Topic: Barack Obama

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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
3 priorities for Pakistan's new government

After 14 years, Nawaz Sharif is back at the helm in Pakistan. The nuclear-armed country faces a welter of problems, from terrorism to tensions with Afghanistan, India, and the United States. To move Pakistan forward, Mr. Sharif must focus on three priorities.
Five ways to improve Obama's pre-k plan

President Obama’s Preschool for All plan is well intentioned but includes features that are not justified by research and won’t help it pass in Congress. The plan must make the following five adjustments.
5 myths about amnesty for illegal immigrants in Senate bill

Under a bipartisan Senate immigration bill, immigrants who have come to the United States illegally are given a "path to citizenship." On close inspection, each of the following five claims about the requirements for illegal immigrants to earn amnesty are not what they seem.

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US considers end to tariffs in Myanmar: Too soon?

Though the country has gone through a series of reforms, Human Rights Watch has recently thrown allegations of 'ethnic cleansing' at the government.
In Gear Obama administration to add 10,000 hybrids for 'green' government fleet

The Obama administration plans to add an additional 10,000 hybrid vehicles to its fleet of roughly 200,000 cars and trucks, Voelcker writes. Currently hybrids make up 5 percent of the government fleet.
Irked by airport delays, Senators ease FAA furloughs

The Senate re-appropriated money Thursday to reopen closed air traffic control towers and rehire furloughed air traffic controllers. Many members of Congress had already flown home to their districts, thus experiencing the delays affecting many air travelers.
Stocks stumble after a fake tweet announced White House attack

Stocks lost and then recovered on Tuesday after a false tweet announced an attack on the White House. In a matter of minutes, the stock market declined by one percent.
Backchannels Should use of chemical weapons in Syria be a 'game changer?'

Last month President Obama called chemical weapons use by Syria a 'game changer,' but why do US interests change if chemical weapons are used?
The Monitor's View: In a gathering of presidents, a model for Washington

Five current and past US presidents met Thursday for the dedication of the George W. Bush presidential library The conviviality and civility should set a standard for politicians.
White House all but sure Syria used chemical weapons – but needs to be sure

Since August, President Obama has laid down use or transfer of Syria’s chemicals weapons as a 'red line.' The White House letter puts the US closer to acknowledging such a line has been crossed.
Tax VOX Will Max Baucus retirement help tax reform? Don't count on it.

Some believe the retirement of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus will increase the likelihood of tax reform, but Gleckman argues his retirement may not result in a tax code rewrite.
Chorus grows against Obama administration's sanctions-heavy Iran policy

The Obama administration's effort to end Iran's nuclear program has focused on punitive measures, with little diplomatic outreach. Critics say this jeopardizes negotiations.
Opinion: To nudge Iran talks, new UN resolution needed

UN Security Council resolutions that Iran must stop 'all' enrichment activities are outmoded, unrealistic, and hurt the Iran talks. A new resolution should promise to lift sanctions if the parties reach a reasonable agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
Opinion: Boston bombings and a Muslim identity crisis

The Tsarnaev brothers had a jumbled identity. I know, because I also had one as a Muslim immigrant to the United States. The challenge of the Boston bombings is for Muslim communities and law enforcement to help create a generation of Muslims with an American identity.
Decoder Wire Obama’s tattoo plan: Tattoos for Dad, too. Will that gambit work?

Obama’s tattoo plan: Ink is a distant prospect, at least in the highly protective White House years. Still, President Obama has a high-risk plan for his daughters to prompt second thoughts. Will it really work?
Boston marathon bombing: Could it have been prevented?

The federal government is now examining the intelligence it had of Tamerlan Tsarnaev prior to the Boston marathon bombing in order to determine whether it could have acted to prevent the attack. Different spellings of the suspected bomber's name appear to have helped him avoid detection during recent travels to Russia.
Chemical weapons in Syria? What Obama's high bar for proof could mean.

Three key US allies – Britain, France, and Israel – have said Syria has used chemical weapons in its civil war, but the US, wary of intervening in the conflict, is calling the evidence 'inconclusive.'
The Monitor's View: What history should record of the Boston bombings

Just as memorable as the Boston bombings was the shared, collective response. Yet the focus remains on divisions, such as classifying the bombers by their background and motives. Isn't the display of shared humanity just as important?
Flight delayed? Republicans blame FAA, and FAA blames 'sequester.' (+video)

Testifying on Capitol Hill Wednesday, the FAA administrator said furloughs of air-traffic controllers – and hence flight delays – are unavoidable under the 'sequester.' House Republicans challenged his assessment.
Modern Parenthood Obama's tattoo plan for the girls: 'Mommy and me will get the same exact tattoo'

President Obama's tattoo plan for Sasha and Malia is pre-emptive. Obama said he and Michelle told the girls their tattoo plan is to get the same ink the girls do, show it off on YouTube as a family tattoo.
To Obama's dismay, America not outraged by gun control fail, poll suggests

A new poll finds that less than half of America is upset by the Senate's failure to pass expanded background checks. That was supposed to be the gun control issue with the broadest support.
Change Agent Civic Accelerator boosts young businesses who want to do good

The program funds five for-profit and five nonprofit startups, then throws them together to teach each other the best ways to get a social venture to succeed.
USA Update Ricin suspect released, as FBI shifts to new 'person of interest' (+video)

Ricin suspect Paul Kevin Curtis said, after his release: 'I thought they said rice.' Curtis's attorney says her client was framed. Federal investigators are looking into potential enemies.
Obama's immigration plan makes the US safer, says Napolitano

Lawmakers worried about border security loopholes revealed by the Boston bombing, but Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said they were already addressed by Obama's proposed immigration plan.
Girding for a federal budget battle royale, parties wrangle over rules

With Capitol Hill bracing for a battle over financial policy this summer, the focus now is on rules for the committee that will seek to reconcile House and Senate versions of the federal budget.
Stocks surge after fake tweet scare

Dow briefly plunges 143 points after fake AP tweet about explosions at the White House. But the market recovers and the Dow closes 152 points higher. Strong quarterly earnings boost stocks.
Decoder Wire George W. Bush poll numbers up. Does America miss him yet?

George W. Bush left office with a 23 percent approval rating, but now, as his presidential library is about to open in Dallas, he's back up to 47 percent. But he's got a way to catch Bill Clinton.
French embassy bombing hits embassy and innocent neighbors

The French embassy bombing this morning in Tripoli, Libya, started fires in the embassy itself and several nearby buildings, including homes outside the French compound. Two embassy guards were wounded in the bombing, as was a Libyan girl eating breakfast.