No Religious Exemption When It Comes to Abuse. By Mark Oppenheimer. New York Times, January 4, 2013.
Student Claims of Abuse Not Reported by Yeshiva U. By Paul Berger. The Jewish Daily Forward, December 13, 2012.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Being Married Helps Professors Get Ahead, but Only If They’re Male. By Alexis Coe.
Being Married Helps Professors Get Ahead, but Only If They’re Male. By Alexis Coe. The Atlantic, January 17, 2013.
The Invisible Trigger: Mental Health and Gun Violence. By Walter Russell Mead.
The Invisible Trigger: Mental Health and Gun Violence. By Walter Russell Mead. Via Meadia, January 17, 2013.
Mead:
This nation is awash in guns, and there is no sign that that is about to change. The cultural heritage and the social conditions that make violence so prominent a part of American life will also change slowly if at all. Those are facts. And enough Americans believe in the importance of the Second Amendment that it cannot be repealed; the belief that the right to bear arms is the citizen’s last defense against government tyranny (or insurance against the breakdown of civil order) is deeply rooted in American life. Serious thought about gun violence needs to begin with these truths, unpleasant though many of them are. Policy must stand on solid ground rather than on a tissue of hopes and illusions and the reality is that we are not going to solve America’s massacre problem by passing gun control laws. Nothing we do will solve this problem completely; some of the most violent cities in America have the toughest gun control laws and in some of our least homicidal cities and states have very loose laws.
But if as a practical matter we can’t do much to keep dangerous weapons out of the country, we can do something about keeping dangerous people away from them. This is not just a question of background checks; it is also a question of rebuilding our ability to protect society from people whose mental state makes them a threat to society at large. In dealing with the potentially violent mentally ill, we need to balance the potential danger to society more effectively against the loss of individual freedom. Building better facilities for the mentally ill and being more proactive about putting dangerous people in them is a necessary precaution given the abundance of weapons in these United States. In any case, making treatment more readily available and providing better services and more support for the families and friends of the mentally ill is a good thing in and of itself.
This problem is going to be with us for a long time. There is no clean and quick solution. There won’t be one magic law or one golden policy that frees us from the specter of these tragedies. But making it harder for the deranged to get weapons, and making it easier for society to protect and treat people showing serious signs of dangerous mental disturbance is a step that we can and should take, regardless of what happens on the gun control front.
Mead:
This nation is awash in guns, and there is no sign that that is about to change. The cultural heritage and the social conditions that make violence so prominent a part of American life will also change slowly if at all. Those are facts. And enough Americans believe in the importance of the Second Amendment that it cannot be repealed; the belief that the right to bear arms is the citizen’s last defense against government tyranny (or insurance against the breakdown of civil order) is deeply rooted in American life. Serious thought about gun violence needs to begin with these truths, unpleasant though many of them are. Policy must stand on solid ground rather than on a tissue of hopes and illusions and the reality is that we are not going to solve America’s massacre problem by passing gun control laws. Nothing we do will solve this problem completely; some of the most violent cities in America have the toughest gun control laws and in some of our least homicidal cities and states have very loose laws.
But if as a practical matter we can’t do much to keep dangerous weapons out of the country, we can do something about keeping dangerous people away from them. This is not just a question of background checks; it is also a question of rebuilding our ability to protect society from people whose mental state makes them a threat to society at large. In dealing with the potentially violent mentally ill, we need to balance the potential danger to society more effectively against the loss of individual freedom. Building better facilities for the mentally ill and being more proactive about putting dangerous people in them is a necessary precaution given the abundance of weapons in these United States. In any case, making treatment more readily available and providing better services and more support for the families and friends of the mentally ill is a good thing in and of itself.
This problem is going to be with us for a long time. There is no clean and quick solution. There won’t be one magic law or one golden policy that frees us from the specter of these tragedies. But making it harder for the deranged to get weapons, and making it easier for society to protect and treat people showing serious signs of dangerous mental disturbance is a step that we can and should take, regardless of what happens on the gun control front.
Gun control group selectively edits out “stop a lynching” line in attack ad.
Gun control group selectively edits out “stop a lynching” line in attack ad. FoxNews.com, January 18, 2013.
Ad equates lawmaker’s pro-gun position with Sandy Hook. Video. America Live with Megyn Kelly. Fox News, January 18, 2013.
