V. John White says the only way we can keep our cars is to use them less and develop electric drive technologies. Jerry Taylor says only the free market should drive personal auto innovation.

A state bill would muddle laws on end-of-life care and establish a dangerous precedent.

The traditional party gatherings could be crafted in a computer.

It's 1981 again, and the Russians are once again the bad guys.

Recent deadly attacks in Afghanistan and elsewhere are signs of trouble.

No matter what budget Sacramento comes up with, California voters will probably increase the deficit in 10 weeks.

Once again, U.S. Catholics are debating the relationship between abortion and politics.

California's high court was clear in its ruling this week: Doctors can follow their faith but can't discriminate against patients.

Young people and alcohol are a dangerous mix, and we need to take a fresh look at the problem.

Jerry Taylor and V. John White both say that building nuclear power plants is a non-starter, but they disagree on the role of government in funding alternative energy development.

The West has pushed back against Moscow's repeated attempts to establish closer ties.

The bureau's refusal to confirm or deny a criminal probe of the city attorney is pointless.

The Times incorrectly casts bishops opposed to progress on gay rights as victims of Western encroachment.

Sales rose in July; foreclosures slowed. In Sacramento, there's progress on a mortgage reform bill.

The state sorely needs some old-school Republicans as it takes on the budget mess.

Musharraf's voluntary departure is good news. Real democracy, though, may take some time.

Forty years ago tomorrow, the Soviet Union invaded its satellite, Czechoslovakia, and ended a period of political liberalization known as the Prague Spring. A 21-year-old photographer, Marketa Luskacova, was there in 1968, recording the tanks, the grief, the chaos. In August 2008, the specific situation is different, but the photographic evidence from Georgia is startlingly familiar. Luskacova's Prague photos are old and new: She had abandoned her negatives when she left for Britain a few years later. Then, last year, in a cache of her father's papers, she found nine forgotten prints. Like the two published here, they document then, and resonate now.

V. John White says the oil giant has done us a service by sparking a conversation on renewable energy. Jerry Taylor says Pickens is only trying to rig the energy market in his favor.

In politics, what's fair game and what works? We asked veteran strategists from both sides of the partisan divide.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit is a sign that the West can no longer take Turkey for granted as a staunch ally against Iran.

To the Democrat, it's OK to act on a religious conviction if it serves a liberal cause.

State law requires psychiatrists and psychologists to carefully evaluate sex offenders -- and that costs a lot of money.

Record labels and artists deserve a bigger piece of the action from video games and online music.

A Canadian mistakenly caught up in the U.S. war on terror deserves his day in court, and an apology.

The country comes to a near-standstill as the president announces his resignation.

Corporate self-interest and fear of lawsuits has some retailers taking on the role of consumer watchdogs.

Jerry Taylor says the federal government needs to remove restrictions on offshore drilling. V. John White says the focus ought to be on renewable energy, not oil.

In a region torn by conflict, the tiny country in the Caucuses leans toward the West without riling Russia.

L.A.'s biggest gangs have gone international; our law enforcement must do the same.

Activists have used increasingly dangerous tactics on researchers whose goal is to save lives.

The party's message appeals to the region's growing population of independents.

California should join the National Popular Vote movement, which seeks to reform the presidential election system.

Faculty advisors play a key role on student newspapers. A California bill would protect them from retaliation.

The state budget is past due, so why are lawmakers spending time raising big bucks from donors?

Breakaway movements such as South Ossetia's and Kosovo's tend to become proxies for the great powers.

It's a regular occurrence in American politics. Sometime toward the end of a president's run, the most powerful political leader on Earth suddenly seems to slip from view. His term of office isn't over yet, but this figure who normally invades our thoughts every day turns into a ghost of his former omnipresent self.

Forget the doom and gloom about a tanking market. You made a smart investment.

Should state or federal law prevail on medical marijuana?

The U.S. president should be 'too ashamed to speak about the occupation of any country, he is already occupying one,' one observer says.

California lawmakers shouldn't have to negotiate the budget in hot, humid Sacramento.

The Mexican national's execution in Texas could come back to haunt Americans jailed abroad.

Even before Russian troops arrived, Georgian government websites were being compromised.

Jerome Corsi, author of a pitiful new slam on Obama, is the product of a publishing industry that feeds off extremism.

The country's problems won't go away when he finally steps aside.

China may have played the shallow card at the Olympic opening ceremonies, but there was some true authenticity.

The latest idea to close the state's shortfall involves the wrong kind of tax code manipulation.

A California lawmaker is back with a bill that targets substances used to make furniture resistant to fire.

Even if there were money to pay for it, the state's new algebra mandate would still be a bad idea.

Joe Hicks says South L.A. would benefit from more competition in business and education. Earl Ofari Hutchinson says government should play an active role in fixing struggling neighborhoods.

Some bumps in the road to saving the planet.

The country has a huge budget surplus. Why isn't it paying for its own reconstruction?

Bush has spent much of his presidency making things look better than they are. He could make a career out of it.

Sacramento was wrong to delay a law that would impose a fee on disposable bags.

As the Democrats give ground on offshore drilling, it's the Republicans who are waffling.

The politicization scandal is the wrong measure of the attorney general's independence.

Who's to blame for the sorry state of California's prisons -- and the $8-billion bill? We all are.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson says elected officials haven't done enough to stop racially motivated violence. Joe R. Hicks says our leaders must address illegal immigration to decrease black-brown tension.

Conventional wisdom says African Americans will vote against it; recent history says don't be so sure.

Backroom dealing is no way to set L.A. County's long-term transportation priorities.

Replacing grass with fake turf won't do. Californians should let their thirsty lawns go dry.

Actions by Bush and McCain misled the country into thinking the U.S. would come to its aid.

The lesson of this year's Olympics? The Internet drives viewership, both online and off.

California's budget impasse has complicated the future of a north-south bullet train.

Joe R. Hicks says using eminent domain to benefit private developers is an abuse of government power. Earl Ofari Hutchinson says eminent domain, if exercised fairly, can be a useful tool to improve South L.A.'s economy.

In the battle between L.A.'s city attorney and controller, the real issue is government accountability.

Petty geographic animosities between local politicians may stop the half-cent sales tax increase from ever going to voters.

Councilman Parks' ordinance would improve conditions for neighborhoods and those who seek work outside home-improvement stores.

The U.S. bioweapons program has grown so large that it has become a threat to Americans.

Supporting independence movements can have disastrous consequences.

High oil prices are painful. But they're forcing positive changes in our economy and lifestyle.

In the Israeli military, injuring a handcuffed Palestinian is 'conduct unbecoming' a soldier -- but less so than tying cardboard wings to an antenna.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson says the LAPD and other police forces still have a long way to go. Joe R. Hicks says gangs, not police, are the true scourge of South L.A.

Sending troops to help Georgia is out of the question, but the U.S. must do more than issue strongly worded statements.

China's upbeat conformity may look strange to us, but it's part of a powerful tradition.

Judging by his reaction to the Georgia-Russia crisis, Obama's make-believe presidency isn't ready for prime time.

Whole Foods thought it could hook Americans on its upscale fare. Then the economy tanked.

There's a warning sign for the West in the conflict between Russia and Georgia.

Releasing Salim Ahmed Hamdan, the former driver for Osama bin Laden, after he has served his time is the right thing. It's also smart policy.

Hillary Clinton's supporters seem to want some kind of 'catharsis' at the Democratic convention.

Summer Games: The byline and bio of an Op-Ed article Thursday about the Olympics misspelled the last name of the author of the essay. The correct name is Heather Havrilesky, not Heather Havrilevsky.

Joe R. Hicks says L.A.'s black leadership is stuck in the past. Earl Ofari Hutchinson says government and businesses, not local leaders, have failed South L.A.

Yesterday's granite, gilding and mosaics were more financially reassuring than today's stucco storefronts and cheery little branches.

Despite the drumbeat of unity, the true engines of the games are nationalism and capitalism.

You may not believe it, but fuel is more affordable than it was during the early '60s.

Federal courts took far too long to rule that it's wrong to strip-search a 13-year-old girl suspected of carrying ibuprofen.

Sacramento must give Californians the means to fight predatory lending practices.

When it comes to file sharing, members of the music industry don't exactly sing the same tune.

A legislative proposal aimed at helping the ill is being unfairly portrayed as a right-to-die measure.

