ILF POST

By Linc Bloomfield There has been much chatter lately about the need for better strategic thinking on America’s role in the world. It grows out of frustration with the president1s lack of any coherent strategic vision beyond the slogan of a global “war on terror” — a kind of Procrustean Bed in which the occupation [...]

By Ralph Keyes Nearly two decades ago, my wife and I fulfilled a fantasy by returning to the Ohio town where we went to college, met, and got married. In addition to our fondness for the town itself — Yellow Springs — we hoped to be of service to our alma mater, [...]

By Gloria Feldt It’s the sweltering heat of summer. We can count on seeing ads for escapes to the beach, reminders to wear sunscreen, and the extreme anti-reproductive rights, homophobic Operation Save America’s annual attempt to turn up the political heat by mounting a media-circus demonstration at a high profile women’s health center that [...]

By Ralph Keyes At one time we had truth and lies. Now we have truth, lies, and statements that may not be true but we consider too benign to call false. Euphemisms abound. We’re “economical with the truth,” “sweeten it,”or tell “the truth improved.” The term deceive gives way to spin. At [...]

By Charles Lindblom Suppose you lived in a society somewhat more thoughtful than ours. But as a continuing irrationality it required all parents to single out a single value to be taught, through daily mouthing by all youngsters, who pledge it.
Would you favor the value of allegiance? If so, though allegiance seems unlikely to [...]

By Gloria Feldt My first false balance post described how the media forces the existence of “the other side” even when there is none, such as the other side to a heinous crime, or to a health care service such as a pap smear. The second dealt with requiring sensational false balance before reporting [...]