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The Monitor's ViewGunboat diplomacy on a rebound?Russia deploys warships off Syria. China sends threatening vessels to its neighbors over island disputes. The world can't afford a return to 19th-century naval intimidation.
OpinionIn Pennsylvania, the Rosa Parks of voter ID faces down GOP voter suppressionA Pennsylvania court will hear a suit challenging the state's voter ID law, which requires a volume of voter qualification proof not present in a Supreme Court ruling that upheld voter ID. Leading the charge: a 93-year-old black woman. If she loses, Republican voter suppression wins.
Global ViewpointWhy China won't collapseThe purge of provincial party chief Bo Xilai is seen as China鈥檚 most serious political crisis in decades. But this view assumes the people are dissatisfied with the regime. In fact, the large majority of Chinese people support the single-party state structure. Still, dangers lurk.- Global ViewpointWhy China won't collapseThe purge of provincial party chief Bo Xilai is seen as China鈥檚 most serious political crisis in decades. But this view assumes the people are dissatisfied with the regime. In fact, the large majority of Chinese people support the single-party state structure. Still, dangers lurk.
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveBeyond beliefA 海角大神 Science perspective: Spiritual reality is widely discussed, but words often fail to capture its meaning. Here鈥檃 a fresh look.
The Monitor's ViewFeeling poor? Wealthy? Here's a reason why.More studies probe gaps between people, especially in income. This trend only reinforces a self-image based on stereotypes and relative comparisons. Isn't identity anchored first in the absolutes of life?
OpinionOne benefit from expanded Medicaid: savings from more available contraceptionSeveral state governors say they are unlikely to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act upheld by the Supreme Court. But by opting out, states will lose societal and budgetary benefits of fewer unplanned pregnancies by making publicly funded contraception more available.
The Monitor's ViewIn Libya elections, lessons for Arab SpringThe Libya elections were a step forward for a bedraggled Arab Spring. They revive the region's cry for democracy and may set a model in how to accommodate Islam with individual rights.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveHaving it all?A 海角大神 Science perspective: Anne-Marie Slaughter's recent article in The Atlantic magazine revisits the challenges women face when trying to achieve a work-family balance. Here are some ideas about what a spiritual perspective on the issue can offer.
OpinionTime to curb the illicit global arms tradeConventional weapons that are sold or diverted to unscrupulous regimes, criminals, and terrorist groups kill hundreds of thousands of civilians every year in places like Syria and Sudan. World leaders must act soon on an arms trade treaty being negotiated this month at the United Nations.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveHow big is your infinite?A 海角大神 Science perspective: Recent news of the possibility of scientists' discovery of the subatomic particle Higgs boson, also known as the 'God particle,' evokes fresh thought about what makes up our world.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: America's class divide is really an information gapLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of July 9, 2012:聽Information capital 鈥� the power to think and use information creatively 鈥� evolves over time as the product of a person's experiences with words and concepts. Poor children have less chance of developing it than their richer peers.
The Monitor's View'Stand your ground' loses groundAs defendant George Zimmerman tries to raise a $1 million bond in the case of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a new study suggests that 鈥榮tand your ground鈥� laws aren鈥檛 a deterrent to crime and increase homicides.
OpinionSeventeen magazine's vow to celebrate all body types: It's about time.Seventeen magazine vows to never change the shape of girls' faces or bodies in photos. If we don鈥檛 reconfigure the way girls see themselves on TV, in movies, and in magazines, even smart teens will believe the media lie that their worth is in fastidious attention to the superficial.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveThe promised land that is yoursA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewBaseball proudly wears its greenIn pro baseball, which holds its all-star game Tuesday, more than the playing fields are green. Teams are rigorously looking for ways to cut energy use and become better overall environmental stewards.
Opinion'Having it all' is so 1980sThe debate about Anne-Marie Slaughter鈥檚 Atlantic cover story on women and 'having it all' 鈥� career and family 鈥� is out of touch with the modern family. As a young couple, our question is how can we have just enough? We鈥檙e attuned to core joys, not status and acquisition.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveGarden prayersA 海角大神 Science perspective.
OpinionIf Thoreau were to move to Walden today, would he bring the Internet? Maybe.Thoreau is one of technological innovation's most famous critics. But there鈥檚 a different side to Thoreau鈥檚 relationship with technology that says a lot about our own continuing struggle to strike the right balance between individual serenity and an interconnected planet.
OpinionThe 'America effect': How immigrants fall crazy in loveImmigrants' passion for America warps plans and bends dreams. My Pakistani parents realized that America changed their approach to life, just as it has changed everything else it has touched.聽American freedom is even helping (slowly) moderate latter-day Islam.