Cal Thomas
Columns by Cal Thomas
Fame: Not going to live forever
What is it about celebrity that so fascinates us? And it is celebrity, not fame. As the now defunct New Times magazine editorialized 30 years ago, "There are almost no famous people anymore; only celebrities." Published July 2, 2009
Selective meddling
Help me out here. President Obama immediately "meddles" in the affairs of Honduras, denouncing a military coup, the intent of which is to preserve the country's constitution, but when it comes to Iran's fraudulent election and the violent repression of demonstrators who wanted their votes counted, the president initially vacillates and equivocates. Published July 2, 2009
She cheered me on
I used to enjoy discussing with Mary Lou Forbes the heady days of real journalism when there were more than two newspapers in Washington and people spent time reading them. Published June 29, 2009
Obama’s shifting stance
There was a noticeable change in the climate during President Obama's Tuesday news conference that had nothing to do with the heat and humidity, the excuse given for moving the event indoors from the Rose Garden. Those Chicago boys (and girls) know all about cold winters, but if they think 80 degrees and partly cloudy is hot, wait until August, when the three H's - hot (95 degrees), humid (95 percent) and hazy - take over. Published June 28, 2009
Should we forgive him?
The first thing that should be acknowledged about South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's admission to an extramarital affair is that it could happen to any of us. That is not an excuse (and no, it has not happened to me, or to my wife). Every married person has heard the voice; the one that says you deserve something "better." Published June 26, 2009
THOMAS: Bulldozing American cities
There are perhaps dozens of small towns and failing neighborhoods beginning to resemble ghost towns. We've all seen them if we have gotten off the interstate and driven down state or county roads and once-thriving Main Streets or into blighted neighborhoods. Published June 16, 2009
THOMAS: Obama’s unquestioned authority
A criticism heard during the early years of the George W. Bush administration was that the media were "in the tank" for Mr. Bush, fearing to question his foreign and domestic policies in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. Published June 11, 2009
THOMAS: Reagan unveiled
A statue of Ronald Reagan was unveiled last week in the Capitol Rotunda at a time when many Republicans, and even some conservatives, think Mr. Reagan's ideas are passe. Before moving on, Republicans and those conservatives who don't want to "live in the past" should be asked what better ideas they have to offer. Published June 9, 2009
THOMAS: Downfall of an icon
"See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet. America is asking you to call. Drive your Chevrolet through the U.S.A. America's the greatest land of all." Published June 4, 2009
THOMAS: Innocent or ‘infidel’ abroad?
President Obama faces numerous challenges as he heads to Cairo this week for a much-anticipated speech to the Muslim world. Published June 2, 2009
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
