Justin Katz
After slipping into another certainly fruitless discussion with a certain of our regular commenters, it occurred to me that one of humanity’s detrimental tendencies, with particular implications for modern society, is to think of societal mechanisms with too narrow of a focus, usually adjusted to the breadth at which our preferences appear clearest. The case…
At the risk of confirming suspicions of conservatives’ reactionary squeamishness, I have to admit to huge, visceral aversion to this sort of thing: Women might soon be able to produce sperm in a development that could allow lesbian couples to have their own biological daughters, according to a pioneering study published today. Scientists are seeking…
I have intended to keep up my end of the same-sex marriage conversation with Matt of Unlikely Words, but various factors have delayed my doing so. For one thing, life keeps trying to trip me up (in ways stated and hinted on Dust in the Light and in ways kept private). Perhaps a more significant,…
Contra Ian Donnis, you can make this stuff up: Mohler began by summarizing some recent research into sexual orientation, and advising his Christian readership that they should brace for the possibility that a biological basis for homosexuality may be proven. Mohler wrote that such proof would not alter the Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality, but said…
Via Dave Talan’s email-based RI Republican newsletter comes this worthy appeal: I’m writing on behalf of Heritage of Rhode Island. Heritage is a Warwick-based non-profit that is concluding the execution of a three-year Federal abstinence education grant. During this time, Heritage has reached across the State with the message that abstinence outside of marriage is…
Marc recently raised the question of conservative imperatives bearing on local versus big-brand shopping habits. It’s an interesting topic, because it lies at the intersection of various philosophical principles and general preferences. Chief among the principles is the acknowledgment that we must work within, rather than deny, the incomprehensible forces that govern human society. In…
To all of our Christian readers, I wish a joyous Easter, full of reminders of the holiday’s significance to us. No matter what happens in this world, in our society, we’ve better things ahead. In all our actions, there should always be that underlying confidence in salvation. Which is why it is only with sadness…
Objections to closing the loophole that allows closed-door prostitution in Rhode Island leave me thinking that those who make them are either on the take or not very… let’s say… considered in their understanding. If the goal is to emphasizing the capture pimps, madames, or what have you, then it ought to be streetwalking that…
Speaking of proposals with gaping holes, if not blatant contradictions, in their reasoning, “key lawmakers and other major players in the state’s law and order community” offered Governor Carcieri some suggestions as to how he might free up some space in the ACI as part of attempts to decrease the state government’s deficit. Apparently: 31…
Not too long ago, public figures — beleaguered school superintendents, for example — could leverage print media and law enforcement procedures in order to manipulate public understanding of confrontations, much as North Kingstown Superintendent James M. Halley is doing in this Projo report: Halley filed a complaint with the police Thursday alleging that Hummel, a…