Archive
Cashing In on the ISIS Crisis
Maybe you think the U.S. air war on the Islamic State is a fine plan. Maybe you don’t. Either way, have you considered how little Washington’s latest military foray in the Middle East has to do with America’s welfare? In case you haven’t heard, shock and awe are out...
The First Casualty of War
Reflecting on World War I, California Senator Hiram Johnson famously said: "The first casualty when war comes is truth." Actually, in America's recent wars, officials have slaughtered the truth even before the fighting. The Bush-Cheney regime hustled America into its...
The Dogs and Cats of War
High-Status Sad Sacks
Here's something that might not have occurred to you: It's not easy being rich. Well, yes, there are all those things that money can buy to alleviate the burden of fabulous wealth — things like servants, summers in Provence, private jets, and such. But as an article...
In OtherWords: November 12, 2014
This week in OtherWords, we have a treat for Donald Kaul's many devoted fans: He's taking a break from his medical leave to size up the 2014 midterms. Don't miss Kaul's column, in which he writes: "There’s talk now in Washington of a new spirit of cooperation between...
Taking Stock of the Money Midterms
The 2014 midterm elections sure looked like a blowout for the Republican Party. But leave it to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to call the real winner: big money. "Incredible night for money in politics!" gushed one of the show's satirical correspondents. Indeed, in...
Who Killed Gilberto Soto?
On a November night 25 years ago, six priests — along with their housekeeper and her daughter — were murdered in cold blood by Salvadoran army officers who had invaded their residence at the Jesuit-run Central American University. This month, priests, activists, and...
A Bigger Threat to U.S. Health than Ebola
Despite all the panic, Americans don't face any great risk from Ebola right now. But we do need to worry about a home-grown medical catastrophe of our own that we’re failing to address: the erosion of antibiotic effectiveness. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat a...
How Did We Get Here?
Dick Tuck, the legendary political prankster and wit, once ran for local office in San Francisco and lost. His concession speech, in its entirety: "The people have spoken — the bastards." Now, you know me — I wouldn’t say anything like that about the recent elections....
Leave No Generation Behind
Over a decade ago, I got a call from Bill Gates. Not the Bill Gates you're probably thinking of. It was Bill Gates Sr., the Microsoft founder's dad. He was eager to speak out in support of the federal estate tax, our nation’s only levy on inherited wealth. He called...
