Cal Thomas
Columns by Cal Thomas
THOMAS: Our need to revive
President Obama's campaign theme of ending politics as usual and creating a new bipartisanship that will get things done for the American people is about to be tested now that he has the power - or at least some of the power - to make it happen. Published January 28, 2009
THOMAS: Significance of the moment
"What does change mean?" asked Woodrow Wilson in his Inaugural address. That is a question which will soon be answered by President Barack Obama. Published January 22, 2009
THOMAS: Insolvent!
The late Edward Bennett Williams, attorney and owner of The Washington Redskins, once said of his coach, George Allen — “I gave him an unlimited expense account and he exceeded it.” Published January 20, 2009
THOMAS: Welcome to prime time
Welcome to Washington, soon-to-be- "Mr. President." I know you've been here before for a short time as senator, but this is different. This is The Big Time, the world stage and you are the leading man. Published January 16, 2009
THOMAS: Jindal to GOP: Repent
BATON ROUGE, La. Published January 14, 2009
THOMAS: Bush’s exit interview
Entering the West Wing reception area for my last interview with President George W. Bush is a surreal experience. There is no one there, other than two Secret Service agents, a White House police officer and a receptionist. The place used to teem with people eager for a moment with the commander in chief, now people speak in hushed tones. A small TV set in the coatroom is tuned to Fox News. That will soon change. The news anchor is talking only about President-elect Barack Obama. With two weeks to go in the Bush administration, it's all about the "O," not the "W." Published January 8, 2009
THOMAS: Pigs at the trough
Like pigs waiting in line to get their snouts in the feeding trough, come many of the nation's governors - on the heels of the mayors - asking Washington for bailout money. Published January 7, 2009
THOMAS: Gaza Nazis
Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, are the Nazis of modern times. Israel is right to pound military targets inside Gaza. But much of the violence Israel brought on itself by giving up land it had to know would be used to rain death on its civilians. That is always the pattern. Published January 2, 2009
THOMAS: Make love, not war
One of the chants to come from the Vietnam antiwar movement was the memorable "make love, not war." That sentiment has resurfaced in a different but equally stimulating context, thanks to some creative people within U.S. intelligence. Published December 31, 2008
THOMAS: The politics of prayer
These days everything is political, or can be made so; even an Inaugural prayer. Published December 26, 2008
THOMAS: The ultimate gift — faith
Examples of faith abound at this time of year. There is the faith children put in Santa Claus to bring them stuff that magically no one seems to have paid for. Call it a "bailout" for kids. Published December 24, 2008
THOMAS: Sweet Caroline
Like many Americans my age, I first "met" Caroline when she was a child. The image of her in those black-and-white photos holding her father's hand and riding her pony remain indelible. Published December 19, 2008
THOMAS: Santa Claus government
Most children have probably finished their Christmas lists to Santa Claus. Some elected officials, however, are still compiling theirs. Published December 17, 2008
THOMAS: Think and act globally?
For years I have received letters written as elegantly as ransom notes, advising me of certain worldwide conspiracies. Sometimes the writing instrument of choice has been a crayon. Published December 12, 2008
THOMAS: O.J. justice
the administering of deserved punishment or reward." - www.dictionary.com Published December 10, 2008
THOMAS: Whatever happened to optimism?
During the Great Depression and World War II, truly challenging times, there were songs that boosted the spirits of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. "There'll Be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover" was one; "Look for the Silver Lining," was another. Published December 5, 2008
THOMAS: Mumbai explained
Looking at the faces of two young men who were among the purveyors of death at Mumbai, India's Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus station and Leopold's restaurant, makes Westerners recoil, and not just in horror. We also question how anyone could be so insensitive to the value of human life. Published December 3, 2008
THOMAS: Return of British socialism
PORT STEWART, Northern Ireland. Published November 28, 2008
THOMAS: Mission accomplished II
Nineteen months after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declared the war in Iraq "lost" and just nine months after Speaker Nancy Pelosi asserted the war has been a "failure" because it had not brought political change leading to reconciliation, it can now be said conclusively that both were wrong. Published November 26, 2008
THOMAS: Another deficit
While Congress spends -- and plans to spend -- like the proverbial drunken sailor to "bail out" various industries for practices that are largely their fault and the fault of those in Congress who were supposed to provide oversight, another deficit looms which is at least as troubling as the economic one. Published November 21, 2008
