Looking for Great ‘Big History’ Books

John Dean / Truthdig Aug 11, 2009 My late friend Ron Silver, the actor and political activist, once asked me a question that I have continued to think about ever since. On the afternoon of his last New Year's Eve, when he surprised me by coming to California, he wanted to know if I had found any great "big history" books.I have been thinking about my late friend Ron Silver's last words to me for months: "Find someone to start a big history Web site," he urged. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Predicting President Obama’s Performance

Staff / Truthdig Nov 19, 2008 Is it possible to foretell how a president will lead based on a set of indicators culled from past precedents? That's a hard call -- but John Dean is willing to take his chances in his latest column about the future of America's highest office. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

John Dean: Republican Rule Is Dangerous

Staff / Truthdig Nov 3, 2008 Nixon's former counsel has written a scathing review of conservative Republican politics and says the McCain-Palin ticket, which "scares the hell out of me," fits the mold. How's this for an endorsement?: "If Obama is rejected on November 4th for another authoritarian conservative like McCain, I must ask if Americans are sufficiently intelligent to competently govern themselves." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Palin Falls Short of VP Standards

John Dean / Truthdig Sep 13, 2008 Does anyone believe that if John McCain were president and had selected Gov. Sarah Palin under the 25th Amendment to fill a vacancy in the vice presidency Congress would have confirmed her? Not likely. In fact, it is even less likely that McCain would have even attempted to do so, for he would have embarrassed himself. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

The Biggest Loser

Bill Boyarsky / Truthdig Jun 5, 2007 Who earns the title of Worst President Ever: Nixon or Bush? While Bill Boyarsky concedes that the question may be moot in some senses, he still takes the two to task in his rundown of the many offenses they committed during their respective (imperialist) presidencies. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Worse Than Watergate, Part II

Robert Scheer / Truthdig May 23, 2007 If Attorney General Alberto Gonzales wasn't in enough trouble already, he now has to deal with the fallout from his disgraceful behavior in John Ashcroft's hospital room in March of 2004, when Gonzales attempted to strong-arm Ashcroft into reauthorizing the domestic surveillance program implemented by the White House after 9/11 -- as Ashcroft lay ailing on his sickbed. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Despite Incompetence, Gonzales Isn’t Going Anywhere

John Dean / Truthdig Apr 26, 2007 The Nixon White House counsel who famously coined the term "cancer on the presidency" examines another troubled administration, writing that although the Gonzales affair is far from over, the attorney general still has job security. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Hatch, John Dean Trade Barbs at Censure Hearing

Staff / Truthdig Mar 31, 2006 After Nixon-era whistle-blower John Dean speaks in favor of censuring Bush, Sen. Orrin Hatch tells him: "Quit trying to score political points." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )