Politics
Did he lie? Does it matter?
Features
Ok, sure that's the kind of selective history written just for the purpose of playing politics. But nevermind the complex telling of the interceding years or even the fleshy details for the moment. On this single issue, there are questions enough -- did Kerry lie about the atrocities committed by soldiers in Vietnam? Does it matter?
6.16.2004Leigh Householder
Politics
Captive Audiences: Why Canadians Can't Resist the Pull of American Politics
Features
I'm a Canadian, damnit! Why are foreign Heads of State taking up valuable space in my brain? Surprised? You shouldn't be. Canadians are as enamored of keeping tabs on American politics as we are of watching American sitcoms. We stare at Bush's latest State of the Union address with the same befuddlement and smugness typically reserved for a rerun of According to Jim.
5.24.2004J.M. Henderson
Politics
Hunting Veeps
Features
The speculation is, of course, legion. Kerry has been reported to be seriously considering as many as ten possible candidates -- from the safe to the unlikely to the truly inspired. Although the pundits have been wrong every season since the Reagan-Ford negotiations broke down (giving way to the unexpected Reagan-Bush ticket), it’s difficult to resist at least a guess or two.
5.10.2004Leigh Householder
Politics
Toward a More Civil Union
Features
Civil unions are about more than gay rights. They could protect the interests of unmarried couples of all types by de-emphasizing the role of romantic love, religion and traditional relationships in the business of building a life together. The last census estimated a little over half a million co-habitating gay and lesbian couples. The same census counted 5.5 million straight ones. This isn't just a "gay" issue.
4.5.2004Leigh Householder
Politics
The Return of Nader-Bot
Features
Yet Ralph Nader is no Malcolm X, and at this point -- with his bony joints showing signs of rust and his skinny grey armor covered in dents -- we can't expect him to upgrade anytime soon.
2.26.2004Paul Salamone
Politics
I'm sorry Mr. Nader, I want you destroyed
Features
And when November comes, if I were to vote my conscience, I would vote Nader. But I won't, I will vote for whatever is listed above "Democratic National Party Candidate" on my ballot, whether it is Kerry or Edwards, Hillary Clinton or a toaster.
2.26.2004Hank Green
Politics
Go Wes, Young Lady, Go Wes
Features
On Being Iowan and Pro-Clark
2.20.2004Rebecca Sheir
Politics
Outsourcing Death
Columns
We're paying foreigners to die in Iraq, so we don’t have to.
2.18.2004Travis Daub
Politicasting
Can't Get Enough Billion Dollar Publicity
Columns
Let's draw an imaginary line from Janet Jackson's pierced nipple to envelopes full of deadly poison.
2.4.2004Travis Daub
Politicasting
Big Bore in '04
Columns
It's easy to see success In Kerry's future, but what do the elections hold for the rest of the candidates? We decided to go beyond the raw numbers and take a look at each of the seven major candidates' websites to see what they had to say to their supporters and take a look at what the future holds.
1.30.2004Rob Conroy
Politicasting
The Iowa Caucus One Night Stand
Columns
For three weeks the politicians flirted with us. They courted us and romanced us with promises of change.
1.29.2004Amanda Wurzinger
Senior Slide
The College Left: A Mask For Nihilism
Features
After enduring innumerable acrimonious class discussions and Pabst-soaked, after-hours debates I have come to the brink of the political abyss. Does anyone in college really give a shit about politics?
1.28.2004John Gardner
Politics
Why The Iowa Caucus System Matters
Features
In the 2000 elections Nader-ites could voice their support and be heard, but then cast a vote for a candidate who was more viable, such as Al Gore. The core of caucuses is debate, the give and take of opinions and beliefs with your neighbors as you try to sway individuals from the other side of the room to your own.
1.26.2004Jordan Bazinsky
Politics
The Case Against Clark
Features
Clark has been successful because of people's desire for the image he represents. They want to have it both ways -- the liberal, peace-lover and the general. I'm not saying that a liberal and peace-loving general can't exist -- I’m saying that Clark isn't one.
