WATER COOLER
The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
Latest Blog Entries
Forget about a conservative 'makeover'
It's been easy sport for pundits and critics to declare conservatism either dead or dying in the weeks following the presidential election. An extreme makeover, they say, is the only remedy.
The 10 most 'ridiculous' lawsuits of 2012
Yes, there was a Dallas Cowboys fan who sued the team over a "hot bench," and a woman who wanted $5 million for leftover gas. These and more are the winners in the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform's Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2012, released Thursday and based on a year's worth of online votes.
'Apocalypse' dominates the English language in 2012
It's not the end of the world. Well, not yet, anyway.
Vacuum in the State Department
Interesting to note that about half of America's ambassadors overseas are "political appointees" — essentially generous friends of the White House who have financed many a campaign, says one veteran of that realm.
Gun ownership petitions multiply at White House website
"We the People" — the portion of the official White House website devoted to public pleas for assorted causes — is rife with petitions related to gun rights in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shootings.
'Tis the season to bash Republicans
For critics of the Republicans, the past few weeks have generated a perfect storm of opportunities to beat up on the Grand Old Party. There's the 2012 election, of course; Mitt Romney is still drawing gleeful, snarky comments from a cross section of his foes almost two months after the fact.
84 percent of the world population has faith; a third are Christian
"Worldwide, more than eight-in-ten people identify with a religious group," says a new comprehensive demographic study of more than 230 countries and territories conducted by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life.
Congress: Work on Christmas Day, call your mother
For every season, there is a petition. And for Christmas time — when the hallowed halls of Congress are empty and the lawmakers gone home — comes "No Christmas for Congress," from the Agenda Report.
Mothers take aim at the NRA
The din grows: Vocal moms are taking on the National Rifle Association and have issued a list of their demands, just as NRA officials stage a major press conference Friday in the nation's capital to address the Newtown, Conn., shootings.
NRA press conference - and maybe a circus
When National Rifle Association officials step forward Friday in the nation's capital for a much anticipated press conference in the aftermath of the Newtown shootings, they'll have company. Much company. Noisy company.
Comeback kid: Scott Brown to replace ... John Kerry?
One Republican is still a player in Massachusetts. A big player. Lame-duck GOP Sen. Scott Brown is in a "strong position" should there be a special election to replace Democratic Sen. John F. Kerry, who is widely considered President Obama's top choice for secretary of state.
Do-it-yourself 'fiscal cliff' calculators
"Fiscal cliff fear" is affecting personal spending and feelings of financial security among many Americans, says BankRate.com, which finds that a third of Americans are now making their own "cutbacks."
Scalia, legal community remember Bork
Peers remember with admiration and affection Judge Robert H. Bork, who died Wednesday at 85.
Ron Paul invited to CPAC?
Forget about the presidential inauguration. The American Conservative Union has revealed a few preliminary plans for the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering that is a cheerful but intense barometer for the conservative movement. CPAC attracts big names, big media, thought leaders, slick operatives, pollsters, activists, loyal traditionalists and serious young hopefuls with Libertarian leanings. They will be delighted to know that Rep. Ron Paul is among the invited speakers.
Wolverine State politics: "The next Kwame Kilpatrick?"
"Congressman Gary Peters demonstrated what citizens hate most about politics: The revolving door that disregards tax dollars in order to reward supporters," declares Matt Frendewey, communications director for the Michigan Republican Party.
