America right to protest others' plight
News that Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng and his family might be allowed to leave China for a university fellowship in the U.S. brought relief not only to Chen, but also to dissidents around the world.
Obama situation recalls story of Icarus
Either President Obama has wings of Kevlar -- or he has the most incompetent scheduling staff in White House history.
American politics gone to the dogs
I think it is fair to say that the shark has been permanently displaced by the dog.
Political 'girl fight' akin to playground tiff
For reasons that don't interest me much, "girl fights" have always had a particular tug on our imaginations.
Whispering campaigns
All it takes is one little twit. Or a tweet, as the case may be -- not that the two are mutually exclusive.
Martin case filled with appalling facts
There are so many appalling aspects to the Trayvon Martin case that it's hard to find a permanent home for outrage.
Moderation is good, moderately speaking
As the sun rises and dabs Caesars Palace with morning rouge, irony struts down the strip of casinos, shops and nightclubs.
Name reflects self image and perception
What's in a name? Most of us, perhaps regrettably, do not get to select our own names and are saddled with our parents' projections of what we might be. It is entertaining to consider what name we might select for ourselves and what that name might suggest about us. Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum recently got this chance when they selected their Secret Service code names.
No excuse for inappropriate language
In the wake of "Slutgate," the operative argument seems to have devolved into a barnyard taunt: "My pig isn't as bad as your pig."
Rush Limbaugh the uniter, who knew?
Who'd have thought that Rush Limbaugh would become the great uniter in this divisive political season?
Obama's getting his way out of GOP
Let me be blunt: If Republicans nominate Rick Santorum, they will lose.
Civility is golden in modern society
Find this story and other news, sports and features items at www.albanyherald.com.
Underneath it all, Romney cares
Mitt Romney's recent losses to Rick Santorum in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota revealed a truism that Romney might want to study -- but not too much!
An essential limp could help Romney
When a friend was writing a novel, he was concerned that his protagonist was too perfect.
Football player unjustly condemned
A Friday New York Times story that essentially indicted and convicted a 22-year-old star football player on an alleged sexual assault charge by an anonymous accuser should have begun as follows: "We know absolutely nothing about this rumor except what six people told us anonymously about this guy who they say sexually assaulted this girl. We don't know who she is or what she said, or really anything, but here's HIS name and what 'they' say about him."
The perils of projection can hurt
Newt Gingrich's standing ovation Thursday night, when he attacked CNN moderator John King for asking about allegations that Gingrich wanted an "open marriage" with his second wife, told us little about South Carolina, but much about human nature.
The cruel gaze of inspection stings
My recent column about Michelle Obama, which I wrote to counter the negative responses to Jodi Kantor’s new book, “The Obamas,” apparently has been misinterpreted by some.
Women should be angry at insulters
I can’t speak for Michelle Obama, but call me an angry white woman. If the first lady isn’t angry, she certainly has every right to be.
Some more qualified than others
Sometimes people need to be fired and sometimes they shouldn’t be hired at all. That’s reality. The further, obvious reality is that several of those who do not deserve to have the jobs they seek are running for president of the United States.
Nice guys clashing, but Romney best bet
Iowa front-runners Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have a little problem. Both are too nice to be mean to each other.
Temptation of Callista Gingrich revealing
Callista Gingrich has done something she might come to regret — succumbed to the Twitter fairy and opened the door to unwelcome scrutiny.
Hitchens made an incredible impact
The Republicans’ final debate preceding the Iowa caucuses is suddenly uncompelling. There is nothing to do but write about Christopher Hitchens, whose death has made the world immeasurably less interesting.
The GOP must have a death wish
"Anybody but Mitt" has become a familiar mantra throughout the Republican primary campaign. It is also weird and self-defeating.
Who ends up winning GOP nod unclear
Things sure do change fast around here. One week it’s Rick Perry, the next it’s Herman Cain. Now it’s ... Newt Gingrich?
Romney thoughtful about flip-flopping
When the Democratic National Committee circulates an ad attacking Mitt Romney even before the Iowa caucuses — and long before his presidential nomination is clear — one can be fairly certain that Romney is considered the greatest threat to a second Obama term.
Ignorance is not always bliss
The headline on Democratic strategist Paul Begala’s recent Newsweek essay dodged subtlety: “The Stupid Party.”
Romney uniquely kind in political world
Humility is a tough trait to communicate in a presidential campaign that requires confident self-promotion, though it is often apparent in Romney’s debate face. He looks at others respectfully when they are speaking and his expression portrays patience and even a hopefulness that they will do well. Romney isn’t shy in reminding voters of his own accomplishments, but there are stories out there that tell another side to his character. Here’s one related to me recently by someone close to the campaign:
Class warfare is nothing but a futile fight
Republicans aren't mistaken when they say President Obama is declaring class warfare. He's been working that turf with a pretty big shovel. How many times have we heard that millionaires and billionaires (as though there were no difference) refuse to pay their fair share?
Cain's ad a lucky strike for campaign
Herman Cain's craggy-faced Chief of Staff Mark Block took a drag off a cigarette, blew smoke at the camera and sent the political class into coughing fits.
What the world needs now is music
Davi may not have the world on a string, but he may be on to something. In the wee small hours of the morning, nice ’n’ easy, Congress could take a trip to the moon on gossamer wings. This would be too marvelous for words.
Earning least contempt key to nomination
The operative maxim in cable television can be summed up as follows: Is it good teevee?
Vote for policies, not race or gender
This country has transcended much that was hideous and painful in the course of our evolution. It would be a shame to turn back now.
Failure teaches us more than success
By the time Steve Jobs' Wikipedia page had been adjusted to past tense, eulogists had added a footnote to his biography of success. Failure.
It’s a presidential, not ideological, race
Rather than worrying about whether Mormons worship the right God in the right way, Republicans should insist that only Mormons run for president.
Obama, Hitler, Hank Williams Jr. tie odd
Obama, Hitler and Hank Williams Jr. is not a group I’d have ever considered weaving together in one column. But then, who could have thought that the world would become so idiotic?
Saving the world one finger at a time
Unless you are an NPR loyalist, you may have missed a political drama unfolding far beneath the radar of human consciousness having to do with -- OK, open your eyes -- table saw safety.
Countdown to death riles emotions
I stayed up late Wednesday night in hopes that the U.S. Supreme Court would call off the execution of Troy Davis. Instead, at 11:08 p.m., he was pronounced dead.
Leaving behind a legacy of hysteria
The legacy of 9/11 can't be fully measured even now, but perhaps the most damaging aspect can be found in our national discourse.
U.S. politicians becoming celebrities
Americans are a fickle lot. They create celebrities out of those they adore, and then hate them for acting like celebrities.
Faith, reason mutually exclusive for Perry
Rick Perry's rapid lead over previous Republican front-runner Mitt Romney was predictable.
What's wrong with these bleeping people?
Public profanity is nothing new, of course, but it inarguably has gotten worse.
Is it time to 'untrend' Sarah Palin?
The latest trend in the media world is "trending." That is, monitoring what people are buzzing about and directing coverage accordingly.- Kathleen Parker, syndicated columnist
Is it now called the tea fragger party?
Fragging: "To intentionally kill or wound (one's superior officer, etc.), esp. with a hand grenade."
Cain should be given a second chance
Cain's criticisms of President Obama largely focus on a management style that leads to lethargic decision-making (the Afghanistan surge, the BP oil spill). Whether Cain will get to test his own management style will depend foremost on whether he masters his tongue. In the meantime, he has some interesting ideas that are more compelling and urgent than whether Murfreesboro gets a mosque. He deserves a second hearing.
Migraines a non-issue in potential president
But the media weren't so attentive to every little thing in those days, and now there is no detail too insignificant to be exhausted. There may be other reasons to reject Michele Bachmann as president, but being a woman with a headache isn't one of them. Whining about high heels that nobody makes you wear, now that could be a problem.
There's a story that's not quite right
Most would agree that one would have to stoop pretty low to question the story of a man's mother's death.
Just-vote-no crowd should be more flexible
A debt crisis is a terrible thing to waste in a presidential election season, and Democrats and Republicans alike are responding on cue.- kathleen Parker, syndicated columnist
Sex, drugs and then ... what?
Sometimes fiction can't improve on life.- Kathleen Parker, syndicated columnist
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