Opposing Views - Issues, Experts, Answers

Is Torture Ever Justified?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:32:39 -0800

As newspapers and documentary films continue to discuss waterboarding and other controversial treatments of suspected terrorists, the debate over torture remains intense. Some insist that desperate times call for desperate measures, but others are baffled that such methods could exist in a civilized society. Is physical persuasion ever an appropriate means of interrogation?

Experts on the "Intent and Just War Theory" side:

American Values

Experts on the "Torture is Counterproductive" side:

Amnesty International

Experts on the "Debate Ducks Hard Questions" side:

Dr. Christopher Ford

Can the Obama Presidency End Racism in America?

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:36:16 -0800

At the start of the American Civil War, there were still more than 4 million African-Americans living in slavery. Now, approximately 150 years later, an African-American will become president of that same nation. There is much discussion about how such a presidency will affect America, but will an Obama victory usher in a new generation of tolerance?

Experts on the "Only if We Follow Dr. King" side:

By Any Means Necessary

Should Animals Have the Same Rights as People?

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:55:09 -0800

Last year Leona Helmsley left $12 million to her dog, Trouble, setting off a heated courtroom battle. California just passed a proposition that says farm animals must be humanely caged. The legal line between humans and animals is blurring further everyday. When it comes to "animal rights," should your cocker spaniel be entitled to the same freedoms and protections as your kid?

Experts on the "That Depends on Your Worldview" side:

Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J.

Experts on the "Animal Rights Don't Exist" side:

Tibor Machan

Experts on the "Similar Rights for Animals" side:

Bob Torres

Experts on the "Making Sense of Animal Rights" side:

Eric Prescott

When Does Life Begin?

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:21:32 -0800

There is no issue more divisive and heated in American society than abortion. While the battle plays out in our living rooms, streets and courts, if we ever hope to resolve the struggle over abortion we must first answer one central question: When does life begin?

Experts on the "There is No Consensus " side:

Jon O'Brien

Experts on the "There Are Many Perspectives" side:

Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

Experts on the "Life Begins at Conception" side:

Brad Miner

Experts on the "Common Sense Says Conception" side:

Deal Hudson

Could Voter Fraud Steal the Election?

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:18:58 -0800

No one will soon forget the chaos that ensued in Florida during the 2000 election: irregularities, hanging chads, multiple recounts. Such events remind us that only a handful of votes can decide an entire election, and so it’s no wonder that people take voter fraud very seriously. Everyone wants their voice to count, so how concerned should you be that your vote might have been rendered meaningless?

Experts on the "The Answer Is an Emphatic Yes!" side:

Heritage Foundation

Experts on the "More Than Just "Voter Fraud"" side:

NAACP

What Do Guns Mean to Americans?

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:18:18 -0800

More people own guns in the United States than in any other country on Earth, by some estimates as many as 80 million. People purchase firearms for a myriad of reasons, but what are the larger implications? Beyond the shooting ranges and hunting trails, what lies at the heart of American gun ownership?

Experts on the "Freedom to Protect Yourself" side:

National Rifle Association

Experts on the "Reasonable Restrictions" side:

The Brady Campaign

Should 'Abstinence-Only' Sex-Ed be Taught in Public Schools?

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:18:47 -0800

What should public schools teach our children about sex? It can be a complex question, especially when dealing with morals, social norms, pop culture, hormones and health. When students sit down for their sex education, should teachers embrace an abstinence-only policy?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

LifeWay Christian Resources
Teen-Aid

Experts on the "No" side:

American Public Health Association
The National Campaign

Is Spanking an Acceptable Form of Discipline?

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:07:22 -0800

You have probably heard the expression, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." Do you agree with it? Perhaps you were spanked as a kid. Was it appropriate? Some people see spanking as an outdated method of punishment or even child abuse, while others view a swat on the bottom as a parent's prerogative. Where do we draw the line when it comes to disciplining our children?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

John Rosemond

Experts on the "No" side:

Center for Effective Discipline
Center for Nonviolent Education and Parenting

What are the Most Important Things To Know About an IRA?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:45:27 -0800

Most of us would retire at 30 if we could, but unless you’re Bill Gates that’s probably not an option. Retirement planning is critically important, but many are still confused about what an IRA (individual retirement account) can do for them. What should you know before investing in a plan that could seriously impact some of the most important years of your life?

Experts on the "Leaving Your IRA to The IRS?" side:

Richard S. Winer

Experts on the "Saving for Retirement" side:

Jeff Kostis, CFP, CPA

McCain or Obama: Who Will End the Financial Crisis?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:58:45 -0800

The U.S. economy in 2008 has taken more sharp turns than a Formula 1 racer: the housing bubble, the frantically fluctuating stock market, government bank buyouts. As the newest president elect Barack Obama steps up to take the reigns of America's economy, his decisions will profoundly impact the financial futures of all Americans. Is hope alive in the Obama economic plan, or are there better solutions waiting to be explored?

