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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Nov. 25, 2008
/ 27 Mar-Cheshvan 5769
GOP ahead of curve for change
By
Kevin Ferris
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
I remember well Election Night 1994. Republicans were taking over Congress for the first time since 1948. The Cuomos of the political world were exiting, the Santorums coming in.
A worried colleague said, "The fascists have taken over."
Then, two weeks ago, a friend compared this year's Democratic gains to the rise of Hitler in the 1930s.
See? Unity. He who is not with me politically is a Nazi.
We can do better. There will always be those who can't play well and get along with others, but the new loyal opposition doesn't have to take after the old. Yes, stand on principle. Fight for beliefs. But skip the hysteria and BDS (the virus currently known as Bush Derangement Syndrome that could soon cross species and infect conservatives as Barack Derangement Syndrome).
Last week, John J. Pitney Jr. told conservatives: "Lighten up. ... The road to political recovery does not run through High Dudgeon."
Indeed. Recovery will require changes - in leadership, ideas and attitude. Amid the wailing and gnashing of teeth, there are signs that Republicans and conservatives understand what's needed and are ready to adapt to the new world order.
The leadership change began on Election Day. The GOP's No. 3 man in the House, Adam Putnam, announced his resignation as conference chair at 11:52 p.m. Nov. 4. Minority Whip Roy Blunt said two days later that he wouldn't seek re-election to his post. There are calls for Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio to go, too. Columnist Deroy Murdock included Boehner among a list of "failed leaders" who "should go warm the back benches."
Likely replacements are smart, capable lawmakers such as Eric Cantor of Virginia, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Mike Pence of Indiana and John Shadegg of Arizona.
The changes on the Senate side probably won't be as drastic. Though Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has strongly supported the Bush administration, he's run parliamentary rings around Harry Reid as minority leader for the last two years. But expect to hear more from South Dakota's John Thune and John Cornyn of Texas.
Those congressional leaders will no doubt try to put forward their own agenda. They'll be ignored for the most part, but from that will come the ideas that reshape the various factions into a unified, effective opposition party. They'll get help from popular governors, including Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Mark Sanford of South Carolina, and Sarah Palin in Alaska.
It'll also help to have an effective chairman of the Republican National Committee. One contender for that post is Maryland's former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, who runs the Republican political action committee GOPAC.
Steele spelled out the party's problems last week in the Wall Street Journal. Voters, he wrote, "have lost any sense of confidence that the Republican Party holds the answers to their problems."
"Most Americans today see a Republican Party that defines itself by what it is against rather than what it is for. We can tell you why public schools aren't working; but not articulate a compelling vision for how we'll better educate children. We're well equipped to rail against tax increases; but can't begin to explain how we'll help the poor. We exclude far better than we welcome."
Listen to Americans' "hopes, desires and needs," he urges, and propose actions grounded in "our faith in the power and ingenuity of the individual to build a nation through hard work, personal responsibility and self-discipline."
There is no consensus on how exactly to address those "hopes, desires and needs," but the GOP has sorted through its divisions while in the political wilderness before, as recently as 1964, 1976 and 1992. Each time, the party listened, learned its lesson, and came back stronger than before. It'll do it again. The pendulum swings.
In the meantime, Paul Mirengoff, of the always impressive and levelheaded powerlineblog. com, offered coping tips. In a D.C. Examiner article headlined "Worry, but be happy," he wrote, "First, pray that President Obama achieves greatness in office. Our overriding concern must always be the country we love, not the success of a party or an ideology."
But when the president is wrong, he says, "it will be our duty to oppose him." In that opposition, he urges, be loyal. Patient. Persistent. Fair. Skeptical. Support conservative institutions. Don't support those that run interference for Obama.
Above all, he says, don't hate. Don't obsess.
"Spend as much time as you see fit following, discussing and participating in public affairs. But don't think about them the rest of the time. Life is full of beauty and wonder. Don't let politics blind you to it."
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment by clicking here.
Kevin Ferris is commentary page editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Previously:
10/13/08: Prayers for President-elect Barack Obama
10/03/08: Obama's lowball attacks: Suggesting that McCain is a bigot runs afoul of the high-minded unity tripe
09/06/08: It's unlikely that a President McCain would be driven by political ideology
09/04/08: Bold McCain will sharpen the contrasts
© 2008, Philadelphia Inquirer Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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