567 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/californias-primary-showed-why-the-democratic-party-is-stuck-in-place.html A little over three months ago, the delegates of the California Democratic Party declined to endorse five-term incumbent Dianne Feinstein for re-election. They instead came just shy of endorsing Kevin de León, her progressive challenger and the leader of the state Senate’s Democrats. Fri, 08 Jun 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate A little over three months ago, the delegates of the California Democratic Party declined to endorse five-term incumbent Dianne Feinstein for re-election. They instead came just shy of endorsing Kevin de León, her progressive challenger and the leader of the state Senate’s Democrats. 792 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/taking-the-enlightenment-seriously-requires-talking-about-race.html The Enlightenment is having a renaissance, of sorts. A handful of centrist and conservative writers have reclaimed the 17th- and 18th-century intellectual movement as a response to nationalism and ethnic prejudice on the right and relativism and “identity politics” on the left. Thu, 07 Jun 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate The Enlightenment is having a renaissance, of sorts. A handful of centrist and conservative writers have reclaimed the 17th- and 18th-century intellectual movement as a response to nationalism and ethnic prejudice on the right and relativism and “identity politics” on the left. 906 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/california-primary-battle-between-hans-keirstead-and-harley-rouda-could-cost-democrats-a-much-needed-house-seat.html NEWPORT BEACH, California—Last month, at a politically themed chili cook-off in Huntington Beach, Sandy Metcalf’s manila folder went missing. The folder contained copies of documents alleging Hans Keirstead, a neuroscientist running for Congress in California’s 48th District, had slept with his graduate students and, in one case, had punched one of them in a boozy incident following a concert. Wed, 06 Jun 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate NEWPORT BEACH, California—Last month, at a politically themed chili cook-off in Huntington Beach, Sandy Metcalf’s manila folder went missing. The folder contained copies of documents alleging Hans Keirstead, a neuroscientist running for Congress in California’s 48th District, had slept with his graduate students and, in one case, had punched one of them in a boozy incident following a concert. 526 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/scott-baugh-could-spoil-democrats-orange-county-hopes.html NEWPORT BEACH, California—The House race in California’s 48th congressional district was supposed to be like so many others this year: An upscale, suburban, traditionally Republican suburb that had voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, where Democrats would target a longtime and suddenly vulnerable incumbent. After 30 years in the House, Rep. Tue, 05 Jun 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate NEWPORT BEACH, California—The House race in California’s 48th congressional district was supposed to be like so many others this year: An upscale, suburban, traditionally Republican suburb that had voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, where Democrats would target a longtime and suddenly vulnerable incumbent. After 30 years in the House, Rep. 615 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/democrats-scrambled-to-save-californias-39th-congressional-district.html FULLERTON, California—In April of 2017, Phil Janowicz became the first Democrat to announce his candidacy against Republican Rep. Ed Royce in California’s 39th District, a seat that Royce had held, in one form or another, since 1993. For decades, no one had realistically thought Democrats could topple Royce, but Janowicz, a tenured chemistry professor, spent the rest of the year trying to build a Democratic base in the district, which contains much of northern Orange County. Mon, 04 Jun 2018 11:34:22 -0000 full Slate FULLERTON, California—In April of 2017, Phil Janowicz became the first Democrat to announce his candidacy against Republican Rep. Ed Royce in California’s 39th District, a seat that Royce had held, in one form or another, since 1993. For decades, no one had realistically thought Democrats could topple Royce, but Janowicz, a tenured chemistry professor, spent the rest of the year trying to build a Democratic base in the district, which contains much of northern Orange County. 914 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/irelands-abortion-rights-victory-shouldnt-be-a-model-for-the-u-s.html Last week, a supermajority of Irish citizens voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the country’s constitution, which effectively banned almost all abortions. Though polls predicted victory for women’s rights activists, the outcome still came as a shock to those who were too cautious to hope that the overwhelmingly Catholic country would join the rest of Europe in decriminalizing the procedure. Fri, 01 Jun 2018 11:35:04 -0000 full Slate Last week, a supermajority of Irish citizens voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the country’s constitution, which effectively banned almost all abortions. Though polls predicted victory for women’s rights activists, the outcome still came as a shock to those who were too cautious to hope that the overwhelmingly Catholic country would join the rest of Europe in decriminalizing the procedure. 464 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/stacey-abrams-liberal-campaign-will-be-a-new-test-for-black-candidates.html In 2014, as the Democratic leader in the state House of Representatives, Stacey Abrams spearheaded the New Georgia Project, a plan to register hundreds of thousands of black, Latino and Asian Americans who live in the state but don’t vote in its elections. Abrams ultimately registered just 46,000 people, but she held fast to her theory of the case—that outreach and mobilization could turn Georgia blue, or at least make it a blue-tinged purple. Thu, 31 May 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate In 2014, as the Democratic leader in the state House of Representatives, Stacey Abrams spearheaded the New Georgia Project, a plan to register hundreds of thousands of black, Latino and Asian Americans who live in the state but don’t vote in its elections. Abrams ultimately registered just 46,000 people, but she held fast to her theory of the case—that outreach and mobilization could turn Georgia blue, or at least make it a blue-tinged purple. 411 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/how-we-ended-up-with-republican-and-democrat-political-parties.html Before the 1950s, what you thought about health care, guns, or abortion had little to do with where your vote went. Then the modern two-party system came along—or was engineered. On a recent episode of The Gist, Mike Pesca spoke with Sam Rosenfeld, author of The Polarizers: Postwar Architects of Our Partisan Era, about the evolution of political parties in the U.S. Their conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity, is reprinted below. Wed, 30 May 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Before the 1950s, what you thought about health care, guns, or abortion had little to do with where your vote went. Then the modern two-party system came along—or was engineered. On a recent episode of The Gist, Mike Pesca spoke with Sam Rosenfeld, author of The Polarizers: Postwar Architects of Our Partisan Era, about the evolution of political parties in the U.S. Their conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity, is reprinted below. 618 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/pussy-riots-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-on-trans-rights-trump-and-the-activist-messiah-complex.html If the people who came to see Pussy Riot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night were expecting an electro-punk show, they were in for a little surprise first: a slideshow. As a scrambled, anonymized voice narrated over the club’s sound system, a numbered list of facts about global income inequality flickered on a projection screen, along with the knit balaclavas that the Russian art collective made famous. Tue, 29 May 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate If the people who came to see Pussy Riot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night were expecting an electro-punk show, they were in for a little surprise first: a slideshow. As a scrambled, anonymized voice narrated over the club’s sound system, a numbered list of facts about global income inequality flickered on a projection screen, along with the knit balaclavas that the Russian art collective made famous. 1028 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/donald-trumps-favorite-animals-are-dictators.html President Trump has harsh words for the undocumented immigrants he’s deporting. “You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are,” Trump fumed in front of cameras last week. “These aren’t people.These are animals.” Trump later said he was talking about MS-13, a criminal gang, and aides repeated his message. Mon, 28 May 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate President Trump has harsh words for the undocumented immigrants he’s deporting. “You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are,” Trump fumed in front of cameras last week. “These aren’t people.These are animals.” Trump later said he was talking about MS-13, a criminal gang, and aides repeated his message. 525 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/democrats-might-win-the-midterms-will-they-lose-the-future.html Both progressives and moderate Democrats are crowing over the results from Tuesday’s primaries. Stacey Abrams, a progressive endorsed by Bernie Sanders and the group Our Revolution, defeated former state Rep. Stacey Evans to become the first female black gubernatorial candidate for a major party in history. In Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, Amy McGrath beat establishment candidate Jim Gray, the mayor of Lexington. Fri, 25 May 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Both progressives and moderate Democrats are crowing over the results from Tuesday’s primaries. Stacey Abrams, a progressive endorsed by Bernie Sanders and the group Our Revolution, defeated former state Rep. Stacey Evans to become the first female black gubernatorial candidate for a major party in history. In Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, Amy McGrath beat establishment candidate Jim Gray, the mayor of Lexington. 754 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/what-should-moral-republicans-do-in-the-age-of-trump.html In some ways, last week was a banner week for limited acts of moral courage in the Trump era. In the Senate, Jeff Flakeannouncedlast Wednesday he would join Rand Paul and John McCain to oppose the nomination of Gina Haspel to lead the CIA, citing herties to a torture regime in which she participated and then worked to obscure. She was still confirmed on Thursday, when six Democrats voted on her behalf. Also on Wednesday, a host of Senate Republicans voted to save net neutrality. Thu, 24 May 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate In some ways, last week was a banner week for limited acts of moral courage in the Trump era. In the Senate, Jeff Flakeannouncedlast Wednesday he would join Rand Paul and John McCain to oppose the nomination of Gina Haspel to lead the CIA, citing herties to a torture regime in which she participated and then worked to obscure. She was still confirmed on Thursday, when six Democrats voted on her behalf. Also on Wednesday, a host of Senate Republicans voted to save net neutrality. 818 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/christina-hagan-defied-energy-lobbyists-then-a-dark-money-group-helped-sink-her-campaign.html A “dark money” organization tied to a major electric company pumped significant cash into an Ohio congressional race in what a losing candidate describes as an act of retribution over a failed financial deal. Wed, 23 May 2018 11:34:52 -0000 full Slate A “dark money” organization tied to a major electric company pumped significant cash into an Ohio congressional race in what a losing candidate describes as an act of retribution over a failed financial deal. 539 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/taking-aim-at-planned-parenthood-this-trump-administration-rule-will-force-doctors-to-stop-saying-abortion.html The Trump administration is planning to instate a rule that will bar recipients of federal family-planning funding from educating women about abortion options, making referrals to doctors that provide abortions, or providing abortion care. Conservatives have cheered the move as a way for the federal government to partially “defund” Planned Parenthood without requiring an act of Congress. Reproductive-rights advocates are calling the policy a “domestic gag rule”—a U.S. Tue, 22 May 2018 11:34:35 -0000 full Slate The Trump administration is planning to instate a rule that will bar recipients of federal family-planning funding from educating women about abortion options, making referrals to doctors that provide abortions, or providing abortion care. Conservatives have cheered the move as a way for the federal government to partially “defund” Planned Parenthood without requiring an act of Congress. Reproductive-rights advocates are calling the policy a “domestic gag rule”—a U.S. 531 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/the-pennsylvania-primary-was-a-big-win-for-women.html The Pennsylvania primary on Tuesday was a big night for women in a state whose 20-person congressional delegation currently includes only men. The state has been represented in Congress by just seven women in its history—three of which filled vacancies left when their husbands died—with at most two serving together at any one time. Mon, 21 May 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate The Pennsylvania primary on Tuesday was a big night for women in a state whose 20-person congressional delegation currently includes only men. The state has been represented in Congress by just seven women in its history—three of which filled vacancies left when their husbands died—with at most two serving together at any one time. 539 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/liberals-are-plenty-nice.html Over the weekend, the New York Times published an op-ed titled “Liberals, You’re Not As Smart As You Think.” In it, University of Virginia political science professor Gerard Alexander accuses American liberals of arrogance and warns them against making broad negative generalizations about large swaths of the population. “Liberals often don’t realize how provocative or inflammatory they can be,” he writes. Fri, 18 May 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Over the weekend, the New York Times published an op-ed titled “Liberals, You’re Not As Smart As You Think.” In it, University of Virginia political science professor Gerard Alexander accuses American liberals of arrogance and warns them against making broad negative generalizations about large swaths of the population. “Liberals often don’t realize how provocative or inflammatory they can be,” he writes. 841 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/moderate-house-republicans-are-defying-paul-ryan-to-force-immigration-votes.html When I asked Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart last year if he would sign a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill to investigate Russian meddling in the election, he didn’t hesitate for a second. “I don’t sign discharge petitions,” he said. “I didn’t even sign an immigration discharge petition. Thu, 17 May 2018 11:34:30 -0000 full Slate When I asked Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart last year if he would sign a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill to investigate Russian meddling in the election, he didn’t hesitate for a second. “I don’t sign discharge petitions,” he said. “I didn’t even sign an immigration discharge petition. 463 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/how-to-survive-trumps-presidency-without-losing-your-mind.html This past week, journalists in America were struggling to comprehend two major stories: The first was that Donald Trump announced (via tweet) on Wednesday that any news that paints him in a negative light is, by definition, “fake news.” He went on to threaten the press credentials of any journalist who doesn’t portray him in a flattering light. Wed, 16 May 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate This past week, journalists in America were struggling to comprehend two major stories: The first was that Donald Trump announced (via tweet) on Wednesday that any news that paints him in a negative light is, by definition, “fake news.” He went on to threaten the press credentials of any journalist who doesn’t portray him in a flattering light. 612 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/women-running-in-pennsylvanias-primaries-could-forecast-the-2018-midterms.html Since Donald Trump’s election in November 2016, two narratives have shaped conventional wisdom about the Democratic Party. One is that the party is flirting with an ideological crisis, forcing establishment Democrats to decide whether their future lies with more progressive candidates who can turn out the base or more conservative Blue Dogs who might appeal to Trump voters. The other narrative anticipates a more unified path. Tue, 15 May 2018 11:34:15 -0000 full Slate Since Donald Trump’s election in November 2016, two narratives have shaped conventional wisdom about the Democratic Party. One is that the party is flirting with an ideological crisis, forcing establishment Democrats to decide whether their future lies with more progressive candidates who can turn out the base or more conservative Blue Dogs who might appeal to Trump voters. The other narrative anticipates a more unified path. 868 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/in-america-calling-911-is-still-a-privilege-of-being-white.html On Tuesday, a white graduate student at Yale called the police to report that one of her black classmates was napping in a dorm common area. The ensuing encounter between the police and the student, Lolade Siyonbola, who is getting a master’s degree in African studies, was captured in a video that has drawn national attention to the case. Mon, 14 May 2018 11:34:15 -0000 full Slate On Tuesday, a white graduate student at Yale called the police to report that one of her black classmates was napping in a dorm common area. The ensuing encounter between the police and the student, Lolade Siyonbola, who is getting a master’s degree in African studies, was captured in a video that has drawn national attention to the case. 664 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/gina-haspels-cia-confirmation-hearing-needed-mccain-to-push-her-on-torture.html Gina Haspel was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday facing questions from senators in her quest to become head of the CIA. On Wednesday’s Gist, Mike Pesca spoke with Tim Weiner, author of Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, about the hearings. They discussed how Haspel dodged several questions about her involvement in torture as a CIA officer and what that means for the agency going forward. The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Fri, 11 May 2018 11:35:12 -0000 full Slate Gina Haspel was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday facing questions from senators in her quest to become head of the CIA. On Wednesday’s Gist, Mike Pesca spoke with Tim Weiner, author of Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, about the hearings. They discussed how Haspel dodged several questions about her involvement in torture as a CIA officer and what that means for the agency going forward. The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 618 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/rudy-giuliani-tried-to-clear-donald-trump-he-implicated-him-instead.html Did President Donald Trump know in October 2016 about a $130,000 payment to silence a story that threatened his election? Did he deliberately conceal that payment from the Federal Elections Commission? Has Trump now approved a legal strategy to acknowledge the payment in order to buy the silence of his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, in the Russia investigation? These were largely mysteries until Wednesday night, when former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who has joined Trump’s legal team, began a crusade to shield Trump from campaign finance charges. In interviews with... Thu, 10 May 2018 11:34:30 -0000 full Slate Did President Donald Trump know in October 2016 about a $130,000 payment to silence a story that threatened his election? Did he deliberately conceal that payment from the Federal Elections Commission? Has Trump now approved a legal strategy to acknowledge the payment in order to buy the silence of his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, in the Russia investigation? These were largely mysteries until Wednesday night, when former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who has joined Trump’s legal team, began a crusade to shield Trump from campaign finance charges. In interviews with... 664 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/i-watched-all-of-james-comeys-interviews-and-hes-telling-the-truth.html According to the New York Times, special counsel Robert Mueller has four dozen questions he wants to ask President Donald Trump about the Russia investigation. At least 18 of them focus on James Comey, the man Trump fired as FBI director last year in a failed attempt to “lift the cloud” of the investigation. Many of the questions involve meetings between Trump and Comey. Wed, 09 May 2018 11:34:28 -0000 full Slate According to the New York Times, special counsel Robert Mueller has four dozen questions he wants to ask President Donald Trump about the Russia investigation. At least 18 of them focus on James Comey, the man Trump fired as FBI director last year in a failed attempt to “lift the cloud” of the investigation. Many of the questions involve meetings between Trump and Comey. 607 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/gautam-mukundas-indispensable-and-whether-trumps-leadership-matters.html Filtered or unfiltered? We’re not talking about coffee or cigarettes, but world leaders. Gautam Mukunda is a research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. In his 2012 book, Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter, he argues that American presidents who enter the White House without first being brought up in the halls of power end up being either great or terrible. On Thursday’s Gist, Mike Pescatalked with Mukunda about the ultimate unfiltered president. Tue, 08 May 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate Filtered or unfiltered? We’re not talking about coffee or cigarettes, but world leaders. Gautam Mukunda is a research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. In his 2012 book, Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter, he argues that American presidents who enter the White House without first being brought up in the halls of power end up being either great or terrible. On Thursday’s Gist, Mike Pescatalked with Mukunda about the ultimate unfiltered president. 791 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/controversy-over-michelle-wolfs-comedy-routine-revealed-the-big-lie-about-the-media.html Sean Hannity managed to make news Wednesday night, entirely by accident. Rudy Giuliani, recently tapped for President Trump’s legal team, offhandedly told him that the president reimbursed attorney Michael Cohen for paying hush money to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump and his spokespeople had denied he even knew about the deal. Mon, 07 May 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Sean Hannity managed to make news Wednesday night, entirely by accident. Rudy Giuliani, recently tapped for President Trump’s legal team, offhandedly told him that the president reimbursed attorney Michael Cohen for paying hush money to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump and his spokespeople had denied he even knew about the deal. 773 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/arizona-teachers-explain-why-they-went-on-strike-to-preserve-public-education.html Arizona teachers again gathered in mass at the state capitol building on Wednesday in what is now the fifth day of a statewide walkout. Some stood outside to remind legislators of their presence—and of their absence from schools. Others waited inside the capitol building for news as the Legislature tried to finalize a budget that would try to subdue their anger. Fri, 04 May 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Arizona teachers again gathered in mass at the state capitol building on Wednesday in what is now the fifth day of a statewide walkout. Some stood outside to remind legislators of their presence—and of their absence from schools. Others waited inside the capitol building for news as the Legislature tried to finalize a budget that would try to subdue their anger. 694 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/a-new-lynching-memorial-confronts-americas-history-of-racial-terrorism.html MONTGOMERY, Alabama—On Thursday, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice opened in Montgomery to remember the thousands of Americans who were hanged, burned, or otherwise murdered by white mobs. The memorial sits just a short drive from the state capitol building, where three days earlier, the state of Alabama had celebrated Confederate Memorial Day, an official state holiday. Thu, 03 May 2018 11:34:28 -0000 full Slate MONTGOMERY, Alabama—On Thursday, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice opened in Montgomery to remember the thousands of Americans who were hanged, burned, or otherwise murdered by white mobs. The memorial sits just a short drive from the state capitol building, where three days earlier, the state of Alabama had celebrated Confederate Memorial Day, an official state holiday. 1286 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/stop-talking-about-race-and-iq-take-it-from-someone-who-did.html The race-and-IQ debate is back. The latest round started a few weeks ago when Harvard geneticist David Reich wrote a New York Times op-ed in defense of race as a biological fact. The piece resurfaced Sam Harris’ year-old Waking Up podcast interview with Charles Murray, co-author of The Bell Curve, and launched a Twitter debate between Harris and Vox’s Ezra Klein. Klein then responded to Harris and Reich in Vox, Harris fired back, and Andrew Sullivan went after Klein. Wed, 02 May 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate The race-and-IQ debate is back. The latest round started a few weeks ago when Harvard geneticist David Reich wrote a New York Times op-ed in defense of race as a biological fact. The piece resurfaced Sam Harris’ year-old Waking Up podcast interview with Charles Murray, co-author of The Bell Curve, and launched a Twitter debate between Harris and Vox’s Ezra Klein. Klein then responded to Harris and Reich in Vox, Harris fired back, and Andrew Sullivan went after Klein. 730 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/the-most-infuriating-part-of-the-trump-v-hawaii-supreme-court-oral-arguments.html On Thursday’s edition of the Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discussed the arguments before the Supreme Court on Wednesday in Hawaii v. Trump, the case concerning what’s known as the Muslim ban. The excerpt from the show below has been edited and condensed for clarity. Tue, 01 May 2018 11:34:20 -0000 full Slate On Thursday’s edition of the Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discussed the arguments before the Supreme Court on Wednesday in Hawaii v. Trump, the case concerning what’s known as the Muslim ban. The excerpt from the show below has been edited and condensed for clarity. 680 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/talking-about-sexism-is-not-a-victim-trap-for-female-politicians.html In his most recent piece for New York magazine, columnist Jonathan Chait argues that Sens. Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand should stop portraying themselves as victims of sexism if they ever want to win the presidency. Chait’s argument echoes his concern about the many disparaging “cards”—woman, race—that politicians have supposedly played, with some frequency, over the past two decades of U.S. politics. Mon, 30 Apr 2018 11:34:31 -0000 full Slate In his most recent piece for New York magazine, columnist Jonathan Chait argues that Sens. Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand should stop portraying themselves as victims of sexism if they ever want to win the presidency. Chait’s argument echoes his concern about the many disparaging “cards”—woman, race—that politicians have supposedly played, with some frequency, over the past two decades of U.S. politics. 566 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/don-blankenship-is-the-national-gop-establishments-latest-archenemy.html WHEELING, West Virginia—At a primary debate here on Monday night, six Republicans vying to represent West Virginia in the U.S. Senate were asked if there is any issue where they disagree with President Donald Trump. “No,” said Jack Newbrough, a trucker whose immediate reply was quickly matched by the next four candidates. Rep. Fri, 27 Apr 2018 11:34:28 -0000 full Slate WHEELING, West Virginia—At a primary debate here on Monday night, six Republicans vying to represent West Virginia in the U.S. Senate were asked if there is any issue where they disagree with President Donald Trump. “No,” said Jack Newbrough, a trucker whose immediate reply was quickly matched by the next four candidates. Rep. 559 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/ronan-farrow-on-the-demise-of-the-state-department-president-trump-and-the-power-of-mike-pompeo.html Before his Pulitzer-winning investigation into Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual abuse, Ronan Farrow worked in President Obama’s State Department. His new book,War on Peace, documents the department’s loss of personnel and prestige under every recent president—especially the current one. Thu, 26 Apr 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Before his Pulitzer-winning investigation into Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual abuse, Ronan Farrow worked in President Obama’s State Department. His new book,War on Peace, documents the department’s loss of personnel and prestige under every recent president—especially the current one. 886 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/can-macron-flatter-trump-into-giving-him-what-he-wants.html French President Emmanuel Macron is in Washington this week, meeting with Donald Trump—the man he has been trying to woo since the French election last year—and speaking to Congress. Macron, a former Socialist minister, struck out on his own when he ran for president, creating a centrist platform (En Marche!) and triumphing over Trump’s favorite, Marine Le Pen, and more establishment figures. Wed, 25 Apr 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate French President Emmanuel Macron is in Washington this week, meeting with Donald Trump—the man he has been trying to woo since the French election last year—and speaking to Congress. Macron, a former Socialist minister, struck out on his own when he ran for president, creating a centrist platform (En Marche!) and triumphing over Trump’s favorite, Marine Le Pen, and more establishment figures. 639 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/the-republican-hit-job-on-the-comey-memos.html Rep. Trey Gowdy, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, says he’s leaving politics to escape the corruption of partisanship. “I enjoy being fair. I enjoy the pursuit of fairness as a virtue,” Gowdy told CBS News in February. In Washington, he lamented, there’s no place for a truth-teller like himself. Tue, 24 Apr 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate Rep. Trey Gowdy, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, says he’s leaving politics to escape the corruption of partisanship. “I enjoy being fair. I enjoy the pursuit of fairness as a virtue,” Gowdy told CBS News in February. In Washington, he lamented, there’s no place for a truth-teller like himself. 479 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/beto-o-rourkes-uphill-texas-challenge-against-ted-cruz.html It’s mid-April, and a reputable pollster is already declaring that the Senate race between Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke and Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas is “too close to call,” at 47 percent to 44 percent. It’s Quinnipiac’s first poll in Texas, and the first major poll of one of the most closely watched races in the country. It’s also very hard to believe. Mon, 23 Apr 2018 11:34:40 -0000 full Slate It’s mid-April, and a reputable pollster is already declaring that the Senate race between Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke and Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas is “too close to call,” at 47 percent to 44 percent. It’s Quinnipiac’s first poll in Texas, and the first major poll of one of the most closely watched races in the country. It’s also very hard to believe. 