1.21.2004Ashley Glacel
Politics
Sanderson Beck: The World Peace Candidate
Features
The 56-year-old Beck earned a bachelor's degree in dramatic art from the University of California at Berkeley and a master's degree in religious studies from UC Santa Barbara. He also boasts a Ph.D. in philosophy from the World University.
1.9.2004Andrew Noyes
Politics
Today's Deadly Bombing
Columns
I don't want to know that ANOTHER bomb went off. But if I just ignore
this, everything that happens will be in vain.
12.11.2003Amanda Wurzinger
Senior Slide
Willie Felix Carter: Coming to a Denny's Near You
Features
As the race for the White House heats up, nine high profile Democrats claw tooth-and-nail for the party's nomination. In January, New Hampshirites will cast ballots for the candidate best suited for the post and the winner of the nation's nomination will wrangle with Dubya next November. For the next several months, Knotmag will be taking a close look at the lesser known, "Underdog" candidates running for President.
12.8.2003Andrew Noyes
Politics
Death Counts
Features
Of course, counting dead Iraqis is an even less exact science, in no small part because there are so many of them. The United States has publicly decided that we don't care how many Iraqis die. The figures "don't count," stated a defense department official according to the Miami Herald.
11.24.2003Hank Green
Politics
Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
Columns
Yet even with the bovine eyes of the general public fixated on war overseas, gun control has a habit of catching our attention when it bubbles to the surface every now and then.
11.13.2003Jim Casey
Rants of a Bitter Hack
George Bush, Evil Genius
Columns
The Most Evil Man in the World Strikes Again!
11.7.2003Brandon Stahl
Take a Number
Politicizing Late Night
Entertainment
By having Schwarzenegger begin his campaign on his show, then introducing him as the new governor, Leno added an element of "And the Tonight Show helped get him there, dammit."
11.4.2003Daniel Khourey
Television
The Bush League: Deception and Revenge
Columns
Security concerns aside, the real crime here is that someone in this administration felt it was worth abusing their power to ruin a woman's career in an attempt to punish her husband's outspoken remarks against the Bush Regime.
10.2.2003Jim Casey
Rants of a Bitter Hack
Smart-Ass Card
Columns
Through the wonders of modern science and overly-inflated marketing budgets, Larry and his band of corporate cohorts will create a Smartcard that electronically stores all of your personal information and vital statistics, from your blood type to your porn preference to the last ten books you stole from the library.
9.24.2003Travis Daub
Brandon Stahl
Brandon Stahl
Politicasting
The Teddy Ruxpin Legion of Death
Columns
When -- in less than two years -- we go from 9-11, to blaming Al Qaeda, to hunting bin Ladin in Afghanistan, to complaining about Saddam Hussein in Iraq, to making outrageous, unfounded, and unsupported claims about connections between Saddam to Al Qaeda -- what the hell is Joe I-only-watch-network-news going to think?
9.18.2003Jim Casey
Rants of a Bitter Hack
A Political Rally from a Non-Partisan, Non-Political Perspective
Columns
I should have known I didn't have a clue what I was getting myself into when I discovered the Steak Fry was held in the middle of a hot air balloon field.
9.17.2003Erika Nortemann
You Are Here
Al Qaeda apple pie and Ashcroft action figures
Columns
I'm getting tired of seeing "these colors don't run" bumper stickers and my own country's flag, faded and flapping from the antenna of an SUV that comfortably seats eight with a solitary sorority girl, alone in the drivers seat who thinks she’s doing America a favor by spending 45 dollars on an FDNY tank top from Abercrombie and Fitch.
9.11.2003Pete Holm
Overheard in the Art Department
Why Washington should remember 9-11
Features
Maybe there are too many people ready to air sappy documentaries and sell plastic American flags, and too few ready to consider what the day actually meant.
9.11.2003Travis Daub
Politics
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Columns
One thing we don't sacrifice much is primetime television viewing hours in exchange for presidential press conferences. Maybe if we sacrificed a few more of those, George could keep us updated on what we should be sacrificing.
9.10.2003Travis Daub
Politicasting
Speaking in Circles
Columns
Bush talks straight. Behind you. To a code-orange monster.
