All Commentary
OpinionObama's Germany trip can't be business as usualPresident Obama's speech in Berlin today shows that America needs Germany to help with global issues. But聽German power has limits. Obama needs fresh ideas to help Europe and to fortify the transatlantic relationship, because the circumstances that created this bond no longer exist.
The Monitor's ViewBrazil protests in a global trendThe Brazil protests follow those in Turkey and India, all three developing countries with established democracies. While the sparks for the protests differ, the theme is the same: Fix democracy; don't replace it.
OpinionPut our kids first, Mr. Holder, and enforce federal law against marijuanaAnyone who is cultivating, selling, or distributing marijuana is violating the federal Controlled Substances Act, regardless of state law. Obama must enforce federal law and begin prosecutions to stop the proliferation of 'medical' and recreational marijuana that is harming our kids.
OpinionG8 leaders must convert words to action against sexual violence in war zonesSyria isn't the only important item on the agenda for the G8 summit in Northern Ireland this week. G8 countries are to be praised for addressing the sexual violence against women in conflict zones, but they must back up their words with funding and specific actions.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveInside helpA 海角大神 Science perspective: While landing the right job may appear to demand a corporate insider, it鈥檚 always God who is directing us in the fulfillment of His divine plan.
The Monitor's ViewIran election's surprise winnerThe unexpected victory of Hassan Rohani In Iran's presidential election confirms his hint that legitimacy lies with the people, not the turbaned cleric elite.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Most Americans should be investors, not tradersLetter to the Editor for the June 17, 2013 weekly issue:聽The small investor is led down the garden path of attempting to grow riches from a mix of potent investment vehicles and propitious timing. It doesn't work that way.聽If investors can exercise patience and discipline, time becomes their ally.
Global ViewpointNo 'Turkish spring': Protests in Turkey are sign of a healthy democracyProtests in Turkey aren鈥檛 a sign of the failure of democracy there but a sign that Turkish politics is now resilient enough to experience public discontent that strengthens participatory democracy. But聽if Recep Tayyip Erdogan聽remains insensitive to public opinion, it will cost him his job.- Global ViewpointNo 'Turkish spring': Protests in Turkey are sign of a healthy democracyProtests in Turkey aren鈥檛 a sign of the failure of democracy there but a sign that Turkish politics is now resilient enough to experience public discontent that strengthens participatory democracy. But聽if Recep Tayyip Erdogan聽remains insensitive to public opinion, it will cost him his job.
Public schools, private beliefsSeparation of church and state is enshrined in the US Constitution. But here's what's sometimes overlooked: While the state must not back any particular faith -- or even faith itself -- it also must not restrict expressions of faith. That distinction is crucial to how public schools treat religion.
The greening of the WestLong the province of mountain men and rugged individualists, the Intermountain West is drawing a new generation of entrepreneurs, knowledge workers, and venture capitalists keen on experiencing the region's natural wonders while staying connected to the global economy.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveGod's presence in schoolA 海角大神 Science perspective: People can take their awareness of God's presence anywhere they go. Prayers don't need to be voiced out loud in order to be legitimate.
The Monitor's ViewFather's Day: a role for everyoneFather鈥檚 Day recognizes the importance of being a dad. Today 1 out of 3 children lives in a home with no father present on a regular basis.聽But anyone聽can lend a hand to kids without a dad in their lives.
OpinionFather's Day: Why a 'superhero' father wants to join the Mothers AssociationWhere are the fathers? In my neighborhood, the Mothers Association gets things done. Too many men want to avoid the thankless tasks that women have performed for hundreds of patriarchal years. They're also missing out on the beautiful intimate mundanity of nurturing a human being.
OpinionCould today's Iran election be a 1975 turning point?It鈥檚 difficult to predict how Iranians will react to this election. The peeling back of even the veneer of political choice and change may be the last straw for Iranians and eventually lead to another uprising, just as the shah鈥檚 1975 scrapping of political parties helped spur the 1979 revolution.
Global ViewpointWhy boycotting Iran鈥檚 presidential election is an act of integrityIn reality, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will decide Iran's presidential election. That is why actively boycotting this election would be an act to regain dignity as well as be a mass, nonviolent uprising that could end a regime that prolongs its existence by moving Iran from crisis to crisis.- Global ViewpointWhy boycotting Iran鈥檚 presidential election is an act of integrityIn reality, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will decide Iran's presidential election. That is why actively boycotting this election would be an act to regain dignity as well as be a mass, nonviolent uprising that could end a regime that prolongs its existence by moving Iran from crisis to crisis.
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveBecoming a fatherA 海角大神 Science perspective: In celebrating Father's Day, a dad reflects on his 'instant fatherhood' and the joy that came with it.
The Monitor's ViewFalling white birthrate: The new American 鈥榰s鈥�America's white majority is slipping away faster than ever, affecting issues from the immigration debate to the future of the economy.
OpinionMaking US humanitarian aid to Syria a political tool is ineffective 鈥� and dangerousCalls are growing to route US humanitarian aid to Syria through opposition groups, using aid as a political tool to earn the US credit with the population. This would be ineffective and dangerous. Instead more must be done to ensure the safety and access of aid groups working in Syria.
