Do we humans have a “right to die” and a “right to assistance in dying”? These questions will soon take center stage in the American culture war. If you choose someone to make your decisions about dying in the event that you are unable, will that person be allowed to carry out your wishes? In the US today, that depends on where you live and whether someone powerful wants to intervene, as Governor Jeb Bush and Senator Bill Frist intervened against Terri and Michael Shaivo, forcing Terri’s brain-dead body to function for seven years after Michael authorized removal of her feeding tube. Continue reading DEATH WITH DIGNITY?
Category Archives: All Posts
Can Republicans survive success in the Obama Care lawsuit?
What happens next if the Supreme Court rules that Obama Care can’t subsidize health insurance premiums in states that did not set up their own exchanges? The pundits are saying that neither Republicans not Democrats have a contingency plan for that. Maybe. But there may be a way for the President to snatch victory from the jaws of a defeat at the court. It might go something like this. Continue reading Can Republicans survive success in the Obama Care lawsuit?
THE DANGERS OF FOREIGN INFLUENCE
Just a few days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Jews are no longer safe in Europe; and he urged them to move to Israel. He has even found $46 million tax dollars to support their emigration. Abe Foxman, American President of the Anti-defamation League and a holocaust survivor, responded this way to the idea of Jews abandoning Europe “…I don’t think we should so easily grant Hitler a posthumous victory.” How can such stunning statements be explained? Continue reading THE DANGERS OF FOREIGN INFLUENCE
OUR FUTURE AND OUR MEGASITE
This is a column written for publication in the Asheboro Courier-Tribune – relevant for Piedmont Triad readers and perhaps for others living where industrial megasites are under consideration.
“If you don’t know where you want to go, you’re likely to wind up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra, baseball philosopher. The attribution of the quotation is questionable, but its wisdom is beyond doubt.
We know the trajectory and history of our local economy and we know that the work that has sustained our families and communities has been disappearing. We lost thousands of jobs to automation and to places where labor is cheap. The reasons are simple. Private capital flows to ventures that produce high profits. Profitability is improved when expensive labor is replaced by automation or when work is moved to places with cheap labor. The good news is that we get to create our own future. Continue reading OUR FUTURE AND OUR MEGASITE
DOES GOD NEED PROTECTION FROM CARTOONISTS OR FRANKLIN GRAHAM?
There are people among us who believe in an all-powerful God that wants his human followers to kill anyone that insults their religion, even for offenses as simple as drawing a picture of his prophet. Although only a small minority of the world’s Muslims are violent radicals; just a few terrorists can create havoc. Continue reading DOES GOD NEED PROTECTION FROM CARTOONISTS OR FRANKLIN GRAHAM?
Do press and police practices contribute to racial distrust?
I’ve begun to wonder if American press and law enforcement practices contribute to racial distrust.
Law enforcement example:
Twelve year old Tamir Rice reportedly pointed a weapon (later identified as an airsoft toy pistol) at a police officer who quickly shot the youngster. Eric Garner argued with police about whether he had been selling untaxed cigarettes and was physically restrained, face down on the ground. He died as a result of the methods used by police. Both Rice and Garner were black. Continue reading Do press and police practices contribute to racial distrust?
Building Trust Across Racial Lines
The first step in solving a problem is to admit that it exists. Despite our experiences with racial tension and conflict, many Americans deny the existence of a problem. Some acknowledge difficulties then point a blaming finger toward others, as if problems could be solved by “fixing” law enforcement or black culture (whatever that stereotype means). My own conclusions are that we have genuine national and local problems; and until we address fundamental needs for trust and communication other initiatives are unlikely to work. Continue reading Building Trust Across Racial Lines
Your Christmas Gift From Wall Street
Congress and taxpayers bailed out too-big-to-fail financial firms that now seem interested only in profits; not in repairing damage that they did. This column demonstrates how Wall Street firms and Congress subsidize each other at the expense of the middle class. Continue reading Your Christmas Gift From Wall Street
An Economy Divided Against Itself
On June 16, 1858 a little-known candidate for the Illinois Senate spoke these words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.” Abraham Lincoln was defeated in that election.
Twenty-first Century America is a house divided. Like Lincoln, we should expect that our nation will cease to be divided, not that it will fall. Like the America of 1858, we must choose our destiny. We may become a commonwealth where everyone has opportunity to develop her or his full potential; benefitting financially and socially from personal efforts. Or we may become a winner-take-all nation where the wealthy grant only subsistence to those who labor. Continue reading An Economy Divided Against Itself
Tough Love For School Boards And Legislators
Help wanted: Professional position, requires bachelor’s degree, Masters preferred. Starting salary is $33,000 – $36,300 depending on academic qualifications. Raises are dependent on multiple complex criteria that have little to do with how hard or well you work and are subject to change without notice. Employees are expected to bring their own supplies. Position title: Public School Teacher in North Carolina. Continue reading Tough Love For School Boards And Legislators