All Editorials
OpinionEx-CIA spy: History of failed negotiations shows Iran won't dealPresident Obama errs in pushing nuclear negotiation, writes this ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Four US presidents tried and failed. The problem lies in Iran's fanatic ideology. Biting sanctions and US overt support for the Iranian people will bring real change.
OpinionA conservative worries: Will Gingrich return America to the days of King George?As a conservative constitutional scholar, I am deeply troubled by Newt Gingrich's vision for executive power over the courts 鈥� even if it is to strike back at liberal judges.聽Such a seizure of power threatens the rule of law upon which free and equal citizenship is founded.
The Monitor's ViewChina's real rise 鈥� in Wukan's village electionChinese residents in the coast village of Wukan rebelled last year and won the right to a free election. The rest of China watches to see if they, too, can demand democracy.
OpinionCongress makes Elmo cry by defunding Palestinian 'Sesame Street'In protest of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen froze $192 million in funding for USAID programs, including a Palestinian version of 'Sesame Street.' The move has not only jeopardized the show, but US Mideast policy.
Walter RodgersA CEO as US president? America is not a business, Mitt Romney.Romney was a one-term governor, but he is surely the 24-carat chief executive officer. There are huge differences in skills required to be a successful CEO and a president of the United States. Presidents, for example, have to make life-and-death decisions that go beyond spreadsheets.- Walter RodgersA CEO as US president? America is not a business, Mitt Romney.Romney was a one-term governor, but he is surely the 24-carat chief executive officer. There are huge differences in skills required to be a successful CEO and a president of the United States. Presidents, for example, have to make life-and-death decisions that go beyond spreadsheets.
- Walter RodgersA CEO as US president? America is not a business, Mitt Romney.Romney was a one-term governor, but he is surely the 24-carat chief executive officer. There are huge differences in skills required to be a successful CEO and a president of the United States. Presidents, for example, have to make life-and-death decisions that go beyond spreadsheets.
Eight reasons to 鈥榤ute鈥� super PAC adsFirst Iowa, now Florida, have seen the first wave of political TV ads from super PACs 鈥� mostly negative 鈥� that will smother the 2012 presidential elections. Voters have an easy way to avoid such ads: the mute button. Here are eight reasons to use it:
The Monitor's ViewObama, like Roberts, seeks harmony in WashingtonPresident Obama cites the military as a model for politics, similar to the aim of Chief Justice John Roberts for consensus on the Supreme Court. Why are both goals not working?
OpinionThe most important election of a lifetime? So say Gingrich et al.As Gingrich faces Romney in Florida, he calls 2012 the 'most important election of our lifetime.' Sometimes he compares its significance to the pre-Civil War era. GOP rivals like Santorum and key Democrats like Pelosi are also gasping about the stakes. Time to catch our breath.
The Monitor's ViewCandidates need antidotes to public anger, not angerA combative, angry mood hangs over the presidential races, reflecting public sentiments. But below the anger are emotions that do need to be addressed, with a calm debate of policy.- OpinionBrady, Manning worshippers: Football is our religion, Tebow. Don't mess with it.Americans expect religious rhetoric from GOP candidates, not quarterbacks like Tim Tebow. That crosses a line into divisiveness. Football brings people together:聽Your denomination might be Giants or Patriots, but we're all the same underneath.
OpinionNot so Modern Family: Top sitcoms make for sexist, inaccurate televisionIn the five highest-rated primetime sitcoms (The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Two Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men, and How I Met Your Mother), male characters are professionally accomplished, while female characters are unemployed or struggling.
Should the US attack Iran? Monitor Facebook fans speak out.The views on 'what to do with Iran' are heated. Monitor Facebook fans reacted to two recent opeds: '5 reasons the US should attack Iran' and '5 reasons the US should avoid war with Iran.' We've culled some of the best responses here.
The Monitor's ViewMake sure shale-gas boom doesn't go bustObama and GOP should unite in driving the use of this abundant gas as a 'bridge fuel' to renewable energy. But they must be cautious in rushing to tap shale gas.
OpinionEx-CIA spy: Iran's miscalculation over warLeading Iranians are criticizing the regime, including its war-like provocation and the foreign sanctions aimed at its nuclear program. One Revolutionary Guard commander calls Iran's war threats 'the same stupidity' and miscalculation that preceded the Iran-Iraq war.
OpinionObama, here's how to help the poor: Educate both parents and their childrenIn his State of the Union address, President Obama聽touted ways to improve education and the economy. One聽solution 鈥� with a proven record of success 鈥� didn't make it into the speech: a two-generation strategy to educate families and bring them out of poverty.
The Monitor's ViewIndependence for Scotland: Nothing brave about itBreaking up countries, even peacefully, runs against the tide of history. Civic virtues can unite a people, despite their history and cultures.
OpinionEvangelicals now vote for Catholics. Will they also vote for a Mormon?Defying a history of聽anti-Catholicism, evangelical leaders recently endorsed GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum (a Catholic), and South Carolina Evangelicals voted Catholic Newt Gingrich to victory in their primary. Will Mormon Mitt Romney be next to win them over?
OpinionEuropean Union test case: stop Hungary from backsliding on democracyIt's hard to love the EU 鈥� bureaucratic, legalistic, mired in gridlock. The euro crisis hasn't earned it much praise lately, either. But the EU still has vital clout. It can help force member states like Hungary to stick to democracy, rather than backslide into dictatorship.
