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Editorial: Heal thyself: The slow reaction by the Department of Veterans Affairs to a flawed cancer-treatment program in Philadelphia suggests an agency that would rather forget its mistakes than learn from them.
Editorial: On Christie's plate: In any review of the nation's worst public-policy practices, New Jersey can usually expect a prominent mention - so much so that residents could be forgiven for ignoring such dubious honors.
Letters: A knee-jerk response to mammogram report: It is disconcerting that Kathleen Sebelius, such an important player in the health-care debate, is so quick to dismiss new findings regarding mammography ("Sebelius' advice: Begin mammograms at age 40," Thursday).
Letters to the Editor: Prejudicing the jury in terrorism case The commentary "Case's main question will be about torture" (Thursday) should include whether the main initial question is whether the accused can get a fair trial in view of the declaration by the attorney general of the United States that he has chosen New York for the trial where defendants will be convicted and sentenced to death. He strongly implies that it is the patriotic duty of the jury there to do so.
For American savers, the mattress beckons: Banks pay microscopic interest even as they recover.

The American Bankers Association's annual meeting in Chicago last month drew a surprising variety of protesters. These included unions, civic groups, political activists, and even a costumed superhero calling himself "Downsized Man."
Holder's gift to a terrorist: The architect of 9/11 wins a starring role in a media circus at the scene of the crime.

For late-19th-century anarchists, terrorism was the "propaganda of the deed." And the most successful propaganda-by-deed in history was 9/11 - not just the most destructive, but the most spectacular and telegenic.
We've lost a piece of the city: Dad Vail gone? Philly may as well have lost the soft pretzel. In case you haven't heard, Dad Vail, the largest and one of the most prestigious collegiate regattas in North America, is moving to Rumson, N.J. It's the economy: not enough local corporate sponsorship, and not enough money coming from the city to cover the event's cost. Rumson officials pledged $250,000 to Dad Vail's organizers. That was enough.
Editorial: Senate house call: One by one, the obstacles to a once-unimaginable overhaul of the nation's $2.5 trillion health-care system are tumbling by the wayside.
Editorial: Same old song and dance: In the wake of another round of indictments alleging corruption in the legislature, Harrisburg is again embracing "reform." House Minority Leader Sam Smith (R., Jefferson), whose name appeared frequently in the grand jury's report even though he wasn't charged, proposed an "ethics officer" to field complaints of misconduct. He also wants rules to bar staffers from campaigning on state time, or using government equipment for campaign work.
Letters: Share Your Holiday Memories: Winning, whatever the terror verdict I am a conservative and totally disagree with your editorial and the decision of the Obama administration to try terrorists in civil court ("Right path to justice," Tuesday).
Letters: It was only a bow, so what's the big deal?: I personally am amazed that people could find controversy in the fact that President Obama bowed to the Japanese emperor ("Some take shots over Obama bow," Wednesday).
Mind over matter: In making a case for life after death, maybe Socrates had the right idea.

Dinesh D'Souza is the author of "Life After Death: The Evidence" One of the oldest arguments for life after death was made by the philosopher Socrates, who argued that human beings are made up of two kinds of stuff. Material stuff includes the organs of the body, including the physical brain, and those perish. Immateri
Worldview: U.S., Pakistan must fight militants together: PESHAWAR, Pakistan - While Americans are focused on the U.S. fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan, an equally critical battle is being waged by the Pakistani army against Taliban groups next door.
In 'Going Rogue,' the quoted set the tone: John Timpane is an Inquirer staff writer You are what you quote. That might be the moral of Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue: An American Life. It brims past the scuppers with quotations from the living and the dead, from Aristotle ("Criticism is something we can avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, being nothing") to former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz ("I don't believe that God put us on earth to be ordinary").
Head Strong: The true cost of freedom from anxiety: Give me anxiety or give me death. If Patrick Henry were watching last week's new wrinkle in the debate over national health care, he'd have said something like that.