Anurag Mandalika

---

With Santorum out, candidacy can return to presidential race

As the Republican primaries slowly reveal Mitt Romney as the obvious contender for the United States presidency, focus on the economy is off the backburner and has found itself being touted again as a serious national issue. Social conservatism glib talk has hopefully made its exodus with the likes of Rick Santorum. Social issues have distracted discussion of issues such as jobs and the economy, issues more pressing and of far more importance than almost anything else being spouted about during the height of the debates.

Schools must teach proven science in schools

Last week, the Tennessee legislature signed a bill into law allowing school teachers to bring in supplemental theories and textbooks to address controversies in existing science and to entertain unscientific debate in the classroom, all under the guise of "encouraging critical thinking" among schoolchildren. This deplorable bill was scripted by the state’s Republican lawmakers with help from the Discovery Institute, an organization known for its championing ‘Intelligent Design’ as an alternative to Darwinian evolution by natural selection.

Walker intrudes in the doctor's office

While the state of Wisconsin was enjoying the long Easter weekend, Gov. Walker quietly signed into legislation a duo of anti-abortion bills. The purpose of these bills is to make it harder for women to access abortion services, while ensuring that the events in the examining room are scripted and orchestrated by the government.

Misfire of Justice

The recent shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman has grabbed the country in rapt attention, especially because the perpetrator of the killing has not been detained yet. This is because Florida’s ‘Stand your ground’ law grants immunity to people who have used deadly force in their own defense. The lack of substantial witnesses in this case has also compounded the applications of the law, because there is no concrete evidence proving Zimmerman was not acting in self- defense. A similar incident occurred in Slinger, Wis. earlier this month in which a 20-year old man, Bo Morrison, was shot dead by a homeowner, Adam Kind, upon whose porch the former had intruded after partying at a neighbor’s house late after midnight. Wisconsin’s Castle Doctrine was invoked in this situation, and Kind has not been detained in relation to this shooting.

GOP gas problems

The GOP has been blaming President Obama for the high gas prices. But they should look at their supporters and lobby groups first to see the real problem.

Aftermath to Koran burning shows deteriorating condition in Afghanistan

Six American soldiers were killed by Afghan National Army soldiers last week. They were among the 40 people killed in anti-American attacks after American soldiers accidental burned copies of the Koran at the Bagram Air Base. This comes at a time when the United States is increasing training efforts to prepare for transferring security duties to Afghan forces by 2014.

A climate change witch hunt

GOP values come from the wrong places

The twisty race for the Republican presidential nomination now finds itself with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in the lead, ready to take the fight to President Barack Obama. He recently launched into a tirade against Obama, chiding the president's policies protecting the environment as based on a theology that has nothing to do with the Bible. Apart from being interpreted as an attack on Obama's faith by the media, it also makes one ponder what Santorum bases his opinions.

Controversial avian flu research must not be put in the dark

Two recent studies concerning the discovery of mutated H5N1 virus strains, commonly known as avian flu, which are capable of transmission among mammals have generated a huge debate over the regulation and dissemination of scientific knowledge. Many scientist seem to b divided over whether the studies should be published since the virus strains could be used for bioterrorism. The papers in question, from the lab of Ron Fouchier at the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands and by Yoshihiro Kawaoka at UW-Madison-submitted to "Science" and "Nature," respectively-await judgment from the scientific community, particularly from the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity.

Komen's funding decision polarizes women's health issues

The decision taken by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to cut funding to Planned Parenthood resulted in a severe backlash by supporters of both organizations. Planned Parenthood received nearly $700,000 last year from Komen to conduct breast cancer exams and mammography referrals for women in need. Komen insists that their decision was based on a need to adopt more stringent eligibility criteria and to prevent association with controversial organizations. Planned Parenthood has been the subject of an investigation by U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., regarding the use of federal funds and to discern whether they are being used to provide abortion services at Planned Parenthood's health centers.

Safer in the dark