All Commentary
OpinionBeyond the 'fiscal cliff,' America's kids need more 鈥� not less 鈥� government spendingAs the 'fiscal cliff' approaches, John Boehner and other lawmakers should beware of another kind of deficit 鈥� the growing opportunity deficit for low-income US children, already聽present by the time they enter kindergarten.聽Government can help with universal childcare and preschool.
OpinionHow the US can prevent the use and spread of Syria's chemical weaponsThe conflict in Syria could become even more deadly if Bashar al-Assad uses or loses control of his sizeable arsenal of chemical weapons. The聽international community鈥檚 options to prevent these scenarios are limited, but they do provide a starting point.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveMy veteran, my heroA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewWhy latest failure of global warming talks may be a successThe weak outcome of the climate change talks in Doha only add to the momentum toward solutions at the local level, where values on the common good are more easily shared.
OpinionReturn on American humanitarian aid: They like usFrom Indonesia 鈥� the world's largest Muslim nation 鈥� to Pakistan, recipients of American humanitarian aid improve their opinions of the United States, especially when that aid is targeted at individuals, and not governments.
Opinion'Fiscal cliff' or not, tax reform is easier said than doneAs part of any deal on the 'fiscal cliff,' Congress will likely take up comprehensive tax聽reform. That's a worthy goal, but it will involve more political and economic pain than most would like to admit.聽Every line in the tax code has its own constituency and rationale.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectivePromises keptA 海角大神 Science perspective.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Preserve local news; Japan's nuclear dilemma is an energy dilemmaLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of December 10, 2012:聽Local news gives citizens the information to get involved and affect their immediate environment and the political decisions that shape it. Japan's problem is that is has no viable energy options other than nuclear power.
The Monitor's ViewHow to avoid revenge killings in post-Assad SyriaThe end appears near for the Assad regime in Syria. The opposition and world powers must do more to prevent the kind of post-conflict revenge 鈥� mainly against Alawites 鈥� that could ricochet in the Middle East.
OpinionHow to protect Americans from anti-terrorism data sharingAcross the United States, dozens of 'fusion centers' pool and share information in an effort to prevent another September 11. But these centers have not been effective anti-terrorism tools and have violated Americans' rights. Here's how they can be fixed.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveGetting and keeping ChristmasA 海角大神 Science perspective: If the lights and music, holiday events and parties, don鈥檛 meet our real yearning for what is at the heart of Christmas, what will?
OpinionPlan B for raising debt ceiling: Obama should invoke the ConstitutionPresident Obama wisely wants to resolve the looming crises with the debt ceiling and the 'fiscal cliff ' now. If he can't strike a debt-ceiling deal, he has another option: Bring out the Constitution, whose 14th Amendment states that the 'validity' of US debt 'shall not be questioned.'
The Monitor's ViewLook to Lincoln to solve 'fiscal cliff'As the Spielberg movie 'Lincoln' and many books about Abraham Lincoln reveal, solving difficult standoffs in Washington takes more than savvy politics and horse-trading. Lincoln had to first turn to deeper ideals that then helped him win allies.
OpinionObama and Israel are walking away from two-state solution with PalestiniansBy refusing to support the Palestinian bid at the UN, President Obama has essentially endorsed a No State Solution between Israel and Palestine.聽Changing course is possible. A good place to start would be threatening to remove US aid to Israel, given its plans for more settlement building.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveSpiritual stewardsA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewMaking the world flat-out against corruptionThe latest ranking of perceived corruption among nations doesn't show much change. But other evidence points to a grassroots rebellion against graft in hopes of a culture of honesty.
The Monitor's ViewAre Americans ready to deal with Syria's chemical weapons?On Monday, Obama strongly warned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad not to use chemical weapons as rebels advance on Damascus. What is the national interest in threatening US action? Obama must sort out the moral purpose.- OpinionFlawed graph weakens case against Iran nuclear programThe Associated Press admits that a graph purporting to show that Iran has run computer simulations for a nuclear weapon is scientifically flawed. This raises serious questions about the quality of other 'evidence' against Iran's nuclear program. Here's a way to proceed.
OpinionICC membership may hurt Palestinians, Hamas more than IsraelMahmoud Abbas鈥檚 successful bid for Palestine at the UN takes Palestinians one step closer to joining the International Criminal Court, where some hope to prosecute Israel.聽But ICC membership may force Palestinians to take responsibility for their own conduct as well.
A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveThe unstoppable power of harmonyA 海角大神 Science perspective: The beauty of a sunset on the highway after a hectic day gave this writer a glimpse of the divine harmony of the universe that brings grace and calm to daily living.