All Commentary
- OpinionWhere's the Trayvon Martin petition about gun control?
Protesters back a petition to prosecute George Zimmerman for fatally shooting unarmed Trayvon Martin. We need to ask whether 'Stand Your Ground' measures make people trigger-happy. And we need to think about the most common victims of lax gun laws: African Americans.
- After Kony 2012: Three ways NGOs can work with Africans as equals As in the Kony 2012 campaign, humanitarianism in Africa gets oversimplified in myriad ways, in the process making Africans themselves one-dimensional and raising up the white Westerner as savior. Here are three ways nongovernmental organizations can work with African citizens as equals.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveHow much baggage are you flying with?
A Christian Science perspective.
- OpinionTrayvon Martin could have been my brother
I can only hope that the family of Trayvon Martin and the social media activists who have raised awareness about his killing get the justice that they are fighting for. And that my brothers might be just a bit more safe the next time they’re on their way to the store.
- The Monitor's ViewAfter Saints football scandal, NFL must end 'Hunger Games' culture
The NFL penalties against the New Orleans Saints football team for purposely injuring other players may not be enough to curb the game's excessive violence – or those fans who enjoy it.
- OpinionHow GOP can win more women voters
Let Democrats waste their energies trying to woo women on 'reproductive rights.' They will shore up their base and alienate the middle. Republicans can win more women voters and bridge the gender gap by focusing on what is most important to women in 2012: jobs and the economy.
- OpinionOn the death of Encyclopaedia Britannica: All authoritarian regimes eventually fall
Let us trumpet the end of Encyclopaedia Britannica's print edition. We should celebrate the fact that in a Web 2.0, Wikipedia world, information now roams free. It lives and breathes, loosed from cages where it was allowed to reproduce only once a year, edition by edition.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveClean water: scarcity and abundance
A Christian Science perspective: On World Water Day, some spiritual insights on the supply of a basic human need: clean water.
- The Monitor's ViewSupreme Court and health care law: state sovereignty at stake
The Supreme Court hears various challenges to the health-care law next week. While the individual mandate will be the focus, state sovereignty is also at stake, especially in state reform of health care.
- OpinionWarm spring weather and global warming: If only scientists could be so persuasive
Warm spring weather can help convince Americans that global warming is happening and a problem. But scientists must change the way they talk about this subject. They must leave their ivory towers and learn to speak about climate change in a language that people understand.
- OpinionFacebook stalking in the name of affirmative action
Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on affirmative action, I recall how at Roll Call newspaper, I was told that one of our three interns had to be from a racial minority. Diversity is important, but giving someone an advantage beyond his experience degrades the applicant and the hirer.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveThe womanhood in each of us
A Christian Science perspective.
- The Monitor's ViewVoters and their state's ethical fitness
An extensive probe of 'corruption risk indicators' by a team of journalists shows that most of the 50 states don't reflect voter demands for integrity in official conduct.
- OpinionGreg Smith to Goldman Sachs: A new era in Wall Street ethics
Greg Smith belongs to younger generations that put loyalty to values above loyalty to company. As young professionals ourselves, we believe his op-ed resignation from Goldman Sachs last week may well forecast a new era in ethics on Wall Street and in other workplaces.
- OpinionAdvice for Congress this first day of spring: To improve leadership, go outside
Thoreau’s suggestion that Congress might be improved by a greater awareness of the natural world was a serious one. Being outdoors this first day of spring should remind leaders and voters of a calendar beyond the election cycle – and a web of connections that transcends party.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveSafe investments
A Christian Science perspective.
- The Monitor's ViewWhat the Apple dividend really pays out
The world's most valuable company, Apple, finally shares the wealth with investors. And Goldman Sachs tries to recover from the Greg Smith oped. The world of high finance is finally reckoning with its social purpose.
- OpinionSon of migrant workers, now solar CEO: Don't put tariffs on Chinese solar panels
The US government is considering special tariffs on solar panels that are imported from China. These tariffs could result in higher costs for solar energy components, endangering the vibrant US solar industry and derailing America's progress toward job creation and energy security.
- OpinionBacklash against Kony 2012: Where are the voices of Ugandans?
Since the Kony 2012 video about atrocities in Uganda went viral, there has been a backlash and counter-backlash over the campaign by Invisible Children to stop Joseph Kony and his rebels. Lost in the debate: the need to include the voices of Ugandans.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveVideo games and spiritual momentum
A Christian Science perspective.