Philosophy
As we learned recently from Stephen Colbert, an anti-bullying bill in Michigan is sparking controversy. The bill was originally inspired by the tragic story of Matt Epling, a teen who committed suicide in 2002 after falling victim to anti-gay bullying. The fact he wasn't gay doesn't change anything.
The controversy surrounding the bill arose because Republican Senator Rick Jones introduced a clause that made an exception for bullying perpetrated due to "a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction."
The problem, of course, is that instead of protecting the victims of hate and bigotry, this nominally "anti-bullying" bill actually provides license to promote bullying, and a blueprint to teach bullies exactly what excuses to use to get away with their hatred.
Luckily, many have seen through the smokescreen, including children, and they are writing their representatives to let their voices be heard:
And here is Senator Gretchen Whitmer responding to this pro-bullying legislation:
Obviously, this is the wrong time to say this, but she's kind of cute, huh? :)
- Bill Cronon, Alec, And Undermining Democracy
In a Slate op/ed, Jack Shafer wrongly argues that there's nothing problematic with the FOIA requests filed by Republicans to examine the e-mails of Professor Bill Cronon. Shafer contends that because the Republicans are within their rights to file...
- Imus And Freedom Of Speech
There's a new webforum that just started called the Citizens' Symposium. The idea is to take a topic and ask a couple of bloggers from different points of view to write a short essay and respond to the others, then throw it open to general discussion....
- The Straight Talk Express: It Gets Worse
Some of you bleeding-heart-equal-rights-for-everyone hippie types may have been inspired by the anti-bullying It Gets Better campaign. Interestingly, even Cindy McCain was brainwashed by this socialist message of equality and basic human decency (as you...
- Gay? You Are Not Alone... And It Gets Better
With the recent news of Tyler Clementi (a gay college student who jumped to his death to avoid the shame, humiliation and bullying that would ensue as a consequence of his roomate's thoughtless choice to out him to the world by posting a video on...
- Genetic Mishap And Bathroom Privileges
Now the ethics and the well-being of a child will be up to the courts. Things just get more complicated. "Colorado parents of transgender 1st-grader file complaint over restroom ban" by Colleen O'Connor February 27th, 2013 The Denver Post The parents...
Philosophy
Michigan's Children Speak Out Against Republican Pro-Bullying Legislation
The controversy surrounding the bill arose because Republican Senator Rick Jones introduced a clause that made an exception for bullying perpetrated due to "a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction."
The problem, of course, is that instead of protecting the victims of hate and bigotry, this nominally "anti-bullying" bill actually provides license to promote bullying, and a blueprint to teach bullies exactly what excuses to use to get away with their hatred.
Luckily, many have seen through the smokescreen, including children, and they are writing their representatives to let their voices be heard:
And here is Senator Gretchen Whitmer responding to this pro-bullying legislation:
Obviously, this is the wrong time to say this, but she's kind of cute, huh? :)
- Bill Cronon, Alec, And Undermining Democracy
In a Slate op/ed, Jack Shafer wrongly argues that there's nothing problematic with the FOIA requests filed by Republicans to examine the e-mails of Professor Bill Cronon. Shafer contends that because the Republicans are within their rights to file...
- Imus And Freedom Of Speech
There's a new webforum that just started called the Citizens' Symposium. The idea is to take a topic and ask a couple of bloggers from different points of view to write a short essay and respond to the others, then throw it open to general discussion....
- The Straight Talk Express: It Gets Worse
Some of you bleeding-heart-equal-rights-for-everyone hippie types may have been inspired by the anti-bullying It Gets Better campaign. Interestingly, even Cindy McCain was brainwashed by this socialist message of equality and basic human decency (as you...
- Gay? You Are Not Alone... And It Gets Better
With the recent news of Tyler Clementi (a gay college student who jumped to his death to avoid the shame, humiliation and bullying that would ensue as a consequence of his roomate's thoughtless choice to out him to the world by posting a video on...
- Genetic Mishap And Bathroom Privileges
Now the ethics and the well-being of a child will be up to the courts. Things just get more complicated. "Colorado parents of transgender 1st-grader file complaint over restroom ban" by Colleen O'Connor February 27th, 2013 The Denver Post The parents...