Cal Thomas
Columns by Cal Thomas
THOMAS: Biography and the law
In introducing his choice to replace Justice David H. Souter on the Supreme Court, President Obama touted Judge Sonia Sotomayor's biography. Published May 28, 2009
THOMAS: Obama at Notre Dame
Put aside the question of whether a distinctly Catholic institution like Notre Dame should award an honorary degree to a man who stands against any restrictions on abortion. Put aside the notion of academic freedom, which liberals favor as an intellectual premise, but rarely practice when it comes to conservative speakers, whom you very rarely see at the lectern at any U.S. commencement ceremonies this time of year. Published May 19, 2009
THOMAS: The titled and entitled
There are titled people in Britain, and then there are people who consider themselves entitled. Published May 12, 2009
THOMAS: A friend for life
Many have commented on the life and legacy of Jack Kemp - the former Buffalo, N.Y., congressman; former vice-presidential candidate, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, former professional football star and a friend for life to all those who knew him. Published May 7, 2009
THOMAS: When the Iron Lady took over
There is a story, probably apocryphal, about Margaret Thatcher who became prime minister 30 years ago this week and led Britain's economic and political revival. Published May 5, 2009
THOMAS: Good riddance from GOP
The return of Sen. Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party (he flipped in 1965 from "Kennedy Democrat" to Republican) is something that should be celebrated by Republicans, at least those who are proud to call themselves conservatives. Mr. Specter is a career politician whose first priority is himself. Published April 30, 2009
THOMAS: Loose lips or loose pics
"On Aug. 17, 1942, a nationally syndicated columnist wrote that she had received 'a very stern letter' after commenting about the weather, 'and so from now on I shall not tell you whether it rains or whether the sun shines where I happen to be.' Published April 28, 2009
THOMAS: Lost in political space
Sen. John McCain's daughter and his presidential campaign manager think they've figured out why Mr. McCain lost the 2008 election and what Republicans must do to win in the future. They need to be more like Democrats. Published April 23, 2009
THOMAS: Obama deserves credit
Conservatives have a point when they criticize President Obama and his fellow Democrats for not calling the mission in Iraq a "success" or a "victory." But if they are right about that - and they are - they cannot now withhold praise from Mr. Obama for the flawless rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips from the hands of terrorists masquerading as pirates. (More about the misuse of nomenclature in a moment.) Published April 16, 2009
THOMAS: Not a penny more!
Wednesday might become the biggest tax-and-spend protest since the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Politicians fear spontaneous citizen outrage. That's because when the public realizes it has been scammed, bamboozled, defrauded and hustled by politicians who take and then misspend its money - mostly to enhance their own power - the public will run like scalded dogs. Published April 14, 2009
THOMAS: The meaning of words
“Words must mean something,” President Obama said in Prague last week in response to North Korea's missile launch. He was speaking about the numerous resolutions and condemnations of North Korea's actions through the years by the United Nations and others. It is a standard the president should apply not only to North Korea, but also to the Middle East and the Muslim world. Published April 9, 2009
THOMAS: Courting trouble in Iowa
When Meredith Willson wrote the wildly popular musical "The Music Man" half a century ago, Harold Hill proclaimed trouble had come to River City, Iowa, in the form of a pool hall, which he claimed would corrupt young people unless the local citizens bought the musical instruments he was selling and got their children into a marching band. Published April 7, 2009
THOMAS: Life imitates Pod-People art
The plot of the 1956 cult classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" seems remarkably similar to the story line of the Obama administration, which is invading, and appears eager to take over, corporate America. Unfortunately, the reality of the threat to American corporations is far creepier than any science-fiction film could ever be. Published April 3, 2009
THOMAS: Obama’s war or ours?
One often reads and hears that Afghanistan has become “Obama's war.” The implication by many is that if things go badly in Afghanistan, President Obama will be blamed and it will cause him political damage. But if things go well, who will get the credit? It won't be former President George W. Bush, of that you can be sure. Published April 1, 2009
THOMAS: Consensus or censorship?
The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted a "finding" to the White House Office of Management and Budget that will force the Obama administration to decide whether to limit greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. If adopted, new laws and regulations will likely follow that have the potential to change our lifestyles and limit our freedoms. Published March 27, 2009
THOMAS: Channel anger at Pelosi, Frank, Dodd
One of the more familiar sayings in politics is, "Don't get angry, get even." Published March 25, 2009
THOMAS: Prevailing politics of envy
When politicians get on their high horses about something, it is almost certain that a considerable amount of horse manure will get spread around. Published March 20, 2009
THOMAS: No one defends Bernard Madoff
The bilked have provided numerous sound bites denouncing Bernie Madoff as "evil," a word whose true meaning is sometimes difficult to grasp in our "nonjudgmental" age. Published March 18, 2009
THOMAS: Journey to destruction
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," said Confucius. But a journey of whatever length presumes one has a destination in mind. With President Obama's executive order authorizing expanded federal funding for research using stem cells, produced from the destruction of human embryos, the destination will be left up to scientists, as will any "speed controls." Published March 13, 2009
THOMAS: Republicans have forgotten who they are
Republicans think they are somebody else: liberals. Published March 11, 2009
