Overview for FF Spotlight

A Tale of Two Heroes

Josh Brennan was critically wounded in 2007 in a Taliban ambush while on patrol with his platoon in Afghanistan. Two years later his cousin would help bring the terrorist who planned the ambush to justice. Here's an incredible story of modern war, an amazing series of coincidences; UNLESS - like …

Written by Sean Linnane on Sunday January 10, 2010

Why Were Dems Silent About Edwards Scandal?

A distinguished roster of Republicans and conservatives were willing to speak out in real time against Palin's nomination to vice president. Yet according to revelations from the newly released Game Change , none of the many Democrats who knew or suspected the truth about John Edwards were willing …

Written by David Frum on Sunday January 10, 2010

Transcending Disability

The stigma and prejudice associated with disability won’t disappear until society becomes accustomed to seeing people like Charles Krauthammer pursuing excellence in all fields of human endeavor. A few days ago, John Guardiano wrote an excellent tribute to Charles Krauthammer to mark his 25th …

Written by Martin Krossel on Saturday January 9, 2010

Steele's 12-Step Plan for Self-Destruction

What supporters of RNC Chairman Michael Steele most expected from him is that he’d broaden the party. His new book’s 12-step plan for Republican recovery however amounts to a formula for narrowing the party into the fundraising arm of the tea party movement. Former RNC chairman Jim Nicholson …

Written by David Frum on Saturday January 9, 2010

England Made Him

My National Post column this weekend addresses the underwear bomber's British connection. My National Post column this weekend addresses the underwear bomber's British connection. Abdulmutallab joined University College's Islamic Society and was soon chosen president. The London Times …

Written by David Frum on Saturday January 9, 2010

Restoring Fiscal Health at the Local Level

Whatever long-term fiscal problems states face, most local governments have it even worse. But without resorting to extreme measures, there are still a few things local governments might do to get their fiscal houses into order. Whatever long-term fiscal problems states face, most local …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Saturday January 9, 2010

Don't Blame the Filibuster

Political reformers who want to help promote more bipartisan legislation in the Senate should focus less on ending the 60 vote cloture rule and more on weakening the power of the party caucuses. Pleas for Congressional "bi-partisanship" flood the media marketplace. Esteemed columnists and think …

Written by Steve Bell on Friday January 8, 2010

Steele Can't Have it Both Ways

In his book, Michael Steele loudly criticizes Republicans who support policies with which he disagrees. But now that he's taking fire for his mismanagement of the RNC, he's invoking Reagan's so-called Eleventh Commandment. In his book , Michael Steele loudly criticizes Republicans who don't …

Written by Daniel Webster on Friday January 8, 2010

The War Must Be Obama's Top Priority

It’s high past time for the president to acknowledge that winning the War on Terror is his most important, overriding responsibility. Everything else -- including so-called comprehensive healthcare reform -- is secondary. The media are sure to laud President Obama for forthrightly addressing, …

Written by John Guardiano on Friday January 8, 2010

Prop. 8 Trial isn't Made for TV

A federal judge argued yesterday that the trial over the constitutionality of Proposition 8 should be videotaped and made available over the internet. Allowing cameras into the courtroom however could jeopardize the integrity of this trial. A San Francisco federal judge argued yesterday that the …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Thursday January 7, 2010

President Obama Vs. Candidate Obama

On the campaign trail, Obama promised to take federal funding for his campaign, to close Guantanamo, and to televise dealmaking on healthcare reform. Promises made - promises all broken. Candidate Obama promised to take federal funding for his campaign, to close Guantanamo, and to televise …

Written by Brad Schaeffer on Thursday January 7, 2010

Barack Obama – Tough Guy

A friend close to the intelligence community argues that Obama has been much tougher on the intelligence agencies after the Christmas bombing attempt than President Bush was after 9/11. A (right of center) friend close to the intelligence community makes this point. He talked too rapidly for me to …

Written by David Frum on Thursday January 7, 2010

Profiling Done Right

My column in The Week offers some suggestions. My column in The Week offers some suggestions.

Written by David Frum on Thursday January 7, 2010

Meet the Next Senator from North Dakota

North Dakota's current governor, John Hoeven, boasts an 87% approval rating and is proving that quiet governance not revolution is what voters want. Sporting Saddam Hussein-style approval ratings, the next senator from North Dakota is current governor John Hoeven. A traditional Midwestern …

Written by Alex Knepper on Thursday January 7, 2010

The New Front in the War on Terror

One benefit (if one dare call it that) of the underwear bomber’s failed attempt to blow up an American airliner over Detroit, is that it has drawn attention to Yemen as a training ground for al-Qaeda terrorists. One benefit (if one dare call it that) of the underwear bomber’s failed attempt to …

Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday January 7, 2010

Jill Biden: Not Educated on School Vouchers

The Second Lady admitted yesterday that she had not been following the D.C. school vouchers program. This despite her role as an advocate for the Obama administration on education issues, her Ph.D. in education, and her year-long residence in a city where this is perhaps the biggest issue in local …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday January 6, 2010

Don't Count on a High-Minded Slugfest

John Guardiano is right that we should use the 2010 GOP primaries to encourage an intelligent conversation on the party's future. But as the attacks on Mark Kirk in the Illinois Senate race sadly show, most primary fights won't be civil debates about policy. It's difficult to dispute anything …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday January 6, 2010

Don't Just React to Threats, Identify Them

As well as developing technology to detect weapons and explosives in luggage, the time is long overdue to develop what could be called “terrorist profiling.” That is, training people to recognize and identify suspicious individuals who might be a threat. With lineups and delays approaching …

Written by Peter Worthington on Monday January 4, 2010

Do Jews Hate Palin?

In the January Commentary , contributor Jennifer Rubin promises to explain “why Jews hate Palin”. If Jews do in fact disapprove of Sarah Palin more than other people do it is because she often seems to divide her fellow-Americans into first class and second class citizens, real Americans and …

Written by David Frum on Monday January 4, 2010

Getting the States Into Fighting Shape

Many states face severe fiscal challenges in the years ahead and will be forced to make tough choices on spending to balance their budgets. As David Frum notes , a lot of states face severe fiscal challenges for many years to come. Many of the biggest budget items for states—Medicaid, bond …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Sunday January 3, 2010