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Stark Ravings

Men plus money equals mess

The financial crisis is a man-made problem. And it might not have occurred if we had listened to women.
Since Iceland is something of the epicenter of the global financial crisis — its government being the first to essentially go belly up — it's probably not surprising that the Icelanders have come up with the most novel and interesting theory as to what caused the meltdown. And they may be right.

By STEVEN STARK | May 14, 2009

Arlen the Family

Will Specter the Defector trigger a Democratic domination, or is his jump the sign of a growing moderate revolution?
So, Arlen Specter is now a Democrat. That's old news.

By STEVEN STARK | May 11, 2009

Spare Change?

At the 100-day mark, Barack Obama still doesn't have a clear mandate for sweeping reforms
A tension lies at the heart of the Obama presidency. After 100 days in office, the public still seems uncertain how to interpret the historic nature of the election last November.

By STEVEN STARK | April 28, 2009

Courthouse marriage

The gay-rights movement took a chance on fighting for the right to wed. It's finally paying off.
While political analysts understandably regard elections and politicians as the key forces of social change, nongovernmental forces are the ones that most often actually influence and transform our culture.

By STEVEN STARK | April 21, 2009

Man bites newspaper

The genesis of the newspaper problems can be traced to Richard Nixon.
It's not news that newspapers are in huge trouble — victims of technological change and a mini-depression. What is news is the unadorned glee that is greeting the demise of newsprint.

By STEVEN STARK | April 19, 2009

Blue Balls

The word on the street is that sports are recession-proof — think again
It's one of the great myths of modern American life that, no matter what travesties befall us, sports will carry on unfazed.

By STEVEN STARK | April 15, 2009

Jim nauseam

Constant comparisons to Jimmy Carter are driving Barack batty. And they're unfair — to Jimmy Carter.
In the early days of the Obama administration, one politically perilous warning keeps resurfacing for the man in the Oval Office: "Don't turn into another Jimmy Carter."

By STEVEN STARK | April 02, 2009

Mr. Populist?

Populism has many faces . . . but Obama's not one of them
Barack Obama is an inspirational leader, a potential realigner, and a racial trailblazer.

By STEVEN STARK | March 25, 2009

Gen Jones rules

But will they be practical problem solvers or scatterbrains on steroids?
One of the major themes of Barack Obama's political philosophy has been that it's time for America to move beyond the Baby Boom Generation's petty partisanship.

By STEVEN STARK | March 19, 2009

Crimson tied

A new battle threatens to disrupt the American political landscape, and it's hardly academic
Barack Obama's presidential campaign was successful in part because he was able to cleverly negotiate and navigate the battles that have plagued the United States the last few years.

By STEVEN STARK | March 16, 2009

Appearing Act

Obama's 'personal presidency' is overexposing the Commander in Chief, and painting him into the corners of the Oval Office.
Barack Obama is ubiquitous.

By STEVEN STARK | March 10, 2009

The elephant also rises

The GOP has a bumpy road ahead of them, but if they're savvy they'll be back in power sooner rather than later.
Four months ago, the Republican Party seemed headed for the scrap heap. Today, things don't look quite so bad.

By STEVEN STARK | March 03, 2009

Wish upon a czar

Paul Krugman could be Obama’s economic dream come true
Paul Krugman could be Obama’s economic dream come true

By STEVEN STARK | February 18, 2009

How to save your local newspaper

Six steps for staving off the death of print
It's no secret that daily-newspaper journalism is in huge trouble.

By STEVEN STARK | February 12, 2009

With friends like these

Obama should worry less about befriending the GOP and more about keeping his own party in line
Warren Harding was obviously not one of our greatest presidents. But during his little more than two years in the White House, he did offer some shrewd insights into life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

By STEVEN STARK | February 06, 2009

Nice package

Poetry not prose
As the largest stimulus package in world history winds its way through Congress, the critics are already out in force.

By STEVEN STARK | January 29, 2009

Revenge of the nerds

For the first time since JFK, 'the best and the brightest' are back in the White House. Will Ivy-League intellect be enough to set the country straight?
Barack Obama's new administration has been characterized many ways — as a return to liberalism, a Chicago Mafia, and the harbinger of a new age.

By STEVEN STARK | January 21, 2009

Inauguration daze

If a presidential speech is made outside of prime-time TV-viewing hours, does it make a sound?
For the next week, the press and pundits will talk all about the historical importance of Barack Obama's inaugural address. And, based on his past rhetorical performances, it should be a great one.

By STEVEN STARK | January 19, 2009

BHO's no FDR

Nor should he aspire to be because, trite but true, things are very different now
As we enter a new year, a new administration, and indeed a new era, the advice most given to Barack Obama is model your presidency after that of Franklin D. Roosevelt's.

By STEVEN STARK | December 31, 2008