Best of Truthdig’s Live Blogs 2016: First Drafts of History Bring Shock, Sadness and Hope

Staff / Truthdig Dec 24, 2016 Republican and Democratic conventions. Primary and presidential nominee debates. The Pulse club mass shooting. The #NoDAPL fight. Some of the stories we covered in real time this year were long-scheduled. Other news was unforeseen, unfolding—some even ongoing. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Are Big-Business Subsidies Corporate Welfare or Good for the Economy?

BLANK Apr 6, 2016 Progressive icon Zephyr Teachout and felonious ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff failed to convince a Manhattan audience on Wednesday that taxpayer subsidies for corporations should be eliminated. What went wrong? Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

Ralph Reed: Back From the Dead

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Sep 4, 2012 Ralph Reed, the disgraced conservative political operative and evangelical leader who took secret money from former super-lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff, returned from political purgatory during the Republican National Convention last week. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Rep. Owens Will Reimburse Cost of Taiwan Trip

By Justin Elliott, ProPublica May 12, 2012 The congressman who last year took a $22,000 four-day trip to Taiwan organized by lobbyists said Friday that he will personally reimburse the university that paid for the trip. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Cuts Are Coming

Bill Boyarsky / Truthdig Jan 17, 2011 Republicans have their biggest statehouse majority in more than 80 years, and they're taking orders from a man who wants to take government and "drown it in the bathtub." Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Stevens’ Corruption Was About the Little Things

Marie Cocco / Truthdig Oct 30, 2008 For a steel sculpture of migrating salmon, amongst other goodies, Ted Stevens -- one of the lions of the Senate -- was willing to forfeit the kingdom. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Abramoff Gets Four Years

Staff / Truthdig Sep 5, 2008 Jack Abramoff was given four years in prison by a federal judge Thursday -- a sentence whittled down from a possible 11 years because he cooperated with investigators -- for his part in the fraud and corruption scandal that jolted Washington and landed several other lobbyists and Capitol Hill players in trouble as well. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

McCain Fundraiser Under Scrutiny for Ralph Reed Connection

Staff / Truthdig Aug 19, 2008 John McCain managed to pull in over $1.75 million for the GOP during an Atlanta fundraiser on Monday, but the event also attracted attention for its potential ties to erstwhile Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed. Barack Obama's camp, among others, is raising questions about Reed's connection to the event. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bill Moyers on Defiling Democracy

Staff / Truthdig Dec 9, 2006 Bill Moyers offers this gripping and comprehensive analysis of corruption in Washington and finds that "although Jack Abramoff [above] and Tom DeLay have been brought down, the system remains as vulnerable as ever." Watch it Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Turkey Envy

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Nov 27, 2006 Dig deeper

Stephen Colbert’s Guide to Republican Folly

Staff / Truthdig Oct 17, 2006 In case you lost track, Stephen Colbert offers this rundown of Republican debacles. From phantom WMDs to Mark Foley, the "Report" host highlights the greatest hits of GOP mania. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Daily Show’ Dissects Ney Plea

Staff / Truthdig Oct 17, 2006 Jon Stewart digests the latest Abramoff developments, including Bob Ney's abuse of the "drinking problem" defense: "If you're keeping score at home, that now makes alcohol responsible for corruption, anti-Semitism and homosexual pedophilia." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )