"what I doubt is that we can go back to business as usual." We already have.
"I doubt we can watch old white men fall asleep in their chairs as someone holds forth in the chamber." Sadly, we shall.
"The last thing I doubt is that anyone in this country will ever be the same, or think the same or do the same as they did the day before yesterday." Admittedly, we're all a little changed from day to day, but I think the big changes are yet to come. :)
I think we've discussed this quite a bit on CreateDebate:
http://www.createdebate.com/debate/show/Should_abortion_be_legal
http://www.createdebate.com/debate/show/PRO_LIFE_vs_PRO_CHOICE_OBAMA_vs_McCAIN_VERSION
http://www.createdebate.com/debate/show/Abortion_What_About_a_Man_s_Choice
http://www.createdebate.com/debate/show/Should_Abortion_be_legal_2
http://www.createdebate.com/debate/show/Federal_Aid_for_Abortions
http://www.createdebate.com/debate/show/Is_there_ever_a_reason_for_partial_birth_abortion
Sometimes when we are sad, we just need to be sad for a while. Like the Elton John song says:
Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain
And ironing out the rough spots
Is the hardest part when memories remain
And it's times like these when we all need to hear the radio
Because from the lips of some old singer
We can share the troubles we already know
Turn them on, turn them on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don't you tune in and turn them on
They reach into your room
Just feel their gentle touch
When all hope is gone
Sad songs say so much
If someone else is suffering enough to write it down
When every single word makes sense
Then it's easier to have those songs around
The kick inside is in the line that finally gets to you
and it feels so good to hurt so bad
And suffer just enough to sing the blues
Sad songs, they say so much
If the facility has a policy not to serve something, then they don't have to serve it; the customer can go elsewhere.
If I walked into an expensive restaurant and demanded a chilidog, would they do it, just because I'm a customer and customers are always right? Of course not.
Each business has an image to support and although customer satisfaction is one part of that image, food quality is also something which can make or break fancier places.
As much as some Dems would like to admit it, we need the Republicans. We, as in Americans as a whole, need a counterbalance to the Democrats. It'd be nice if we had several active parties on various "sides" of the political spectrum, but we'll settle for at least one opposition group with the ability to threaten those Dems who let this election get to their heads.
I beg to differ that there are no social, financial, or psychological arguments to support school uniforms. From http://muse.widener.edu/~egrozyck/
The biggest deterrent to a healthy school climate may be the lack of discipline and respect. The absence of a well-disciplined student body is a major problem in many school districts (Curriculum Review, 1994.) This is true in suburbs as well as cities. Too many students are preoccupied with how they look and what they wear, rather than their studies. Schools have become a stage for the latest fashion parade, deflecting away the attention from learning and achieving educational goals (LaPoint, 1993.)
School uniforms can create a sense of togetherness in a school building. This sense of togetherness can convey to the tax-paying public that schools are well managed because the students are under control due to their dress (Peters, 1996.) There is more of a socio-economic balance among the students with the wearing of uniforms. Students who attempt to make fashion statements through the wearing of designer clothing are virtually neutralized. School spirit is enhanced because a feeling of togetherness is created. The gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" is narrowed due to uniforms (LaPoint, 1993.) Uniforms create social harmony due to the uniform look of similarly clothed students (Kaiser, 1985.)
Proponents of school uniforms claim that school safety would be improved through a mandatory uniform policy. Gang type clothing would be eliminated. Crimes such as theft of expensive clothing or footwear would be substantially reduced (McDaniel, 1996.) Intruders in school buildings could easily be spotted if all the students were wearing a similar style of dress (Forbes, 1994.).
Supporters of uniforms contend that the wearing of school uniforms affects students’ perception of school climate. Students feel as though they are part of a team, and according to Keith King of the University of Cincinnati, "The number one protective factor against school violence is having students feel connected to their school and that they fit in." (Wingert, 1999.) Student respect for teachers, administrators, and especially for each other would be improved with the institution of a mandatory uniform dress code. The sense of togetherness that a uniform policy would instill in a school can not be overstated. If students were all dressed in a similar fashion, the "playing field would be leveled." Each and every student would be similar. The students would spend more time concentrating on their school work, rather than on what their friends or they are wearing. There would be less ridicule of students due to their inability to dress in a style acceptable to the "in-crowd" (Manual on School Uniforms, 2000.)
