The United States military is obsessed with readiness. Aircraft readiness. Medical readiness. Cyber readiness. Dental readiness. Physical Continue Reading
satire/humor
Thank You for Your Service Now Hand Over the Back Pay
America loves veterans the way casinos love high rollers. There are lights, applause, complimentary coffee, and a powerful institutional interest in Continue Reading
Identity Politics: Jim Crow’s Rebrand in Drag
By Tammy Pondsmith Jim Crow used to be an ugly little man with a bullhorn and a “Whites Only” sign. Now he’s had a makeover, lost some weight, and Continue Reading
Accountability Is the VA’s Rarest Preexisting Condition
America has reached that invigorating stage of institutional failure when somebody suggests abolishing the Department of Veterans Affairs, because Continue Reading
The VA’s Secret Staffing Plan Is Your Family
America has 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers. RAND estimates that their largely uncompensated labor produces between $119 billion and $485 Continue Reading
The Pentagon Put a Résumé on Your Chest
Author’s Note Yes, I’m aware the ribbons, badges, patches, and uniform configuration in the illustration aren’t regulation-correct. Before anyone Continue Reading
The Border Policy with Absolutely No Political Upside
American politics requires us to believe that politicians calculate electoral advantage while choosing committee assignments, tax credits, courthouse Continue Reading
The Press Put On a Cape and Forgot Its Pants
There was a time when a television journalist’s job was to tell viewers what happened, explain what could be verified, and then resist the Continue Reading
Congratulations, Your Spouse Has Been Promoted to Casualty Affairs Officer
Veterans love readiness. They label cables, rotate supplies, memorize obscure acronyms, and keep enough batteries to power a minor coup. Some of them Continue Reading
Cowardice With a Lanyard
The modern institution has discovered a miracle cure for reality: never diagnose it. Just rename every hard fact until it sounds like a workplace Continue Reading
Material Girl, or How America Turned a Wink Into a Personality Disorder
Featured image note:Satirical editorial illustration for cultural commentary on consumerism and the “Material Girl” persona; not affiliated with, Continue Reading
Everyone Is Big Time and Nobody Is Interesting
In 1986, Peter Gabriel looked at the swollen fantasy of success, gave it a fabulous beat, and quietly slid a scalpel between the ribs. “Big Time,” Continue Reading