All Commentary
OpinionPakistan Independence Day – not reallyThe founder of Pakistan, which today celebrates Independence Day, believed in the separation of mosque and state. He would not recognize his country now. Blasphemy laws silence religious expression. On a visit, I was often reminded to lower my voice 'lest the servants hear you.'
- A Christian Science PerspectiveThe source of compassion in the wake of mass shootings
A Christian Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewHow Paul Ryan pick by Romney can alter campaignPaul Ryan was picked by Romney in part for his bold reform plan for Medicare. The plan's key element is more choice in health care – a useful debating point for the presidential campaign.
OpinionPaul Ryan – the anti-PalinPaul Ryan is almost as bold a choice as Sarah Palin for the Republican vice presidential pick. With Palin, the question was whether she read books. With Ryan, the question is which (he's a fan of über capitalist author Ayn Rand). Ryan's political philosophy merits debate.
Teachers who excel: A lesson from Miss SmootNothing is more important in K-12 education than the quality of a teacher. But how do we make great teachers? We could start with someone like Jane Smoot.
OpinionThis Shark Week, let's love an animal that scares usAs Shark Week appears on the Discovery Channel for the 25th year, I have to wonder whether in another 25 years, it will air on The History Channel instead. After more than 400 million years on planet Earth, sharks are being decimated by overfishing and the lucrative trade in shark fins.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveA way out of grief
A Christian Science perspective.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Lamar Smith is wrong. Obama's immigration policy isn't amnesty.
Letters to the Editor for the August 13, 2012 weekly print issue: Rep. Lamar Smith (R) of Texas mischaracterizes President Obama's recent decision to put a low priority on the deportation of some young illegal immigrants who were brought to the US as children. His op-ed is misleading.
OpinionRomney's pick of Paul Ryan: Let the debate over substance beginThe presidential race has so far been shamefully dismissive of substance. With his pick of House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate, Republican Mitt Romney presents voters with a clear choice over the role of government and how to pay for it.
The Monitor's ViewAfter Sikh temple shooting, a healing actWhen hundreds of Americans showed up for a memorial service after the Sikh temple shooting, it affirmed the need for freedom of religion.
OpinionHillary Clinton must insist on a united Syrian oppositionWhen Hillary Clinton meets with Syrian opposition figures in Turkey this weekend, she must impress on them the need to unite their ranks and tolerate different views. Disunity in the opposition is perhaps the biggest reason why Bashar al-Assad remains in power.
OpinionShootings in Sikh temple and Arizona: Which crime is worse?Which is worse? The Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin by Wade Michael Page, or the shopping mall shooting in Arizona by Jared Lee Loughner? They both killed the same number of people. Yet one would be classified as a hate crime, with tougher penalties. Why distinguish?
- A Christian Science PerspectiveTo pass by ... or not
A Christian Science perspective: How a spiritual insight saved a friendship.
The Monitor's ViewAfrica as muse, not messUS Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on a two-week tour of Africa, raises the idea that the continent's progress on many fronts might offer solutions for some world problems. Is she right?
Global ViewpointGermany must shift from crisis mode to steady leadership in EuropeGermany must lead the way from the euro crisis to political union in Europe, writes former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. Berlin should convince all European partners of its determination to follow the federal path and propose a clear road map toward a federal Europe.
- Global ViewpointGermany must shift from crisis mode to steady leadership in Europe
Germany must lead the way from the euro crisis to political union in Europe, writes former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. Berlin should convince all European partners of its determination to follow the federal path and propose a clear road map toward a federal Europe.
OpinionOlympian Gabby Douglas – the gymnast is golden, but her family is obscuredOlympian Gabby Douglas has broken through a racial barrier in sports only to be boxed in by old canards about who she is and where she comes from. The more complex story of her family’s influence on her rise on the way to gold deserves to be told.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveA decisionmaking guide
A Christian Science perspective: How David Letterman's "Top Ten" lists can help shed light on how to let the Ten Commandments guide your life.
OpinionHelp wanted: Geek squads for US cybersecurityThe now-dead Cybersecurity Act of 2012 included provisions to beef up a federal workforce of experts to defend against cyberattacks. But it's not too late. Wisely, federal agencies are not waiting for legislation to build their cyber geek squads. Still, more steps must be taken.
OpinionNext steps in Syria after Kofi Annan's exitLast week’s resignation of Kofi Annan as joint special envoy for the UN and the Arab League for Syria was long overdue. The first steps now must be to coordinate an exit for Assad and increase urgently needed humanitarian aid.
