All The Monitor's View
A taxing decision on health care mandate by the Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court ruling on the health care law and its mandate assumes that a 'tax' for not buying insurance is simply an incentive. It isn't much of an incentive if it penalizes those who rely on nonmedical means of healing.
Syria intervention of the right sortWhen Syria downed a Turkish jet last Friday, who came out in support of Turkey? That club of democracies called NATO. The Syrians' cry for freedom demands a strong response by nations already free.
Supreme Court ruling on life sentences for young criminalsThe Supreme Court ruling against mandating life-without-parole sentences for young criminals assumes that children are more capable of reform than adults. This premise is based on shaky views of character development.
Supreme Court ruling on Arizona law must lead to 'civil discourse' on illegal immigrationThe Supreme Court ruling on Arizona law SB 1070 will let states help enforce federal immigration law through police checks on immigration status. This should create more federal-state cooperation in battling illegal immigration, especially in states hit hardest by such massive lawlessness.
Obama and Romney must link economy, immigrationLast week, Obama and Romney gave dueling speeches on the economy. This week, it was immigration. The two topics are very much related. The candidates should focus on that.
After Supreme Court ruling, FCC must give clear indecency standardsA Supreme Court ruling on FCC indecency rules for broadcast TV calls for less vague standards but seems to back the public interest in safeguarding children from vulgarities and nudity on public airwaves. Now the FCC must provide clarity for such rules.
Arab Spring's second revolutionTunisia, home to the Arab world's first successful uprising against a dictator, erupted this week with a battle between radical Islamists and the moderate Islamic party that dominates government. A second revolution, one within Islam that can reconcile it with democracy, will again help the Middle East.
G20 summit can help Greece by looking at host MexicoMexico's own recovery from a currency crisis has enabled it to play host to this year's G20 summit. What lessons can eurozone countries draw from that?
Egypt elections: How to reverse the military power grabJust after the Egypt elections for president ended, the military announced sweeping powers for itself. This hubris of superiority runs against the historic tide of democracy – which includes civilian control of the military.
Aung San Suu Kyi brings timely message for Europe – and EgyptIn her trip to Europe, Aung San Suu Kyi shares lessons learned in Burma (Myanmar) on how one's inner freedom can overcome despair. That's timely, especially for Greece as well as Egypt, as 'The Lady' also picks up her Nobel Peace Prize.
What's missing in Romney, Obama speeches on the economyThe dueling speeches on the economy by Obama and Romney simply offered national solutions. Yet so many cities and states are on a strong comeback. How can the jobless join that success?
Lessons in risk for JPMorgan Chase chiefJPMorgan Chase bank chief Jamie Dimon explained his bank's $2 billion trading loss to Congress, revealing a lesson in not being complacent about risk management – a difficult task in a complex world of diffuse risks.
Russia protests keep democracy dream aliveThe Russia protests on Tuesday tell Putin that the popular hopes for democracy are alive and kicking. His subtle suppression of dissent only hurts Russia's opportunity to modernize its economy.
Just kiddingToday'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 questionsResearchers 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 earthThe 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 callThe 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 identityWhen 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 peaceIf 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 IIAs 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.
