To know or not to know, that is the q.

Peter Singer on investigating genetic black-white differences as regards intelligence:

[T]o say that we should not carry out research in this area is equivalent to saying that we should reject open-minded investigation of the causes of inequalities in income, education, and health between people of different racial or ethnic groups. When faced with such major social problems, a preference for ignorance over knowledge is difficult to defend.

He’s not my favorite scientist, but I think he has nailed the issue in the James Watson brouhaha that has given legs to this very sensitive discussion.

Hard times ahead?

Tom Roeser offers an arresting, apocalyptic view of what would happen if Dems win the WH in ‘08.  Context is answering why Giuliani has social conservative support:

[They] may have some questions about Giuliani but they know for positive certain that no matter what Democratic president gets in, the goals of the movement will be certifiably ended-especially with appointments to the Court. There’s not even a question about that. The courts would go Left, national security would go passive, the Islamo-fascists would take heart at seeing the country repudiate the Bush legacy. Domestic terrorist strikes would increase. And something which is quite hard for the Catholic in me to rationalize-the future of Israel which is so close to the evangelical heart would be jeopardized while an ambivalent Hillary or worse yet Hamlet-like Obama would allow things to happen.

Is that grim enough for you?