Albany Herald

Puerto Rico’s revival could be example

Since the congressional super committee appears unable, or unwilling, to take a lesson from Indiana or Virginia — where Republican governors have made spending cuts and delivered budget surpluses without damaging the social safety net — members might wish to consider Puerto Rico and what its governor, Luis Fortuno is doing.

'Honor' not found at Penn State

'Success with Honor" is the motto of Penn State's athletic program. They got it half right.

Examining the politics of destruction

In 2007 when she was running for president, Hillary Rodham Clinton told a fundraising event in Carson City, Nev., “I sure don’t want Democrats, or the supporters of Democrats, to be engaging in the politics of personal destruction. I think we should stay focused on what we’re going to do for America.”

Cain should tell truth to triumph

When it comes to sex, the media apply different standards to Republicans and Democrats.

A picture can save a thousand lives

U.S. District Court Judge Catherine Eagles last Tuesday granted a request for a preliminary injunction that temporarily blocks a provision in North Carolina's new abortion-restriction law that would require women seeking an abortion to view an ultrasound image of their womb within four hours of the procedure.

Another one bites the dust

Forgive me if I don’t join the State Department, American officials and world leaders in their euphoric Hallelujah Chorus celebrating the demise of Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi. Oh, I’m happy he’s dead, but I have as much faith that things will change for the better in Libya as I do in the Great Pumpkin rising from the pumpkin patch on Halloween night (sorry, Linus).

Death leaves innovation deficit

The death of one of the great innovators of our time, or any time — Steve Jobs — brings a question asked by Pete Seeger in another context. To paraphrase: Where have all the (creative) people gone; long time passing? Jobs and fellow computer innovator Bill Gates represent if not a vanishing breed, then at least one that might be classified, were it an exotic animal, as endangered.

Gov. Christie made the right decision

New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie probably had more suitors than Portia in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” and yet in the end he made the right decision not to run for president. It was the correct decision on several levels.

Paying the dead example of wastefulness

There isn’t much about dysfunctional government that shocks me anymore, but this story did.

Texas explained by knowing its culture

The cultural and media snobs are trying to explain Texas to those who don’t know the difference between a steer and a bull. If you fall into this category, a steer has been castrated — a bull has not. I’ll leave any analogy to East and West Coast elites for you to sort out.

If Israel disappears, blood will be shed

The world — or at least the large part of it that hates Israel and wishes it would go away — moves a step nearer that goal this week when the United Nations votes on whether to recognize a Palestinian state.

Obama has learned nothing from failure

Nearly every time President Obama delivers a speech about the economy or jobs, something bad happens.

Many reasons to remember 9/11 exist

How we love our anniversaries. That is commendable. But this is about looking back, not forward. It is only by looking forward that we can avoid, or at least limit, the possibility of another major terrorist attack, which many believe is coming.

It’s time to get a plan that works

The problem with so much of Washington today is that no Democrat will accept a good idea if it comes from a Republican and, conversely, Republicans will reject any good idea that comes from Democrats.

Krueger a 'nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue'

In advance of a "major speech" on the economy and jobs, President Obama has selected Princeton University professor Alan Krueger to be chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.

Marco Rubio's tide rising quickly

Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., repeatedly says in various ways it is too soon, or he isn't ready, for higher office, such as vice president.

Are we seeing a new wave of bigotry?

A Rolling Stone magazine article from June 22 depicted Michele Bachmann as a "relgious zealot."

There's 'glee' over Murdoch woes

"Glee" is not just an American TV show, it is also the emotion many people feel and express toward the trouble Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is having, since they consider Murdoch's properties a blight on their formerly pristine media landscape.

We must learn from past for the future

If your disgust over America's crushing debt and the irresponsible leaders who refuse to reduce unnecessary spending has reached the fed-up point, there is an easy solution beyond whatever compromise might be reached in the current standoff between President Obama and congressional Republicans. Vote Republican in 2012.

America to lose the 'Right Stuff'

When Atlantis lifts off on its final mission scheduled for Friday, it will bring to an end an era of space exploration that began for the U.S. with the Soviet launch of the unmanned satellite "Sputnik 1" in 1957 and the first man to fly in space, Russia's Yuri Gagarin, on April 12, 1961.

Rubio ready for Political Primetime

At first he didn't want to do any national media, preferring to focus on Florida issues. He didn't make his maiden speech on the Senate floor until June 14, five months after being sworn-in.