Archive for the ‘Society’ Category
Interrogation or torture?
The debate continues. What is interrogation and what is torture? Are there situations in which interrogation is inadequate, situations requiring something more? In the abstract, it seems rather easy to determine what is or is not morally acceptable, what is or is not torture. But, how easy is the decision when it’s personal; when the […]
Affirmative action: working as intended?
According to a recent USA Today article, five states may have proposals on their ballots this year to end affirmative action. Is it time to end affirmative action? What was its original purpose? Has it helped reduce discrimination? Has it been applied as intended? In the early 1960s the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was created to […]
Birth control for eleven-year-olds?
The Portland, Maine school board is allowing school personnel to dispense birth control to girls as young as eleven without the knowledge or consent of their parents. Is this reasonable or unacceptable? Would you want your eleven year old daughter using birth control without your knowledge? Does availability of birth control promote sexual activity in […]
Let’s work together to balance civil rights and national security
The Sikh man felt violated when asked to remove his turban by a court bailiff in Dallas, Texas. Was that discrimination? Was he treated any differently than anyone else entering the courthouse? Should his faith have allowed him rights other individuals do not have? The airline captain removed six Muslim imams from the flight. He […]
U.S. must regain its resolve to defeat terrorism
Listening to our political leaders discuss Iraq and terrorism, I hear little discussion with real solutions. We must first separate the discussion of the war in Iraq from the discussion of terrorism, focusing on developing goals for both. Rather than developing goals, our politicians’ discussions revolve around mandating deadlines, controlling troop numbers, and the like. […]