THE WASHINGTON TIMES

EDITORIAL: Safer American Streets Act would speed permanent red light to traffic cameras for revenue

Congress is considering in the last days of the lame-duck session the prohibition of red-light revenue cameras that scar the streets in Washington, and to urge the 50 states to do likewise. This overdue legislation to correct a wrong deserves a green light. Published December 3, 2014

EDITORIAL: Immigrants’ Social Security, Medicare entitlements more Obama broken promises

When President Obama promised six years ago that his administration would be the most transparent in history, Americans, weary of being misled and misinformed by their government, were eager to put aside their skepticism and believe him. Those innocent Americans have learned since to fear that Mr. Obama is trying to give away their future. Published December 3, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Michael Brown’s bad choices led to police shooting death in Ferguson

As a black mother of three young adult sons, I am appalled by the violence, looting and angry behavior of those rioting in Ferguson, Missouri. I sympathize with the family of Michael Brown and am saddened that a mother and father have lost their son. Published December 2, 2014

EDITORIAL: Tax extenders for special interests may extend Senate session

The noisy quacking of the lame ducks out to despoil the grass on Capitol Hill had convinced most Washington insiders that Congress would dutifully pass what are called "tax extenders" and then go home. "Tax extenders" are legislative provisions providing more than four dozen tax breaks and special treatment to a variety of groups and industries, whose clever lobbyists have always persuaded Congress that the very future of the republic and everyone who lives in it depends on their clients getting special breaks at the expense of everyone else. The wonder is that the republic has lasted so long. Published December 2, 2014

EDITORIAL: Lame-duck Congress, go home

Congress returned from the Thanksgiving holiday stuffed with more than turkey to begin the lame-duck session of the 113th Congress. A lame-duck session is popular only with members who have been retired or fired, eager to inflict one last bruise on the body politic. They have only until next Friday, Dec. 12 — the likely final day of the 113th Congress — to put their marks there. It's the last opportunity for the lame ducks, many more turkey than duck, to help their friends, hurt their enemies and pay back their supporters. Published December 1, 2014

EDITORIAL: FAA regulating drones

A bird in flight is a thing of natural beauty; a drone overhead, not so much. Published December 1, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: In Israel, time for talk is past

Armed with guns, knives and a meat cleaver, our 'partners in peace' shot, slashed and stabbed their victims, leaving pools of blood and horror in their wake before being eliminated by the police. It is difficult to conceive of a more despicable deed ("Israel military starts wrecking terrorists' family homes to send 'sharp message,'" Web, Nov. 19). Published December 1, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: At war in Ferguson and Iraq

In the first week of November President Obama authorized the sending of an additional 1,500 troops to Iraq, bringing the total number of U.S. military advisers there to roughly 3,000. Published December 1, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: No federal marriage amendment

In advocating Sen. Ted Cruz's proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution to defend traditional marriage, Gary Bauer notes that amending the Constitution is difficult. ("Considering the thorny question of a marriage amendment," Web, Nov. 20). It is also totally the wrong approach. Published December 1, 2014

EDITORIAL: Local, private disaster relief more effective than FEMA

In the days and weeks after Hurricane Katrina blew a path of destruction through New Orleans in 2005, Americans took notice of the bungling of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its dysfunctional performance. Many began to question why the agency exists. Published November 30, 2014

EDITORIAL: ‘Cyber Monday’ poses cybersecurity threat

With the arrival of Cyber Monday, a substantial part of holiday Internet sales — and the hopes of legions of retailers — ride on the seamless function of the complex network crucial for online commerce. Published November 30, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Mahmoud Abbas, PA threaten Temple Mount

"Palestinian claims that Israel wants to change the status quo" at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem are a sham ("Israeli forces disperse West Bank demonstration," Web, Nov. 21). The Temple Mount has been the Jewish people's most sacred religious, historical and archaeological site for three millennia — since the 10th century B.C. Published November 30, 2014

EDITORIAL: Sales taxes hurt bottom line

Black Friday bargain hunters are scouring circulars and combing through websites in search of ways to save on Christmas shopping, and many of them are missing a bargain they could get by driving to shops and stores in states with low — or no — sales taxes. Published November 27, 2014

EDITORIAL: Government workers do unions business on taxpayer dime

Union membership has fallen, but the impact of public-sector unions on federal politics still seems as strong as ever. How could this be? It sounds like a mystery, but it isn't. Published November 27, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: God behind towns’ safety, success

Recently, news articles appeared describing the 10 safest U.S. cities with 100,000 or more residents. One of these cities shares its city limits with my own hometown of Temecula, California. The other is Murrieta. Together these cities have a population of nearly 250,000. Published November 27, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Justice for the unborn

I am utterly amazed by the protests and violence perpetrated by some people over the recent grand jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. ("Legal scholars praise Ferguson grand jury for fairness beyond the norm," Web, Nov. 25). Published November 27, 2014

EDITORIAL: Grand’ther Baldwin’s Thanksgiving, by Horatio Alger

When you've dined at Grandma Baldwin's you will know as well as I. When, at length, the feast was ended, Grand'ther Baldwin bent his head, And, amid the solemn silence, with a reverent voice, he said: "Now unto God, the Gracious One, we thanks and homage pay, Who guardeth us, and guideth us, and loveth us always!" Published November 26, 2014

EDITORIAL: Obama Thanksgiving in Plymouth Colony

November 1621, and: Gov. Obama of Plymouth Colony prepares for the first Thanksgiving with his scribe, the boy Robert. Published November 26, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Executive order will make real reform harder

Crazy as it may seem, none of the debate about immigration reform focuses on the real issue ("Sen. Jeff Flake says executive action will make further immigration reform difficult," Web, Nov. 23). The primary division between Democrats and Republicans is not whether we treat illegal aliens humanely, but whether we should open our borders to anyone who wants access. Published November 25, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Following commandments could’ve saved Ferguson

Reportedly, at the time of his death Michael Brown was walking in the middle of the street, imperiling his safety and impeding traffic. Police Officer Darren Wilson, sitting in a patrol car, told him to get out of the street. Mr. Brown is said to have gone over to the patrol car and challenged Officer Wilson. Published November 25, 2014