All The Monitor's View
Please, a discerning presidential debate on foreign policyWhen Mitt Romney and President Obama debate foreign policy Monday evening, they need to admit the US faces wholly new challenges that require a national consensus on the core values that can drive US responses.
Let us now praise the popularity of presidential debatesThe audience size for the Romney-Obama presidential debates was a near record, showing a hunger for civic life and for leaders who can uplift society.
Mr. Obama, just say no to state ballots on marijuana legalizationThe silence of America's top law enforcement officials 鈥� President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder 鈥� on three state votes to legalize marijuana is puzzling. If any of the measures pass, it will cause a constitutional crisis as well as a dangerous jump in pot use.
New Jersey's bad call on sports bettingNew Jersey plans to allow sports betting early next year in defiance of federal law and possible corruption of the culture of sports. The state even admits such gambling would harm its own teams.
Why Romney, Obama must drop the fear-mongeringIn their political ads and presidential debates, Mitt Romney and President Obama worsen economic uncertainty by using fear tactics and pandering to special interests. The economy needs the certainty of a political consensus.
Why Europe needed the Nobel Peace PrizeSunk low by euro woes, the European Union needed the Nobel Peace Prize to remind it why it should be grateful for its past success. Gratitude helps in affairs of state as much as in personal ties.
What Pakistan can do after Taliban shooting of schoolgirl MalalaThe Taliban shooting of Malala Yousafzai, a famous 14-year-old girl activist, should spark Pakistanis to not only end the Taliban but to emulate Muslim societies that elevate the status of women in Islam.
What Supreme Court missed on use of race in admissionsIn its hearing on affirmative action at the University of Texas, the Supreme Court didn't weigh how much higher education can make itself more accessible to all.
World's big 'wanted' sign: 600 million jobsEven as the World Bank calls for 600 million more jobs by 2020, the IMF forecasts a long economic slowdown. Will new technologies help? No. The first need is basic reform in governance.
China bashing in the presidential raceRomney and Obama try to compete in bashing China. Yet both the history and future of US-China ties point to a need for calm debate on how the two economic giants can cooperate.
The Obama, Romney dance on debt in the debatesLost in the dueling economic figures of the presidential debate was a shared moral concern by Mitt Romney and President Obama about the giant debt being left behind by baby boomers. Young Americans 鈥� and future generations 鈥� need more of that political unity.
Romney, 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.
Women 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.
A 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.
A 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.
A 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.
Why NFL referees must be model judgesThe 'bad' NFL referee call in the 'Monday Night Football' game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers puts a spotlight on those among us whom we elevate as truth tellers and judges.
How Obama, Romney foreign policies are alikeWhile they differ on issues like Iran and China, Obama and Romney are alike in not having a foreign policy that would inspire Americans to build a strong economy.
Today's democracy heroes are in the fiscal trenchesThe West's years of unsustainable promises on spending are hardly a model of democracy. When elected leaders, such as Rhode Island treasurer Gina Raimondo, tell the truth on how to rein in costs, they are democracy's heroes.
When campaign politics turn vicious, what voters can doAs the 2012 campaigns settle into a pattern of personal attacks, voters need not be passive, or even resigned. The can demand civility.