An Open Letter to Republicans

There are two things that all Republicans know today: that you lost the mid-term election, and that the loss was a repudiation of President Bush’s policies. What you must now figure out is why. Why did Americans vote as they did? What specific policies did they...

The Homework Lie

Every year, dozens of parents sit at my desk and describe to me the intense frustration they feel as they watch their children get churned through the public schools. One of the refrains of their complaints: endless homework. And no wonder: The work itself is largely...

A Tour of Guantanamo Prison

GUANTANAMO BAY — At least two detainees at the holding facility here skipped lunch today because they’re on a hunger strike. Which is a pity for them — the food was delicious. By contrast, the steady stream of news about “Gitmo” tends to...

Are Americans Cheap?

The New York Times and Washington Post editorialize about America’s “stinginess.” Former President Jimmy Carter says when it comes to helping others, “The rich states don’t give a damn.” Standing outside the White House, the singer...