With the high cost of clothing today, school uniforms can lift a financial burden from students’ families. The cost of designer clothing, and especially footwear, is expensive (Timely Tips: School Uniforms Debate, 2000.) School uniforms can be purchased at one-third the cost of most school outfits that are purchased in department stores. Three school uniforms can be purchased for under a hundred dollars.
School uniforms would assist students and parents in other ways. Students would learn to appreciate the elimination of so many choices when getting dressed for a school day. Students would not be tardy for school as often because of the indecision about what to wear in the mornings (Showalter, 1997.) Parents would know that what a student puts on in the morning is what they would wear at school. Students sometimes change to other outfits once their parents leave for work. Uniforms promote a "down to business" atmosphere because kids view them as work clothes rather than play clothes. Therefore, they take school more seriously than before the uniform code was instituted (Kaiser, 1985.)
At the very minimum, schools should address the issue of a dress code. It is not necessary for the code to be rigid. But it is necessary for the dress code to be reasonable and fair. The best interests of students and their welfare should be addressed. There is no magical solution to the stopping of school violence and the improvement of discipline. Much of this answer lies in the chemistry that exists in a school between students and staff. Uniforms might appear to the public as the cure-all for a schools’ ills, but the ultimate decision on behavioral change is made by the children themselves.
From http://www.buzzle.com/articles/
1. A school uniform makes it easier for the school authorities to recognize students belonging to their school. It also makes it somewhat tougher for those that don’t belong to slip in; unless, of course, they go to all the trouble of buying a uniform that fits.
2. A school uniform also saves the school administrators from having to police what the students wear. There are no daily battles regarding what’s appropriate or not for school.
3. A school uniform apparently also saves students from putting their fashion tastes before their learning requirements. When they don’t have to spend time wondering what to wear and how to make a fashion statement, they can devote more time to getting an education. Theoretically, that is.
4. Wearing the same type of dress reduces social snobbery and peer pressure in educational institutions. It is also supposed to reduce incidents of bullying and theft. How do you pick on someone for wearing the same dress as yourself? Why would you steal a pair of shoes you both have and can afford? I suppose there are ways and there are reasons, but fewer.
5. School uniforms cramp the style of gang members. They have to recognize each other by names and faces instead of by flaunting aggressively painted jackets, T-shirts with obscene messages, clunky jewelry, and things like that. Instead of ‘my gang’ and ‘your gang’, they also have to think in terms of ‘our school’. It’s a hard life. On the brighter side, it helps them to live another day and go on to survive in college.
6. A school uniform can instill a sense of discipline and community feeling. This naturally reduces incidents of violence. Students can come to school without worrying about personal safety. Teachers don’t have to double as guards, and can concentrate on teaching.
Other resources:
http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Teachers/
http://712educators.about.com/cs/
Americans are no more or less obsessed with fame and celebrities than any other country or culture. It is natural for humans all over the world to fantasize about the rich and famous. By obsessing over what So-and-so is wearing and what Such-and-such said or how Someone-or-other does things is perfectly natural. There is a theory that such fascination is left over from a time when information was scarce and formal teaching was unheard of. By involving ourselves in the details of those more successful, we have always hoped that we could pick up on that "secret" or "magic" they have and learn to apply it.
Condoms and other forms of birth control and STD prevention should be available from puberty onward. Every person develops at a different pace and while some may not be sexually interested until 16 or later, others are interested as early as 12 or 13.
I think the difference here is between "religion" and "faith" or "belief". It has been the case throughout much of recorded history that the religion of an era, culture, or society has never reflect the complete spectrum of beliefs of that time and place. I do not think it is possible. But what the religion does reflect is the overall socially exceptable guidelines. God alone is not a guideline. If just knowing what is right were enough, no spiritual person would need laws. And, yet, even the mostly saintly good intentioned believer can end up in jail. While the most law-abiding, kind person can be a sinner.
People need religion, laws, social rules, and legal restrictions to help them make decisions. God alone is never enough--no matter how strong the faith.