Radical Jihadists Gain Ground in Iraq Radical Jihadists Gain Ground in Iraq
All the neocons said we must conquer Iraq; It could harbor a terrorist crew. So invade it we did, and because of that fact, What they made up has really come true.
Aug 13, 2014 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Why Tea Partiers Think They’re Winning Why Tea Partiers Think They’re Winning
The columnists they read all share their views. Talk-radio is where they get their news. They spurn the facts objective pollsters gather. They’re suffering, alas, from Bubble Blather.
Oct 16, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Explaining Ted Cruz’s Behavior Explaining Ted Cruz’s Behavior
Does he have a plan that the others can’t see? Is this man as smart as the devil? Or is he, to put it in carpenter’s terms, A guy who’s a bubble off level?
Oct 9, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Iran Comes to the Table Iran Comes to the Table
So how about the folks who wrote That sanctions never work, just force? That's very simple: now they write, “The sanctions did their job, of course.”
Oct 2, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Everything I Need to Know About the Legislative Process I Learned at a Tea Party Rally Everything I Need to Know About the Legislative Process I Learned at a Tea Party Rally
If we can’t win the game, If we can’t have our way, We’ll take the bat and ball. Then no one gets to play.
Sep 25, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Exit Weiner: A Confession Exit Weiner: A Confession
Though no one was at times much keener Than me to joke about A. Weiner, Though his transgressions, being serial, Provided us with rich material, I have to say that we were lucky That he got skunked. Those posts were yucky. And toward the end the jokes grew grim. I’m glad to see the back of him.
Sep 18, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15–October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15–October 15
The members of Congress are ready to cheer Latinos and what they’ve accomplished right here. There’s praise for Latinos in all of this chatter. But making them legal? A different matter.
Sep 11, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
‘Rodman Returns to North Korea to Visit Kim’—The New York Times ‘Rodman Returns to North Korea to Visit Kim’—The New York Times
So Rodman makes more Sturm und Drang By planning a trip to Pyongyang. What purpose is served by this junket? He may think he’ll teach Kim to dunk it. But Kim Jong-un, being vest-pocket In size, would require a rocket. Of course, as he’s wont to disclose, The man has no shortage of those.
Sep 4, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Another Constructive Tea Party Agenda Another Constructive Tea Party Agenda
“Some Republicans Nurture Dreams of Impeaching Obama” —New York Times headline The limits of our patience have been reached: Obama simply has to be impeached. High crimes and misdemeanors? Yes, this traitor Must have them. We’ll produce a long list later. For now, we say he has to get the sack. You may have noticed, by the way—he’s black.
Aug 28, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
The Winter Olympics in Putin’s Russia The Winter Olympics in Putin’s Russia
Gay rights activists hold a banner reading "Homophobia - the religion of bullies" during their action in protest of homophobia, on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, July 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Evgeny Feldman) “Putin signs anti-gay legislation into law.” —news reports It’s possible a skier’d have to pray, As he zoomed down the steepest slope one day, That he did not, by accident, display A manner that those eager to obey The laws that under Putin now hold sway Might video as evidence, then say This shows with certainty that he is gay, Illegally, and must be sent away To some gay gulag, where he will decay In dungeons like the cages of Bombay. And meanwhile Putin leads the cheers: “Let’s hear it! Let’s celebrate that grand Olympic spirit!”
Aug 14, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin