A. Barton Hinkle is senior editorial writer and a columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Virginia's Primary About Who Controls the GOP Now
Is the Republican Party now the party of Trump?
A. Barton Hinkle
Latest from A. Barton Hinkle
'National Security' a Lousy Excuse for Lousy Trade and Energy Policies
Extending the justification would allow government intervention into just about anything.
Two Minutes of Listening Beats a Two-Minute Hate
Reflexive "outgroup" outrage and retaliation just leads into tit-for-tat wars.
Trump Wants to Have it Both Ways on Trade. He Can't.
Tariffs and import restrictions are the equivalent of putting sanctions on your own country.
At University of Virginia the White Supremacists Have Already Won
College limits protest, suppressing everybody's free expression.
Immigration Hawks Dig in, but Why?
As our economy continues to grow, why are we still looking for scapegoats?
In Seattle, Amazon Shrugs
The city attempts to wring more money from its employers rather than fix its housing problems.
The Battle of Ideas Turns Coercive
Too many people (and governments) want to shut down and punish speech they disagree with.
The GOP Needs a Dose of Jordan Peterson
Conservatives need to get their own act together.
Public Transit Becomes Another Tool for Total Government Surveillance
City's new bus system comes with 24-7 camera feeds.
Relax—You'll Probably Survive Until Tomorrow
Americans have a poor sense of risk, and media panics don't help.
Your Lobster Leftovers Could Serve up a Substitute for Plastics
Could animal chitin lead to a new tech revolution?
Now They're Coming for People's Knives. No, Really.
London's got a homicide problem, but leaders insist it's being caused by the tools.
How to Sniff Out Fake News
You don't need (and definitely do not want) the government to serve as a lie detector.
Under Trump, Elizabeth Warren Suddenly Discovers the Downside of Unaccountable Federal Agencies
Maybe don't give the other side the rope to hang you with.
In Gambling Battle, Both Sides Are Wrong
Neither supporters nor opponents want to consider personal liberty.
Some Progressives Targeting the First Amendment, Too
It's not just the Second Amendment in their crosshairs.
Searching for Gun Violence Solutions That Don't Collectivize Punishment
Are "gun violence restraining orders" the answer?
Can We Talk About Something Besides Trump?
At some point, maybe we should just take Trump's antics as a given
What Is Virginia Commonwealth University Doing to the Animals?
Two pieces of legislation from Virginia lawmakers target animal research.
Militarized Police Events Are Now Routine
And illustrate the pressing need for civilian oversight.
Your Social Media Post Does Not Have To Be Socially Useful
Critics of free speech use the same old arguments on new technologies.
How To Make Health Care More Affordable
Virginia's new Democratic politicians have a chance, but it goes against their partisan instincts.
Virginia Can Do More to Improve Animal Welfare
The state legislature is considering a number of measures, but none that deal with police officers killing dogs.
Universities Are Raising a Generation of Trumplets
Free speech is increasingly triggering.
Republicans Won't Win Unless They Start Electing Cannibal Dictators
Losses in Virginia and elsewhere aren't stopping some in the GOP from demanding ever-more cartoonish candidates.
There's No Such Thing as a Free Ride
Dynamic tolling is no more "price gouging" than any time prices go up because of a scarcity of supply.
Virginia Should Take Its Boot Off These Blue-Collar Necks
Occupational licensing makes it more difficult to work.
Churchill's Antidote to Political Rage
Things are not more serious than they were in Britain in 1940.
Who Really Held the First Thanksgiving in the United States?
The important thing about the holiday is not who started the tradition but the humble and grateful spirit the tradition instills.
Film Subsidies Are Real Losers
Virginia has doubled its film subsides in the last 5 years, but a new watchdog report finds they are nearly useless.
Money in Politics Apparently Isn't So Bad When Democrats Win
When Democrats spend more and win, the campaign finance advantage doesn't come up as often.
To Beat the Opioid Crisis, Virginia's Ralph Northam Should Think Like Portugal
Narcotics-induced deaths have plummeted since the European country decriminalized all drugs.
A Clash of Visions Over Taxes
Actual tax cuts simply don't stir the hearts of garden-variety liberals, new spending does.
This One Weird Trick Could Improve Medical Care
Virginia should eliminate Certificates of Public Need.
Americans Agree More Than They Realize
An exaggerated emphasis on differences obscures the degree to which Americans still agree