Opposing Views - Issues, Experts, Answers

How Should the U.S. Respond to the Gaza Crisis?

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:27:19 -0600

On December 27th, Israel began bombing the Gaza strip in response to continued rocket fire from Hamas militants, ending a six-month truce. Since that time, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed, with the United Nations estimating at least 100 of those fatalities are civilians. Israel has promised a continuing and expanding military operation, and so far U.S. response has been minimal. What should America’s role be in this ongoing crisis?

Experts on the "U.S. Must Stop Israel" side:

Kaveh L. Afrasiabi

Experts on the "Halt Israeli Attacks" side:

Muslim Public Affairs Council

Experts on the "U.S. Should Help Crush Hamas" side:

Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights

Experts on the "Free Palestine - From Hamas" side:

Heritage Foundation

Can Democracy Thrive in the Middle East?

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:42:21 -0600

"My friends, a future of liberty stands before you. It is your right. It is your dream. And it is your destiny." These were the words of President Bush as he spoke about his goals for democracy in the Middle East, but with civil unrest pervading the region, the realization of those goals is very much in question. In a region with such a complex history and unique traditions, can democracy ever truly thrive?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Zeyno Baran
Muslim Public Affairs Council
Middle East Forum

Experts on the "No" side:

Dr. David Bukay

Should Obama have Picked Rick Warren for Inauguration?

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:35:13 -0600

On January 20th, Barack Obama will become the new president of the United States, but the upcoming inauguration is already making headlines. Scheduled to give the invocation speech is evangelical minister Rick Warren, whose comments comparing gay marriage to incest and beastiality have made him a highly controversial figure. Will Obama's choice to ring in the new year unite America, or further fracture an already divided country?

Experts on the "Warren Pick a Slap in the Face" side:

Freedom From Religion Foundation

Experts on the "Don't Back Down to Extremists" side:

Deal Hudson

Experts on the "Democrats Deserve Better" side:

Reason Foundation

Experts on the "Heartened by Choice" side:

Family Research Council

Experts on the "We Urge Obama to Reconsider" side:

Human Rights Campaign

What Should You Know Before Placing Your Parent in a Nursing Home?

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:22:30 -0600

There are currently more than 1.6 million Americans living in nursing homes. If you’re considering placing your own parent in an assisted living facility, you probably have a number of serious concerns: Will my mother’s needs be properly met? What about all the stories of nursing home abuse? Choosing a nursing home can be scary, so how can you be sure that your loved one is in good hands?

Experts on the "Avoid Mandatory Arbitration" side:

Michael Monheit, Esq.

Experts on the "One Word: Quality" side:

Amer. Assoc. of Homes and Services of the Aging

What's the Best Style of Yoga?

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:21:10 -0600

Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Kundalini. These aren't exotic foods, they're a sampling of the many styles of yoga commonly practiced in homes, studios and gyms worldwide. Should you stretch more and breathe less? What about posture? Depending on the type of yoga you choose, you'll either find yourself feeling completely rejuvenated, or wondering what you woke up early for. Which style is best for you?

Experts on the "Kundalini Yoga and Meditation" side:

Michael Kolasa

Experts on the "Sivananda Yoga" side:

Silent Motion Yoga & Coaching

Experts on the "There is No "Best" Style" side:

Jenny Everett King

Is there a "War on Christmas?"

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:59:23 -0600

It’s that time of year again: houses are brightly lit, trees are sparkling with tinsel and parents are battling for the last remaining Elmo. In recent years, though, we’ve been hearing more about a “war” on Christmas, as public displays become increasingly scarce and “Merry Christmas” becomes “Happy Holidays.” Are Scrooges stealing your holiday, or are times changing for the better?

Experts on the "Stop Christmas Phobia" side:

The Rutherford Institute

Experts on the "An Assault on Christianity" side:

Family Research Council

Experts on the "Let's End the War on Christmas" side:

Americans United

Experts on the "Defending Christmas" side:

Alliance Defense Fund

Experts on the "Christians Stole Christmas" side:

Freedom From Religion Foundation

Experts on the "Today's X-Mas is an Invention" side:

Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights

Was Jesus an Historical Figure?

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:20:35 -0600

Jesus Christ is the most influential figure on the planet, with more than 2 billion worshippers worldwide and many more who fondly study his teachings. But what if he never existed? Many skeptics have posed this very question, and while true believers scoff at such suggestions, the debate is far from resolved. Jesus may have changed the world, but did he really walk the Earth?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

J.P. Holding
John W. Loftus

Experts on the "No" side:

American Atheists

How Do You Define Fair Use?

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:20:48 -0600

Are you thinking about reprinting this brilliant paragraph on your website? Not so fast. Section 107 of the U.S. copyright law describes the fair use doctrine, which states that for certain purposes, copyrighted works can be used without authorization. This relatively ambiguous definition, however, has left a lot of gray area about how the doctrine should be interpreted. Where exactly is the line between fair use and copyright infringement?

Experts on the "Ideally, Broadly and Flexibly." side:

Fred Benenson

Experts on the "Fair Use Protects Consumers" side:

Competitive Enterprise Institute

Should California Pass the Protect Marriage Act?

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:27:09 -0600

The California Supreme Court abolished the state’s same-sex marriage ban in May, sparking public celebration in some places and angry protest in others. Now some critics of same-sex marriage are fighting back with an initiative to reinstate the ban, leaving voters once again divided. Should marriage remain between a man and a woman, or is it time to widen the aisle for same-sex couples? (Editor's Note: On November 4th, California voters passed Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage.)

