Afghanistan:  Stalemate in the “Great Game”

Afghanistan: Stalemate in the “Great Game”

On Saturday the New York Times reported yet more evidence of the incorrigible corruption of the Karzai government in Afghanistan.  Fazel Ahmed Facqiryar, a former Deputy Attorney General, has recently been fired for asserting publicly that the investigations of more ...Read more

The Value of Community and Women in Creating It

The Value of Community and Women in Creating It

In the United States, the decision to get married is made by two individuals, but the marriage is imbedded in community.  In the company of family and friends, the couple makes a statement of love, commitment, caring and endurance.  They ...Read more

Immigration Principles and Policies

Immigration Principles and Policies

That immigration is an issue with volcanic political and social potential in the US needs no elaboration.  Congress has displayed deep reservoirs of timidity in addressing the matter, although the approaching election season at least inspired them to approve hiring ...Read more

Did We Win in Iraq?

Did We Win in Iraq?

As the last US Combat brigade pulled out of Iraq last week, a soldier hollered, “We won – it’s over – America!”  Most everyone knows it’s not that simple.  With 50,000 troops remaining indefinitely, the US is still very much ...Read more

Shame on U.S.: Bigots Blocking Islamic Center Promote Al Qaida Interests

Shame on U.S.: Bigots Blocking Islamic Center Promote Al Qaida Interests

In the aftermath of the 911 terrorist attack on the United States, President George W. Bush said the following before a joint session of Congress:

I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims throughout the world. We respect your faith. It’s ...Read more

“Trading Books, not Bombs”: The Importance of Educating Women and Listening

“Trading Books, not Bombs”: The Importance of Educating Women and Listening

Everybody’s worried about Pakistan and Afghanistan, and that includes me.  Should America have a military presence there at all?  What’s the point if we’re after Al Qaeda, and Al Qaeda isn’t a nation and can just keep moving to new ...Read more

Judge Walker’s Overturning of the California Gay Marriage Ban:  Unconstitutional Enlightened Despotism

Judge Walker’s Overturning of the California Gay Marriage Ban: Unconstitutional Enlightened Despotism

Last week gay-marriage advocates won the latest battle in the culture wars when California Chief Justice Vaughn Walker declared California’s gay-marriage ban unconstitutional.  Among his findings of facts, Walker lists a number of truths in favor of gay marriage that ...Read more

Getting Rational about Taxes: Should Bush-43’s Tax Cuts Expire?

Getting Rational about Taxes: Should Bush-43’s Tax Cuts Expire?

The Bush-43 tax cuts are due to expire automatically on January 1, 2011.  In the midst of huge and escalating deficits, this is one area in which activists President Obama and his Democrat Congress appear content to remain passive.  So ...Read more