In Iraq, the sound of a ticking clock

RICK HOROWITZ | 7/8

“It’s about Iraq, sir. I just thought you ought to know…there’s been some discussion of timetables.”

Liberal interests put free speech under attack

JAMES A. BUCHEN | 7/7

Certain Madison-based politicos, unions and other like-minded interest groups feel that the business community, and more specifically Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, have been too effective at blocking their political and policy agendas.

Radio critics second guess every Brewers’ move

JOEL MCNALLY | 7/7

The rise of the Brewers to the point where we can imagine another World Series in Milwaukee has coincided with another development in sports. That is the proliferation of sports talk radio in Milwaukee.

Con: After Iraq, U.S. has no moral capital to lead other nations on quixotic global quests

JOHN B. QUIGLEY | 7/6

John McCain is unlikely to find countries ready to line up for his proposed "League of Democracies"

'The Kennedy Court': Compromise choice becomes most influential

DAVID BRODER | 7/6

After an implausible scenario, third choice Anthony Kennedy was called to the White House and introduced by Ronald Reagan as his man for the Supreme Court. It turned out to be successful beyond Reagan’s wildest dreams.

Pro: Democracies can react far faster than the U.N. in dealing with genocide and global disasters

LAWRENCE J. HAAS | 7/6

The United States and other democracies lack an effective institution through which to pool their resources, identify their challenges and define a strategy to protect their interests. It is well past time for America to lead the effort to create one.

Crime Lab ready to take quicker bite out of crime

J.B. VAN HOLLEN | 7/5

The Wisconsin Crime Laboratory has marked two milestones showing great progress in an effort to promptly process DNA cases.

Doing a dance: Obama continues flops toward the center

CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER | 7/4

Barack Obama’s seasonally adjusted principles are beginning to pile up: NAFTA, campaign finance reform, warrantless wiretaps, flag pins, gun control. What’s left? Iraq. The reversal is coming, and soon.

An American question on the 4th of July

CHARLES C. HAYNES | 7/4

How wide is the gap between what we say we believe and what we actually practice—and who falls through the cracks? In this era of flag-pin patriotism, it might strike some as “un-American” to raise this painful question on the most American of holidays. But seen through the lens of our history, nothing could be more American—or more patriotic—than calling on the nation to live up to its ideals.

Bush soldiers on in his dreamscape

KATHLEEN PARKER | 7/4

In non-news from the White House: Bush hasn’t changed his mind about anything. And he still doesn’t care whether anyone likes it. Popularity has never been his muse.