Tag: Politics

Kevorkian Dead at 83

Dr. Death, also known as Jack Kevorkian, died Friday of a kidney related illness. The good doctor is reported to have successfully killed 130 of his patients between 1990 and 1999.

Kevorkian was once quoted as saying, “My intent was to carry out my duty as a doctor, to end their suffering. Unfortunately, that entailed, in their cases, ending of the life.”

While other doctors agreed that killing one’s patient was a sure way to end their suffering, they suggested attempting to heal as a better approach to the problem. Continue reading “Kevorkian Dead at 83”

On The Debt Crisis

As the negotiations over the U.S. government budget drag on, I alternate between anger and indifference, anger because I understand the motives that got us into this crises, and indifference because I know how it will end.

Our government is in a budget crisis because it has repeatedly violated the most fundamental of financial principles: Don’t spend money you don’t have.

The choices now are so unpalatable neither political party can agree on who should take the medicine.

Americans, however, are in no position to blame their politicians for this mess.  In a democracy, people generally get the government they deserve.  Our government is in debt because the people it governs don’t believe there is anything wrong with debt. It’s no coincidence Americans are more indebted than ever at a time when the government is posting record debt and budget deficits. Continue reading “On The Debt Crisis”

On Torture

There has been much talk about torture since Osama Bin Laden’s death.

Those who advocate for torture cite Bin Laden’s death as evidence that torture works, while those against deny that torture led to the discovery of Bin Laden’s lair. Both sides are missing the point.

It doesn’t matter whether torture led to Bin Laden’s death. Torture  obviously works, if by “works” we mean it makes people more likely to give up information they would not otherwise disclose. But that’s not the issue.

We could institute the death penalty for parking violations and it would make double parking a thing of the past. But just because something works doesn’t make it right. The issue is whether torture is moral, and, if so, in what circumstances. Continue reading “On Torture”

The Conscience Of A Nation

 

I get the call once a year, and the script is always the same. Two days ago there was a twist.

When the American Bar Association called to ask me to join, I told them the same thing I’ve told them for the past twenty years: “I’m not going to be part of an organization that supports abortion.” That usually ends the conversation.

This year was different. The ABA representative replied, “The ABA supports the law, and the right to an abortion has been the law since Roe v. Wade.”

I said, “Oh really; so I guess the ABA would have supported slavery when it was the law?” Continue reading “The Conscience Of A Nation”

Digesting The Death Of Bin Laden

This morning, the West will awaken to the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden, a misguided mass-murderer (is there any other kind?). And the world will be watching.

The Lord said if He told Ezekiel to warn a wicked man of impending judgment and Ezekiel failed to do so, depriving the wicked man of the opportunity to repent, the Lord would require his blood from Ezekiel. The Lord then said, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11).

As I watched young Americans dancing in the street in front of The White House last night, celebrating the death of Bin Laden, it didn’t sit right with me. Continue reading “Digesting The Death Of Bin Laden”