Brendan O'Malley

Before President Trump offered the insanely stupid (and I do not mean that sarcastically) idea of injecting disinfectants into our bodies to treat Covid-19, a good majority of Americans had already concluded that Trump is not providing the wise, measured leadership of, say, a Lincoln or an FDR. Leadership has come from elsewhere. From governors, medical professionals, and other essential workers on the front lines. But we have no coherent national response to this pandemic. That response really should come from the federal government. There are three branches of our federal government. Donald Trump leads the executive branch and has … Read More…

These are movies that have meant a lot to me over my life. Or that I just really love. Dr. Strangelove – I grew up thinking there was a pretty good chance I’d die in a nuclear inferno. Strangelove came out in January, 1964, when I was twelve, just fourteen months after the Cuban missile crisis. This is the movie that made me realize what satire is and how powerful and friggin’ funny it could be and inspired me to write and perform satire. Peter Sellers gives three tour d’ force performances and became my hero. It’s on Amazon and … Read More…

 Women’s Advocates has provided housing and support for survivors of domestic abuse in St. Paul since 1974. And the need is especially high right now because there has been a significant uptick in domestic violence nationwide as families isolate at home with so many experiencing tremendous financial stress. Women’s Advocates is a wonderful organization. And for years, a significant percentage of their annual budget has been raised at house parties during the spring. Obviously, that’s not happening this year. So, please help them help women and their children who have nowhere else to go. Donate to Women’s Advocates to be automatically entered for a … Read More…

The president’s daily Covid-19 pressers are, by turn, infuriating, insulting, laughable, but mostly sad. There’s the lying, the one-eighties, the self-flattery, the boasting, the lashing out. That’s, of course, Donald Trump.  But, personally, what I find the most galling is the insufferable and incessant blather from Mike Pence. Yesterday, Pence put on a maddening six-minute display of obfuscation that will guarantee him, upon retirement, an immediate and unanimous selection into the Toady Hall of Fame. This needs a little bit of a set-up: A reporter asked Trump about his decision not to extend the period for Americans to enroll in … Read More…

I was a guest on Cuomo Prime Time a few weeks ago. Watch below if you’re interested.