John Stoehr

John Stoehr is the editor of the Editorial Board. He writes the daily edition. Find him @johnastoehr.

For White Evangelicals, It’s Not About Fear

August 15, 2019 /

Attributing fear to sadism gives sadists too much credit. 

Actually, White Evangelicals Are Sadists

August 14, 2019 /

To them, being punished for being gay, trans or “illegal” is divine justice.

From ‘We’re Broke’ to ‘Build the Wall’

August 13, 2019 /

In retrospect, the Tea Party was a nascent fascist movement.

Our credulous news media

August 12, 2019 /

This morning’s news was a former Trump aide saying the Republicans should pick another candidate for the 2020 election. Jonathan Swan reported his phone interview with Anthony Scaramucci. “We are now in the early episodes of ‘Chernobyl’ on HBO, where the reactor is melting down and the apparatchiks are trying to figure out whether to…

The moment we break faith

August 12, 2019 /

I can’t stop thinking about this poem by James Baldwin. So much of liberal democracy entails trust in each other, in our willingness to contract and covenant with each other, and in our obligations to respect and honor each other for our collective benefit. To have a democracy, we must have faith. When we break…

Sadism Is Rational

August 12, 2019 /

Finally, recognition of what should have been obvious.

The stuff of conspiracy theory

August 10, 2019 /

My friend Arthur Goldwag once said the problem with conspiracy theories is that sometimes real conspiracies occur, and when they do, they can give credence to all conspiracy theories. Well, today the AP confirmed that Jeffrey Epstein hanged himself in a federal prison. He was found dead this morning. Epstein had already once attempted suicide.…

What’s Behind GOP’s Shift on Guns

August 9, 2019 /

The simplest answer is best. 

Tommy Lee has something to say

August 8, 2019 /

Mötley Crüe’s drummer offered some perspective this evening. He was joking but thing is: the president’s supporters believe this. You can bet on it. —JS

Joaquin Castro’s Righteous Norm-Busting

August 8, 2019 /

A norm preventing you from fighting fascist terrorism is no norm at all.