The Opinion Outpost features opinions and commentary on the latest hot topics from national news sources. As much as you love hearing from The Universe, we thought you might like to hear from journalists around the nation.
Patriot Act
The Editorial Board, The New York Times
There is no question that the federal government should have broad authority to investigate terrorism threats and suspected spies operating in the United States. This is particularly critical in light of the Islamic State’s quest to inspire people in the United States to carry out attacks. But the government has not offered persuasive evidence that bulk collection of phone records has been crucial to foiling plots. Besides, federal officials retain authority to conduct surveillance by other means.
Health Care
Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post
Forget the numbers. Think just of your own doctor’s visits, of how much less listening, examining, even eye contact goes on, given the need for scrolling, clicking and box checking.
The geniuses who rammed this through undoubtedly thought they were rationalizing health care. After all, banking went electronic. Why not medicine?
FIFA
Andrés Martinez, CNN
Many people around the world will find this new alternative reality — of Americans caring so much about soccer that we become a contender on the pitch and a leading voice on how the sport is to be run worldwide — even more frustrating. For the past half-century, soccer has been the only form of truly global pop culture not dominated by the United States.
If nothing else, the attorney general’s press conference last week made clear that this will soon change — that the Yanks are coming.
The Editorial Board, New York Times
This time, FIFA should not be allowed to pretend that the problem is a few corrupt officials. A first step is the immediate ouster of Mr. Blatter and the restructuring of FIFA. The selection of Russia and Qatar should be subject to rigorous re-examination. Short of convincing proof to refute evidence of misconduct in the Qatar decision and swift action to improve the conditions for foreign workers, that award should be withdrawn.
Walmart
Editorial Board, LA Times
Indeed, Wal-Mart has taken a significant and sophisticated position on farm animal welfare, calling for suppliers to report and take disciplinary action in cases of animal abuse and to replace cramped housing units that don’t let animals move around or socialize. The latter change would eliminate battery cages for hens, gestation crates for pregnant sows and veal calf crates. California is one of a handful of states that outlaws such housing, but Wal-Mart’s guidelines could push more suppliers across the country to adopt the new standards.
American Currency
Robert Merry, Washington Times
But the currency of any nation reflects its heritage, and the heritage of any nation deserves respect. Indeed, a nation that attacks its own heritage with excessive abandon is likely heading for decline. And the American heritage is under assault these days from many quarters.
Title IX
Glenn Harlan Reynolds, USA Today
Title IX, as its simple language provides, was intended to open up colleges to women, not to empower a Stalinist bureaucracy to torment people who don’t toe the feminist line. Congress needs to haul some Department of Education bureaucrats up for hearings, then rewrite Title IX to make clear that it doesn’t grant the kind of sweeping powers over academic expression that educrats have seized. Despite what they might think at the Department of Education, 1984 was written as a cautionary tale — not an instruction manual.
