All Commentary
The Monitor's ViewChina's real rise – in Wukan's village electionChinese residents in the coast village of Wukan rebelled last year and won the right to a free election. The rest of China watches to see if they, too, can demand democracy.
OpinionCongress makes Elmo cry by defunding Palestinian 'Sesame Street'In protest of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen froze $192 million in funding for USAID programs, including a Palestinian version of 'Sesame Street.' The move has not only jeopardized the show, but US Mideast policy.
Walter RodgersA CEO as US president? America is not a business, Mitt Romney.Romney was a one-term governor, but he is surely the 24-carat chief executive officer. There are huge differences in skills required to be a successful CEO and a president of the United States. Presidents, for example, have to make life-and-death decisions that go beyond spreadsheets.- Walter RodgersA CEO as US president? America is not a business, Mitt Romney.Romney was a one-term governor, but he is surely the 24-carat chief executive officer. There are huge differences in skills required to be a successful CEO and a president of the United States. Presidents, for example, have to make life-and-death decisions that go beyond spreadsheets.
- Walter RodgersA CEO as US president? America is not a business, Mitt Romney.Romney was a one-term governor, but he is surely the 24-carat chief executive officer. There are huge differences in skills required to be a successful CEO and a president of the United States. Presidents, for example, have to make life-and-death decisions that go beyond spreadsheets.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveA journey from doubt to faithA Christian Science perspective.
Eight reasons to ‘mute’ super PAC ads First Iowa, now Florida, have seen the first wave of political TV ads from super PACs – mostly negative – that will smother the 2012 presidential elections. Voters have an easy way to avoid such ads: the mute button. Here are eight reasons to use it:
The Monitor's ViewObama, like Roberts, seeks harmony in WashingtonPresident Obama cites the military as a model for politics, similar to the aim of Chief Justice John Roberts for consensus on the Supreme Court. Why are both goals not working?
OpinionThe most important election of a lifetime? So say Gingrich et al.As Gingrich faces Romney in Florida, he calls 2012 the 'most important election of our lifetime.' Sometimes he compares its significance to the pre-Civil War era. GOP rivals like Santorum and key Democrats like Pelosi are also gasping about the stakes. Time to catch our breath.- A Christian Science PerspectiveInexhaustible divine energyA Christian Science perspective.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Homeownership isn't all bad – or good; EU is a model for peaceLetters to the Editor for the weekly issue of January 30, 2011: One reader takes issue with an op-ed's reasoning on why Americans should rent, not buy. Another points out that the global reduction in war is largely attributable to the union of previous enemies in Europe.
The Monitor's ViewCandidates need antidotes to public anger, not angerA combative, angry mood hangs over the presidential races, reflecting public sentiments. But below the anger are emotions that do need to be addressed, with a calm debate of policy.
Green energy isn't always good energyWind, solar, hydro, and geothermal seem mostly benign -- in part because they are still a small part of the energy equation. But when green gets big, it can be controversial.- OpinionBrady, Manning worshippers: Football is our religion, Tebow. Don't mess with it.Americans expect religious rhetoric from GOP candidates, not quarterbacks like Tim Tebow. That crosses a line into divisiveness. Football brings people together: Your denomination might be Giants or Patriots, but we're all the same underneath.
OpinionNot so Modern Family: Top sitcoms make for sexist, inaccurate televisionIn the five highest-rated primetime sitcoms (The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Two Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men, and How I Met Your Mother), male characters are professionally accomplished, while female characters are unemployed or struggling.- A Christian Science PerspectiveThe power of silenceA Christian Science perspective.
Should the US attack Iran? Monitor Facebook fans speak out.The views on 'what to do with Iran' are heated. Monitor Facebook fans reacted to two recent opeds: '5 reasons the US should attack Iran' and '5 reasons the US should avoid war with Iran.' We've culled some of the best responses here.
The Monitor's ViewMake sure shale-gas boom doesn't go bustObama and GOP should unite in driving the use of this abundant gas as a 'bridge fuel' to renewable energy. But they must be cautious in rushing to tap shale gas.
OpinionEx-CIA spy: Iran's miscalculation over warLeading Iranians are criticizing the regime, including its war-like provocation and the foreign sanctions aimed at its nuclear program. One Revolutionary Guard commander calls Iran's war threats 'the same stupidity' and miscalculation that preceded the Iran-Iraq war.
OpinionObama, here's how to help the poor: Educate both parents and their childrenIn his State of the Union address, President Obama touted ways to improve education and the economy. One solution – with a proven record of success – didn't make it into the speech: a two-generation strategy to educate families and bring them out of poverty.
