All The Monitor's View
- Just kidding
Today's American politics needs the mix of humor and civility heard on NPR's soon-to-end "Car Talk." Mass culture that includes self-deprecatory jokes and a friendly tone can influence the nation's political discourse.
- A big step toward 'designer babies' – and big questions
Researchers have achieved the first mapping of a fetus's DNA. The breakthrough opens the potential to choose a child's characteristics. Such power, however, should also force questions about 'playing God.'
- World eco-summit in Rio must come down to earth
The June 20-22 UN sustainable development conference in Rio, 20 years after the first Earth Summit, comes with the latest grave warnings for the planet. Does alarmist rhetoric still work to alter consumer behavior toward the environment?
- Wisconsin recall election as a wake-up call
The Wisconsin recall election for Gov. Scott Walker turned out not to be as partisan as expected. This fits a national trend in bipartisan reform of benefits for state and local workers.
- Euro crisis can build European identity
When European Union leaders meet in late June, they will weigh ideas that point to more political unity as a way to stem the euro crisis. Will Europeans give up more national sovereignty?
- Cyberattacks challenge ideas of war – and peace
If the US, China, and others adopt hidden methods of aggression like cyberwarfare, the nature of conflict will change rapidly. So, too, must peacemaking.
- Diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
As Britain celebrates the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth's 1952 ascension to the throne, it can also assess her legacy in balancing the monarch's duty as 'supreme governor' of the Church of England with being head of state.
- Ban on sex-selection abortions? Change attitudes toward girls instead.
A GOP bill up for a vote in the House would ban sex-selective abortions, most of which abort females. Such laws are far less effective than changing public thinking about the value of girls and women to families and society.
- Righting wrongs in China depends on rights
Dissident Chen Guangcheng is speaking out about the need for rule of law in China. But the party is slowly accepting individual rights. And studies show those few rights are yielding positive results.
- Egypt elections: a test of hard-won civic values
The final round of Egypt's presidential elections has two candidates who must appeal more broadly to Egyptian demands for equality and freedom. Both candidates need to compromise with pro-democracy groups.
- Syria massacre: a moment of truth to end the lies
The massacre of women and children in Houla, Syria, finally forces Russia to stop defending the denials of Bashar al-Assad in the killing of innocent civilians by Syrian forces.
- Message from Google chief: Have a heart – turn off this screen
Google chief Eric Schmidt suggests young people drop their screen time for some real conversation, heart to heart. Being better connected digitally isn't the best way to develop social skills.
- Obama and the contraception mandate
The Obama administration plans to exempt only certain types of religious institutions from the health-care law's mandate for coverage of birth control. But in doing so, it redefines religion, which not only steps on a basic liberty but a basic understanding of religion's role in society.
- SpaceX launch to space station: humanity finds new wings
If all goes well, the first private capsule will dock at the space station Thursday, marking a historic turning point in the use of private space companies. This will help free up NASA for riskier space exploration.
- Hope, resiliency, and unity mark the Joplin tornado anniversary
One the worst tornadoes in US history hit Joplin a year ago. The Missouri city has good reason to now celebrate its path to recovery.
- At G8 summit, US taps into Africa's 'cheetah generation'
For the G8 summit, Obama unveils a promise by private firms to invest $3 billion in raising Africa's farm productivity. Many young Africans, dubbed 'cheetahs,' are posed for effective private investment.
- At Chicago summit, NATO must take stock of its big shoulders
The NATO summit in Chicago can overcome the alliance's current woes about Afghanistan and defense cuts by remembering how unique NATO is in history as a club of democracies with shared principles and interests.
- What the world's poor can teach us on jobs
The prospect of long-term joblessness in Europe and the US should focus attention on a new type of economics that seems to work for helping the worst-off in poor countries.
- States should fold on Internet gambling
California and New Jersey, each seek more revenue, are leading the states toward Internet gambling, starting with online poker. But this all-too-easy form of gaming would come with at a high cost to society – and government.
- Nonviolent tactics may be Syria's only path to freedom
An escalation of violence in Syria, as well as the enfeebled UN cease-fire, have revived the tactics of civil, peaceful resistance among many of Syria's democracy activists. Nonviolent means may be their ultimate force.