627 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/a-conversation-about-starbucks-white-fear-and-being-black-in-public.html Last Thursday, an employee at a Philadelphia Starbucks called the police on two black men who were waiting for the arrival of a business partner without having ordered anything at the counter. When police arrived, the men were arrested for trespassing. A bystander caught the encounter on video, which showed the men resigned to their fate as other white patrons protested the arrest, and the incident went viral. Fri, 20 Apr 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Last Thursday, an employee at a Philadelphia Starbucks called the police on two black men who were waiting for the arrival of a business partner without having ordered anything at the counter. When police arrived, the men were arrested for trespassing. A bystander caught the encounter on video, which showed the men resigned to their fate as other white patrons protested the arrest, and the incident went viral. 1072 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/watch-anti-abortion-activists-fall-over-themselves-to-praise-cardi-b-as-a-pro-life-icon.html Cardi B has attracted a parade of right-wing supporters over the past week for deciding to have a baby while her rapid rise to superstardom is still accelerating. Anti-abortion websites are posting gleeful recaps of an exchange the hip-hop artist had with radio host Charlamagne Tha God last Tuesday, when she said she “kinda sort of” considered terminating her pregnancy, before determining that she “didn’t want to deal with the whole abortion thing. Thu, 19 Apr 2018 11:34:21 -0000 full Slate Cardi B has attracted a parade of right-wing supporters over the past week for deciding to have a baby while her rapid rise to superstardom is still accelerating. Anti-abortion websites are posting gleeful recaps of an exchange the hip-hop artist had with radio host Charlamagne Tha God last Tuesday, when she said she “kinda sort of” considered terminating her pregnancy, before determining that she “didn’t want to deal with the whole abortion thing. 446 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/in-iowa-eric-garcetti-tries-to-sell-hollywood-to-the-heartland.html ALTOONA, Iowa—Eric Garcetti wanted a do-over. “Well, not a do-over,” he clarified, “but I thought of a better way to say it.” It being an answer to the question of why the mayor of Los Angeles was in Iowa. “I’m not here looking for a new job for me, I’m looking for more new jobs for Americans,” Garcetti told reporters after touring a carpenters’ union training facility in this Des Moines suburb on Friday. Wed, 18 Apr 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate ALTOONA, Iowa—Eric Garcetti wanted a do-over. “Well, not a do-over,” he clarified, “but I thought of a better way to say it.” It being an answer to the question of why the mayor of Los Angeles was in Iowa. “I’m not here looking for a new job for me, I’m looking for more new jobs for Americans,” Garcetti told reporters after touring a carpenters’ union training facility in this Des Moines suburb on Friday. 490 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/paul-ryan-tried-to-sell-fiscal-austerity-as-a-moral-crusade-then-donald-trump-came-along.html A century or so in political time has passed since 2014’s Conservative Political Action Conference, but there were two speeches given over the course of that weekend that are perhaps worth remembering today. One was an immigrant-bashing midday address delivered by Donald J. Trump, then a sideshow act performing for the party fringe. The other was a speech by Paul Ryan, which became the subject of a brief media dust-up just a few hours later. Tue, 17 Apr 2018 11:34:22 -0000 full Slate A century or so in political time has passed since 2014’s Conservative Political Action Conference, but there were two speeches given over the course of that weekend that are perhaps worth remembering today. One was an immigrant-bashing midday address delivered by Donald J. Trump, then a sideshow act performing for the party fringe. The other was a speech by Paul Ryan, which became the subject of a brief media dust-up just a few hours later. 900 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/why-democrats-should-rig-the-senate-and-pack-the-supreme-court.html The consensus among political pundits is that the Democratic Party is poised to do well in November’s midterm elections. It seems too that Donald Trump will have his work cut out for him in 2020 as he faces what’s sure to be a crowded field of Democratic rising stars. Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate The consensus among political pundits is that the Democratic Party is poised to do well in November’s midterm elections. It seems too that Donald Trump will have his work cut out for him in 2020 as he faces what’s sure to be a crowded field of Democratic rising stars. 794 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/paul-ryans-democratic-rival-on-the-retirement-news-its-like-the-first-day-of-spring.html Randy Bryce saw the same reports everyone else did on Wednesday morning: House Speaker Paul Ryan will retire at the end of the year. “The first thought I had was, ‘I have to see him say these words for myself,’ ” Bryce told me by phone, after months of rumors that Ryan wouldn’t run for re-election. Fri, 13 Apr 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Randy Bryce saw the same reports everyone else did on Wednesday morning: House Speaker Paul Ryan will retire at the end of the year. “The first thought I had was, ‘I have to see him say these words for myself,’ ” Bryce told me by phone, after months of rumors that Ryan wouldn’t run for re-election. 368 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/republicans-shrug-off-trumps-rage-at-robert-mueller.html After the feds raided the office and hotel room of President Trump’s longtime personal attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, on Monday afternoon, the president responded with a noticeable public escalation in his rage toward Robert Mueller’s investigation. Although the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York’s office carried out the raid, Mueller reportedly referred the case. That was enough for Trump to entertain a question about why he doesn’t just fire Mueller. Thu, 12 Apr 2018 11:34:16 -0000 full Slate After the feds raided the office and hotel room of President Trump’s longtime personal attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, on Monday afternoon, the president responded with a noticeable public escalation in his rage toward Robert Mueller’s investigation. Although the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York’s office carried out the raid, Mueller reportedly referred the case. That was enough for Trump to entertain a question about why he doesn’t just fire Mueller. 371 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/bullies-do-not-choose-their-tactics-arbitrarily.html In an opinion delivered on Friday, the Texas Supreme Court offered up some strange ideas about what it means to be gay. Six of the eight justices joined an opinion finding that a former San Antonio gym teacher had no legitimate claims of sexual harassment, in part because she didn’t prove that the alleged offender, a woman, is a lesbian. Wed, 11 Apr 2018 11:34:27 -0000 full Slate In an opinion delivered on Friday, the Texas Supreme Court offered up some strange ideas about what it means to be gay. Six of the eight justices joined an opinion finding that a former San Antonio gym teacher had no legitimate claims of sexual harassment, in part because she didn’t prove that the alleged offender, a woman, is a lesbian. 531 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/for-republicans-dumping-scott-pruitt-would-be-a-win-win-win-win-win-win-win.html Scott Pruitt had one job. He’s done it well. As administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Pruitt was tasked with dismantling every environmental regulation imposed by the Obama administration. Alas, he’s also done so much more. Tue, 10 Apr 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Scott Pruitt had one job. He’s done it well. As administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Pruitt was tasked with dismantling every environmental regulation imposed by the Obama administration. Alas, he’s also done so much more. 496 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/paul-ryans-challenger-randy-bryce-explains-why-he-wants-to-abolish-ice.html Donald Trump rode to office promising a deportation force that would arrest and expel undocumented immigrants across the country. He has done what he promised. Shortly after assuming the presidency, Trump reversed the Obama administration’s policy of deprioritizing the deportation of noncriminal immigrants. He also encouraged Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents to step up their raids and collaborate with local police. Mon, 09 Apr 2018 11:34:45 -0000 full Slate Donald Trump rode to office promising a deportation force that would arrest and expel undocumented immigrants across the country. He has done what he promised. Shortly after assuming the presidency, Trump reversed the Obama administration’s policy of deprioritizing the deportation of noncriminal immigrants. He also encouraged Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents to step up their raids and collaborate with local police. 416 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/democrats-should-do-more-to-support-striking-teachers.html Thousands of teachers and sympathetic demonstrators in Oklahoma gathered on Tuesday, for a second straight day, at Oklahoma’s state Capitol to demand higher teacher pay and increased education funding. Fri, 06 Apr 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Thousands of teachers and sympathetic demonstrators in Oklahoma gathered on Tuesday, for a second straight day, at Oklahoma’s state Capitol to demand higher teacher pay and increased education funding. 644 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/republicans-are-surprisingly-content-with-trumps-accomplishments.html Congress will be in recess for the next week or so, and we’ve been given a few peeks recently about what Republicans will set about doing once they get back. According to Politico, one of the items on the agenda may be tax cuts. Yes. Really. Republicans are dreaming of passing another round of tax cuts this year—or at least making vulnerable Democrats squirm by voting against them. Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Congress will be in recess for the next week or so, and we’ve been given a few peeks recently about what Republicans will set about doing once they get back. According to Politico, one of the items on the agenda may be tax cuts. Yes. Really. Republicans are dreaming of passing another round of tax cuts this year—or at least making vulnerable Democrats squirm by voting against them. 411 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/there-really-are-plenty-of-conservative-columnists.html We’re now several days into a roiling debate over whether liberals ought to be upset that the Atlantic hired a man who once argued that a quarter of American women should be executed. Predictably, both sides have progressed from that specific and tedious subject to a debate about liberal bias in media, broadly speaking, of which the backlash against Kevin Williamson’s hiring is supposedly proof. Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:34:30 -0000 full Slate We’re now several days into a roiling debate over whether liberals ought to be upset that the Atlantic hired a man who once argued that a quarter of American women should be executed. Predictably, both sides have progressed from that specific and tedious subject to a debate about liberal bias in media, broadly speaking, of which the backlash against Kevin Williamson’s hiring is supposedly proof. 566 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/can-parkland-activists-help-democrat-j-d-scholten-defeat-iowa-rep-steve-king.html Most Republican officials have steered clear of directly criticizing the teenage survivors of the Parkland shooting, but Rep. Steve King has never been one for such caution. One day after 18-year-old Emma González led a tearful, silent tribute to her slain classmates during a march in Washington, King’s campaign shared a conservative meme on its Facebook page mocking González. Tue, 03 Apr 2018 11:34:26 -0000 full Slate Most Republican officials have steered clear of directly criticizing the teenage survivors of the Parkland shooting, but Rep. Steve King has never been one for such caution. One day after 18-year-old Emma González led a tearful, silent tribute to her slain classmates during a march in Washington, King’s campaign shared a conservative meme on its Facebook page mocking González. 502 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/the-parkland-activists-want-to-stop-gun-violence-and-they-want-to-fix-democracy.html On Saturday, 800,000 Americans gathered in Washington, D.C., to participate in what they expected to be a gun control rally. What they saw was a transformative moment in American politics. March for Our Lives was, of course, a demonstration for stronger gun safety laws, fortified by delightfully specific policy proposals and replete with far-too-clever homemade signs. But it was an awakening of sorts, an introduction to the next generation of political activism. Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:34:37 -0000 full Slate On Saturday, 800,000 Americans gathered in Washington, D.C., to participate in what they expected to be a gun control rally. What they saw was a transformative moment in American politics. March for Our Lives was, of course, a demonstration for stronger gun safety laws, fortified by delightfully specific policy proposals and replete with far-too-clever homemade signs. But it was an awakening of sorts, an introduction to the next generation of political activism. 570 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/donald-trump-has-little-to-fear-from-the-fec-over-stormy-daniels-payment.html Based on what President Donald Trump hears on television about the Federal Election Commission, the nation’s cable news consumer-in-chief must be panicked. Day after day, TV talkers squawk about how the independent government agency is poised to pounce. Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:34:28 -0000 full Slate Based on what President Donald Trump hears on television about the Federal Election Commission, the nation’s cable news consumer-in-chief must be panicked. Day after day, TV talkers squawk about how the independent government agency is poised to pounce. 859 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/the-atlantics-bad-reasons-for-hiring-kevin-williamson.html Jeffrey Goldberg knows that he hired a troll. But he thinks readers should give him a second chance. The Atlantic editor in chief issued a memo to the magazine’s staff this week, explaining his decision to hire conservative writer Kevin Williamson as a columnist for the magazine’s new ideas section. In addition to making the thought leader’s now-familiar case for ideological diversity, Goldberg wrote that he likes to “give people second chances and the opportunity to change. Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate Jeffrey Goldberg knows that he hired a troll. But he thinks readers should give him a second chance. The Atlantic editor in chief issued a memo to the magazine’s staff this week, explaining his decision to hire conservative writer Kevin Williamson as a columnist for the magazine’s new ideas section. In addition to making the thought leader’s now-familiar case for ideological diversity, Goldberg wrote that he likes to “give people second chances and the opportunity to change. 700 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/on-60-minutes-stormy-daniels-found-the-venue-her-story-needed.html Stormy Daniels appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday night, delivering the program its largest audience—21 million viewers—since a post-election interview with Barack and Michelle Obama in November 2008. Wed, 28 Mar 2018 11:34:44 -0000 full Slate Stormy Daniels appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday night, delivering the program its largest audience—21 million viewers—since a post-election interview with Barack and Michelle Obama in November 2008. 513 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/when-campus-free-speech-is-a-marketing-ploy.html On Jan. 24, it was announced that former White House adviser and Breitbart chairman Steve Bannon had accepted an invitation from business school professor Luigi Zingales to participate in a debate on campus. “I can hardly think of a more important issue for new citizens and business leaders of the world than the backlash against globalization and immigration that is taking place not just in America, but in all the Western World,” Zingales wrote in a statement. Tue, 27 Mar 2018 11:34:28 -0000 full Slate On Jan. 24, it was announced that former White House adviser and Breitbart chairman Steve Bannon had accepted an invitation from business school professor Luigi Zingales to participate in a debate on campus. “I can hardly think of a more important issue for new citizens and business leaders of the world than the backlash against globalization and immigration that is taking place not just in America, but in all the Western World,” Zingales wrote in a statement. 1503 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/democrats-can-do-better-than-joe-biden-in-2020.html Joe Biden’s allies say the former vice president hasn’t decided yet whether to run for president again in 2020. But we know the interest is there. “If, in a year from now, if we’re ready, and nobody has moved in that I think can do it, then I may very well do it,” said Biden on The View in December. Mon, 26 Mar 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate Joe Biden’s allies say the former vice president hasn’t decided yet whether to run for president again in 2020. But we know the interest is there. “If, in a year from now, if we’re ready, and nobody has moved in that I think can do it, then I may very well do it,” said Biden on The View in December. 470 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/the-winners-and-losers-in-congress-giant-spending-bill.html It’s taken them several crucial days longer than they had hoped, but Democratic and Republican leaders on Wednesday closed in on an agreement to fund the government through September at the higher spending levels they set last month. The omnibus spending bill, the last big “must-pass” bill of the year, is a vehicle for legislators to tack on all of their other legislative priorities that they couldn’t get through regular order. If they’re not included in this $1. Fri, 23 Mar 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate It’s taken them several crucial days longer than they had hoped, but Democratic and Republican leaders on Wednesday closed in on an agreement to fund the government through September at the higher spending levels they set last month. The omnibus spending bill, the last big “must-pass” bill of the year, is a vehicle for legislators to tack on all of their other legislative priorities that they couldn’t get through regular order. If they’re not included in this $1. 488 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/donald-trump-keeps-divulging-the-real-reason-for-his-steel-tariffs.html The United States has a creative excuse for slapping tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum.Without the tariffs, the Trump administration argues, American producers of these metals would continue to decline, jeopardizing our military. This rationale has a legal purpose: to exempt the tariffs from adjudication by the World Trade Organization, which defers to claims of national security. But the rationale is a fraud. Thu, 22 Mar 2018 11:34:49 -0000 full Slate The United States has a creative excuse for slapping tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum.Without the tariffs, the Trump administration argues, American producers of these metals would continue to decline, jeopardizing our military. This rationale has a legal purpose: to exempt the tariffs from adjudication by the World Trade Organization, which defers to claims of national security. But the rationale is a fraud. 494 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/firing-veterans-affairs-secretary-david-shulkin-is-a-bad-idea.html Dr. David Shulkin, the current secretary of veterans affairs and the only Democrat in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, has done fairly well running the VA. At a signing ceremony for veterans legislation in June, Trump said of Shulkin, “We’ll never have to use those words [‘You’re fired’] on our David.” Eight months later, that declaration may prove ironic. Wed, 21 Mar 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate Dr. David Shulkin, the current secretary of veterans affairs and the only Democrat in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, has done fairly well running the VA. At a signing ceremony for veterans legislation in June, Trump said of Shulkin, “We’ll never have to use those words [‘You’re fired’] on our David.” Eight months later, that declaration may prove ironic. 701 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/a-federal-judge-has-blocked-an-ohio-law-prohibiting-down-syndromerelated-abortions.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Tue, 20 Mar 2018 13:23:27 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 321 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/the-problem-with-conor-lambs-pro-choice-hedge.html Now that Conor Lamb has won a House seat in western Pennsylvania, the national press is already decamping for Illinois, where the next big midterm battle will be about reproductive rights. On Tuesday, Democratic primary voters in the Chicago suburbs will choose between Marie Newman, a progressive, pro-choice challenger, and Rep. Dan Lipinski, a Blue Dog, anti-abortion incumbent. Mon, 19 Mar 2018 19:52:22 -0000 full Slate Now that Conor Lamb has won a House seat in western Pennsylvania, the national press is already decamping for Illinois, where the next big midterm battle will be about reproductive rights. On Tuesday, Democratic primary voters in the Chicago suburbs will choose between Marie Newman, a progressive, pro-choice challenger, and Rep. Dan Lipinski, a Blue Dog, anti-abortion incumbent. 770 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/trump-rewards-americas-enemies-and-punishes-its-allies.html President Trump has agreed to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Diplomats and U.S. allies are puzzled. They wonder why Trump, without securing concessions, would offer North Korea what it has pursued for decades: the first meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting American president. The question answers itself. Trump wants to have the meeting because no previous president has done it. Trump talks tough, but he doesn’t focus on confronting America’s enemies. Fri, 16 Mar 2018 11:34:25 -0000 full Slate President Trump has agreed to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Diplomats and U.S. allies are puzzled. They wonder why Trump, without securing concessions, would offer North Korea what it has pursued for decades: the first meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting American president. The question answers itself. Trump wants to have the meeting because no previous president has done it. Trump talks tough, but he doesn’t focus on confronting America’s enemies. 466 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/mike-pompeo-could-be-a-successful-secretary-of-state-because-trump-trusts-him.html Former congressman and CIA Director Mike Pompeo has a bio that sparkles even in Washington: top of his class at West Point, five years of Army service, Harvard Law, success in business, and now politics. In Donald Trump’s Washington, Pompeo has added perhaps the most important laurel of all: trusted lieutenant to the president. Thu, 15 Mar 2018 11:34:24 -0000 full Slate Former congressman and CIA Director Mike Pompeo has a bio that sparkles even in Washington: top of his class at West Point, five years of Army service, Harvard Law, success in business, and now politics. In Donald Trump’s Washington, Pompeo has added perhaps the most important laurel of all: trusted lieutenant to the president. 599 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/2020-democrats-need-to-start-talking-about-climate-change.html On Tuesday, Vox released the results of a recent Civis Analytics survey of likely voters on the priorities they’d like to see Democrats take on should they retake Congress and the presidency in 2020. Predictably, the top concerns were largely a reflection of the conversations at the center of current discourse: 31 percent of likely voters want the next Democratic administration to focus on health care. Wed, 14 Mar 2018 11:34:29 -0000 full Slate On Tuesday, Vox released the results of a recent Civis Analytics survey of likely voters on the priorities they’d like to see Democrats take on should they retake Congress and the presidency in 2020. Predictably, the top concerns were largely a reflection of the conversations at the center of current discourse: 31 percent of likely voters want the next Democratic administration to focus on health care. 485 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/the-womens-marchs-embrace-of-louis-farrakhan-betrays-its-most-essential-principles.html For the past two weeks, progressive activists and Jewish advocacy groups have been relitigating the character of Louis Farrakhan. The National of Islam minister gave his annual Saviours’ Day speech on Feb. 25, during which he made several characteristic remarks about the “Satanic Jew” responsible for Hollywood’s “filth and degenerate behavior” that is “turning men into women and women into men. Tue, 13 Mar 2018 11:34:22 -0000 full Slate For the past two weeks, progressive activists and Jewish advocacy groups have been relitigating the character of Louis Farrakhan. The National of Islam minister gave his annual Saviours’ Day speech on Feb. 25, during which he made several characteristic remarks about the “Satanic Jew” responsible for Hollywood’s “filth and degenerate behavior” that is “turning men into women and women into men. 546 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/sam-nunbergs-public-meltdown-is-only-the-latest-bit-of-anger-exploding-from-trumps-white-house.html Watching Sam Nunberg’s spectacular public splashdown on Monday was awkward for virtually everyone, but it was particularly painful for anyone who suspected that deriving secret joy from witnessing a public mental health crisis is neither journalistically, nor morally defensible.By Tuesday night, it was boring old news, as all things seem to be these days, but the questions raised by the uneasy spectacle shouldn’t fade so quickly. Mon, 12 Mar 2018 11:34:23 -0000 full Slate Watching Sam Nunberg’s spectacular public splashdown on Monday was awkward for virtually everyone, but it was particularly painful for anyone who suspected that deriving secret joy from witnessing a public mental health crisis is neither journalistically, nor morally defensible.By Tuesday night, it was boring old news, as all things seem to be these days, but the questions raised by the uneasy spectacle shouldn’t fade so quickly. 538 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/after-a-texas-stumble-what-will-the-dccc-do-next.html Following President Trump’s election, the Democratic Party urged its enraged grass-roots to channel their energy into politics and run for office. But the party didn’t actually want just anyone to run. They wanted candidates with resumes and resources they deem most palatable in a general election, and for everyone else to get out of the way. Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:34:26 -0000 full Slate Following President Trump’s election, the Democratic Party urged its enraged grass-roots to channel their energy into politics and run for office. But the party didn’t actually want just anyone to run. They wanted candidates with resumes and resources they deem most palatable in a general election, and for everyone else to get out of the way. 496 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/trump-didnt-retreat-on-gun-control-and-his-statements-are-irrelevant.html On Thursday night, the New York Times put a “BREAKING NEWS” alert across the top of its homepage and sent out an accompanying push notification. The siren was for a story entitled “N.R.A. Suggests Trump May Retreat From Gun Control,” written by three Times reporters. Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:34:23 -0000 full Slate On Thursday night, the New York Times put a “BREAKING NEWS” alert across the top of its homepage and sent out an accompanying push notification. The siren was for a story entitled “N.R.A. Suggests Trump May Retreat From Gun Control,” written by three Times reporters. 414 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/california-is-not-as-liberal-as-you-think.html When the California Democratic Party declined to endorse Sen. Dianne Feinstein last week, it was taken as a sign that progressives might be poised to update the political order in the Golden State. Kevin de León, the leader of Democrats in the state Senate and a proud progressive, won 54 percent of the vote to Feinstein’s 37 percent—shy of the 60 percent needed to win the party’s endorsement but an impressive upset nonetheless. Wed, 07 Mar 2018 12:34:23 -0000 full Slate When the California Democratic Party declined to endorse Sen. Dianne Feinstein last week, it was taken as a sign that progressives might be poised to update the political order in the Golden State. Kevin de León, the leader of Democrats in the state Senate and a proud progressive, won 54 percent of the vote to Feinstein’s 37 percent—shy of the 60 percent needed to win the party’s endorsement but an impressive upset nonetheless. 556 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/nra-spokeswoman-dana-loesch-is-hypocritical-in-her-media-criticism.html This piece was adapted from a Spiel on The Gist. It has been edited for clarity. Dana Loesch, National Rifle Association spokeswoman, is kind of a cross between Kellyanne Conway and an Uzi, with cooler glasses. She has physical beauty on her side. She is charismatic. She is capable of unleashing a rhetorical fusillade. But like the Uzi and Kellyanne, she spews stats and arguments with abandon and inaccuracy. Tue, 06 Mar 2018 12:34:13 -0000 full Slate This piece was adapted from a Spiel on The Gist. It has been edited for clarity. Dana Loesch, National Rifle Association spokeswoman, is kind of a cross between Kellyanne Conway and an Uzi, with cooler glasses. She has physical beauty on her side. She is charismatic. She is capable of unleashing a rhetorical fusillade. But like the Uzi and Kellyanne, she spews stats and arguments with abandon and inaccuracy. 604 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/how-did-the-nra-become-an-enemy-of-law-enforcement.html The National Rifle Association knows exactly whom to blame for the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. The real culprit, says the NRA, is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As the NRA points out, the FBI failed to heed warnings about the shooter. But there’s a bigger story behind this rebuke. To protect its political allies, the NRA has become an enemy of law enforcement. Wayne LaPierre, the NRA’s CEO, likes to talk about “criminals” and “good guys. Mon, 05 Mar 2018 12:34:22 -0000 full Slate The National Rifle Association knows exactly whom to blame for the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. The real culprit, says the NRA, is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As the NRA points out, the FBI failed to heed warnings about the shooter. But there’s a bigger story behind this rebuke. To protect its political allies, the NRA has become an enemy of law enforcement. Wayne LaPierre, the NRA’s CEO, likes to talk about “criminals” and “good guys. 522 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/texas-anti-abortion-groups-are-arguing-over-how-radical-their-movement-should-be.html An ugly public spat has broken out between two sets of Texas anti-abortion advocates in advance of the state’s March 6 Republican primary. One group, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, is accusing another, Texas Right to Life, of attacking perfectly pro-life Republican incumbents. Texas Right to Life says that the conference supports “death panels” and that conservatives in the state legislature aren’t doing enough to ban abortion. Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:35:15 -0000 full Slate An ugly public spat has broken out between two sets of Texas anti-abortion advocates in advance of the state’s March 6 Republican primary. One group, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, is accusing another, Texas Right to Life, of attacking perfectly pro-life Republican incumbents. Texas Right to Life says that the conference supports “death panels” and that conservatives in the state legislature aren’t doing enough to ban abortion. 