• INFORMAL DISCUSSION - For the first 30 minutes of the Thursday night forums we will have informal discussion. This will allow for late arrivals, food & drink ordering, and new attendees to become acclimated.
• ANNOUNCEMENTS - Any events, news, or other items that you feel are of interest to the group can be announced at the start of Free Inquiry Forum.

TOPICS for Thursday (7/15/04):

1. The Union of Concerned Scientists said in a recent report that U.S. science policy is swayed by politics. Are they correct? If so, then how bad of a problem is it? Is this the most anti-science administration in modern times? Which areas of science are you most concerned about?
   • AIDS Prevention - The World Health Organization says the world has "failed miserably" in getting AIDS drugs to victims. Is the U.S. losing the fight against AIDS? Should the U.S. be leading the world in the fight against AIDS? The Bush administration will be limiting CDC and other U.S. scientists' access to scientists at the World Health Organization. Why?
   • Stem Cell Research - Ron Reagan will deliver a speech on stem cell research at the Democratic National Convention this month in Boston. Do you think Ron should speak at the convention? Will this further politicize the issue? Will it help or hinder his cause?
   • Endangered Species - According to environmentalists and some independent analysts, the administration is working to destroy the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act through executive rule changes.
   • Environment - The Bush administration plans to open up vast wilderness areas of the western U.S. to logging.
   • Nanotechnology or any other areas of science you are concerned about?
2. The Republican push for a Senate vote to ban gay marriage has thrust the topic into the thick of the 2004 campaign. Will this reignite a "culture war" on social issues that has become an election-year staple? Supporters of a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage say they are defending "traditional" marriage. What is "traditional" marriage? How would same-sex marriage affect "traditional" marriage? Could marriage ever be completely separated into a religious ritual and a legal union?
3. The World Court has ruled that the Israeli West Bank barrier violates international law. Do you agree? Should the security barrier be removed, rerouted, or left as is with continued construction? Are Israelis safer with the security barrier in place?
4. The Portland, Oregon Catholic archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection because of the steep costs from clergy sex abuse lawsuits. Should this filing be accepted by the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon? Should the bankruptcy court consider parish properties as part of a diocese's assets? Did the Portland Archdiocese declare bankruptcy to avoid or delay clergy abuse suits?
   

Quote of the week: "As president, I will end George Bush's block on stem cell research which even Nancy Reagan and Orrin Hatch oppose." [John Kerry in a speech at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. - Source]

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