Life would be better with more trains
America needs more trains, and we need faster trains. It'd be good for all of us, and it might be good for democracy.
Latest
How ICE turned into what it is today
ICE has always been bad, but it's worse than it's ever been. Radley Balko explains how we got here.
Manufactured problems
The Trump administration continues to create new problems for no good reason.
Kevin Kruse on the history of populist backlashes
Kevin Kruse explains how Americans have pushed back against the rich throughout history.
Enemies domestic
The president's paramilitary forces are waging war against American citizens. These people will need to be held accountable.
How algorithms broke the news
A lot of people are getting their news from social media these days. That's causing some problems.
The mass shooter regime
An ICE agent killed a woman, and it's emblematic of an administration that celebrates violence.
Chris Geidner on how 2026 could upend the legal system
Legal reporter Chris Geidner thinks 2026 will be a stress test for the law and the Constitution.
We might just survive this catastrophe
As Trump's first year comes to a close, it's looking like American democracy might survive his second term.
How we can make the internet good again
Techdirt founder Mike Masnick has some ideas for how we can make the internet better.
I'm tired of being governed by losers
From the White House to Silicon Valley, the lamest people on the planet are holding onto the reins of power.
Free speech won't defend itself
Free speech needs an ally, and the left can fill that role.
science
How climate change is moving populations
Climate change is becoming increasingly relevant when Americans are making decisions about where to live.
politics
Crimes against humanity
We need to make a bigger issue of what happened to the world when Elon Musk decimated USAID.
technology
Trump is all-in on AI. That could end terribly.
Trump is placing a big bet on AI. He's betting the entire U.S. economy.
politics
We need to talk about JD
Not nearly enough news coverage has focused on JD Vance's influences and his extreme views.
politics
An isolated nightmare
An international perspective on what's happening in the United States.
travel
Heading home
The end of a long journey.
history
Joanne Freeman on what the Democrats can learn from the Founders
What lessons should we take from the Founders today?
politics
Can you control America?
America is a big, complicated country. What does it take to rule it with an iron fist?
politics
How to stay somewhat sane under authoritarianism
Some things we can all do to stay sane during these tumultuous times.
politics
Republicans want to protect free speech for themselves and no one else
The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress continue to attack free speech in numerous ways.
technology
The threat of mass surveillance under Trump
The Trump administration is collecting our data to realize its authoritarian goals.
history
What the Red Scare can teach us today
Many of the things that happened during the Red Scare mirror what's happening today.