THE WASHINGTON TIMES

EDITORIAL: A Chinese counterrevolution

Imagine China without the Communist Party. The people of one Chinese fishing village have made that a reality. Published December 14, 2011

EDITORIAL: No move is good move

The Federal Reserve concluded its most recent meeting by voting to do nothing. That's a relief. It's probably the best holiday gift the Fed could have given Americans. Published December 14, 2011

American Scene

One in four women say they were hit hard, kicked or otherwise violently attacked by their intimate partners, according to a government survey released Wednesday that offers startling findings about domestic violence. Published December 14, 2011

Tuning in to TV

President Obama says he's a fan of two popular cable TV shows: HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" and Showtime's "Homeland." Published December 14, 2011

Taking Names: Taylor’s jewelry sells for $115M

Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection fetched a record-setting $115 million — including more than $11.8 million for a pearl necklace and more than $8.8 million for a diamond ring given to her by Richard Burton — at an auction of gems and other memorabilia amassed by the late actress. Published December 14, 2011

American Scene

After a yearlong search, police on New York's Long Island said Tuesday they think they have discovered the skeletal remains of a New Jersey prostitute whose disappearance sparked an investigation into a possible serial killing spree. Published December 13, 2011

Sports Briefs

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been suspended for one game without pay for his hit last week on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. Published December 13, 2011

EDITORIAL: Close the Strait of Hormuz

Iran is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. Go ahead, make our day. On Monday, Parviz Sarvari, a member of the Iranian parliament's national security committee, said, "Soon we will hold a military maneuver on how to close the Strait of Hormuz. If the world wants to make the region insecure, we will make the world insecure." Closing the strategically important strait has long been viewed as one of Iran's trump cards in the give-and-take with the United States and the West. Published December 13, 2011

Sports Briefs

The Milwaukee Brewers agreed to terms with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who played the past eight seasons with the Chicago Cubs, his agent tells The Associated Press. Published December 12, 2011

EDITORIAL: Climate talks, then climate tax

Negotiators rarely find themselves at a loss for words. So it should come as no surprise that United Nations diplomats agreed Sunday to keep chatting. They set for themselves a 2015 deadline for reaching a deal on a new climate treaty. As long as they keep talking and don't actually do anything, the world is spared the cost of a bargain that could reach into the trillions. Published December 12, 2011

EDITORIAL: Drone Wars: The Mullahs Strike Back

The loss of one of America's most sophisticated drone aircraft over Iran is the latest episode in the simmering cold war with Tehran. That the drone was able to be brought down intact raises troubling questions about the vulnerability of the rest of the U.S. drone fleet. Published December 12, 2011

American Scene

Fears that persisting economic woes would increase child abuse in the U.S. have proved unfounded, according to the latest federal data. Published December 12, 2011

American Scene

An Ohio 16-year-old charged with murder in a deadly Craigslist robbery scheme says in a letter to his father that he believes God will keep him from a long incarceration. Published December 11, 2011

Economy Briefs

The Harrisburg City Council has appealed a judge's decision to throw out the bankruptcy petition of Pennsylvania's debt-choked capital city, its attorney said. Published December 11, 2011

EDITORIAL: Obama’s imperiled America

At a press conference the next day, Mr. Obama responded tartly, “Ask Osama bin Laden and the 22 out of 30 top al-Qaeda leaders who’ve been taken off the field whether I engage in appeasement. Or whoever’s left out there. Ask them about that.” This is the image the White House wants to convey of Mr. Obama as a tough, uncompromising and effective commander in chief. Published December 9, 2011

EDITORIAL: Sex change is afoot

Harvard University has announced that next year its campus insurance plan will cover the cost of "bottom surgery" for people undergoing "gender reassignment." Bottom surgery - the swapping out of the private parts - is often the last step taken by girls trying to become boys, and vice versa. Transgender activists hail this new coverage as a breakthrough for those purported to have "gender-identity disorder" (GID). They consider sex-change operations medically necessary treatment rather than an elective procedure as most insurance companies do. Published December 9, 2011

Inside Politics

Under fire for planning a 17-day vacation in Hawaii over the holidays while the economy continues to sputter, President Obama pledged Thursday to stay in Washington until Congress passes a payroll-tax cut and unemployment insurance extensions. Published December 8, 2011

EDITORIAL: D.C. may budge on gun ban

The spotlight on the District's effort to dissuade law-abiding residents from purchasing handguns is making some on the D.C. Council uncomfortable. Council member Phil Mendelson on Tuesday introduced legislation easing some of the most absurd hoops one must jump through in order to exercise the right to keep arms in the nation's capital. Published December 8, 2011

EDITORIAL: The Tebow effect

The Bible reminds us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. It makes no mention of football. But on Sundays, Americans are more likely to occupy the couch watching their favorite team than the church pew. Then along comes Tim Tebow, and we can have our faith and football, too. Published December 8, 2011