Columnists

Barack Grows Coattails

Bob Burnett
Friday February 13, 2015 - 03:10:00 PM

21 months before the 2016 presidential election, Republicans are struggling to find a candidate who will be conservative enough to win their nomination and moderate enough to appeal to sensible voters. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton appears to have nailed down the Democratic nomination. Surprisingly, President Obama’s approval ratings have improved to the point where he may be able to boost her campaign. -more-


DISPATCHES FROM THE EDGE:Europe: What Is To Be Done?

Conn Hallinan
Thursday February 12, 2015 - 04:06:00 PM

In the aftermath of last month’s Greek election that vaulted the left anti-austerity party Syriza into power, armies of supporters and detractors—from Barcelona to Berlin—are on the move. While Germany’s Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaueble was making it clear that Berlin would brook no change in the European Union’s (EU) debt strategy that has impoverished countries like Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, left organizations from all over Europe met in Barcelona to drew up a plan of battle. -more-


ON MENTAL ILLNESS: The "Revolving Door" of Repeated Hospitalizations

Jack Bragen
Thursday February 12, 2015 - 03:52:00 PM

It was all the way back in the mid 1980's, thirty years ago, from which I remember a very good counselor talking about "the revolving door." Mental illnesses are serious illnesses, and when people don't come to terms with the need for treatment, you get a number of repeated episodes of the illness, with each round making the mental health consumer more debilitated. -more-