Experts on the "John McCain" side:

Institute for Policy Innovation

Experts on the "Barack Obama" side:

AFL-CIO

Experts on the "Neither" side:

The Center for the Advancement of Capitalism

Who Has the Right Plan for America's Economy?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:48:25 -0800

Massive bailouts, foreclosed homes, jaw-dropping gas prices, chaos on Wall Street. These are just a few signs of the U.S.'s struggling economy. As America enters the next chapter of its history, what impact will an Obama administration have on our economic future?

Experts on the "Barack Obama" side:

Obama Campaign

Experts on the "John McCain " side:

McCain Campaign

How Can We Achieve Energy Independence?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:43:10 -0800

America’s reliance on foreign energy has led John McCain to say he could achieve energy independence "easily" within 10 years, while Barack Obama has called it "the most important issue our future economy will face." But while both candidates have been long on promises they’ve been short on details. How soon can America realistically achieve energy independence, and what’s the best path to get there?

Experts on the "Don't Dither, Drill" side:

Hudson Institute

Experts on the "$150 Billion for Clean Energy" side:

Sierra Club

Do We Still Need Affirmative Action?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:42:32 -0800

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King spoke these words in 1963, and they still resonate today. Affirmative action programs were established to create this very type of equality, but have they brought us closer to Dr. King’s dream or hindered it?

Experts on the "Affirmative Action is Divisive" side:

Center for Equal Opportunity

Experts on the "We Need Affirmative Action" side:

American Association for Affirmative Action

Experts on the "Affirmative Opportunities" side:

Experts on the "We Have To Think for Ourselves" side:

Brandon Brice

Experts on the "Definitely" side:

By Any Means Necessary

Experts on the "Moving Beyond Race and Gender" side:

Jennifer Gratz

What Are the Best Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:23:17 -0800

Flat screen TVs, video games, computers. The average American home today has more electronic devices than Radio Shack. But with concerns about conserving energy and saving hard-earned cash, what are some effective ways to become more energy efficient without having to pack up your family and move to the wilderness?

Experts on the "Some Great Energy Saving Tips" side:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

How Do Federal Judges Shape America's Future?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:22:54 -0800

The next federal judge may very well become the deciding vote on issues that affect your freedoms, your opportunities and your fundamental rights. Even one judge can shift the entire balance of power, as we've seen in landmark cases like Bush v Gore. What does the appointment of a federal judge mean for you and, more importantly, for the future of America?

Experts on the "Judges Protect Civil Rights" side:

Lambda Legal

Experts on the "No More Anti-Family Judges" side:

Focus on the Family

Is ADHD/ADD Overdiagnosed in America?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:22:43 -0800

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, five percent of American children have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, prompting thousands of children to take medications like Ritalin and Adderall. Some parents and health professionals worry that we’re too quickly diagnosing our youngest patients, but for others a diagnosis has provided much needed help for their struggling children. Has the boom in ADD/ADHD made our children healthier, or only over-medicated them?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Fred Baughman, MD

Experts on the "No" side:

Eileen Bailey

Should the U.S. Sit Down With Its Enemies?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:22:28 -0800

Ever since British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's disastrous decision to appease Adolf Hitler in the build-up to World War II, every U.S. president has been forced to consider when they should sit down and negotiate with their enemies. With the threat of a nuclear armed Iran looming, when should the U.S. pass the chalice of diplomacy and break bread with our enemies? Is there ever a right time?

Experts on the "Never Surrender, Never Give-Up" side:

Dr. David Bukay

Experts on the "Talk, Threaten or Fight?" side:

US Army War College

Is Raw Food Good For You?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:22:19 -0800

For some people cutting down on their daily intake of Oreos and bacon is daunting, so the thought of living on raw vegetables might seem completely outrageous. Still, a growing number of people have devoted their lives to eating uncooked veggies, nuts and beans, insisting that the health benefits of the raw diet are unmatched. Is it time to turn down the heat, or is this just another food fad?

Experts on the "Raw Food is Healthy" side:

Alex Malinsky

Experts on the "Raw Diets are Natural" side:

Shazzie

Experts on the "Live Food Creates Life..." side:

Robert Ross

Experts on the "Depends How Raw" side:

Andrea Giancoli

Is Yoga a Religion?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:22:14 -0800

By some estimates there are more than 10,000 different religions in the world today. Could yoga be one of them? Countless books and DVDs espouse the spiritual benefits of yoga practice, and there are certainly some enthusiasts who find it to be a religious experience. Others though, insist that yoga is no more a religion than jogging. What does yoga truly represent?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Rabbi Sigal Brier

Experts on the "No" side:

Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

Does Yoga Harm Your Body?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:22:08 -0800

Are your mind, body and spirit out of tune? You might think about pulling out the yoga mat. Yoga is practiced by millions worldwide to reduce stress, increase flexibility and improve overall health, but some experts warn that all of those complex stretches and maneuvers could be doing serious damage to your body. Is yoga the secret to a healthy life, or could you just be kicking yourself?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Shirley Sahrmann, A, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Dr. Christopher Burden

Experts on the "No" side:

Dr. Omri Sitton
David Romanelli