THE WASHINGTON TIMES

EDITORIAL: Oil ban means more debt

The Obama administration's policy against oil drilling kills American jobs, undermines the economy and violates a judge's direct order. The full-court press against the oil industry amounts to what Rep. Stephen J. Scalise, Louisiana Republican, calls a "permitorium" on offshore drilling. Published February 16, 2011

EDITORIAL: The cell-phone tax burden

One thing all cell-phone bills have in common is a lengthy, confusing list of government taxes, surcharges and fees imposed at the local, state and federal level. These charges add up quickly. An average $48 monthly bill in Nebraska, for example, includes $11.35 in tithes to the bureaucracy. Published February 16, 2011

EDITORIAL: Welfare for public radio

National Public Radio’s President and CEO Vivian Schiller simply gushed over President Obama’s proposed budget that preserved the funding for public broadcasting that House Republicans would just as soon cut. In expressing her gratitude to the White House, Ms. Schiller helped Republicans make their case. Published February 16, 2011

EDITORIAL: Debit-card destruction

The House Financial Services Committee has scheduled a meeting tomorrow to review new rules from the Federal Reserve setting limits on fees charged for debit-card transactions. It's important for the health of the economy that the Fed's regulations be revised. Published February 15, 2011

EDITORIAL: Take one for the Gipper

President Obama took to the airwaves yesterday to defend his 2012 budget plan. Assuming a solemn tone of fiscal responsibility, he explained to the gathered White House press corps, "We're not going to be running up the credit card anymore." Mr. Obama even gave a shout-out to Ronald Reagan, noting his predecessor's skill at working out disagreements with Democrats. Published February 15, 2011

EDITORIAL: Obama’s budget blarney

When the biggest spender in America's history says it's time for government to live within its means, it is reasonable to ask: Who does President Obama think he's kidding? Mr. Obama's new budget is the latest installment in a series of proposals featuring flawed estimates based on unrealistic economic assumptions. It should be considered dead on arrival. Published February 15, 2011

EDITORIAL: Arianna Nation

Erstwhile dial-up Internet pioneer AOL Inc. last week placed a $315 million bet on the Huffington Post. The firm that made its fortune by mailing unsolicited diskettes and CD-ROMs to millions now hopes to corner the new media marketplace with the left-wing website. Whether this investment will pay off remains an open question, but the deal is unquestionably a sign that the Internet is a thriving forum for news and opinion from all perspectives. Published February 14, 2011

EDITORIAL: Military voters get a hearing

Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for civil rights, is testifying today about military voting problems before the House Administration Committee. He should get hammered for the bureaucracy's laggard attention to making sure those who defend our rights can exercise their own right to vote. Published February 14, 2011

EDITORIAL: Obamacare’s casualties: 800,000 jobs

Repeal of Obamacare ought to be a priority not only on constitutional grounds, but also as a move essential to pulling our economy out of its malaise. The head of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) let slip the reason why in testimony Thursday before the House Budget Committee. Published February 11, 2011

EDITORIAL: The Trump card

Donald Trump jetted into the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington Thursday to put himself forward as a potential Republican candidate for president in 2012. The big-time developer and media star played to the crowd and made a splash. In the months ahead, we'll see if he can make some political headway. Published February 11, 2011

EDITORIAL: Peddling Islamic extremism

When America’s top intelligence officer calls the Muslim Brotherhood a “largely secular” organization, it's appropriate to wonder what the intelligence community is doing with its generous budget. The spooks might get a clue get from the organization’s name, if nothing else. Published February 11, 2011

EDITORIAL: What’s next in Egypt?

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's decision not to step down begs what comes next. The Egyptian Army, a professional pro-Western force, stepped in to "safeguard the interests" of the country, and new powers were delegated to Vice President Omar Suleiman, the intelligence chief. The wild card is the mob in the streets. Published February 10, 2011

EDITORIAL: Foiled FOIAs

Sometimes the word "scandal" gets thrown around too lightly. But when the Department of Justice (DOJ) blocks the public's right to information, blatantly politicizes its practices and appears to break the law, it qualifies as a legitimate scandal. That appears to be the case after revelations yesterday by whistle-blower J. Christian Adams. His report is of concern to press outlets of all ideological stripes (or none) because basic rights of the public and a free press are under assault. Published February 10, 2011

EDITORIAL: House spending revolt

The Republican House leadership's realization that it's going to have to keep its pledge to trim $100 billion from the federal budget is proof that elections can matter. The GOP's fiscal hawks, especially those who joined the ranks after November's electoral blowout, balked at attempts to pass off a $40 billion cut as sufficient. Published February 10, 2011

EDITORIAL: The Old Dominion of New Jersey

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell made a strategic retreat from a key element of his vision for Northern Virginia's roads. His transportation chief, Sean T. Connaughton, announced last week that Interstate 395 will no longer be part of the scheme to convert existing freeway car-pool lanes into "high-occupancy toll" (HOT) lanes. The shrewd maneuver has all but assured victory for Mr. McDonnell's broader plan to see the commonwealth's commuters tossing quarters into baskets each and every time they get behind the wheel. Published February 9, 2011

EDITORIAL: Crucifying China’s Christians

Christianity is growing fast in mainland China; the faithful number as many as hundreds of millions. Christians, however, are a persecuted minority in a country where worship is limited to the state-sanctioned deity Mao Zedong. Published February 9, 2011

EDITORIAL: Detain this judicial nominee

There are disturbing discrepancies in Senate testimony by D.C. federal appellate-court nominee Caitlin Halligan. If majority Democrats won't allow a full investigation, a Republican senator should put an indefinite hold on the nomination. Published February 9, 2011

EDITORIAL: No room for the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments have no place in an Ohio courtroom, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week. The federal judges insisted a poster featuring the Decalogue constituted "an explicit endorsement of religion." Left-wing groups hope similar judicial sentiment prevails in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia, where a lawsuit is in the works to force schools to tear down displays that enjoy support from the local community. Published February 8, 2011

EDITORIAL: Union power at TSA

It's hard to imagine flying could become any more inconvenient. Last week, however, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) made clear it was committed to making its employees even less accountable for their treatment of passengers. On Friday, TSA Administrator John S. Pistole granted the agency's 63,000 blue latex-gloved employees the right to insulate themselves with protection from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). Published February 8, 2011

EDITORIAL: Obama’s jihadist coverup

A Senate investigation has found that the November 2009 Fort Hood massacre was predictable and avoidable, something that was obvious to anyone except members of the Obama administration. Worse, the White House still refuses to admit that a jihadist terror attack took place on the Army base. Published February 8, 2011