Right to death?

In the 1990s Dr. Jack Kevorkian brought the medically assisted suicide discussion to mainstream American. Since that time many states have voted on the issue, and it is legal in Montana, Oregon and Washington. Last year a NPR poll showed 55% of people in the U.S. supported the process for terminally ill people who have 6 months to live.

This issue is tightly bound to many religious traditions.  However please respond from a “functionalist” sociological perspective, and name at least one advantage and one disadvantage of medically assisted suicide.

Link to the NPR story:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/12/27/168150886/americans-support-physician-assisted-suicide-for-terminally-ill?sc=tw

Cyber Spies

Investigators have alleged the Chinese government may have sponsored hackers who have stolen information from companies around the world, including American defense contractors.

How do you think the United States should respond, if this is true?

 

 

link to story:

http://behindthewall.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/19/17015064-report-chinese-army-tied-to-widespread-us-hacking?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=1

 

Make a new cultural celebration

What a week!  Tomorrow from Savannah, GA to New Orleans, LA millions will indulge in hedonism for Mardi Gras. Then, Orthodox, Catholics and Protestant Christians worldwide will somberly observe Ash Wednesday. Thursday brings a time to acknowledge relationships on Valentine’s Day, and then we go into Presidents’ Day weekend.  Wow, cultural, religious, personal and political occasions all back-to-back.

If you could institute a brand new holiday (your birthday doesn’t count J), what would it be?

Feel free to add how it would be celebrated. For example people eat King Cake for Mardi Gras, have ashes place on the forehead for Ash Wednesday, exchange cards for Valentines and fly the American Flag for Presidents’ day.

Be creative and have fun!

What Makes Wrestling Successful?

Professional Wrestling’s WWE Raw broadcasts live from Atlanta Monday, February 4. Many people ridicule wrestling referring to it as “fake.” Wrestling is allotted little to no space in the sports section of newspapers or on ESPN.  Wrestling promoters make no secret about the fact that in ring activity and commentary are all scripted.  Even so, professional wrestling continues to draw big crowds to live events, and huge ticket sales for pay per view events.

In your opinion, what accounts for the continued success of professional wrestling?