From the time of George Washington, intelligence has been a central component in the effort to safeguard the nation and the American people. While the results of intelligence gathering are sometimes released (usually after appropriate time has lapsed), it is very rare for "sources and methods" to be released because of the advantage such knowledge gives to adversaries. Thus, it was both surprising and distressing that President Obama recently released formerly classified documents regarding interrogation techniques (methods he said we would no...]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:00:00 -0800 It isn't timely because over half of the discretionary spending in the bill won't occur until 2011 or after. Hopefully, the recession will be over by then.

It isn't temporary because it creates over 24 new government programs and the mandatory spending (which Congressional Democrats are unlikely to cut) will cost nearly $300 billion over the next 10 years.

And it isn't targeted because it makes the same mistake as last year's rebate checks. The theory was that individuals would spend these checks, thereby helping businesses (and subsequently, the economy).

But it didn't work that way. Instead, over 80 percent of the money was saved, because...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:00:00 -0800 But, something stood in President Reagan's way: the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. This treaty was a classic example of arms control promising much more than it was ever able to deliver.

The theory was that by ensuring mutual vulnerability to nuclear missile attack, the incentive to build increasing numbers of offensive forces would be removed. History proved that theory wrong. And, in fact, strategic nuclear forces expanded not just quantitatively, but also qualitatively.

The ABM treaty also stood in the way of developing defenses against rogue regimes that were - and are - developing ballistic missiles. Deterrence is simply inadequate in dealing with...]]> Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:00:00 -0800 Beginning with the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955, Dr. King and other community leaders organized nonviolent protests of segregation laws in many southern cities. These massive, peaceful demonstrations gained national attention and gave hope to many. The March on Washington stirred President Lyndon Johnson and congressional lawmakers to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Foreign audiences even drew inspiration from King and led peaceful independence movements in more than 100 countries.

At the Lincoln Memorial, an engraving marks the place on the steps where Dr. King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. From that stone, one can look across the...]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0700 Unfortunately, our amendment failed. But, gas prices have continued to rise, and Americans families are still waiting for a solution.

The Democrats' response to high prices has been to oppose every proposal for more American energy development, thus increasing our dependence on unstable regions of the world at a time of record high prices. Republicans, on the other hand, want to take a balanced "use less, find more" approach.

That approach is reflected in a new bill we introduced, the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008, which is a comprehensive plan to meet the nation's long-term energy needs. Like the amendment I mentioned above, the Gas Price Reduction Act would promote...]]> Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0700 One president of the not-so-distant past has much to teach us about the challenges we face today, particularly the threats to our freedom, whether from terrorists or hostile and antagonistic regimes.

President Ronald Reagan knew that this country occupied a unique place in the world because of its first principles: "Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on earth," he said. He also knew that these principles could evoke violent opposition from those who did not share them.

From those enemies of freedom, President Reagan vigorously defended first principles. "Freedom is one of the deepest and noblest...]]>