Images of orchards created an aura, but the bucolic idealization concealed economic turmoil.

The great Russian writer almost seemed to have opened the door on his life.

A city proposal to require structures for day laborers has some holes in it.

How my energy fueled Rielle Hunter into a scandal.

Mao has far outlasted other 20th century dictators as a graphic icon in his country.

Juan Williams says there are better ways to help marginalized groups than redistributing wealth. Erin Aubry Kaplan says we shouldn't dismiss wealth redistribution as a solution to such a deep problem.

His 'celebrity' comes from an emotional identity with voters, not from 'rock star' hysteria.

Many people use words outside their original meaning, but does that make them wrong?

Edwards' admission signals the end of the era in which traditional media set the limits of acceptable political journalism.

A court ruling aids Congress' probe of the Justice Department, but the next step should be compromise.

The tensions within the Anglican Communion are a reflection of the global culture wars.

His latest power grab in Venezuela shouldn't surprise anyone; he did what he said he'd do.

Juan Williams says immigration is the great civil rights issue of the day. Erin Aubry Kaplan says we shouldn't define the struggle for equal rights as any single group's cause.

Posting caloric content to menus may be helpful -- but not if it causes consumers to ignore their own senses.

Three narrowly targeted reforms could ease the green-card problem while helping the economy.

How achieving "energy independence" would leave Americans worse off.

Shortly after Baghdad fell in 2003, the Baath Party archives were shipped to the U.S. It's time to return them.

When we learned some were endangered, I tried to hate hyenas or anacondas instead. It didn't work.

ENDORSEMENTS 2008: By banning same-sex marriages, Prop. 8 would create second-class citizens.

Erin Aubry Kaplan says the debate about black absentee fathers focuses too much on individuals and not enough on communities. Juan Williams says the problem is so dire that it deserves more than just a few campaign speeches.

The TV pep rally that surrounds the Olympic Games could prove tricky for NBC this time.

T. Boone Pickens' proposals to wean the country off foreign oil could provide more benefit to Iran than to the U.S.

Erin Aubry Kaplan says that although Obama's candidacy is historic, whether it will result in meaningful progress remains to be seen. Juan Williams says it isn’t fair to put the weight of civil rights history on Obama’s shoulders.

A recent Op-Ed article unfairly characterized the country's government and efforts to combat radicalism within its borders.

Juan Williams says modern civil rights leaders do not fit the traditional mold. Erin Aubry Kaplan says many well-known figures claim to be leaders of black America but lack the movement to back them up.

The moratorium on new restaurants will ultimately mean more options for residents.

Bad week for insider hotshots, great week for snide potshots. Rob Rogers applied himself to the Justice Department hiring scandal. Mike Luckovich slammed Alaska's Ted Stevens from the Senate to the Big House. (How much would a bridge to Alcatraz cost?) And ... wait a minute, is the liberal media conspiracy breaking down? Nate Beeler was just one of many cartoonists to finger a fawning press corps for twisting campaign coverage. Patience, Nate, Obama will stumble soon enough. Word is he's appointing Dick Cheney to head his veep search committee.

David B. Rivkin says that with threats expanding and NATO increasingly reluctant to act, the U.S. has to be willing to fight terrorism in more places, either alone or with new allies to the East. Joseph Cirincione responds by arguing that the Bush administration’s go-it-alone mentality has only made the threats harder to manage.

Neither candidate's proposed solution can address underlying issues with the K-12 system.

So we had a little quake. Must TV scare the out-of-state relatives too?

Joseph Cirincione says support is growing across the political spectrum for pulling troops out of Iraq and de-emphasizing the military aspect of the war on terrorism. David B. Rivkin says the troop withdrawal can begin, but the use of force in the region remains crucial to U.S. interests.

L.A.'s transit authority already has enough of our money to improve its most crucial network -- the bus system.

David B. Rivkin says the U.S. usually bears an unfairly disproportionate military burden in humanitarian missions. Joseph Cirincione says stopping genocide is just as important as toppling leaders such as Saddam Hussein.

Northrop unfairly manipulated the Air Force away from the Boeing plane, which is a better fit for our military.

