“Extremism” as a Ticket to Tyrannize by James Bovard “Extremists” are one of the famous bogeymen that American politicians invoke to sanctify their own power. But the definition of “extremism” has forever been in flux. The only consistent element in definitions of extremism is that politicians always win. In the 1770s, people who suggested that […]
Tag Archives | Lyndon Johnson
USA TODAY: Neither Trump Nor Biden Deserve Honeymoon from Cynicism
USA TODAY, October 31, 2020 Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden deserve a honeymoon from cynicism by James Bovard “The biggest threat to our democracy is cynicism,” declared former president Barack Obama two years ago. But as we enter the final days of another demagoguery-drenched presidential campaign, it is time to give cynicism the credit it […]
The Voting Rights Mirage
American Conservative, October 19, 2020 The Voting Rights Mirage by James Bovard The most dangerous political illusion is that votes limit politicians’ power. Americans have been endlessly hectored in recent months to cast their votes in the presidential election. But trusting ballots to leash either Donald Trump or Joe Biden would be the ultimate triumph […]
Veterans Day: The Lost Soldier I Met at the Baltimore Bus Station
Baltimore Sun, November 9, 2018 On Veterans Day, I remember ‘Bobie’ from Baltimore by James Bovard Veterans Day is a time for parades and tributes to those who served in America’s armed services. But most celebrations ignore the human carnage that inevitably follows when politicians send their fellow citizens off to foreign wars. Considering the […]
Podcast: Hitchhiking to an Antiwar Awakening
Here’s the 7 minute story of how my hitchhiking follies led to my antiwar awakening via a drunken Vietnam war vet in a desolate, dicey Baltimore bus station. I welcome critical feedback on how to notch up future podcasts. Just a little overlap between the video and my oped last week in the Baltimore Sun […]
FFF: Pro-War Media Deserve Criticism, Not Sainthood
Future of Freedom Foundation The Pro-War Media Deserve Criticism, Not Sainthood by James Bovard June 20, 2018 The media nowadays are busy congratulating themselves for their vigorous criticism of Donald Trump. To exploit that surge of sanctimony, Hollywood producer Steven Spielberg rushed out The Post, a movie depicting an epic press battle with the Nixon […]
The Hill: A Politically Weaponized FBI is Plenty Dangerous
The Hill, June 13, 2018 A politically weaponized FBI is nothing new, but plenty dangerous by James Bovard The Justice Department Inspector General is expected to release on Thursday its report on alleged FBI misconduct during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump supporters and opponents are already pre-spinning the report to vindicate or undercut the president. […]
