"For years, Washington has failed to address the issue of rising energy costs and, as a result, the country now faces a true energy crisis, one that is causing serious harm to America's manufacturing sector and all consumers of energy."

From the Los Angeles Times, Wednesday, May 28, 2008:

If the proposed free trade pact with Colombia is not approved by the U.S. Congress, it won't be because President Alvaro Uribe gave up. Rather, he has used every diplomatic tool within reach. His latest volley in the back and forth with Washington is the extradition of 14 right-wing paramilitary leaders to the United States on drug-trafficking charges.

While I don't often find myself in complete agreement with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (he writes a thank-you note on those rare occasions I compliment him), the latest e-mail from his office finds me clearly in his corner.

Nearly a decade ago, I moved from New York to Lincoln, Neb. In that new land, I observed many strange things. For instance, workers showed up the same day you called them and usually started the job the day after that. Later, when I moved to a tiny house on 12 acres on the city's rural outskirts, I had a landlord who regularly called and thanked me for paying the rent.

The California Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage is yet another instance of judges deciding that they are bound not by the rule of law in reaching their decisions, but by their own moral whim, and this is clearly, even profoundly antithetical to much that is most precious in the American tradition.

Voter turnout this primary season has been setting records. With interest so high, some analysts are predicting another blockbuster general election in November. But can American democracy survive all this heightened interest in the political process?

Current U.S. policy toward the regime in Tehran will almost certainly result in an Iran with nuclear weapons. The seemingly clever combination of the use of "sticks" and "carrots," including the frequent official hints of an American military option "remaining on the table," simply intensifies Iran's desire to have its own nuclear arsenal. Alas, such a heavy-handed "sticks" and "carrots" policy may work with donkeys but not with serious countries. The United States would have a better chance of success if the White House abandoned its threats of military action and its calls for regime change.

As Hillary Clinton cracks her head against what she likes to call "the highest and hardest glass ceiling," there's no doubt that she craves the presidency as much as any man does.