Every party needs a nominee, and to advance their views, and oppose the views of Trumpism’s nativist horde, these Democrats have chosen Biden. A year ago, Trump’s pressure campaign against Ukraine made clear how much Trump worried over Biden’s possible nomination. In Biden’s acceptance speech last night, one can see why Trump selfishly worried about Biden, but…
America
America, Democrats, Never Trump, Trump
The Democratic National Convention 2020, Third Night: The Case Against Trump and for a Better America
by JOHN ADAMS •
In one night, through two speakers, the Democrats succinctly made their case against Donald Trump (through Barack Obama) and for an alternative (through Kamala Harris). There have been, we may be grateful, few times that America has faced so existential a threat as Trumpism. No one would envy us these times; no caring person would…
America, Democrats, Liberty, Never Trump, Trump
The Democratic National Convention 2020, Second Night: The Roll Call Vote That Looks Like America
by JOHN ADAMS •
Under the threat from Trumpism, the Democrats of this convention have built a coalition, of themselves supportive independents, that looks like America. In their roll call vote last night, one saw the success of their efforts. Those opposed to Trump might have wilted under pressure from the power of the federal executive branch, but they…
America, Coronavirus, Democrats, Libertarians, Liberty, Never Trump, Trump
The Democratic National Convention 2020, First Night: Kristin Urquiza Remembers Her Father
by JOHN ADAMS •
So, the Democrats held the first night of their audiovisual convention Monday night. There were, watching, millions of us who are not Democrats, but are yet resolved and confirmed against Trump his autocratic nativism. Although some like us have melted away, for the remnant of which we are a part Never Trump means never Trump. We…
America, Culture, Documentary, Film, History, Race
A Black Cowboy’s Story
by JOHN ADAMS •
Cowboys are among the most iconic figures of the American West. They’re mythologized as strong, independent people who live and die by their own terms on the frontier. And in movies, the people who play them are mostly white. But as with many elements of Americana, the idea of who cowboys are is actually whitewashed…
America, Elections, History, Politics
The Convention Bounce
by JOHN ADAMS •
America, Equality, History, John Lewis, Justice, Law, Liberty, Race
Wake up!
by JOHN ADAMS •
America, Coronavirus, Public Health
Mask Usage: Across America and in Wisconsin
by JOHN ADAMS •
Josh Katz, Margot Sanger-Katz, and Kevin Quealy report A Detailed Map of Who Is Wearing Masks in the U.S.: In some American neighborhoods, it’s hard to spot even one person outside without a face covering. In others, your odds of seeing many maskless people are quite high. Public health officials believe that face coverings can…
America, Coronavirus, History, Public Health, Trump
America Behind the World
by JOHN ADAMS •
Paul Waldman looks at covid-19 cases from Monday, 7.13.20: Let’s begin with the situation in other countries. Here are new case totals from Monday for a few of our peer countries: France: 580 UK: 564 Spain: 546 Germany: 365 Canada: 299 Japan: 259 Italy: 200 Australia: 158 South Korea: 52 And the United States? 55,300.…
America, History, Holiday
Happy Independence Day 2020
by JOHN ADAMS •
America, Military, Trump, Unfit
America Shouldn’t Name Her Military Bases After Traitors
by JOHN ADAMS •
America, Police, Protests, Race, Trump
Why Now?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Social historians, looking at the many protests against police violence (protests taking place across America and in other countries) will be able (if imprecisely) to assess the motivations of these recent events. Of two things one can be confident, without being a historian: these protests are in response to specific acts of law-enforcement violence, with…
America, Politics, Poll, Trump
Trump’s Undersized Base
by JOHN ADAMS •
Polling from Morning Consult illustrates well the limitations of Trump’s base-only strategy: his support (base and supportive voters) represents less than needed for re-election. That support is, in fact, notably consistent in its inadequacy: Over many months, including before the brunt of the pandemic, Trump has been stuck in a weak position. This does not…