596 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/can-bernie-win-an-iowa-race-where-everybody-sounds-like-him.html DES MOINES, Iowa—At a rally on Friday to endorse his former Iowa campaign coordinator, Bernie Sanders dusted off the stump speech that nearly propelled him to victory here two years ago, and added some obligatory references to the man he is backing for a local congressional seat. “Pete D’Alessandro understands that … we need fundamental campaign finance reform,” Sanders told a crowd of about 250 supporters gathered in a converted auto glass shop. Thu, 01 Mar 2018 12:34:21 -0000 full Slate DES MOINES, Iowa—At a rally on Friday to endorse his former Iowa campaign coordinator, Bernie Sanders dusted off the stump speech that nearly propelled him to victory here two years ago, and added some obligatory references to the man he is backing for a local congressional seat. “Pete D’Alessandro understands that … we need fundamental campaign finance reform,” Sanders told a crowd of about 250 supporters gathered in a converted auto glass shop. 726 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/ivanka-trump-should-get-used-to-talking-about-her-fathers-alleged-sex-crimes.html If you believe the accounts of a few anonymous members of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, Ivanka Trump cried when her father refused to apologize for saying he groped women’s genitals. Frustrated by the then-candidate’s blasé response to the Access Hollywood “grab ‘em by the pussy” comments, Ivanka rushed out of the campaign war room, red-faced and weepy-eyed. Wed, 28 Feb 2018 12:34:16 -0000 full Slate If you believe the accounts of a few anonymous members of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, Ivanka Trump cried when her father refused to apologize for saying he groped women’s genitals. Frustrated by the then-candidate’s blasé response to the Access Hollywood “grab ‘em by the pussy” comments, Ivanka rushed out of the campaign war room, red-faced and weepy-eyed. 488 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/cpac-was-a-window-into-the-staying-power-of-trumpism.html NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland—There was much talk, throughout this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, about the supposed crisis of free speech—the purported epidemic of conservative speakers being oppressed, suppressed, threatened, and silenced not only on college campuses but, as the NRA’s Dana Loesch reminded attendees during her speech Thursday, within the mainstream press. Tue, 27 Feb 2018 12:34:10 -0000 full Slate NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland—There was much talk, throughout this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, about the supposed crisis of free speech—the purported epidemic of conservative speakers being oppressed, suppressed, threatened, and silenced not only on college campuses but, as the NRA’s Dana Loesch reminded attendees during her speech Thursday, within the mainstream press. 434 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/the-parkland-teens-will-win-eventually.html The shape of the Parkland, Florida, shooting’s aftermath is unlike that of any other American massacre. For the first time, the teenage survivors of a school shooting have assumed the mantle of leading the activist response to the tragedy. Their courage in the face of fear and loss has inspired several nationwide actions this week, including student-led walkouts at middle schools and high schools in Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, and Kentucky, among other states. Mon, 26 Feb 2018 12:34:17 -0000 full Slate The shape of the Parkland, Florida, shooting’s aftermath is unlike that of any other American massacre. For the first time, the teenage survivors of a school shooting have assumed the mantle of leading the activist response to the tragedy. Their courage in the face of fear and loss has inspired several nationwide actions this week, including student-led walkouts at middle schools and high schools in Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, and Kentucky, among other states. 725 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/dont-be-fooled-by-stoneman-douglas-reactions-conservatives-love-political-teens.html On the off chance that gun control legislation of some kind passes in the wake of the Stoneman Douglas massacre, we’ll have the kids, and only the kids, to thank. Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:34:14 -0000 full Slate On the off chance that gun control legislation of some kind passes in the wake of the Stoneman Douglas massacre, we’ll have the kids, and only the kids, to thank. 825 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/to-prevent-shootings-donald-trump-says-the-u-s-needs-a-culture-of-life-hes-not-wrong.html On Thursday morning, Donald Trump addressed the country about Wednesday’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida that left at least 17 dead and 15 injured, many of them children. Trump blamed the carnage in part on the shooter’s “mental health” and on kids feeling alone. He also called on Americans to “work together to create a culture in our country that embraces the dignity of life. Thu, 22 Feb 2018 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate On Thursday morning, Donald Trump addressed the country about Wednesday’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida that left at least 17 dead and 15 injured, many of them children. Trump blamed the carnage in part on the shooter’s “mental health” and on kids feeling alone. He also called on Americans to “work together to create a culture in our country that embraces the dignity of life. 560 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/mitt-romneys-mormon-mission.html Mitt Romney is finally going to Washington. And Romney is going there on a mission: to bring “Utah’s values” to the nation’s capital, he explained in a video last Friday kicking off his campaign to replace the retiring Orrin Hatch in the U.S. Senate. A Senate campaign launched from Utah is neither the starting point, nor the D.C. destination that Romney had long envisioned. Wed, 21 Feb 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate Mitt Romney is finally going to Washington. And Romney is going there on a mission: to bring “Utah’s values” to the nation’s capital, he explained in a video last Friday kicking off his campaign to replace the retiring Orrin Hatch in the U.S. Senate. A Senate campaign launched from Utah is neither the starting point, nor the D.C. destination that Romney had long envisioned. 718 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/how-has-trump-changed-america.html Despite the overwhelming evidence that time is a flat circle, Donald Trump has been in office just a hair past one year. Prior to his inauguration, we asked Slate staff and other experts to make predictions on how his presidency would change America. We recently asked the contributors to reassess those predictions, as a window into just how influential—and unpredictable—this presidency has been so far. Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:34:19 -0000 full Slate Despite the overwhelming evidence that time is a flat circle, Donald Trump has been in office just a hair past one year. Prior to his inauguration, we asked Slate staff and other experts to make predictions on how his presidency would change America. We recently asked the contributors to reassess those predictions, as a window into just how influential—and unpredictable—this presidency has been so far. 1209 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/how-devin-nunes-and-the-gop-ended-up-defending-a-putin-apologist.html Donald Trump used to have a simple message about the Russia investigation: It isn’t really about Russia; that’s just a Democratic excuse for losing the 2016 election. Trump said he had never cared about Russia. So when investigators found people around him doing suspicious things with Russians—Paul Manafort, Mike Flynn, George Papadopoulos—Trump said those interactions had nothing to do with him. The brushoff strategy was smart. Mon, 19 Feb 2018 12:34:25 -0000 full Slate Donald Trump used to have a simple message about the Russia investigation: It isn’t really about Russia; that’s just a Democratic excuse for losing the 2016 election. Trump said he had never cared about Russia. So when investigators found people around him doing suspicious things with Russians—Paul Manafort, Mike Flynn, George Papadopoulos—Trump said those interactions had nothing to do with him. The brushoff strategy was smart. 508 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/meet-the-columnist-the-new-york-times-hired-and-fired-in-just-six-hours.html On Tuesday afternoon, the New York Times announced that it would be hiring Quinn Norton as an editorial board member. Shortly before 10 p.m., the paper fired her. Norton has been a prolific tech journalist—covering issues ranging from bioethics to the Anonymous movement for publications like Wired and the Atlantic—and seemed initially to be a remarkably good pick to become the Times’ lead opinion writer “on the power, culture, and consequences of technology. Fri, 16 Feb 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate On Tuesday afternoon, the New York Times announced that it would be hiring Quinn Norton as an editorial board member. Shortly before 10 p.m., the paper fired her. Norton has been a prolific tech journalist—covering issues ranging from bioethics to the Anonymous movement for publications like Wired and the Atlantic—and seemed initially to be a remarkably good pick to become the Times’ lead opinion writer “on the power, culture, and consequences of technology. 542 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/the-u-s-will-never-ban-porn.html Every few months, some public figure comes up with the brilliant idea that porn is bad for women. They worry that teens will never have normal, pleasurable sex if all they watch is gang-bangs, that porn allows misogyny to sustain and replicate itself, and that women learn to be aroused by their own degradation when they see ejaculatory “facials” onscreen. None of these arguments are exactly wrong. Thu, 15 Feb 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate Every few months, some public figure comes up with the brilliant idea that porn is bad for women. They worry that teens will never have normal, pleasurable sex if all they watch is gang-bangs, that porn allows misogyny to sustain and replicate itself, and that women learn to be aroused by their own degradation when they see ejaculatory “facials” onscreen. None of these arguments are exactly wrong. 629 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/bret-stephens-mob-mentality.html “Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused - life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?” This was President Trump’s tweeted response after White House staffers David Sorensen and Rob Porter resigned over domestic-abuse allegations last week. Wed, 14 Feb 2018 12:34:21 -0000 full Slate “Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused - life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?” This was President Trump’s tweeted response after White House staffers David Sorensen and Rob Porter resigned over domestic-abuse allegations last week. 905 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/republicans-have-actually-been-pretty-consistent-on-the-debt.html We aren’t exactly wanting for examples of Republican shamelessness in the Trump era. Pundits, liberal and conservative alike, routinely demand that the party do more to stand up to the president on this or that issue in defense of American political norms and in the hope that defiance might bring us more speedily back to something like normalcy. But normalcy was, itself, deeply rotten and nauseating. Tue, 13 Feb 2018 12:34:22 -0000 full Slate We aren’t exactly wanting for examples of Republican shamelessness in the Trump era. Pundits, liberal and conservative alike, routinely demand that the party do more to stand up to the president on this or that issue in defense of American political norms and in the hope that defiance might bring us more speedily back to something like normalcy. But normalcy was, itself, deeply rotten and nauseating. 510 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/nancy-pelosi-tries-a-marathon-daca-speech-to-get-right-with-the-partys-base.html On Wednesday afternoon, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell announced a bipartisan two-year budget deal. The $400 billion dollar package increases military funding and upends caps on domestic spending in place since the 2011 Budget Control Act, a significant win for Democrats. But the deal was reached without a DACA fix. Mon, 12 Feb 2018 12:34:21 -0000 full Slate On Wednesday afternoon, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell announced a bipartisan two-year budget deal. The $400 billion dollar package increases military funding and upends caps on domestic spending in place since the 2011 Budget Control Act, a significant win for Democrats. But the deal was reached without a DACA fix. 517 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/the-top-secret-nunes-memo-illustrates-abuse-of-our-intelligence-classification-system.html Last week’s decision by House Intelligence Committee Republicans and the White House to declassify a misleading, politically charged memo about evidence in the Russia investigation is yet another example of our toxic political environment. But it also points to another problem—one that existed long before President Trump—about how the U.S. government inconsistently and ineptly treats classified information and Americans’ poor understanding of that process. Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate Last week’s decision by House Intelligence Committee Republicans and the White House to declassify a misleading, politically charged memo about evidence in the Russia investigation is yet another example of our toxic political environment. But it also points to another problem—one that existed long before President Trump—about how the U.S. government inconsistently and ineptly treats classified information and Americans’ poor understanding of that process. 610 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/trump-betrayed-the-intelligence-community-and-fbi-by-releasing-the-nunes-memo.html On its face, the so-called Nunes memo regarding government surveillance of Trump campaign aide Carter Page in 2016 does little to undermine the case against President Trump and his confederates. It does not contradict the indictments against Paul Manafort or Rick Gates nor explain the plea agreements of Michael Flynn and George Papadopoulos, nor extinguish questions about the extent to which Russia interfered in the election—either in collusion with the Trump campaign or not. Thu, 08 Feb 2018 12:34:18 -0000 full Slate On its face, the so-called Nunes memo regarding government surveillance of Trump campaign aide Carter Page in 2016 does little to undermine the case against President Trump and his confederates. It does not contradict the indictments against Paul Manafort or Rick Gates nor explain the plea agreements of Michael Flynn and George Papadopoulos, nor extinguish questions about the extent to which Russia interfered in the election—either in collusion with the Trump campaign or not. 529 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/what-if-the-iran-deal-was-a-mistake.html On May 15, 2015, just a few months before the U.S. and other world powers signed a nuclear deal with Iran, President Barack Obama convened what was to be a high-profile meeting of Middle East leaders at Camp David. King Salman of Saudi Arabia, however, was a no-show. King Hamad of Bahrain elected to go to a horse show in the U.K. instead. The elderly rulers of Oman and the UAE also stayed home, citing health concerns. Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate On May 15, 2015, just a few months before the U.S. and other world powers signed a nuclear deal with Iran, President Barack Obama convened what was to be a high-profile meeting of Middle East leaders at Camp David. King Salman of Saudi Arabia, however, was a no-show. King Hamad of Bahrain elected to go to a horse show in the U.K. instead. The elderly rulers of Oman and the UAE also stayed home, citing health concerns. 1358 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/the-nativist-blueprint-for-trumps-immigration-plan.html President Trump has proposed nothing less than a vast overhaul of the country’s immigration policy, seeking an end to the diversity visa lottery and family sponsorship programs in favor of a system that would privilege immigrants from mostly white countries. Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:34:18 -0000 full Slate President Trump has proposed nothing less than a vast overhaul of the country’s immigration policy, seeking an end to the diversity visa lottery and family sponsorship programs in favor of a system that would privilege immigrants from mostly white countries. 954 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/right-wing-conspiracy-theories-from-the-1960s-to-today.html Adapted fromFantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History © 2017 by Kurt Andersen. With permission from Random House. All rights reserved. Mon, 05 Feb 2018 12:34:33 -0000 full Slate Adapted fromFantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History © 2017 by Kurt Andersen. With permission from Random House. All rights reserved. 1676 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/ice-is-out-of-control.html Donald Trump hasn’t created the massive “deportation force” he promised as a candidate for president. But he has done the next best thing—boosting, bolstering, and unleashing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, giving it broad authority to act at its own discretion. The result? An empowered and authoritarian agency that operates with impunity, whose chief attribute is unapologetic cruelty. Fri, 02 Feb 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate Donald Trump hasn’t created the massive “deportation force” he promised as a candidate for president. But he has done the next best thing—boosting, bolstering, and unleashing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, giving it broad authority to act at its own discretion. The result? An empowered and authoritarian agency that operates with impunity, whose chief attribute is unapologetic cruelty. 515 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/republican-excuses-for-firing-mueller-show-how-dangerous-the-party-has-become.html How far will the Republican Party go to defend Donald Trump? That’s an open question as he accumulates power and insulates himself from accountability. In recent days, we’ve learned that last year, Trump didn’t just fire FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the Russia investigation. Thu, 01 Feb 2018 12:34:31 -0000 full Slate How far will the Republican Party go to defend Donald Trump? That’s an open question as he accumulates power and insulates himself from accountability. In recent days, we’ve learned that last year, Trump didn’t just fire FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the Russia investigation. 663 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/the-obstruction-case-is-getting-solid.html President Trump tried to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. That fact, reported Thursday night by the New York Times and confirmed by sources for the Washington Post and other papers, shreds the assurances from Republican lawmakers that Trump would never attempt such a thing. It also bolsters key elements of the case for impeachment. Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:34:16 -0000 full Slate President Trump tried to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. That fact, reported Thursday night by the New York Times and confirmed by sources for the Washington Post and other papers, shreds the assurances from Republican lawmakers that Trump would never attempt such a thing. It also bolsters key elements of the case for impeachment. 533 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/asking-about-trumps-mental-fitness-is-the-wrong-question.html This Spiel originally appeared onThe Gist and has been edited and condensed for clarity. Donald Trump is a lot of things: incurious, incompetent, inattentive, inaccurate, insular, and infuriating. Is he insane, or—more broadly speaking—is he not well? Is he not fit? Is he not stable and also so far from genius as to be judged a blithering idiot? In his book Fire and Fury, Michael Wolff says, “Some believe that for all practical purposes, he was no more than semiliterate. Tue, 30 Jan 2018 12:34:21 -0000 full Slate This Spiel originally appeared onThe Gist and has been edited and condensed for clarity. Donald Trump is a lot of things: incurious, incompetent, inattentive, inaccurate, insular, and infuriating. Is he insane, or—more broadly speaking—is he not well? Is he not fit? Is he not stable and also so far from genius as to be judged a blithering idiot? In his book Fire and Fury, Michael Wolff says, “Some believe that for all practical purposes, he was no more than semiliterate. 776 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/defending-daca-during-the-government-shutdown-fight-is-democrats-moral-obligation.html On the second day of the first government shutdown of Donald Trump’s presidency, one narrative began to rise above the rest: Blame the Democrats. Republican lawmakers and Trump advisers blitzed the airwaves on Sunday to explain why Senate Democrats’ demand for a DACA fix tethered to a funding bill is irresponsible and unreasonable. (DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is an Obama-era executive policy that allows undocumented people who came to the U.S. Mon, 29 Jan 2018 12:34:16 -0000 full Slate On the second day of the first government shutdown of Donald Trump’s presidency, one narrative began to rise above the rest: Blame the Democrats. Republican lawmakers and Trump advisers blitzed the airwaves on Sunday to explain why Senate Democrats’ demand for a DACA fix tethered to a funding bill is irresponsible and unreasonable. (DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is an Obama-era executive policy that allows undocumented people who came to the U.S. 513 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/tom-cotton-is-dangerously-deceptive.html Tom Cotton, the Republican senator from Arkansas, is becoming President Trump’s right arm in the Senate. Or maybe it’s the other way around, and Cotton, a right-wing ideologue, is helping to steer the president. Either way, Trump’s behavior in the immigration debate—turning against a legislative compromise after Cotton was summoned to a White House meeting to oppose it—illustrates the young senator’s influence. Fri, 26 Jan 2018 12:34:22 -0000 full Slate Tom Cotton, the Republican senator from Arkansas, is becoming President Trump’s right arm in the Senate. Or maybe it’s the other way around, and Cotton, a right-wing ideologue, is helping to steer the president. Either way, Trump’s behavior in the immigration debate—turning against a legislative compromise after Cotton was summoned to a White House meeting to oppose it—illustrates the young senator’s influence. 576 no http://slate.com/business/2018/01/mick-mulvaney-says-the-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-works-for-payday-lenders-too.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Thu, 25 Jan 2018 12:35:22 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 250 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/is-ben-shapiro-a-conservative-liberals-can-count-on.html Ben Shapiro was 5 feet 2 inches and extremely prepubescent when, in the mid-1990s, he enrolled as a sophomore at a private Jewish high school in Los Angeles. The scrawny new kid had skipped ahead two grades, was too smart, talked too much, and got brutally bullied. Things came to a head when, on an overnight school trip, a few of Shapiro’s classmates handcuffed him to a bed and beat him with their belts. Thu, 25 Jan 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate Ben Shapiro was 5 feet 2 inches and extremely prepubescent when, in the mid-1990s, he enrolled as a sophomore at a private Jewish high school in Los Angeles. The scrawny new kid had skipped ahead two grades, was too smart, talked too much, and got brutally bullied. Things came to a head when, on an overnight school trip, a few of Shapiro’s classmates handcuffed him to a bed and beat him with their belts. 1792 no http://slate.com/culture/2018/01/appreciation-and-obituary-of-ursula-k-le-guin.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Thu, 25 Jan 2018 12:33:19 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 430 no http://slate.com/business/2018/01/will-amazon-go-eliminate-cashier-jobs.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Wed, 24 Jan 2018 12:35:19 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 256 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/theres-nothing-more-to-learn-about-trump-please-enjoy-this-essay-about-him.html Over the past year, I developed a stock answer for when new acquaintances asked what I wrote about. “It used to be language, books, and culture,” I’d say. “Now it’s language, books, culture, and Trump.” While the rise of the former Apprentice star changed my beat explicitly—after the election, I was tasked with critiquing his political performance as theater—this general turn Trumpward is an experience most journalists share. Wed, 24 Jan 2018 12:34:17 -0000 full Slate Over the past year, I developed a stock answer for when new acquaintances asked what I wrote about. “It used to be language, books, and culture,” I’d say. “Now it’s language, books, culture, and Trump.” While the rise of the former Apprentice star changed my beat explicitly—after the election, I was tasked with critiquing his political performance as theater—this general turn Trumpward is an experience most journalists share. 546 no http://slate.com/culture/2018/01/the-late-night-shows-are-all-about-donald-trump-so-maybe-watch-the-steve-allen-show-instead.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Wed, 24 Jan 2018 12:33:22 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 267 no http://slate.com/business/2018/01/amazon-is-totally-putting-hq2-in-d-c-right.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Tue, 23 Jan 2018 14:42:27 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 309 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/the-rationale-behind-republicans-shithole-cover-up.html Last week, during an Oval Office meeting, Donald Trump disparaged African and Haitian immigrants. Since then, he and his allies have tried to revise or cover up his remarks. To understand what Trump said and why his friends are trying to doctor the record, you have to understand how the immigration debate echoes the debate over another racially charged issue: affirmative action. Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:34:16 -0000 full Slate Last week, during an Oval Office meeting, Donald Trump disparaged African and Haitian immigrants. Since then, he and his allies have tried to revise or cover up his remarks. To understand what Trump said and why his friends are trying to doctor the record, you have to understand how the immigration debate echoes the debate over another racially charged issue: affirmative action. 625 no http://slate.com/culture/2018/01/sundances-the-tale-is-the-perfect-movie-for-our-metoo-moment.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:33:16 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 397 no http://slate.com/business/2018/01/the-chip-debacle-shows-democrats-need-to-put-the-government-on-autopilot.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:35:21 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 306 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/did-donald-trump-pay-porn-star-stormy-daniels-to-keep-quiet-about-an-affair.html Not long after the 2016 Republican National Convention, I got a tip from a friend of mine. An old acquaintance of his in California was close to a woman in the adult-film industry who claimed to have had an affair with Donald Trump. I reached my friend’s friend, who put me in touch with the actress, who is known as Stormy Daniels. Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:34:17 -0000 full Slate Not long after the 2016 Republican National Convention, I got a tip from a friend of mine. An old acquaintance of his in California was close to a woman in the adult-film industry who claimed to have had an affair with Donald Trump. I reached my friend’s friend, who put me in touch with the actress, who is known as Stormy Daniels. 484 no http://slate.com/culture/2018/01/the-patriots-are-going-to-keep-doing-this-arent-they.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:33:21 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 260 no http://slate.com/business/2018/01/no-apple-is-not-creating-20-000-jobs-because-of-the-tax-bill.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Fri, 19 Jan 2018 12:35:18 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 408 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/the-womens-march-was-just-the-beginning.html This article is part of aweeklong serieson President Trump’s first year in office. When a few disparate women—spread across several states and with little history of organized activism—conceived of a women’s march on a whim after Donald Trump’s surprise victory in November 2016, no one knew how it would turn out, or whether it would happen at all. Nothing about the march went as planned. Fri, 19 Jan 2018 12:34:30 -0000 full Slate This article is part of aweeklong serieson President Trump’s first year in office. When a few disparate women—spread across several states and with little history of organized activism—conceived of a women’s march on a whim after Donald Trump’s surprise victory in November 2016, no one knew how it would turn out, or whether it would happen at all. Nothing about the march went as planned. 817 no http://slate.com/business/2018/01/extending-chip-for-10-years-would-reduce-the-deficit-by-usd6-billion.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Thu, 18 Jan 2018 12:35:20 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 172 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/how-trumps-policy-agenda-is-conventional-and-reversible.html Slate is running a weeklong series on President Trump’s first year in office. Read Jamelle Bouie’s companion essay about the only promise Trump has kept from his inaugural address. After eight years of a Democratic administration, the new Republican president came in with a lightning-strike agenda. He confirmed reliable, career conservatives to the Cabinet and stocked the federal judiciary with young, right-leaning judges. Thu, 18 Jan 2018 12:34:25 -0000 full Slate Slate is running a weeklong series on President Trump’s first year in office. Read Jamelle Bouie’s companion essay about the only promise Trump has kept from his inaugural address. After eight years of a Democratic administration, the new Republican president came in with a lightning-strike agenda. He confirmed reliable, career conservatives to the Cabinet and stocked the federal judiciary with young, right-leaning judges. 537 no http://slate.com/arts/2018/01/eliza-dushkus-agent-and-on-set-legal-guardian-both-back-her-account-of-sexual-assault.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Thu, 18 Jan 2018 12:33:17 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 219 no http://slate.com/business/2018/01/a-new-theory-for-why-americans-cant-get-a-raise.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Wed, 17 Jan 2018 12:35:16 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 581 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/the-lasting-damage-of-donald-trumps-bigotry.html Slate is running a weeklong series on President Trump’s first year in office. Read Jim Newell’s companion essay about Trump’s conventional—and reversible—policy agenda. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.” With that promise—the centerpiece of his inaugural address—Donald Trump committed to a populist presidency. In his first year, President Trump has delivered the opposite. Wed, 17 Jan 2018 12:34:14 -0000 full Slate Slate is running a weeklong series on President Trump’s first year in office. Read Jim Newell’s companion essay about Trump’s conventional—and reversible—policy agenda. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.” With that promise—the centerpiece of his inaugural address—Donald Trump committed to a populist presidency. In his first year, President Trump has delivered the opposite. 992 no http://slate.com/arts/2018/01/mark-wahlberg-donates-his-all-the-money-in-the-world-reshoot-money-to-times-up.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Wed, 17 Jan 2018 12:33:18 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 204 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/no-not-everything-is-racist-but-donald-trump-is.html I don’t like to accuse people of racism. That word is used far too often, unjustly, to smear good men and women. It has been thrown at House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. John McCain, former Gov. Mitt Romney, and other decent conservatives. It has been attributed to anyone who defends law enforcement or opposes a government program. When everyone on the right is a white nationalist or white supremacist, these terms lose their meaning. But Donald Trump is a racist. Tue, 16 Jan 2018 12:34:19 -0000 full Slate I don’t like to accuse people of racism. That word is used far too often, unjustly, to smear good men and women. It has been thrown at House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. John McCain, former Gov. Mitt Romney, and other decent conservatives. It has been attributed to anyone who defends law enforcement or opposes a government program. When everyone on the right is a white nationalist or white supremacist, these terms lose their meaning. But Donald Trump is a racist. 525 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/why-do-republicans-keep-defending-donald-trump.html The past week has revealed a new principle in American politics: As President Trump grows more unhinged, his allies in Congress grow evermore committed to his administration. The new year began where the last one left off, with a spate of alarming outbursts and transgressions. There was the president’s social media brinksmanship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un about the size of his “nuclear button. Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate The past week has revealed a new principle in American politics: As President Trump grows more unhinged, his allies in Congress grow evermore committed to his administration. The new year began where the last one left off, with a spate of alarming outbursts and transgressions. There was the president’s social media brinksmanship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un about the size of his “nuclear button. 415 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2018/01/the_case_against_oprah.html When world leaders came together in 2015 to settle on a framework for action on climate change, the resulting agreement set a goal of limiting the rise in global average temperatures from preindustrial levels to 2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The climatologist Michael Mann, voicing what has been the scientific consensus for some time, has warned that warming beyond that could lead to “environmental ruin. Fri, 12 Jan 2018 12:34:23 -0000 full Slate When world leaders came together in 2015 to settle on a framework for action on climate change, the resulting agreement set a goal of limiting the rise in global average temperatures from preindustrial levels to 2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The climatologist Michael Mann, voicing what has been the scientific consensus for some time, has warned that warming beyond that could lead to “environmental ruin. 410 no http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2018/01/fire_and_fury_by_michael_wolff_reviewed.html A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice Fri, 12 Jan 2018 12:33:13 -0000 full Slate A daily selection of Slate’s best writing, read out loud. Learn more about this members-only feature at slate.com/voice 971 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/trump-congress-meet-to-discuss-a-daca-deal.html Nearly two dozen legislators joined the president at the White House on Tuesday for what was supposed to be a private meeting to work out a deal that could decide the fate of millions of immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. It was one that members and senators on Monday afternoon had said would be pivotal. Thu, 11 Jan 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate Nearly two dozen legislators joined the president at the White House on Tuesday for what was supposed to be a private meeting to work out a deal that could decide the fate of millions of immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. It was one that members and senators on Monday afternoon had said would be pivotal. 482 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/what-michael-wolff-got-right-about-donald-trump.html Fire and Fury, Michael Wolff’s book about chaos in the Trump administration, tells some curious tales. It suggests Trump didn’t know who former House Speaker John Boehner was, even after Trump had golfed with him and had repeatedly tweeted about him. It says Trump used to offer hookers to men while letting their wives listen in on speakerphone. Stories like these sound too juicy to be true, and Wolff has a history of embellishment. Wed, 10 Jan 2018 12:34:19 -0000 full Slate Fire and Fury, Michael Wolff’s book about chaos in the Trump administration, tells some curious tales. It suggests Trump didn’t know who former House Speaker John Boehner was, even after Trump had golfed with him and had repeatedly tweeted about him. It says Trump used to offer hookers to men while letting their wives listen in on speakerphone. Stories like these sound too juicy to be true, and Wolff has a history of embellishment. 490 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/why-democrats-should-push-republicans-into-a-fight-over-pot.html On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened the burgeoning legal marijuana industry by rescinding an Obama administration memo that effectively ensured states could legalize pot without federal interference. Tue, 09 Jan 2018 12:34:34 -0000 full Slate On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened the burgeoning legal marijuana industry by rescinding an Obama administration memo that effectively ensured states could legalize pot without federal interference. 628 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/trumps-voter-fraud-commission-may-be-gone-but-the-gop-will-keep-fighting-to-suppress-votes.html President Trump’s election integrity commission didn’t get far before it was mired in controversy. State officials from around the country refused to comply with requests for detailed information on voters, and on Wednesday, after nearly a year of conflict and litigation, the president finally disbanded the commission. “Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. Mon, 08 Jan 2018 12:34:19 -0000 full Slate President Trump’s election integrity commission didn’t get far before it was mired in controversy. State officials from around the country refused to comply with requests for detailed information on voters, and on Wednesday, after nearly a year of conflict and litigation, the president finally disbanded the commission. “Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. 375 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2018/01/trump_s_historic_unpopularity_is_the_defining_characteristic_of_his_presidency.html To look back at Donald Trump’s first year in office is to see steady assaults on truth, on propriety, and on the rule of law. Looking forward, we can expect more of the same. Already, on the second day of the year, President Trump has asked the Justice Department to investigate a political opponent, a textbook example of authoritarian behavior. Fri, 05 Jan 2018 12:34:20 -0000 full Slate To look back at Donald Trump’s first year in office is to see steady assaults on truth, on propriety, and on the rule of law. Looking forward, we can expect more of the same. Already, on the second day of the year, President Trump has asked the Justice Department to investigate a political opponent, a textbook example of authoritarian behavior. 344 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2018/01/americans_have_mixed_sports_and_politics_for_longer_than_you_think.html In 1832, horse racing was by far America’s most popular spectator sport. So when horses named Andrew Jackson and Nullifier appeared at the same racetrack in Richmond, Virginia, thousands of people saw their sporting and political interests overlap. The horses’ names reflected the most divisive political debate of the year, a constitutional crisis over “nullification. Thu, 04 Jan 2018 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate In 1832, horse racing was by far America’s most popular spectator sport. So when horses named Andrew Jackson and Nullifier appeared at the same racetrack in Richmond, Virginia, thousands of people saw their sporting and political interests overlap. The horses’ names reflected the most divisive political debate of the year, a constitutional crisis over “nullification. 782 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/roy_moore_s_laughable_lawsuit.html Roy Moore, the former Alabama judge and accused molester, isn’t taking no for an answer. In a lawsuit filed this week, Moore, who lost a special election for the U.S. Senate by nearly 22,000 votes earlier this month, blames his defeat on electoral fraud and demands a do-over. A court has rejected Moore’s request to block certification of the election results. But the lawsuit, even if it goes nowhere, is a marvelous compilation of the derangements of the Trump era. Tue, 02 Jan 2018 12:34:12 -0000 full Slate Roy Moore, the former Alabama judge and accused molester, isn’t taking no for an answer. In a lawsuit filed this week, Moore, who lost a special election for the U.S. Senate by nearly 22,000 votes earlier this month, blames his defeat on electoral fraud and demands a do-over. A court has rejected Moore’s request to block certification of the election results. But the lawsuit, even if it goes nowhere, is a marvelous compilation of the derangements of the Trump era. 513 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/12/yes_smartphone_use_is_probably_behind_the_spike_in_vehicle_related_deaths.html The U.S. has seen a 14-percent spike in roadway fatalities over the past two years. It’s also seen the biggest back-to-back increase in motor vehicle–related death rates per mile driven in more than 50 years and 37,461 lives lost by drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians in 2016 alone. What’s to blame? Many experts, writers, and organizations are pointing to smartphone use and other tech-related distractions while driving as major culprits. Official statistics from the U.S. Fri, 29 Dec 2017 23:05:29 -0000 full Slate The U.S. has seen a 14-percent spike in roadway fatalities over the past two years. It’s also seen the biggest back-to-back increase in motor vehicle–related death rates per mile driven in more than 50 years and 37,461 lives lost by drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians in 2016 alone. What’s to blame? Many experts, writers, and organizations are pointing to smartphone use and other tech-related distractions while driving as major culprits. Official statistics from the U.S. 725 no http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2017/12/we_re_letting_meals_on_wheels_a_great_program_slowly_whither_and_die.html Five times a week for nearly 20 years, Meals on Wheels program coordinator Leisa Cotten would bring warm meals to the immobile and elderly of Cochise County, in the rural southeast corner of Arizona. But for the past decade, she’s had to switch it up. Now she delivers frozen meals, five at a time, once a week. “I haven’t seen you in a while” says Mark, one of Cotten’s clients (and whose name we have changed here), as she walks into his trailer. Fri, 29 Dec 2017 22:43:24 -0000 full Slate Five times a week for nearly 20 years, Meals on Wheels program coordinator Leisa Cotten would bring warm meals to the immobile and elderly of Cochise County, in the rural southeast corner of Arizona. But for the past decade, she’s had to switch it up. Now she delivers frozen meals, five at a time, once a week. “I haven’t seen you in a while” says Mark, one of Cotten’s clients (and whose name we have changed here), as she walks into his trailer. 610 no http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/12/solar_roads_are_almost_definitely_not_the_future.html China has the strange distinction of being both the world’s biggest carbon dioxide emitter and the premiere solar energy producer (Trump being in office has really given them an opportunity to firmly solidify that second crown). On Thursday, the country took its latest solar energy leap by opening a new, kilometer-long solar highway in the northeastern Shangdon province. Fri, 29 Dec 2017 22:22:49 -0000 full Slate China has the strange distinction of being both the world’s biggest carbon dioxide emitter and the premiere solar energy producer (Trump being in office has really given them an opportunity to firmly solidify that second crown). On Thursday, the country took its latest solar energy leap by opening a new, kilometer-long solar highway in the northeastern Shangdon province. 243 no http://slate.com/business/2017/12/how-memphis-outsmarted-tennessee-to-remove-its-confederate-monuments.html The statue of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest had stood in Memphis for more than a century—and inspired protest for decades—when Bruce McMullen, the city attorney who has sought for two years to find a legal way to rid the city of this monument to the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, began to feel a sense of urgency. Fri, 29 Dec 2017 22:02:00 -0000 full Slate The statue of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest had stood in Memphis for more than a century—and inspired protest for decades—when Bruce McMullen, the city attorney who has sought for two years to find a legal way to rid the city of this monument to the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, began to feel a sense of urgency. 492 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/republicans_bet_the_house_that_they_can_change_opinions_of_their_tax_bill.html Most of the time when a bill is unpopular, Congress doesn’t pass it. But in an echo of Democratic rhetoric after passing the Affordable Care Act, Republicans hope voters will change their minds about the massive tax overhaul they passed on Wednesday once they see the benefits of the law. Fri, 29 Dec 2017 12:34:17 -0000 full Slate Most of the time when a bill is unpopular, Congress doesn’t pass it. But in an echo of Democratic rhetoric after passing the Affordable Care Act, Republicans hope voters will change their minds about the massive tax overhaul they passed on Wednesday once they see the benefits of the law. 378 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/12/what_life_with_an_amazon_echo_is_like_after_the_novelty_wears_off.html The first phase of Echo ownership, especially when you’ve received one as a gift, is skepticism. When John Hebert, a car-dealer manager in Rosenberg, Texas, got his, “It didn’t even come out of the box for the first two months,” he said. Shaunacy Ferro, a writer in Brooklyn, had a similar reaction when she received one from her father. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 18:05:25 -0000 full Slate The first phase of Echo ownership, especially when you’ve received one as a gift, is skepticism. When John Hebert, a car-dealer manager in Rosenberg, Texas, got his, “It didn’t even come out of the box for the first two months,” he said. Shaunacy Ferro, a writer in Brooklyn, had a similar reaction when she received one from her father. 705 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/12/under_eric_schmidt_google_evolved_from_don_t_be_evil_to_be_kind_of_evil.html On Thursday, the second most valuable company in the world announced that one of its chieftains was stepping down. Eric Schmidt, 62 and enormously wealthy, saidhe would leave his postas executive chairman at Alphabet for an advisory role with the company. Alphabet is the parent company of Google, whose online empire Schmidt presided over as CEO and executive chairman for 17 years of unrelenting growth. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 17:48:25 -0000 full Slate On Thursday, the second most valuable company in the world announced that one of its chieftains was stepping down. Eric Schmidt, 62 and enormously wealthy, saidhe would leave his postas executive chairman at Alphabet for an advisory role with the company. Alphabet is the parent company of Google, whose online empire Schmidt presided over as CEO and executive chairman for 17 years of unrelenting growth. 414 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/12/in_praise_of_trump_s_decision_to_commute_sholom_rubashkin_s_sentence.html Sholom Rubashkin, whose 27-year sentence President Donald Trump commuted on Wednesday, is a corrupt criminal who deserves punishment for his misdeeds. The Rubashkin case was nevertheless a criminal justice scandal, and Donald Trump was absolutely right to commute his draconian and constitutionally defective sentence. The only shame here is that Trump will almost certainly decline to grant clemency to other prisoners whose cases are just as egregious. Rubashkin’s crimes are well-documented. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 17:37:44 -0000 full Slate Sholom Rubashkin, whose 27-year sentence President Donald Trump commuted on Wednesday, is a corrupt criminal who deserves punishment for his misdeeds. The Rubashkin case was nevertheless a criminal justice scandal, and Donald Trump was absolutely right to commute his draconian and constitutionally defective sentence. The only shame here is that Trump will almost certainly decline to grant clemency to other prisoners whose cases are just as egregious. Rubashkin’s crimes are well-documented. 430 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/better_life_lab/2017/12/22/why_my_husband_believed_in_santa_claus.html The biggest laugh line I ever delivered was when I told a group of some 300 women at a big Atlantic event in Washington that my husband believes in Santa Claus. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 17:35:59 -0000 full Slate The biggest laugh line I ever delivered was when I told a group of some 300 women at a big Atlantic event in Washington that my husband believes in Santa Claus. 267 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/screen_time/2017/12/21/results_of_slate_s_screen_time_survey_of_more_than_500_parents_about_rules.html For many parents, questions about children’s television begin and end with “Why do I have to argue about screen time so much with my kids?” On one hand, parents get worried by frightening headlines such as “Digital Heroin” (no, video games are nothing like heroin) and “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” (no, they have not). On the other hand, parents must contend with kids eager to consume limitless hours of screen time. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 12:35:15 -0000 full Slate For many parents, questions about children’s television begin and end with “Why do I have to argue about screen time so much with my kids?” On one hand, parents get worried by frightening headlines such as “Digital Heroin” (no, video games are nothing like heroin) and “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” (no, they have not). On the other hand, parents must contend with kids eager to consume limitless hours of screen time. 370 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/a_line_by_line_breakdown_of_mike_pence_s_master_class_in_toadyism.html After his tax bill victory on Wednesday, Donald Trump graciously called a Cabinet meeting—he probably sensed his staff was itching to get something off its chest. If he had not convened his cheerleading squad, it’s possible they would have been borne away by their unvented amazement, swept into the streets like Enoch to heaven. The president of the United States would not dare let such a thing happen to his beloved stuff. Right before the speeches began, though, Trump looked mad. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 12:34:13 -0000 full Slate After his tax bill victory on Wednesday, Donald Trump graciously called a Cabinet meeting—he probably sensed his staff was itching to get something off its chest. If he had not convened his cheerleading squad, it’s possible they would have been borne away by their unvented amazement, swept into the streets like Enoch to heaven. The president of the United States would not dare let such a thing happen to his beloved stuff. Right before the speeches began, though, Trump looked mad. 448 no http://slate.com/arts/2017/12/ed-sheeran-on-how-he-wrote-shape-of-you.html “None of us thought that much into it,” Ed Sheeran says, right before breaking down in great detailed bit by detailed bit just how much thought went into creating this year’s biggest musical hit, “Shape of You.” As they’ve done in the past with other popular songs, the New York Times released a fascinating video in which the artists give a behind-the-scenes tour of their inspirations and creative processes. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 12:33:15 -0000 full Slate “None of us thought that much into it,” Ed Sheeran says, right before breaking down in great detailed bit by detailed bit just how much thought went into creating this year’s biggest musical hit, “Shape of You.” As they’ve done in the past with other popular songs, the New York Times released a fascinating video in which the artists give a behind-the-scenes tour of their inspirations and creative processes. 181 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/screen_time/2017/12/21/does_ipad_and_computer_use_harm_kids_eyesight_what_the_medical_research.html Remember when your parents warned that sitting too close to the TV would hurt your eyes? I didn’t really believe it either, but now that I’m a parent to a 6-year-old who yearns to stare at an iPad all day, I can’t help but revisit the issue. Wed, 27 Dec 2017 12:35:23 -0000 full Slate Remember when your parents warned that sitting too close to the TV would hurt your eyes? I didn’t really believe it either, but now that I’m a parent to a 6-year-old who yearns to stare at an iPad all day, I can’t help but revisit the issue. 308 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/why_democrats_folded_on_a_daca_fix.html When 18 Senate Democrats joined Republicans to pass a short-term spending bill on Thursday, it marked yet another day of disappointment for Dreamers and their allies in Congress. Earlier on Thursday afternoon, a dozen members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus had marched across the Capitol to Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office, asked his receptionist for a meeting, and soon found themselves in a room with the minority leader. Wed, 27 Dec 2017 12:34:21 -0000 full Slate When 18 Senate Democrats joined Republicans to pass a short-term spending bill on Thursday, it marked yet another day of disappointment for Dreamers and their allies in Congress. Earlier on Thursday afternoon, a dozen members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus had marched across the Capitol to Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office, asked his receptionist for a meeting, and soon found themselves in a room with the minority leader. 443 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/kirsten_gillibrand_is_playing_her_cards_right.html It has been a tumultuous month for Democrats in Congress, thanks in large part to sexual assault scandals within their own ranks. Few Democrats have seemed to ride that storm quite as smoothly as New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who fronted the initial wave of female senators calling for the resignation of their colleague, Sen. Al Franken. Gillibrand followed that with a call for President Trump to resign over the sexual assault allegations that have been resurfaced in recent weeks. Tue, 26 Dec 2017 12:34:22 -0000 full Slate It has been a tumultuous month for Democrats in Congress, thanks in large part to sexual assault scandals within their own ranks. Few Democrats have seemed to ride that storm quite as smoothly as New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who fronted the initial wave of female senators calling for the resignation of their colleague, Sen. Al Franken. Gillibrand followed that with a call for President Trump to resign over the sexual assault allegations that have been resurfaced in recent weeks. 726 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/12/who-is-seth-moulton-for.html I’m squinting through the sun at the Polk County Steak Fry, trying to size up Seth Moulton. It’s a late September Saturday in Des Moines, and Moulton’s onstage, an immense American flag rippling behind him. “A lot of you must be asking,” he begins with a coy glance around, his voice echoing through the PA system, “what is a sophomore congressman from Massachusetts doing speaking here in Iowa?” Not really. Mon, 25 Dec 2017 12:34:13 -0000 full Slate I’m squinting through the sun at the Polk County Steak Fry, trying to size up Seth Moulton. It’s a late September Saturday in Des Moines, and Moulton’s onstage, an immense American flag rippling behind him. “A lot of you must be asking,” he begins with a coy glance around, his voice echoing through the PA system, “what is a sophomore congressman from Massachusetts doing speaking here in Iowa?” Not really. 1240 no http://slate.com/arts/2017/12/chris-brown-to-star-in-a-movie-meant-to-empower-women.html In 2009, Chris Brown viciously assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna. His sentencing as ordered by a judge included five years probation, as well as a five-year restraining order. (In 2011, the restraining order was lifted, conditionally.) In 2015, Brown was accused of forcibly ejecting a woman off of a bus during a video shoot. In 2016, former tour manager Nancy Ghosh alleged that the singer threatened her with violence, and she subsequently cut ties with him. Mon, 25 Dec 2017 12:33:12 -0000 full Slate In 2009, Chris Brown viciously assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna. His sentencing as ordered by a judge included five years probation, as well as a five-year restraining order. (In 2011, the restraining order was lifted, conditionally.) In 2015, Brown was accused of forcibly ejecting a woman off of a bus during a video shoot. In 2016, former tour manager Nancy Ghosh alleged that the singer threatened her with violence, and she subsequently cut ties with him. 189 no http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/12/there_is_no_ban_on_words_at_the_cdc.html But if reality is indeed in danger here, it’s not because of Donald Trump. The story of the language rules at CDC has quickly broken free of underlying facts. Despite what you may have heard, the alleged “ban” of seven words does not reveal a secret “War on Science” carried out by thought police in Washington; nor is it some evil plot to “enforce a political and ideological agenda,” as the Washington Post editorial board suggested. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 20:04:21 -0000 full Slate But if reality is indeed in danger here, it’s not because of Donald Trump. The story of the language rules at CDC has quickly broken free of underlying facts. Despite what you may have heard, the alleged “ban” of seven words does not reveal a secret “War on Science” carried out by thought police in Washington; nor is it some evil plot to “enforce a political and ideological agenda,” as the Washington Post editorial board suggested. 661 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/12/the_real_reason_uber_was_so_paranoid.html Two years ago, Uber was valued at nearly $70 billion—more than General Motors, Ford, or Honda. If it could do for driving what Amazon did for shopping, the thinking went, it could end up controlling more of the personal transportation market than any automaker does today. The road to global ride-hailing dominance has proven bumpy, however. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 19:48:42 -0000 full Slate Two years ago, Uber was valued at nearly $70 billion—more than General Motors, Ford, or Honda. If it could do for driving what Amazon did for shopping, the thinking went, it could end up controlling more of the personal transportation market than any automaker does today. The road to global ride-hailing dominance has proven bumpy, however. 476 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_middlebrow/2005/04/cheerleaders.html This month, Slate is republishing some of our favorite stories. Here’s today’s selection: There are a lot of Slate columns I miss, but if I could revive one it would probably be Bryan Curtis’The Middlebrow, a weekly investigation into the obvious. This one about cheerleaders is a perfect example: We never think about cheerleaders, but the whole enterprise is weird as heck. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 19:37:16 -0000 full Slate This month, Slate is republishing some of our favorite stories. Here’s today’s selection: There are a lot of Slate columns I miss, but if I could revive one it would probably be Bryan Curtis’The Middlebrow, a weekly investigation into the obvious. This one about cheerleaders is a perfect example: We never think about cheerleaders, but the whole enterprise is weird as heck. 490 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/12/should_the_ember_ceramic_coffee_mug_be_smart.html Welcome to Should This Thing Be Smart? Each month, Justin Peters examines a smart object and try to determine whether there is any good reason for its existence—and how likely it is to be used for nefarious reasons. Previously on Should This Thing Be Smart?: The $60 smart fork and the $199 smart socks. Item: Ember Ceramic Mug Price: $79.95 on the Ember website Function: The Ember Ceramic Mug is basically a coffee mug that is also a thermostat. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 12:35:25 -0000 full Slate Welcome to Should This Thing Be Smart? Each month, Justin Peters examines a smart object and try to determine whether there is any good reason for its existence—and how likely it is to be used for nefarious reasons. Previously on Should This Thing Be Smart?: The $60 smart fork and the $199 smart socks. Item: Ember Ceramic Mug Price: $79.95 on the Ember website Function: The Ember Ceramic Mug is basically a coffee mug that is also a thermostat. 657 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/12/fantasyland-book-excerpt-the-nra-won-the-gun-rights-debate-and-made-americans-fear-their-own-government.html Excerpt reprinted from Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History copyright © 2017 by Kurt Andersen. With permission from the publisher, Random House. All rights reserved. One set of fantasies has had more current, awful, undeniable real-world consequences than any other: the one that recast owning guns as among the most important rights, as American liberty and individualism incarnate. During my lifetime, the love of guns has become a fetish. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 12:34:25 -0000 full Slate Excerpt reprinted from Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History copyright © 2017 by Kurt Andersen. With permission from the publisher, Random House. All rights reserved. One set of fantasies has had more current, awful, undeniable real-world consequences than any other: the one that recast owning guns as among the most important rights, as American liberty and individualism incarnate. During my lifetime, the love of guns has become a fetish. 1514 no http://slate.com/arts/2017/12/looking-back-at-love-actuallys-workplace-harassment.html It’s that time of year again: Love Actually season is upon us. The modern holiday classic is full of egregious flaws, from the not-so-romantic cue card scene to the constant body shaming of a healthy, attractive woman—flaws that fans such as myself have had to come to terms with in order to enjoy the holiday season staple. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 12:33:22 -0000 full Slate It’s that time of year again: Love Actually season is upon us. The modern holiday classic is full of egregious flaws, from the not-so-romantic cue card scene to the constant body shaming of a healthy, attractive woman—flaws that fans such as myself have had to come to terms with in order to enjoy the holiday season staple. 523 no http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2017/12/on_cornel_west_s_reckless_disappointing_broadside_against_ta_nehisi_coates.html It’s not an overstatement to say that, if you are a young writer who interrogates American race relations and white supremacy, Cornel West is the foundation upon which you stand. Alongside the likes of Kimberlé Crenshaw, Angela Davis, Toni Morrison, and, of course, James Baldwin, West’s work is part of the canon that teaches younger writers how to think and write about race. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 04:19:51 -0000 full Slate It’s not an overstatement to say that, if you are a young writer who interrogates American race relations and white supremacy, Cornel West is the foundation upon which you stand. Alongside the likes of Kimberlé Crenshaw, Angela Davis, Toni Morrison, and, of course, James Baldwin, West’s work is part of the canon that teaches younger writers how to think and write about race. 482 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/12/20/usa_gymnastics_paid_mckayla_maroney_1_25_million_to_stay_silent_about_her.html Retired gymnast McKayla Maroney filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking damages for the sexual abuse she says she suffered for years at the hands of Larry Nassar, a doctor who recently pled guilty to assaulting several young gymnasts under his care. According to the suit, the Wall Street Journal reports, USA Gymnastics paid Maroney $1.25 million in a confidential settlement last fall in exchange for her silence. Maroney, a 22-year-old gold medalist from the 2012 U.S. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 00:19:56 -0000 full Slate Retired gymnast McKayla Maroney filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking damages for the sexual abuse she says she suffered for years at the hands of Larry Nassar, a doctor who recently pled guilty to assaulting several young gymnasts under his care. According to the suit, the Wall Street Journal reports, USA Gymnastics paid Maroney $1.25 million in a confidential settlement last fall in exchange for her silence. Maroney, a 22-year-old gold medalist from the 2012 U.S. 283 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/how_susan_collins_became_a_tax_bill_villain.html Maine Sen. Susan Collins has not been pleased with the Capitol press corps lately. In recent days the mild-mannered senator has cut off reporters or told them how tired she is of their “cynicism.” On Tuesday, when she was asked for the umpteenth time about her confidence that two health care bills she supports would become law by the end of the year, she unloaded. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 22:54:15 -0000 full Slate Maine Sen. Susan Collins has not been pleased with the Capitol press corps lately. In recent days the mild-mannered senator has cut off reporters or told them how tired she is of their “cynicism.” On Tuesday, when she was asked for the umpteenth time about her confidence that two health care bills she supports would become law by the end of the year, she unloaded. 262 no http://slate.com/sports/2017/12/wesleyan-university-football-is-good-business.html MIDDLETOWN, Conn.—Dave Bagatelle and a handful of his buddies sat in folding chairs on a Saturday morning this fall, chomping on thick cigars and sipping Sapporo beers. It was early, still a few hours before that afternoon’s game between the Wesleyan Cardinals and Bates Bobcats, but the party had already started. Bagatelle and his friends played football at Wesleyan in the 1980s and they’ve been tailgating at Andrus Field ever since. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 22:49:46 -0000 full Slate MIDDLETOWN, Conn.—Dave Bagatelle and a handful of his buddies sat in folding chairs on a Saturday morning this fall, chomping on thick cigars and sipping Sapporo beers. It was early, still a few hours before that afternoon’s game between the Wesleyan Cardinals and Bates Bobcats, but the party had already started. Bagatelle and his friends played football at Wesleyan in the 1980s and they’ve been tailgating at Andrus Field ever since. 1144 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/12/snapchat_releases_augmented_reality_lens_studio_meaning_memes_are_coming.html Since the dancing baby delighted our screens more than two decades ago, memes have taken various forms, their popularity aided as tools have made it easier to create memes of our own. Still photos and images, like the now ubiquitous text-overlaid image memes, can be easily created on the fly with some basic Photoshop skills. Giphy offers a whole trove of GIF-style memery. Internet discussion boards like Reddit are a constant source of new viral fodder, too. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 12:35:27 -0000 full Slate Since the dancing baby delighted our screens more than two decades ago, memes have taken various forms, their popularity aided as tools have made it easier to create memes of our own. Still photos and images, like the now ubiquitous text-overlaid image memes, can be easily created on the fly with some basic Photoshop skills. Giphy offers a whole trove of GIF-style memery. Internet discussion boards like Reddit are a constant source of new viral fodder, too. 351 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/voters_did_not_clear_donald_trump_of_sexual_assault.html As one politician after another resigns in the face of sexual harassment allegations, one man remains standing: Donald Trump. Despite detailed accusations by multiple women, backed up by Trump’s recorded boasts of groping women without their consent, he insists his accusers’ stories are “fabricated.” In fact, says the White House, voters have acquitted Trump. On Dec. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 12:34:17 -0000 full Slate As one politician after another resigns in the face of sexual harassment allegations, one man remains standing: Donald Trump. Despite detailed accusations by multiple women, backed up by Trump’s recorded boasts of groping women without their consent, he insists his accusers’ stories are “fabricated.” In fact, says the White House, voters have acquitted Trump. On Dec. 529 no http://slate.com/arts/2017/12/the-greatest-showman-the-movie-musical-reviewed.html When the entire cast belts out “THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW” a minute into your movie, the film itself had better live up to it. The Greatest Showman—how shall I put this?—doesn’t. Something feels off right from the beginning, as we see Hugh Jackman’s P.T. Barnum making his way through the space behind the circus bleachers in silhouette, pounding his cane to the rhythm of crashing drums. Thu, 21 Dec 2017 12:33:25 -0000 full Slate When the entire cast belts out “THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW” a minute into your movie, the film itself had better live up to it. The Greatest Showman—how shall I put this?—doesn’t. Something feels off right from the beginning, as we see Hugh Jackman’s P.T. Barnum making his way through the space behind the circus bleachers in silhouette, pounding his cane to the rhythm of crashing drums. 379 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/republicans_pass_historically_unpopular_tax_bill_and_hope_for_the_best.html House Republicans gave themselves a lengthy ovation on the floor of the chamber Tuesday afternoon when it was clear the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, had met the threshold for passage. They gave themselves another lengthy ovation, a couple of minutes later, when Speaker Paul Ryan enthusiastically gaveled in the vote at 227 to 203. They will presumably re-create these ovations again on Wednesday, when they have to re-vote because certain provisions of the bill violated Senate rules. Wed, 20 Dec 2017 22:29:03 -0000 full Slate House Republicans gave themselves a lengthy ovation on the floor of the chamber Tuesday afternoon when it was clear the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, had met the threshold for passage. They gave themselves another lengthy ovation, a couple of minutes later, when Speaker Paul Ryan enthusiastically gaveled in the vote at 227 to 203. They will presumably re-create these ovations again on Wednesday, when they have to re-vote because certain provisions of the bill violated Senate rules. 311 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/12/alabama-secretary-of-state-john-merrill-is-investigating-a-doug-jones-supporter-for-voter-fraud.html For many Alabama voters, the administration of last Tuesday’s special election was a disaster. Republican Secretary of State John Merrill refused to prepare for high turnout, leading to confusion and long lines; poll workers spread misinformation at understaffed precincts; and some citizens were initially denied a ballot due to a recent “refresh” of the voter rolls. Wed, 20 Dec 2017 22:12:09 -0000 full Slate For many Alabama voters, the administration of last Tuesday’s special election was a disaster. Republican Secretary of State John Merrill refused to prepare for high turnout, leading to confusion and long lines; poll workers spread misinformation at understaffed precincts; and some citizens were initially denied a ballot due to a recent “refresh” of the voter rolls. 265 no http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2017/12/the_long_cultural_history_of_jokes_about_workplace_sexual_harassment.html When Matt Lauer was fired last month, TMZ dug up a 2012 clip from the show Watch What Happens Live, in which Katie Couric told Andy Cohen that her then–co-host Lauer’s most annoying habit was “he pinched me on the ass a lot.” Cohen and the audience laughed, and that was the end of it. How is it possible that we thought this was funny so recently? The answer is in our history. Wed, 20 Dec 2017 19:37:10 -0000 full Slate When Matt Lauer was fired last month, TMZ dug up a 2012 clip from the show Watch What Happens Live, in which Katie Couric told Andy Cohen that her then–co-host Lauer’s most annoying habit was “he pinched me on the ass a lot.” Cohen and the audience laughed, and that was the end of it. How is it possible that we thought this was funny so recently? The answer is in our history. 871 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/screen_time/2017/12/19/the_rise_and_fall_of_baby_einstein.html In 1996, Julie Aigner-Clark was a stay-at-home mom in Colorado frustrated by a lack of sufficiently educational entertainment for her 18-month-old daughter. She shot the first Baby Einstein video in her own basement with a borrowed camcorder, a few puppets, and an $18,000 budget. Five years later, she sold the company to Disney for a reported $25 million. Wed, 20 Dec 2017 18:30:09 -0000 full Slate In 1996, Julie Aigner-Clark was a stay-at-home mom in Colorado frustrated by a lack of sufficiently educational entertainment for her 18-month-old daughter. She shot the first Baby Einstein video in her own basement with a borrowed camcorder, a few puppets, and an $18,000 budget. Five years later, she sold the company to Disney for a reported $25 million. 387 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2017/12/15/bitcoin_seized_by_the_u_s_government_during_an_arrest_can_be_sold_a_judge.html Prosecutors got approval from a federal judge in Utah to sell more than 513 bitcoins and 512 bitcoin cash they had seized from a man allegedly running a counterfeit pharmaceuticals ring on the darknet, Ars Technica reports. The cryptocurreny was taken from Aaron Shamo, who was arrested a year ago. At current prices, the bitcoins would be worth more than $8 million, while the bitcoin cash would sell for almost $1 million. The U.S. Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:35:16 -0000 full Slate Prosecutors got approval from a federal judge in Utah to sell more than 513 bitcoins and 512 bitcoin cash they had seized from a man allegedly running a counterfeit pharmaceuticals ring on the darknet, Ars Technica reports. The cryptocurreny was taken from Aaron Shamo, who was arrested a year ago. At current prices, the bitcoins would be worth more than $8 million, while the bitcoin cash would sell for almost $1 million. The U.S. 153 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/roy_moore_s_deceit_is_disqualifying.html On Sunday, Roy Moore wrapped up his campaign with another volley of falsehoods. In an interview with The Voice of Alabama Politics, he denied knowing any of the nine female accusers shown in a campaign ad by his opponent, Doug Jones. At this point, anyone who still trusts Moore’s denials probably can’t be swayed. Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:34:18 -0000 full Slate On Sunday, Roy Moore wrapped up his campaign with another volley of falsehoods. In an interview with The Voice of Alabama Politics, he denied knowing any of the nine female accusers shown in a campaign ad by his opponent, Doug Jones. At this point, anyone who still trusts Moore’s denials probably can’t be swayed. 724 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/17/dave_grohl_who_used_to_be_in_nirvana_plays_christmas_ditties_on_snl.html Dave Grohl, who many lifetimes ago was in a band called Nirvana, stopped by Saturday Night Live with his new band the Foo Fighters, and he brought some Christmas cheer with him! After starting off with “Everlong,” from 1997’s The Colour and the Shape, the Foo Fighters turned in a rocking performance of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love (off Phil Spector’s 1963 Christmas album) and a guitar arrangement of the Vince Guaraldi classic, “Linus & Lucy,” which first appeared on A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965.... Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:33:16 -0000 full Slate Dave Grohl, who many lifetimes ago was in a band called Nirvana, stopped by Saturday Night Live with his new band the Foo Fighters, and he brought some Christmas cheer with him! After starting off with “Everlong,” from 1997’s The Colour and the Shape, the Foo Fighters turned in a rocking performance of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love (off Phil Spector’s 1963 Christmas album) and a guitar arrangement of the Vince Guaraldi classic, “Linus & Lucy,” which first appeared on A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965.... 384 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/12/it_would_be_far_worse_for_trump_to_fire_rosenstein_than_to_fire_mueller.html All eyes are on what Donald Trump will do, as the oracles on Twitter and the Hill have predicted that the president may fire special counsel Robert S. Mueller around the holidays. Trump’s lawyers have denied that he is considering such a move, and Trump himself has not directly criticized Mueller. However, Trump has recently expressed dissatisfaction with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, calling him “weak” and a threat. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 18:23:19 -0000 full Slate All eyes are on what Donald Trump will do, as the oracles on Twitter and the Hill have predicted that the president may fire special counsel Robert S. Mueller around the holidays. Trump’s lawyers have denied that he is considering such a move, and Trump himself has not directly criticized Mueller. However, Trump has recently expressed dissatisfaction with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, calling him “weak” and a threat. 504 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2017/12/donald_trump_s_new_national_security_strategy_will_baffle_allies_and_delight.html At least once in a president’s term, the White House releases a document called the National Security Strategy. Mandated by Congress since the mid-1980s, the NSS is usually sheer boilerplate, a collage of clichés about America’s role in the world. Few read it, but those who do come away with harrumphs of reassurance that the current people in power know what they’re doing and, by and large, are following the hallowed principles of their predecessors. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 18:12:12 -0000 full Slate At least once in a president’s term, the White House releases a document called the National Security Strategy. Mandated by Congress since the mid-1980s, the NSS is usually sheer boilerplate, a collage of clichés about America’s role in the world. Few read it, but those who do come away with harrumphs of reassurance that the current people in power know what they’re doing and, by and large, are following the hallowed principles of their predecessors. 504 no http://www.slate.com/articles/business/the_dismal_science/1998/08/babysitting_the_economy.html The Sweeneys tell the story of—you guessed it—a baby-sitting co-op, one to which they belonged in the early 1970s. Such co-ops are quite common: A group of people (in this case about 150 young couples with congressional connections) agrees to baby-sit for one another, obviating the need for cash payments to adolescents. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 18:00:24 -0000 full Slate The Sweeneys tell the story of—you guessed it—a baby-sitting co-op, one to which they belonged in the early 1970s. Such co-ops are quite common: A group of people (in this case about 150 young couples with congressional connections) agrees to baby-sit for one another, obviating the need for cash payments to adolescents. 654 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2017/12/14/why_trump_is_missing_from_google_s_annual_year_in_search_list.html On Wednesday, Google released its annual "Year in Search," which tracks trending queries for the past year. But among the list of top memes, prominent people, and how-to questions for 2017, on both the global and United States lists, one normally inescapable topic was missing: Donald Trump. It’s nice to imagine a 2017 without Trump, but really: How did the 45th president not make it on Google’s list? It’s a matter of relativity. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:35:15 -0000 full Slate On Wednesday, Google released its annual "Year in Search," which tracks trending queries for the past year. But among the list of top memes, prominent people, and how-to questions for 2017, on both the global and United States lists, one normally inescapable topic was missing: Donald Trump. It’s nice to imagine a 2017 without Trump, but really: How did the 45th president not make it on Google’s list? It’s a matter of relativity. 196 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/why_fox_news_jeanine_pirro_is_trump_s_favorite_judge.html On Saturday night, the high court of Fox News came to order, Judge Jeanine Pirro presiding. In the opening segment of her show, Justice with Judge Jeanine, Pirro sermonized about the need for a government purge. Wearing a blazing red blouse and enunciating like the irate director of a recalcitrant choir, the jurist-turned-professional-angry-person went medieval on the United States circa 2017. Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:34:19 -0000 full Slate On Saturday night, the high court of Fox News came to order, Judge Jeanine Pirro presiding. In the opening segment of her show, Justice with Judge Jeanine, Pirro sermonized about the need for a government purge. Wearing a blazing red blouse and enunciating like the irate director of a recalcitrant choir, the jurist-turned-professional-angry-person went medieval on the United States circa 2017. 950 no http://slate.com/health-and-science/2017/12/flaws-in-the-clinical-trials-for-gardasil-made-it-harder-to-properly-assess-safety.html Read a companion piece from Slate’s science editor on this investigation. On a sunny autumn day three years ago, when Kesia Lyng was 30, she had a visit from her youngest sister, Eva. The two were close, and as they sat at the kitchen table in Lyng’s apartment, Eva confronted her chronically ill sibling with a painful fact: “You almost can’t take care of your own kids,” she told her. “You can’t keep pushing yourself so hard. Mon, 18 Dec 2017 23:05:08 -0000 full Slate Read a companion piece from Slate’s science editor on this investigation. On a sunny autumn day three years ago, when Kesia Lyng was 30, she had a visit from her youngest sister, Eva. The two were close, and as they sat at the kitchen table in Lyng’s apartment, Eva confronted her chronically ill sibling with a painful fact: “You almost can’t take care of your own kids,” she told her. “You can’t keep pushing yourself so hard. 1838 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/screen_time/2017/12/12/sabrina_the_teenage_witch_as_a_gateway_show_for_buffy_the_vampire_slayer.html One of the greatest pleasures of parenting is introducing things you love to your kids. Since the birth of my two girls, I’ve been anticipating the day I would gift them with the best show of all time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Then my girls stopped watching TV. Once upon a time, we monitored TV time like hawks. Mon, 18 Dec 2017 12:35:19 -0000 full Slate One of the greatest pleasures of parenting is introducing things you love to your kids. Since the birth of my two girls, I’ve been anticipating the day I would gift them with the best show of all time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Then my girls stopped watching TV. Once upon a time, we monitored TV time like hawks. 311 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/how_military_leaders_slowed_down_trump_s_transgender_troop_ban.html In a dizzying series of tweets and news stories on Monday, the Pentagon appeared to simultaneously embrace transgender recruits while the Trump administration was losing its bid in court to deny their entry into the service. Once the dust settled, it became clear that, for now, the slow policy change on transgender service that began under President Obama will continue under President Trump. Transgender people who want to serve their country in uniform may enlist starting on Jan. Mon, 18 Dec 2017 12:34:24 -0000 full Slate In a dizzying series of tweets and news stories on Monday, the Pentagon appeared to simultaneously embrace transgender recruits while the Trump administration was losing its bid in court to deny their entry into the service. Once the dust settled, it became clear that, for now, the slow policy change on transgender service that began under President Obama will continue under President Trump. Transgender people who want to serve their country in uniform may enlist starting on Jan. 572 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/10/watch_james_franco_bleed_to_death_on_snl.html There’s no shame in revisiting a classic, and on this week’s Saturday Night Live, host James Franco riffed on one of the show’s most iconic sketches: Dan Aykroyd’s legendary French Chef bit where, as Julia Child, he sliced a finger and merrily bled to death. Franco’s character, a gift-wrapper at Bloomingdale’s, is motivated by Christmas cheer rather than Bordeaux and chicken livers, but the basic premise is the same: blood, blood, and more blood. Mon, 18 Dec 2017 12:33:17 -0000 full Slate There’s no shame in revisiting a classic, and on this week’s Saturday Night Live, host James Franco riffed on one of the show’s most iconic sketches: Dan Aykroyd’s legendary French Chef bit where, as Julia Child, he sliced a finger and merrily bled to death. Franco’s character, a gift-wrapper at Bloomingdale’s, is motivated by Christmas cheer rather than Bordeaux and chicken livers, but the basic premise is the same: blood, blood, and more blood. 125 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/12/it_looks_like_alabama_violated_federal_law_with_its_inactive_voter_scheme.html Under Merrill’s regime, a multitude of voters—most of them in majority-black counties—struggled to cast their ballots in the race between Roy Moore and Doug Jones. Unprepared poll workers spread misinformation. Bewildered citizens were forced to fill out confusing, redundant paperwork. Qualified voters were told they could not vote. And the state may well have run afoul of federal law. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 23:00:26 -0000 full Slate Under Merrill’s regime, a multitude of voters—most of them in majority-black counties—struggled to cast their ballots in the race between Roy Moore and Doug Jones. Unprepared poll workers spread misinformation. Bewildered citizens were forced to fill out confusing, redundant paperwork. Qualified voters were told they could not vote. And the state may well have run afoul of federal law. 396 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/readme/2002/11/the_secret_vice_of_power_women.html This month, Slate is republishing some of our favorite stories. Here's today's selection: In 1996, Michael Kinsley famously moved from Washington, D.C.’s political swamp to the salmon-spawning grounds of the Puget Sound to edit Microsoft’s first general interest Web magazine, the publication you’re reading now. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 22:42:19 -0000 full Slate This month, Slate is republishing some of our favorite stories. Here's today's selection: In 1996, Michael Kinsley famously moved from Washington, D.C.’s political swamp to the salmon-spawning grounds of the Puget Sound to edit Microsoft’s first general interest Web magazine, the publication you’re reading now. 350 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2017/12/13/tim_wu_explains_why_the_tech_companies_that_love_net_neutrality_have_a_ton.html The Federal Communications Commission is poised to repeal its net neutrality rules this week, opening the doors for internet service providers to charge companies that can afford it for faster-lane access to users—a potentially significant blow to the open internet. In this week’s episode of their podcast If Then, Slate’s April Glaser and Will Oremus spoke with Tim Wu, the Columbia Law School professor who coined the term net neutrality. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 12:35:18 -0000 full Slate The Federal Communications Commission is poised to repeal its net neutrality rules this week, opening the doors for internet service providers to charge companies that can afford it for faster-lane access to users—a potentially significant blow to the open internet. In this week’s episode of their podcast If Then, Slate’s April Glaser and Will Oremus spoke with Tim Wu, the Columbia Law School professor who coined the term net neutrality. 312 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/12/what-doug-jones-and-the-democrats-owe-black-voters.html BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—At the viewing party for Doug Jones supporters on Tuesday night, you could feel the energy shift from nervous anticipation to joy and jubilation as it became clear that Jones would be the next United States senator from Alabama, the first Democrat elected to represent the state in the Senate since 1992, and the first Democrat elected to statewide office in nearly 10 years. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 12:34:11 -0000 full Slate BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—At the viewing party for Doug Jones supporters on Tuesday night, you could feel the energy shift from nervous anticipation to joy and jubilation as it became clear that Jones would be the next United States senator from Alabama, the first Democrat elected to represent the state in the Senate since 1992, and the first Democrat elected to statewide office in nearly 10 years. 658 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/13/the_2018_sag_awards_will_feature_only_female_presenters.html The Hollywood Reporter revealed on Wednesday that the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony will be presented by women, women, and more women, as a mark of what womenfolk have been through this year and since the dawn of time. Like many award ceremonies, the SAG Awards usually pairs a man and a women to announce each winner—but this year, only women will have that honor. Fri, 15 Dec 2017 12:33:15 -0000 full Slate The Hollywood Reporter revealed on Wednesday that the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony will be presented by women, women, and more women, as a mark of what womenfolk have been through this year and since the dawn of time. Like many award ceremonies, the SAG Awards usually pairs a man and a women to announce each winner—but this year, only women will have that honor. 141 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/12/judge_alex_kozinski_made_us_all_victims_and_accomplices.html The first time I met Alex Kozinski was in 1996. I was clerking for the chief judge of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and there was an orientation for new clerks in San Francisco. One of my co-clerks and I were introduced to the already legendary, lifetime-tenured young judge at a reception, and we talked for a while. I cannot recall what we talked about. I remember only feeling quite small and very dirty. Thu, 14 Dec 2017 22:52:00 -0000 full Slate The first time I met Alex Kozinski was in 1996. I was clerking for the chief judge of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and there was an orientation for new clerks in San Francisco. One of my co-clerks and I were introduced to the already legendary, lifetime-tenured young judge at a reception, and we talked for a while. I cannot recall what we talked about. I remember only feeling quite small and very dirty. 706 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/12/an_interview_with_the_inventor_of_the_fidget_dreidel.html Think back to six months or so ago when you first encountered the fidget spinner. (Yes, for anyone experiencing Trump-related time dilation, the fidget spinner craze happened this year.) At the time, did you think the toy was cool but that it could probably be more Jewish? Well then, today—the day of the first night of Hanukkah—is your day: The new miracle of Hanukkah has arrived in the form of the fidget dreidel. Thu, 14 Dec 2017 12:35:16 -0000 full Slate Think back to six months or so ago when you first encountered the fidget spinner. (Yes, for anyone experiencing Trump-related time dilation, the fidget spinner craze happened this year.) At the time, did you think the toy was cool but that it could probably be more Jewish? Well then, today—the day of the first night of Hanukkah—is your day: The new miracle of Hanukkah has arrived in the form of the fidget dreidel. 432 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/ending_the_state_local_deduction_is_good_for_red_and_blue_states.html Will the Republican tax bill devastate America’s bluest states? That’s the impression you’d get from two recent op-eds in the New York Times, the first by a pair of liberal academics, and the second by a conservative policy analyst, both of which castigate Republicans for drastically shrinking the state and local tax deduction, also known as SALT. Thu, 14 Dec 2017 12:34:23 -0000 full Slate Will the Republican tax bill devastate America’s bluest states? That’s the impression you’d get from two recent op-eds in the New York Times, the first by a pair of liberal academics, and the second by a conservative policy analyst, both of which castigate Republicans for drastically shrinking the state and local tax deduction, also known as SALT. 513 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/12/subway_bomber_fails_to_impress_late_night_hosts.html On Monday, a 27-year-old man tried to blow up a pipe bomb at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but really he only succeeded in inconveniencing a lot of people, since he was the only one to sustain serious injuries. Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah, both of whom tape their shows in New York, were not impressed with this attempt to bring chaos down on the city’s transit system, which is already pretty chaotic. Thu, 14 Dec 2017 12:33:13 -0000 full Slate On Monday, a 27-year-old man tried to blow up a pipe bomb at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but really he only succeeded in inconveniencing a lot of people, since he was the only one to sustain serious injuries. Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah, both of whom tape their shows in New York, were not impressed with this attempt to bring chaos down on the city’s transit system, which is already pretty chaotic. 151 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2017/12/trump_went_back_to_nato_bashing_in_pensacola_speech.html In a little-noted passage of his speech at a Saturday rally in Pensacola, Florida, mostly devoted to support for Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, President Trump revived a theme that some of his aides had hoped he’d abandoned—his demeaning of America’s allies, his dismissal of NATO as an outfit of no real use to U.S. interests, and his threat not to send troops to defend its members from attacks unless they pony up more money. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:03:48 -0000 full Slate In a little-noted passage of his speech at a Saturday rally in Pensacola, Florida, mostly devoted to support for Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, President Trump revived a theme that some of his aides had hoped he’d abandoned—his demeaning of America’s allies, his dismissal of NATO as an outfit of no real use to U.S. interests, and his threat not to send troops to defend its members from attacks unless they pony up more money. 520 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/dad_again/2003/04/daddy_gets_his_brain_back.html This month, Slate is republishing some of our favorite stories. Here’s today’s selection: Michael Lewis has an astonishing talent for making any true story both gripping and meaningful. In this piece from 2003, he turns that talent on himself, as an ice skating accident transforms into a rumination on bad parenting, hard work, and personal identity—with a twist of a self-loathing kicker to boot. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:49:44 -0000 full Slate This month, Slate is republishing some of our favorite stories. Here’s today’s selection: Michael Lewis has an astonishing talent for making any true story both gripping and meaningful. In this piece from 2003, he turns that talent on himself, as an ice skating accident transforms into a rumination on bad parenting, hard work, and personal identity—with a twist of a self-loathing kicker to boot. 538 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2017/12/13/masterpiece_cakeshop_revives_arguments_to_justify_racial_apartheid.html Even if the United States Supreme Court does the right thing in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:27:12 -0000 full Slate Even if the United States Supreme Court does the right thing in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. 583 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2017/12/11/amazon_echo_is_it_ok_to_buy_a_smart_speaker_without_your_roommate_s_permission.html On the scale between unbridled enthusiasm for smart speakers and technophobic paranoia, I fall in the ambivalent middle area. I’d read about the potential for these devices to be hacked or gamed by advertisers or to simply make expensive mistakes, and I’d heard others gush of the ways it had radically transformed their homes for the better. But I had never pictured myself having one, and so I didn’t do any real research or form any real opinions. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 12:35:14 -0000 full Slate On the scale between unbridled enthusiasm for smart speakers and technophobic paranoia, I fall in the ambivalent middle area. I’d read about the potential for these devices to be hacked or gamed by advertisers or to simply make expensive mistakes, and I’d heard others gush of the ways it had radically transformed their homes for the better. But I had never pictured myself having one, and so I didn’t do any real research or form any real opinions. 384 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/what_does_the_doug_jones_campaign_look_like_at_the_furthest_reaches_of_the.html MOBILE, Alabama—As she sped around the oak-draped streets here on Sunday morning, in a Suburban piled with weeks of campaign detritus, Christian Smith explained that we were in one of the four counties that could decide the state’s next U.S. senator. “Mobile’s not as red as you might think,” she said. “It’s 50-50. It’s winnable. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 12:34:13 -0000 full Slate MOBILE, Alabama—As she sped around the oak-draped streets here on Sunday morning, in a Suburban piled with weeks of campaign detritus, Christian Smith explained that we were in one of the four counties that could decide the state’s next U.S. senator. “Mobile’s not as red as you might think,” she said. “It’s 50-50. It’s winnable. 784 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/10/comedian_hannibal_buress_arrested_in_miami.html Hannibal Buress, the comedian whose 2014 stand-up routine about Bill Cosby was, in many ways, the opening bell for the current wave of sexual harassment scandals in entertainment, was arrested early Sunday morning in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, the Miami Herald reports. According to the police report, Buress approached an officer standing on a street corner and asked him to call him an Uber. Wed, 13 Dec 2017 12:33:17 -0000 full Slate Hannibal Buress, the comedian whose 2014 stand-up routine about Bill Cosby was, in many ways, the opening bell for the current wave of sexual harassment scandals in entertainment, was arrested early Sunday morning in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, the Miami Herald reports. According to the police report, Buress approached an officer standing on a street corner and asked him to call him an Uber. 110 no http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/12/science_papers_should_be_written_by_robots.html In 2014, a researcher in France revealed a disturbing fact about the published scientific literature: At least 120 computer-generated manuscripts had made their way into academic conference proceedings, according to his analysis. Those robot-written papers, containing little more than strung-together buzzwords, had been created with a piece of software known as SCIgen, originally written on a lark by a trio of MIT graduate students in 2005. Tue, 12 Dec 2017 22:46:33 -0000 full Slate In 2014, a researcher in France revealed a disturbing fact about the published scientific literature: At least 120 computer-generated manuscripts had made their way into academic conference proceedings, according to his analysis. Those robot-written papers, containing little more than strung-together buzzwords, had been created with a piece of software known as SCIgen, originally written on a lark by a trio of MIT graduate students in 2005. 678 no http://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/12/its-thankfully-pretty-hard-to-successfully-pull-off-a-suicide-bombing.html Monday morning, a man tried to explode what has been preliminarily described as a pipe bomb at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. The “low-tech device,” as Gov. Andrew Cuomo described it, may have gone off prematurely. A second device he was carrying failed to detonate. The would-be bomber, identified as a Bangladeshi man, was injured and taken to the hospital. Tue, 12 Dec 2017 16:31:26 -0000 full Slate Monday morning, a man tried to explode what has been preliminarily described as a pipe bomb at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. The “low-tech device,” as Gov. Andrew Cuomo described it, may have gone off prematurely. A second device he was carrying failed to detonate. The would-be bomber, identified as a Bangladeshi man, was injured and taken to the hospital. 267 no http://slate.com/arts/2017/12/hallmarks-21-movie-christmas-countdown-reviewed.html At a rally in November 2015, Donald Trump heralded, “If I become president, we’re all going to be saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again, that I can tell you.” Of all his empty guarantees, the president has perhaps fulfilled none better than a counterstrike in the War on Christmas, and no battalion has fired more rooty-toot artillery for him than the Hallmark Channel. Tue, 12 Dec 2017 16:23:46 -0000 full Slate At a rally in November 2015, Donald Trump heralded, “If I become president, we’re all going to be saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again, that I can tell you.” Of all his empty guarantees, the president has perhaps fulfilled none better than a counterstrike in the War on Christmas, and no battalion has fired more rooty-toot artillery for him than the Hallmark Channel. 784 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/12/tracking_workouts_on_strava_and_garmin_is_useful_but_it_also_takes_some.html I started using the app Strava to track my rides before I’d even purchased my first road bike. I was competitive. After downloading it and getting my first taste of landing on the leaderboards, I was hooked. I never got on my bike without it. In a matter of months, my bike-riding addiction had become a bike-racing addiction. I started donning a heart-rate monitor to quantify my efforts and recovery and after my first year of racing added a power meter to my activity-tracking collection too. Tue, 12 Dec 2017 12:35:17 -0000 full Slate I started using the app Strava to track my rides before I’d even purchased my first road bike. I was competitive. After downloading it and getting my first taste of landing on the leaderboards, I was hooked. I never got on my bike without it. In a matter of months, my bike-riding addiction had become a bike-racing addiction. I started donning a heart-rate monitor to quantify my efforts and recovery and after my first year of racing added a power meter to my activity-tracking collection too. 331 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/roy_moore_s_fake_forgery_claim.html Did Roy Moore write an inscription in the 1977 high school yearbook of Beverly Nelson, who says he forcibly groped her? That’s the question skeptics are asking after Nelson acknowledged Friday, in an ABC News interview and a press conference, that she wrote notes below the inscription. Tue, 12 Dec 2017 12:34:16 -0000 full Slate Did Roy Moore write an inscription in the 1977 high school yearbook of Beverly Nelson, who says he forcibly groped her? That’s the question skeptics are asking after Nelson acknowledged Friday, in an ABC News interview and a press conference, that she wrote notes below the inscription. 681 no http://www.slate.com/articles/life/a_fine_whine/2005/12/bitter_brew.html Michael Idov’s wry, rueful piece from 2005 about his stint owning an unsuccessful NYC coffee shop has stuck with me over the years, perhaps because I, too, have occasionally indulged in my own New York foodservice fantasies. (My latest idea: A Steely Dan–themed pop-up bar called “Doctor Wu’s. Mon, 11 Dec 2017 23:51:22 -0000 full Slate Michael Idov’s wry, rueful piece from 2005 about his stint owning an unsuccessful NYC coffee shop has stuck with me over the years, perhaps because I, too, have occasionally indulged in my own New York foodservice fantasies. (My latest idea: A Steely Dan–themed pop-up bar called “Doctor Wu’s. 402 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/how_the_tax_deal_could_fall_apart.html Fifty-one senators and 227 members of the House of Representatives have already voted in favor of Republicans’ tax overhaul. It makes sense, then, to assume the House and Senate conferees will successfully put the finishing touches on a final bill and pass it through both chambers again. But this week has shown that the conference committee and Republican leaders have far more work to do than just dotting i’s and crossing t’s. Mon, 11 Dec 2017 22:55:35 -0000 full Slate Fifty-one senators and 227 members of the House of Representatives have already voted in favor of Republicans’ tax overhaul. It makes sense, then, to assume the House and Senate conferees will successfully put the finishing touches on a final bill and pass it through both chambers again. But this week has shown that the conference committee and Republican leaders have far more work to do than just dotting i’s and crossing t’s. 283 no http://slate.com/business/2017/12/the-arguments-for-and-against-the-cvs-aetna-merger.html Big corporate mergers in the health care industry tend to work out poorly for customers. When hospitals combine, they raise prices. When insurers get together, premiums can leap. But when pharmacy giant CVS announced last week that it planned to buy Aetna, the nation’s third largest insurer, in a deal worth $69 billion, some experts were cautiously optimistic. Mon, 11 Dec 2017 22:47:29 -0000 full Slate Big corporate mergers in the health care industry tend to work out poorly for customers. When hospitals combine, they raise prices. When insurers get together, premiums can leap. But when pharmacy giant CVS announced last week that it planned to buy Aetna, the nation’s third largest insurer, in a deal worth $69 billion, some experts were cautiously optimistic. 557 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/12/facebook_is_giving_the_poke_another_chance_will_it_make_any_sense_now.html In the real world, you can wave, hug, or high-five your friends hello, and soon you may have a similar range of nonverbal options on Facebook. The social network is testing a new “Greetings” feature that will let users send digital salutations in the form of a wave, high five, wink, hug, or—this will sound familiar—poke. The feature, which the Next Web spotted and appears to be rolling out to some users in the U.K. Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:35:12 -0000 full Slate In the real world, you can wave, hug, or high-five your friends hello, and soon you may have a similar range of nonverbal options on Facebook. The social network is testing a new “Greetings” feature that will let users send digital salutations in the form of a wave, high five, wink, hug, or—this will sound familiar—poke. The feature, which the Next Web spotted and appears to be rolling out to some users in the U.K. 230 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/roy_moore_s_story_is_unraveling.html A month ago, when Roy Moore was accused of having pursued teenage girls while in his 30s, he equivocated. “Do you remember dating girls that young?” Sean Hannity asked him. Moore hedged: “Not generally, no. If I did, you know, I’m not going to dispute anything, but I don’t remember anything like that.” Hannity asked Moore about Debbie Gibson, who said she had dated Moore when she was 17 and he was 34. Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:34:13 -0000 full Slate A month ago, when Roy Moore was accused of having pursued teenage girls while in his 30s, he equivocated. “Do you remember dating girls that young?” Sean Hannity asked him. Moore hedged: “Not generally, no. If I did, you know, I’m not going to dispute anything, but I don’t remember anything like that.” Hannity asked Moore about Debbie Gibson, who said she had dated Moore when she was 17 and he was 34. 679 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/06/tracee_ellis_ross_reads_the_handsy_man_on_kimmel.html Jimmy Kimmel is taking the week off to spend time with his family after his son’s surgery, but Jimmy Kimmel Live! has continued to air new episodes with a roster of celebrity guest hosts filling in. On Tuesday, Tracee Ellis Ross took the reins and used the opportunity to talk about sexual harassment in the news. “First of all, let’s start with the fact that it isn’t a sex scandal. It isn’t a Hollywood scandal,” she said. “It isn’t even a scandal. Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:33:18 -0000 full Slate Jimmy Kimmel is taking the week off to spend time with his family after his son’s surgery, but Jimmy Kimmel Live! has continued to air new episodes with a roster of celebrity guest hosts filling in. On Tuesday, Tracee Ellis Ross took the reins and used the opportunity to talk about sexual harassment in the news. “First of all, let’s start with the fact that it isn’t a sex scandal. It isn’t a Hollywood scandal,” she said. “It isn’t even a scandal. 128 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/12/the_ugly_legal_history_behind_the_opposition_to_california_s_new_trans_rights.html In October, the California Senate passed a new law adding a third gender—nonbinary—to state-issued identification. The Gender Recognition Act (SB 179) additionally removes the requirement that petitioners present a physician-signed affidavit that they have undergone “clinically appropriate treatment for the purposes of gender transition” in order to change their gender marker. Fri, 08 Dec 2017 23:03:50 -0000 full Slate In October, the California Senate passed a new law adding a third gender—nonbinary—to state-issued identification. The Gender Recognition Act (SB 179) additionally removes the requirement that petitioners present a physician-signed affidavit that they have undergone “clinically appropriate treatment for the purposes of gender transition” in order to change their gender marker. 412 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/12/07/al_franken_s_resignation_saved_the_democratic_party_s_reputation_among_the.html Minnesota Sen. Al Franken announced on Thursday his plan to resign “in the coming weeks” after a series of allegations that he groped women and kissed them without consent. “There is a big part of me that will always regret having to walk away from this job with so much work left to be done,” Franken said in somber remarks on the Senate floor. “But I have faith that the work will continue because I have faith in the people who’ve helped me do it. Fri, 08 Dec 2017 22:41:06 -0000 full Slate Minnesota Sen. Al Franken announced on Thursday his plan to resign “in the coming weeks” after a series of allegations that he groped women and kissed them without consent. “There is a big part of me that will always regret having to walk away from this job with so much work left to be done,” Franken said in somber remarks on the Senate floor. “But I have faith that the work will continue because I have faith in the people who’ve helped me do it. 292 no http://slate.com/business/2017/12/a-dramatic-increase-in-homelessness-in-los-angeles-accounts-for-the-first-national-increase-in-nearly-a-decadeif-you-believe-the-numbers.html The Department of Housing and Urban Development this week reports that homelessness has ticked up by just under 1 percent, to 553,742 Americans sleeping outside or in shelters. It’s the first national increase in nearly a decade, driven almost entirely by individuals living on the streets of California cities like Los Angeles, where homelessness rose 26 percent since last year. Family homelessness, by contrast, fell by 10,000, and has fallen 10 percent in two years. Fri, 08 Dec 2017 22:29:55 -0000 full Slate The Department of Housing and Urban Development this week reports that homelessness has ticked up by just under 1 percent, to 553,742 Americans sleeping outside or in shelters. It’s the first national increase in nearly a decade, driven almost entirely by individuals living on the streets of California cities like Los Angeles, where homelessness rose 26 percent since last year. Family homelessness, by contrast, fell by 10,000, and has fallen 10 percent in two years. 222 no http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2017/12/prairie_fires_caroline_fraser_s_biography_of_laura_ingalls_wilder_reviewed.html The word “dreams” in the subtitle of Caroline Fraser’s new book, Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, is plural for a reason. Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:31:00 -0000 full Slate The word “dreams” in the subtitle of Caroline Fraser’s new book, Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, is plural for a reason. 700 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/the_republicans_have_built_an_uneven_playing_field_of_morality.html Remember “when they go low, we go high?” Yep. So do I. I remembered it in the fall of 2016, when Senate Republicans and then-candidate Donald Trump first made it irrevocably clear there would be no hearing for anyone Barack Obama nominated to the Supreme Court, ever, even though Obama had put up a moderate, centrist nominee who was once acceptable to Senate Republicans. I remembered it when Trump won, and we realized that that seat would stay stolen. Fri, 08 Dec 2017 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate Remember “when they go low, we go high?” Yep. So do I. I remembered it in the fall of 2016, when Senate Republicans and then-candidate Donald Trump first made it irrevocably clear there would be no hearing for anyone Barack Obama nominated to the Supreme Court, ever, even though Obama had put up a moderate, centrist nominee who was once acceptable to Senate Republicans. I remembered it when Trump won, and we realized that that seat would stay stolen. 538 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2017/12/trump_s_selfish_reason_for_recognizing_jerusalem_as_israel_s_capital.html Trump’s decision was all about placating his base. There is no other strategic rationale for taking this step now, which is why the president’s advisers have struggled in background briefings to explain how it is in the United States’ security interest. And even the domestic politics for Trump are not very compelling: Sure, he promised to move the embassy during the campaign, but this was not a central tenet of his platform. Thu, 07 Dec 2017 17:44:31 -0000 full Slate Trump’s decision was all about placating his base. There is no other strategic rationale for taking this step now, which is why the president’s advisers have struggled in background briefings to explain how it is in the United States’ security interest. And even the domestic politics for Trump are not very compelling: Sure, he promised to move the embassy during the campaign, but this was not a central tenet of his platform. 435 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/screen_time/2017/12/07/jerry_falwell_and_tinky_winky_the_gay_teletubby.html Jerry Falwell made his living finding gay people where they didn’t belong. “Remember… homosexuals do not reproduce,” the televangelist and activist warned his followers in 1981. “They recruit!” He claimed to have confronted President Carter about why he employed “practicing homosexuals” in the White House in 1980. When Ellen DeGeneres’ sitcom character came out of the closet in 1997, he called her “Ellen Degenerate. Thu, 07 Dec 2017 16:40:10 -0000 full Slate Jerry Falwell made his living finding gay people where they didn’t belong. “Remember… homosexuals do not reproduce,” the televangelist and activist warned his followers in 1981. “They recruit!” He claimed to have confronted President Carter about why he employed “practicing homosexuals” in the White House in 1980. When Ellen DeGeneres’ sitcom character came out of the closet in 1997, he called her “Ellen Degenerate. 416 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/interrogation/2017/12/sam_seder_on_his_roman_polanski_tweet_and_msnbc.html In the good old days of 2009, when public figures felt (slightly) less shame about warmly embracing sexual predators, a number of filmmakers and celebrities came forth to say that Roman Polanski deserved lenience in part because of his artistic contributions. Apparently revolted by this obscene logic, the comedian and radio host Sam Seder tweeted, “Don’t care re Polanski, but I hope if my daughter is ever raped it is by an older truly talented man w/a great sense of mise en scene. Thu, 07 Dec 2017 12:35:20 -0000 full Slate In the good old days of 2009, when public figures felt (slightly) less shame about warmly embracing sexual predators, a number of filmmakers and celebrities came forth to say that Roman Polanski deserved lenience in part because of his artistic contributions. Apparently revolted by this obscene logic, the comedian and radio host Sam Seder tweeted, “Don’t care re Polanski, but I hope if my daughter is ever raped it is by an older truly talented man w/a great sense of mise en scene. 338 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/donald_trump_jr_just_wants_to_be_loved.html Donald Trump Jr. has all the obvious traits of his father: He’s belligerent, dim, and mired in everlasting childhood. But the president’s firstborn is a work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. He is to Donald J. Trump as a postcard of the Mona Lisa is to the actual Mona Lisa—the image of the thing, absent its original aura. Don Jr. may be as privileged and petty as the president, but his indistinctness prevents him from commanding our gaze the way his dad does. Thu, 07 Dec 2017 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate Donald Trump Jr. has all the obvious traits of his father: He’s belligerent, dim, and mired in everlasting childhood. But the president’s firstborn is a work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. He is to Donald J. Trump as a postcard of the Mona Lisa is to the actual Mona Lisa—the image of the thing, absent its original aura. Don Jr. may be as privileged and petty as the president, but his indistinctness prevents him from commanding our gaze the way his dad does. 802 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/06/french_rock_star_and_actor_johnny_hallyday_dies_at_74.html Johnny Hallyday, the singer whose French-language covers of American songs helped bring rock ’n’ roll to France, has died of cancer at the age of 74, Variety reports. He had been ill for several months. Hallyday, whose real name was Jean-Phillipe Smet, was born in Paris. An Elvis movie inspired him to start studying music and performing, and he released his first single, “Laisses les Filles,” in the spring of 1960. Thu, 07 Dec 2017 12:33:22 -0000 full Slate Johnny Hallyday, the singer whose French-language covers of American songs helped bring rock ’n’ roll to France, has died of cancer at the age of 74, Variety reports. He had been ill for several months. Hallyday, whose real name was Jean-Phillipe Smet, was born in Paris. An Elvis movie inspired him to start studying music and performing, and he released his first single, “Laisses les Filles,” in the spring of 1960. 126 no http://slate.com/business/2017/12/latino-immigrants-and-meatpacking-in-midwestern-towns-like-fremont-nebraska.html FREMONT, Nebraska—The past few years in this Nebraska town of 26,000 have been unusually fraught. “My neighbor is on the City Council. His wife does not wave to me,” explained John Wiegert, as he made his way to a political meeting at the public library this summer. “I could be on fire in the front yard, and she wouldn’t put me out with a garden hose. Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:51:54 -0000 full Slate FREMONT, Nebraska—The past few years in this Nebraska town of 26,000 have been unusually fraught. “My neighbor is on the City Council. His wife does not wave to me,” explained John Wiegert, as he made his way to a political meeting at the public library this summer. “I could be on fire in the front yard, and she wouldn’t put me out with a garden hose. 1542 no http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2017/12/where_is_the_line_between_office_flirtation_and_sexual_harassment.html When I was 23 years old, my boss would look down the gap at the waistband of my jeans when he walked past my desk. I was an entry-level fact-checker at my first magazine job, and he was an older and more powerful editor. My career, at the time, was in his hands. Once, when we had finished working on a story together, he suggested we get a drink to celebrate. It was a Friday night, and I remember feeling extremely nervous as we sat across from each other in a dark bar. Wed, 06 Dec 2017 13:56:15 -0000 full Slate When I was 23 years old, my boss would look down the gap at the waistband of my jeans when he walked past my desk. I was an entry-level fact-checker at my first magazine job, and he was an older and more powerful editor. My career, at the time, was in his hands. Once, when we had finished working on a story together, he suggested we get a drink to celebrate. It was a Friday night, and I remember feeling extremely nervous as we sat across from each other in a dark bar. 835 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/11/man_up_and_reactivate_your_twitter_armie_hammer.html Is Twitter now such a rough-and-tumble place that even a man as manly as Armie Hammer can’t survive there? On Monday, after calling a BuzzFeed piece about him “bitter AF,” Hammer peaced out of the social network. He’s hardly the first person to have fled the platform—the Twitter hiatus has been a certifiable Thing this year, the online equivalent of a juice cleanse—but his reasons for fleeing seem a little less admirable than the usual ones. Wed, 06 Dec 2017 12:35:11 -0000 full Slate Is Twitter now such a rough-and-tumble place that even a man as manly as Armie Hammer can’t survive there? On Monday, after calling a BuzzFeed piece about him “bitter AF,” Hammer peaced out of the social network. He’s hardly the first person to have fled the platform—the Twitter hiatus has been a certifiable Thing this year, the online equivalent of a juice cleanse—but his reasons for fleeing seem a little less admirable than the usual ones. 256 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/the_silver_lining_for_democrats_in_the_gop_tax_bill.html Late Friday night, Senate Republicans passed a hastily crafted $1.5 trillion overhaul of the tax code on a party line vote of 51–49. Only Bob Corker of Tennessee broke ranks to vote against the bill, whose final draft was introduced hours before voting with handwritten amendments scribbled in the margins by lobbyists. This plan, centered on a large corporate and upper-income tax cut, has clear winners and losers, with most of the American public falling in the latter category. Wed, 06 Dec 2017 12:34:14 -0000 full Slate Late Friday night, Senate Republicans passed a hastily crafted $1.5 trillion overhaul of the tax code on a party line vote of 51–49. Only Bob Corker of Tennessee broke ranks to vote against the bill, whose final draft was introduced hours before voting with handwritten amendments scribbled in the margins by lobbyists. This plan, centered on a large corporate and upper-income tax cut, has clear winners and losers, with most of the American public falling in the latter category. 455 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/29/new_details_about_matt_lauer_alleged_misconduct_from_variety.html NBC fired Today host Matt Lauer on Wednesday morning following a complaint by a colleague describing “inappropriate sexual behavior,” noting in the statement that “the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident. Wed, 06 Dec 2017 12:33:18 -0000 full Slate NBC fired Today host Matt Lauer on Wednesday morning following a complaint by a colleague describing “inappropriate sexual behavior,” noting in the statement that “the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident. 170 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/12/the_key_principle_in_the_masterpiece_cakeshop_case_was_litigated_in_1968.html Judging from the coverage surrounding this week’s blockbuster case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, it might seem that the legal clash between religious liberty and discrimination in public spaces is a modern controversy that the Supreme Court is just catching up to. But more than 50 years ago, John W. Tue, 05 Dec 2017 17:33:46 -0000 full Slate Judging from the coverage surrounding this week’s blockbuster case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, it might seem that the legal clash between religious liberty and discrimination in public spaces is a modern controversy that the Supreme Court is just catching up to. But more than 50 years ago, John W. 494 no http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2017/12/what_if_all_the_sexual_misconduct_allegations_against_trump_had_come_out.html A decade later, Jill Harth met Trump when she and then-boyfriend George Houraney collaborated with him on a beauty pageant production in Atlantic City. According to Harth’s testimony in a 1996 deposition, Trump told Houraney, in front of Harth, that he was going to try to sleep with her. The next night, Harth says, Trump groped her under the table at dinner. Tue, 05 Dec 2017 17:10:54 -0000 full Slate A decade later, Jill Harth met Trump when she and then-boyfriend George Houraney collaborated with him on a beauty pageant production in Atlantic City. According to Harth’s testimony in a 1996 deposition, Trump told Houraney, in front of Harth, that he was going to try to sleep with her. The next night, Harth says, Trump groped her under the table at dinner. 1048 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/12/instagram_needs_lists_so_we_can_separate_friends_and_celebrities.html For a lot of us, Instagram is there to prove that celebrities aren’t so different after all. They too take mirror selfies of their OOTDs. They too share photos of brunch tables that look haphazardly set but are actually entirely staged. And when we follow a celebrity’s feed, their ’grams are seamlessly shuffled in with the posts of our friends, making “them” feel a little bit more like “us.” I am not convinced this is a good thing. Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:35:18 -0000 full Slate For a lot of us, Instagram is there to prove that celebrities aren’t so different after all. They too take mirror selfies of their OOTDs. They too share photos of brunch tables that look haphazardly set but are actually entirely staged. And when we follow a celebrity’s feed, their ’grams are seamlessly shuffled in with the posts of our friends, making “them” feel a little bit more like “us.” I am not convinced this is a good thing. 254 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/peggy_noonan_suggests_the_sexual_revolution_is_to_blame_for_harassment_here.html Finally, we know why sexual harassment happens! Peggy Noonan and an unnamed “aging Catholic priest” she quotes secondhand in her latest column seem to believe that harassment is a product of the sexual revolution, and especially of the availability of contraception and abortion. Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:34:16 -0000 full Slate Finally, we know why sexual harassment happens! Peggy Noonan and an unnamed “aging Catholic priest” she quotes secondhand in her latest column seem to believe that harassment is a product of the sexual revolution, and especially of the availability of contraception and abortion. 523 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/01/jenny_slate_brings_us_some_much_needed_good_news.html What would we do without Slate? No, I don’t mean Slate Magazine. I mean Jenny Slate, actress, comedian, and—today at least—queen of our hearts. In a week of news ranging from the gross to the harrowing, Slate has gifted us with not one but two pieces of objectively good news. Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:33:20 -0000 full Slate What would we do without Slate? No, I don’t mean Slate Magazine. I mean Jenny Slate, actress, comedian, and—today at least—queen of our hearts. In a week of news ranging from the gross to the harrowing, Slate has gifted us with not one but two pieces of objectively good news. 127 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/12/is_it_too_late_for_robert_mueller_to_save_us.html We talk a lot these days about how the United States has sorted itself into two distinct media bubbles, and all the ways in which those bubbles become self-reinforcing and reality-denying. But there is another way in which the perfect epistemic closure that characterizes this moment continues to play out. On Friday, former national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe. Mon, 04 Dec 2017 23:55:45 -0000 full Slate We talk a lot these days about how the United States has sorted itself into two distinct media bubbles, and all the ways in which those bubbles become self-reinforcing and reality-denying. But there is another way in which the perfect epistemic closure that characterizes this moment continues to play out. On Friday, former national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe. 402 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_good_fight/2017/12/the_sheer_cravenness_on_display_in_american_politics_should_make_us_all.html The last days have brought plenty of reasons for schadenfreude. Many of my friends seem to be seized by a mood of dizzy excitement. I get why. Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn faces time in jail. Donald Trump may have incriminated himself with yet another impulsive tweet. Impeachment, though still a distant prospect, looks a lot closer now than it did a few weeks ago. If this is not yet the beginning of the end, it may, one day, come to be seen as the end of the beginning. Mon, 04 Dec 2017 23:46:43 -0000 full Slate The last days have brought plenty of reasons for schadenfreude. Many of my friends seem to be seized by a mood of dizzy excitement. I get why. Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn faces time in jail. Donald Trump may have incriminated himself with yet another impulsive tweet. Impeachment, though still a distant prospect, looks a lot closer now than it did a few weeks ago. If this is not yet the beginning of the end, it may, one day, come to be seen as the end of the beginning. 559 no http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2017/12/the_doomsday_machine_daniel_ellsberg_s_sobering_new_memoir_about_life_as.html One of its biggest surprises comes in the first chapter: In 1969–70, when Ellsberg was spending his nights Xeroxing the Pentagon Papers, a copy of which was in his safe at the RAND Corporation, he was also—he reveals here for the first time to anyone besides a handful of friends and loved ones—making copies of everything in his safe, including the top-secret-and-beyond documents from his nuclear studies. Mon, 04 Dec 2017 23:33:31 -0000 full Slate One of its biggest surprises comes in the first chapter: In 1969–70, when Ellsberg was spending his nights Xeroxing the Pentagon Papers, a copy of which was in his safe at the RAND Corporation, he was also—he reveals here for the first time to anyone besides a handful of friends and loved ones—making copies of everything in his safe, including the top-secret-and-beyond documents from his nuclear studies. 937 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/screen_time/2017/11/29/welcome_to_screen_time_slate_s_pop_up_blog_about_children_s_tv.html In Tony Earley’s remarkable memoir “Somehow Form a Family,” he interweaves stories from his childhood in small-town North Carolina with stories from the TV shows he and his sister Shelly watched at the time: All in the Family, The Wonderful World of Disney, The Three Stooges, and above all The Brady Bunch. And by “interweaves” I don’t mean that he tells a story from his childhood and then tells a story from the TV. Mon, 04 Dec 2017 12:35:18 -0000 full Slate In Tony Earley’s remarkable memoir “Somehow Form a Family,” he interweaves stories from his childhood in small-town North Carolina with stories from the TV shows he and his sister Shelly watched at the time: All in the Family, The Wonderful World of Disney, The Three Stooges, and above all The Brady Bunch. And by “interweaves” I don’t mean that he tells a story from his childhood and then tells a story from the TV. 267 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/what_the_new_york_times_nazi_story_left_out.html The conceit of “A Voice of Hate in America’s Heartland,” the New York Times' profile of Tony Hovater—a neo-Nazi who helped start the Traditionalist Worker Party, a white nationalist group—is that there’s something incongruent in Hovater’s ordinary Midwestern life and his virulently racist and anti-Semitic beliefs. Mon, 04 Dec 2017 12:34:16 -0000 full Slate The conceit of “A Voice of Hate in America’s Heartland,” the New York Times' profile of Tony Hovater—a neo-Nazi who helped start the Traditionalist Worker Party, a white nationalist group—is that there’s something incongruent in Hovater’s ordinary Midwestern life and his virulently racist and anti-Semitic beliefs. 