in Criminal Justice
At medical examiner's offices across the U.S., thousands of human remains are languishing without identification. Space is limited, so many of these John and Jane Doe's end up tossed away without being recognized. There's a federal database to solve these cases, one that's been very successful. But 93% of law enforcement isn't using it. Tell the Senate to give them a nudge.
in Gay Rights
Lisa Miller is wanted for kidnapping her seven-year-old daughter and high-tailing it to parts unknown. Miller considers herself an ex-gay, and kidnapped her daughter to keep the girl away from Miller’s former lesbian partner. Anti-gay groups are treating Miller like a hero for ducking the law, but she’s just the new poster child for parental child abductors.
in Human Rights
March Madness is here. Time to fill in your brackets, catch some games on television and show your campus colors by, say, purchasing a school hoodie, T-shirt, jersey or jacket. Or maybe not. Because if you want to take a stand against abusive labor conditions, you might want to think twice before you fork over $24.99 for official logo apparel.
in War and Peace
Are we winning the war in Afghanistan? Generally, the number of dead Taliban or downed poppy fields are used as benchmarks of success, but very poor ones that fail to take into account the actualities that can make or break the viability of peace. Here are five areas where a true assessment can yield some stunning truths about the country.
in Criminal Justice
Even for the notoriously trigger-happy Texas, Hank Skinner's case puts the state to shame. During his 15 years on death row, Skinner has fought to have DNA evidence in his case tested -- all to no avail. Now, Texas officials plan to execute him next week. Before they kill a potentially innocent man, ask Texas to consider all the evidence.
in Women's Rights
A Christian Domestic Discipline (CDD) marriage is "marriage is one in which one partner is given authority over the other, and has the means to back up that authority, usually by spanking." And, of course, that one partner with authority is always the man and always in reference to a heterosexual relationship.
in Global Health
Abstaining from cigarettes, alcohol and drug use, not to mention too much fish -- those are some of the well-known commandments associated with pregnancy. Now, another contender is vying for a mention on that list: teeth-brushing. Globally, some 13 million babies are born prematurely, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Could gum disease be part of the equation?
in Animals
Chickens continue to grow in popularity among locavores who like knowing where their eggs come from. But before the eggs, there was the chicken, and few people stop to think where she came from. Factory-farm-meets-puppy-mill hatcheries are just one of the dirty little secrets of the backyard chicken fad.