The Dispatch Media Bias

---

The Election Crisis We Dodged

politics

After nearly a week of drama over who would wield the speaker’s gavel, the members of the new House of Representatives have been sworn in and started their work. That gets the nation safely past one crisis that didn’t happen, this time at least: a partisan push to prevent the seating of members or whole delegations as having been elected under flawed laws.
The Dispatch     Jan 13, 2023

Breaking the Deadlock in Ukraine

Two months have passed since Ukrainian forces liberated Kherson, a regional capital in the south and the last major territorial loss for Russian forces in Ukraine. While combat remains fierce, Ukrainian forces have been unable to make similar advances—a dynamic largely dependent on which armaments NATO allies are willing to send Kyiv.
The Dispatch     Jan 13, 2023

When Words Fail

politics

Kevin McCarthy’s epic struggle to become speaker of the House produced a lot of memorable images, but the most unforgettable was probably of Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) being physically restrained from opening a fresh can of whup-ass on Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), after Gaetz ensured McCarthy’s 14th failure to get the gavel.
The Dispatch     Jan 12, 2023

Can Israel Normalize Relations with Saudi Arabia?

Benjamin Netanyahu hopes his sixth term as Israel’s prime minister will bring what would be his crowning diplomatic achievement to date: normalized relations with Saudi Arabia. Such a move would usher in a period of strategic and economic cooperation between the two Middle East powers amid growing aggression from Iran, Russia, and China.
The Dispatch     Jan 12, 2023

Dispatch Live: Immigration, Brazil, and House GOP Updates

politics

Join Sarah, Declan, Esther, and Andrew for this week’s Dispatch Live as they discuss recent news about changes to the immigration system, the riots in Brazil, and the latest from the House GOP chaos. What is President Biden doing at the border? What happened in Brazil? Did Kevin McCarthy give away the farm to become speaker of the House? Plus, as always, there will be plenty of time for the group to take questions from members.
The Dispatch     Jan 12, 2023

Video: Biden Documents, Congress, Immigration, and More

politics

It was a jam-packed Dispatch Live this week with Declan, Sarah, Esther, and Andrew. The crew started by talking about the latest news that President Biden’s personal lawyers discovered classified documents recently in a private office he maintained after his vice presidency. What makes this case different from former President Trump’s? Also, what should we expect from the new Congress, what recent changes did the Biden administration make on immigration policy, and last but certainly not least, what is everyone’s favorite Muppet?
The Dispatch     Jan 12, 2023

Getting Stuck on 'Stupid' - The Dispatch

I love words. I love words the way some people love horses. What I mean is, I love them for what they are but also for what they can do, and even what they represent. But like a horse lover, I get annoyed, even outraged, when words are abused or used for things they shouldn’t be.
The Dispatch     Jan 11, 2023

Why Entitlement Reform Is So Hard

politics

The U.S. electorate’s hostility toward serious entitlement reform has a long and consistent track record. Unyielding defense of the status quo has been a winning campaign strategy for decades, and serial efforts to push major changes to Social Security and Medicare onto the national agenda have all sputtered and failed. Both parties have internalized the lesson.
The Dispatch     Jan 10, 2023

Hamline Takes Quashing Academic Freedom to a Whole New Level

In an extremely competitive field, Hamline University is making a bold bid to be the new standard-bearer for universities willing to cast aside principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech. What really sets Hamline apart is the degree to which the university is sacrificing its core academic mission for the sake of political correctness and the willingness of the university president to be so explicit about what she is doing.
The Dispatch     Jan 07, 2023

The Real Climate Change Racket

The first big climate racketeering case—which did not receive celebratory coverage in Slate or other likeminded media—was a successful action against corrupt climate activists who were led by Steven Donziger. That basketball buddy of Barack Obama’s with deep ties to New York Democrats had tried to extort billions of dollars from Chevron in a truly outrageous episode involving everything from bribing judges to manufacturing evidence. Beneath all the greenwashing—prominent climate activists including musician Roger Waters had a percentage interest in the corrupt case, as did a few Democratic grandees and media figures—it was, at root, one of the biggest extortion attempts in modern times.
The Dispatch     Jan 07, 2023

Could Kevin McCarthy Give Away Too Much?

politics

On Thursday night—as the 11th fruitless speakership vote wrapped up on the House floor—McCarthy’s camp put in writing more compromises in an effort to woo his detractors: more power for rank-and-file members on the House floor and a one-member threshold to begin proceedings to depose McCarthy if he does become speaker, among other concessions. The mood among Republicans turned optimistic as the House adjourned, with McCarthy’s camp telling reporters it expects the deal to net McCarthy several more votes as speaker.
The Dispatch     Jan 07, 2023

McCarthy Gets the Gavel in Dramatic Fashion

politics

It took a marathon 15 votes—and nearly came to physical blows—but eventually all the GOP members who for months have opposed Kevin McCarthy’s bid for speaker of the House folded. And in the wee hours of Saturday, he took the position he’s coveted for years.
The Dispatch     Jan 07, 2023