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OpinionAfter the confetti, Obama faces a reality checkVoters still need hope and change. But it is much harder for Obama to justify four more years, given historic numbers of Americans living in poverty, record high food-stamp use, and sluggish job growth. Last night, the president only partly succeeded in pointing the way ahead.
OpinionObama speech: Despite foreign policy successes, a need for the big viewIn his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, President Obama pointed to foreign policy successes, such as killing Osama bin Laden. But he and GOP nominee Mitt Romney still need to lay out a vision for a changing world. US influence depends on its competitiveness.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveHave you tried turning?A 海角大神 Science perspective: Turning to God instead of giving up or trying harder can lift you up and over what seems like an impenetrable wall.
The Monitor's ViewIntegrity and the Harvard cheating scandalHarvard University's investigation of alleged mass cheating in one class points to the difficulty of schools teaching integrity to students. Rules, honor codes, and courses on ethics can help. But much depends on individual character.
OpinionNot true, Mitt Romney: History shows business experience doesn't make a good presidentMitt Romney has derided President Obama for lacking the business experience he claimed as 'essential to his task.' That's a popular GOP message, but it's not true. America's best-rated presidents weren't businessmen, and those with the most business success rank among the worst.
OpinionObamacare champions personal responsibility. The states that hate it don't.Bill Clinton rightly defended Obamacare at the Democratic National Convention. Mitt Romney and the GOP say the law neglects personal responsibility, but the opposite is true. Plus, states that voted against the law exhibit the least personal responsibility in health behaviors.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveBeyond debate and dialogueA 海角大神 Science perspective.
OpinionDefenders of the 'Chinese way' are off the markHillary Rodham Clinton's insistence on a democratic approach to controversies involving China has brought out similarly insistent statements from defenders of the 'Chinese way.' They point to flaws of democracy while touting China's special Confucian values. This is dangerous thinking.
OpinionChina territorial disputes: a warning in the history of Imperial JapanThe emerging Japan of the 1920s and 鈥�30s, like today鈥檚 China, was steeped in historic resentment of the West鈥檚 forcible imposition of commercial and cultural influence. Both countries set about building military capabilities commensurate with their new economic prowess.
The Monitor's ViewWhy trust eludes GOP, Democrats at political conventionsRepeated disregard of the facts 鈥� and fact-checkers 鈥� forces voters to arm themselves by searching out the truth about candidates.- A word about comments on CSMonitor.comWe've shifted our approach. Comments on articles aren't available on most articles. You can still contact us, though.
OpinionAn Israeli strike won鈥檛 delay Iran鈥檚 nuclear weapons program. It will start it.In spite of the hype, there is no definitive evidence Iran is working to develop a nuclear weapon. A new study suggests that the one thing that could launch an Iranian drive to weaponize, however, would be an Israeli strike.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveDivision or divine vision?A 海角大神 Science perspective: Territorial disputes between neighbors or neighboring nations do have a solution.
The Monitor's ViewA food price spike that needn't beThe UN warns of a global spike in food prices, caused in large part by drought, that could lead to riots like those four years ago. Big grain exporters need to rethink their policies, especially in the US with its mandate on ethanol for fuel.
6 things Obama must do at the Democratic National Convention Many American voters will view the 2012 election as a referendum on the Obama presidency, so party leaders need to be ready with their defense. Here are six things Democrats and Obama can do at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. this week if they want to secure victory over Mitt Romney and the GOP in November.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveBright light from senior workersA 海角大神 Science perspective.
Why we work -- and keep workingHere are five reasons: (1) The paycheck. (2) Fulfillment. (3) Sociability. (4) Dignity. (5) The paycheck. And there are hundreds more as workers stay on the job well into their senior years.
The Monitor's ViewObama and Democratic National Convention must clarify on IranObama plans to play up his foreign policy at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. With Romney's tougher stance on Iran and its nuclear program, Obama must help voters have a clear choice.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Congress must take unpopular stands, not compromise; Mike McQuery is no victim in Sandusky scandalLetters to the Editor for the September 3, 2012 weekly print issue:聽Since when are leaders expected to only do what is easy in the short term?聽It's a tremendous reach to try and justify what amounts to Mike McQueary's cowardly act by calling him a victim of male culture.
OpinionAfter Mitt Romney's speech, voters may still ask: Can we trust him?Mitt Romney鈥檚 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last night was a tepid mix of boilerplate and biography, vague on policy, economical with the truth, and without a memorable, soaring line. It reflected all of the problems that have bedeviled Romney from the outset.