Joseph Cirincione says staying in Iraq only compounds a strategic blunder. David B. Rivkin says the idea that the U.S. can withdraw honorably without winning is a myth.

Impenetrable though the state budget may seem, every extra dollar spent on Californians provides both tangible and societal benefits.

David B. Rivkin says all signs point to a dramatic turnaround for U.S. forces. Joseph Cirincione says the war has been among the greatest disasters in U.S. history.

V. John White says the only way we can keep our cars is to use them less and develop electric drive technologies. Jerry Taylor says only the free market should drive personal auto innovation.

A state bill would muddle laws on end-of-life care and establish a dangerous precedent.

Once again, U.S. Catholics are debating the relationship between abortion and politics.

California's high court was clear in its ruling this week: Doctors can follow their faith but can't discriminate against patients.

Young people and alcohol are a dangerous mix, and we need to take a fresh look at the problem.

Jerry Taylor and V. John White both say that building nuclear power plants is a non-starter, but they disagree on the role of government in funding alternative energy development.

The Times incorrectly casts bishops opposed to progress on gay rights as victims of Western encroachment.

Sales rose in July; foreclosures slowed. In Sacramento, there's progress on a mortgage reform bill.

The state sorely needs some old-school Republicans as it takes on the budget mess.

Musharraf's voluntary departure is good news. Real democracy, though, may take some time.

V. John White says the oil giant has done us a service by sparking a conversation on renewable energy. Jerry Taylor says Pickens is only trying to rig the energy market in his favor.

State law requires psychiatrists and psychologists to carefully evaluate sex offenders -- and that costs a lot of money.

Record labels and artists deserve a bigger piece of the action from video games and online music.

A Canadian mistakenly caught up in the U.S. war on terror deserves his day in court, and an apology.

Corporate self-interest and fear of lawsuits has some retailers taking on the role of consumer watchdogs.

Jerry Taylor says the federal government needs to remove restrictions on offshore drilling. V. John White says the focus ought to be on renewable energy, not oil.

California should join the National Popular Vote movement, which seeks to reform the presidential election system.

Faculty advisors play a key role on student newspapers. A California bill would protect them from retaliation.

The state budget is past due, so why are lawmakers spending time raising big bucks from donors?

The Mexican national's execution in Texas could come back to haunt Americans jailed abroad.

Even before Russian troops arrived, Georgian government websites were being compromised.

Joe Hicks says South L.A. would benefit from more competition in business and education. Earl Ofari Hutchinson says government should play an active role in fixing struggling neighborhoods.

Sacramento was wrong to delay a law that would impose a fee on disposable bags.

As the Democrats give ground on offshore drilling, it's the Republicans who are waffling.

The politicization scandal is the wrong measure of the attorney general's independence.

Who's to blame for the sorry state of California's prisons -- and the $8-billion bill? We all are.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson says elected officials haven't done enough to stop racially motivated violence. Joe R. Hicks says our leaders must address illegal immigration to decrease black-brown tension.

Backroom dealing is no way to set L.A. County's long-term transportation priorities.

Joe R. Hicks says using eminent domain to benefit private developers is an abuse of government power. Earl Ofari Hutchinson says eminent domain, if exercised fairly, can be a useful tool to improve South L.A.'s economy.

Councilman Parks' ordinance would improve conditions for neighborhoods and those who seek work outside home-improvement stores.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson says the LAPD and other police forces still have a long way to go. Joe R. Hicks says gangs, not police, are the true scourge of South L.A.

China's upbeat conformity may look strange to us, but it's part of a powerful tradition.

Joe R. Hicks says L.A.'s black leadership is stuck in the past. Earl Ofari Hutchinson says government and businesses, not local leaders, have failed South L.A.

Federal courts took far too long to rule that it's wrong to strip-search a 13-year-old girl suspected of carrying ibuprofen.

Juan Williams says there are better ways to help marginalized groups than redistributing wealth. Erin Aubry Kaplan says we shouldn't dismiss wealth redistribution as a solution to such a deep problem.

Juan Williams says immigration is the great civil rights issue of the day. Erin Aubry Kaplan says we shouldn't define the struggle for equal rights as any single group's cause.

Posting caloric content to menus may be helpful -- but not if it causes consumers to ignore their own senses.

