Prank talk

TP also an option: In a TV interview, President Barack Obama promised to respond “proportionately” to North Korea’s hacking of Sony Pictures, which he called “cybervandalism.”

Reportedly under consideration: replacing the propaganda piped into every North Korea home on radios that can’t be switched off with a stream of annoying stoner talk from “The Interview” director Seth Rogen.

Don’t know much about history: On this day in 2001, al-Qaida terrorist Richard Reid failed in his attempt to blow up a jetliner with a bomb concealed in his sneakers.

Reid was sentenced to three life terms, and to be cursed tens of thousands of times each day by people who must take off their shoes at airports.

You still have to take off your shoes: Speaking of airport security, if you’re traveling with gifts in hand, you might want to wrap them after you clear the checkpoint, as security agents may deem it necessary to unwrap presents.

And if they’re doing their jobs right, they will confiscate all fruitcake in the name of national taste-bud security.

— Mark Carlson, Herald staff

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, May 8

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters during a press conference about the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Senate Democrats reintroduced broad legislation on Wednesday to legalize cannabis on the federal level, a major shift in policy that has wide public support, but which is unlikely to be enacted this year ahead of November’s elections and in a divided government. (Valerie Plesch/The New York Times)
Editorial: Federal moves on cannabis encouraging, if incomplete

The Biden administration and the Senate offer sensible proposals to better address marijuana use.

Tom Burke: Don’t know much about history? Better start reading

Reading — anything — matters, but especially before an election with history-making consequences.

Where did Carolyn Hax advice column go?

Recently the Herald has replaced the Carolyn Hax column with Dear Abby.… Continue reading

Why did The Herald add an astrology column in print?

We live in times when accurate information and good science are vital.… Continue reading

Plastics are vital to health care

Regarding a recent letter warning about plastic pollution: For the past six… Continue reading

Climate change, nuclear war threat to life on earth

There is one sentinel topic that has received minimal media attention in… Continue reading

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, May 7

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A radiation warning sign along the road near the Hanford Site in Washington state, on Aug. 10, 2022. Hanford, the largest and most contaminated of all American nuclear weapons production sites, is too polluted to ever be returned to public use. Cleanup efforts are now at an inflection point.  (Mason Trinca/The New York Times)
Editorial: Latest Hanford cleanup plan must be scrutinized

A new plan for treating radioactive wastes offers a quicker path, but some groups have questions.

Maureen Dowd: Consider the three faces of Donald Trump

Past, present and future are visibile in his countenance; an especially grim one on the cover of Time.

Paul Krugman: Still no stag and not much flation

The grumbling about inflation’s slow path to 2 percent isn’t worth steps that risk a recession.

David Brooks: Why past is prologue and protests help Trump

Today’s crowd-sourced protests muddle their message and goals and alienate the quiet disapprovers.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.