Lucy Steigerwald

It seems like an easy thing to remember, but then, so does don’t kill people. In America, the two party system dominates. And on nearly every issue, the number two is a bit generous. Usually, one party pushes hard for an excess of privilege, and other side (and its supporters) either yields, or fights against … Continue reading “Yes, Obama, the Next President Will Drone People”

On September 27, Democrats in the House and the Senate introduced a bill that would prevent the president of the United States from using nuclear weapons in a first strike without a declaration of war from Congress. For many of us — at least those of of us too young to remember much or any … Continue reading “First Strikes Are Still Part of US Nuke Policy”

Give The New York Times’ David Brooks credit for referring to the aesthetic trappings of American nationalism as "religion." Well, a civic religion, but a religion none the less. He’s right that is qualifies as one, even if he’s blissfully, happily accepting of its dangers, and is in fact mourning patriotism’s decline. Brooks has provoked … Continue reading “The Religious Fervor of the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem”

Ever since the more mainstream Republican right began to turn on Donald Trump, I’ve wondered why they don’t simply bite the bullet and vote for Hillary Clinton instead. Desperate for anyone who isn’t Trump, the GOP has tried to get Weekly Standard editor William Kristol to suggest a candidate – which went as well as … Continue reading “Why Should Partisan Politics Get in the Way of Warmongering?”

Earlier this week, a young Syrian boy made the news in the worst, most captivating fashion. It often takes one photo of an atrocity to get the attention of the world for even a news cycle. Be it a tween naked and napalmed in Vietnam, a starving Sudanese child next to a leering vulture, or … Continue reading “The Hunger To Fix Syria, and the Indifference Towards Yemen”

How far away from warmongers’ endorsements is far enough? No, really, pressed the author of a recent article in The Nation, Bernie Sanders should tell Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to stop being so lovey-dovey with Henry Kissinger. Sen. Sanders has a mixed record on war, but is generally correctly identified as less-hawkish-than-Hillary (high praise … Continue reading “Will Henry Kissinger Endorse Hillary Clinton?”

My intention was to tell anyone who gave me trouble that I was a Jehovah’s Witness, or maybe a Quaker. Turns out, the only problem I suffered from sitting each time I was present for the presentation of colors, the National Anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance at the Republican Nation Convention was the general … Continue reading “Nationalism and Soldier-Worship Are Always Bipartisan”

The horrifying June 12 massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando is just the sort of tragedy that demands government action. The death toll – whether it was the worst mass shooting in US history depends entirely on your definition of the former – was 49 people; around 50 were injured. Government rode into action … Continue reading “Be Careful With Those Secret Watchlists, Congressman”

Earlier this week, Weekly Standard editor William Kristol continued his frantic efforts to prevent the nomination of Donald Trump by suggesting that National Review writer, attorney, and Iraq war veteran David French was a good choice for an independent run for president. The backlash against French was fierce, and immediate. And soon after came the … Continue reading “David French and the Cult of the Soldier”

In America, we do not lock up our murdering politicians. We rarely prosecute or impeach them. The only scandals that stick are sex ones. Serious voters, writers, pundits, and anyone else who feels as if they have deep principles invariably buckle under the partisan weight of the political system. She hasn’t yet been coronated, but … Continue reading “Do Clinton Voters Care About War?”