The numbers were already bleak, thanks to a prolonged recession and huge government spending meant to offset the economic damage from that recession. Now new 10-year projections put the total federal deficit at $9 trillion, $2 trillion more than previously predicted—and this is before any new spending on President Obama’s proposed health care reform. How long can the U.S. sustain huge deficits, and is there any hope of balancing the books in the near future?
Attorney General Eric Holder seems to have fulfilled the wishes of millions of critics of the Bush Administration: today he announced the appointment of a special prosecutor to examine nearly a dozen cases in which CIA interrogators and contractors may have violated anti-torture laws when they threatened terrorism suspects. While it sounds like a wholesale investigation into Bush-era terrorism policies is at hand, the truth is President Obama and his Attorney General are being much more cautious in their approach. Will any high-profile Bush Administration members see the inside of a court room?
President Obama has been in office seven months, and he's still operating with fewer than half his lead appointee positions filled. Whether it's a result of politics or an abundance of caution, how can he push his agenda forward without his people in the top chairs?
48 years after its publishing date, Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” has finally made its way to the top of the bestseller list. Can a more health-conscious America embrace the cook’s ways, especially in an age of cooking more often as an extreme sport than a daily routine?
If Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has his way injunctions will pass that will allow police to arrest known taggers for associating in public even if no actual crime is being committed. Trutanich wants to treat graffiti as a criminal enterprise and many believe that this is an infringement on civil liberties. Will taggers that are not involved in gangs be targeted?
Spanking—is it an acceptable or effective form of punishment for children? In a New Zealand referendum last week, 87% said smacking your child should not be a crime. Do Americans feel the same? Have you, do you, or do you plan on spanking your kids?
Patt Morrison is known for its innovative discussions of local politics and culture, as well as its presentation of the effects of national and world news on Southern California.
