Quote of the Day

Andrew Sullivan reminds us that the First Amendment is a right, not a privilege.

The First Amendment is not, so far as I know, a "privilege" earned by some Americans and not earned by others. It is a right. And it applies as powerfully to Muslims as to Catholics and Mormons and Jews and evangelicals alike.

It amazes me that people can insist on their rights to carrying automatic assault weapons and yet selectively believe that other rights are not universal in their homeland. Keep it up, morons. The terrorists are winning thanks to you.

Quote of the Day II

Andrew Sullivan smacks down the non-argument dissenters use against Peter Beinart's article:

However pernicious Hamas and Hezbollah are, they do not prevent Israel from freezing settlement construction as a kick-start for wider talks.

Israeli leaders need to understand that talking also means listening, and taking also involves giving. Enough is enough.

Sexual orientation matters

Andrew Sullivan argues that for gay persons, their orientation is not a mere "trace of identity", but rather is central to their identity.

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The math of successful long-term relationships

José-Manuel Rey of the Department of Economic Analysis, at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, has developed a clever mathematical model to examine "rising rates of marital breakdown", and arrived at a non-startling revelation: that effort is needed to maintain a successful long-term relationship.

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EOD Links - 20100416

I'm feeling better today, but today's a slow news day.

• James Fallows and Bruce Schneier talk security.
• Andrew Sullivan live-blogged the first televised debate between UK's party leaders.
• Robert Litan explores the derivatives market.
• A federal court judge orders a Mississippi county to desegregate. In 2010.
• Here's a cracker of a speech by Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, on financial regulation.

Have a great weekend folks!

Quote of the Day

Andrew Sullivan thinks Gordon Brown's Labour Party is drowning:

When a government has been in power for more than a decade and its central argument for re-election is fear of an untested opposition, it's in trouble.

Oh how I wish that were the case in Singapore.

Banning stripclubs might not be a feminist win

Iceland became the first country to shut down their sex industry, banning prostitution last year, and now, stripclubs. Guardian's Julie Bindel hails Iceland as "the world's most feminist country" as a result:

Iceland is fast becoming a world-leader in feminism. A country with a tiny population of 320,000, it is on the brink of achieving what many considered to be impossible: closing down its sex industry.

Even more impressive: the Nordic state is the first country in the world to ban stripping and lapdancing for feminist, rather than religious, reasons.

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Religion and its institutions should not be exempt from scrutiny

Johann Hari again takes on a topic that so many shy away from: that religion and its regime of enforced respect is something that no sane society should accept.

Yes, I understand some people feel sad when they see a figure they were taught as a child to revere – whether Prophet or Pope – being subjected to rational examination, or mockery, or criminal investigation. But everyone has ideas they hold precious. Only you, the religious, demand to be protected from debate or scrutiny that might discomfort you. The fact you believe an invisible supernatural being approves of – or even commands – your behaviour doesn't mean it deserves more respect, or sensitive handling. It means it deserves less. If you base your behaviour on such a preposterous fantasy, you should expect to be checked by criticism and mockery. You need it.

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Quote of the Day

Andrew Sullivan defends Diane Ravitch and anyone who dares to admit their errors:

The last thing we need in this culture, I believe, is a resistance to saying 'I was wrong." Or a denigration of those who do so.

Sullivan: "It's about love"

Andrew Sullivan reminds us what marriage is all about; it's not about the rituals, or approval from society, or sex. It is all about the commitment of two adults to love one another. This goes far deeper than love for anything else in my opinion, and love should not require the consent or approval of any religion.

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