ABC News
Originally published November 7, 2012
On Thursday, opponents of the same-sex marriage referendum on the ballot in Washington state conceded the race, marking a full slate of victories for gay rights on Election Night. Same-sex marriage was legalized by popular vote for the first time in our nation’s history in not one, but all three states where it was on the ballot: Maine, Maryland and Washington. In Minnesota, a proposed ban on same-sex marriage that would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman in the state’s constitution was defeated.
Tuesday’s victories mark more than just a win for the gay rights movement; they represent a larger demographic shift in our country. In an election year where the president made history by publicly announcing his support for same-sex marriage — becoming the first sitting president to do so — the results in Maine, Maryland, Washington and Minnesota appear to be another sign of this increased acceptance.
The entire story is here.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
In Maine and Maryland, Victories at the Ballot Box for Same-Sex Marriage
By ERIK ECKHOLM
The New York Times
Originally published on November 7, 2012
Voters in Maine and Maryland approved same-sex marriage on an election night that jubilant gay rights advocates called a historic turning point, the first time that marriage for gay men and lesbians has been approved at the ballot box.
While six states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage through court decisions or legislative decisions, voters had rejected it more than 30 times in a row.
Results for the other two states voting on same-sex marriage, Minnesota and Washington, were still coming in late Tuesday, but rights groups said that the victories in two states and possibly more were an important sign that public opinion was shifting in their direction.
The entire story is here.
The New York Times
Originally published on November 7, 2012
Voters in Maine and Maryland approved same-sex marriage on an election night that jubilant gay rights advocates called a historic turning point, the first time that marriage for gay men and lesbians has been approved at the ballot box.
While six states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage through court decisions or legislative decisions, voters had rejected it more than 30 times in a row.
Results for the other two states voting on same-sex marriage, Minnesota and Washington, were still coming in late Tuesday, but rights groups said that the victories in two states and possibly more were an important sign that public opinion was shifting in their direction.
The entire story is here.
Same-sex marriage upheld by Spain's highest court
By Iciar Reinlein and Sarah Morris
Reuters
Originally published 6, 2012
Spain's highest court upheld the country's gay marriage law on Tuesday, rejecting an appeal lodged by the ruling People's Party seven years ago and confirming the legality of same-sex unions.
By the end of last year, more than 21,000 same-sex couples had tied the knot since Spain became the fourth country in the world to legalize gay marriage in July 2005.
Eight of the Constitutional Court's 11 judges voted in favor of the law, the court said in a statement, adding that the full ruling will be published in the next few days.
The entire story is here.
Reuters
Originally published 6, 2012
Spain's highest court upheld the country's gay marriage law on Tuesday, rejecting an appeal lodged by the ruling People's Party seven years ago and confirming the legality of same-sex unions.
By the end of last year, more than 21,000 same-sex couples had tied the knot since Spain became the fourth country in the world to legalize gay marriage in July 2005.
Eight of the Constitutional Court's 11 judges voted in favor of the law, the court said in a statement, adding that the full ruling will be published in the next few days.
The entire story is here.
French government approves introduction of same-sex marriage
Draft law on gay marriage and adoption to go before parliament amid protests and concerns plans do not go far enough
by Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
The Guardian
Originally published November 7, 2012
Plans to introduce gay marriage and adoption rights have been approved by France amid growing protest from the French right and religious leaders.
François Hollande, the Socialist president, had made same-sex marriage and adoption a cornerstone of his election campaign, promising a law before mid-2013.
The draft legislation goes before parliament in January.
France would become the 12th country to legalise gay marriage – after others such as Canada, South Africa, Spain and Portugal. But with 60 million people it would be the biggest in terms of economic and diplomatic influence.
"This would be progress not just for the few, but for our whole society," Hollande told the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
But the plans have proved more divisive than he and the left had hoped. Amid a conservative backlash, Catholic church protests and political squabbling, draft legislation has been slightly delayed and, some gay activists argue, watered down.
The entire story is here.
by Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
The Guardian
Originally published November 7, 2012
Plans to introduce gay marriage and adoption rights have been approved by France amid growing protest from the French right and religious leaders.
