Overview for FF Spotlight

Don't Let Radicals Stifle Free Speech

Recent actions by Pastor Terry Jones have lead some to call for restraining free speech. This impulse should be rejected. On March 20 th , a xenophobic idiot masquerading as a man of God lit a holy scripture on fire . This act was a proximate cause of events that caused 12 innocent people to …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Sunday April 3, 2011

Romney's Healthcare Talking Points Still Need Work

Romney has developed a set of answers when he is asked about his Massachusetts healthcare plan, but they still need some work. At the RJC annual meeting in Las Vegas, Mitt Romney delivered the big speech on Saturday. He did a good job too, talking about issues from employment to Israel - …

Written by David Frum on Sunday April 3, 2011

Why the Balanced Budget Amendment is No Good

The proposed Balanced Budget Amendment is an awful idea that would fundamentally change American politics for the worst if it passed. The latest Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) proposal is not only an unworkable fiscal monstrosity but also the most fundamental change to our system of government …

Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Sunday April 3, 2011

America's Greatest Superhero Turns 70

Captain America has become an icon, but what is the story of his creator? It remains the most memorable blow ever struck for liberty in the history of American popular culture. When the first issue of "Captain America Comics" appeared on newsstands 70 years ago, the cover depicted a …

Written by Tim Hodgson on Sunday April 3, 2011

How Big of a Dupe is Richard Goldstone?

Why is Richard Goldstone surprised that the UN has not condemned Hamas's terrorist attacks? Is Richard Goldstone the world's biggest dupe ? If he does not deserve the gold medal, surely he's a solid runner-up. Some have suggested that it was absurd to expect Hamas, an organization that has a …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 2, 2011

Whose Story Does the Kennedy Biopic Really Tell?

This weekend will be the premier of the new miniseries about The Kennedy's, but should a biopic really try to cover a person's entire life? This Sunday, April 3 (at 8:00pm), after a protracted delay, the niche cable movie channel Reelz Network will rescue the controversial miniseries on America's …

Written by Telly Davidson on Saturday April 2, 2011

How Progressive Taxation Punishes Hard Work

A new study shows how progressive taxation is inequitable for people who are working harder. My friend Kip Hagopian has a very thought-provoking article in the current issue of Policy Review on the (in)equity of the progressive income tax. Here is a core point: The progressive …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 2, 2011

Kennedy Biopic is Bad, Not Slanted

The problem with the new Kennedy biopic isn't the slant of the history, it's just bad television. It's doesn't last a thousand days like the Kennedy Administration. It only feels like it does. "The Kennedys" miniseries, abruptly dropped by the History Channel amid hints of none too subtle …

Written by Tim Hodgson on Saturday April 2, 2011

Harper Makes Ignatieff Reveal His Worst Flaw

By challenging Michael Ignatieff to a one on one debate, Stephen Harper has made Ignatieff reveal his worst flaw, his disrespect for his opponent In any multiparty election contest, the #2 candidate always wants to be alone with #1. Stephen Harper would have known that before he made his …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 2, 2011

Why Centrists Can Still Win the Budget Fight

The Tea Party movement has proven it can't have a serious discussion over how to solve the budget crisis. This leaves space for centrists to take the lead. Please, stop. Whether it is Bruce Bartlett admonishing Republican Senators who have co-sponsored the Balanced Budget Amendment or Rep. …

Written by Steve Bell on Saturday April 2, 2011

Is Libya's Star Defector a Fake?

The West claims Moussa Koussa is a defector with valuable information on Qaddafi, but what if he is really in deep cover? Is Libya’s most important defector to the West really on a deep-cover diplomatic mission? One of the architects of the 2001 prosecution of two Libyans charged with downing the …

Written by Tim Hodgson on Saturday April 2, 2011

The Prowl: Fixing Up Mr. Hopeless

One of my friends constantly gets attached to crazy girlfriends. Can anything be done to save him? I'd love nothing more than to provide an update on last week's discussion of how to break the news to my boyfriend that I am writing this pseudonoymous blog. Unfortunately, um, other things got in …

Written by Vivian Darkbloom on Friday April 1, 2011

Help! My Coworkers Treat Me Like I'm Over the Hill

Eddie hears from a reader who's fifty and fears his co-workers don't respect him because of his age. Is it time to put the young whippersnappers in their place? Writing in the Globe and Mail , David Eddie hears from a reader who's fifty and fears his co-workers don't respect him because of his …

Written by David Eddie on Friday April 1, 2011

The West’s Next Libyan Headache?

When Qaddafi ceases to be a problem, count on his former foreign minister, defector Moussa Koussa to be the next source of worry. The defection to Britain of Muammar Qaddafi foreign minister and intelligence and security chief, the comically-named Moussa Koussa, is devastating to the Libyan …

Written by Peter Worthington on Friday April 1, 2011

Are the GOP's Budget Theatrics Unconstitutional?

The House GOP thinks it has a solution to the current budget crisis, but in addition to being unlikely to pass, is their solution also unconstitutional? The theatrics continue on the Hill this afternoon as the House votes on the ‘Government Shutdown Prevention Act’. The Act would automatically …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday April 1, 2011

What Romney Should Learn From Gingrich

Newt Gingrich's used to call the 1995 government shutdown "clearly wrong." Now he calls it a "historic success." Mitt Romney can learn from this. Benjy Sarlin has a post on the evolution of Newt Gingrich's statements on the 1995 government shutdown. Where once Gingrich lamented the 1995 …

Written by David Frum on Friday April 1, 2011

Calgary's Muslim Mayor Goes Green

It turns out Calgary's mayor is a Muslim revolutionary: revolutionary because he's trying to persuade the people of Canada's oil capital to ride public transit. My friend Chrystia Freeland at the International Herald Tribune has a profile up today of Calgary's new mayor. It turns out he is a …

Written by David Frum on Friday April 1, 2011

No Evidence of Double Dip Recession With New Job Numbers

The latest job numbers suggest it is unlikely that America will enter a "double dip" recession. Although the just-announced drop to 8.8 percent unemployment hardly reflects a thriving economy, it does seem to show that the economic recovery has at least some legs. It’s unlikely the economy …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday April 1, 2011

Ryan Right to Punt on Social Security Reform

A new budget proposal from Paul Ryan will make Medicare and Medicaid reforms while leaving Social Security more-or-less untouched. Ryan's got the right priorities. A new budget proposal from Rep. Paul Ryan will make Medicare and Medicaid changes while leaving Social Security more-or-less …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday March 31, 2011

The New Stealth Fighter Canada Doesn't Need

With Canada’s election campaign underway, the parties are fighting over the cost of new F-35 fighter-bombers. But their are bigger problems than just the price tag. Now that Canada’s federal election campaign is underway, it’s inevitable the issue of new F-35 stealth fighter-bombers will become …

Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday March 31, 2011