The votes were counted last night, and: Two Colorado Democrats who provided crucial support for a package of state gun laws were voted out of office on Tuesday in special elections seen as a test of whether swing-state voters would accept gun restrictions after mass shootings at a Colorado movie theater and a Connecticut elementary […]
Eli Sanders
Eli Sanders is The Stranger's associate editor. His book, "While the City Slept," was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. He once did this and once won this, but he also once crashed his bike into a parked car while on his way to a staff meeting, never mind this, so… His website, which probably hasn't been updated in a while, is www.elisanders.net.
Posted inPolitics
Michelle Obama Also Worried About Syria Intervention?
President Obama, speaking to NBC: If you ask Michelle, “Do we want to be involved in another war?”, the answer is “No.” Although maybe there is now a way out.
Posted inPolitics
What Is Obama Thinking on Syria?
He’ll be telling the nation tomorrow night. In the meantime, Andrew Sullivan recommends reading the transcript of Obama’s press conference at the G20 summit in Russia, which includes this: My goal is to maintain the international norm on banning chemical weapons. I want that enforcement to be real. I want it to be serious. I […]
Posted inPolitics
“There has never been a successful humanitarian intervention.”
So said the editors of N + 1 back in 2011. To which Isaac Chotiner of The New Republic, amid the background of the Syria debate, now replies: “N + 1 is wrong. There have been successful humanitarian interventions.” The ensuing Twitter discussion is worth a look. And the whole thing seems worthy of a […]
Posted inPolitics
Does This Re-Written War Authorization Change How You Feel About Attacking Syria?
Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution to attack Syria, but added some constraints on how President Obama would be able to do it: The approved resolution would limit strikes against the Syrian government to 60 days, with the possibility of 30 more days upon consultation with Congress, and it would specifically block […]
Posted inPolitics
Why Did the British Government Detain Glenn Greenwald’s Partner?
People are demanding answers: David Michael Miranda, a Brazilian citizen and the partner of the American journalist Glenn Greenwald, who lives in Brazil, was held Sunday at London’s Heathrow Airport for nine hours, the maximum allowed by law, before being released without charge. He said Monday that all of his electronic equipment, including his laptop […]
Posted inLGBTQIA+
Some Lawbreakers the Russians Have Overlooked
Spotted by Colbert: You go to jail in Russia for being gay. Someone better arrest those nesting dolls. They’re ladies inside other ladies!— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) August 15, 2013
Posted inSports
Should America’s Olympic Athletes Wave Gay Pride Flags in Russia?
YES, say Frank Bruni and Sen. Charles Schumer. It’s a perfect symbolic protest that will reach millions of viewers around the world while mocking and embarrassing Russia’s leaders. But hang on… The creator of the gay pride flag, Gilbert Baker, says NO. The flag, according to Baker, should not be used to help the Olympics […]
Posted inDrugs
Holder Moves Against Mandatory Minimums
As mentioned in Good Morning News: With federal prisons running 40 percent above capacity, and the United States now home to 25 percent of all prisoners held in the entire world, Attorney General Eric Holder is announcing today that something needs to change: In a major shift in criminal justice policy, the Obama administration will […]
Posted inPolitics
The Republican Effort to Sabotage Obamacare
Norm Ornstein says it’s unprecedented. For three years, Republicans in the Senate refused to confirm anybody to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services… in order to damage the possibility of a smooth rollout of the health reform plan. Guerrilla efforts to cut off funding, dozens of votes to repeal, abusive comments by leaders, […]
Posted in$$$
A New Economic Agenda from Obama
He’s rolling it out this week: Mr. Obama’s offensive will begin on Wednesday in Galesburg, Ill., with what his aides are saying will be a major address on economic policy at Knox College… White House officials liken Wednesday’s speech to one he gave in 2011 in Osawatomie, Kan., where he articulated the theme of economic […]