François Hollande, the Socialist president, had made same-sex marriage and adoption a cornerstone of his election campaign, promising a law before mid-2013.
The draft legislation goes before parliament in January.
France would become the 12th country to legalise gay marriage – after others such as Canada, South Africa, Spain and Portugal. But with 60 million people it would be the biggest in terms of economic and diplomatic influence.
"This would be progress not just for the few, but for our whole society," Hollande told the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
But the plans have proved more divisive than he and the left had hoped. Amid a conservative backlash, Catholic church protests and political squabbling, draft legislation has been slightly delayed and, some gay activists argue, watered down.
The entire story is here.
Friday, November 16, 2012
The only religion that my patients see me practice is medicine
By Jennifer Gunter
KevinMD.com - Social Media's Leading Physician Voice
Originally published November 1, 2012
When I was the director of undergraduate medical education for OB/GYN at a Midwestern university (a state school), it came to my attention that a medical student was refusing to have anything to do with contraception as it was against her religion.
So I spoke with her. I explained that over the course of her career she would undoubtedly see people from all walks of life with a myriad of religious and or personal practices. I explained that medical care is not about fulfilling any personal need beyond the need to help.
I gave the example of a doctor who is a Jehovah’s Witness. Refusing to order a blood transfusion would be both unethical and malpractice.
I had an OB/GYN who practiced the same religion discuss how he felt that he could prescribe contraception and still honor his Church.
None of this mattered. In her eyes prescribing contraception was an affront to her religion.
“What if you don’t council a patient about condoms and she gets HIV?” I asked.
No answer.
“Do you think it’s ethical for a woman to take time out of her day to come for a well-woman exam and not leave with the contraception that she wants and needs?”
Silence.
The entire blog post is here.
Thanks to Ed Zuckerman for this information.
KevinMD.com - Social Media's Leading Physician Voice
Originally published November 1, 2012
When I was the director of undergraduate medical education for OB/GYN at a Midwestern university (a state school), it came to my attention that a medical student was refusing to have anything to do with contraception as it was against her religion.
So I spoke with her. I explained that over the course of her career she would undoubtedly see people from all walks of life with a myriad of religious and or personal practices. I explained that medical care is not about fulfilling any personal need beyond the need to help.
I gave the example of a doctor who is a Jehovah’s Witness. Refusing to order a blood transfusion would be both unethical and malpractice.
I had an OB/GYN who practiced the same religion discuss how he felt that he could prescribe contraception and still honor his Church.
None of this mattered. In her eyes prescribing contraception was an affront to her religion.
“What if you don’t council a patient about condoms and she gets HIV?” I asked.
No answer.
“Do you think it’s ethical for a woman to take time out of her day to come for a well-woman exam and not leave with the contraception that she wants and needs?”
Silence.
The entire blog post is here.
Thanks to Ed Zuckerman for this information.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Anthropologists Approve Ethics Code
By Scott Jaschik
Inside Higher Ed
Originally published November 7, 2012
After five years of study, the American Anthropological Association has adopted a new code of ethics. In a vote of members, 93 percent approved of the statement, which shifts away from a legal-type list of specific prohibitions (a characteristic of past codes) and stresses general principles.
As a discipline, anthropology has at times been divided over ethics, with many in the field feeling shame over early work in the field that was used to promote imperialism and with more recent debate over whether it is appropriate for anthropologists to work with the U.S. military. But debate over the new code (as is reflected in the overwhelming vote to approve it) was not as intense as discussions in recent years over very specific questions, such as whether anthropologists should work to help American efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The entire story is here.
Inside Higher Ed
Originally published November 7, 2012
After five years of study, the American Anthropological Association has adopted a new code of ethics. In a vote of members, 93 percent approved of the statement, which shifts away from a legal-type list of specific prohibitions (a characteristic of past codes) and stresses general principles.
