Your four-door hamster wheel

   The grave tone of the TV reporter conveyed end-of-the-world stuff. Brace yourselves, Americans. Events in Iraq likely would cause a jump in gasoline prices.    To which a grave listener would reply: “This is news?”    Whether it’s instability overseas or America’s accelerator-foot summer itch, something always is causing gasoline prices to jump.    …

Comparing two insurgencies

   They have set their sights on the capital. And by now, who would doubt their designs?    Key districts are in their clutches. Their latest stunning victory causes jaws to drop. But why the surprise? God is on their side. Infidels, prepare to fall.     Believe what they say as they pull down the…

The VA’s one big problem

   Eric Shinseki is a stand-up individual: Willing to serve two combat tours in Vietnam. Later, as Army chief of staff, willing to publicly differ with his bosses when the Bush administration soft-pedaled the personnel needs of occupying Iraq.    Having stepped up at the apex of his career to lead the embattled Department of…