Recently, I shared a the story at DownWithTyranny about how I first met Madonna backstage at Madison Square Garden. She was donating the night’s concert proceeds— a million dollars— to an AIDS charity. I was really impressed by her gesture and it opened me up to listening to her music.Continue Reading
Let’s talk for a moment about public safety in Austin. The argument for Prop A – the GOP-backed initiative to force the city of Austin to hire 500+ more police officers – is premised on the notion that Texas’ capital has become uniquely dangerous as a result of the cityContinue Reading
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg issued a 56-page report disputing the findings of federal bail monitors overseeing the settlement agreement between plaintiffs and the county. Her arguments are so disingenuous, it’s a bit tiresome to go through them for rebuttal. But since the Houston Chronicle editorial board recently anointedContinue Reading
Republicans pounced. They had a new issue that exemplified the crazy leftist policies of the Joe Biden administration. If it isn’t gas stoves, it’s M&M’s of suspect sexuality. And if it’s not M&M’s, it’s imaginary characters in books and movies., Read MoreContinue Reading
When it comes to learning history in schools, Florida’s state government is afraid knowledge will lead to power., Read MoreContinue Reading
This year marks the Innocence Project’s 30th anniversary, and it has been one filled with powerful moments that were skillfully captured on camera. From the campaign to stop Melissa Lucio’s execution to the exonerations of Mallory Nicholson, John Galvan, and Herman Williams, these events not only reflect milestone achievements butContinue Reading
Seeking revenge for anti-corruption efforts, Guatemala’s powerful far right is further isolating the country amid a progressive wave in Latin America., Read MoreContinue Reading
As the Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight, the West has chosen to ratchet up the conflict., Read MoreContinue Reading
Though racism may serve as the calling card for the white nationalist America First movement led by Nick Fuentes, you might say misogyny is its cornerstone. During his campaign for county clerk in Macomb County, Michigan, a woman claimed that Alex Roncelli—a “groyper” in the white nationalist America First movementContinue Reading
Thirty-three years ago, Raymond Santana and Kevin Richardson — both 14 at the time — entered Central Park not knowing their lives would be changed forever. The boys were ultimately wrongly convicted of an attack on a jogger in the park that took place that night, together with three other teensContinue Reading
Yesterday on Twitter, Herschel Walker agreed with some far right sociopath that people born after 1990 (so anyone 32 and under), saying that– presumably unlike himself– “most of them haven’t earned a right to change America” and that people have given their life up for the national anthem… If youContinue Reading
Speeding with light and sirens is among the most dangerous things police officers do on the job, and about as likely to get officers or civilians killed as gunplay. Over the last couple of decades, this blog has documented efforts to reduce those deaths via policy tweaks and new technology.Continue Reading
Your correspondent has not been writing here recently because I’m in the process of evaluating the continued effectiveness of making fact-based arguments on public-policy topics. Texas politics no longer seems to value facts, so I’m not sure what benefit there is from discussing them. Hewing to them just makes oneContinue Reading