Erin Aubry Kaplan says the debate about black absentee fathers focuses too much on individuals and not enough on communities. Juan Williams says the problem is so dire that it deserves more than just a few campaign speeches.

T. Boone Pickens' proposals to wean the country off foreign oil could provide more benefit to Iran than to the U.S.

Erin Aubry Kaplan says that although Obama's candidacy is historic, whether it will result in meaningful progress remains to be seen. Juan Williams says it isn’t fair to put the weight of civil rights history on Obama’s shoulders.

A recent Op-Ed article unfairly characterized the country's government and efforts to combat radicalism within its borders.

Juan Williams says modern civil rights leaders do not fit the traditional mold. Erin Aubry Kaplan says many well-known figures claim to be leaders of black America but lack the movement to back them up.

The moratorium on new restaurants will ultimately mean more options for residents.

David B. Rivkin says that with threats expanding and NATO increasingly reluctant to act, the U.S. has to be willing to fight terrorism in more places, either alone or with new allies to the East. Joseph Cirincione responds by arguing that the Bush administration’s go-it-alone mentality has only made the threats harder to manage.

Neither candidate's proposed solution can address underlying issues with the K-12 system.

Joseph Cirincione says support is growing across the political spectrum for pulling troops out of Iraq and de-emphasizing the military aspect of the war on terrorism. David B. Rivkin says the troop withdrawal can begin, but the use of force in the region remains crucial to U.S. interests.

L.A.'s transit authority already has enough of our money to improve its most crucial network -- the bus system.

David B. Rivkin says the U.S. usually bears an unfairly disproportionate military burden in humanitarian missions. Joseph Cirincione says stopping genocide is just as important as toppling leaders such as Saddam Hussein.

Northrop unfairly manipulated the Air Force away from the Boeing plane, which is a better fit for our military.

Joseph Cirincione says staying in Iraq only compounds a strategic blunder. David B. Rivkin says the idea that the U.S. can withdraw honorably without winning is a myth.

Impenetrable though the state budget may seem, every extra dollar spent on Californians provides both tangible and societal benefits.

David B. Rivkin says all signs point to a dramatic turnaround for U.S. forces. Joseph Cirincione says the war has been among the greatest disasters in U.S. history.

Although some fear that prosecuting Sudan's president could halt progress in the region, it is the only way to secure lasting stability.

We argue, dispute, contend and cantankerate. It's healthy, and we'll keep on doing it. Just elsewhere.

Steven E. Landsburg says government bailouts hurt the U.S. economy in the long run. Doug Henwood says it isn't the middle class reaping the wealth generated by our Wall Street-focused economy.

Unless the cost of food is reined in, expect to see obesity levels continue to climb.

Doug Henwood says some lenders are too big to fail but ought to be more aggressively regulated. Steven E. Landsburg says full market exposure is the best oversight.

The menu-labeling bill would help California fight the obesity crisis, opponents' arguments notwithstanding.

Steven E. Landsburg says many owners are simply walking away from expensive mortgages. Doug Henwood expresses skepticism that people are abandoning their homes so willingly.

Doug Henwood says supply and demand alone cannot account for record-high gas prices. Steven E. Landsburg says oil speculators may be doing us a favor.

Steven E. Landsburg says times have never been better for Americans. Doug Henwood says the U.S. economy is increasingly one of haves and have-nots.

Angelo Rivero Santos says Colombia's fight against its rebels ought to stay within its own borders. Andrés Martinez says Hugo Chavez's public support for Colombia's government is less than genuine.

Andrés Martinez says cozying up to U.S. adversaries satisfies Hugo Chavez's more radical constituency. Angelo Rivero Santos says pragmatic foreign policy interests are at the heart of his president’s diplomacy.

Angelo Rivero Santos blames U.S. foreign policy and support for a coup against Chavez. Andrés Martinez says Chavez won’t stop other Latin American leaders from seeking increased trade with the U.S.

Andrés Martinez says most Latin American countries have abandoned Hugo Chavez’s brand of leftism. Angelo Rivero Santos says Venezuelans have rejected the kind of neo-liberal economics that benefit only the elite.

Marc Cooper and Patrick Frey agree that the paper is nearing its demise, though for different reasons.

