WASHINGTON — You’ve heard the criticism. Too many American corporate managers are addicted to “short-termism.” They postpone investments and other costs, sacrificing future performance for present profitability. Either they’re pressured by “activist investors” or want to inflate the value of their stock options. If true, it could help explain the economy’s lackluster performance. Now, a […]
Op-Eds
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Battle on to define the meaning of Catholicism
WASHINGTON — Steve Bannon disrupted American politics and helped elect Donald Trump as president. Will he disrupt the Roman Catholic Church by joining forces with right-wing Catholics who oppose Pope Francis? Bannon’s dark vision contrasts sharply with the sunny disposition of a pope who has chided “sourpusses” and “querulous and disillusioned pessimists.” Bannon believes that […]
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Let's not confuse cruelty with being tough
Donald Trump says his ban on people entering the country from seven predominantly Muslim countries wasn’t a Muslim ban. But it was a Muslim ban, according to Trump surrogate Rudy Giuliani. Let’s get something straight. Most Americans, your author included, want stringent vetting of immigrants entering the country. I can easily envision Islamic terrorist groups […]
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Coordinated defense effort deters war
As a retired Marine Corps general officer, Secretary of Defense James Mattis knows firsthand that America’s adversaries attempt to exploit American weakness, with the goal of making America pay a price. That’s why Mattis intends to address emerging weaknesses and evident deficiencies in American defenses — to avoid paying a costly price. As Secretary of […]
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When it comes to race and America, the truth is not 'safe'
Death has this way of making truth-tellers seem harmless. Alive, Martin Luther King provoked a president and divided a nation with his truth. Dead, he is an image on a commemorative place mat, his words safe enough for recitation by children. This also holds, albeit to a lesser degree, for Malcolm X and Medgar Evers. […]
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To clergy: Leave politics to politicians
At the National Prayer Breakfast last week, President Trump promised to “totally destroy” the so-called “Johnson Amendment,” a law that prohibits churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates at the risk of losing their tax-exempt status. Politifact.com gives the background on how the amendment became law: “The restriction was championed by (Lyndon Johnson) in 1954 […]
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Government regulations in President Trump's crosshairs
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump pledges to dismantle much of the regulatory state — the amalgam of federal rules, directives and warnings that, aside from advancing many well-known policy goals, are also alleged to have reduced the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. His objective is to cut government regulation by about 70 percent. It will […]
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Choice of Gorsuch speaks well of Trump
WASHINGTON — To review the left’s reaction to Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is to infer he’s the spawn of Dracula — a cruel and bloodless beast who shrinks from the light and plays havoc with history. Among the many distortions: Gorsuch is against clean water, consumers, women’s health, dying people and workers. The liberal […]
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A commitment to decency; a commitment to democracy
WASHINGTON — The movement that Donald Trump’s presidency has inspired against him is broad, passionate, engaged and determined. Its prospects depend upon highlighting a set of principles that can unite an American majority already appalled by what Trump is doing to our country. While almost everything in our politics these days has a strongly partisan […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
A commitment to decency; a commitment to democracy
WASHINGTON — The movement that Donald Trump’s presidency has inspired against him is broad, passionate, engaged and determined. Its prospects depend upon highlighting a set of principles that can unite an American majority already appalled by what Trump is doing to our country. While almost everything in our politics these days has a strongly partisan […]