A Tortured Twist on Ethics

George Orwell wisely observed that our understanding of the past, and the meaning associated with it, directly influences the future. And as the unprecedented public feud between the CIA and Congress makes clear, there are still significant aspects of our recent...
The Power Politics behind a Long, Gilded Life

The Power Politics behind a Long, Gilded Life

Let us pause now to pay our respects to Bunny Mellon. She died in mid-March on her Virginia horse-country estate. But no tears, please. Bunny — nobody called her by her given name Rachel — lived a long and rich life. Very long. Very rich. One hundred and three at her...
The High Price of Laziness

The High Price of Laziness

I know I shouldn’t be, but I am shocked by Americans’ laziness. We look for the closest parking spot to the gym so that we don’t have to walk those extra few steps. We indulge in watching more cooking shows, yet actually cook less than ever. We...
Wall Street’s Bonus Inflation

Wall Street’s Bonus Inflation

Not too many years ago, any news story about bonus money would’ve been about some 20-year-old baseball player — an up-and-coming superstar getting $100,000 or so on top of his salary as an extra incentive to join the Yankees, Giants, or whatever team....
Washington Gives Peace a Chance

Washington Gives Peace a Chance

It’s hard to get your mind wrapped around Russia’s annexation of Crimea and seizure of Ukrainian military bases there. It was — and many Ukrainians say still is — part of a neighboring sovereign country until mid-March. And it seemed like Europe had...