Patrick Frey and Marc Cooper both agree that the paper suffers from self-inflicted wounds, though they offer different reasons why.

Marc Cooper says new media and old couldn't exist without each other. Patrick Frey says readers are increasingly turning to blogs to escape mainstream journalism's arrogance.

Marc Cooper links the paper's recent downsizing to Tribune Co. boss Sam Zell's desire for high profit margins. Patrick Frey says that The Times has a credibility problem it cannot blame on Tribune.

John Stagliano says anecdotes aren't enough to paint adult entertainment as an industry rife with abuse. Barry McDonald says the government needs to use all available tools to rein in the industry.

Barry McDonald says we shouldn't be so sure that the economic benefits of porn justify its social costs. John Stagliano replies that he’s afraid of what happens when any business is overly regulated by the government.

Barry McDonald details the legal tests and reasoning behind the enforcement of obscenity laws. John Stagliano says no one should be sent to prison for distributing images others don’t like.

Despite 5-4 rulings in some key cases, consensus made a comeback this term.

Kay Hymowitz says strong families are the best antidote to a poisonous environment for children. Kerry Howley points out that widespread obsession over the 'toxic culture' is a byproduct of greater we

Kerry Howley says low fertility rates may mean a whole lot of things or nothing at all. Kay Hymowitz warns that decreasing fertility has a real impact on society.

Kerry Howley says overweight children need help, not humiliation. Kay Hymowitz says parents must help children develop the bottle within.

Kay Hymowitz says the Gloucester teen pregnancy story reveals a change in attitudes toward the family. Kerry Howley counters that we need to stop thinking a baby is the cure to an empty life.

Paul Roberts says education is the key to improving public health. Jacob Grier says you don't need to ban anything to enjoy a better diet.

Jacob Grier says the benefits of local eating aren't all clear, but people should enjoy the products of their own land. Paul Roberts says beware the localavores.

Paul Roberts says the global food shortage is already here. Jacob Grier argues that the crisis demands freer trade.

Jacob Grier says the Food and Drug Administration needs to do less. Paul Roberts argues that the market may be beyond regulation anyway.

Paul Roberts says proposed regulations will not solve problems in today's high-speed food distribution system. Jacob Grier says you shouldn’t let food scares ruin your appetite.

Ezra Klein says the tone of the campaign depends on how effectively Obama can counteract false rumors. Megan McArdle says although the campaign promises to be a lively battle of ideas, neither side is immune to smear attacks.

Megan McArdle says John McCain's biggest problem isn't age or health, but the fact that he's a Republican. Ezra Klein says McCain’s ideas are out of step with the electorate and Obama faces serious misconceptions about his identity.

Ezra Klein likes Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for Obama and Sen. Joe Lieberman for McCain. Megan McArdle says Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal would help McCain’s chances, but Republicans would be wise to save his star power for a future White House run.

Megan McArdle says the Democrats have moved on from the Clintons, and few Republicans will want to build their futures on the Bush legacy. Ezra Klein says the Clintons’ influence on Democratic leaders was overestimated, and President Bush deserves his record disapproval ratings.

Ezra Klein says Barack Obama and John McCain represent the best of their parties despite their weaknesses. Megan McArdle predicts a campaign season similar to previous ones, with Democrats urging more spending and Republicans calling for low taxes.

Amanda Marcotte sees a troubling trend in recent comedies that take women's intrinsic yearning for motherhood for granted. Katha Pollitt wants to see fewer movies centered on yearning mothers and more on inspiring heroines.

The property tax measure turns 30 today, a good time to see what still works and what doesn't.

Katha Pollitt says the 'second vs. third wave' gap is overblown, though older feminist organizations need to change to survive. Amanda Marcotte says larger organizations need to support smaller ones without wresting control from younger feminists.

Amanda Marcotte says the backlash against feminism in the U.S. appreciably hurts women in developing nations. Katha Pollitt replies that this country still has much to learn from others that have made more progress on equality.

Katha Pollitt says women are too often blamed for a lack of collective ambition. Amanda Marcotte says women need to address everyday, systematic discrimination to achieve equality.

Amanda Marcotte says the Clinton-Obama contest saw too many feminists resort to racial and sexist tropes to support their candidates. Katha Pollitt blames partisans and the media for stoking the furor over race and gender.

