Cal Thomas
Columns by Cal Thomas
Sexual harassment doesn’t happen just in Hollywood
While trying not to indulge in schadenfreude over those hypocritical Hollywood elites who've claimed to stand for "women's rights," only to be accused of sexually harassing them, I noticed "#MeToo" trending on Twitter. At #MeToo, women who have been sexually harassed are invited to post their experiences and many have done so, including four female U.S. senators. Published October 23, 2017
Trump-McConnell feud may produce results
That was some chaotic scene in the White House Rose Garden Monday. After lunch with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, President Trump assured combative reporters and the country that the two are getting along just fine, in spite of the Senate's failure to repeal and replace Obamacare and an uncertain future over tax reform, the other Republican signature issue party members promised to get done. Published October 18, 2017
Trump heads, Pence tails
If a metaphor could be used for this White House, it might be a two-sided coin with President Trump as heads and Vice President Mike Pence as tails. Published October 16, 2017
Prohibiting debate leads to fascism
If it were a plague, the government would rush to quarantine the infected, as occurred during Europe's Black Death in the 14th century. Published October 11, 2017
Harvey Weinstein gets bipartisan criticism
Ancient wisdom from a Higher Authority, which is available to anyone who takes the time to consider it, was provided to constrain people like Harvey Weinstein from acts he has been accused of committing. Published October 9, 2017
Las Vegas shooter took evil path
Responding to the recent Las Vegas concert shooting that killed more than 50 people and injured hundreds more, President Trump described the act as one "of pure evil." Published October 4, 2017
Tax burden fix was foreseen by Calvin Coolidge
In school, I liked math the least and history the most. Both can be useful in the coming debate over President Trump's proposed tax reforms. Published October 2, 2017
Taking the knee takes the fun out of football
If you like professional sports, a major reason -- perhaps the reason -- you attend games or watch them on TV, is that it helps you escape from whatever occupies your mind the rest of the week. You certainly don't want the issues of the day encroaching on your enjoyment. Published September 27, 2017
‘The Vietnam War’ examines history of Southeast Asian conflict
Filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick have performed a vital public service in making their documentary "The Vietnam War" for the Public Broadcasting Service. Given the division that war caused in America, it is a pretty fair chronicling of the way things were a half-century ago. The film brought back a lot of mostly bad memories to people of my generation. Published September 25, 2017
United Nations, largely useless, could still have a purpose
While campaigning for the presidency, Donald Trump more than once referred to the United Nations as a "useless" organization and "not a friend of democracy." Published September 20, 2017
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
