Overview for News

Japan's Quake: Assessing the Damage

The tsunami and earthquake that hit Japan appear to have done enormous damage, but many factors may have helped limit the final death toll. There's a lot that remains unknown about the tsunami and earthquake that appears to have done enormous damage in Japan. Three things that I'd keep in mind: …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday March 11, 2011

Germany's Defense Minister Rocks Out

Last night in Berlin, Germany's recently resigned defense minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg received a unique hard rock farewell from the military. Last night in Berlin, the Bundeswehr conducted a stunning farewell ceremony for Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the country’s recently resigned …

Written by Ulf Gartzke on Friday March 11, 2011

Questions for Libya Non-Interventionists

George Will posed some questions for those arguing for the U.S. to intervene in Libya. But those skeptical about intervention also have some tough questions to consider. George Will posed some questions for Libya interventionists the other day. Here are some questions for non-interventionist…

Written by David Frum on Friday March 11, 2011

Is Sarko's Libya Response a Domestic Power Play?

Sarkozy has received praise for recognizing Libya's opposition. But the move may have been made with domestic political concerns in mind. French President Nicolas Sarkozy's recognition of the Libyan opposition as the new legitimate government has received much attention. However, the decision may …

Written by Jean Granville on Friday March 11, 2011

On Libya: Europe Leads, Obama Stalls

There's a striking paradox over the response to Libya: those with the will to act (France) don't have the means; those with the means (the US) don't have the will. Here's text of a statement from the French government on Libya. It raises a striking paradox about Libya: those who have the will to …

Written by David Frum on Thursday March 10, 2011

Household Debt Drop: Sign of Recovery?

U.S. consumers continue to pay down debt. Last quarter, household wealth rose $2.1 trillion. Is this the basis for a strong recovery? The basis for recovery? U.S. consumers continue to pay down debt. From the Wall Street Journal : Household debt fell by about 0.5%, the 11th straight …

Written by David Frum on Thursday March 10, 2011

Senate Dems Rebel on Spending Cuts

The real surprise in Wednesday's Senate spending bill votes was the total failure of Harry Reid to keep his own caucus in line. The failure of both Democratic and Republican spending cut proposals in the Senate wasn't much of a surprise. The Republican proposal--a huge exercise in chutzpa that …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday March 10, 2011

Qaddafi's Real Fear: A War Crimes Trial

Are fears of facing an International Criminal Court trial for human rights violations pushing Qaddafi and his sons to cling to power? It used to be, in the bad old days of the 20 th Century, that when the time came for tin-pot dictators to be replaced, they fled to some accommodating country …

Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday March 10, 2011

NASA Budget Grounds Space Probes

Robotic space exploration accounts for a tiny portion of NASA and the federal government's budgets. Yet, despite their merits these programs face deep cuts. For decades, there was debate among space exploration proponents about the relative merits of manned versus unmanned missions. Enthusiasts …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Thursday March 10, 2011

Watch Frum: Walker Will Be a Hero to GOP Governors

On The Last Word , Frum and host Lawrence O'Donnell discuss Newt's appeal to values voters and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's future. Wednesday night, David Frum appeared on MSNBC's The Last Word . Frum and host Lawrence O'Donnell discussed whether probable GOP presidential candidate Newt …

Written by FrumForum Editors on Thursday March 10, 2011

The GOP's Dim Bulb Bill

This week, the Senate will hold hearings on a bill to undo energy standards on light bulbs. Is defending the wasteful incandescent light bulb really a priority? This week the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will have a hearing on Senator Mike Enzi’s “ Better Use of Light Bulbs Act , …

Written by David Jenkins on Thursday March 10, 2011

Remembering David Broder

Like many in politics, I read David Broder because he told me what I needed to think about. With his passing, I've lost a friend and mentor. Like so many people in politics over the past half century or more, I read David Broder’s news items and columns religiously for the simple reason that …

Written by Les Francis on Wednesday March 9, 2011

Oops! HuffPo Puffs 9/11 Truther

How did writer Dan Froomkin's piece celebrating a 9/11 denialist as a lonely heroic defender of civil liberties end up on the Huffington Post's homepage? You’ll miss the Mainstream Media when they’re gone. You’ll miss professional reporting. You’ll miss editors who ask questions like, …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday March 9, 2011

Obama Retreats on Gitmo

After sober reflection, President Obama has reluctantly come to the right conclusion that the ideal place to keep suspect terrorists is Gitmo. In the natural order of things, U.S. President Obama should perhaps consider apologizing to his predecessor, George Bush the Younger. Except he …

Written by Peter Worthington on Wednesday March 9, 2011

The Fair Trade Racket

“Fair Trade” coffee is promoted everywhere. But far from helping third world farmers, "fair trade" practices are luring the world's poor into a distorted market. “Fair Trade” coffee is promoted everywhere, from companies such as Starbucks to my university's campus. Its advocates argue that the …

Written by Harry Graver on Wednesday March 9, 2011

Levin Wants a Shutdown: Real Americans Don't

Tuesday, Mark Levin upbraided the GOP leadership as cowardly for not shutting down government. But a new poll reveals why that could be a disaster. Tuesday, during the opening monologue on his radio show , Mark Levin upbraided the GOP leadership as cowardly for not shutting down government. …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday March 9, 2011

The Bold Budget Cuts Congress Won't Touch

Tied up in Washington's budget cut fight, neither party is focusing on the real problem: the large percentage of the budget devoted to mandatory spending. As both parties engage in Kabuki theater over cuts to the 12 or so percent of the budget that consists of domestic, discretionary, …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Wednesday March 9, 2011

Newt's Family Values Problem

Gingrich's personal life has been and will be politically lethal. But it's not the infidelity. It's the arrogance, hypocrisy, and (most horrifying to women) the cruelty. Pete Wehner tries to assess how much past marital infidelity will hurt Newt Gingrich's presidential chances. Many of the …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday March 8, 2011

New Grads: Advice from the Last Lost Generation

In the final installment of our young and jobless series, two survivors from the last "lost generation" provide some advice to today's recent graduates. With the release of new employment numbers, we at Frum Forum decided that it was time to listen to the voices of the young as they …

Written by FrumForum Editors on Tuesday March 8, 2011

"Believe in Your Worth": Advice from the Last Lost Generation

It's hard to accept the uncertainty of the Great Recession, but never stop believing in the worth of your life and work no matter how much others may insult it. With the release of new employment numbers on Friday March 4th, we at Frum Forum decided that it was time to listen to the voices of …

Written by Telly Davidson on Tuesday March 8, 2011