Plus, that was the last midterm in Bush's second term. Even under ideal conditions, the President's party historically loses seats in such elections.

"…as a valid legal precedent…" That's because it still is. Korematsu v. U.S. has never been specifically overruled, and I kind of doubt whoever Trump appoints will be inclined to do so.

What about that O'Malley fellow? He seems suitably bland and technocratic. Of course, we also need somebody with a track record of military service that we believe will be unassailable to the opposition, but which they will rapidly discredit with unsubstantiated rumor and innuendo.

"…already looks like it's going to be historically unpopular and monumentally disastrous." You could be quoting me, exactly about this time in 2000 about the forthcoming Bush administration. Which was ultimately correct. However, I also remember being pretty certain at that time that it was bound to be a one term…

People seem a bit confused - this was actually an article about "Horrors Week" on A.V. Club, as opposed to one about "a week of horrors," i.e. the one we've been living.

I'm ambivalent about the taking to the streets. On the one hand, way to go - don't take it lying down. On the other hand, getting out and making noise in a few urban areas where, let's face it, hardly anybody supported Trump anyway, seems more cathartic than productive. We need a Tea Party for sane people, not another…

Yeah, but ultimately history tends to demonstrate that the notion we can overcome the darkness in the world by just staying really mellow and cool is actually kind of B.S.

OK, but I believe we do tend to give in too quickly to the impulse to treat fear, anger, and despair like diseases that need to be cured. They are natural, healthy emotions that serve important purposes. True, they can become unhealthy and counter-productive. But most people need to experience them for some amount of…

Then again, on January 1, 1968 the New York Times read, "World Bids Adieu to a Violent Year."

Thanks, but a few feel good records and movies aren't what we need right now. Chocolate chip cookies, fuzzy blankets, and bunny slippers won't be of much help either. What we need is passion, outrage, solidarity, and fortitude.

There are always people like that. And they suck.

"President Pence." What a joy that sounds like.

What I mean is, if you accept the possibility that one day in our lifetimes Democrats will again control the House, the Senate, and the Presidency (and based on the way things are going right now I wouldn't give you great odds - but I've been wrong before), it would mean the GOP would have a much tougher time…

I really do think Democrats and the media need to knock off with, "Well, poor, white, non-college educated folks are just hurting and lashing out. They don't know any better." That is exactly the sort of condescension - regarding them as errant children who will learn their lesson and start playing nice after long -…

Never underestimate the propensity of people to do just that. In fact, I'm sure if you dug around on the internet you could find a few psychological studies showing it as a demonstrated pattern of behavior.

This is the $64 billion question. And I've encountered legitimate hostility when I suggest to progressives that they need to have, you know, SOME kind of strategy for winning midterms and state elections. You could do a world of good by sending a few Sanders and Warrens to statehouses, and having more of them in the…

Yep, after the 2014 midterm losses they pretty much just shrugged and said, "Sure, we're at a systematic disadvantage in half of all elections. But demographic change will magically erase that problem."

This is true, though on some level I feel that cuts both ways. First, the filibuster has been expanded and distorted all out proportion. It's the primary reason we got this weak sauce version of universal healthcare that looks likely to vanish a second after Trump is sworn in. Second, sauce for the goose is sauce for…

"I reject the notion that centuries of social progress will be swept away and that the populace will not rise to defend its rights when threatened."

I hadn't really reckoned him as an actor until I saw this film. I always thought of him as more of somebody who traded in a persona. It truly is a hell of a performance.