Friedman: Just end Cold War with Iran
It goes without saying that the only near-term deal with Iran worth partially lifting sanctions for would be a deal that freezes all the key components of Iran's nuclear weapons development program,...
View ArticleEditorial: A fresh look for the ATF
THE ISSUE:A crime-fighting agency has long found itself under fire from lawmakers and their allies in the gun industry. THE STAKES:Is there a better — and more bulletproof — way to accomplish this...
View ArticleBoehner scolded over immigration
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wasn't taking a new stand on Thursday in its letter to U.S. House Speaker John Boehner about the need for immigration policy reform.The letter was signed by...
View ArticleMilitary and early education
As retired generals, we have some news that may surprise you: our nation's future military depends on getting more New York state children into quality preschool programs today.Research shows the...
View ArticleWhere's the GOP health plan?
Republicans can hardly believe their good luck. The Obama administration has once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. After successfully holding off Republican efforts to destroy Obamacare...
View ArticleLetter: Pass 9 points for women's health
The pro-choice campaign for point 10 in the Women's Equality Act has begun. Suzanne Kelly's commentary on liberating the women's health act includes scholarly rhetoric, attacks on the state Senate and...
View ArticleLetter: Obamacare may hurt Democrats
Will Obamacare determine the future of our nation? Critics of Hillary Rodham Clinton will tie her to President Barack Obama's promise, "You can keep your doctor and your insurance if you like it,"...
View ArticleLetter: Eliminating trans fat a victory for all
Last week's announcement by the Food and Drug Administration paves the way for the eventual elimination of artificial trans fats ("FDA to take all trans fats off the table," Nov. 8). The importance of...
View ArticleGroup views climate change as an economic opportunity
The following is from a New York Times editorial:In an effort to compensate for the failure of central governments to address the dangers of climate change with comprehensive national policies,...
View ArticleEditorial: Why is SAFE so secret?
THE ISSUE:New Yorkers can't know how many assault weapons have been registered through the NY SAFE Act.THE STAKES:Secrecy of this sort in government thwarts credible policymaking and public...
View ArticleHere's the deal: Laws must be constitutional
The following is from a Los Angeles Times editorial:A bizarre act of revenge against a romantic rival was the unlikely genesis of an important debate in the Supreme Court last week about federal...
View ArticleSuccess for upstate a taxing problem
It has been quite a year for upstate New York. Unshackle Upstate is pleased that the state is beginning to recognize that the upstate economy needs special attention. The Cuomo administration has been...
View ArticleSmith: Troy success amends for Midwest mess
At the ends of the thousand miles or so between Monument Square in Troy and an Iowa cornfield, you can see the roots of two federal policies — one a success, the other a failure.But before we get into...
View ArticleLetter: Sports field isn't peaceful neighbor
I am very opposed to any sports facility being built next to Memory Gardens. Sports fans are known to be loud and boisterous, which is fine at their arenas and such, but not next to a place of...
View ArticleEditorial: Albany's racial injustice
THE ISSUE:The city resolves the case on one African-American man blocked from a job, but the numbers suggest an endemic problem.THE STAKES:Just as government must represent its citizens, it must...
View ArticleParker: Is Obamacare a gift or a lump of coal?
Washington Let's recap: If you like your insurance policy, you can keep it. No, wait. If you liked your policy, it was probably worthless anyway. Scratch that. If your junk policy was canceled and you...
View ArticleSeiler: RINO hunting season
You may begin by asking if I harbor hopes that Carl Paladino will mount a rematch against Andrew Cuomo.This question is unseemly. As a member of the political press corps, I endeavor to remain...
View ArticleFriedman: 'Real' Israel in triumph and tragedy
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel spoke on the phone for 90 minutes the other day. Wow — 90 minutes! I wonder if Obama has ever spoken to John Boehner for 90...
View ArticleA reason for being, not just earning
"What's the purpose of studying the humanities: literature, languages, philosophy, history and the arts?"I needed to come up with a good answer to this question. You see, legions of administrators...
View ArticleDrone strikes reveal a lost moral compass
Over our home in Colonie, on certain days of the week a too loud, too low, very awkward military transport plane makes practice runs, lumbering back and forth, back and forth between the Schenectady...
View Article