Torture and Detention Under Obama - More of the Same?

The Obama Administration is considering detention policies that are strikingly similar to those proposed a year ago by Michael Mukasey (which Obama himself came out against).

We might also use this as a gateway to discuss Eric Holder's partial prosecution plan of CIA operatives. After months of pressure from the ACLU and others, Holder has finally appointed a special prosecutor to look into allegations of detainee abuse and torture.


Torture and Detention Under Obama - More of the Same?

Eric Holder Appoints Special Prosecutor to Investigate Torture Allegations

Health Care Reform - Can the Government Really Manage Another 15% of the US Economy

An article by John Stossel that I hope will provide a good gateway for a discussion of the biggest topic of the summer.

John Stossel on Health Care Reform

Religion and The Decline of Free Speech in the West

This article is from April but I think it provides a good synopsis of the increasing tendency of the West to limit free speech on the grounds of protecting the feelings of religious groups from possible offense.

http://jonathanturley.org/2009/04/11/international-blasphemy-the-free-world-bars-free-speech/