THE WASHINGTON TIMES

NRA: NRA’s Impact in the Suburbs: An Iowa Case Study

Given the lack of empirical data, the common wisdom among candidates, campaign managers and pundits is that while gun rights may be in an issue in Southern, Western and rural areas, candidates running in suburban districts should be leery of NRA support. The NRA's 2014 exit polling focused on just such a congressional district to see if the conventional wisdom is correct.

May 19, 2015

NRA: The choice in 2016

The Pew Research Center recently released poll data showing that today, 63 percent of Americans believe having a firearm in their home is the best way to protect themselves and their families from crime. Only 30 percent disagreed. These numbers, released just two years after the tragic school shootings in Connecticut and the Obama administration's ultimately unsuccessful attempt to persuade Congress to enact new gun control laws, underscores the importance of the firearms debate on American politics.

May 19, 2015

Respite Care

Becoming a military or veteran caregiver is complicated, consuming, and emotionally and physically debilitating -- with no advance warning, no preparation, and often nowhere to turn for help.

May 19, 2015

Wounded Warrior Caregiving Hero: Meet Jennifer Jeffery

Jennifer Jeffery wants something she used to have and hopes to have again — a familiar and normal life.

May 19, 2015

EDITORIAL: Ramadi spells disaster in Iraq

The Islamic State -- or ISIS, or Daesh, or whatever we're calling it this week -- has won a stunning victory with the collapse of the Iraqi army and the conquest of Ramadi and Anbar. The attempt by the Obama administration to spin it any other way is foolish. The loss is an enormous gain for the forces of radical Islamic terrorism.

May 19, 2015

EDITORIAL: The lot of the atheist

The lot of an atheist true unbeliever is not a happy one. He is surrounded on all sides by believers, and he knows he's missing something. He must chip away at the beliefs of others to assuage his doubts and fears.

May 19, 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: U.S. security hinges on Afghanistan

The Obama administration finally listened to our military leaders and are now planning to leave 9,800 troops in Afghanistan through 2016 and probably beyond ("Officials: US to keep more troops in Afghanistan into 2016," Web, March 16). Originally they were going to draw down to 5,500 troops.

May 19, 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Pope Francis’ agenda of change — in some things

Pope Francis has been getting considerable attention for his so-called agenda of change. In many ways it's quite refreshing to see a pontiff who is not afraid to break the mold. He has spoken passionately about globalization and his perception of how it has resulted in mass inequality. And even though I believe he's dead wrong on the causes (and more importantly the solutions), I respect what he's attempting to do as a spiritual leader.

May 19, 2015

Wounded Warrior Caregiving Hero: Meet Natalie Tarte

"I have learned the importance of patience and understanding," says Natalie Tarte, who has come to realize that as a caregiver she needs to acknowledge and empathize with her husband's feelings, even those she doesn't understand.

May 18, 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Don’t buy what Democrats selling

The ways in which President Obama and the current crop of presidential contenders handle the media can serve as a metaphor for how the two parties govern once in power. Republicans favor fewer regulations and freer markets. When it comes to handling the press, GOP candidates take questions from anyone, including Democratic partisans masquerading as objective journalists.

May 18, 2015

EDITORIAL: Dustin Lukasiewicz’s sacrifice in Nepal

In an age of celebrity worship, when the public drapes the mantle of heroism on rock stars, film goddesses and the giants of sport who haven't done anything to earn it, it's easily forgotten that true heroes are those who risk all, including their very lives, for the sake of others. American servicemen and women fit that description, stepping fearlessly into the shadow of the valley of death.

May 18, 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A win in Syria — despite Obama

The recent Army Delta Force operation in the Syrian border town of al-Amir that killed Abu Sayyaf, a leader in financial and military operations for the Islamic State, was a success ("U.S. commandos enter Syria, kill Islamic State commander in charge of oil fields," Web, May 16). It has been praised by Democrats as an example of President Obama's leadership and decision-making, but in fact it better defines the capabilities of our military leaders to get things done when not limited by Mr. Obama's lengthy deliberations and bad advice.

May 18, 2015

EDITORIAL: How George Stephanopoulos lost credibility

George Stephanopoulos of ABC News illustrates the reason why so many Americans don't any longer trust what they read and hear from press and tube. In an earlier time he would have known better than to contribute money, and a substantial sum of it, to those he pretends to cover. "Fair and balanced" was more than a clever marketing slogan.

May 18, 2015

Mental and Physical Health

The role of a military or veteran caregiver can be all-consuming and stressful, leaving little time or energy for caregivers to tend to their own needs, often resulting in a deterioration of their physical and mental well-being.

May 18, 2015

Wounded Warrior Caregiving Hero: Meet Melissa Comeau

The tack Melissa's life has taken since her husband's injuries caused her to question her relationship with God.

May 18, 2015

EDITORIAL: Philadelphia crash ignites Amtrak funding debate

Before the wreckage of the fatal crash in Philadelphia was cleared, the politicians in Washington began to fight over the damaged carcass of Amtrak, the troubled national passenger railroad.

May 17, 2015

EDITORIAL: Jeb Bush, George Stephanopoulos television gaffes

Contrary to what they sometimes think of themselves, neither journalists nor intelligence agents are 10 feet tall. They're usually intelligent, well spoken and often have sharp skills at what they do. But not always. Sometimes the best of them blunder at what they do best. Two examples are currently contributing to the buzz of the chattering class.

May 17, 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Microaggressions not racism

Isn't life uncanny? A report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign looking into the topic of "microaggressions" found that the simple task of "walking into or sitting in" a room full of white people can be "problematic for minorities" ("Rooms filled with white people cause 'microaggressions' for minorities: study," Web, May 13).

May 17, 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Dialogue on human rights overdue

How ironic that Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Russian President Putin in Sochi, Russia — but there is no discussion of Mr. Putin's alliance with or supply of weapons to Iran. Isn't this in direct opposition to U.S. safety? Doesn't it threaten our allies as well?

May 17, 2015

Wounded Warrior Caregiving Hero: Meet Shannon Fatuesi Tuimaleali’ifano

Breathe pray repeat. Shannon Fatuesi Tuimaleali'ifano's simple faith-based motto guides her very complicated life as a caregiver to her husband, Sualauvi Malua Tuimaleali'ifano III.

May 14, 2015