All Editorials
What we do, what they knowEven primitive humans left data trails in the form of footsteps, campfires, and arrowheads. But in the digital age, we are constantly generating data. Search engines and advertisers tap it. So does the National Security Agency. Convenience and security are the upside. Loss of privacy is the downside.
The Monitor's ViewFDA and e-cigarettes: Nicotine addiction must not be the normThe Food and Drug Administration will likely decide soon how to regulate e-cigarettes, the electronic devices that deliver a vapor of nicotine (along with some toxins). The agency must assume people do not want to be addicted to this powerful drug.
OpinionTo stop elephant and rhino poachers, dissuade buyers in China and VietnamElephant and rhino populations in Africa are being decimated for ivory and rhino horn. In a vicious cycle, buyers in China and Vietnam fund terrorists in Africa who rely on crime groups and poachers. A social media campaign in Asia must make buying these products abhorrent.
The Monitor's ViewFixing America's subsidized homeownershipThis fall, Congress and President Obama will debate how much taxpayers should still back homeownership. But first they need to ask if owning a home leads to well-being.
OpinionAfter A-Rod doping penalty, don't expect meritocracy in baseballDoping sanctions leveled against A-Rod and 12 others don't mean that meritocracy has returned to baseball. The field is already tilted. In sports, as in life, some people get terrific coaching and instruction from the time they can walk. Nobody calls that 'cheating,' but it's also not 'fair.'
The Monitor's ViewFar more than Snowden led Obama to cancel Putin summitAn assertion of values more than interests are behind President Obama's cancellation of a September summit with President Vladimir Putin. The US simply doesn't see world diplomacy as Putin does.
OpinionMuslims should welcome a new, modern perspective on prophet's sayingsThe end of Ramadan this week marks a good time for Muslims to consider Turkey's new, modern version of the Hadith 鈥� which records the sayings and customs of the prophet Muhammad. The multi-volume set moves away from literal interpretation and embraces the inspired meaning.
The Monitor's ViewBottom line, disabled people might be better employeesWalgreens and now a report by the National Governors Association show businesses can benefit by seeing disabled workers not as charity cases but employees with uncommon qualities that can enhance profits.
OpinionA modest proposal for Zimbabwe's MugabeA flawed election in Zimbabwe has Robert Mugabe preparing for his seventh inaugural. Typical of Africa, the opposition could not unseat him. But here's a way forward: Appeal to his concern with legacy so that he swears off running again. This can lead to an open succession.
The Monitor's ViewBuds of hope for US-Iran nuclear talksWith a new, more moderate president, Iran trades signals with US over possible openings for nuclear talks. Each side needs to first build trust. The next two months will be critical to find peace paths.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Myth of a 'ban' on school prayer; Modeling respect for AfghansLetter for the Editor for the August 5, 2013 weekly print issue:Shorthand references in headlines to a Supreme Court 'ban' on school prayer are misleading. The meat of the recent cover story makes clear the court did no such thing. The 'ban' language is part of a campaign by those who want to return government-mandated religion to public schools.Can Afghanistan defend itself? The more important question to ask is whether the people of Afghanistan can defend themselves from themselves.聽Americans can never force Afghan citizens to treat each other in a certain way. They can only model respectful treatment.
OpinionObjection! Americans' opinion of Supreme Court can't keep droppingFor the first time in nearly 30 years, the favorability rating of the US Supreme Court has fallen below 50 percent. Lack of public confidence undermines the legitimacy of the court's rulings. Chief Justice Roberts has yet to project an image of a court that stands above politics.
Rethinking mental health careDe-institutionalization of mental patients was better than locking them away, but outpatient treatment has often been inadequate and underfunded. Now a new effort is being made to coax those experiencing mental problems into programs that gently support them and foster their reintegration into society.聽
The Monitor's ViewWhat Obama should see in his Federal Reserve nomineeWith President Obama due to nominate a new chief of the Federal Reserve soon, he and the Senate must focus on what today's elected leaders often miss: a long-term perspective.
OpinionRepublicans hold key to progress in WashingtonThe US government was never intended to function with the extreme levels of partisan rancor of the Obama years.聽Reagan would be remembered as a failure had he faced from Democrats the obstructionism of today's tea party-beholden GOP. But signs of hope also聽lie with the Republicans.
The Monitor's ViewSnowden asylum in Russia: What now for US?With Russia granting asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden, Americans now have time to sort out the apparent clash of values 鈥� liberty versus. security 鈥� that his actions represent. If only he had found another way to help resolve that clash.- How much do you know about bipartisanship? Take our quiz.
Americans aren鈥檛 big fans of Congress. According to the latest numbers, three-quarters of the country disapproves of its job performance. Since President Obama took office in 2009, Congress鈥檚 highest approval rating has been 37 percent. Recent instances of partisan brinkmanship 鈥� the 2011 debt-ceiling debate, the 2012 fiscal-cliff standoff, and the 2013 sequester dispute 鈥� have made many citizens disillusioned with the lawmaking process and concerned about the country鈥檚 future prosperity.
But wait! There鈥檚 hope. Bipartisanship 鈥� cooperation, agreement, and compromise between the two major political parties 鈥� has always existed in Washington. The creation of Congress itself wouldn鈥檛 have happened without the Great Compromise that settled the issue of representation at the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
How much do you know about America鈥檚 bipartisan tradition 鈥� past and present? Take our quiz to find out.
The Monitor's ViewCrackdown on Egypt protests: What's really at stakeThe Egyptian military's order to end the Muslim Brotherhood protests is the latest slide toward violence and chaos. Egypt must right itself by balancing order and freedom.
OpinionA rare opportunity to influence HamasAs talks between Israelis and Palestinians get underway, the international community has a window of opportunity to pressure聽an increasingly isolated Hamas to reconcile with the Palestinian Authority 鈥� a move that would help Gazans, support a peace deal, and stabilize the region.
OpinionThe danger of American apathy on NSA surveillanceNew documents released today reveal the alarming scope of NSA data collection. But half of Americans see the spying as 'no big deal.' They聽are allowing government to chip away at freedoms that others, especially in the Arab world, are giving their lives to build.