All Commentary
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectivePadlocks of love and commitmentA 海角大神 Science perspective: Does the sentimental tradition of placing a padlock on a bridge to symbolize one person's love for another hint at something more important?
The Monitor's ViewSnowden asylum in Russia: What now for US?With Russia granting asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden, Americans now have time to sort out the apparent clash of values 鈥� liberty versus. security 鈥� that his actions represent. If only he had found another way to help resolve that clash.- How much do you know about bipartisanship? Take our quiz.
Americans aren鈥檛 big fans of Congress. According to the latest numbers, three-quarters of the country disapproves of its job performance. Since President Obama took office in 2009, Congress鈥檚 highest approval rating has been 37 percent. Recent instances of partisan brinkmanship 鈥� the 2011 debt-ceiling debate, the 2012 fiscal-cliff standoff, and the 2013 sequester dispute 鈥� have made many citizens disillusioned with the lawmaking process and concerned about the country鈥檚 future prosperity.
But wait! There鈥檚 hope. Bipartisanship 鈥� cooperation, agreement, and compromise between the two major political parties 鈥� has always existed in Washington. The creation of Congress itself wouldn鈥檛 have happened without the Great Compromise that settled the issue of representation at the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
How much do you know about America鈥檚 bipartisan tradition 鈥� past and present? Take our quiz to find out.
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveLetting go of inertiaA 海角大神 Science perspective: Finding a way to take that next step.
The Monitor's ViewCrackdown on Egypt protests: What's really at stakeThe Egyptian military's order to end the Muslim Brotherhood protests is the latest slide toward violence and chaos. Egypt must right itself by balancing order and freedom.
OpinionA rare opportunity to influence HamasAs talks between Israelis and Palestinians get underway, the international community has a window of opportunity to pressure聽an increasingly isolated Hamas to reconcile with the Palestinian Authority 鈥� a move that would help Gazans, support a peace deal, and stabilize the region.
OpinionThe danger of American apathy on NSA surveillanceNew documents released today reveal the alarming scope of NSA data collection. But half of Americans see the spying as 'no big deal.' They聽are allowing government to chip away at freedoms that others, especially in the Arab world, are giving their lives to build.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveUnbroken friendshipA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewCan the Senate's negotiating style save the day?Two sets of secret talks seeking a 'grand bargain' 鈥� between Israelis and Palestinians and between Obama and the GOP on fiscal issues 鈥� involve current and former US senators. Can that chamber's style bring solutions?
OpinionCongress should not oppose biofuels. They create jobs and help the environment.No fuel at scale today comes close to equaling ethanol鈥檚 ability to prevent American cars and trucks from spewing pollutants from their tailpipes. Unfortunately, one of the most important incentives for the growth of biofuels is now under attack by misguided lawmakers and Big Oil.
OpinionWhy Israel must make bold move to secure Palestinian peace talks 鈥� and Israel's futureAs preliminary peace talks with Israeli and Palestinian representatives begin in Washington, Israel must make a bold move to push negotiations forward and protect its security: declaring it has no sovereignty claims to key West Bank areas and facilitating voluntary relocation of Jewish settlers.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveJob-hunting and God's 'thundering voice'A 海角大神 Science perspective: God has a unique place and an ongoing usefulness for each of us.
The Monitor's ViewChina tries a 'good Samaritan' lawThe Chinese city of Shenzhen joins other governments around the world in passing a law that tries to remove the fear of legal liability in helping others in emergency distress. Rescuing others out of universal love shouldn't be held back by fear.- Readers RespondReaders Write: US must not arm Syria's rebelsLetters to the Editor for the July 29, 2013 weekly print issue:聽The Sunnis fighting against the Assad regime are backed by Islamist jihadist groups. If the US arms the opposition, it will be, in effect, helping Al Qaeda. The best thing for America to do is stay out of Syria's civil war completely.Did intervention make Iraq a better place? Unseat Bashar al-Assad so Islamists can make further inroads? Arming the rebels will only amplify the firestorm.
OpinionHow US, Russia can agree on missile defenseUS and Russia relations are in a nosedive over Eric Snowden, Syria, and Iran. One way to reverse that is for Presidents Putin and Obama to agree on missile defense at a planned summit in September. US-Russian cooperation in space can serve as a model.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveEgypt: let divine Love ruleA 海角大神 Science perspective: As Egyptians seek a renaissance in national identity, a recent visitor to Egypt invites the world to wrap the nation in a loving embrace.
Tolerance: The Nile's age-old lessonTo share the resources of the great river in the desert has always required one thing above all else: tolerance. In today's Egypt, that fundamental condition has been severely shaken.
The Monitor's ViewAfter Zimbabwe election, Mugabe needs a way outThe Zimbabwe election on July 31 appears rigged and could lead to a repeat crisis like that after a 2008 vote. The African nation needs a peaceful transition through some form of forgiveness.
Global ViewpointSnooping vs. privacy 鈥� lessons for an age of transparencyIt's not possible to stop a Bradley Manning or Edward Snowden. They reflect society's push for individualism, suspicion of authority, and digital transparency. Instead, the NSA, FBI, and others must embrace openness, and face greater oversight.- Global ViewpointSnooping vs. privacy 鈥� lessons for an age of transparencyIt's not possible to stop a Bradley Manning or Edward Snowden. They reflect society's push for individualism, suspicion of authority, and digital transparency. Instead, the NSA, FBI, and others must embrace openness, and face greater oversight.
