Cal Thomas
Columns by Cal Thomas
Americans ignorant of civics
At a National Archives ceremony last Friday in Washington, D.C., 30 immigrants became naturalized U.S. citizens. In a video, President Trump encouraged them to embrace the "full rights, and the sacred duties, that come with American citizenship." Published September 18, 2017
Donald Trump’s deal with Democrats throws everyone off
What just happened? President Trump cut a deal with Democrats to pay for hurricane damage relief and raise the debt ceiling without getting anything in return, except the temporary avoidance of a government shutdown. How to describe this? Was it a sellout, or a pragmatic act? Published September 13, 2017
Mafia preys on migrants
I spotted them on my way to dinner with a friend near Castel Gandolfo. They are migrants from Africa, sitting by the side of the road outside a "temporary" residence that, for many, appears to have become permanent. They all have cellphones. They all seem oblivious to us as we pass by. Published September 11, 2017
Hungary immigration and tax policies bear many lessons
Congress has returned to Washington after another unearned vacation and faces at least two immediate challenges, in addition to the familiar ritual of raising the debt ceiling. Published September 6, 2017
Turkey’s choice: The past or the future?
Coming from the airport into this city of about 15 million people and 5 million cars, as my driver describes it, I pass ancient Roman ruins and blocks of upscale shops; an old hotel where Agatha Christie penned "Murder on the Orient Express," smoke shops and modest restaurants, and luxury car dealers. Published September 4, 2017
Armageddon postponed
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un appears to have blinked and President Trump can claim a foreign policy victory and justification for his strategy. Published August 30, 2017
Pardoning Sheriff Arpaio
President Trump's pardon of Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., has drawn predictable responses. The left, which long ago exceeded its sell-by date when it comes to ideas that work, denounced the decision as racist (that's all they have) and a perversion of justice. Some moderates, like Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jeff Flake, both Arizona Republicans, Speaker Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, and former Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, joined the critics. Published August 30, 2017
Diana, still goddess of beauty
What is it about the month of August that finds so many celebrities dying? Published August 28, 2017
Afghanistan war may be unwinnable
President Trump is not the first U.S. leader to pivot when it comes to foreign policy. His speech Monday night before American military personnel at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., was in stark contrast to his campaign pledge to put "America first" and his promise to avoid "foreign entanglements," as George Washington put it in his Farewell Address. Published August 23, 2017
Culture wars distract from nation’s real problems
We will learn even less from history if we wipe it clean, as some are trying to do by removing statues of Confederate leaders whose beliefs about slavery and race most, including me, find offensive. Conversation beats censorship. Published August 21, 2017
North Korean threats not affecting Donald Trump
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un appears to have blinked and President Trump can claim a foreign policy victory and justification for his strategy. Published August 16, 2017
Tragedy in Charlottesville
Rejection of ethnic, national or racial hatred should unite all Americans Published August 15, 2017
Charlottesville tragedy should unite all Americans
In the South during the Jim Crow era, the "one-drop rule," codified into law, asserted that if a person had just one drop of African-American blood, they were considered "black." I wonder what we'd learn if we gave former KKK leader David Duke and the "white nationalists" who caused havoc in Charlottesville last Saturday a DNA test to determine their racial makeup? Published August 14, 2017
Sanctuary cities are not the same as hideouts
In biblical times, a sanctuary city was a place where someone who had committed unintentional manslaughter could find refuge from "the avenger of blood." If the offender left the sanctuary city, he could be set upon by a relative of the dead person and killed. No sanctuary was available to anyone who committed murder with malice aforethought. Published August 9, 2017
Immigration bill will reward those ready to contribute
Sometimes what used to be called "common sense" can seem radical in Washington, which is used to practicing senseless policies and funding programs that don't work. Published August 7, 2017
U.S. missile defense system would deter enemies
One month after the election, President-elect Donald Trump made a "victory tour" of states that had helped deliver his surprise win. Published August 2, 2017
Donald Trump must lead by example
The Establishment, a construct of Democrats and Republicans that rules in Washington no matter which party controls government, appears to be over its fainting spell following Donald Trump's election. It is now throwing everything at him from a daily -- make that hourly, even minute by minute -- onslaught of investigations to big media's equivalent of Molotov cocktails. Published July 31, 2017
Democrats’ ‘better deal’ will make things worse for America
Theodore Roosevelt offered Americans a "Square Deal." His fifth cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, gave us "The New Deal." Modern Democrats, who have lost election after election, are now offering the country "A Better Deal." Published July 26, 2017
Social Security can be saved by Trust Fund for America
It is no secret that what the major media seem to care most about is radically different from what concerns average Americans. While the inside-the-Beltway crowd continues to focus on alleged collusion between President Trump and Russia, real concerns like the future of Social Security are ignored. Published July 24, 2017
‘Pig Book’ puts spotlight on Congress earmarks
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to eliminate governmental waste and fraud, just released its "2017 Congressional Pig Book," an annual publication highlighting wasteful government spending that should embarrass each and every member of Congress. Published July 19, 2017