John Barrow Pro-Gun Campaign Ad. Video. YouTube, October 16, 2012.
Tell Congressman John Barrow (D-GA-12th)to Reject NRA Blood Money. Video. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. YouTube, January 16, 2013.
Ad equates lawmaker’s pro-gun position with Sandy Hook. Video. America Live with Megyn Kelly. Fox News, January 18, 2013.
John Barrow Pro-Gun Campaign Ad. Video. YouTube, October 16, 2012.
Tell Congressman John Barrow (D-GA-12th)to Reject NRA Blood Money. Video. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. YouTube, January 16, 2013.
Does the NRA Want to Turn America Into Afghanistan? By Jason Dempsey.
Does the NRA Want to Turn America Into Afghanistan? By Jason Dempsey. Foreign Policy, January 16, 2013.
Dempsey:
The NRA’s maximalist position on guns is theoretically about freedom, but following its lead would result in less freedom, not more, and mark a step backward for the civil society that we Americans have labored so hard to build. The NRA fantasy that true safety only derives from an openly armed population is not only indulgent, it ignores both human nature and history. It is a philosophy that offers false comfort to frightened individuals and would do nothing for our collective safety.
The world is full of societies where individuals arm themselves for safety, and the instability of such countries should serve as an object lesson of what happens when our mutual trust and our willingness to engage in conversation, unarmed, is driven away by fear of both our government and our fellow citizens. Such places are invariably not more polite, as NRA leaders would have it, but much more explosive. Just look at Afghanistan, where I and thousands of other Americans have confronted the realities of a population armed and on edge. . . .
Yet in the view of men like Wayne LaPierre, threats to freedom abound, and the only answer is the threat of violence. They believe that every agreement to mitigate violence is a direct threat to independence, and one that ultimately leads to subjugation. Such a view suggests that we are incapable of creating a secure society that also allows for individual freedom and limits the powers of a central government. Not only is this view both paranoid and self-limiting, it also ignores the core strength of American society. Our police and courts are not perfect but we understand that collective efforts to ensure the peace will, in the long run, always be more effective than one man with a gun.
Dempsey:
The NRA’s maximalist position on guns is theoretically about freedom, but following its lead would result in less freedom, not more, and mark a step backward for the civil society that we Americans have labored so hard to build. The NRA fantasy that true safety only derives from an openly armed population is not only indulgent, it ignores both human nature and history. It is a philosophy that offers false comfort to frightened individuals and would do nothing for our collective safety.
The world is full of societies where individuals arm themselves for safety, and the instability of such countries should serve as an object lesson of what happens when our mutual trust and our willingness to engage in conversation, unarmed, is driven away by fear of both our government and our fellow citizens. Such places are invariably not more polite, as NRA leaders would have it, but much more explosive. Just look at Afghanistan, where I and thousands of other Americans have confronted the realities of a population armed and on edge. . . .
Yet in the view of men like Wayne LaPierre, threats to freedom abound, and the only answer is the threat of violence. They believe that every agreement to mitigate violence is a direct threat to independence, and one that ultimately leads to subjugation. Such a view suggests that we are incapable of creating a secure society that also allows for individual freedom and limits the powers of a central government. Not only is this view both paranoid and self-limiting, it also ignores the core strength of American society. Our police and courts are not perfect but we understand that collective efforts to ensure the peace will, in the long run, always be more effective than one man with a gun.
More market means more welfare state. By Michael Lind.
More market means more welfare state. By Michael Lind. Salon, January 16, 2013.
Subversive Desire. By bell hooks.
Subversive Desire. By bell hooks. Ms, April/May 1999.
hooks:
hooks:
Adultery
is needed and accepted because today’s couples, young and old alike, are
cynical about love and more convinced than ever that relationships are
primarily about passion and power. As a culture we no longer believe in the
power of love.
The Ugly Side of the Southern Belle. By Blain Roberts.
The Ugly Side of the Southern Belle. By Blain Roberts. New York Times, January 15, 2013.
Miss DC: Why I’m getting a double mastectomy.
Miss DC: Why I’m getting a double mastectomy. Video. On the Record with Greta Van Susteren. Fox News, January 16, 2013. Also find it here.
