Overview for News

Bachmann Claims the Intellectual High Ground

Michelle Bachmann describes herself as having a "strong academic, scholarly background." Michelle Bachmann describes herself as having a "strong academic, scholarly background." (CNN) - Newly declared Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann defended her past gaffes Tuesday by …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday June 28, 2011

Obama is His Own Worst Enemy

The way to defeat Obama is to focus on his own weaknesses and failings, not to invent new ones. David Brooks wrote a perceptive column today about the deficiencies in President Obama's leadership style. He can expect a barrage of negative comment from conservatives who will reject Brooks' …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday June 28, 2011

Bearing False Witness

British journalist Johann Hari has been credibly accused of falsifying his reporting. And Hari's self-defense is not exactly compelling. British journalist Johann Hari has been credibly accused of falsifying his reporting. First a left-wing blogger offered evidence that Hari had borrowed an …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday June 28, 2011

First Amendment Tour De Farce

If California thinks simulated beatings of women are obscene, who is Justice Scalia is to argue with them? Can kids now sue their parents for confiscating their video games? Two rulings from the Supreme Court before they get out of town have illuminated the broad, almost, unrestricted view the …

Written by John Vecchione on Monday June 27, 2011

Low Tax States Don't Equal High Job States

As one explores the common threads among states with improving economies, current Republican rhetoric, with its heavy emphasis on tax policy, may cloud the issue. The Department of Labor has released its state-by-state labor numbers: joblessness had declined in 24 states, risen in 13 (and …

Written by Harry Graver on Monday June 27, 2011

Same-Sex Marriage: A Dissenting Opinion

Same-sex marriage is the equivalent of the government mandating that two plus two equals five. Those who continue to say it equals four will be punished. David Frum has now thrown in the towel on same sex “marriage” . In point of fact his original view was correct. This conjugal view of …

Written by John Vecchione on Monday June 27, 2011

Here's How To Get To A Debt Ceiling

Here’s the dirty little secret of the endlessly protracted debt ceiling negotiations —it actually isn’t that hard to meet the targets set out by either side. The theatrics of the past two weeks aside, the wink and the nod seem to be already communicated as the President, the Speaker of the …

Written by Steve Bell on Monday June 27, 2011

Turning A Crisis Into A Greek Tragedy

The political management of the Greek financial crisis is akin to the generalship exhibited in World War One and could have similar catastrophic consequences for Europe. Looking back at historic events, say the protracted tragedy of World War One, one is frequently puzzled by the inability of the …

Written by Napoleon Linardatos on Monday June 27, 2011

I Was Wrong About Same-Sex Marriage

The case against same-sex marriage has been tested against reality. The case has not passed its test. As I discuss in my CNN column, New York's just-passed same-sex marriage law has been received with equanimity by the same conservatives who just a decade or so ago would have ardently opposed such …

Written by David Frum on Monday June 27, 2011

Choosing Our Energy Priorities

We want three things from our energy policy but we can achieve (at most) two at the same time: Energy that is cheap, energy that is secure, and energy that is clean. Human Eve nts offers a "Top 10" list of reasons to think that President Obama favors expensive energy. Here's number eight: …

Written by David Frum on Monday June 27, 2011

Lt. Columbo Hangs Up His Trenchcoat

The only forensic tool at Columbo's disposal was his high-powered brain -- a weapon he camouflaged behind an unkempt appearance and a deliberately vague manner. Although actor Peter Falk’s Alzheimer's diagnosis was well known, his death on Friday hit me unexpectedly hard. Over the years I had …

Written by Robin Tim Weis on Sunday June 26, 2011

House GOP: Call Them Irresponsible

The president has Hail To The Chief. So it’s only fair Congress has its own song, lest imbalance between the branches of government take hold and imperil the Republic. It is true that we can and often do learn something new (and sometimes useful) every day. After living and working in Washingto…

Written by Les Francis on Saturday June 25, 2011

Crisis? What Crisis?

Out of the mouths of real estate agents: A Washington property broker may have inadvertently provided an explanation for why lawmakers have their fiscal priorities wrong. Why Washington focuses on deficits and ignores the economic crisis, in one sentence. From today's Washington Post real …

Written by David Frum on Saturday June 25, 2011

He's Back! Arnie's Austrian Comeback

His triumphant homecoming has led some to speculate whether Austria's most famous export since strudel might return to his birthplace to extend his political career. He’s back! After having fallen from grace back in the US due to revelations he fathered an out-of-wedlock child with a household …

Written by Robin Tim Weis on Friday June 24, 2011

The Prowl: Dress To Impress, Not Distress

Ladies, if your shoes are made of the same material as Tupperware, you're not likely to end up in the bed of some staff assistant who thinks you're dreamy. So it is summertime in DC. How do I know this? The obvious answer is that it is a billion degrees and I would like to spend all of my time …

Written by Vivian Darkbloom on Friday June 24, 2011

The Fat Diaries: Charging By The Glass For Tap Water

An Australian restaurant wanted to reduce its carbon footprint by cutting back on plastic water bottles. So it started charging $5 a glass for tap water. Well it’s been another gross week of high temperatures, thunderstorms and migraines. Not that I’ve been exposed the heat part. You can …

Written by Monica Marier on Friday June 24, 2011

Plummer's Extraordinary "Beginners" Luck

Christopher Plummer is beguiling in "Beginners". He plays a widower who comes out of the closet as a liberated gay senior, landing a beefcake younger boyfriend. Spreading out after two weeks of very limited big-city release, writer/director Mike Mills' dramedy Beginners is kind of an in-joke, as …

Written by Telly Davidson on Friday June 24, 2011

Conrad Black Sent Back To Prison

Some outside lawyers believed the judge would take into account the frailty of the prosecution case, coupled with Black's model behavior in prison, and free him. While disappointing to most who have followed the case, it shouldn’t be surprising that Chicago Judge Amy St. Eve is sending Conrad …

Written by Peter Worthington on Friday June 24, 2011

The Brutal Truth About Hockey Fights

Opponents of a crackdown on fighting in the NHL should come out and admit it –- they don’t want fisticuffs outlawed because they enjoy the fights. The ornery Stanley Cup final between the Bruins and Canucks produced another round in the endless debate over whether the National Hockey League should …

Written by Alan Hirsch on Friday June 24, 2011

Gingrich Was Right About Ryan Plan

The elderly and large numbers of independents oppose the Ryan Plan, meaning GOP presidential hopefuls touting its proposals could be driven out of contention. Americans want the deficit reduced, but they aren’t so keen on Paul Ryan’s medicare plan. A new Bloomberg Poll finds that Americans by …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Friday June 24, 2011