
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has given new meaning to the great American tradition of buying elections. The billionaire two-term mayor has become history's all-time champion for spending his own money as he runs for an unprecedented third term.
It's better to have some common sense than none
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009
Every few weeks comes a tale from one school or another so unbelievably stupid that it makes one shudder with disbelief at the lack of judgment in the administration of the American education system.
Promise to the press means little to president
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009
So much for another one of those Obama promises. You know, the ones that start out one way and suddenly become something else, mostly less.
Supreme skippers forced to live sub rosa
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009
Members of the Supreme Court of the United States are a necessarily private, cloistered lot who with rare exception relax only with the closest of relatives or friends. As a result, these nine powerful men and women, while insulated from the influences that elected politicians must contend with, are often denied the normal relationships afforded the rest of us.
Dangers of all Obama, all the time
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
President Obama's incessant pleas in behalf of health care reform have reached a decibel level seldom before achieved by anyone in his job. The appeals became a crescendo over the weekend with taped appearances on the three leading nationally televised Sunday morning public-affairs programs and another with comedy host David Letterman on his late-night show.
It's time for a dose of realism
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009
There are times in any legislative endeavor when you should take what you can get and hope to win the rest later. That's the point President Obama is fast approaching in regard to health care reform. His constant, full-campaign-mode jawboning has probably run its course in effectiveness.
Fantasy football substitutes for reality
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
With the end of summer in the wings, it is time once again for Americans to fork over hard-earned dollars, probably billions of them, to satisfy an insatiable hunger for sports escapism even in these difficult economic times.
The lockdown of Continental Flight 2816
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009
Sitting around in a commercial jet on the runway for an extended period while airline officials dither over whether to take off, cancel the flight or wind their watches isn't all that usual, but it isn't all that rare, either. When it does occur, it can be maddening, dangerous and almost criminally negligent.
Growing Democratic lock no laughing matter for GOP
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Al Franken, the comedian-turned-politician, should be right at home in Congress, which humorist Will Rogers once described as the greatest collection of his type in the world. "Every time they tell a joke, Rogers said, "it becomes a law, and every time they pass a law it becomes a joke."
Going through the motions of opposing Judge Sotomayor
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The nation's capital loves nothing so much as the prospect of a good battle over a Supreme Court nominee. Endless hours are devoted to speculation about the chances of Senate confirmation, and every stone on the candidate's path through life will be turned over by the press, opposing forces and just plain acquaintances who want a moment in the spotlight.