Overview for News

Why 2010 Won't Be a Repeat of 1994

CNN is trumpeting a poll showing similarities between 1994 and 2010. But before the GOP starts celebrating, there are a few key differences they should note. Having written a few days ago of my objections to the media’s obsession with public opinion polls, I probably should have passed on the …

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Written by Les Francis on Friday August 13, 2010

Why Europeans Hate Tipping

For the past three weeks, my Italian friend has been visiting the U.S. for the first time and has found everything thrilling... except for when the check arrives. For the past three weeks, my Italian friend, L, has been visiting. It has been an experience, to say the least – especially given …

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Written by Rachel Ryan on Friday August 13, 2010

Letting Your Kids Make Their Own Mistakes

Writing in the Globe and Mail , David Eddie responds to a reader wondering if its too late for her to still give her 20-something son advice. Writing in the Globe and Mail , David Eddie gives advice to a reader worried that her 20-something son's girlfriend may send him to the poorhouse.  Should …

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Written by David Eddie on Friday August 13, 2010

The Fat Diaries: Is Obesity Making Girls Hit Puberty Sooner?

A study released this week claims that American girls are starting puberty at younger ages and many doctors are pointing the finger at obesity rates. Well, it’s that time of year. Vacation is almost at an end. We’re seeing lots of sales on kids clothing and school supplies. We’re getting …

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Written by Monica Marier on Friday August 13, 2010

What Polls Don't Tell Us

Democrats shouldn't get too excited about a new Wall Street Journal poll finding that Obama has met voters' expectations. Another day, another poll... The Hill reports on a new Wall Street Journal poll: Fifty-eight percent of Americans say Obama has performed as they thought he would, …

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Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Friday August 13, 2010

Are We Losing the Fight Against Obesity?

Last week, a new study reported that obesity rates were rising in the U.S. Yet despite the scale of the problem, both left and right have failed to produce real solutions. Last week, news of rising obesity rates made big headlines. “Obesity Rates Keep Rising, Troubling Health Officials, ” …

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Written by David Gratzer on Friday August 13, 2010

Why Warren Isn't Ready to be the New Consumer Watchdog

If Obama wants to improve things for consumers he can start by dropping plans to nominate Elizabeth Warren to head the new consumer protection agency. If President Obama wants to improve things for American financial consumers and realize the promises of the financial reform bill, he should drop …

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Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday August 13, 2010

Throw the Book at WikiLeaks

Civil libertarians will be outraged that the White House is asking other nations to consider prosecuting WikiLeaks' Julian Assange. But, in truth, the U.S. has no other choice. Word comes from The Daily Beast that the Obama administration is attempting to make the West uncongenial to WikiLeaks …

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Written by John Vecchione on Thursday August 12, 2010

Gingrich Gets Religion

Why does Newt Gingrich keep pushing the increasingly emphatic religious messaging? Why does he imagine that it will work? John Richardson extracts some damning quotes from Newt Gingrich's ex-wife for an Esquire profile. You can read them here , if you haven't seen them already. The story …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday August 12, 2010

Conservatives Should Get Over 1980

The right wing has been stuck in the mindset of 1980, waging noble fights against taxes and cultural radicals. A new incremental approach is needed. Oklahoma City — I do not agree with President Obama on much, but I think he was spot on when he stated that sometime a few decades ago half of …

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Written by Jason Reese on Thursday August 12, 2010

Dem Candidate's Past: Bar Fights & Suspended Licenses

F F has obtained files revealing that Dem House candidate Cedric Richmond was involved in a bar fight in 2007 and once had his law license suspended. Frum Forum can exclusively reveal details about New Orleans Democratic congressional candidate Cedric Richmond, who got into a bar fight in …

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Written by Tim Mak on Thursday August 12, 2010

Minnesota Gov Race Wide Open

Historically, Minnesota's governor's mansion has tended to be occupied by moderates. This year's race though features a sharply partisan field. The Minnesota gubernatorial primaries have concluded with a somewhat unusual result, a sharply partisan field.   The Governor’s mansion has in the past …

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Written by Bryce McNitt on Thursday August 12, 2010

What I Learned from Tony Judt

When I first met Tony Judt, I knew nothing of his world renown as a historian, nor his criticisms of Israel and U.S. foreign policy. Tony Judt sort of stumbled into the room upon our first encounter, a sort of baffled expression contorting his face. “What class is this?” he asked, clutching a …

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Written by Corey Chambliss on Thursday August 12, 2010

Recovering Europe's Past

My latest column for The Week looks at Eastern Europe's recovery from the destruction of World War II and the deformation of the Cold War. My latest column for The Week looks at Europe's recovery from World War II and the Cold War. I last visited Berlin 20 years ago, in the summer of 1990. …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday August 12, 2010

Obama's Bailout Trap

Obama's latest bailout -- a bill directing $26 billion in aid to the states -- could put some GOP politicians in a tricky spot. Despite what the President may say, bailouts are never apolitical. Regardless of whether you think TARP was justified (I did and still do) it was hard to miss the obvious …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday August 11, 2010

Who Reads FrumForum?

When I started blogging at FF, I thought my posts would reach conservatives. Lately though, I seem to be attracting a much different readership. Here's the official description for Frum Forum : FrumForum.com is a site edited by David Frum, dedicated to the modernization and renewal of the …

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Written by Andrew Gelman on Wednesday August 11, 2010

Tea Party Scores Another Primary Upset

In Colorado's GOP senate primary, the Tea Party scored another win when Ken Buck defeated former state Lt. Gov. Jane Norton. But can Buck carry his momentum to a November win? Ken Buck’s win in yesterday’s Colorado GOP primary is inspiring a lot of activists on the right who believe in the power …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Wednesday August 11, 2010

Why We're In Afghanistan

If anything indicates the need for a civilized presence in Afghanistan, it’s the recent slaughter of 10 aid workers by the Taliban. If anything indicates the need for a civilized presence in Afghanistan, it’s the recent slaughter of 10 aid workers by the Taliban. Of course, there will be …

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Written by Peter Worthington on Wednesday August 11, 2010

Leaving End of Life Care to Docs and Patients

Moves to reform the provision of end of life care won't save much money but could fundamentally remove those medical decisions from doctors and patients. The television show 60 Minutes and Atul Gawande, writing in The New Yorker , have recently weighed in on the topic of end of life care. …

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Written by Stanley Goldfarb on Wednesday August 11, 2010

Getting America Back to the Moon

In recent months, the Obama administration has scrapped plans to return NASA to exploring the moon. In recent months, the Obama administration has scrapped the Bush administration’s plan to get NASA back into manned exploration of the moon, and instead has focused on helping the private sector …

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Written by Kenneth Silber on Tuesday August 10, 2010