News & Ideas

The rights of the individual guide most of my reports and essays, from my Miami, Florida, exclusive meeting with child refugee Elian Gonzalez during the legal battle over Elian’s plea for asylum—for front page articles in Los Angeles, Miami and New York—to my coverage of war and health care.

John McCain

Sen. John McCain talked about abortion, altruism and Mother Teresa in my wide-ranging 1999 interview. Read more >>

Jack Germond

This 1999 interview was published in the Arizona Republic.

It’s easy to spot Jack Germond; most know him as the heavy, liberal columnist whose blunt insights were a regular feature on the lively television program, The McLaughlin Group. Read more >>

Lamar Alexander Lamar Alexander Emphasizes Individual Liberty

This 1999 interview with Lamar Alexander was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Los Angeles Daily News, San Jose Mercury News, Arizona Republic, Bangor (Maine) Daily News, and the Casper (Wyoming) Star-Tribune.

Born in Blount County, Tennessee, Lamar Alexander was raised by his schoolteacher parents, who taught in Maryville and sent their son to public schools there. Read more >>

Prescription Drug Plans Buyer Beware

This 2000 interview was published in the Detroit News, Buffalo News, and Los Angeles Daily News.

Today’s seniors are at the center of a dramatic health care policy debate that has surprised political experts by becoming the focus of the 2000 presidential campaign. Read more >>

Measuring the Apollo Missions

This 2005 article was originally published on Box Office Mojo.

True story movie subjects—boxers, racehorses, serial killers, but not the first men on the moon—reflect the lack of Hollywood's hero worship for America's astronauts. But, Apollo 13, the movie, probably comes as close as the culture allows. Read more >>

Energy Conservation Examined

This 2000 article was published in the Detroit News, Birmingham News, Casper (Wyoming) Star-Tribune, Los Angeles Daily News and Buffalo News.

When President Bush unveiled his energy plan last month, environmentalists criticized the plan's failure to emphasize conservation. This raises the question of whether conservation can meet America's power needs. The evidence suggests that the notion is losing its luster. Read more >>

David Halberstam Affirmative actions from the "Children of God"

This 1998 article was published in the Los Angeles Daily News.

Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Halberstam, author of The Powers That Be and The Fifties, remains convinced that, in today’s world, ideas matter. Read more >>

Democrat Fundraising Democrats do the fundraising conga—but not with Playboy

This 2000 article was published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, San Jose Mercury News, and Buffalo News.

Hollywood has come out of the closet as a big bucks political donor. While business donations continue to dominate political fundraising, the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, and the flurry of affiliated parties, erases any doubt that Big Hollywood has joined Big Business in the effort to influence the men and women whose votes control the way they work. Read more >>

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