All Opinion
State of the Union: US needs a statesman, but Obama played politics as usualPresident Obama devoted most of his State of the Union address to a laundry list of initiatives 鈥� and no answer for how to pay for them. Instead,聽he should foster bipartisan cooperation, working with Congress to build trust, bridge divides, and usher in needed reform.
Immigration reform: Congress, Obama, and public are not so far apartBoth the bipartisan Senate plan and President Obama's proposal on immigration reform 鈥� which he's expected to mention in his State of the Union address tonight 鈥� show how Republican and Democrats aren鈥檛 as far apart on policy as politics might have us believe.
GOP success strategy: Recruit more Hispanics (like Marco Rubio) and womenWithout saying a word, Sen. Marco Rubio will send a key message to Republicans in his response to President Obama's State of the Union address. The GOP must engage minority voters, especially Hispanics, as well as women. And it must actively recruit such candidates.
Stop blaming video games for America's gun violenceStudies show that a child playing a violent video game does not necessarily increase the likelihood that he or she will engage in real violence.聽Americans need to stop blaming something other than our own behaviors and ideologies for societal violence, especially gun violence.
Israeli airstrike on Syria shows strategic strengthDespite pledges from Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah that use of force will be met with force, there has been no retaliation since Israel's airstrike inside Syria Jan. 30. Israel clearly retains the strategic high ground in the region, with full knowledge that its enemies are bogged down.
6 ways to make tax reform happen Here are six ideas that can guide Congress to a tax reform-deal that both parties should be able to live with 鈥� a deal that will raise necessary revenue and help pay down the debt.
US can slow climate change with new carbon-capture technologyNew innovations show that we can slow climate change. For instance, an artificial tree mimics the photosynthesis of real trees by chemically sucking CO2 out of the air. A push from Washington and other world capitals could help spur the market for such carbon-capture technology.
US manufacturing is key to competitivenessUS global competitiveness is slipping. But there is some good news: US manufacturing is in the midst of a revival. Preparing a skilled workforce for the manufacturing sector should be one of the Obama administration鈥檚 top economic priorities. This can boost competitiveness.
Do we want drone-architect John Brennan as CIA chief?At John Brennan's Senate confirmation hearing, the candidate for CIA director should be asked about the killing of Americans, civilian victims of drone strikes, extraordinary renditions, and torture. Do those actions make us safer? Are they consistent with US laws and values?
Myanmar's urgent human rights need: citizenship for 'the Roma of Asia'Myanmar (Burma) has a long way to go on human rights. An issue that demands immediate attention is a crisis involving a sizable ethnic and religious group, the Rohingya 鈥� one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. This stateless people deserve citizenship and tolerance.
After Lance Armstrong doping: Time for Nike to just do it 鈥� fairlyBy taking the initiative to donate funds to anti-doping agencies and research, the company would not only help redeem itself ethically after steadfastly backing Armstrong and other Nike athletes who鈥檝e doped. It would also boost its brand image 鈥� and surely its market share.
California's balanced budget? Hold the applause.Although Gov. Jerry Brown has pronounced California's "did the impossible" with its balanced budget, the state is still in miserable condition. Like the federal government, it has to make some hard choices going forward. And voters need to make an extra effort to participate in state politics.
France's disappointing labor reformsLabor reforms forged by France鈥檚 Socialist president, Fran莽ois Hollande, may look like progress. But they merely tinker with rigid labor laws. Europe's second largest economy must become far more business friendly if it wants to escape zero-percent economic growth and youth joblessness.
A better way to keep Islamists at bay in MaliFrance says it will withdraw from Mali once an African peacekeeping force is in place. To keep Islamists at bay, the US is considering increasing its military presence in the region. A better approach is to focus on fixing the governance issues that fuel radicalism to begin with.
Curbing gun violence after Newtown: Let's arm teachersCritics worry that arming teachers will create 'fortress' schools and invite gun accidents. But a well-thought-out program can avoid these pitfalls, and take advantage of teachers and staff who are eager to act as trained protectors for our children.
Global Viewpoint'Soft' nationalism is good for ChinaChinese-style soft nationalism takes pride in Confucian values and聽should be the way of the future. But can it spread from Nanjing to the rest of China? There are reasons to be optimistic.
This is my black historyPersonal stories are at the core of Black History Month. American's should honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but聽should not forego the average stories in every African-American family in favor of the once-a-century events and leaders in our history.
British Prime Minister David Cameron's audacious vision for EuropeBritish Prime Minister David Cameron's vision for the Europe Union is blatantly self-serving. His promise to let the Brits vote on EU membership is designed to ensure his own reelection. But his plan for a leaner and less intrusive union may also win some friends on the continent.
5 reasons why Africa is not ready to meet its own security needs 鈥� yet Africa鈥檚 experiment in a regional approach to security is serious and laudable, but it will take time to build credible capacity. Here are five reasons why Africa is not ready to meet its own security needs 鈥� yet.
Conflict in Mali shows US needs greater engagement in AfricaWhile I am pleased at reports of US cooperation with France to stop Islamist extremists Mali and run them out of Timbuktu, I remain concerned about the interrelated, widespread threat of terror in the region. America cannot afford to treat it as compartmentalized country-by-country issue.
