(NNPA)—Slightly more than three years ago, Gerald M. Boyd, one of my best friends, died of lung cancer at the age of 56. He had been promoted to managing editor of the New York Times, the highest position an African-American journalist had ever attained at the nation’s most influential newspaper. But his career at the newspaper abruptly ended in 2003 when it was discovered that Jayson Blair, another African-American, was a serial plagiarizer.

(REAL TIMES MEDIA)—Everyone wants to be the difference maker in Washington, D.C. John McCain made a career out of playing the moderate Republican whose swing vote was up for grabs so long as the other side made a persuasive policy argument. Positioning yourself as the critical vote on national policy issues is a great way to get on “Meet the Press,” increase your stature back home and maybe even launch yourself into the White House. But the health care reform debate has thrown that conventional wisdom out the window. Being the swing vote on health care has been a one-way ticket to political oblivion. The “curse of the 60th vote” has been cast and it just might change Washington for years to come.

Do children have human rights?

“Of course!” one might hastily reply. Since 1948, in the wake of the Holocaust, nations across the world spoke in one voice to create international instruments for the protection of citizens and individuals and minorities against capricious behaviors by national governments and strong-willed leaders.

Yet the question remains—this time applied to the Haitian natural disaster where scores of children are being swept up in quick adoption by “loving families.” The route, however, is through altered Homeland Security procedures and harried “emergency humanitarian program” rulings.

The impoverished nation of Haiti recently suffered a devastating earthquake. The damage and death toll mark this as one of the biggest natural disasters in the last century. In a real show of humanity and brotherhood, the world has come forward, offering prayers and monetary support to Haiti. There are a few, however, who have sunk lower than most of us can imagine, making insensitive and inappropriate comments about Haiti at a time when the country needs and deserves our compassion.