All Commentary
-
The Monitor's View: Who forced a 'fiscal cliff' deal? Try foreign investors.
Washington is now all too aware that foreign creditors and investors will punish it for any macroeconomic mismanagement. American competitiveness was at stake in the fiscal cliff negotiations. 01/02/2013 03:45 pm
-
Opinion: India gang rape: Why US should ratify UN treaty on women's rights
The gang rape and death of a student in India, which has sparked protests there to change cultural views on women, should remind the United States why it’s high time to ratify the UN 'bill of rights' for women. American criticism of the treaty is based on misconceptions. 01/02/2013 11:44 am
-
The Monitor's View: For journalists and Internet, 2013 must not repeat 2012
Record assaults on journalists in 2012 and official moves to censor the Internet show how much authoritarian regimes fear the truth. Perhaps in 2013, truth-tellers will start to win. 12/31/2012 03:10 pm
-
Readers Write: Obamacare should keep religious exemption narrow. What has Obama done for Palestinians?
Letters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of Dec. 31, 2012: The religious exemption to Obamacare's contraceptive mandate should remain narrow, so few groups have the right to deny employees insurance coverage for contraception. President Obama should stop support for Israel's West Bank takeover and bring US foreign policy in line with American democratic principles. 12/31/2012 01:30 pm
-
Opinion: In 2013, nothing more important than protecting hopes for democracy
The world faces serious issues in 2013, including debt and climate change. But nothing is more important to international stability and human progress than the aspirations of people upending authoritarian rule in pursuit of self-government. A look at three cases: Egypt, Myanmar, Malawi. 12/31/2012 12:27 pm
-
Opinion: New Year's resolution: Stop drunk driving with ignition locks
The New Year’s holiday contributes more alcohol-related traffic fatalities than any other day of the year. We challenge states to join our New Year’s resolution and require ignition interlocks for all those convicted of drunk driving. These devices work. 12/31/2012 10:34 am
-
Bad news is loud. Good news rules
If you look behind the often dire headlines and examine the long-term trends, you'll see that crime is falling, lifespans are increasing, and poverty is ebbing. In other words, there's solid evidence for hope. 12/30/2012 12:03 pm
-
The Monitor's View: India gang rape: why women are needed as justice officials
Mass protests in India after a vicious gang rape of a female student help put a spotlight on countries that need to have more women police and judges. Antirape laws are not enough. 12/28/2012 03:31 pm
-
Opinion: In fighting gangs, US should look to El Salvador
In combating the MS-13 gang, the Obama administration should look to El Salvador, which has adopted a far less confrontational approach, and is seeing a drop in gang violence as a result. A negotiated 'truce' with gangs is possible in the US and Mexico. 12/28/2012 12:21 pm
-
Opinion: Putin shows Russian insecurity in signing ban on US adoption of orphans
Russia's ban on US adoption of orphans is retaliation for a US law that targets human-rights abusers in Russia. Moscow's response reveals one of its greatest weaknesses, a deep-seated national sense of insecurity. Now Russians themselves must demand better for their children. 12/28/2012 10:45 am
-
The Monitor's View: Egypt's big lesson in democracy
Egypt adopted a postrevolutionary constitution this week. But the Arab nation has only begun to understand that democracy isn't only majority rule. 12/27/2012 03:54 pm
-
Beyond the 'fiscal cliff': 6 reasons to be optimistic about America's future
As Americans take stock of 2012 and gear up for 2013, it's tempting to adopt "decline think" about the country, especially since there is still no deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff" of steep budget cuts and tax increases. But here are six reasons Americans should still be optimistic about their future. 12/27/2012 10:12 am
-
The Monitor's View: Homes for the homeless: a smart investment in dignity
Despite a recent rise in poverty, homelessness is down. One reason? Providing a residence for the homeless creates enough self-respect for them to deal with underlying issues. 12/26/2012 02:42 pm
-
Opinion: After Sandy Hook and Webster, N.Y., the real 'monster' only community can heal
After the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, Conn. and now the shooting ambush of firefighters in Webster, N.Y., public dialogue has focused on the world's evil. But the real 'monster' is the abuse and neglect that kills kids every day – stopped by strong communities, not guns. 12/26/2012 10:10 am
-
The Monitor's View: Take steroids out of college football
An in-depth investigation shows that despite avowals to the contrary, college football programs are rife with the use of illegal steroids. A tougher stand is needed. 12/24/2012 01:09 pm
-
Opinion: Christmas shopping: A pink kitchen set and the 'buying local' dilemma
I wasted hours looking for a cheaper version online, when my dad was willing to pay more at the local store. He made me realize that I was all about 'buying local' until I had to shell out more money. I've learned: I can’t always pay more, but I don’t always have to pay less. 12/24/2012 12:56 pm
-
Readers Write: Should Obamacare honor the rights of individuals or institutions?
Letters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of December 24, 2012: Government shouldn't privilege the teachings of one religion over another on any part of health-care access. And equating women's access to health care with an impingement on religious liberty is a distraction. 12/24/2012 12:55 pm
-
Who needs church?
The purpose of church may not be apparent in everyday life. But there comes a moment when we all wonder if everyday life is all there is. Church is waiting to help answer that question. 12/23/2012 02:32 pm
-
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
Become part of the Monitor community