In a speech before parliament (House of Commons) in 1826, John Hobhouse first coined the phrase, The Loyal Opposition. Predicated on the idea that a functioning democracy requires it's legislative bodies to be able to voice their dissent without fear of accusations of treason, it entered the lexicon as a specific term regarding British governmental … Continue reading A Farewell to Better Angels
Trump
Candy Cummings, Donald Trump: Closer Than You Think
I first started to think about this piece during the primaries, in late 2015. Listening to a friend (Jim) rail away on the tragicomic nature of a Trump candidacy I couldn't help but try to find an upside to what was, admittedly, the odd combination of amusement and anxiety that the thought of a possible … Continue reading Candy Cummings, Donald Trump: Closer Than You Think
Tyler Kepner: Trump’s Best Hope For 2020
Since last November I've had more than a few people attempt to explain the election to me in terms remarkably unflattering to Trump supporters. These moments have been, in no particular ratio, confusing, amusing and enraging. It's also been a persistent reminder of the intractable nature of the polarizing populism we're suffering from as a … Continue reading Tyler Kepner: Trump’s Best Hope For 2020