391 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/28/lorde_s_melodrama_takes_its_rightful_place_in_the_louvre.html One might call Melodrama—Lorde’s critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated sophomore album—high art. The album is not just an aural splendor but a visual one too, with a moody, blue-lit painting of Lordeby Brooklyn-based artist Sam McKinniss on the cover. One fan, it seems, definitely does. Mon, 04 Dec 2017 12:33:14 -0000 full Slate One might call Melodrama—Lorde’s critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated sophomore album—high art. The album is not just an aural splendor but a visual one too, with a moody, blue-lit painting of Lordeby Brooklyn-based artist Sam McKinniss on the cover. One fan, it seems, definitely does. 101 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/12/01/trump_could_put_lives_at_risk_and_gain_nothing_by_recognizing_jerusalem.html Axios reports today that President Trump plans to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a speech on Wednesday. It’s not clear yet if this also means he’s ordering the U.S. embassy to be moved to the city, though the Israeli media has reported that he’s planning to do so, and Vice President Mike Pence said this week that he’s “actively considering” doing so. According to the Wall Street Journal, “U.S. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 22:57:08 -0000 full Slate Axios reports today that President Trump plans to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a speech on Wednesday. It’s not clear yet if this also means he’s ordering the U.S. embassy to be moved to the city, though the Israeli media has reported that he’s planning to do so, and Vice President Mike Pence said this week that he’s “actively considering” doing so. According to the Wall Street Journal, “U.S. 229 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/12/01/senate_republicans_tax_reform_bill_has_the_votes_to_pass.html Senate Republicans have the votes to pass their tax bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters late Friday morning after meeting with his caucus. The GOP senators were all smiles on the Senate floor afterwards—except for Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, who appears to have gotten rolled. Johnson announced his support for the bill earlier in the day. The deduction for pass-through businesses, which the original bill pinned at 17.4 percent, will now be 23 percent. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 22:51:04 -0000 full Slate Senate Republicans have the votes to pass their tax bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters late Friday morning after meeting with his caucus. The GOP senators were all smiles on the Senate floor afterwards—except for Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, who appears to have gotten rolled. Johnson announced his support for the bill earlier in the day. The deduction for pass-through businesses, which the original bill pinned at 17.4 percent, will now be 23 percent. 182 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/12/marco_rubio_and_mike_lee_are_trying_to_save_the_gop.html Not too long ago, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Utah Sen. Mike Lee were conservative darlings. Both of them first ran for the Senate as Tea Party upstarts against Republican insiders, and both distinguished themselves as creative conservative policymakers who were eager to modernize the Reaganite agenda. This week, however, Rubio and Lee have been branded apostates by an alphabet soup of conservative organizations. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 22:38:45 -0000 full Slate Not too long ago, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Utah Sen. Mike Lee were conservative darlings. Both of them first ran for the Senate as Tea Party upstarts against Republican insiders, and both distinguished themselves as creative conservative policymakers who were eager to modernize the Reaganite agenda. This week, however, Rubio and Lee have been branded apostates by an alphabet soup of conservative organizations. 344 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2017/11/do_not_let_tom_cotton_anywhere_near_the_cia.html And so the Trump administration’s long-awaited national security shuffle begins. Rex Tillerson is soon to be ousted as secretary of state—no surprise, given that he was once quoted as calling Trump “a fucking moron” (then didn’t deny doing so when given the chance) and that Trump had publicly undermined one of the secretary’s only diplomatic ventures. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 22:28:50 -0000 full Slate And so the Trump administration’s long-awaited national security shuffle begins. Rex Tillerson is soon to be ousted as secretary of state—no surprise, given that he was once quoted as calling Trump “a fucking moron” (then didn’t deny doing so when given the chance) and that Trump had publicly undermined one of the secretary’s only diplomatic ventures. 391 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/12/legacy_com_has_cornered_the_market_on_death_online.html Like the rest of us, Lois Heppell and many other older adults use technology to keep up with their friends. But news of hookups and job promotions is not what they’re expecting. “The first thing my mother does every morning is get up, turn on her computer, and go to the bathroom,” says Heppell’s son, Robin Heppell, a funeral marketing consultant. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 22:19:14 -0000 full Slate Like the rest of us, Lois Heppell and many other older adults use technology to keep up with their friends. But news of hookups and job promotions is not what they’re expecting. “The first thing my mother does every morning is get up, turn on her computer, and go to the bathroom,” says Heppell’s son, Robin Heppell, a funeral marketing consultant. 596 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/screen_time/2017/11/29/can_i_be_a_screen_free_parent_without_being_smug_and_self_righteous_about.html I grew up without a TV at a time when it was still possible for parents to raise kids screen-free without acting like insufferable prigs about it. Although Jerry Mander published his sweeping anti-TV polemic Four Arguments For the Elimination of Television the same year I was born, my parents don’t remember their decision to raise us without TV as being much of a political one. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 12:35:14 -0000 full Slate I grew up without a TV at a time when it was still possible for parents to raise kids screen-free without acting like insufferable prigs about it. Although Jerry Mander published his sweeping anti-TV polemic Four Arguments For the Elimination of Television the same year I was born, my parents don’t remember their decision to raise us without TV as being much of a political one. 509 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/how_the_washington_post_debunked_roy_moore_s_favorite_talking_point.html Roy Moore has a theory. He says the Washington Post, which has been investigating his foundation and his conduct with teenage girls, isn’t interested in truth. The Post, he argues, is just trying to take down his campaign. This is the kind of thing politicians often say, figuring it’s a matter of irrefutable opinion. They don’t imagine that a charge of political motivation could be factually debunked. But it can. And that is what has happened to Moore’s theory. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 12:34:17 -0000 full Slate Roy Moore has a theory. He says the Washington Post, which has been investigating his foundation and his conduct with teenage girls, isn’t interested in truth. The Post, he argues, is just trying to take down his campaign. This is the kind of thing politicians often say, figuring it’s a matter of irrefutable opinion. They don’t imagine that a charge of political motivation could be factually debunked. But it can. And that is what has happened to Moore’s theory. 624 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/29/watch_the_trailer_for_aardman_animations_early_man.html After a miserable day like Wednesday, we could all use a news story—just one!—that isn’t part of the torrent of garbage that’s been raining down for the last year. So here’s that story: Aardman Animations, the beloved studio behind Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, has a new movie coming out. It’s called Early Man, it’s directed by Nick Park, and here’s its trailer. Fri, 01 Dec 2017 12:33:21 -0000 full Slate After a miserable day like Wednesday, we could all use a news story—just one!—that isn’t part of the torrent of garbage that’s been raining down for the last year. So here’s that story: Aardman Animations, the beloved studio behind Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, has a new movie coming out. It’s called Early Man, it’s directed by Nick Park, and here’s its trailer. 110 no http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2017/11/kevin_young_s_bunk_reviewed.html Just after Kevin Young handed in the manuscript of his magnum opus on American hucksterism, Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts, and Fake News, his publisher had to send it back to him. Young—a noted poet, the newly appointed poetry editor of the New Yorker, and director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library—has a theory that most hoaxes have a racial subtext (that is, when race isn’t the overt text). Thu, 30 Nov 2017 23:27:02 -0000 full Slate Just after Kevin Young handed in the manuscript of his magnum opus on American hucksterism, Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts, and Fake News, his publisher had to send it back to him. Young—a noted poet, the newly appointed poetry editor of the New Yorker, and director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library—has a theory that most hoaxes have a racial subtext (that is, when race isn’t the overt text). 762 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/better_life_lab/2017/11/29/men_aren_t_monsters_the_problem_is_toxic_masculinity.html While bent over locking up my bike in Chicago a few years ago, I heard the all-too-familiar sound of a wolf whistle. I turned around to get a look at the jerks accosting some woman on the street, only to realize I was the one who was being cat called. A man passing by from behind had seen my long curly hair and tight jeans and mistaken me for a woman. When I turned around to face him, he was shocked and started apologizing profusely. Thu, 30 Nov 2017 23:04:57 -0000 full Slate While bent over locking up my bike in Chicago a few years ago, I heard the all-too-familiar sound of a wolf whistle. I turned around to get a look at the jerks accosting some woman on the street, only to realize I was the one who was being cat called. A man passing by from behind had seen my long curly hair and tight jeans and mistaken me for a woman. When I turned around to face him, he was shocked and started apologizing profusely. 411 no http://slate.com/sports/2017/11/larry-nassar-preyed-on-young-gymnasts-whod-been-taught-their-bodies-were-not-their-own.html On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, disgraced gymnastics doctor and convicted child sex abuser Larry Nassar stood in front of a judge in Lansing, Michigan. He had just pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault—a small fraction of the crimes he’s been accused of committing. As Slate’s Jeremy Stahl wrote, Nassar’s plea deal will allow all 125 victims who reported their assaults to the Michigan State Police to read statements at his sentencing in January. Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:52:26 -0000 full Slate On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, disgraced gymnastics doctor and convicted child sex abuser Larry Nassar stood in front of a judge in Lansing, Michigan. He had just pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault—a small fraction of the crimes he’s been accused of committing. As Slate’s Jeremy Stahl wrote, Nassar’s plea deal will allow all 125 victims who reported their assaults to the Michigan State Police to read statements at his sentencing in January. 364 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/better_life_lab/2017/11/30/trailing_spouses_what_female_ph_d_s_teach_us_about_lasting_workplace_gender.html Sarah Stevens married a fellow grad student right as she was finishing a Ph.D. in Chinese. Together, they decided they would go wherever one person found a good job. Her husband got an offer first. “I feel like it’s always the way it turns out—the guy getting the job,” she said. Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:39:41 -0000 full Slate Sarah Stevens married a fellow grad student right as she was finishing a Ph.D. in Chinese. Together, they decided they would go wherever one person found a good job. Her husband got an offer first. “I feel like it’s always the way it turns out—the guy getting the job,” she said. 367 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/11/readers_shared_their_most_intense_postmortem_social_media_moments.html In the internet age, it often seems that what is digital may never die. Even when our loved ones slip their mortal coil, their social media profiles soldier on. Though Facebook, Google, and other companies have developed protocols for shutting down the accounts of the dead, many if not most of us are still caught off guard. When my grandfather died, for example, “he” continued to contact me through his LinkedIn profile. Thu, 30 Nov 2017 12:35:19 -0000 full Slate In the internet age, it often seems that what is digital may never die. Even when our loved ones slip their mortal coil, their social media profiles soldier on. Though Facebook, Google, and other companies have developed protocols for shutting down the accounts of the dead, many if not most of us are still caught off guard. When my grandfather died, for example, “he” continued to contact me through his LinkedIn profile. 471 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/republicans_advance_tax_reform_bill_in_budget_committee.html This post has been updated with new information since it was originally published. As members of the Senate Budget Committee were arriving for a key vote on the Republican tax reform bill on Tuesday, they were greeted by a familiar passel of protesters, chanting, “Shame!” and “Kill the bill, don’t kill us!” The protesters went so far as to talk directly into several of the senators’ ears as they tried to do hallway television interviews. Thu, 30 Nov 2017 12:34:21 -0000 full Slate This post has been updated with new information since it was originally published. As members of the Senate Budget Committee were arriving for a key vote on the Republican tax reform bill on Tuesday, they were greeted by a familiar passel of protesters, chanting, “Shame!” and “Kill the bill, don’t kill us!” The protesters went so far as to talk directly into several of the senators’ ears as they tried to do hallway television interviews. 430 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/29/samantha_bee_confronts_a_project_veritas_reporter.html There hasn’t been a better feel good story in a long time than Project Veritas’ hilariously inept attempt to trick the Washington Post into publishing a false story about Roy Moore, even if, as Slate’s Osita Nwanevu argues, conservative buffoon James O’Keefe won’t face any real consequences. I mean, have you ever seen anything more satisfying than watching Veritas operative Jamie T. Thu, 30 Nov 2017 12:33:21 -0000 full Slate There hasn’t been a better feel good story in a long time than Project Veritas’ hilariously inept attempt to trick the Washington Post into publishing a false story about Roy Moore, even if, as Slate’s Osita Nwanevu argues, conservative buffoon James O’Keefe won’t face any real consequences. I mean, have you ever seen anything more satisfying than watching Veritas operative Jamie T. 115 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/screen_time/2017/11/29/can_i_be_a_screen_free_parent_without_being_smug_and_self_righteous_about.html I grew up without a TV at a time when it was still possible for parents to raise kids screen-free without acting like insufferable prigs about it. Although Jerry Mander published his sweeping anti-TV polemic Four Arguments For the Elimination of Television the same year I was born, my parents don’t remember their decision to raise us without TV as being much of a political one. Thu, 30 Nov 2017 06:33:26 -0000 full Slate I grew up without a TV at a time when it was still possible for parents to raise kids screen-free without acting like insufferable prigs about it. Although Jerry Mander published his sweeping anti-TV polemic Four Arguments For the Elimination of Television the same year I was born, my parents don’t remember their decision to raise us without TV as being much of a political one. 491 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2017/11/rex_tillerson_is_making_a_great_case_for_himself_as_worst_secretary_of_state.html The occasion took place Tuesday at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., where he delivered a speech bubbling over with boilerplate, interesting only for his warnings of Russian aggression and his touting of America’s allies as our most vital strength—both sentiments at odds with those of his president, a sign of his scant influence within the administration. Wed, 29 Nov 2017 16:17:43 -0000 full Slate The occasion took place Tuesday at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., where he delivered a speech bubbling over with boilerplate, interesting only for his warnings of Russian aggression and his touting of America’s allies as our most vital strength—both sentiments at odds with those of his president, a sign of his scant influence within the administration. 420 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/11/cyber_monday_the_gadgets_to_buy_in_2017_and_the_ones_to_avoid.html As we reach the commercial holiday known as Cyber Monday, we can’t help but remember the gadgets and gear that won’t be flying off digital shelves this year—the inventions and technologies that fell by the wayside in 2017. Surely, as you peruse the day’s sale offerings, you’ll barely see a 3D TV in the mix. After a years-long push, consumers made it clear that this living room trend was a big fat no. Wed, 29 Nov 2017 12:35:12 -0000 full Slate As we reach the commercial holiday known as Cyber Monday, we can’t help but remember the gadgets and gear that won’t be flying off digital shelves this year—the inventions and technologies that fell by the wayside in 2017. Surely, as you peruse the day’s sale offerings, you’ll barely see a 3D TV in the mix. After a years-long push, consumers made it clear that this living room trend was a big fat no. 366 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/what_s_next_for_the_republican_tax_bill.html Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s plan is for the Senate to begin floor consideration of the Republican tax reform bill on Tuesday, pretend to have an open and sincere amendment process, and pass it by the end of the week. It may well work. For a proposal that’s only marginally more popular than Republicans’ universally despised health care reform efforts, their tax reform plans have met surprisingly soft resistance moving through Congress. Wed, 29 Nov 2017 12:34:12 -0000 full Slate Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s plan is for the Senate to begin floor consideration of the Republican tax reform bill on Tuesday, pretend to have an open and sincere amendment process, and pass it by the end of the week. It may well work. For a proposal that’s only marginally more popular than Republicans’ universally despised health care reform efforts, their tax reform plans have met surprisingly soft resistance moving through Congress. 463 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/26/pixar_s_coco_reviewed_by_someone_who_watched_day_of_the_dead.html Pixar has always been known for making children’s movies adults can love too, occasionally to the point of giving their youngest viewers more than they are ready to handle. The tear-jerking opening montage of Up is the classic example—a four-minute lesson in the cruelty of time and mortality that is way beyond the emotional reach of many children—but let’s not forget the resigned embrace of death in Toy Story 3’s furnace scene, Mr. and Mrs. Wed, 29 Nov 2017 12:33:15 -0000 full Slate Pixar has always been known for making children’s movies adults can love too, occasionally to the point of giving their youngest viewers more than they are ready to handle. The tear-jerking opening montage of Up is the classic example—a four-minute lesson in the cruelty of time and mortality that is way beyond the emotional reach of many children—but let’s not forget the resigned embrace of death in Toy Story 3’s furnace scene, Mr. and Mrs. 414 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/what_the_new_york_times_nazi_story_left_out.html The conceit of “A Voice of Hate in America’s Heartland,” the New York Times' profile of Tony Hovater—a neo-Nazi who helped start the Traditionalist Worker Party, a white nationalist group—is that there’s something incongruent in Hovater’s ordinary Midwestern life and his virulently racist and anti-Semitic beliefs. Wed, 29 Nov 2017 00:14:22 -0000 full Slate The conceit of “A Voice of Hate in America’s Heartland,” the New York Times' profile of Tony Hovater—a neo-Nazi who helped start the Traditionalist Worker Party, a white nationalist group—is that there’s something incongruent in Hovater’s ordinary Midwestern life and his virulently racist and anti-Semitic beliefs. 315 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/11/trump_should_win_the_battle_over_the_consumer_financial_protection_bureau.html If you’ve been following the goings on at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you could be forgiven for thinking there’s a constitutional crisis brewing in Trump’s America. Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:45:00 -0000 full Slate If you’ve been following the goings on at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you could be forgiven for thinking there’s a constitutional crisis brewing in Trump’s America. 51 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/11/donald_trump_will_supercharge_voter_suppression_if_the_rnc_consent_decree.html On Friday, a federal consent decree to stop potential voter suppression by the Republican National Committee—in place since 1982—is set to expire unless further extended by a federal district court in New Jersey. What happens next, with Donald Trump in charge of the Republican Party, will likely not be pretty. Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:31:58 -0000 full Slate On Friday, a federal consent decree to stop potential voter suppression by the Republican National Committee—in place since 1982—is set to expire unless further extended by a federal district court in New Jersey. What happens next, with Donald Trump in charge of the Republican Party, will likely not be pretty. 372 no http://www.slate.com/articles/life/education/2017/11/the_case_for_taking_better_care_of_2_year_olds.html Still, more than half of infants and toddlers in the United States spend some part of their day being cared for by someone other than a parent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And at both the federal and state level, the U.S. spends almost nothing on helping American families care for their collective 3.9 million 2-year-olds. Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:21:15 -0000 full Slate Still, more than half of infants and toddlers in the United States spend some part of their day being cared for by someone other than a parent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And at both the federal and state level, the U.S. spends almost nothing on helping American families care for their collective 3.9 million 2-year-olds. 1376 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/11/how_a_concussion_revealed_my_screen_obsession.html If you had asked me last month if I spent too much time in front of screens, I would have said, “No way.” Sure, I’m in front of a computer for roughly eight hours a day for work. And looking at my smartphone screen before, during, and after. And in the evening, my TV is playing Netflix or HBO Go until I head to bed. But that seemed normal. I was forced to re-evaluate that sentiment on a Friday in late October. As I started to sit up from bed, someone tipped the world sideways. Tue, 28 Nov 2017 12:35:18 -0000 full Slate If you had asked me last month if I spent too much time in front of screens, I would have said, “No way.” Sure, I’m in front of a computer for roughly eight hours a day for work. And looking at my smartphone screen before, during, and after. And in the evening, my TV is playing Netflix or HBO Go until I head to bed. But that seemed normal. I was forced to re-evaluate that sentiment on a Friday in late October. As I started to sit up from bed, someone tipped the world sideways. 395 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/the_sham_defense_of_roy_moore.html The battle within the Republican Party has come down to this: Is it OK for a 32-year-old man to seduce a 14-year-old girl? On one side are the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Paul Ryan. They have disowned Roy Moore, the party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate in Alabama, over allegations that he targeted, and in some cases molested, minors and other teen girls. Tue, 28 Nov 2017 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate The battle within the Republican Party has come down to this: Is it OK for a 32-year-old man to seduce a 14-year-old girl? On one side are the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Paul Ryan. They have disowned Roy Moore, the party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate in Alabama, over allegations that he targeted, and in some cases molested, minors and other teen girls. 745 no http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2017/11/what_the_2017_best_seller_lists_tell_us_about_the_year_in_reading_and_in.html Talk to anyone who worked in book publishing this year and no matter how chipper the conversation may begin, once you’re a few drinks in the talk will turn gloomy. Sales are flat, or down. There have been no market-defining breakout hits, no hot new genres to plump up the annual earnings statement. Everyone blames this on the election and the news. Mon, 27 Nov 2017 22:53:21 -0000 full Slate Talk to anyone who worked in book publishing this year and no matter how chipper the conversation may begin, once you’re a few drinks in the talk will turn gloomy. Sales are flat, or down. There have been no market-defining breakout hits, no hot new genres to plump up the annual earnings statement. Everyone blames this on the election and the news. 702 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2017/11/17/twitter_display_names_can_now_be_50_characters_long_and_the_possibilities.html November on Twitter always comes with a sigh of relief. That’s when all the people who were doing wacky Halloween monikers in the lead-up to Oct. 31 switch back to their normal display names. But this year, we didn’t even make it halfway through November before Twitter upended our nicknameless tranquility. You may not have thought much of it last week when, along with doubling the character limit for tweets, Twitter also expanded the character limit for display names from 20 to 50. Mon, 27 Nov 2017 12:35:14 -0000 full Slate November on Twitter always comes with a sigh of relief. That’s when all the people who were doing wacky Halloween monikers in the lead-up to Oct. 31 switch back to their normal display names. But this year, we didn’t even make it halfway through November before Twitter upended our nicknameless tranquility. You may not have thought much of it last week when, along with doubling the character limit for tweets, Twitter also expanded the character limit for display names from 20 to 50. 175 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/how_doug_jones_can_win_against_roy_moore_in_alabama.html Doug Jones has a chance. Allegations of sexual assault have turned Judge Roy Moore’s already divisive campaign toxic, opening the door to a Democratic Party upset. But to make that happen, the Jones campaign has two major tasks. First, he has to build out his base, i.e., the black voters who form the foundation for Democratic Party performance in the state. Second, he has to win an unprecedented share of white voters. Mon, 27 Nov 2017 12:34:13 -0000 full Slate Doug Jones has a chance. Allegations of sexual assault have turned Judge Roy Moore’s already divisive campaign toxic, opening the door to a Democratic Party upset. But to make that happen, the Jones campaign has two major tasks. First, he has to build out his base, i.e., the black voters who form the foundation for Democratic Party performance in the state. Second, he has to win an unprecedented share of white voters. 375 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/23/here_s_12_hours_of_turkey_noises_you_re_welcome.html Thanksgiving! Is there any other word that so perfectly embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving? If there is, we should change the holiday’s name to whatever that word is, probably. But whatever name it goes by, Thanksgiving can only mean one thing: Playing 12 hours of turkey sound effects at increasingly high volume until your family goes home and leaves you in peace. Mon, 27 Nov 2017 12:33:19 -0000 full Slate Thanksgiving! Is there any other word that so perfectly embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving? If there is, we should change the holiday’s name to whatever that word is, probably. But whatever name it goes by, Thanksgiving can only mean one thing: Playing 12 hours of turkey sound effects at increasingly high volume until your family goes home and leaves you in peace. 117 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/11/hq_trivia_is_so_fun_that_even_its_ceo_s_idiotic_tirade_can_t_stop_it.html For the last few weeks, the app HQ Trivia had been riding high, earning praise as “addictive”—in a good way!—and “your new favorite mobile game.” Cut to Tuesday: Its CEO freaked out on a Daily Beast reporter, and then its scheduled 9 p.m. game crashed, eventually starting a half-hour late. HQ Trivia is an interactive game show, with all the cheesy appeal its genre implies. With the app, a host beams live into your phone to ask questions at 3 and 9 p.m. Fri, 24 Nov 2017 12:35:15 -0000 full Slate For the last few weeks, the app HQ Trivia had been riding high, earning praise as “addictive”—in a good way!—and “your new favorite mobile game.” Cut to Tuesday: Its CEO freaked out on a Daily Beast reporter, and then its scheduled 9 p.m. game crashed, eventually starting a half-hour late. HQ Trivia is an interactive game show, with all the cheesy appeal its genre implies. With the app, a host beams live into your phone to ask questions at 3 and 9 p.m. 354 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/trump_picks_another_battle_with_black_athletes.html Puerto Rico still lacks power, millions of children are waiting for Congress to reauthorize a vital health insurance program, and a massive pipeline has leaked more than 200,000 gallons of oil into the American heartland. It’s possible President Trump is focused on these problems, but you wouldn’t know it from his Twitter feed. There, he is again preoccupied with well-known black people and their perceived disrespect. Fri, 24 Nov 2017 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate Puerto Rico still lacks power, millions of children are waiting for Congress to reauthorize a vital health insurance program, and a massive pipeline has leaked more than 200,000 gallons of oil into the American heartland. It’s possible President Trump is focused on these problems, but you wouldn’t know it from his Twitter feed. There, he is again preoccupied with well-known black people and their perceived disrespect. 385 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/22/law_order_svu_planning_harvey_weinstein_inspired_episode.html Law & Order recently experimented with true crime, but the franchise hasn’t given up on their usual practice of taking real news stories and turning them into fictionalized, police procedural entertainment. If anything, it’s almost surprising that it took this long for Law & Order: SVU to announce that an episode addressing the Harvey Weinstein scandal is headed to a TV near you in 2018. Fri, 24 Nov 2017 12:33:11 -0000 full Slate Law & Order recently experimented with true crime, but the franchise hasn’t given up on their usual practice of taking real news stories and turning them into fictionalized, police procedural entertainment. If anything, it’s almost surprising that it took this long for Law & Order: SVU to announce that an episode addressing the Harvey Weinstein scandal is headed to a TV near you in 2018. 