Designing algorithms to find tax and benefits cheaters could be acceptable in some cases. Treating a positive result as proof, never. And designing notices so that replying requires admitting fraud is even worse.

The Maine legislature repealed two ballot initiatives that the public voted for, and left another one unimplemented. Perhaps not by coincidence, they are all progressive.

I am skeptical of the claim that these initiatives violate Maine's constitution. Firstly, because initiative campaigns generally have lawyers check their wording. Secondly, because the legislature could have fixed the problems in a way consistent with the goals, if it were not aiming to thwart those goals.

The one-year delay on legalizing marijuana is not a disaster in itself. As long as they don't do something else worse.

The troll launched a smear campaign against FBI officials who could corroborate Flynn's testimony against him.

A Desire for Vengeance Is Human But Checks the Pursuit of Proper Justice.

Now that Erdoğan is fighting the Syrian Kurds openly, that could cause drastic changes in the Middle East.

There is opportunity here as well as danger. Erdoğan might destroy the Syrian Kurds. But if he gets a bloody nose, he might lose control of Turkey, and that could open the way to restore secular democracy there.

I fear that the former is more likely. The Kurds are doughty but Turkey has tremendous advantages in the size of their forces and in armaments.