The Pentagon announced that the ban on women in combat was being lifted. That's great. It is long overdue. Many women are already serving in those roles without recognition or reward. I hope the military will also address the high rate of sexual harassment and rape that is part of being a woman in the armed forces.
The gun control debate has reached a fevered pitch following the Newtown massacre and Obama's latest executive orders. Gun advocates want to arm teachers and even students. At the same time, the abortion debate is being revisited as Roe v Wade turns 40.
The mayor recently addressed the problem of South Side weekend crowds and nuisance bars by sending in more police and fire personnel. That's a good start, but I think the problem is also one of zoning. Do we really need that many bars on Carson Street?
Barack Obama isn't the only one coming back for a second term. The crazy, anti-government Tea Party faction will be back too. You remember them, they're the ones who are willing to let the government collapse just to make a point.
Governor Tom Corbett has decided to privatize the Pennsylvania lottery. He did it without really consulting the public or the state legislature. The contract is going to Camelot, a London-based lottery management company. Many are critical of how this process has unfolded, including the fact that Camelot was the only bidder.