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Focus on the Family
Pacific Justice Institute
Orthodox Union

Experts on the "No" side:

Laurie McBride
Rabbie Elliot Dorff
James E. Crawford, MD, FAAP

Is Chocolate Good For You?

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:20:52 -0600

What do Halloween, Easter and Valentine’s Day have in common? Besides being holidays, they mark occasions when people stuff themselves with chocolate. Chocolate is undeniably a popular treat, but many have suggested that moderate consumption may have health benefits like brain stimulation and even cancer prevention. Is this wishful thinking, or could a Hershey bar be your ticket to longevity?

Experts on the "Raw Chocolate is the Best!" side:

David Wolfe

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Richard van Beek

Experts on the "In Moderation Why Not?" side:

Andrea Giancoli

Is Print Dead?

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:20:27 -0600

The death knell for the print newspaper seems to be ringing louder every day. The skyrocketing rise in Internet journalism has hit the once profitable print industry hard, with powerful papers like the Chicago Tribune and L.A. Times (along with hundreds of local papers) forced to lay off employees or shut down their presses entirely. Are we witnessing the end of print, or have reports of its death been greatly exaggerated?

Experts on the "Hardly a Dying Medium" side:

Newspaper Association of America

Experts on the "Don't Count Us Out" side:

Kevin Fagan

Should Women Breastfeed in Public?

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:22:23 -0600

Breastfeeding is a natural biological function, but is there a time and a place for it? Nearly 75 percent of American mothers breastfeed their babies, but the issue of nursing in public remains controversial, as it raises the difficult question of how much exposure is too much. Babies get hungry even in public places, so what's a mother to do?

Experts on the "Mothers Need Our Support" side:

Elizabeth Pantley

Experts on the "Of Course" side:

Nicki Heskin

Experts on the "Breastfeeding Is a Right" side:

Lindsey Nelson

Are Children with Same Sex Parents at a Disadvantage?

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:49:59 -0600

More than 100,000 children are adopted each year in the United States. Increasingly, these adoptions are being made by same-sex couples, raising questions about whether a child’s best interests can be served by same-sex parents. Are traditional homes still the best way to go, or are kids just as well-suited as part of a non-nuclear family?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Focus on the Family

Experts on the "No" side:

James E. Crawford, MD, FAAP

Should ID Checks Be Required for Gun Sales?

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:24:27 -0600

Is it rabbit season or duck season? Before you purchase your next firearm, you might need to pause and make sure your driver’s license is valid. ID checks are intended to keep dangerous people from getting guns, but opponents say that these measures are ineffective and perhaps even counterproductive. In the world of gun sales, should we demand ID checks?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Stop Handgun Violence

Experts on the "No" side:

Gun Owners of America

Do We Need Another "New Deal?"

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:22:13 -0600

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt unveiled the first of his New Deal programs, intended to stimulate economic growth during the Great Depression by creating jobs and reforming business. Now, more than 70 years later, Americans are once again scared about the economy and some are wondering if Barack Obama should follow in Roosevelt’s footsteps. Do we need a New Deal for a new generation?

Experts on the "We Need a Revised New Deal Now" side:

Nomi Prins

Experts on the "No. 'New Deals' are Bad Deals." side:

The Center for the Advancement of Capitalism

Has No Child Left Behind Improved Public Education?

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:47:42 -0600

In January of 2002, President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act, which penalizes or rewards schools based on students’ performance on standardized tests. Nearly seven years later the questions surrounding this controversial legislation are as pressing as ever. Does No Child Left Behind make the grade?

Experts on the "Every Child Deserves a Chance" side:

Deborah White

Experts on the "One Size Doesn't Fit All" side:

National Education Association

Experts on the "NCLB Degrades Education" side:

By Any Means Necessary

Experts on the "NCLB is Good in "Principle" " side:

California Federation of Teachers

What Foods Should Pregnant Women Eat?

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:22:34 -0600

Most restaurants don’t serve ice cream with pickles and barbecue sauce, but if you’re a pregnant woman, you might be having some pretty unusual cravings. Eating the right foods is never more important than when you’re eating for two, and so it’s important to look past the cravings and consider wise meal choices. What are the best foods for mothers-to-be?

Experts on the "Eat To Reduce Toxin Exposure" side:

Nancy Massotto

Experts on the "Mostly Follow the Food Pyramid" side:

Carla Jackson

How Can the Republican Party Regain Power?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:21:38 -0600

Christmas came early for the Democratic Party in 2008. After reclaiming the White House, picking up a majority in the Senate and expanding their majority in the House of Representatives, the Democrats are in a prime position of power. This has left Republicans contemplating their strategy for the future. What must the GOP do in order to rise above the blue majority and restore their former glory?

Experts on the "GOP Must Win With Inclusion" side:

Log Cabin Republicans

Experts on the "Protect the Environment" side:

Republicans for Environmental Protection

Is Raw Food Good For You?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:10:08 -0600

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 a 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 Coconut Oil Good For You?

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:22:02 -0600

If you’re ever stranded on a deserted island, it may comfort you to know that coconut oil has a variety of uses ranging from cooking to skin care. People all around the world use coconut oil and in some cultures it’s extremely popular, but with 90% saturated fat, some people have serious concerns. Could coconut oil be a detriment to your health, or is it the missing ingredient for your next dinner?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

David Wolfe

Experts on the "No" side:

Melanie Thomassian