All Commentary
-
The Monitor's View: The NRA call for armed guards in schools
The NRA's call for gun-carrying guards in schools shows it joins with other Americans in caring even more about children after the Sandy Hook shootings. But history also shows violence declines when children are taught how to counter violence by means other than violence – such as caring for others. 12/21/2012 05:53 pm
-
Opinion: Sandy Hook exposes the logic gap in NRA's opposition to gun control
After Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, we hear arguments against gun control, chiefly that laws won't keep guns from evil-doers. But no one would argue that homicide laws have no place just because they can’t stop all killings. The point is, gun control will reduce carnage, if not stop it. 12/21/2012 10:16 am
-
The Monitor's View: Kids and digital media: removing the fears
Reports of Adam Lanza's war-game obsession and the new FTC rules on children's online privacy help refocus concerns on the effects of digital media on children. But parental anxiety can be channeled toward solutions. 12/20/2012 06:13 pm
-
Opinion: Obama must remind Vladimir Putin of human rights, religious freedom concerns
Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has passed a succession of anti-human rights laws curtailing freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Parliament might even pass a proposed blasphemy law that clearly would violate religious freedom. President Obama must speak out. 12/20/2012 02:28 pm
-
Opinion: Israel's settlement push kills two-state solution, leaving Palestinians few options
Israel's settlement construction in the E1 corridor and East Jerusalem sends a clear message. Unless President Obama stands up to Israel, he and Benjamin Netanyahu should not be surprised if Palestinians charge them with the death of the two-state solution and seek other paths. 12/20/2012 12:14 pm
-
Opinion: Sandy Hook: Mental health, not gun control, is the answer to mass shootings
In the wake of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., a cry has gone up for gun control and ways to keep guns from people with mental illness. What we really need is to address the causes of these shootings – issues of mental health and social isolation. 12/20/2012 11:24 am
-
Readers Write: Democracy needs better media; Israel's right to defend itself
Letters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of December 17, 2012: The media needs to do a better job providing citizens with dependable, unbiased information. Regarding the latest conflict in Gaza, Israel only decided to fight back after Hamas attacks became unbearable. 12/19/2012 03:34 pm
-
The Monitor's View: Christmas in Newtown: restoring childlike innocence
A big Christmas tree in Newtown, Conn., has become a memorial site for the Sandy Hook children killed at their elementary school. Many faiths use a Christmas-like embrace of an innocent child to help them in troubled times and restore the promise of purity. 12/19/2012 02:57 pm
-
Opinion: Will John Boehner, President Obama master art of humility before 'fiscal cliff'?
John Boehner and President Obama continue their 'fiscal cliff' tussle over tax increases and spending cuts. But negotiating requires a healthy dose of humility. America's Founding Fathers, especially Madison and Franklin, knew this lesson well. We should look to them for guidance. 12/19/2012 11:53 am
-
Opinion: New gun laws? Don't aim at only mass shootings like Sandy Hook.
We only take notice when gun violence is sufficiently spectacular, such as at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. But on a typical day in the US, 33 people are murdered by guns, and 50 die in gun-related suicides. It's time to regulate. 12/19/2012 09:27 am
-
The Monitor's View: What Kerry, Hagel would bring to Obama diplomacy
Reports of Sen. John Kerry becoming Secretary of State, and Republican Chuck Hagel being tapped for Defense, hint at a new attempt to use 'soft power' in Obama's second term. But will it work? 12/18/2012 02:54 pm
-
Opinion: As fiscal cliff approaches, don't be fooled by the great Nordic myth
The Nordic countries are some of the happiest and most prosperous, which many attribute to socialist policies. That's a myth. As John Boehner and President Obama's 'fiscal cliff' debate over spending cuts continue, lawmakers should remember that socialism did not spell prosperity. 12/18/2012 12:21 pm
-
Opinion: Sandy Hook massacre: The NRA's gun 'rights' are a fabrication of modern times
In the wake of Adam Lanza's massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, let's try a grade-school exercise. True or false? For most of US history, Americans had broad gun rights. That's false. Until recently, individual gun rights were severely restricted – with NRA support. 12/18/2012 10:00 am
-
The Monitor's View: A bridge for action after Sandy Hook shootings
Americans were united over the weekend on the need for solutions to mass shootings like that at Sandy Hook school in Newtown, Conn. Now they must also deal with their respective fears over the different solutions being proposed. 12/17/2012 05:03 pm
-
Opinion: 'Fiscal cliff' cuts to job training for young people would cost taxpayers dearly
Because of the 'fiscal cliff' John Boehner and other lawmakers are looking to cut spending. But failing to prioritize successful programs in education and job training for young people would cost taxpayers more in the long-run. America should be expanding, not defunding, those investments. 12/17/2012 01:20 pm
-
Opinion: Madison never meant Second Amendment to allow guns of Sandy Hook shooting
Adam Lanza's shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. renews debate over gun control. A close look shows that James Madison conceived the Second Amendment in a different time, under different circumstances, with different weapons. 12/17/2012 12:47 pm
-
Justice delayed -- and delayed and delayed
When pre-trial detention stretches on for weeks or months, a suspect's right to a "speedy and public trial" is undermined. In effect, a prison sentence is being served without the prisoner having been convicted. 12/16/2012 04:15 pm
-
The Monitor's View: Newtown shootings: What to say to ourselves
The Newtown shooting of 20 children and 7 adults may be the strongest reminder that each individual must find ways to help end these kinds of mass slaughter. 12/14/2012 04:14 pm
-
Opinion: Next time, US Senate should ratify UN disabilities treaty
Last week, the US Senate voted down the UN disabilities treaty, despite a push from former GOP Senate Majority leader, Bob Dole. Critics say the treaty weakens parental rights and violates US sovereignty. Not so, and eight Republicans who crossed over to ratify, know that. 12/14/2012 11:24 am
-
Opinion: Is South Africa following the path of 'the strongman'?
South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress, was once a post-apartheid hero. Now it is the latest caricature of African bad governance, and it no longer resonates with the people. At its upcoming meeting, the party must embrace internal debate and reject economic nationalism. 12/14/2012 10:17 am
Previous
Become part of the Monitor community