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Roundup Top 10!


When Presidents Think About Defying the Courts

by Jeff Shesol

Jackson, Lincoln, Nixon, and even Jefferson defied the courts. FDR thought about doing it.


Steve Bannon’s Shout-Out to a Left-Wing Terror Group

by Ronald Radosh

In a rip-roaring speech at a rally in New York, Trump’s top adviser channeled one of the 20th century’s most controversial leftist groups.


Uncovering the roots of racist ideas in America

by Ibram X. Kendi

Lacking patriotism is not the root of racist ideas. But neither is ignorance and hate, as Americans are taught so often during Black History Month.


Frederick Douglass, Refugee

by David Blight

Throughout modern history, the millions forced to flee as refugees and beg for asylum have felt Douglass’s agony, and thought his thoughts.


The History the Slaveholders Wanted Us to Forget

by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Knowledge of Africa can refute stereotypes about black people and show our shared humanity.


How to Tame Donald Trump

by John A. Farrell

A lesson for the opposition, from Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Richard Nixon.


Scott Pruitt Will Make America Great Again — For Polluters

by Bill Moyers

In this exclusive web essay, Bill Moyers takes on President Trump’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency: Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt.


Don't listen to the complainers on the religious right. We need the Johnson Amendment.

by Randall Balmer

By complaining about the supposed limitations on their free speech, the religious right fails to acknowledge that tax exemption is a form of public subsidy.


Trump bows to Russia again

by Max Boot

Republicans once scorned 'moral relativism,' but now they defend it.


Who Will Ever Tell Trump No? And if Someone Does, Will He Listen?

by Jeff Greenfield

LBJ’s SecDef manned up and told him Vietnam wasn’t winnable. He actually changed course. Could we picture a) anyone telling Trump a grim truth, and b) him listening?


What Tames Inequality? Violence and Mayhem

by Walter Scheidel

Land reform, democracy, education, and technological change do not reliably lessen inequality. Only war does.