Cal Thomas
Columns by Cal Thomas
Apocalypse now?
Since the beginning of recorded history there have been end-of-the-world predictions. In recent years we have had radio preachers, politicians and scientists declare with certainty that the world would soon end, either because of our decadent lifestyle, or because of "global warming," now known as "climate change." Published March 14, 2018
How Trump critics respond to success
President Trump's critics, who include many establishment Republicans, are finding themselves left with few issues given the president's recent string of successes. Published March 12, 2018
Only fools believe North Korea
To what shall North Korea's latest pronouncement to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for certain "security" guarantees be compared? Published March 7, 2018
Harvey Schmidt was fantastic
You wonder how these things begin. For Harvey Schmidt, co-writer of the longest-running musical in history — who died last week at 88 — and his collaborator, Tom Jones, it began when the two were students at the University of Texas. Published March 5, 2018
Boldly going like no president before
Of all the promises candidate Donald Trump made during the 2016 presidential campaign, none will be more difficult to fulfill than cutting the size and cost of the federal government. That's because Congress, which must decide whether to keep a federal agency, has the final word in such matters and spending, especially since spending in one's home state or district, is what keeps so many of them in office. Who doubts that self-preservation is the primary objective of most members of Congress? Published February 28, 2018
Why deterrence can work
MIAMI — The list of failures in the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, are becoming legion. If any or all of those failures had been addressed, 17 students and teachers might be alive today. Published February 26, 2018
Russians are not the only actors in the 2016 election
The indictment of 13 Russians and three companies for allegedly creating a "sophisticated network designed to subvert the 2016 election and to support the Trump campaign" is only half the story. While the Justice Department targeted foreign influence, others could have easily said something about the role U.S. media played in influencing the election's outcome. While not criminal, the U.S. media should at least be shamed for its unrestrained bias for and against both left and right. Published February 21, 2018
Warning signs ignored again
Reaction to the latest school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead and many more wounded begins at the wrong end. It's not about passing more gun laws, which people intent on breaking existing laws will not obey; rather it is about heeding warning signs and doing something before it is too late. Published February 19, 2018
The war that never ends
There is a war that has lasted longer than the one in Afghanistan. It is the so-called "war on poverty," launched by President Lyndon Johnson during his State of the Union address on Jan. 8, 1964. Published February 14, 2018
The U.S. national debt is $20 trillion, with more to come
In "Hamlet," Shakespeare pens one of the most familiar lines — and best advice — ever written. Before Laertes leaves for Paris, his father, Polonius, tells him: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be " Published February 12, 2018
American prisons are overcrowded, cost too much and confine many who should not be in jail
It didn't seem to fit in President Trump's State of the Union address, perhaps something tossed in at the last minute, like a garnish. But there it was: "As America regains its strength, opportunity must be extended to all citizens. That is why this year we will embark on reforming our prisons, to help former inmates who have served their time get a second chance at life." Published February 7, 2018
The memo and the truth
Partisans tend to read, watch and listen only, or mostly, to information and opinions that reinforce their beliefs. If information surfaces that counters those beliefs, it is usually disparaged, excused or ignored. That's human nature. Published February 5, 2018
The state of President Trump
President Trump's first State of the Union address set a new standard. For himself. If he lives up to that standard in future speeches, he may go far in changing his image from a blustering, ad-libbing "entertainer," to someone who looks and sounds, shall I say it, more "presidential." Published January 31, 2018
Conservative Trump critics would do well to stay focused on the issues
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Published January 29, 2018
How high taxes produce a moving experience
One reason Democrats seem so fixated on importing illegal immigrants and allowing their children to stay and become citizens may be the exodus from high-tax and traditionally Democratic states. Published January 24, 2018
Blame ‘we the people’ for the shutdown
If we don't like what is happening in Washington — and few do — the blame must be placed squarely where it belongs. It is "we the people" who send these people here. Published January 22, 2018
The Democrats are working from Al Capone’s playbook
"You can get a lot farther with a smile and a gun than you can with just a smile." Published January 17, 2018
If Beijing pulls back its underwriting of American debt, U.S. politicians might be persuaded to curb
Is China about to do the United States a big favor, however unwittingly? Published January 15, 2018
Why Trump’s accusers are ‘mad’
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." Published January 8, 2018
Bret Stephens, New York Times columnist, uncloaked
I do not make it a practice to comment on the work of fellow columnists, though occasionally some care to comment on mine, which is fine. I'm happy to help them make a living. An exception will be made here because of The New York Times "conservative" columnist, Bret Stephens. Published January 3, 2018
