http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish RSS Feed for Inq Col Michael Smerconish en-us Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:07:01 GMT http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20091115_Head_Strong__Fear_of_offending_is_a_threat_to_us_all.html That the Fort Hood gunman had plenty of enablers is unmistakable. But the fact that a number of red flags were ignored by so many is perfectly understandable given the context. Here is the reality: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20091108_Head_Strong__Here_s_a_hard_truth_for_the_hard_right.html Who is Dede Scozzafava? If you believe Rush Limbaugh, she's a "liberal woman." Columnist Michelle Malkin called her a "radical leftist." There's "nothing Republican" about her, according to the New York Post editorial board. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20091101_Head_Strong__Parade_is_a_sure_thing__first__a_few_tweaks.html Jinx, schminx. The Phils are going to win this thing, and the city needs to get ready. Don't take it from me. Take it from the Tugger, who said it best at John F. Kennedy Stadium in the midst of the celebration of his Phillies' 1980 World Series victory: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20091025_Head_Strong__GOP_needs_new_primary_process__and_fast.html The Republican presidential-primary process begins in 27 months. That sounds far removed, but the time for action is now if the GOP wants to nominate an electable candidate instead of one suitable for nomination but not a general-election victory. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20091018_Head_Strong__Passing_on_Limbaugh_a_business_decision.html The NFL's rejecting Rush Limbaugh was a bit like the members of the Merion Cricket Club blackballing Thurston Howell III. The owners' objection to Limbaugh wasn't based on his politics - they overwhelmingly share his views. They refused to allow him to join their club in the name of good business. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20091011_Head_Strong_.html Michael Smerconish's column, "Head Strong," does not appear today. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20091004_Head_Strong__It_s_time_to_get_smarter_on_extended_school_day.html On Tuesday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and odd couple Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich were in Philadelphia to promote President Obama's education overhaul. Their first stop was Mastery Charter School's Shoemaker campus. Students there attend class until 4 p.m. - more than an hour past the typical public school dismissal - and on Saturdays. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20090927_Head_Strong__Swim_club_s_president_exonerated.html Sorting out what happened at the Valley swim club is as difficult as determining who peed in your backyard pool. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20090920_Head_Strong__Dangerous_times_again__as_hatred_flows.html A first-of-his-kind president is suspected by some of conspiring with anti-Christians. He is treated inhospitably in classrooms and associated with communism on posters. He is accused of awarding government jobs to radicals. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_smerconish/20090913_Head_Strong__The_truth_about_health_care_and_illegal_immigrants.html I doubt that Rep. Joe Wilson (R., S.C.) would have disgraced himself by shouting at Ronald Reagan as he did during Barack Obama's address Wednesday night. And yet, his beef might be more with the former than the latter.