The Mostly Mainstream Foreign Policy of Rand Paul

One thing you can say about Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is that he’s a crafty politician. His thirteen-hour filibuster to protest President Obama’s nomination of National Security Advisor John Brennan as CIA chief caused a stir across the political spectrum. Paul’s action was the high point of the brief debate about Obama’s reliance on drones … Continue reading “The Mostly Mainstream Foreign Policy of Rand Paul”

Ten Years After Iraq War, Neo-Cons Struggle to Hold Republicans

Ten years after reaching the height of their influence with the invasion of Iraq, the neo-conservatives and other right-wing hawks are fighting hard to retain their control of the Republican Party. That fight was on vivid display last week at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) here where, as the New York Times observed in … Continue reading “Ten Years After Iraq War, Neo-Cons Struggle to Hold Republicans”

The Politics of Anti-Interventionism

The response to Rand Paul’s historic filibuster continues to generate waves – I keep calling it "historic," and I know some of my more skeptical readers think I’m simply being hysteric, and yet… I have never listened to Rush Limbaugh’s radio program, but perhaps I should start. Because I do read Conor Friedersdorf, I discovered … Continue reading “The Politics of Anti-Interventionism”

Rand Paul’s Drone Crusade Needs a Slight Adjustment

The media seemed to treat Rand Paul’s query to Attorney General Eric Holder about the targeting with drones of U.S. citizens on American soil as kinda kooky – that is, implying that it could never happen in the great United States. Nationalistic war hawks, such as Senators Lindsay Graham and John McCain, also pooh poohed … Continue reading “Rand Paul’s Drone Crusade Needs a Slight Adjustment”

Rand’s Stand

Last week, something exciting happened in U.S. politics. It was exciting in itself, and even if nothing else had come of it, it still would have been exciting. But what made it even more exciting is what followed – the reaction to this event that various people at various parts of the political spectrum had. … Continue reading “Rand’s Stand”

Who Speaks Now for the GOP?

Last Wednesday, Sen. Rand Paul rose on the Senate floor to declare a filibuster and pledge he would not sit down until either he could speak no longer or got an answer to his question about Barack Obama’s war powers. Does the president, Paul demanded to know, in the absence of an imminent threat, have … Continue reading “Who Speaks Now for the GOP?”

Congress, Drones, and The Imperial Presidency

Last week the US Senate took a break from debating the phony cuts known as “sequestration,” for Senator Rand Paul to hold a 13-hour filibuster to force the Obama administration to state whether it believes the President has the right to kill American citizens with drones on US soil. I find it tragic that there … Continue reading “Congress, Drones, and The Imperial Presidency”

Neocons and Obamaites Unite Against Rand Paul

Note: Justin’s regularly scheduled column will be delayed. His next piece will be posted for Friday. The response to Rand Paul’s historic filibuster against the nomination of John Brennan met with rapturous applause from civil libertarians and anti-interventionists on the right and the left – followed by harsh denunciations from Democratic party partisans and their … Continue reading “Neocons and Obamaites Unite Against Rand Paul”

Rand Paul’s Message to Obama: Don’t Drone Me Bro

The most positive outcome of Rand Paul’s 13-hour filibuster – which ended when Paul was forced to take a bathroom break – was giving the American public a sense of the treacherous path that President Obama’s drone program could take, i.e. the targeted killing of Americans here at home. It was a marathon civics lesson … Continue reading “Rand Paul’s Message to Obama: Don’t Drone Me Bro”