Breaking News

Editorials

Good riddance Beto O’Rourke

Beto O’Rourke, the former congressman from Texas who thought extremist demagoguery was the path to the presidency, has dropped out of the race for the Democratic Party nomination for that office. Good riddance. Politicians do not drop out of races until they have been convinced they have no chance of winning. Often, that occurs when their fundraising wells dry up. O’Rourke’s did, as potential donors decided he was simply too far out on the left to win. What is unsettling is that O’Rourke even made it to the top tier of Democratic candidates for a few weeks. At one ...

Important to inject realism into public discourse

It has been said that the art of politics is compromise. Mention that these days and it is entirely likely you will be accused of being a traitor by those on one of the poles to which political discourse seems to have been relegated. Perhaps both sides will flail away at you. Former President Barack Obama had something to say about that the other day. Wisely, he directed his comments at those more likely to support liberal candidates and causes than conservative ones — but what he said has value no matter where you stand, left or right. “This idea of purity and you’re never ...

President should pull US out of Paris climate agreement

Contrary to popular belief, the United States has not pulled out of the Paris climate accords. But President Donald Trump’s first opportunity to do so is approaching — and he should seize it. Trump pledged during his campaign for president to remove the United States from the Paris agreement. He has said repeatedly he will do so. About 200 countries signed on to the Paris accords, which were negotiated during 2015. There was enormous pressure from the United States, under then-President Barack Obama, for an agreement and for other nations to be signatories. In fact, as you ...

Swampdwellers grill Zuckerberg

Many Americans are aware that Congress writes laws for the rest of us but often excludes itself as an institution and themselves as individuals from having to comply. The same goes for what is deemed politically correct. Imagine how a member of Congress, Republican or Democrat, would reply if you demanded to know how many members of the LGBTQ+ community work on Capitol Hill. You would be accused of bigotry and reminded there are rules, written and unwritten, about discriminating against people on the basis of sexual preference. How about asking a U.S. senator or representative how ...

Members of Congress should be held accountable

The resignation of U.S. Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif., is being questioned by some observers who say she is being held to a higher standard than male members of Congress accused of wrongdoing. It is not dodging the issue to point out the answer to that is no. Hill resigned her position. She was not removed from it or even disciplined by the House of Representatives. Hill resigned after her sexual relationship with a campaign aide, another woman, was revealed by the British press. Explicit photographs showing Hill and the woman were published. Hill said she stepped down because she was ...

Islamic terrorism still a threat worldwide

It is doubtful that ISIS — the Islamic State terrorist organization — was without a leader for more than a few hours after its former head, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, died by his own hand rather than be captured in a raid by U.S. forces in Syria. ISIS already had a succession plan in place before al-Baghdadi died. Even had such a plan not existed, evil organizations such as ISIS are filled with members more than willing to take leadership roles. And, in the unlikely event that ISIS as an organized entity were to disappear, there are scores of other Islamic extremist groups ready to ...