Tag: Dilemma

End-of-life care – the English dilemma

Earlier today I posted some remarks about the proposed US State medical health system with regard to the elderly. Today, an article in the Daily Mail points out that in England, precisely the same implications have already come to pass, with pressure to allow assisted suicide mounting and care options declining. A few extracts: …… Continue reading End-of-life care – the English dilemma

When the law makes criminals of us all

Fox News published a very thought-provoking article on Tuesday by Brian W. Walsh of the Heritage Foundation. It examined how the explosive growth of Federal laws has criminalized some actions and activities that most of us might engage in without a second thought. The consequences for our future might be disastrous. A few excerpts: Federal… Continue reading When the law makes criminals of us all

Why the secrecy?

Last week the case was reported of a US Army Major who refused to report for duty in Afghanistan, on the grounds that he could not be sure that President Barack Obama was Constitutionally eligible for election to his office. The US Army promptly rescinded his mobilization orders – were they doing so under orders,… Continue reading Why the secrecy?

The copyright conundrum

The issue of international copyright law has reared its head again this week, in two different but intriguing cases. First, Amazon.com began to sell e-book copies of two of George Orwell’s books, ‘1984’ and ‘Animal Farm’, for use on its Kindle device. However, BoingBoing reports that Amazon not only stopped selling them, but physically deleted… Continue reading The copyright conundrum

An interesting – and worrying – look at high finance

An article in Rolling Stone titled ‘The Great American Bubble Machine‘ purports to show that the Goldman Sachs investment bank is behind many of our current financial woes. Here’s a brief excerpt: The first thing you need to know about Goldman Sachs is that it’s everywhere. The world’s most powerful investment bank is a great… Continue reading An interesting – and worrying – look at high finance

Another legal conundrum

Following yesterday’s post about the ‘hate crime’ issue, there’s another legal imbroglio that’s caught my eye. According to CNN: [Youssef] Megahed came to the United States from Egypt in 1998 as a legal immigrant when he was 12. His problems started two years ago when, as an engineering student at the University of South Florida,… Continue reading Another legal conundrum

Are hate crimes different?

I’m annoyed – but also challenged – by an editorial on hate crimes at CNN.com. The authors write: A hate crime occurs when an individual intentionally targets a victim or their property because of his or her actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability or sexual orientation. . .… Continue reading Are hate crimes different?

When faith collides with convenience

I’m both saddened and intrigued by a situation in England. The Daily Mail reports: A Jewish couple are suing their neighbours in a block of flats, saying an automatic security light is keeping them prisoner in their home because it forces them to break their Sabbath rules. Dr Dena Coleman and husband Gordon claim they… Continue reading When faith collides with convenience

Habitat OR humanity – the question in Australia

Back in February I blogged about the devastating wildfires in Victoria, Australia. The final death toll was 173. Now, the BBC reports that an official inquiry into what happened, and why, is stirring major controversy between urban ‘Green’ viewpoints and those of rural dwellers. It’s something that’s very relevant to the same debate in the… Continue reading Habitat OR humanity – the question in Australia