Articles filed under Commentary

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Ernie Pyle’s D-Day, Part 1: A pure miracle Jun 6, 2014 9:42 AM
By Ernie Pyle World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle visited the beaches at Normandy, France, the day after the Allied invasion in 1944. He described the horrific sight and reflected on the costs of war in a series of columns that ran in newspapers nationwide 70 years ago. Three are posted here.
Obama’s hard choices Jun 5, 2014 5:01 AM
By Kathleen Parker Columnist Kathleen Parker: The exchange of five Guantanamo detainees for the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has reminded us of three unpleasant facts of life: The United States does negotiate with terrorists; the president will circumvent laws as circumstances require; Republicans and Democrats will be summarily outraged as party affiliations seem to require.
Discretion is the better part of reporting on shocking crime Jun 5, 2014 1:01 AM
By Jim Slusher Columnist Jim Slusher: There are exceptions to every rule, but in general, our attitude toward sensitive stories with the potential for a long-lasting impact on innocent or vulnerable individuals is to err on the side of the individuals.
Why I still have faith in Congress Jun 4, 2014 5:01 AM
By Lee Hamilton Columnist Lee Hamilton: It’s depressing to read poll after poll highlighting Americans’ utter disdain for Congress. But it’s my encounters with ordinary citizens at public meetings or in casual conversation that really bring me up short. In angry diatribes or in resigned comments, people make clear their dwindling confidence in both politicians and the institution itself.
Talking himself into a corner Jun 3, 2014 10:48 AM
By Richard Cohen Columnist Richard Cohen: Like a pitcher who has lost his fastball, Barack Obama has lost “the speech.” The speech has always been central to the president and his presidency. He established his credentials with the one he delivered to the 2004 Democratic National Convention while still a state senator. He followed that with many others — Berlin, Cairo, Philadelphia on race, etc. — each one greeted with bobby soxer delirium, which Obama fully expected. In 2004, just before he spoke to the convention, he told his friend Marty Nesbitt that the excitement about him was yet to peak. “My speech is pretty good,” he allowed.
Illinois can lead out on pollution fight Jun 3, 2014 5:01 AM
By Tammy Duckworth Guest columnist Tammy Duckworth: Slowing carbon pollution is a national security, economic and health issue — and a moral imperative. The president’s landmark Climate Action Plan will improve our economy and set a global example for other nations to follow. I look forward to seeing Illinois take a leading role in implementing strong, effective carbon pollution standards.
Digital age makes for ‘dream quinceanera’ Jun 1, 2014 7:04 AM
By Jim Davis Brandy Huerta of Carpentersville won two Facebook contests, making possible her selfless 15-year-old daughter's "dream quinceanera." Living in a digital age was key, but it's still an old-fashioned heartwarming story, writes Jim Davis, news director for the DuPage and Fox Valley editions.
The revolt of the nerds Jun 1, 2014 5:01 AM
By Michael Gerson Columnist Michael Gerson: Parallel to the rise of the Tea Party — with less attention but more potential influence — has been a gathering movement of reform conservatives whom my colleague E.J. Dionne Jr., in an essay in the journal Democracy, dubs “Reformicons.” One version of the Tea Party governing vision was recently and neatly summarized by Mississippi Senate candidate Chris McDaniel: “I’m not going to do anything for you. I’m going to get the government off your back, and then I’m gonna let you do it for yourself.”
Educational success is impossible to quantify May 30, 2014 5:01 AM
By Matt Janecek and Scott Meyers Guest columnist Matt Janecek and Scott Meyers: Mandates, dictates and data, data, data have overwhelmed day-to-day education. What used to be just the ACT and ISAT has snowballed with CCSS and PARCC into a testing and reform avalanche of initiatives and acronyms. Educators will be buried, dig our way out, or be dismissed.
Democracy, dialogue and a place for tolerance May 29, 2014 1:01 AM
By Jim Slusher Columnist Jim Slusher: How, I wonder, do we call ourselves patriots if we do not tolerate, perhaps to some extent invite the contrary ideas of others?
Chicken plants and the immigration dilemma May 29, 2014 5:01 AM
By Byron York Columnist Byron York: Haley Barbour, former governor of Mississippi, former head of the Republican National Committee, now a political fixer and influential voice in GOP circles, says he first became seriously interested in immigration policy after Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of homes in Mississippi were destroyed, “down to the slab,” Barbour said at a recent conference on immigration hosted by National Journal in Washington. Construction workers were overwhelmed; many were homeless themselves. And then, almost out of nowhere, came help.
The value of a push May 29, 2014 5:01 AM
By Ruben Navarrette Columnist Ruben Navarrette: A little girl can break her daddy’s heart with one question. A few days ago, my 9-year-old daughter — noticing I was in a suit and not my usual, casual attire — asked me where I was going, and I told her. I had been invited to judge a high school debate competition. She asked what that was all about, and I told her it is where two teams square off and make well-constructed arguments, trying to convince a judge of their point of view. She asked, “Can girls do that?”
Hillary Clinton versus the press May 28, 2014 5:01 AM
By Richard Cohen Columnist Richard Cohen: I am not a knee-jerk defender of the press. Some of the coverage of Hillary Clinton has indeed been unfair. But Clinton has to deal with it. Until she does, the press will not be her worst enemy. She’ll be.
Warning: Literature happening May 28, 2014 5:01 AM
By Kathleen Parker Columnist Kathleen Parker: Just when you thought American higher learning couldn’t get any more ridiculous, along come demands for warning labels on provocative works of literature. One never knows when a sentence, phrase or word might trigger some buried memory or traumatic experience.
Why the VA scandal sticks May 27, 2014 5:01 AM
By Michael Gerson Columnist Michael Gerson: Why do some political scandals stick while others fade? The level of media obsession seems to rise and fall as mysteriously as the stock market. On Benghazi, sell. Hold on the IRS audits. On the Veterans Affairs scandal, buy, buy, buy.
Wheaton family still sees ‘hope’ despite son’s fatal heroin overdose May 25, 2014 5:01 AM
By Jim Davis Rather than turn inward and feel sorry for themselves, a Wheaton family wants to tell of their teen son's fatal heroin overdose in hopes that others will learn not to give up on loved ones in the throes of addcition, writes Jim Davis, DuPage/Fox Valley news director.
U.S. must condemn persecution in Iran May 25, 2014 8:07 AM
By Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk Guest columnists Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk: The Iranian regime has long engaged in a campaign to eradicate the Bahá’í Faith. Ensuring that none of these acts go unnoticed is fundamental to preventing human rights violations.
Get ready for a season of promises May 23, 2014 5:01 AM
By Paul Green Columnist Paul Green: Before a new governor in Republican Bruce Rauner or a re-elected Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn can tackle the state’s fiscal abyss there will be a political campaign — one that will most likely resemble a trip to Disneyland than a realistic discussion of government’s economic woes and possible solutions.
Blackhawks should lead out on mascot change May 22, 2014 10:07 AM
By John Mehrtens Guest columnist John Mehrtens: Chicago has a proud history as a progressive city, so I’ve been surprised to discover just how much old-school racism still lurks below the surface. But the city, the Blackhawks and their fans have an opportunity to do be trendsetters. Will the Blackhawks’ mascot be changed willingly, because it’s morally proper, or will it happen only after a prolonged public dispute?
Keeping the Holocaust in memory May 22, 2014 5:01 AM
By Michael Gerson Columnist Michael Gerson: About 1.4 million Holocaust victims were under the age of 14. It is one of the most solemn responsibilities of educators to make a new generation see what was done.