THE WASHINGTON TIMES

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Federal appointees’ war on conservatives

If you ever wondered just what was meant by the abused term "war on women," you might want to ask Catherine Engelbrecht, a hard-working small-business owner who has been illegally harassed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration simply because she had the temerity to start a conservative political organization. Published November 10, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Using ‘suicide voting’ tactics in Va. election

On its website, the Virginia Citizens Defense League states that the "VCDL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grass-roots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental human right of all Virginians to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 13 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia." It seems the group abandoned this statement in the 2014 midterm elections.w Published November 10, 2014

EDITORIAL: Bureaucrats steal Good Samaritans’ food from mouths of needy

Feeding the hungry is the first order of good works. It's what men and women of faith do, not only because it's a commandment of their faith, but because — and on this people of no faith can agree — it's the right thing to do. Unfortunately, that's not how City Hall sees it in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Published November 10, 2014

EDITORIAL: New VA chief rolls up his sleeves to clean up the mess

Taking the top job at a scandal-ridden agency such as the Department of Veterans Affairs may be a fool's errand, or at least a job for a foolish optimist. Robert A. McDonald, who took the job in July, revealed his grand rescue plan Monday. There's what looks like hope for change. Published November 10, 2014

EDITORIAL: Don’t blame Pentagon spending cuts for ‘friendly fire’ deaths

The deaths of five American soldiers — including two Green Berets — in a "friendly fire" incident in June in Afghanistan have been blamed, in part, on budget cuts. Published November 10, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Warmth, not cold, is hospitable to life

For decades, "green" extremists have been spreading doomsday forecasts of global warming, but where do we find the greatest abundance of life on land? Follow the equator around the globe --- the Amazon, the Congo, Kenya, Indonesia and New Guinea — all places where it is warm and wet. Published November 7, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Iranian regime isn’t changing

Clare Lopez's piece claiming that the revolution in Iran is over and that the people of Iran are ready to join the international community as a partner is belied by the recitation of facts in the same piece ("A rose-colored glasses vision of a 'new Iran,'" Web, Nov. 4). Published November 7, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Quarantine refusal is selfish, dangerous

When a government, nongovernmental organization or charitable organization of any country decides to go abroad and do good things, it is they who should be the ones responsible for their personnel or financed volunteers serving in biological "hot zones" ("Taking Ebola seriously," Web, Oct. 28). Published November 7, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thwart third-party ‘spoilers’ with runoffs

Behold yet another Democratic tactic for winning elections; namely, the spoiler. Published November 7, 2014

EDITORIAL: New attorney general must shun Holder’s naked partisanship

When word swept through Washington that President Obama intended to nominate Loretta Lynch as the successor to Attorney General Eric Holder Jr, the collective reaction was, "Loretta Who?" Published November 7, 2014

EDITORIAL: Going postal for mail-service reform

The postman needs help. He's struggling for relevance in a digital age, and the commission that directs the Postal Service isn't delivering needed reform. Published November 7, 2014

EDITORIAL: When ‘green’ trumps the Purple Line

Trolley technology has been making a comeback, if only for a streetcar ride down memory lane. But the greatest obstacles to the liberal resurrection of the trolley are not conservatives, but other liberals. Published November 7, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Elections shatter the left’s false confidence

What a difference a year makes. After the government shutdown of October 2013, the Republican brand was so tarnished there was talk of political extinction. This week, after numerous unanticipated crises — from the border exploding with immigrant children to Ferguson, Mo., and from the Islamic State to Ebola — it's the Democrats who are on the ropes ("How this election is the Democrats' Waterloo," Commentary, Web, Nov. 5). Published November 6, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: More foreign aid will benefit U.S., too

With the change in the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, I hope the two political parties will work together to support foreign aid and improve U.S. policies in that regard. Published November 6, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:Missile defense integ ral part of deterrence

Keith Payne is right to point out the dangers inherent in the emotional policy of nuclear disarmament ("Shooting down minimum nuclear deterrence," Web, Nov. 4). Mr. Payne makes a clear case why deterrence through conventional forces alone has proved itself inadequate, particularly as the nuclear capabilities of other nations grows. Published November 6, 2014

EDITORIAL: Harry Reid’s last hurrah

Congress will convene soon as a convention of lame ducks, and ducks usually don't do much. Five senators who were just escorted to the door will have the opportunity to cast one last vote for Harry Reid. The Republicans should know better than to allow these disgruntled few to make mischief. They'll clock out at the first opportunity. Published November 6, 2014

EDITORIAL: The Wall came tumbling down

When President Reagan traveled to Berlin to mark the 750th anniversary of the city, celebrated at the Brandenburg Gate in front of the Berlin Wall, the most consequential line in his memorable speech nearly didn't make it into the final draft. Published November 6, 2014

EDITORIAL: The Republican wave

Pollsters everywhere are wiping egg from their faces, and a lot of the egg is scrambled. They predicted Republicans would have a good night, but their numbers were about as accurate as the television weatherman's 10-day forecast. Published November 5, 2014

EDITORIAL: Bypassing tax-and-spend politicians by referendum

Voters are smarter than the politicians sometimes figure. Tuesday wasn't a good day only for the men and women running for office under the Republican banner; it was a smashing day for lower taxes, responsible spending and government transparency as well. Published November 5, 2014

EDITORIAL: Obama, chastened but uncompromising

President Obama didn't sound all that chastened when he met White House reporters on the day after what happened to him Tuesday night. He sounds still committed to doing whatever he can to radically transform America. Published November 5, 2014