All Commentary
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Myth of a 'ban' on school prayer; Modeling respect for Afghans
Letter for the Editor for the August 5, 2013 weekly print issue:
Shorthand references in headlines to a Supreme Court 'ban' on school prayer are misleading. The meat of the recent cover story makes clear the court did no such thing. The 'ban' language is part of a campaign by those who want to return government-mandated religion to public schools.
Can Afghanistan defend itself? The more important question to ask is whether the people of Afghanistan can defend themselves from themselves. Americans can never force Afghan citizens to treat each other in a certain way. They can only model respectful treatment.
OpinionObjection! Americans' opinion of Supreme Court can't keep droppingFor the first time in nearly 30 years, the favorability rating of the US Supreme Court has fallen below 50 percent. Lack of public confidence undermines the legitimacy of the court's rulings. Chief Justice Roberts has yet to project an image of a court that stands above politics.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveMental health and spiritual power
A Christian Science perspective: Why love is particularly needed in the treatment of mental illness.
Rethinking mental health careDe-institutionalization of mental patients was better than locking them away, but outpatient treatment has often been inadequate and underfunded. Now a new effort is being made to coax those experiencing mental problems into programs that gently support them and foster their reintegration into society.
The Monitor's ViewWhat Obama should see in his Federal Reserve nomineeWith President Obama due to nominate a new chief of the Federal Reserve soon, he and the Senate must focus on what today's elected leaders often miss: a long-term perspective.
OpinionRepublicans hold key to progress in WashingtonThe US government was never intended to function with the extreme levels of partisan rancor of the Obama years. Reagan would be remembered as a failure had he faced from Democrats the obstructionism of today's tea party-beholden GOP. But signs of hope also lie with the Republicans.
- A Christian Science PerspectivePadlocks of love and commitment
A Christian Science perspective: Does the sentimental tradition of placing a padlock on a bridge to symbolize one person's love for another hint at something more important?
The Monitor's ViewSnowden asylum in Russia: What now for US?With Russia granting asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden, Americans now have time to sort out the apparent clash of values – liberty versus. security – that his actions represent. If only he had found another way to help resolve that clash.
- How much do you know about bipartisanship? Take our quiz.
Americans aren’t big fans of Congress. According to the latest numbers, three-quarters of the country disapproves of its job performance. Since President Obama took office in 2009, Congress’s highest approval rating has been 37 percent. Recent instances of partisan brinkmanship – the 2011 debt-ceiling debate, the 2012 fiscal-cliff standoff, and the 2013 sequester dispute – have made many citizens disillusioned with the lawmaking process and concerned about the country’s future prosperity.
But wait! There’s hope. Bipartisanship – cooperation, agreement, and compromise between the two major political parties – has always existed in Washington. The creation of Congress itself wouldn’t have happened without the Great Compromise that settled the issue of representation at the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
How much do you know about America’s bipartisan tradition – past and present? Take our quiz to find out.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveLetting go of inertia
A Christian Science perspective: Finding a way to take that next step.
The Monitor's ViewCrackdown on Egypt protests: What's really at stakeThe Egyptian military's order to end the Muslim Brotherhood protests is the latest slide toward violence and chaos. Egypt must right itself by balancing order and freedom.
OpinionA rare opportunity to influence HamasAs talks between Israelis and Palestinians get underway, the international community has a window of opportunity to pressure an increasingly isolated Hamas to reconcile with the Palestinian Authority – a move that would help Gazans, support a peace deal, and stabilize the region.
OpinionThe danger of American apathy on NSA surveillanceNew documents released today reveal the alarming scope of NSA data collection. But half of Americans see the spying as 'no big deal.' They are allowing government to chip away at freedoms that others, especially in the Arab world, are giving their lives to build.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveUnbroken friendship
A Christian Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewCan the Senate's negotiating style save the day?Two sets of secret talks seeking a 'grand bargain' – between Israelis and Palestinians and between Obama and the GOP on fiscal issues – involve current and former US senators. Can that chamber's style bring solutions?
OpinionCongress should not oppose biofuels. They create jobs and help the environment.No fuel at scale today comes close to equaling ethanol’s ability to prevent American cars and trucks from spewing pollutants from their tailpipes. Unfortunately, one of the most important incentives for the growth of biofuels is now under attack by misguided lawmakers and Big Oil.
OpinionWhy Israel must make bold move to secure Palestinian peace talks – and Israel's futureAs preliminary peace talks with Israeli and Palestinian representatives begin in Washington, Israel must make a bold move to push negotiations forward and protect its security: declaring it has no sovereignty claims to key West Bank areas and facilitating voluntary relocation of Jewish settlers.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveJob-hunting and God's 'thundering voice'
A Christian Science perspective: God has a unique place and an ongoing usefulness for each of us.
The Monitor's ViewChina tries a 'good Samaritan' lawThe Chinese city of Shenzhen joins other governments around the world in passing a law that tries to remove the fear of legal liability in helping others in emergency distress. Rescuing others out of universal love shouldn't be held back by fear.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: US must not arm Syria's rebels
Letters to the Editor for the July 29, 2013 weekly print issue:
The Sunnis fighting against the Assad regime are backed by Islamist jihadist groups. If the US arms the opposition, it will be, in effect, helping Al Qaeda. The best thing for America to do is stay out of Syria's civil war completely.
Did intervention make Iraq a better place? Unseat Bashar al-Assad so Islamists can make further inroads? Arming the rebels will only amplify the firestorm.
