All Commentary
OpinionThis graduation season, let's remember the 20th centurySteve Jobs told college graduates to follow their inner passion. John F. Kennedy told them to solve the world's problems.聽At graduation ceremonies, speakers should remind men and women not just of their obligation to pursue self-satisfaction, but also of their duty to fellow human beings- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveGraduation: a time of renewalA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewHow Europe can find its feet againNow in its longest recession since World War II, Europe is the world economy's weakest link. But as it achieves financial stability, it must now focus on structural overhaul to spur innovation and worker retraining.
OpinionWhy are Obamacare supporters attacking job creators?When seemingly organized Obamacare supporters attack small business leaders who express concern about the health-care law, job creators are no longer just uncertain about how their business will be impacted by the law. They are afraid 鈥� for their businesses and to speak out.
OpinionWhat Bangladesh 鈥� and US retailers 鈥撀爉ust do to prevent man-made tragediesTwo man-made tragedies have shaken Bangladesh recently: riots over Islamist demands for blasphemy laws and the garment factory collapse.聽Bangladesh's response to both will show how well it can meet citizens' needs. US retailers must also take responsibility for factory conditions.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveThe sound of abundanceA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewHow to avoid another Justice raid on reporter phone recordsThe secret combing of AP phone records by Justice in pursuit of a security leak shows the need to better define the overlapping roles of government and the press in their mutual desire to protect the American people.
OpinionWhat could finally topple Iran's regime? Earthquakes.Poor government response to earthquakes in Iran exposes the regime's corruption and incompetence.聽As the EU's Catherine Ashton and Iran鈥檚 Saeed Jalili meet in Turkey today, Tehran should heed history鈥檚 warning: No nuclear program can save a regime from a toppling earthquake.
OpinionAs North Korea heats up, South Korea and Japan should warm tiesCooperation on missile defense between South Korea and Japan would help blunt threats from North Korea. But Japanese officials' recent insensitivity to Imperial Japan's painful role in World War II, including forcing South Koreans to become 'comfort women,' works against cooperation.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveAn inspired career strategyA 海角大神 Science perspective: Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg's recent book "Lean In" has some helpful career strategies, but this writer has discovered the importance of "leaning up" for divine inspiration.
The Monitor's ViewIRS scandal as a lesson in civic valuesThe IRS targeting of conservative political groups may not have been political itself. But it shows a serious need for more civics education in America about basic freedoms like the First Amendment.
3 priorities for Pakistan's new government After 14 years, Nawaz Sharif is back at the helm in Pakistan. The nuclear-armed country faces a welter of problems, from terrorism to tensions with Afghanistan, India, and the United States. To move Pakistan forward, Mr. Sharif must focus on three priorities.
Five ways to improve Obama's pre-k plan President Obama鈥檚 Preschool for All plan is well intentioned but includes features that are not justified by research and won鈥檛 help it pass in Congress. The plan must make the following five adjustments.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveAn anchor for making sound judgmentsA 海角大神 Science perspective: We each have built-in good-judgment equipment.
The Monitor's ViewEthical consumers and the Bangladesh building collapseMore consumers act out of empathy after tragedies like the collapse of the Bangladesh garment factory building, forcing global companies to shape up their suppliers in other lands.
5 myths about amnesty for illegal immigrants in Senate bill Under a bipartisan Senate immigration bill, immigrants who have come to the United States illegally are given a "path to citizenship." On close inspection, each of the following five claims about the requirements for illegal immigrants to earn amnesty are not what they seem.- Readers RespondReaders Write: A smart alternative to school suspensionsLetter to the Editor for the May 13, 2013 weekly print issue:聽Suspensions lead to wasted educational opportunities and increasing absenteeism, truancy, and dropout rates.聽A holistic approach where trained community members and counselors work with students on a one-on-one basis keeps students in school, so they have a better chance of graduating and becoming productive citizens.
On guns: For a conversation rather than debate, start with these questionsIn trying to bridge the civic divide over guns, a productive approach to conversation is to focus not on who is right, but on where people are coming from. Questions developed at a recent public forum on guns, hosted by The Monitor, can be tools for less polarized dialogue on guns.
A better way to talk about guns in AmericaTragic events such as Sunday's Mother's Day parade shooting in New Orleans will fuel the debate over gun control in America, even if legislation is stalled.聽For a more productive conversation,聽what if we shelve policy debate and focus on聽understanding why people hold the views they do?- A better way to talk about guns in AmericaTragic events such as Sunday's Mother's Day parade shooting in New Orleans will fuel the debate over gun control in America, even if legislation is stalled.聽For a more productive conversation,聽what if we shelve policy debate and focus on聽understanding why people hold the views they do?