The entire state should share the pain of a groundbreaking and necessary water conservation bill.

The candidates and the propositions we've endorsed in Tuesday's election.

Eric C. Bauman sees signs that voters across the country have rejected GOP politics. Mike Spence says that Americans are only reacting to the behavior of Washington Republicans, not aligning with Democratic values.

Mike Spence encourages voters to seek out recommendations from political groups or figures they trust. Eric C. Bauman details his party’s complicated process for endorsing judicial candidates.

Eric C. Bauman says Mark Ridley-Thomas' history of active engagement with his community would serve him well as a county supervisor. Mike Spence argues that Parks is the more independent, action-oriented candidate who can bring change to L.A. County government.

Republican Mike Spence says only Proposition 98 would provide real protection against eminent-domain abuse. Democrat Eric Bauman replies that Proposition 98 is more about ending rent control and serving wealthy landowners than protecting homes.

Glen Lavy questions the power of courts to create personal rights by going around the democratic process. Jon W. Davidson warns of the dangers of allowing the majority to decide others' rights.

Jon W. Davidson says the state has a compelling legal interest in regulating marriage and fully including same-sex couples. Glen Lavy agrees that marriage ought to be regulated, but argues that the state has ample reasons not to include homosexuals.

Glen Lavy says that the California Supreme Court’s legal reasoning could be applied to polygamous and incestuous marriages. Jon W. Davidson replies that the slippery-slope argument is a dodge to avoid the civil-rights issues behind same-sex marriage.

Jon W. Davidson says the California court’s decision will influence judicial and legislative proceedings across the country but probably won’t affect the presidential election. Glen Lavy predicts that the court’s ruling will spark a multi-state backlash similar to the one in 2004.

The mayor's water conservation plan is a worthy first step.

Gays and lesbians win the backing of the state Supreme Court. Will voters go along?

The second in an editorial series on California's tax system.

Mayors come and mayors go ... but they usually go sooner than they'd like

The U.S. Postal Service honors a Times journalist slain during the East L.A. riots.

A TAXING DILEMMA: We need to resolve two competing beliefs about the state's budget.

The days of supplies for almost every project must end. California must build smart.

Spending public money to shore up real estate prices won't make housing more affordable

As factions battle in Basra, the U.S. must remember that not everyone who opposes Maliki is a 'terrorist.'

Royalty costs are skyrocketing; ad revenues aren't; but Jango.com sees success.

The latest in a Times editorial series on water and water policy.

The Fed chairman is caught between a credit crisis and rising inflation.

With intelligence, style and wit, William F. Buckley Jr. uniquely shaped our political dialogue.

As global starvation worsens, the U.S. plans to devote vast amounts of grain to producing ethanol.

The Times launches an editorial series on water and water policy in California and around the world.

A labor-environmental alliance threatens to sink efforts to decrease pollution at the L.A. and Long Beach facilities.

His vote against a ban on 'enhanced' interrogation methods belies his opposition to torture.

The 2008 presidential contest may be the antidote to the cynicism that has plagued past elections.

In the spiraling tribal violence, the moderates who are its best hope for the future are the first to die.

President Bush's lack of confidence in government lets down the people who need its help.

Though the lamest of ducks, he could still change the world in the next 365 days.

A Senate tug-of-war over controversial nominee Hans von Spakovsky has gutted the panel when we need it most.

New Hampshire went for Clinton and McCain. Now, both must show voters the future, not the past.

One thing is likely after the caucuses: The field will still be wide open for the Feb. 5 primaries.

The White House's Pakistan plan is wrecked, but it now has a chance to get on the right side of history.

An open letter to Bhutto's son about Pakistan's future, and his own.

From fanciful to practical, here's The Times' list of changes that could make life in 2008 just great.

Leaving no stone unturned, we issue a wake-up call on the use of trite phrases. It's time for a change.

The last in a series of editorials examining American values and the candidates for president.

A California Supreme Court decision says malls, like parks, can't pick who protests inside.

The eighth in a series of editorials examining American values and the candidates for president.

The seventh in a series of editorials examining American values and the candidates for president.

'Fixing' the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta will have to include construction and conservation.

The sixth in a series of editorials examining American values and the candidates for president.