Author Archives: proftp

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About proftp

I teach political science and bioethics as an adjunct at a CUNY school.

Crunchy Con strikes again! (228)

Posted on March 30, 2009 by proftp

Check out the very very very long post  (and the many many many comments) on Rod Dreher’s Crunchy Con  site on gay marriage, traditionalism, and deep moral disagreement. I refrained from commenting—but do add a comment, if you so desire. … Continue reading →

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No sentences, just bits (266)

Posted on March 30, 2009 by proftp

On an ongoing New York City program to decrease violence in teen relationships. Follow-up to Brazilian abortion story. More drugs and violence in Mexico. L’etat, c’est moi in Libya. No more school for girls in the Swat region of Pakistan … Continue reading →

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Deliberative dishonesty (228)

Posted on March 25, 2009 by proftp

More bashing Gutmann & Thompson questions and comments on the readings: on William Galston: *p. 41, and violation of parents’ integrity: Perhaps, if consider only parents’ integrity. What of children’s integrity? Isn’t the issue that the parents and the children … Continue reading →

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A giant loss, the loss of a giant

Posted on March 25, 2009 by proftp

John Hope Franklin, one of the United States’ greatest historians, died today. Photo by Derek Anderson for the New York Times Read his obituary in the New York Times, as well as his website at Duke University. Click on ‘Quotations’ … Continue reading →

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Why this and not that? (228)

Posted on March 22, 2009 by proftp

That was, in essence, Shemori’s question: Why is it okay to sell sperm and eggs and not solid organs? It’s a good question. I think the response I offered—that these have been two separate narratives, shaped by particular events—is a … Continue reading →

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Enough already! (228)

Posted on March 18, 2009 by proftp

Some thoughts while preparing notes on G&T’s chapter 7 (on liberty): *I wonder if G&T don’t unnecessarily lard down their theory, that it would in fact work better if it weren’t more open, closer to anything goes. One could hang … Continue reading →

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Condoms and whatnot (266)

Posted on March 18, 2009 by proftp

The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict, on his first trip to Africa as pope, restated the Church’s position against the use of condoms to fight HIV and AIDS. While on a plane to Cameroon, he argued that … Continue reading →

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Naked hiker (with sweater!)(266)

Posted on March 18, 2009 by proftp

As promised, a chicken in a cosy: Gotta love the English. . . .

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This is what hunger looks like (266)

Posted on March 13, 2009 by proftp

From the New York Times: In India, by contrast, despite robust growth and good government intentions, the comparable number [of children under the age of 5 who are underweight] is 42.5 percent. Read the entire story, and watch the accompanying … Continue reading →

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Naked hiker alert! (266)

Posted on March 12, 2009 by proftp

Okay, I think I’ll end up posting pictures of critters whenever they make our ‘naked hiker’ story list. Thus: Yes, Mayflower was described as a ‘sausage-dog horse’ in the story. Now, if only I could find that elephant-prosthesis photo. . … Continue reading →

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