93 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/11/the_six_main_causes_of_car_crashes.html Car crashes are mysteries. Even though roughly 6 million of them happen each year in the United States alone, we seldom learn much. When we do drive by a crash, we often slow down to have a look. But there’s never much to see. Two crumpled cars. Maybe one upside down. An ambulance closing its doors. I usually feel bad—for those who may have gotten hurt (or worse), of course, but also because my rubbernecking contributes to the logjam of cars behind me. Thu, 23 Nov 2017 12:35:10 -0000 full Slate Car crashes are mysteries. Even though roughly 6 million of them happen each year in the United States alone, we seldom learn much. When we do drive by a crash, we often slow down to have a look. But there’s never much to see. Two crumpled cars. Maybe one upside down. An ambulance closing its doors. I usually feel bad—for those who may have gotten hurt (or worse), of course, but also because my rubbernecking contributes to the logjam of cars behind me. 672 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/the_messy_scripture_on_display_at_the_museum_of_the_bible.html Last week, the Museum of the Bible opened in Washington, D.C. When the museum was first conceived, it was intended to “inspire confidence in the absolute authority and reliability of the Bible,” according to documents filed in 2010. But then, scholarship and dialogue intervened. Thu, 23 Nov 2017 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate Last week, the Museum of the Bible opened in Washington, D.C. When the museum was first conceived, it was intended to “inspire confidence in the absolute authority and reliability of the Bible,” according to documents filed in 2010. But then, scholarship and dialogue intervened. 428 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/11/25/apple_pie_at_thanksgiving_wrong.html In 2013, L.V. Anderson wrote this sharp, controversial takedown of a culinary Thanksgiving tradition: Apple pie. Just in time for this year's festivities, we've reprinted the story below. It’s practically a law that in late November, every publication must offer a Thanksgiving guide. This year, I would like to draw your attention to two exceptional ones (other than Slate’s). Thu, 23 Nov 2017 12:33:20 -0000 full Slate In 2013, L.V. Anderson wrote this sharp, controversial takedown of a culinary Thanksgiving tradition: Apple pie. Just in time for this year's festivities, we've reprinted the story below. It’s practically a law that in late November, every publication must offer a Thanksgiving guide. This year, I would like to draw your attention to two exceptional ones (other than Slate’s). 296 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/better_life_lab/2017/11/20/thanksgiving_took_me_and_my_marriage_to_the_brink_these_rules_helped_us.html A few years ago, I spent most of Thanksgiving dividing up the furniture in the house for when the divorce came. My husband had just walked out the door with a six-pack of beer to hang out with a friend, leaving me with a kitchen explosion of vegetable peels and uncooked dishes, a scatter of recipes and cookbooks, a table yet to be set for 18, and one gigantic, raw bird. He could have that fucking blue-leather couch. To say I was livid would be a gross understatement. Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:09:03 -0000 full Slate A few years ago, I spent most of Thanksgiving dividing up the furniture in the house for when the divorce came. My husband had just walked out the door with a six-pack of beer to hang out with a friend, leaving me with a kitchen explosion of vegetable peels and uncooked dishes, a scatter of recipes and cookbooks, a table yet to be set for 18, and one gigantic, raw bird. He could have that fucking blue-leather couch. To say I was livid would be a gross understatement. 478 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/republicans_cannot_govern.html That’s not to say they lack an agenda. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would have reshaped a vast swath of the American economy and transformed the social safety net, not just ending Medicaid but striking a blow against the entire project of public subsidy for health insurance. The tax reform bill passed by the House of Representatives would hike taxes for tens of millions of Americans to provide massive tax cuts for large corporations, the wealthy, their heirs, and the merely affluent. Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:01:45 -0000 full Slate That’s not to say they lack an agenda. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would have reshaped a vast swath of the American economy and transformed the social safety net, not just ending Medicaid but striking a blow against the entire project of public subsidy for health insurance. The tax reform bill passed by the House of Representatives would hike taxes for tens of millions of Americans to provide massive tax cuts for large corporations, the wealthy, their heirs, and the merely affluent. 295 no http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/11/why_do_people_applaud_plane_landings.html It’s funny because it’s true: Why should pilots be congratulated for managing to do their jobs without killing hundreds of people? (As Handler once pointed out on Twitter, #thatswhattheyresupposedtofuckingdo.) It’s not just a comedian’s pet peeve; frustration with the idiotic cabin clap appears to be widespread. “Please Don’t Clap When the Plane Lands,” wrote the staff of Condé Nast Traveler in a signed editorial last year. Wed, 22 Nov 2017 22:51:27 -0000 full Slate It’s funny because it’s true: Why should pilots be congratulated for managing to do their jobs without killing hundreds of people? (As Handler once pointed out on Twitter, #thatswhattheyresupposedtofuckingdo.) It’s not just a comedian’s pet peeve; frustration with the idiotic cabin clap appears to be widespread. “Please Don’t Clap When the Plane Lands,” wrote the staff of Condé Nast Traveler in a signed editorial last year. 604 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/metropolis/2017/11/the_louvre_abu_dhabi_and_the_future_of_cities.html The Louvre Abu Dhabi sits on one corner of an island calledSaadiyat, a large triangle of desert joined to the capital of the United Arab Emirates by a causeway. Scattered in the sand on Saadiyat Island are a handful of other upscale developments: a golf course, a Park Hyatt and a St. Regis, scores of suburban-style villas, and a campus of New York University. Wed, 22 Nov 2017 22:28:12 -0000 full Slate The Louvre Abu Dhabi sits on one corner of an island calledSaadiyat, a large triangle of desert joined to the capital of the United Arab Emirates by a causeway. Scattered in the sand on Saadiyat Island are a handful of other upscale developments: a golf course, a Park Hyatt and a St. Regis, scores of suburban-style villas, and a campus of New York University. 554 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/11/is_there_any_good_reason_to_buy_199_smart_socks.html Welcome to Should This Thing Be Smart?, a new series. Each month, Justin Peters will examine a new smart object and try to determine whether there is any good reason for its existence—and how likely it is to be used for nefarious reasons. Read the first installment, which looked at a $60 smart fork. Wed, 22 Nov 2017 12:35:12 -0000 full Slate Welcome to Should This Thing Be Smart?, a new series. Each month, Justin Peters will examine a new smart object and try to determine whether there is any good reason for its existence—and how likely it is to be used for nefarious reasons. Read the first installment, which looked at a $60 smart fork. 701 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/democrats_find_a_weapon_in_the_senate_tax_bill.html A tax reform process that had been moving with relative ease through Congress got much knottier on Wednesday, as complicated bills tend to do when the flashy debuts have receded and the thorny details begin to emerge. For Senate Republicans that meant defending two tough propositions: the sudden inclusion of a provision to eliminate the individual mandate for health care, and the decision to sunset tax cuts for middle-class families, while allowing corporations to keep them in perpetuity. Wed, 22 Nov 2017 12:34:19 -0000 full Slate A tax reform process that had been moving with relative ease through Congress got much knottier on Wednesday, as complicated bills tend to do when the flashy debuts have receded and the thorny details begin to emerge. For Senate Republicans that meant defending two tough propositions: the sudden inclusion of a provision to eliminate the individual mandate for health care, and the decision to sunset tax cuts for middle-class families, while allowing corporations to keep them in perpetuity. 488 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/16/_hellboy_rapper_lil_peep_is_dead_at_21.html Lil Peep, who earlier this year was dubbed the “future of emo rap” by Pitchfork, died on Wednesday at the age of 21. Through his woozy, melancholic songs like “White Wine,” “Girls,” and “Drugz,” he drew from ’00s emo influences like Limp Bizkit and Panic! At the Disco as well as rapper Gucci Mane, while garnering millions of fans on social media and Soundcloud. Wed, 22 Nov 2017 12:33:15 -0000 full Slate Lil Peep, who earlier this year was dubbed the “future of emo rap” by Pitchfork, died on Wednesday at the age of 21. Through his woozy, melancholic songs like “White Wine,” “Girls,” and “Drugz,” he drew from ’00s emo influences like Limp Bizkit and Panic! At the Disco as well as rapper Gucci Mane, while garnering millions of fans on social media and Soundcloud. 153 no http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2017/11/charles_manson_dead_at_83_weaponized_the_1960s.html Any honest accounting of the cultural legacy of the 1960s has to reckon with Charles Manson, who died Sunday at the age of 83. Manson was a human monster whose sole talent was being able to identify the most loathsome potentials of that decade’s zeitgeist and bend them to his own hideous will. Tue, 21 Nov 2017 22:58:37 -0000 full Slate Any honest accounting of the cultural legacy of the 1960s has to reckon with Charles Manson, who died Sunday at the age of 83. Manson was a human monster whose sole talent was being able to identify the most loathsome potentials of that decade’s zeitgeist and bend them to his own hideous will. 517 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/the_messy_scripture_on_display_at_the_museum_of_the_bible.html Last week, the Museum of the Bible opened in Washington, D.C. When the museum was first conceived, it was intended to “inspire confidence in the absolute authority and reliability of the Bible,” according to documents filed in 2010. But then, scholarship and dialogue intervened. Tue, 21 Nov 2017 22:39:15 -0000 full Slate Last week, the Museum of the Bible opened in Washington, D.C. When the museum was first conceived, it was intended to “inspire confidence in the absolute authority and reliability of the Bible,” according to documents filed in 2010. But then, scholarship and dialogue intervened. 419 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/11/it_s_time_for_online_media_to_pivot_from_advertising.html Print media has been in decline for more than 15 years, its business model obsolesced by the ubiquity of free online content and the rise of online advertising. But all was not lost: The internet brought with it exciting new opportunities and forms. Eventually, one assumed, it would also bring exciting new revenue structures to replace the ones it had undermined. Tue, 21 Nov 2017 19:28:19 -0000 full Slate Print media has been in decline for more than 15 years, its business model obsolesced by the ubiquity of free online content and the rise of online advertising. But all was not lost: The internet brought with it exciting new opportunities and forms. Eventually, one assumed, it would also bring exciting new revenue structures to replace the ones it had undermined. 610 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_good_fight/2017/11/germany_s_coalition_talks_collapse_threatening_stability.html Thanks to Donald Trump and his merry band of mall predators, the United States is, of course, still in a class of its own. But the chaos has quickly spread to other countries as well. Britain is hurtling toward a hard Brexit under the leadership of a terminally weakened prime minister. Tue, 21 Nov 2017 19:13:06 -0000 full Slate Thanks to Donald Trump and his merry band of mall predators, the United States is, of course, still in a class of its own. But the chaos has quickly spread to other countries as well. Britain is hurtling toward a hard Brexit under the leadership of a terminally weakened prime minister. 538 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/the_trump_tower_in_panama_may_have_been_used_to_launder_drug_money_from.html Donald Trump has made little effort to hide the fact that, as president, he continues to profit off the dozens of properties either that he owns or that bear his name. According to a new report by the anti-corruption organization Global Witness, some of those profits may include money that was laundered by Colombian drug cartels through a Panama property carrying the Trump brand. Tue, 21 Nov 2017 12:34:12 -0000 full Slate Donald Trump has made little effort to hide the fact that, as president, he continues to profit off the dozens of properties either that he owns or that bear his name. According to a new report by the anti-corruption organization Global Witness, some of those profits may include money that was laundered by Colombian drug cartels through a Panama property carrying the Trump brand. 604 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/19/the_official_trailer_for_a_wrinkle_in_time_has_arrived.html Disney released the first official trailer for Ava DuVernay’s adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time on Sunday night—that last one was just a teaser—and this time around they’re focusing on the thing we want most from trailers: exposition, and lots of it! The first minute or so of the teaser is built around an explanation of fifth-dimensional travel involving an ant and a piece of yarn. Tue, 21 Nov 2017 12:33:21 -0000 full Slate Disney released the first official trailer for Ava DuVernay’s adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time on Sunday night—that last one was just a teaser—and this time around they’re focusing on the thing we want most from trailers: exposition, and lots of it! The first minute or so of the teaser is built around an explanation of fifth-dimensional travel involving an ant and a piece of yarn. 155 no http://slate.com/double-x/2017/11/56-people-shared-stories-of-the-gray-area-sexual-encounters-they-cant-forget.html Our current cultural moment has provoked an unprecedented excavation of the female memory. Recollections of violations large and small, thoroughly traumatizing and mildly annoying, top-of-mind and all but forgotten, have poured onto the internet like a million leaks from an ancient, overfilled vessel. Many have seen themselves in the stories of alleged abuse by Harvey Weinstein, Louis C.K. Mon, 20 Nov 2017 17:26:21 -0000 full Slate Our current cultural moment has provoked an unprecedented excavation of the female memory. Recollections of violations large and small, thoroughly traumatizing and mildly annoying, top-of-mind and all but forgotten, have poured onto the internet like a million leaks from an ancient, overfilled vessel. Many have seen themselves in the stories of alleged abuse by Harvey Weinstein, Louis C.K. 2588 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/11/twitter_may_make_it_easier_to_tweetstorm_must_it.html The Twitter thread, also known as the tweetstorm and the Twitter essay, has had a big year. Virginia Heffernan argued in Politico that the thread is the literary form of 2017. And now TechCrunch confirms that the service is testing a feature that would make it easier to tweetstorm. Twitter’s tradition of following the lead of its users has benefited the service mightily over the years—that’s how we got the hashtag, for example. Mon, 20 Nov 2017 12:35:19 -0000 full Slate The Twitter thread, also known as the tweetstorm and the Twitter essay, has had a big year. Virginia Heffernan argued in Politico that the thread is the literary form of 2017. And now TechCrunch confirms that the service is testing a feature that would make it easier to tweetstorm. Twitter’s tradition of following the lead of its users has benefited the service mightily over the years—that’s how we got the hashtag, for example. 225 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/the_public_should_have_the_right_to_see_police_body_camera_footage.html The video is said to be graphic. Taken by an officer’s body-worn camera, it apparently shows a man crawling toward the officer, looking confused. The man makes a “quick movement”—maybe it’s a move to pull up his shorts, maybe it looks like he’s about to pull out a gun—and the officer shoots him to death. Mon, 20 Nov 2017 12:34:18 -0000 full Slate The video is said to be graphic. Taken by an officer’s body-worn camera, it apparently shows a man crawling toward the officer, looking confused. The man makes a “quick movement”—maybe it’s a move to pull up his shorts, maybe it looks like he’s about to pull out a gun—and the officer shoots him to death. 612 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/13/amazon_announces_lord_of_the_rings_tv_series.html Given that Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy won a combined 17 Oscars and, when you throw in the three Hobbit movies, grossed nearly $6 billion worldwide, you would think that the entertainment industry might be inclined to leave it way-more-than-well-enough alone. Mon, 20 Nov 2017 12:33:18 -0000 full Slate Given that Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy won a combined 17 Oscars and, when you throw in the three Hobbit movies, grossed nearly $6 billion worldwide, you would think that the entertainment industry might be inclined to leave it way-more-than-well-enough alone. 158 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/better_life_lab/2017/11/17/why_young_latinas_are_struggling_to_stay_in_school_and_what_s_being_done.html Clocking 52 hours a week at $9.50 an hour to supplement her mom’s housecleaning income left Arredondo little time for homework throughout her high school years. And it showed. Her grades fell and she almost failed to graduate—just like 52 percent of her classmates. Yet just six weeks after she enrolled in a program that helps children who live in poverty remain in school, Arredondo is giddy with the thought that she will soon don a cap and gown. Fri, 17 Nov 2017 19:59:32 -0000 full Slate Clocking 52 hours a week at $9.50 an hour to supplement her mom’s housecleaning income left Arredondo little time for homework throughout her high school years. And it showed. Her grades fell and she almost failed to graduate—just like 52 percent of her classmates. Yet just six weeks after she enrolled in a program that helps children who live in poverty remain in school, Arredondo is giddy with the thought that she will soon don a cap and gown. 353 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/11/testing_makeapp_the_app_that_removes_women_s_makeup_on_its_inventor_ashot.html In the tradition of those Snapchat filters that give your skin an added glow and FaceApp, the less said about which the better, comes MakeApp, an app that uses artificial intelligence to show you what people—you, your friends, celebrities, anyone—look like without makeup. There are of course plenty of apps that stack various filters in order to self-beautify, and MakeApp offers the option of adding makeup to a face, too. Fri, 17 Nov 2017 12:35:14 -0000 full Slate In the tradition of those Snapchat filters that give your skin an added glow and FaceApp, the less said about which the better, comes MakeApp, an app that uses artificial intelligence to show you what people—you, your friends, celebrities, anyone—look like without makeup. There are of course plenty of apps that stack various filters in order to self-beautify, and MakeApp offers the option of adding makeup to a face, too. 197 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/democrats_sound_the_alarm_on_the_tax_bill.html Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer do not often begin their weeks with urgent, joint press conferences. The two congressional minority leaders did this week, though, delivering grave warnings about the Republican tax plan that is currently barreling its way through Congress despite the best efforts of Democrats. Fri, 17 Nov 2017 12:34:15 -0000 full Slate Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer do not often begin their weeks with urgent, joint press conferences. The two congressional minority leaders did this week, though, delivering grave warnings about the Republican tax plan that is currently barreling its way through Congress despite the best efforts of Democrats. 504 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/16/super_deluxe_found_a_way_to_make_tomi_lahren_tolerable.html Tomi Lahren, the conservative commentator who lost her job at The Blaze this spring when she came out as pro-choice—only to immediately fail upwards to Fox News—isn’t for everyone. Ideally, she wouldn’t be for anyone, but there will always be a market for upwardly mobile young people assuring downwardly mobile old people that they’re right to be angry. Still, even in that godforsaken genre, her mean-girl sarcasm can be pretty hard to sit through. Fri, 17 Nov 2017 12:33:13 -0000 full Slate Tomi Lahren, the conservative commentator who lost her job at The Blaze this spring when she came out as pro-choice—only to immediately fail upwards to Fox News—isn’t for everyone. Ideally, she wouldn’t be for anyone, but there will always be a market for upwardly mobile young people assuring downwardly mobile old people that they’re right to be angry. Still, even in that godforsaken genre, her mean-girl sarcasm can be pretty hard to sit through. 152 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/al_franken_should_resign_immediately.html On Thursday morning, Los Angeles radio host Leeann Tweeden wrote a disturbing article alleging that Sen. Al Franken sexually harassed her on a 2006 USO tour. According to Tweeden, Franken coerced her into “rehearsing” a kiss for a skit, then forcefully stuck his tongue in her mouth. She also provided a photograph of Franken appearing to grope her while she slept. Thu, 16 Nov 2017 22:55:36 -0000 full Slate On Thursday morning, Los Angeles radio host Leeann Tweeden wrote a disturbing article alleging that Sen. Al Franken sexually harassed her on a 2006 USO tour. According to Tweeden, Franken coerced her into “rehearsing” a kiss for a skit, then forcefully stuck his tongue in her mouth. She also provided a photograph of Franken appearing to grope her while she slept. 355 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/better_life_lab/2017/11/16/mothers_juggle_child_care_while_looking_for_work.html In New York, an unemployed mother left her two children in the car, air conditioning on, while she went in LaGuardia Airport for a job interview. The children were fine but told the cop who discovered them they didn’t know where their mom was. Local authorities stepped in, and the mug shot of the mother made its way across the country. Caitlin Mahoney knows the frustration that comes from not being able to find work. Thu, 16 Nov 2017 22:43:34 -0000 full Slate In New York, an unemployed mother left her two children in the car, air conditioning on, while she went in LaGuardia Airport for a job interview. The children were fine but told the cop who discovered them they didn’t know where their mom was. Local authorities stepped in, and the mug shot of the mother made its way across the country. Caitlin Mahoney knows the frustration that comes from not being able to find work. 352 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/11/16/it_s_astonishing_that_it_took_this_long_for_the_bill_clinton_moment_of_reckoning.html One of the many remarkable things about this cavalcade of comeuppance for sexual abusers and harassers is that it’s taking down men who once seemed untouchable to the media in part because they were on the right team: editors and executives at media outlets beloved by progressives, actors and comedians who were the faces of prestige TV shows, Democratic donors. Having “good” politics, it turns out, isn’t the same thing as having good sexual politics. Thu, 16 Nov 2017 22:28:01 -0000 full Slate One of the many remarkable things about this cavalcade of comeuppance for sexual abusers and harassers is that it’s taking down men who once seemed untouchable to the media in part because they were on the right team: editors and executives at media outlets beloved by progressives, actors and comedians who were the faces of prestige TV shows, Democratic donors. Having “good” politics, it turns out, isn’t the same thing as having good sexual politics. 345 no http://slate.com/business/2017/11/east-palo-alto-evicts-rvs-on-city-streets-near-site-of-mark-zuckerbergs-new-school.html The city of East Palo Alto, California, sent a tow truck on Wednesday morning to haul away a dozen RVs in which homeless families have been living. The tow truck was met by a crowd of protesters, who blocked its way and helped push broken RVs into new curbside parking spaces where they would be safe from the eviction order issued by the city. The San Jose Mercury News called the move “a crackdown on the new mode of low-income housing in the Bay Area. Thu, 16 Nov 2017 22:05:34 -0000 full Slate The city of East Palo Alto, California, sent a tow truck on Wednesday morning to haul away a dozen RVs in which homeless families have been living. The tow truck was met by a crowd of protesters, who blocked its way and helped push broken RVs into new curbside parking spaces where they would be safe from the eviction order issued by the city. The San Jose Mercury News called the move “a crackdown on the new mode of low-income housing in the Bay Area. 160 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/11/why_i_returned_my_iphone_x.html This article originally appeared in Select All. Getting my hands on an iPhone X was hard. Returning it was easy. I waited in line at the World Trade Center Apple Store, using my rusty German to listen in on an Austrian father and his two sons talk over whether to buy one or two iPhone 8s while visiting New York and taking advantage of cheaper American prices. (They settled on one. Thu, 16 Nov 2017 12:35:11 -0000 full Slate This article originally appeared in Select All. Getting my hands on an iPhone X was hard. Returning it was easy. I waited in line at the World Trade Center Apple Store, using my rusty German to listen in on an Austrian father and his two sons talk over whether to buy one or two iPhone 8s while visiting New York and taking advantage of cheaper American prices. (They settled on one. 271 no http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/the_mountain_of_evidence_against_roy_moore.html Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Alabama, swears he’s innocent. “The people of Alabama know me. They know my character. They know what I have stood for in the political world for over 40 years,” Moore declared Monday night, after a fifth woman came forward to accuse him of sexually targeting her while she was a teenager (saying Moore assaulted her when she was 16). “I can tell you without hesitation this is absolutely false. Thu, 16 Nov 2017 12:34:18 -0000 full Slate Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Alabama, swears he’s innocent. “The people of Alabama know me. They know my character. They know what I have stood for in the political world for over 40 years,” Moore declared Monday night, after a fifth woman came forward to accuse him of sexually targeting her while she was a teenager (saying Moore assaulted her when she was 16). “I can tell you without hesitation this is absolutely false. 590 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/11/15/jeff_sessions_won_t_answer_questions_about_his_pot_of_gold.html Usually, running news clips of Trump administration officials doing bad things is more of the Daily Show’s beat than Jimmy Kimmel’s, but on Tuesday night, the host got his hands on some footage of Attorney General Jeff Sessions that was so damaging he had no choice. Thu, 16 Nov 2017 12:33:13 -0000 full Slate Usually, running news clips of Trump administration officials doing bad things is more of the Daily Show’s beat than Jimmy Kimmel’s, but on Tuesday night, the host got his hands on some footage of Attorney General Jeff Sessions that was so damaging he had no choice. 97 no http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/11/climate_litigation_needs_to_become_a_mass_movement.html Things are not going well for the Earth. It goes well beyond the Trump administration’s decision to eventually leave the Paris Agreement and Scott Pruitt’s purge of the Environmental Protection Agency’s scientific experts. Even non-American efforts to curb climate change aren’t going so well: Newly released data from the World Meteorological Organization reveal a record increase in average global concentrations of CO between 2015 and 2016. Wed, 15 Nov 2017 22:58:45 -0000 full Slate Things are not going well for the Earth. It goes well beyond the Trump administration’s decision to eventually leave the Paris Agreement and Scott Pruitt’s purge of the Environmental Protection Agency’s scientific experts. Even non-American efforts to curb climate change aren’t going so well: Newly released data from the World Meteorological Organization reveal a record increase in average global concentrations of CO between 2015 and 2016. 495 no http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2017/11/what_to_do_if_you_have_a_stent.html Every so often, a new study comes along that challenges conventional wisdom in medicine or science. When the conditions are right, these studies can generate a lot of attention in both the popular press and the medical community. In early November, one of these such studies, called the ORBITA study, was published in the Lancet by a group of cardiologists. Wed, 15 Nov 2017 22:37:30 -0000 full Slate Every so often, a new study comes along that challenges conventional wisdom in medicine or science. When the conditions are right, these studies can generate a lot of attention in both the popular press and the medical community. In early November, one of these such studies, called the ORBITA study, was published in the Lancet by a group of cardiologists. 408 no http://slate.com/business/2017/11/gop-tax-plan-permanent-cuts-for-corporations-temporary-for-everyone-else.html The latest version of the Senate tax plan can more or less be summed up in 10 words: temporary tax cuts for families. Permanent tax cuts for corporations. This is the politically awkward workaround Republicans have settled on in order to move their bill forward with a party-line vote. In the best-case scenario for taxpayers, it’ll be nothing but an on-paper charade meant to satisfy the Senate’s restrictions against bills that add to the long-term deficit. Wed, 15 Nov 2017 22:14:02 -0000 full Slate The latest version of the Senate tax plan can more or less be summed up in 10 words: temporary tax cuts for families. Permanent tax cuts for corporations. This is the politically awkward workaround Republicans have settled on in order to move their bill forward with a party-line vote. In the best-case scenario for taxpayers, it’ll be nothing but an on-paper charade meant to satisfy the Senate’s restrictions against bills that add to the long-term deficit. 186 no http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/11/15/the_fall_of_mugabe_zimbabwean_strongman_arrested_by_his_own_military.html Zimbabwe’s military has put President Robert Mugabe under house arrest after a night of uncertainty and conflicting reports. Mugabe’s confinement was confirmed by South African President Jacob Zuma, who spoke with him by phone this morning. It is a stunning turn of events for the world’s oldest head of state, who has kept an iron grip on power since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980. Wed, 15 Nov 2017 22:05:56 -0000 full Slate Zimbabwe’s military has put President Robert Mugabe under house arrest after a night of uncertainty and conflicting reports. Mugabe’s confinement was confirmed by South African President Jacob Zuma, who spoke with him by phone this morning. It is a stunning turn of events for the world’s oldest head of state, who has kept an iron grip on power since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980. 175 no http://slate.com/business/2017/11/bill-gates-smart-city-in-arizona-is-not-smart-not-a-city-and-has-almost-nothing-to-do-with-bill-gates.html Here are some things you should know about the smart city Bill Gates is building in Phoenix. It’s not a city, nor is it “smart,” nor does the Microsoft founder appear to be involved in any meaningful way. And when outlets like CNBC say it’s in Phoenix, well… the plot of land in question is some 40 miles west of Phoenix, on the western edge of the metropolis’s westernmost suburb. Wed, 15 Nov 2017 16:04:50 -0000 full Slate Here are some things you should know about the smart city Bill Gates is building in Phoenix. It’s not a city, nor is it “smart,” nor does the Microsoft founder appear to be involved in any meaningful way. And when outlets like CNBC say it’s in Phoenix, well… the plot of land in question is some 40 miles west of Phoenix, on the western edge of the metropolis’s westernmost suburb. 504 no http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/11/my_dumb_tweet_about_owl_orgasms_and_socialism_went_viral.html The way I saw Twitter began to change around 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, when I saw a dumb libertarian meme pop up on my Twitter timeline. Wed, 15 Nov 2017 12:35:19 -0000 full Slate The way I saw Twitter began to change around 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, when I saw a dumb libertarian meme pop up on my Twitter timeline. 421 no