Opinion Forum

Abortion

November 9th, 2008

The issue of abortion deeply divides our country, perhaps more profoundly than any other. At present, our law on abortion is defined not by Congress or state legislatures but by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. In acknowledging “the sensitive and emotional nature of the abortion controversy,” the Court stated, [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: abortion, Law
Categories: Politics | Comments (1) | Home

You Can Read It!

November 8th, 2008

Don’t skip this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it. I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid! Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: Humor
Categories: Humor | Comments (1) | Home

The Death Penalty

November 7th, 2008

There are a number of contentious issues that have been part of our political discussion for years, regardless of which party is in power. There are reasons these issues don’t go away. First, opinions on all sides are deeply felt and enduring, and second, definitive solutions are beyond the strength and will of politicians. The [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: death penalty, Law
Categories: Politics | Comments (11) | Home

Beauty and the Beast

November 6th, 2008

In a classic column from 1998, Dave Barry pondered the dilemma men face when a woman asks, “How do I look?” This question terrifies men, as does its companion query, “Does this make me look fat?”

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: Humor
Categories: Humor | Comments (2) | Home

Obama vs. McCain

November 5th, 2008

Well, the election is over, and Barack Obama is President-elect. That’s OK with me. He’s young, smart, and I suspect pragmatic. Maybe he’ll do a great job. In any event, he’ll be my President, and I’ll support him fully. However, I voted for John McCain. In 10 presidential elections, including this one, I voted for the [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: McCain, Obama, Palin
Categories: Politics | Comments (0) | Home

Gun Control

November 5th, 2008

Do Americans have the right “to keep and bear arms?” Or was that right intended to be restricted to “a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State?” The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says both. But what does it really mean? The Supreme Court recently decided that question in District [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: gun control, Law
Categories: Politics | Comments (6) | Home

Forgive Jane Fonda?

November 4th, 2008

I was asked the other day, apropos of nothing, whether American citizens would ever forgive Jane Fonda for her anti-war and anti-American activities* of the past. I’m a Vietnam veteran. I served two tours as an attack helicopter pilot, with a couple of Purple Hearts among the other decorations I wear on my uniform. People who know my background [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: Law, Vietnam
Categories: Military, Politics | Comments (3) | Home

The Politics of Hate

November 3rd, 2008

I’ve been thinking about how often the word “hate” is used in a political context. It most frequently comes from the left, directed at George W. Bush, John McCain, Sarah Palin, and other conservatives or even moderates. More often than not, it’s an expression of hatred for the person, not the politician or his party. [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: conservative, liberal
Categories: Politics | Comments (0) | Home

Liberal or Conservative?

November 2nd, 2008

In our current political discourse, the importance of the labels “liberal” and “conservative” seems undeniable. People often tag each other with these labels, either as a compliment or a condemnation. They sometimes label themselves prominently on their websites, and some even use one of the labels in the titles or descriptions of their online posts. Often entire [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: conservative, liberal
Categories: Politics | Comments (0) | Home

Blogs, Bloggers, and Pajamas

November 1st, 2008

Before I started writing one, all I knew about blogs was what I heard from the media. This was mostly reporters and pundits with their noses in the air making snide comments about ignorant people at home in their pajamas writing about things they don’t understand. Then I began to notice that serious bloggers often [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: Humor
Categories: Life | Comments (0) | Home

Support Military Families

November 1st, 2008

By Tom Carter Army Emergency Relief, or AER, is a private non-profit charity incorporated by the Army in 1942. It provides emergency financial assistance to soldiers and their families. The Army is carrying the heaviest burden in our war on terror, and many of our soldiers need your help. Contributing to AER is a great [...]

Articles written by Tom Carter
Tags: military families, veterans
Categories: Life, Military | Comments (0) | Home

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