9.5.2003Brandon Stahl
Take a Number
In God We Rust
Columns
When you have a man like Moore on the bench who cannot seriously separate the prejudices of his theistic beliefs from a fair, balanced interpretation of the law, it is a serious breach of the fundamentals that govern our judicial system, and he should be thrown out on the street.
9.4.2003Jim Casey
Rants of a Bitter Hack
State of Emergency
Columns
Governors listen up: how balance the budget in your state
8.27.2003Travis Daub
Politicasting
Governator 3: Rise of the Political Machines
Entertainment
Somehow I don't think this is what the recall folks had in mind...
8.15.2003Al Simonis
In My Humble Opinion
The Unlikely Fred McMannis
Columns
And if all he does is stay at home, walk the dog and purchase groceries, we'd like to know -- where's your job, McMannis? Where do you get your money?
8.15.2003Brandon Stahl
Take a Number
Skepticism is a virtue
Columns
Brandon Stahl has access to documents lately. The latest he found was a Time/CNN poll of Iraqi citizens.
7.26.2003Brandon Stahl
Take a Number
How'd that line get in there?
Columns
We don’t know how, but Brandon Stahl got his hands on an original copy of the first draft of the State of the Union.
7.25.2003Brandon Stahl
Take a Number
A Victory for Slackers and Chokers
Features
One's true ability will benefit from this new emphasis on "individualized" full-file review. The more time that admissions officers spend reviewing essays and recommendations, the more likely they might look beyond a mediocre SAT score or a 'C minus' in French
7.24.2003Ted Allen
Politics
On Liberia
Features
Alright, slackers. You gave up following international policy after the war,
but you've got to get back in the game. Sit down with a cup of coffee: O'
Regan will take time to explain Liberia, how it came to be the way it is,
and what the U.S. could (or should) do to help.
7.15.2003Davin O'Regan
Politics
Shut Up Tom
Columns
The man isn't a hack, but he is hackneyed.
7.2.2003Travis Daub
Politicasting
Stahl's Supreme Court run-down
Columns
Good news: In his dissenting opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia said "the court has largely signed on to the so-called homosexual agenda" and noted that he has "nothing against homosexuals." Bad news: I think he's taken, boys.
6.27.2003Brandon Stahl
Take a Number
Burn in Hell You Creepy Old Bigot
Columns
His rotten potato head should be piked atop the South Carolina capitol building right next to the confederate flag, serving as a warning for all the other bigoted, right-wing mutants who never quite made it out of the 19th century.
6.27.2003Jim Casey
Rants of a Bitter Hack
The Next War
Features
If Bush is serious about stopping white-collar crime, he should go after corporate evildoers with same aggressive tactics he's using on suspected terrorists.
5.30.2003Ted Allen
Politics
If I had weapons of mass destruction....
Columns
I'm going to take out full-page ads in the New York Times, buy airtime on the Super Bowl, put up billboards telling passing motorists that "Weapons of mass destruction are just five miles away! Exit 421, right next to the Waffle House."
5.7.2003Brandon Stahl
Take a Number
Cleric Cold Calls
Features
In Iraq, soldiers who are my age or younger are boldly rescuing Jessica Lynch, while in New York I am sipping coffee in my fluorescent office and making cold calls.
5.5.2003Trevor Thompson
Politics
Embedded Journalism: The Pentagon's Sleazy One-night Stand with Battlefield Reporting
Features
With the luxury of hindsight, we can now take a look back at the practice of embedment -- was it a self-serving tool of the Pentagon or innovative journalism? What role does it play in our other war on terror, and what is its future?
5.2.2003Davin O'Regan
Politics
An American in Spain
Features
Spaniards aren't really against Americans. They're against the war, and there’s a big difference. But it’s difficult not to be angry about it, and the news coverage here isn't nearly as censored as it is in the U.S. There are graphic scenes: burned out buildings in Iraq, a protester being dragged behind a car after being run over by an angry motorist, the bodies (and faces) of injured or dead soldiers.
