Cynicism

Hope in Real Life

Rhoades Alderson | Posted 11.10.2009 | Politics


Rhoades Alderson

The president's most recent August swoon reminds us that this moment is the first real test of Obama's "hope" in the nitty-gritty of getting big things done in Washington.

Calling All Cynics

Mark Goulston, M.D. | Posted 09.25.2009 | Living


Mark Goulston, M.D.

Deep inside all skeptics and most cynics is a deep ache to trust again, but to do so without the fear of being let down, disappointed, betrayed or devastated.

Bipartisan Inclusiveness: Time to Stop Being Polite

Jim Selman | Posted 09.03.2009 | Politics


Jim Selman

When the nutters want to both destroy civil discourse and undermine the democratic process in some cynical financially motivated power grab, then we must call it what it is: bullshit.

Mayor Daley, Why? (Or Why Not?)

David Murray | Posted 08.24.2009 | Chicago


David Murray

It's not that I'm sick of Mayor Daley. He's as entertaining as ever, and as much a confounding brew of political genius and moral vulgarity, animal intelligence and intellectual imbecility as he ever was.

Remembering Kurt Cobain: A Spirit That Lives On

Sahil Kapur | Posted 03.21.2009 | Entertainment


Sahil Kapur

Friday, February 20, 2009, marks the 42nd birthday of Nirvana rock legend Kurt Cobain. I learned through Kurt Cobain that there's a dark side to every light, and a silver lining to every cloud.

Holiday Listing

Bob Franken | Posted 01.15.2009 | Politics


Bob Franken

It's probably not altogether fair, but there are certain words, when we see them together, that automatically inspire scorn and/or ridicule in just ab...

Give Optimism a Chance

Myles Brand | Posted 12.21.2008 | Media


Myles Brand

I do not blame the cynics in college sports. They caught the virus from the rest of American culture. Americans these days permit and, indeed, encourage cynicism to pervade their lives.

Gutless Americans: Religion-Baiting Ascendant Heading into Election Day

Evan Derkacz | Posted 12.05.2008 | Home


Evan Derkacz

The following originally appeared on Religion Dispatches which is honoring Election Day with short posts from numerous contributors. *** The proble...

Post-Obama Cyncism Sets in Early: "Why Wait?"

William Klein | Posted 12.04.2008 | Politics


William Klein

In what observers say is the shortest "honeymoon" between the public and a new Administration, dissatisfaction with the Obama Administration began before it was even elected.

Can Voters and Nonvoters Battling Against Despair Respect Each Other?

Bruce E. Levine | Posted 11.20.2008 | Politics


Bruce E. Levine

I had to chuckle at Silverman's video pitch "The Great Schlep"... her video is so clever, adorable, and so silly that it energized me.

How to Win a Culture War

Susan Neiman | Posted 10.13.2008 | Politics


Susan Neiman

The culture wars are not distractions from real political business: John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin may be cynical, but conservative enthusiasm for her is not.

A Choice, Then the Echoes

Paula Gordon | Posted 10.04.2008 | Politics


Paula Gordon

It seems that the Republican Party is struggling to inflict as much damage on itself as it has on America. As primary season rolled through my home s...

The Rovian Politics of Choosing Sarah Palin

Paul Loeb | Posted 10.02.2008 | Politics


Paul Loeb

Karl Rove's minions may be smiling at the brazen gamesmanship of this pick: but if Americans fall for it, they should know all too well what to expect.

Obama: The Change Candidate Abroad, Too

Paul Hunt | Posted 09.23.2008 | Home


Paul Hunt

Obama's candidacy has generated effective grassroots initiatives in the States and it might well do the same on this side of the Atlantic, which would be a major change in many European states.