Does the ad for Fox News on the Weekly Standard's home page offer any indication of its bias? Doh? I rest my case.

Shontzler is one of the few, long-time professionals the Chronicle has; local and state education, her main beat. The story is more like an update on Mortenson's achievements, this one a natural extension of his single-mindedness to facilitate the building of local schools in a troubled part of the world. By focusing on Amira Mortenson, Schontzler give credence to this effort: a book that better communicates to American children the importance of the small, but significant role they play in helping with the "Pennies for Peace" fund-raising program. What better spokesperson could there be for the project than Mortenson's daughter, seventh grader, Amira?

Remnick's focus on the nuances of Obama's rhetoric and personal style — ways to finesse a lifelong balancing act — is a good attempt at explaining how the President-Elect defines himself in the context of the differences between the Moses and Joshua Generations. Quoting Moses Generation icons' wonderment about being wrong on Obama's timing (and chances) was instructive to all racial groups (except the haters). Remnick's gave equal space to the doubters, too, avoiding the simplistic message that "post-racial politics" is in the air.

Jeff Rosen's article reads like a classy judicial review: His opinion (of the DHS) and argument (that DHS's existence be reconsidered) are forthright and sensible. Rosen's logical analysis (including back room antecedents of the DHS), help us to understand the subtle psychology involved in the public's perceptions of whether the agency is effective or not — which, of course, begs the main question. Unless Rosen's choice of Chertoff quotes was restricted (to those only which bolstered his argument), it appears that even the man in charge is tepid about DHS's raison d'étre. Good point using the Tet Offensive as well as citing cost benefit analysis of the agency's efficacy vis-a-vis auto safety — the ol' perception problem ... More »

Cutler is an excellent writer, but being an academic, I wonder how he would have graded the piece had a student presented it. Opinion writers are, by nature, speculative: Could've, should've, would 've causes us to go beyond the facts of a story. But Cutler's argument — that the UAW didn't take advantage of its relationship with its Japanese counterparts — remains unsubstantiated. He offers no quotes or references to previous publications to show that Shoigi DIDN'T use his "leverage." Seems to me a professor of sociology ought to explore the cultural implications and networking of the Japanese corporations vis-a-vis Japanese unions rather than the Right-to-Work laws in certain states. What proof is there that Shoigi is a ... More »

Macintyre and Orengoh's main source of Onyango's grievances is his widow. A student of history would eschew this as a primary source; after all, the writers concede the widow's account was "hazy," I suspect the editors gave them a "skinny" (little or no expenses), two-day deadline assignment — an ersatz due-diligence piece, if you please. Then the editors slapped on a provocative headline, the kind that riles up the tea and crumpet crowd: "Dear me, their new president doesn't like us…"

Berens, Armstrong and their editors deserve humongous Bravos for their work. Investigative articles like this would never be found on TV news (unless it were a Frontline-style piece); nor would smaller papers touch the topic. CSI-like, Berens & Armstrong followed the evidence, only in this case, the most serious evidence was secreted within forms not entirely filled out (or missing related fields). good journalism is always the result of on-set curiosity. My guess is, the article is so repleate with reliable data that the WA hospital Association might be girding its collective loins; guys like Chuck Velte are not going to take it anymore! One thing missing: Medicare's new reg (1/1/09) denying payment for infections picked up ... More »

Ain't nuthin' better than a rasty curmudgeon gettin' narly and sarcastic about a wanna be. I put my nose to the computer screen thinkin' I was actually smellin' Ol' Seth Kanter's stiff, red plaid shirt — damned that thing ain't been washed since early summer.

The article fed the flames of seething anger I've had about the heath insurance industry for the past thirty years. But with so many sad, sad tales of "med-woe" out there, it couldn't have taken much discovery work to find them. Ergo, Girion & Hiltzik's piece is more of an update of a long-term problem than it is incisive, prescient journalism. Sure would make a great first chapter in an in-depth study of the problem — especially were it to advocate for universal health care.

While using the term "Britain's 'elected dictatorship'" was unnecessary hyperbole, it's clear that Herr Borger's compliments are also meant to dig his own country's dithering. Despite his opinion, I appreciated learning how the unfolding of Brown's role in fact paved the way for the Euro-Clan to follow suit.

Hutchinson Q: "Why," is answered only with speculation. The set up, i.e., apparent number of African-Americans voters and non-voters isn't substantiated — while the Census is a good place to start, the rest of the stats could use citations. What does "millionaires' derby" have to do with this? Didn't Rick Wade have more to say about this? Or did Hutchinson not interview the man?

Balanced. Sokemen for both sides given opportunity to contribute.

Although too brief (amounting to approximately 600+ words in a print article), Liane Hansen's piece provides listeners with a choice of where to go to personally check out attacks on positions and candidates. And as Adair predicted, many of us will probably be loging on to politifact.com when the onslaught(s) begin(s) this week.

I'd like nothing more than to forward this piece to undecided or independent voter friends, BUT since R.S. seldom supplies footnotes; and because it's reputation and putative readership has an inherent reputation, I suspect Dickinson's well-written snapshot of McCain will be rendered as propaganda.