When a Small Town’s Private Prison Goes Bust
Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minn. Mark Vancleave/ZUMA This commentary was published in partnership with The Marshall Project, a nonprofit newsroom covering the US criminal justice system. Sign up for their newsletter, or follow The Marshall Project on Facebook or Twitter. Bob Thompson, the city coordinator of Appleton, Minnesota, had a bright idea in the spring of 1990. Thompson,…
He Was a Professional Climate Denier. Then He Switched Sides.
Christopher Dilts/Sipa US/AP The overwhelming majority of scientists as well as most Americans agree that climate change is occurring and it’s mostly caused by human activity. But for climate skeptics, the consensus means nothing. Though global warming deniers may be in the minority, they often have an outsize influence on government officials who are invested in…
This Ex-Prosecutor Is One of 2018’s Most Intriguing Candidates
YouTube/Friends of Paul Pelletier Paul Pelletier, a former Justice Department prosecutor, is the ninth Democrat to join the field of contenders vying for the chance to oust Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), one of the most at-risk Republicans in next year’s 2018 midterm elections. But in a year that has seen thousands of newcomers run for…
Why Did Wilbur Ross Hold Onto His Investment in a Putin-Connected Shipping Company?
John Angelillo/Avalon via ZUMA Here are some things we already know about Wilbur Ross, Donald Trump’s secretary of commerce: He is a multi-billionaire. He has investments in lots of different things. One of his investments is in Navigator Holdings, a large shipping company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. During his confirmation hearings, he…
Did Democrats “Clear the Field” for Hillary Clinton in 2016?
Dennis Van Tine/UPPA via ZUMA There are pros and cons to be being a blogger. One of the cons is that when you ask a question that shows off your ignorance, the entire world gets to see it. Let’s do it anyway. Question: What exactly do people mean when they say that the Democratic establishment…
Surprise! The Republican Tax Bill Mostly Helps the Very, Very Rich
In the past, the work of the Joint Committee on Taxation has been pretty reliable. I don’t know for sure if that’s still the case, but for now I assume it is. With that caveat, here’s their estimate of who benefits the most from the Republican tax bill: Not bad for a Republican tax bill!…