All Commentary
OpinionSupreme Court rightly cites 'old data' in Voting Rights ActThe Supreme Court has rightly decided that the Voting Rights Act's 'extraordinary measures' to prevent voting discrimination must be directed toward places where discrimination is going on now, not where it happened nearly 50 years ago.
The Monitor's ViewSupreme Court ruling hardly ends the issue in Voting Rights ActIn the Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act, the nine justices were at odds over an issue that still divides America: How to deal with old fears of any new types of racism.
OpinionObama and Congress must fight climate change like they do terrorismPresident Obama is expected to announce steps to limit greenhouse gases today. That's fine, but they are half measures without the help of Congress. Both must take this issue as seriously as they do terrorism. Climate change, too, has killed people and the financial damage is real.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveIf worries try to rule the dayA 海角大神 Science perspective: Replacing ruminating with clear-headed receptivity to God's messages.
OpinionAffirmative action on the way out with Supreme Court Texas rulingToday's Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action at the University in Texas and a case coming before the court in the fall could provide the one-two punch to finally throw racial preferences out of the ivory tower for good.
OpinionSupreme Court ruling on affirmative action shows diversity still mattersToday鈥檚 7-1 Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in University of Texas admissions reaffirms the crucial role that diversity plays in a strong America 鈥� even while requiring the university to again jump through hoops to prove the validity of its admissions program.
The Monitor's ViewIn Texas affirmative-action ruling, Supreme Court seeks race-blind admissionsA Supreme Court ruling in the University of Texas affirmative-action case shows a stronger leaning toward race-neutral ways to help minorities. Indeed, new ways are needed to help the disadvantaged.
OpinionTo stop sexual assault against women in the US military, add more womenThe US military must change the culture that leads to sexual assault by genuinely accepting women as fully capable and by greatly increasing the number of women. Change must start at the top, beginning with more admissions of women in the service academies.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveYour role in defusing the bombsA 海角大神 Science perspective: A path to stopping terrorism.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Common Core doesn't dictate teaching styleLetters for the Editor for the June 24, 2013 weekly print issue:聽The US Common Core education standards are simply a description of what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. They are not a curriculum. How these skills are taught is decided by individual schools and districts.President Obama must do more than 'call China out' on cyber-espionage and theft. China's cyber-theft violates trade agreements with the US.聽When the Chinese have to start paying a price for their state-supported economic terrorism, they just might take action to stop the cybertheft.
Feeling for freedom's limitsFree speech and freedom of religion are widely recognized as inalienable human rights. But there are other freedoms as well -- from want and fear, for instance. Determining the extent and limits of these freedoms is a never-ending job in a democracy.
The Monitor's ViewDon't bemoan Washington's boglandWith Congress in gridlock on issues like guns, immigration, and energy, Americans turn to states, cities, and private groups for action. This spirit of community and problem-solving will inevitably find its expression somewhere.
OpinionDoes Obama care that US students aren't prepared to be US citizens?The US Department of Education鈥檚 decision to indefinitely postpone nearly all national exams in civics and US history eliminates the only objective gauge of whether students are learning basic US history and the essential skills needed to be good citizens. Sadly, we already know they aren鈥檛.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveWildfires and the power of prayerA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewObama's cold calculation on global warmingHundreds of existing coal-burning plants could be shut down under expected EPA rules aimed at curbing climate change. But such action must be accompanied by Obama appealing directly to people in coal-dependent states who would be making the big sacrifices.
OpinionTell your kids family stories. It could determine their future.The number of words a baby hears before age 3 correlates with IQ and success in school.聽And kids who know their families鈥� stories are better adjusted than kids who don鈥檛. So the next time your kids ask for a story, don鈥檛 conjure up faraway kingdoms. Talk about their grandparents.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveSaying no to suicideA 海角大神 Science perspective: We each have a God-given right to feel the joy that is inherently ours.
The Monitor's ViewTalking with the enemy: Obama, Taliban negotiate Afghanistan's futureWith the US and Taliban due to open talks, Obama's idea of negotiating an end to the Afghanistan war faces its big test. Fortunately, the Taliban will also be tested to face the new Afghan realities.
OpinionOcean's little fish are a big dealSmall 'forage fish' are a crucial source for larger animals in the ocean ecosystem. Without little fish, there can be no big fish. Pacific coast fishing leaders should thus adopt safeguards to prohibit fishing of saury until it can be shown that this would not adversely impact the ecosystem.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveThe little things that matterA 海角大神 Science perspective: Little things can change the world.
