All The Monitor's View
'Petraeus scandal' as a mirror on marriageAs the 'Petraeus scandal' widens with probes and politics, it should also throw a spotlight on the state of marriage.
Election winners and losersAmericans voted in large numbers. But voters need to be better served at the polls. Meanwhile, Republicans must pause to reflect.
Look outward, ObamaThe president鈥檚 domestic agenda may consist of making compromises with Republicans. But overseas he is freer to act. And there鈥檚 much that needs his attention.
After Obama victory: Come together, right nowPresident Obama and Republicans need to work together, weather criticism from their bases, and make a tough, fair, and necessary deal to avoid the 鈥榝iscal cliff.鈥�
China鈥檚 backroom politicsWhile US presidential candidates openly campaigned to win votes, China鈥檚 new leaders were chosen in secret by a shadowy elite.
Election Day: Voting is our 鈥榗ivic sacrament鈥�Apathy keeps many Americans away from the polls. They figure their vote is meaningless among millions of others. But that鈥檚 not true. Go vote.- Good riddance, Sandy. Hello sea barriers?Individuals and government have done much that is praiseworthy in the recovery effort following superstorm Sandy. But what should be done to prevent the next disaster?
The steady gain of humanityBeyond alarming headlines, a deeper look reveals progress 鈥� and the prospect of even more if we address the big challenges ahead.
When tweets repeat a lieSocial media sites spread a lot of misinformation on superstorm Sandy. But they also helped keep people informed 鈥� and even corrected their own mistakes.
After superstorm Sandy, is there really a Romney-Obama feud over FEMA?Sandy reopened a debate over government response to disasters. But FEMA and states know their roles pretty well by now 鈥� compassion in a crisis is best directed locally, with FEMA as backup.
What lessons from hurricane Sandy?The best response to natural events like hurricane Sandy lies in a community preparing its political, civic, and even cultural attitudes. Each disaster, such as Katrina, teaches new lessons. What can America's mid-Atlantic region learn from Sandy?
Syria's YouTube 'war' could win the warAnother failed ceasefire in Syria once again demands new ways to end the violence. Perhaps the truth-telling tactics of the opposition in YouTube videos can help hollow out the lies of the Assad regime so that his remaining support collapses.
Oh, the ease of blaming others in a crisisWhen earthquake experts are sentenced for bad predictions and lenders accused of bad calls on mortgages, society needs a reminder that individuals are responsible for their actions.
Long march for Romney's threats against ChinaAs Romney and Obama duel over who can better change China's economic behavior, it's time for a fresh perspective on how much the US can change any country.
A recovery theme in Romney-Obama presidential debateIn the presidential debate on foreign policy, both Mitt Romney and President Obama cited a need to rejuvenate the economy if the US is to be a world leader. But that choice need not be either-or.
With Lance Armstrong stripped of Tour de France titles, cycling can recoverThe International Cycling Union stripped Lance Armstrong of his Tour de France titles 鈥� the result of a sport trying to clean up its act after years of doping scandals. The cleanup should be commended.
Please, a discerning presidential debate on foreign policyWhen Mitt Romney and President Obama debate foreign policy Monday evening, they need to admit the US faces wholly new challenges that require a national consensus on the core values that can drive US responses.
Let us now praise the popularity of presidential debatesThe audience size for the Romney-Obama presidential debates was a near record, showing a hunger for civic life and for leaders who can uplift society.
Mr. Obama, just say no to state ballots on marijuana legalizationThe silence of America's top law enforcement officials 鈥� President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder 鈥� on three state votes to legalize marijuana is puzzling. If any of the measures pass, it will cause a constitutional crisis as well as a dangerous jump in pot use.
New Jersey's bad call on sports bettingNew Jersey plans to allow sports betting early next year in defiance of federal law and possible corruption of the culture of sports. The state even admits such gambling would harm its own teams.
