All Opinion
At G20 summit, West must partner with rising democracies in new global orderAt the G20 summit in Los Cabos, the agenda will be full of tricky issues. The US and European delegations must look at the bigger picture, one in which the West will need to partner with the rising powers that are today鈥檚 global swing states: Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Turkey.
Supreme Court indecency ruling in FCC vs. Fox TV 鈥� does it really matter?The Supreme Court case pits the FCC against nudity and profanity on broadcast TV. But the truth is, we鈥檝e been looking at the bottom for so long, looking at a naked bottom won鈥檛 make a difference.聽Only one ruling matters, and that鈥檚 the ruling every parent makes at home.
Lamar Smith: Obama's amnesty for illegal immigrants is against the lawThe Obama administration decision for immunity from deportation for young illegal immigrants is a breach of faith with Americans. It also blatantly ignores the law. This isn't the first time Obama has waived rules or refused to enforce laws against illegal immigration, writes Rep. Smith.
Egypt elections: After court ruling, the real concern is not the Muslim BrotherhoodHaving upended the democratic transition with a ruling to dissolve parliament, the high court underscores the real concern in Egypt elections for president. Voters should not fear Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi, but Ahmed Shafiq, a throwback to the past.
Love and basketball on Father's DayOn Father's Day, I recall fond childhood memories of my dad teaching me to shoot free throws. I'd imagine I was taking a high-stakes shot for the 76ers, with seconds left. Decades later, 76ers forward Andre Iguodala found himself in that exact situation during this year's NBA playoff series.
Look to Yemen as model for Syria's transition after Bashar al-AssadRecent history in Iraq and Libya shows that the departure of a tyrant can lead to a deterioration in stability and an increase in human suffering.聽In Syria, a Yemen-style transition (dictator forced into exile to be replaced by a transition figure) may be the best possible outcome.
Johnny Depp will have a hard time saving American Indians from Paul Ryan's budgetJohnny Depp plans to remake Tonto as an equal in the film 'The Lone Ranger.' Equality is harder to find in the real world. Paul Ryan鈥檚 budget would drastically cut health services for American Indians 鈥� a population with some of the highest poverty, disease, and mortality rates in the world.
Global ViewpointA warning to Europe: Don't let German efficiency crush Italy's spiritIf Europe doesn鈥檛 get its act together on the debt crisis, prosperity will suffer and dangerous political fragmentation will set in. But if Europe succeeds in converging toward Germany's standards, what becomes of the convivial cultures of the south 鈥� Italy, Spain, and Greece?
What Obama and Romney aren't talking about: America's class divideI am the proud son of a hardworking milkman. I also have a PhD from Yale. Therein lies a story of class mobility, an issue that is crucial for America's future and that ought to be part of the presidential campaign. Yet neither Barack Obama nor Mitt Romney will address class head on.
West must try a 'third way' to change North KoreaSouth Korea鈥檚 carrots and America's sticks have both failed to tame North Korea. There is another way.聽With a new regime and small, but positive changes stirring in North Korea, the international community should seize the chance and begin cultural exchanges with the North.
4 reasons the 'mommy wars' are good for parenting in America The 鈥渕ommy wars鈥� 鈥� the so-called conflict between moms (or parenting philosophies) over topics related to motherhood 鈥� are a constant cultural undercurrent. While many call for a ceasefire, the mommy wars constitute a valuable social, political, and cultural dialogue. Here are four reasons why the mommy wars are good for America.
One way to force compromise in Congress: No budget, no payThe Fix Congress Now Caucus is a聽bipartisan task force of representatives committed to fixing Congress through meaningful reforms. Our first goal: Pass the No Budget, No Pay Act, which would require Congress to pass a budget on time or have members' salaries withheld until it does.
Spanish bailout, Greek elections make June a make-or-break month in debt crisisEurope's debt crisis, magnified by the Spanish bank bailout and Greek elections, puts Europe at a crossroads: move to real fiscal union, which populations don't want, or break apart. There's a way to avoid this awful choice. Build up Europe and build it down at the same time.
As Syria morphs into a regional crisis, Annan 'contact group' a good place to startThe conflict in Syria is now a serious regional problem, requiring 鈥� ideally 鈥� a regional solution. That's why the Kofi Annan suggestion to create a Syria 'contact group' of world and regional powers is a good starting point. But such a group would also face tremendous obstacles.
Decline of American satellites is a matter of national securityAmerica's scientific satellites are in rapid decline, with few plans to replace them. The United States depends on satellites to track storms, monitor disasters, and build the economy. The US and private industry must work together to rebuild the satellite fleet.
Secretary Panetta, Afghanistan needs a peace settlement, not more warUS Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta arrived in Afghanistan, where US policy has been mostly military.聽Washington continues to view Afghanistan through the lens of war when it most needs peace 鈥� a negotiated settlement with insurgents and neighboring states like India and Pakistan.
West must recognize peaceful Palestinian resistance movementThe West has been largely silent on Palestinian nonviolent resistance, which is unifying groups like Fatah and Hamas.聽Unless the West recognizes these peaceful initiatives, some Palestinians may question whether civil protest is any better than its violent alternative.
Wisconsin recall election: Scott Walker, Republicans 鈥� 1; American democracy 鈥� 0The Wisconsin recall elections left Scott Walker safe, but showed that American democracy isn't faring as well.聽The bitter recall election battle there has brought into sharper relief how our politics are changing structurally and what is being lost.
How to close the budget deficit without raising tax ratesTax credits and deductions are projected to cost the US Treasury around $1.3 trillion this fiscal year. Meanwhile, the budget deficit is projected at $1.2 trillion. Without all those tax breaks, the deficit would turn into a surplus. Polls suggest Americans may be willing to see them go, too.
Global ViewpointEurope needs a central government to manage its debt crisisAs Spain's credit possibilities dry up, the strength of the eurozone is further tested.聽If the European Union is to shield against the negative effects of globalization 鈥� like the current debt crisis 鈥� it needs a fully empowered, legitimate central government, writes a former Polish prime minister.
