Bigthink - User Ideas Feed

Re: Re: How should the Bible be interpreted?

Bigthink — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:00:28 +0100

: I believe it's hard to truly believe that the Bible is non-interpretal. I think we all (Bible believing Christians and Jews) find the passages that say what we truly believe... or want to believe. It's impossible for me as a Christian to look at Jesus's statements about a new covenant without seeing "new rules" for life. Loving God still comes first, then loving your neighbor as yourself, and then that truly "radical" one - love your enemies (which is in the Old Testament - but not as clear-cut to me). No "except when" is listed there, but if you want those - you find a verse (probably in the Old Testament) that justifies murder of other of God's children. "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love."

Re: Re: what is our purpose?

Bigthink — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:49:54 +0100

: Please define your "terms" used in your statement. I'm confused enough about my purpose without words I totally don't understand.

Re: Re: What is this election's most dangerous idea?

Bigthink — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:45:37 +0100

: It's easy to say that National Health is a "most dangerous idea". It's easy to say that "the best health care system" would be compromised. Yet - what you seem to be truly saying is that for those who can afford the system - it shouldn't change. It would be a better statement to me if you would elaborate on how the many, many Americans who have no health insurance would be served if you were President. We are the only country in the civilized world who don't offer health insurance to all the citizens of the country. How pompous!

Re: Re: Re: Does public opinion influence your decisions as a judge?

Bigthink — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:08:50 +0100

I generally agree with your decisions (votes) on the Court. I think it would be difficult sometimes to look at today's situations and not be influenced by public opinion. Yet, it must be difficult to see your minority views reflect a more worldly view of public opinion. As I reflect on my views as a Texan on the death penalty (definitely against), I wonder why we want to be counted with the terrorist states of the world as the only places this penalty continues to exist.

Thank you for being part of this discussion.

Re: How Ethical is Marijuana Prohibition?

Bigthink — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:58:00 +0100

It is my strong belief (as a pharmacist of almost 50 years) that there can be an end to the drug problems in the United States... and that would be by making them legal.

Can we imagine how much crime is related to the need for money to buy illegal drugs? I would be thrilled to become a dispensary (similar to the ones dispensing methadone throughout the country) where those with addictions could come and satisfy their need - while identifying methods of changing their life.

Prisons could empty, and the amount of money for that care could be focused on revitalization of those in need, the poor in our country and throughout the world.

So it didn't or isn't working in Europe. This is not Europe and we can devise better ways. Let's take the money out of drug trafficking and see what happens.

Re: Re: Re: Is the threat to Israel different today?

Bigthink — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:36:25 +0100

: I find it difficult to differentiate much from today or yesterday's threat. I hope that the leadership of Iran is somewhat out of touch with most in Iran, but I do believe that the poverty of the middle east Muslims in general is a basic reason for the ability to engender hate for the US and Israel. We buy their oil, the money is spent, but it never reaches the people. It's reality to see the Arab states (Saudi Arabia, Emirates, etc) where the money is spent on the people and the level of living is higher - there is little animosity towards the outer world. I think there is envy on the part of the Palestinians when they see the relative wealth of the Israeli increasing in comparison with their own wealth.

Re: Re: What is the way forward in Darfur?

Bigthink — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:48:51 +0100

: A recent exposure to the problems in Darfur indicated this was a "holocaust", i.e. a whole sect of Muslims was being murdered to effect ethnic cleansing. If this viewpoint innacurate?