When Editorial Director Jill "J.R." Labbe was hired by the Star-Telegram in 1992, she was the first full-time female editorial writer in the newspaper's history. If her bosses were looking for someone who could bring a softer, gentler touch to the Editorial Board, they picked the wrong gal. Labbe focuses on everything from military and defense issues to foreign affairs, with Texas politics and religion thrown in. She’s as comfortable shooting off a 9mm semiauto as she is firing off opinions.

E-mail: jrlabbe@star-telegram.com

Seeking sound arguments and no exclamation points. Please!

J.R. Labbe| jrlabbe@star-telegram.com|Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Think you can be a columnist? It doesn’t require fancy footwork, but you have to follow some basic dance steps.Read more

Stinging wannabe terrorists before they strike

J.R. Labbe| jrlabbe@star-telegram.com|Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009

Claiming to be a supporter of al Qaeda isn’t a crime in this country. Neither is it a crime for undercover agents posing as members of a terrorist "sleeper cell" to agree that Osama bin Laden is the 21st-century equivalent of the bee’s knees.Read more

Texas good Samaritan laws need to add entity protections

J.R. LABBE| jrlabbe@star-telegram.com|Saturday, Sep. 26, 2009

Good Samaritan laws should be expanded to protect private-sector companies and nonprofits that help state government with disaster response.Read more

Don’t dismiss life’s teachable moments

J.R. Labbe| Saturday, Sep. 12, 2009

"Many of the lessons from 9-11, bought at such a terrible price, are becoming apparent. But they have not yet been learned."Read more

Labbe: Even nasty political speech rates the highest First Amendment protection

J.R. Labbe| jrlabbe@star-telegram.com|Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009

Even nasty political speech rates the highest First Amendment protection.Read more