These questions should be obvious to a thinking, moderately educated person. But they do not inform the debate in our society. Why do the media not ask them? Why do we not ask them ourselves? Don't we have a duty to humanity to do so? Politicians of course will not, even if they should think of them, because they are too controversial. Objective reporting requires asking uncomfortable questions to cause us to look at ourselves and our society. Charges of media bias by both the left and right may have some basis in fact, but are usually seen from their own prospective biases. Consequently, many important news stories are not covered or at least not published. We are not presented with a full and balanced view of the world. Without that, we are not informed citizens and are prevented from making up our own minds about conditions that may influence our lives. This may seem to some as a conspiracy to keep us in the dark, and in some situations that may be the case, but blind bias and the immediacy of news coverage make the sensationalistic and human-interest stories rise to the top. The more complex and uncomfortable stories are burried in the innundation of information.
Creationism - the argument from design - that the universe must have a designer. But who created the designer? This is endless regress and does not solve the problem. Creationists have no firm philosophical or scientific foundations. Their theology and psuedoscientific views would be laughable and make good satire if it weren't taken seriously.
Why isn't the religious right's agenda being questioned?
Why aren't special rights for religions and religious groups being questioned?
Gays are perceived as vulnerable and weak. Why do gays often not fight back? Why haven't they learned martial arts and other means to protect themselves from bashings?
Why are gays thought to be pederasts?
Why should it matter if sexual choice is preference or orientation?
Why isn't sexual orientation a 4th amendment issue?
Why isn't homophobia seen as a social disease? Why should the existence of gay people evoke an an angry or fearful response? And isn't that response a problem? Who is at fault?
Why do the media still report homosexuality as a problem and homophobia as a natural response?
What is the cause of heterosexuality?
Why do we americans not look to how other countries (predominately in Europe) handle social issues and how those have changed their societies as good examples for our public policies?
If government can't support religion why does money say "In God We Trust" and why is marriage a legal institution?
When politicians support special interest groups, why don't media ask and report who financially supports the politician?
Why are beliefs that cannot be proven accepted for making public policy?
If lobbying represents an unfair influence, why do we allow it? Shouldn't representation be one citizen to one representative?
When the Republicans say they want to get government out of peoples' lives, why then do they want to enact more government interference in your private, moral life?
Why aren't reasons for military spending questioned? Is it defense needs or those of arms manufacturers?
Why aren't reasons for inflation discussed and a distinction made between natural price fluctuations and inflation, which is a devaluation of money?
If the richest one-percent of the population owns 40% of the nation's assetts, why don't they pay 40% of the taxes?
Are there any scientific studies to conclusively demonstrate that pornography can hurt children?
Why isn't the perception that pornography is morally wrong or harmful being questioned?
Is the current attempt to censor the Internet more than concern over pornography, but an underhanded attempt to prevent free and equal communication among the populace because it might alter the balance of power?
Why should parents or government have sole control over children's minds? Aren't they citizens with rights, too?
Why isn't bigotry and irrational prejudice seen as a mental dysfunction or aberation and a serious social problem?
Why is discrimination against anyone for what they are condoned? How is the Constitution interpreted to allow laws supporting discrimination?
Shouldn't individuals be allowed to discriminate against others for their own private reasons?
Should non-violent criminals be imprisoned or given alternate sentences?
Why do we support the costly building of more prisons and imprisonment for crimes rather than a program of rehabilitation?
Why aren't questions about overpopulation affecting our current quality of life being asked?
Why isn't lying to the public against the law?
Marrieds get tax breaks. Why are singles discriminated against in tax law?
Why do we not require teaching human rights and democracy issues in the secondary schools?
Shouldn't all the arts and humanities be taught to give children a full cultural background?
Should secondary education be compulsory?
Why shouldn't media be biased?
Why has investigative reporting reached a low point?
Send me your uncomfortable questions