All Opinion
CommentaryBoston Marathon bombings won't define my first marathonAt mile 25.7, after already mentally penning my celebratory email, I hit a wall of dazed, shuffling athletes. I regret not finishing the Boston Marathon yesterday, but the bombings didn鈥檛 define my first marathon and they won鈥檛 mar this tradition.
Long live the purity of seeds for broccoliThe majority of the world's seed for broccoli, cauliflower, and similar veggies is produced in Oregon's Willamette Valley. But the seeds can be easily contaminated by pollen from canola, which the state recently allowed in the valley. The legislature must ban the canola.
Immigration reform needs flexibility on work visasThe US system for work visas hasn't changed much since 1965, despite fluctuations in the economy and in demand for foreign workers. Immigration reform must include more flexibility. One way is to create an independent body that regularly advises Congress on visa limits.
Opponents of Medicaid expansion put politics over peopleThe rejection by several Republican-led states of the Affordable Care Act鈥檚 Medicaid expansion to provide health care access to millions of America鈥檚 poor isn鈥檛 just partisan politics; it鈥檚 immoral. It鈥檚 not too late to press state leaders to put people ahead of partisanship.
Immigration reform needs consensus on flow of foreign laborThe US must adjust the future flow of immigrants 鈥� low-skilled guest workers and educated foreigners alike. Immigration reform must include incentives for legal immigration, recognize the employment needs of US citizens, and create a flexible system that can adjust over time.
Obama must throw North Korea a curve ball 鈥� a helping US handThe US can exploit Pyongyang and Kim Jong-un's pride by shelving the nuclear issue for now, engaging in talks, and offering substantial aid and investments that boost North Korea's economy and helps its people 'help themselves.' This can break the cycle of threats and blackmail.
Senate deal on background checks aside, outdated tracing system hurts gun controlThough Sens. Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey have reached a deal on background checks, a key piece of the White House鈥檚 gun control plan is still at risk of failure. The federal government is using 1960s era technology to trace guns used in crimes. The system must be updated.
To break the cycle of North Korea threats, US must put Kim on his heelsTo break the cycle of threats from North Korea, the United States must take a much more assertive stance. Leader Kim Jong-un must be put on the defensive by sending him a clear warning of preemptive action if America and its allies find themselves threatened.
Equal Pay Day: Raising minimum wage will help women 鈥� and the economyWomen 鈥� and their families 鈥� are disproportionately affected by the low US minimum wage.聽Equal Pay Day serves as a stark reminder of that reality.聽Raising the minimum wage would boost the economy, and it would help close the gender wage gap.
4 ways US can boost cyber security The US needs a proactive cyber foreign policy that goes beyond naming and shaming. Here are four steps the US can take to bolster its diplomatic efforts to address cybersecurity threats.
Global ViewpointGordon Brown: Girls' empowerment movement is a global game-changerGirls, not adults, are forming a liberation movement 鈥� demanding their rights, especially to education. They've organized child-marriage-free zones, demonstrations to support Malala Yousafzai, petitions against child labor, and a growing movement exposing child trafficking.
Why it's no longer the chummy 1990s for Turkey, IsraelPresident Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are working hard to repair relations between Turkey and Israel. They deserve credit for their efforts. But much has changed for both countries since they cooperated in the 1990s, and progress toward rapprochement will likely be slow.
What poetry could teach a divided AmericaA good poem reminds us not only of who we are, but what it鈥檚 like to be someone else.聽Such exercises in empathy can strengthen our capacity for compromise. America would be better off if more of us read poetry this National Poetry Month 鈥� and throughout the rest of the year.
Iran nuclear talks: Citizen diplomacy would build trustAs the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers begins today in Almaty, Kazakhstan, both Iran and the United States should encourage their citizens 鈥� clerics, scientists, athletes, doctors, artists, businessmen, and teachers 鈥� to meet and work together.
In Syria, the only way out is a political dealAs in Northern Ireland, no matter how much the warring sides in Syria struggle for a battlefield win, fighting is unlikely to bring either side a real victory. The main parties need to sit down and negotiate a mutually agreed political transition and power-sharing plan for afterward.
Atlanta cheating scandal and Lance Armstrong: How to avoid 'ethical slip'The Atlanta educators charged with cheating and cyclist Lance Armstrong both fell prey to 'ethical slip' 鈥� when little by little, each adjusted his or her own internal compass to point the way of the growing crowd. Self-reflection and friendship can help prevent us from losing our true north.
Iran and world powers should focus on action steps for short-term agreementAs Iran and the world powers prepare for the next round of talks in Kazakhstan on April 5-6, their focus should be on what is politically and logistically achievable at this stage 鈥� clear steps that will help address the immediate concerns of both sides.
Liberal hypocrisy on Bloomberg's moneyed fight for gun controlPresident Obama heads to Colorado today in his push for gun control 鈥� a cause NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent millions to support. Liberals who usually oppose the influence of money in politics are now praising Bloomberg. Such hypocrisy undermines their cause.
Global ViewpointCan Latin America resist a return to its populist past?The interventionist role of the military has mostly disappeared in Latin America. But the temptation of populist politics is greater than ever in some countries, while others are resisting the short-term demands of voters in favor of the long-term sustainability of society. Here's a look at six countries.
EU should welcome Ukraine as a partner for Europe's own goodUkraine is important to Europe as a source of economic growth and energy security, as well as a bridge to Russia. Western interests and values are best served by engaging Ukraine as a solid European partner.
