Entries Tagged 'US Politics' ↓

is a physician and a long-time blogger who alerted readers today about states that are considering enacting so-called “Right of refusal” laws for physicians. Or, as he so aptly put it, “right to bigotry and discrimination” laws. The idea being bandied about is that physicians and allied health care professionals will be legally permitted to determine which parts of medicine/nursing/pharmacy they wish, independent of considerations such as, say, professional responsibility. Personally, I would strip any pharmacist or physician who refused to perform any approved procedure of their ability to continue to practice. Immediately.

The real war on Christmas.

about the news that broke last weekend that the US has been spying on American citizens without warrants or other judicial oversight for some time on the authority of the President alone. There are few commentaries better than Scott Rosenberg’s blog post that he published yesterday, if you’re interested in trying to figure out what this is all about.

on what Katrina teaches us about terrorism contingency planning and readiness.

have been gingerly trying to throw out the idea that no one could have predicted the current disaster in New Orleans. Don’t believe ‘em - it’s BS. It has been predicted for years, quite literally. One exhibit: Drowning New Orleans from the October 2001 issue of Scientific American. That’s not the only such prediction - just one of the most obvious.

Sandra Day O’Connor has announced her retirement, jockeying has begun in earnest for the soon-to-be-vacant seat. Forbes.com has a good overview article looking at the issue and naming jurists who may be on a short list somewhere in the Bush White House: Battle Lines Form Over Supreme Court. Remember that it is widely expected that Chief Justice Rehnquist will have to be replaced shortly as well.