If we can do little beyond sanctions against nations that have nuclear weapons this will signal to those who have them — and those planning to acquire them — that they have little to fear from America should they proceed with invading Taiwan (China) or attacking Israel (Iran).
Op-Eds
Are smartphones serving as adult pacifiers?
“They are the holy grail for convenience,” says Jeni Stolow, a social behavioral scientist and assistant professor at the Temple University college of public health. “It’s someone’s whole world in the palm of the hand. That is really appealing because it can make people feel in control at all times.”
Freezing the clock: Nationwide push for permanent daylight saving time gains momentum
Polling shows Americans widely detest the practice: 75 percent would prefer to end it, according to an October poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Yet people are divided — and passionately so — about whether the country should have an early sunrise or a late sunset.
Elliott Epstein: St. Joseph’s will become a brewpub and continue to be a landmark
We’ve lost a number of prominent historic landmarks to demolition or arson. Thankfully we don’t have to lose another because we need more parking.
Chelsea Peters: Improving child welfare in Maine: National best practices are a great place to start
As we work to improve our child welfare system through legislative reform, let’s ensure that the children at the center of our child welfare cases are seen, heard and represented. Let’s guarantee them the right to legal counsel.
Froma Harrop: The old normal gets new appreciation
The crisis in Ukraine further reminds us how unpredictable and unstable life can be, even for people like us. But it also shows how memories of a strong civic culture can keep people like us fighting to preserve it.
Austin Bay: A weaponized narrative: Russian oligarchs must choose between their money and Putin
The best way out of this stupid, murderous war — for Russians, for Ukrainians, the rest of the world, including greedy oligarchs — isn’t more sanctions or more war. The way out for the oligarchs is a Kremlin coup toppling Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Leonard Pitts Jr.: This has all the makings of a tragedy
I am a child of domestic violence, so believe me when I say: It doesn’t matter if the woman’s name is Kardashian or Jones, this is all quite real. And Kim Kardashian deserves what every woman in this situation deserves: empathy and regard.
Cal Thomas: Biden’s unspectacular address
The opening part of the State of the Union address about Ukraine seems to have been tacked on to a speech that had already been written. The words sounded good — freedom over tyranny was one good line — and the threat to go after Russian oligarchs may have appealed to that other war Democrats love to fight (that would be class warfare) — but words are not the kind of weapons Ukraine needs right now.
Jonette Christian: Immigration and America’s racial reckoning
Immigration numbers have played a largely unrecognized role in forcing vulnerable groups to compete against each other, and Blacks have been especially harmed. The solution is simple: Congress should reduce the numbers. All workers, immigrant and native born, would benefit from tighter labor markets and higher wages.