4.18.2003Amanda Wurzinger
Politics
To Syria: A Message from the United States of America
Features
But regardless of age, you are so going down. Don't look shocked. That's what you get for being so quiet and in the shadows and out of the news for the past 50 or so years. You're about to be made really quiet, US of A style.
4.18.2003Brandon Stahl
Politics
A War Hangover
Columns
It's nothing but one big circus -- the media is more obsessed with themselves rather than the real issues, off masturbating and relieved that they don't have to report on hard topics such as why the White House feels this war is necessary.
4.9.2003Jim Casey
Rants of a Bitter Hack
Post-Mortem
Features
Hardly three weeks after the sharpest transatlantic disagreements in decades, harmonious was a most unexpected description of current relations.
4.7.2003Davin O'Regan
Politics
Michael Kelly, child abuser
Features
Michael Kelly, warm, kind, caring adventurer, left behind a wife and two sons, Tom, 6, and Jack, 3, to do something incredibly irresponsible: die.
4.6.2003Brandon Stahl
Politics
Rivera and Arnett: Iraqi Dupes or Journalistic Mavericks?
Features
I wouldn't accuse Arnett of being in bed with the Iraqis, in fact, I wouldn't even care if he is. His reputation is not tainted by the fact that he made statements that were against the all-mighty Allied forces, but because he made those statements when he is in no position to provide such high-level analysis.
4.1.2003Travis Daub
Andrew Curry
Andrew Curry
Politics
Shock and Guffaw: Civilian Considerations of Military Strategy
Features
We had promised rapidity--some speculated days--but such now seems fleeting. In the coming weeks, Bush’s cowboyism, once backed by American military might, may appear hollow to a bullied and frustrated world.
3.29.2003Davin O'Regan
Politics
Dixie Chicks: Whose Country is This?
Entertainment
Like a lot of performers, the Texas trio spoke out against the war. So why are they the only ones getting punished for it?
3.27.2003Tim Grierson
Diversions
What we think of the media's version of "Operation Iraqi Freedom"
Columns
Publishing moguls sound off on countdown clocks and embedded journalists.
3.22.2003
The KnotMag UN
Echoes of Nostalgia -- The Link Between Stalinism, War Supports, and Peace Protestors
Features
These protests are still very much needed and important, yet this incorporation of too much of the past seems to weigh it down. There are too many voices screaming something similar, yet just different enough to drown one another out.
3.22.2003Steve Delahoyde
Politics
Insert Shit (A) Into Fan (B)
Columns
What was inevitable before has been given a date and a face by the White House, and at the time of writing Saddam Hussein has less than 8 1/2 hours to pack up his garbage and get out of town, or Bush goes to war. What a bullshit ultimatum.
3.19.2003Jim Casey
Rants of a Bitter Hack
Whither Freedom?
Features
An in-depth expose on the dirty F-word.
3.17.2003Al Simonis
Politics
The Impunity of Emperor Bush
Columns
His withdrawal from the ICC is the latest in the Bushite anti-UN movement -- which includes their hard-line stance threatening unilateralist war with Iraq -- intended to sever the UN's influence at the knees and position the United States as the ultimate dictator of world affairs.
3.15.2003Jim Casey
Rants of a Bitter Hack
Making a Case for Foreign Oil
Columns
People shouldn't have to die just to stabilize our economy! It's not quite that cut and dry. The decision isn't quite as easy you consider how many people suffer and die when our economy falters.
3.12.2003Travis Daub
Politicasting
Xenophobe
Columns
Our country is Howard Hughes, alone in an airtight room, paranoid about germs, growing a three-foot long beard, rich enough to enjoy the privilege. We might not be right, but darn it, we have the right to be wrong.
3.11.2003Will Leitch
Life as a Loser
Notes from a Polite New Yorker
Columns
Peace is the Word
3.1.2003Matthew Sheahan
Notes from a Polite New Yorker
Echo-Boomers Grab Your Gun!
Columns
What's more, the Rangel plan would force young people to take the war, and the U.S.'s foreign policy a little bit more seriously. Most of all, Rangel wants people from all walks of life to have the chance to pay the ultimate price for their freedom.
1.15.2003Travis Daub
Politicasting