As a discipline, anthropology has at times been divided over ethics, with many in the field feeling shame over early work in the field that was used to promote imperialism and with more recent debate over whether it is appropriate for anthropologists to work with the U.S. military. But debate over the new code (as is reflected in the overwhelming vote to approve it) was not as intense as discussions in recent years over very specific questions, such as whether anthropologists should work to help American efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The entire story is here.
A Firing Upheld
By Colleen Flaherty
Inside Higher Ed
Originally published November 14, 2012
Indiana's highest court on Tuesday upheld the University of Evansville's decision to fire a tenured professor accused of violating its sexual harassment policy.
John Haegert, a professor at the private university since 1979, was fired in 2004 following an incident involving a female tenured professor. Margaret McMullan, then chair of the English department, was speaking with a prospective student and her parents in August 2004 when Haegert entered the department lounge and began to stroke the professor on her face and neck, calling her "Sweetie," according to court documents.
McMullan, who testified she was "embarrassed and humiliated" by Haegert's actions, filed a formal complaint against her colleague -- and that complaint led to his termination, following extensive internal review. Court documents reveal several female students had launched similar but informal complaints against Haegert since 2002.
The entire story is here.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Colo. man plotted to kill children, president
By 9News
Originally published November 14, 2012
9Wants to Know has learned a Colorado man is in federal custody after plotting to kill President Barack Obama and kill children on Halloween night in Westminster.
Sources tell 9Wants to Know Mitchell Kusick's plan involved stealing a family member's shotgun and using it to shoot children on Halloween and assassinate the president in Colorado.
Officials do not know when he wanted to kill the president.
The restraining order filed in Jefferson county court says Kusick "stole a shotgun from his aunt's house, hid the weapon, attempted to purchase ammunition for the gun" and then told his therapist about his plan.
The entire story is here.
Originally published November 14, 2012
9Wants to Know has learned a Colorado man is in federal custody after plotting to kill President Barack Obama and kill children on Halloween night in Westminster.
Sources tell 9Wants to Know Mitchell Kusick's plan involved stealing a family member's shotgun and using it to shoot children on Halloween and assassinate the president in Colorado.
Officials do not know when he wanted to kill the president.
The restraining order filed in Jefferson county court says Kusick "stole a shotgun from his aunt's house, hid the weapon, attempted to purchase ammunition for the gun" and then told his therapist about his plan.
The entire story is here.
HCEC Pearls and Pitfalls: Suggested Do’s and Don’t’s for Healthcare Ethics Consultants
Joseph A. Carrese and the Members of the
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities
Clinical Ethics Consultation Affairs Standing Committee
1. Don't assume that the question you are asked to address is a matter of ethics, or that it is the primary issue or the only issue. Do take the time to clarify for yourself (and your team) the following: What are the relevant concerns, and are they a matter of ethics?
Those requesting an ethics consultation recognize that a problem exists. However, they may not be able to accurately determine whether the problem is truly a matter of ethics or not, and even if they can, they may not be able to correctly articulate the precise nature of the ethical concerns (that is, the values about which there is uncertainty or conflict). Further, requesters may not appreciate that, in addition to the question(s) they have raised, other important ethical concerns may be involved. One important task for HCECs, then, is to determine if the request is appropriate for ethics consultation and, if so, to clarify the ethical concern(s). 1 If the request does not involve an ethics question (that is, what should be done in the face of uncertainty or conflict about values), it should be referred to other resources in the healthcare system that are better equipped to handle such requests. For example, if the requester is seeking a legal opinion, he or she should be referred to legal counsel. Similar to making a diagnosis in clinical medicine, where precision in diagnosis leads to appropriate intervention, clearly and accurately identifying and describing the ethical concerns in an ethics consultation will more likely lead to a correct and helpful analysis and appropriate recommendations. Another parallel to clinical medicine is that, as the case unfolds over time, new issues may emerge. An initial set of questions, even when addressed and resolved, may lead to awareness of new ethical issues as the case evolves. The consultant should be attentive and open to this possibility and revisit the ethics question(s) in the consultation, as needed.
The other 11 suggestions are here.
Thanks to Ken Pope for this article.
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