Category Archives: Ethics

Federal Judge’s Order freeing 5 year old

Thanks to Dan S.

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A Simple Proposal for the Legal Profession to Regain Its Dignity

By Shira A. Scheindlin and John Jones III — in the New York Times (Jan 19, 2026) Ms. Scheindlin is a former judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Jones is a former chief judge … Continue reading

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A Superpower is Dying by Suicide

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Late last night, Nick Schifrin of PBS NewsHour posted on social media that the staff of the U.S. National Security Council had sent to European ambassadors in Washington a message that President Donald J. Trump … Continue reading

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One of CDC’s final blows. And what it means for you–Avoid the CDC Website!

Katelyn Jetelina in Your Local Epidemiologist I still remember the exact moment this photo below was taken. I was on my way to interview for CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS)—the two-year training program for “disease detectives.” For people in my … Continue reading

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Pistachio Ice Cream

Ed note: This article in the current New England Journal of Medicine gives hope that kindness and caring can exist in our overstressed hospitals and ICU. And, yes, I’d like that pistachio ice cream when my time comes.

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Nobel Peace Prize committee explain why Donald Trump didn’t win despite him saying ‘he deserved it’

The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize went to María Corina Machado of Venezuela instead Joshua Nair in LADbible (thanks to Bob P.) The Nobel Peace Prize committee has revealed why Donald Trump missed out on this year’s award. Trump has made it … Continue reading

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When food banks need bread, 900 home bakers answer the call

By  JONEL ALECCIA from AP (thanks to Pam P.) On a recent Saturday near Seattle, Cheryl Ewaldsen pulled three golden loaves of wheat bread out of her kitchen oven. The fragrant, oat-topped bread was destined not for her table, but for … Continue reading

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A letter from Citizens University

Thanks to Kate B. Throughout the last few years I’ve emphasized to my teammates at Citizen University that we must not let everything in civic life get nationalized — that we must help our network of CU catalysts practice humanity and civic … Continue reading

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How the Elite rigged Society (and why it’s falling apart) | David Brooks

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Original Medicare to use AI companies to evaluate need for health care services

By Daily Actions on September 5, 2025 (thanks to Mary M.) Donald Trump and Dr. Oz want to let Artificial Intelligence (AI) choose which procedures Medicare will cover for individual patients — with AI companies being paid based on how … Continue reading

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Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures [for those with Original Medicare]

A pilot program in six states [including Washington State] will use a tactic employed by private insurers that has been heavily criticized for delaying and denying medical care. By Reed Abelson and Teddy Rosenbluth in the NYT (thanks to Mary M.) Like millions … Continue reading

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For ‘60 Minutes,’ a Humbling Moment at an Uneasy Time for Press Freedom

After an astonishing concession to a sitting president, the country’s most popular television news program faces the prospect of new ownership and a chilled environment for the First Amendment. By Michael M. Grynbaum and David Enrich in the NYT The DealBook Newsletter  Our columnist … Continue reading

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I’m Normally a Mild Guy. Here’s What’s Pushed Me Over the Edge.

by David Brooks in the NYT When I was a baby pundit, my mentor, Bill Buckley, told me to write about whatever made me angriest that week. I don’t often do that, mostly because I don’t get angry that much … Continue reading

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Messing with science and COVID degrades public health

Ed note: As we heard from Dr. Paul Pottinger on Tuesday, our nation’s health is being placed at risk because of misguided and harmful directives coming from HHS. New variants of COVID are coming, but instead of tweaking the vaccine … Continue reading

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What makes a good life?

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‘Don’t Fight the Stupidity’ and Other Relevant Bonhoeffer Advice

by Tim Snyder in Sojourners (thanks to Mary Jane F.) As a theologian, I get nervous when reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer becomes all too relevant. I’m the kind of theologian who would rather not find myself in what some scholars refer … Continue reading

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I Ran U.S.A.I.D. Killing It Is a Win for Autocrats Everywhere.

By Samantha Power in the NYT (Thanks to Diana C.) Ms. Power was the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development in the Biden administration. We are witnessing one of the worst and most costly foreign policy blunders in … Continue reading

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CDC Data Are Disappearing

The agency has already removed scientific data from public view. More could follow. By Katherine J. Wu (Thanks to Ed M.) The CDC campus in Atlanta (Smith Collection / Gado / Getty) Last night, scientists began to hear cryptic and foreboding warnings … Continue reading

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Doctor, Will You Pray for Me?

Ed Note: This talk was recently presented at the UW Bioethics Grand Rounds. Although intended for a medical audience, you may find it of interest. Robert Klitzman, MDProfessor of PsychiatryDirector, Bioethics Masters ProgramColumbia University

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Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

A bombshell story last night from the Wall Street Journal reported that billionaire Elon Musk, one of the richest men in the world, who is backing the election of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with a daily million-dollar sweepstakes giveaway … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics, Government, Politics | 2 Comments

My Grandma Has Dementia. Should I Help Her Vote?

By Kwame Anthony Appiah, The Ethicist in the NYT My grandma has relatively advanced Alzheimer’s disease and hearing loss. At 97, she’s still present enough to recognize her loved ones and enjoy our company, but it’s becoming nearly impossible to communicate … Continue reading

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Octopuses used in research could receive same protections as monkeys

Thanks to Mike C. A giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is weighed and tagged by a biologist.Credit: Fred Bavendam/Minden Pictures/Alamy Cephalopods such as octopuses and squid could soon receive the same legal protection as mice and monkeys do when they … Continue reading

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How Musk’s Starlink became a security liability for the U.S.

Here on Earth, the satellites that make up Starlink look like a string of stars traveling across the night sky. More than 4,000 of them are circling Earth in low orbit right now. They’re part of the private venture that’s … Continue reading

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Clarence Thomas hikes the price of Supreme Court decisions to keep pace with inflation

Thanks to Pam P. (from the Borowitz Report)   Clarence Thomas Hikes Price of Supreme Court Decisions to Keep Pace with Inflation   “Sadly, the days of shredding civil rights in exchange for ten private-jet flights are over,” the Justice … Continue reading

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