Opinion-Columns.com

Dow Chemical Continues an Ad Campaign in Poor Taste

It's an interesting corporate decision to ‘reintroduce’ a hundred year-old company with great fanfare and a $20 million annual budget. Since Dow bought Union Carbide, it may well need a reintroduction. Union Carbide was responsible for a continuing disaster in Bhopal, India, after it released 27,000 tons of MIC gas from a pesticide plant in 1984.

Clearing Off My Desk--Again

My periodic effort to keep my head above water. It’s been two and a half months and time now to clear off my desk again with brief acknowledgments and commentary on the stuff that was important to me and got run down by more immediate headlines.

The Washington Post With Egg on its Editorial Face

Ignorance is bliss. Sounding as if it were ghost-written for the Post editorial board (as indeed it may have been) by Robert Kagan, their neocon-attack-dog-in-reserve, the piece had its own  excesses of cynical mockery. He (it, they) continues,

The A B C’s of Panic at the White House

When the president is so weak that his only remaining weapon is the veto, the first whisperings of panic can be heard in the corridors of the west wing. The corridors are emptying out, except for Gonzales and Rove.

A Reagan redux--the Bush Administration's Iran-Contra Scandal

This is a cautionary tale of governance from behind the curtain of secrecy. Presidents since Jimmy Carter have worked for peace between Israel and Palestine. Until this one. This one believes in the biblical smiting of one’s enemies.

Sanctions--the Feel-Good Solution

Sanctions are the diplomatically imposed presidential equivalent to eight year-olds shouting at recess;

Did not!
Did too!!
Did not!!!

Kicking and Screaming Our Way to the G-8 Conference

It’s all so embarrassing.

Nation after nation tries to get America to limit its emissions and then we’re caught between 1st and 2nd base in a rundown over the cost to American industry. Top (and usually unnamed) administration officials tell the world that Americans will not support a wiggle or a squiggle in their standard of living in order to guarantee a living with standards.

Just What’s Needed, Another Road Map

It’s a taxi-ride from Israel to Palestine and yet the Road Map for Peace in the Middle East hasn’t been much help in bringing these countries together. Drive down the coast to Tel Aviv and turn left—how hard can it be?

The French Get Down to Electing

Ah, France. Home to fine wines, great food, occasional intolerance of nations more powerful than themselves, beautiful countryside, an ocean on one side, a sea on the other. Inventor of the arched eyebrow, Edith Piaf, the aqualung and bicycle. We may forgive them the hot air balloon and French politics.

They know how to run elections.

Wall Street Afraid of the Wrong Ghost

Wall Street still doesn't seem to get it. The world beyond New York has been moving in directions beyond the street's recent notice. Have patience with them, it's tough to keep your focus in a bubble.