Uncut: Whole Foods Co-CEO John Mackey “On the Record.”
Uncut: Whole Foods Co-CEO John Mackey “On the Record.” Video. On the Record with Greta Van Susteren. Fox News, January 17, 2013. Also find it here.
Whole Foods’ John Mackey speaks out against Obamacare while promoting his new book. By Husna Haq. The Christian Science Monitor, January 18, 2013.
Whole Foods Founder John Mackey On Fascism And “Conscious Capitalism.” By April Fulton. NPR, January 16, 2013.
Whole Foods CEO John Mackey On Obamacare “Fascism”Remark: “I Regret Using That Word.” By Meenal Vamburkar. Mediaite, January 17, 2013.
Whole Foods’ John Mackey speaks out against Obamacare while promoting his new book. By Husna Haq. The Christian Science Monitor, January 18, 2013.
Whole Foods Founder John Mackey On Fascism And “Conscious Capitalism.” By April Fulton. NPR, January 16, 2013.
Whole Foods CEO John Mackey On Obamacare “Fascism”Remark: “I Regret Using That Word.” By Meenal Vamburkar. Mediaite, January 17, 2013.
New clips quote Morsi calling Obama a liar, urging Muslims to nurse hatred of Jews.
New clips quote Morsi calling Obama a liar, urging Muslims to nurse hatred of Jews. By Ron Friedman and AP. The Times of Israel, January 18, 2013.
Egypt’s Morsi in 2010: Obama Insincere; We Must Nurse Our Children and Grandchildren on Hatred of Jews. MEMRI TV, Video Clip No. 3713, January 16, 2013. Also find it here. Transcript here.
US condemns Morsi’s 2010 anti-Semitic remarks. By Hilary Leila Krieger. Jerusalem Post, January 15, 2o13.
Dutch Jewish author: Aid to Egypt like aid to Nazis. Jerusalem Post, January 17, 2013.
US says Morsi backtrack on anti-Semitic remarks inadequate. AP. The Times of Israel, January 17, 2013.
A Morsi moment in the media. By Simon Plosker. The Times of Israel, January 16, 2013.
US condemns Egyptian leader’s anti-Semitic comment. AP. The Times of Israel, January 15, 2013.
Morsi’s Context of Hate. By Jonathan S. Tobin. Commentary, January 16, 2013.
BBC Corrects Report on Morsi Video. By Alana Goodman. Commentary, January 17, 2013.
Whitewashing Islamists. By Michael Rubin. Commentary, January 17, 2013.
Raised on Hatred. By Ayaan Hirsi Ali. New York Times, January 17, 2013.
Other posts on Morsi videos here and here.
Egypt’s Morsi in 2010: Obama Insincere; We Must Nurse Our Children and Grandchildren on Hatred of Jews. MEMRI TV, Video Clip No. 3713, January 16, 2013. Also find it here. Transcript here.
US condemns Morsi’s 2010 anti-Semitic remarks. By Hilary Leila Krieger. Jerusalem Post, January 15, 2o13.
Dutch Jewish author: Aid to Egypt like aid to Nazis. Jerusalem Post, January 17, 2013.
US says Morsi backtrack on anti-Semitic remarks inadequate. AP. The Times of Israel, January 17, 2013.
A Morsi moment in the media. By Simon Plosker. The Times of Israel, January 16, 2013.
US condemns Egyptian leader’s anti-Semitic comment. AP. The Times of Israel, January 15, 2013.
Morsi’s Context of Hate. By Jonathan S. Tobin. Commentary, January 16, 2013.
BBC Corrects Report on Morsi Video. By Alana Goodman. Commentary, January 17, 2013.
Whitewashing Islamists. By Michael Rubin. Commentary, January 17, 2013.
Raised on Hatred. By Ayaan Hirsi Ali. New York Times, January 17, 2013.
Other posts on Morsi videos here and here.
In Israeli politics, a new dawn for women. By Elhanan Miller.
In Israeli politics, a new dawn for women. By Elhanan Miller. The Times of Israel, January 17, 2013.
Challengers from the Sidelines: Understanding America’s Violent Far-Right. By Arie Perliger.
West Point center cites dangers of “far right” in U.S. By Rowan Scarborough. Washington Times, January 17, 2013.
New Study Highlights Threat From Far Right-Wing Groups In U.S. By Hayes Brown. Think Progress, January 18, 2013.
West Point Military Study Warns Of “America’s Violent Far-Right.” By Noah Rothman. Mediaite, January 18, 2013.
A New Anti-Terror Front? Yes, theGovernment Thinks It’s “Right-Wing Extremists.” By John Fund. National Review Online, January 18, 2013.
West Point: “Far right” dangerous to U.S. By Michael Carl. WND, January 18, 2013.
Right-wing terrorism is real. By David Sirota. Salon, January 22, 2013.
Challengers from the Sidelines: Understanding America’s Violent Far-Right. By Arie Perliger. The Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point, November 2012. Also find it here and here.
Scarborough:
The West Point center typically focuses reports on al Qaeda and other Islamic extremists attempting to gain power in Asia, the Middle East and Africa through violence.
But its latest study turns inward and paints a broad brush of people it considers “far right.”
It says anti-federalists “espouse strong convictions regarding the federal government, believing it to be corrupt and tyrannical, with a natural tendency to intrude on individuals’ civil and constitutional rights. Finally, they support civil activism, individual freedoms, and self government. Extremists in the anti-federalist movement direct most their violence against the federal government and its proxies in law enforcement.”
The report also draws a link between the mainstream conservative movement and the violent “far right,” and describes liberals as “future oriented” and conservatives as living in the past.
“While liberal worldviews are future- or progressive -oriented, conservative perspectives are more past-oriented, and in general, are interested in preserving the status quo.” the report says. “The far right represents a more extreme version of conservatism, as its political vision is usually justified by the aspiration to restore or preserve values and practices that are part of the idealized historical heritage of the nation or ethnic community.”
The report adds: “While far-right groups’ ideology is designed to exclude minorities and foreigners, the liberal-democratic system is designed to emphasize civil rights, minority rights and the balance of power.”
New Study Highlights Threat From Far Right-Wing Groups In U.S. By Hayes Brown. Think Progress, January 18, 2013.
West Point Military Study Warns Of “America’s Violent Far-Right.” By Noah Rothman. Mediaite, January 18, 2013.
A New Anti-Terror Front? Yes, theGovernment Thinks It’s “Right-Wing Extremists.” By John Fund. National Review Online, January 18, 2013.
West Point: “Far right” dangerous to U.S. By Michael Carl. WND, January 18, 2013.
Right-wing terrorism is real. By David Sirota. Salon, January 22, 2013.
Challengers from the Sidelines: Understanding America’s Violent Far-Right. By Arie Perliger. The Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point, November 2012. Also find it here and here.
Scarborough:
The West Point center typically focuses reports on al Qaeda and other Islamic extremists attempting to gain power in Asia, the Middle East and Africa through violence.
But its latest study turns inward and paints a broad brush of people it considers “far right.”
It says anti-federalists “espouse strong convictions regarding the federal government, believing it to be corrupt and tyrannical, with a natural tendency to intrude on individuals’ civil and constitutional rights. Finally, they support civil activism, individual freedoms, and self government. Extremists in the anti-federalist movement direct most their violence against the federal government and its proxies in law enforcement.”
The report also draws a link between the mainstream conservative movement and the violent “far right,” and describes liberals as “future oriented” and conservatives as living in the past.
“While liberal worldviews are future- or progressive -oriented, conservative perspectives are more past-oriented, and in general, are interested in preserving the status quo.” the report says. “The far right represents a more extreme version of conservatism, as its political vision is usually justified by the aspiration to restore or preserve values and practices that are part of the idealized historical heritage of the nation or ethnic community.”
The report adds: “While far-right groups’ ideology is designed to exclude minorities and foreigners, the liberal-democratic system is designed to emphasize civil rights, minority rights and the balance of power.”
America’s Exodus from Marriage. By Peter Wehner.
America’s Exodus from Marriage. Peter Wehner. Commentary, January 17, 2013.
Secession and Patriotism. By Jonathan S. Tobin.
Secession and Patriotism. By Jonathan S. Tobin. Commentary, January 17, 2013.
Abbas: “Right of Return” Trumps Palestinian Lives. By Evelyn Gordon.
Abbas: “Right of Return” Trumps Palestinian Lives. By Evelyn Gordon. Commentary, January 16, 2013.
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