Jordan is one of the world’s most unique polities. In the most volatile region on Earth, the nation stands out as a country with a largely neutral foreign policy and strikingly moderate leadership. King Abdullah II maintains control of his country despite the wave of leaders overthrown during the Arab Spring. He does not rule … Read more
Walter White (Photo credit: Wikimedia) When life gives you lemons, make meth—at least under Walter White’s (a)moral calculus. Confronted with terminal lung cancer, a teenage son with cystic fibrosis, and an unexpected pregnancy, Walt begins cooking meth to provide for his family. A serial Emmy winner, Breaking Bad chronicles the dark metamorphosis of Mr. White, … Read more
When I was in the sixth grade, my social studies teacher organized an election-themed play to be performed before the entire elementary school and a smattering of overeager parents. As the odds would have it, I portrayed President Bush, and my closest friend was cast as Senator Kerry. I remember spending days practicing my now-forgotten … Read more
A fervent abolitionist and cutting-edge feminist, John Stuart Mill was among 19th century Britain’s least bigoted intellectuals. Through his utilitarian lens, he examined, and defended, the welfare of all races, nationalities, and creeds. He sallied against popular claims that blacks were naturally inferior to whites, and advanced a deeply moralistic foreign policy in an era … Read more
Election Day is November 6, 2012. Over the past 18 months, Americans have debated immigration and health care policy. We have confronted marriage equity and homosexuality, welfare and taxes, foreign policy and foreign aid. Yet, one topic curiously underrepresented, ignored even, is religion in American public life. On October 11, during the vice presidential debate, … Read more
On New Year’s Day 2009, a residential drinking water well in Dimock, Pennsylvania, exploded without warning. Investigations after the incident revealed that a stray spark touched off methane fumes that had been slowly been accumulating in the well for weeks prior to the incident, causing what could well have been a lethal explosion. Further tests … Read more
The speaker for this month’s “Conversations with Kirkland” series was none other than Drew Faust, president of Harvard University. On October 17, in an intimate setting with no more than about 30 students, President Faust answered a set of questions prepared by two moderators and an additional few from members of the audience. The event … Read more
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, you probably know that the Supreme Court is reviewing a case that challenges the constitutionality of race-based affirmative action programs across the country. At the center of the controversy is Abigail Fisher, a white student who claims she was unfairly disadvantaged … Read more
On September 22, just over six weeks before the election, vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan surprised the attendees of a town hall meeting in Orlando, Fla., by beginning his speech with a topic previously ignored by the Romney campaign: space exploration. Appealing to voters on the “Space Coast” of this electorally valuable state, Ryan promised … Read more
During last week’s vice presidential debate, moderator Martha Raddatz asked: “Tell me what role your religion has played in your own personal views on abortion. Please talk about how you came to that decision. Talk about how your religion played a part in that.” Vice President Joe Biden responded to the question masterfully, simultaneously noting … Read more