5 p.m. ET
If offering amnesty to Iraqi insurgents would end the fighting and bring some semblance of peace, would you support the strategy?
There are valid arguments on both sides. I doubt many would tolerate any plea bargains for Zarqawi or the leaders of the insurgency. But what about the street fighters? We'll discuss this today with Ken Allard and Larry Korb.
Later in the hour, should schools be forced to teach African American history? Now, most do fold in elements of African heritage in the normal course of their history and social studies courses, but I mean a mandate that all students take a course in African American history in order to graduate. What do you think? One school district in Philadelphia has put the plan into action, and it is generating some controversy.
And I am closely monitoring the story of Katie Wernecke on the Internet. Katie is a 12-year-old girl from Texas who has cancer. Her parents have lost custody of her because they refused to continue radiation and chemo against the doctor’s orders. Where do parental rights end and state rights begin? Bloggers have a wide variety of takes on this issue.
All that and more, at 5pm ET.
Send us an email.
Katie Wernecke
Raising Retirement Age
Britney Spears Computer Viruses
12 p.m. ET
We are awaiting autopsy results from Terry Schiavo's coroner. I doubt there will be any shocking revelations from the results, but it has brought the case back into the news again.
I think the lasting legacy of her ordeal won't be the medical debate over consciousness, but the way in which it brought religion and politics together, fundamentally changing the debates on the floors of Congress.
The big blue and red flash points before this case centered on neo-conservative notions of statehood and the war in Iraq. But recently, rather than attacking the government for a perceived lack of exit strategy, Howard Dean called the Republicans "white Christians."
That was meant to be a dis, despite the fact that the majority of Americans are, in fact, white Christians. Dean has taken heat for the comment, especially on the blogs. I think what he meant to say was that he believes Republicans only accept white Christians, and a particular kind of Christian--Evangelicals.
There is no doubt that, while a small number in terms of population, this group has a large amount of influence over the GOP. We saw this in a big way on "Justice Sunday" when Bill Frist joined religious leaders like James Dobson in an effort to drum up support for the President's judicial nominees.
But then we have last night's GOP Congressional Committee dinner, a super huge fundraising event that draws a crowd willing to pay $2500 a plate for a quick glimpse of President Bush. I'm certain there were "right wing Christians" in the room, but porn star Mary Carey was also there. She apparently dressed in a modest black ensemble, but she's a porn star nonetheless.
So, who's to say Republicans can't be inclusive? And who's to say Democrats can't be white Christians? Today, a look at the land where religion and politics collide. Which party is the "moral" party, and why are they both fighting for the "Christian" vote?
Also, a look at the movement to legalize marijuana in America. In the days and weeks surrounding the SCOTUS decision on medical pot, there have been several articles written about the benefits, the economic benefits, of pot sales and use. We'll discuss.
Send us your thoughts.
Maciulis@MSNBC.com
