Channing Memorial Church
Hot Topics Forums

Next Hot Topic: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 7 pm - Parish Hall
Topic: The Real ID: What's to Love?

The "Real ID" is a new program proposed by the Department of Homeland Security that requires presentation of an accurate and tamper-proof identity document that can interface with national security databases, before entering federal facilities. The U.S. Constitution guarantees basic individual right. What bearing does the Real ID program have on constitutional guarantees. Come join the discussion. The following readings are provided for your perusal:

  Real ID - Summary
  Rhode Island seeks new ID Exemption
  ACLU: Bigger Monster, Weaker Chains - The Growth of an American Surveillance Society
  ACLU Scorecard on Final Real ID Regulations - January 17, 2008
  Bibliography - Annotated

Welcome to Channing Memorial Church's Hot Topics Forums, which provide our members and friends an opportunity to discuss some of the complex, and sometimes controversial, issues of our times in a friendly, respectful setting.

Hot Topics Forums explore issues of political or social interest, allowing us to examine the different arguments that arise from given issues and come to a better understanding of the diverse perspectives that surround them.

Hot Topics evenings begin with a moderated consideration of a topic or question posed for participants to consider.

All participants are asked to prepare for the discussion by reading short articles that set forth opposing positions on the question (see above). The discussion aims to promote debate and constructive argument of the contrary positions and welcomes insight and opinion from persons embracing each position (as well as other perspectives and opinions).

The Hot Topics Ground Rules ensure that the discussion will be non-confrontational and non-judgmental. Participants in the forum can seek concensus or "agree to disagree."

A sign up sheet is posted in the Parish Hall, or you can register by contacting the Church Office at 846-0643 or office@channingchurch.org.

Some Previous Hot Topics:
   
05-17-06 Should President Bush Be Impeached?
  The U.S. Constituion [on impeachment]
  Is There a Case for Impeachment? - Town Hall Forum - New York City
  Readings Arguing FOR Impeachment
  Readings Arguing AGAINST Impeachment
   
11-18-05 Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
  Wal-Mart - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wal-Mart
  Wal-Mart Watch - www.walmartwatch.com
  Wake Up Wal-Mart - www.wakeupwalmart.com
  Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price - www.walmartmovie.com
Wal-Mart Sites:
  Wal-Mart Facts - www.walmartfacts.com/
  Wal-Mart News - http://www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=15
   
10-26-05 USA Patriot Act: Safety & Security vs. Freedom & Civil Liberties
  USA PATRIOT Act - Wikipedia
  Lawyers Dissect Patriot Act at Newport Forum - by Sean Flynn in Newport Daily News
  Libraries and the First Amendment - First Amendment Center, Vanderbilt Univ., Arlington, VA
  The Sun Also Sets: Understanding the Patriot Act "Sunsets" - American Civil Liberties Union
  USA Patriot Act - Preserving Life and Liberty- U.S. Dept. of Justice Web Site
   
05-18-05 Value of Life
  The Culture of Life Top Ten - Michael Blanding
  Terri Schiavo, without uttering a word, has challenged us - Rep. Dennis Baxley
  Life Everlasting - by Garret Keizer in Harper's Magazine
   
03-23-05 Hotel Earth - The Threat of Global Warming
  http://www.uua.org/csw/threatofgw.html
   
02-23-05 What, and Who, Is Marriage For?
  Time to Commit - William J. Doherty in UU World
  What Gay Marriage Teaches About the History of Marriage - Hendrik Hartog
  Marriage a Malleable Institution Throughout History - Mike Anton in LA Times
  Just Marriage: On the Public Importance of Private Unions - Mary Lyndon Shanley
   
02-09-05 Is War Ever Just?
  It's Just War - Oxymoron or Moral Criteria? - James Weller
  Just War Theory - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy