All Commentary
OpinionObama played bad defense against an articulate, high-scoring RomneyPresident Obama's weary cadence throughout the presidential debate last night was a sad contrast with Mitt Romney鈥檚 sunny intensity and articulate flow of figures and 'facts.' His聽many good lines appealed to undecided voters or responded to negative impressions.
The Monitor's ViewRomney, Obama can help democracy in presidential debatesVoter interest in the 2012 election is down. Mitt Romney and President Obama must use the unique opportunity of the presidential debates to engage those not likely to vote.
OpinionMedia shouldn't dismiss value of Romney, Obama presidential debatePresidential debates 鈥� like tonight's between Mitt Romney and President Obama 鈥� are educational. The voters know it, and the statistics show it. But somebody forgot to tell our news organizations, which continue to dismiss the real importance of the debates.
OpinionWhat Romney and Obama can learn from Jim Lehrer in tonight's presidential debateJim Lehrer will moderate tonight's presidential debate with the same thoughtful tone he instilled in me as a young journalist. With Washington gridlocked, our next president will need that same spirit of inquiry and dialogue.聽Mitt Romney and President Obama should start by taking a cue from Jim.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveEmergency? Call Psalm 91:1.A 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewWomen can't be airbrushed out of Arab SpringLike IKEA's deletion of photos of women from its catalog for Saudi Arabia, Muslim countries now creating democracies can't leave out women's rights while creating civic rights.
3 views on whether US states should require voter ID Voter ID laws enacted recently in several states have taken center stage this election cycle. Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson ruled Tuesday that the state could not implement its new voter ID law until after this year's November elections. As the fifth installment of our One Minute Debate series for election 2012, three writers give their brief take on whether US states should require voter ID.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveSecond chancesA 海角大神 Science perspective: Adam Greenberg, whose major league baseball career ended after one pitch seven years ago, is being given a second chance. His story turned this writer to the second chances God offers each of us.
Global ViewpointGordon Brown: Lack of global education fuels security threatsIf countries don't close the global gap in access to education, unrest will grow 鈥� not because young people are anti-American, but because they have lost hope.聽We must persuade governments and publics that educating a child in a poor country is a worthwhile investment.聽- Global ViewpointGordon Brown: Lack of global education fuels security threatsIf countries don't close the global gap in access to education, unrest will grow 鈥� not because young people are anti-American, but because they have lost hope.聽We must persuade governments and publics that educating a child in a poor country is a worthwhile investment.聽
The Monitor's ViewA global model for peacebuilding 鈥� in Somalia?One of the world's most famous failed states, Somalia, finally shows surprising signs of progress. One reason may be Somali fatigue over violence, anarchy, and foreign meddling.
OpinionSupreme Court case tests US leadership in human rightsToday the Supreme Court will assess whether US courts can hear lawsuits that pertain to events outside the country. If the justices eventually decide 'no,' an important avenue for redress will be closed to foreign victims of human-rights abuses 鈥� and America鈥檚 beacon will shine less brightly.
OpinionBeware Russia's hand in elections in Georgia, Ukraine, LithuaniaA top priority of Russian President Vladimir Putin is the reintegration of former Soviet republics 鈥� based on tighter economic links and culminating in a political and security pact centered around Russia. Meddling in Eastern European elections is one way to fulfill Putin's regional ambition.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveSharing that makes a differenceA 海角大神 Science perspective.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Labor unions deserve our thanks; Alcohol is deadliest drugLetters to the Editor for the October 1, 2012 weekly print issue: Only 12 percent of workers are in unions now, but we should remember how unions have improved our lives and thank the many laborers around us today. In driving accidents, alcohol 鈥� not marijuana 鈥� is the deadliest drug.
Reading the Quran in a new wayLike the Bible, the Quran is filled with fiery passages and gentle ones. Some sentences contradict others. But a new way of reading the Muslim holy book -- based on an old way of storytelling -- might shed a very different light on its meaning.
The Monitor's ViewA rare apology in the Middle East. Cherish it.Libyan leader Megarif apologizes to the world and the US for past and current actions. With so much invective and violence in the Middle East, the region needs the healing power of such humility and contrition.
OpinionNote to tweeting #Romney, #Obama campaigns and #journalists: ChillBelieving that faster is better, journalists and political figures feel constant pressure to express themselves at the speed of a tweet. The resulting commentary is long on reflex and short on reflection, and harms public discourse. There's an answer: Slow down.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveA lesson from a waterfall, one drop at a timeA 海角大神 Science perspective: After the writer moved into a senior community, she found meaning and connection after a period of feeling aimless and without purpose.
The Monitor's ViewA Chinese lesson in land rights and democracyThe first anniversary of a historic village protest over land grabs shows how far China , as well as many countries, must still go in securing property rights 鈥� and tying them to individual civic rights.
