Archive for September, 2008
Capital punishment – reprehensible or responsible?
Society continues debating the morality and sensibility of capital punishment, both sides of the issue persuasively arguing their position. What is the goal of capital punishment; punishment, deterrence, or both? Are there crimes that deserve the death penalty? Is life in prison without parole a reasonable alternative? What do we owe the victims and their families? What do we owe society to protect them from the release of these criminals back into society?
Edward Bushell and the power of juries
Can a citizen exert power over the government? Can a citizen be protected from government enacting bad law? Can a citizen do anything about bad law? Does the jury represent the citizen, the government, the court, or do they represent the Constitution of the United States of America? Does the jury answer to the court or do they answer to their judgment and conscience? Can a jury rule on law, or must they only rule as the court directs? How do juries relate to the branches of government that have the power to enact and interpret the law?
Sarah Palin and the feminist movement?
The feminist movement must be rejoicing. After four decades of advocating equality for women, we are witnessing the real possibility of a female Vice-President of the United States. The National Organization for Women (NOW) should be congratulated for the doors they opened for women, the doors opened to equality. Their advocacy for women’s rights started in 1966 with a statement of purpose to “take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society, exercising all the privileges and responsibilities thereof, in truly equal partnership with men.” Wasn’t that a reasonable expectation? Women had been too often second-class citizens in far too many ways. NOW continued to admire the stay-at-home moms; they just wanted it to be by choice rather than by expectation and convention. They simply wanted women to have equal opportunities and treatment. If women chose to work, they asked they be treated equally. They wanted simple civil rights and simple fairness.
Has marriage outlived its usefulness?
A few weeks ago, I discussed cohabitation and the problems associated with it. Is marriage necessarily better? What if the problems associated with marriages are as bad as, or worse than, the problems associated with cohabitation? Maybe cohabitation is the lesser of two evils.
When is abortion not murder?
The last time I wrote on abortion I learned a great deal about myself; individuals graciously reminding me of flaws in my character, lapses in my education, and deficiencies in my intellect. Acknowledging my incompetence; let us again talk about abortion.
