Archive By Section - Columnists
The Many Woes of Telecommuting
Last week, Best Buy joined Yahoo to ban employees from telecommuting - a subject on which I am becoming an expert.
Ted Cruz: Pro-Stimulus Republican?
When Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks to the Conservative Political Action Conference next week in Washington, it won't be a keynote, it'll be a coronation. Sick of sellouts, movement conservatives have fallen hard for Cruz. The Red State blog dubbed him a "national hero" and a "great patriot" for his first two months in the Senate. Retired Sen. Jim DeMint vouched for Cruz as the real deal:
The Bright Sides of Extreme Maturity
Some fancy-dancy public-policy think-tank just released a brand-new study that speculates the legion of aging baby boomers will permanently redefine retirement. Mainly because so few of us will be able to afford to retire. "Uh, lady, you want lids on these?" Fast-food break rooms equipped with CPR paddles. A forest of tennis ball-footed walkers leaning against the brooms and mops by the back door. Intra-generational minimum wage squabbles: "Hey you punks, get your greasy hot apple pie holes off my oxygen tank."
Medicare Needs More Competition, Not Less
Senate Democrats are finally beginning the process of writing a budget after four years of dereliction. They will almost certainly include some changes to Medicare, the largest driver of federal spending and debt. But unfortunately, there are indications that they intend to focus on the small piece of Medicare (10.6 percent in 2012) that is actually working well: the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.
Taking Time to Celebrate Women
International Women's Day is March 6 and is celebrated all through the weekend by many around the world. In the U.S., the day complements a month-long recognition of women through Women's History Month.
Candy Capitulation: Say It Ain’t So!
According to ABC News, you should probably get ready for a take-no-prisoners "This is your brain on nougat" campaign.
Say, is that your natural hair color?
HOLLYWOOD - God bless America, and how's everybody?
Home Free
As one who frequently works from home, I believe Yahoo's Marissa Mayer has seriously erred in removing that option for her staff. I've kept a diary of my productivity, and I'm forwarding this rundown of a typical day to Ms. Mayer, urging her to reconsider.
Sequestration Shows Failure of America’s Political Class
An old vaudeville joke went like this: "Do I look like an idiot? Do I look like a jerk who doesn't know what's going on? Do you think I'm dumb? Don't answer that!"
My Mother and Father School the Senate
"All right," said my mother, standing before the members of the U.S. Senate, "it's time for you to get your act together."
At least the ballots wouldn’t change much
HOLLYWOOD - God bless America, and how's everybody?
FAQ: Electing a New Pope
Q. Can you please explain what the heck is going on in Rome?
For Clueless GOP, No Amnesty Upside; Staggering Costs Certain
On Capitol Hill, events related to the congressional amnesty debate are unfolding at breakneck pace. Last week, the Obama administration authorized the release from federal detention centers of 10,000 criminal aliens. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano hinted at the move in her press conference when she disingenuously bemoaned how sequestration would force her to cut border patrol agents. For President Obama, the aliens' release represents a two for the price of one. First, Obama is reminding House Republicans that he intends to play tough on the budget negotiations. And second, Obama has sent the nation a message ...
Get Out of the Weeds
America's got some serious problems to solve.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Why We Need a Better Sense of Humor
Boy, does the world need a better sense of humor right about now.
The Return of Satire
Decades after being dismissed by George S. Kaufman as a genre that "closes on Saturday night," satire, like the measles and mumps, is making a comeback. And in many quarters, remains the most feared of the three conditions.
Is ‘Je suis Charlie’ an Accurate Slogan?
In the wake of the terrorist massacre in Paris, the new battle cry throughout the civilized world is "Je suis Charlie," meaning "I am Charlie." The phrase expresses solidarity for the four cartoonists and 13 others butchered by Islamic terrorists who attacked the satirical newspaper and a kosher market. But, actually, it's clear now that the slogan for this century should be another one: "We are screwed."
It's Always About Hitler
Hitler is in the news again, invoked by some ignorant people.
Adios, Rick Perry
A decade ago, Rick Perry famously signed off an interview with the words, "Adios, mofo." Now, signing off as governor, he told the same reporter, "Adios, my friend." He might be on his way out, but he's leaving behind a cast of characters that promises years of entertainment. The price of oil might be tanking, but stupid will always be Texas' most abundant natural resource.
If the Fed Has Nothing to Hide, It Has Nothing to Fear
Since the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913, the dollar has lost over 97 percent of its purchasing power, the US economy has been subjected to a series of painful Federal Reserve-created recessions and depressions, and government has grown to dangerous levels thanks to the Fed's policy of monetizing the debt. Yet the Federal Reserve still operates under a congressionally-created shroud of secrecy.
Monsieur Obama MIA
Everyone from Jon Stewart to Ted Cruz has mocked President Obama for not flying to France last weekend.
On Handwritten Letters
I received an unexpected postcard in the mail the other day from an old friend. It made my day.
End Oil Protectionism
The politics of the crude exports issue are confused by a lot of irresponsible reporting. Almost every story on the issue asserts that allowing exports would be politically dangerous because it would supposedly raise prices at the pump, but the claim is never credibly sourced. In fact, every single serious study has found precisely the opposite: allowing crude exports would lower prices at the pump.
On Elizabeth Warren, the Bright Shiny Object
Elizabeth Warren continues to bedazzle people precisely because she's not running for president. If she were to actually run for president, her power to bedazzle would diminish in a flash. To quote the sage Bob Dylan, "What looks large from a distance, close up ain't never that big."
Lessons from Paris
After the tragic shooting at a provocative magazine in Paris last week, I pointed out that given the foreign policy positions of France we must consider blowback as a factor. Those who do not understand blowback made the ridiculous claim that I was excusing the attack or even blaming the victims. Not at all, as I abhor the initiation of force. The police blaming victims when they search for the motive of a criminal.
America is Becoming a Welfare State
As the controversy builds over anything and everything relating to Barack Obama, many Republicans have come to believe that their party will prosper as a result.
Jihad and Right-Wing Extremism Not So Different
Since 9/11, 34 people have been killed in America by Islamic jihadist terrorists.
Can I see some ID?
God Bless America and how's everybody?
Cartoonists and Red Lines
Like blaming a rape victim for her "provocative dress," many press pundits blame the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists (and the Danish cartoonists before them) for crossing "red lines," and inviting trouble. In the past few days the small community of American editorial cartoonists have been getting calls from their local media, asking for comments about self-censorship and what subjects we should be forbidden to draw in a free society.
