Articles written by Dale Hoskin

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About me - Dale Hoskin

I am 54 years old with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Philosophy. My interests span the worlds of history, politics and literature. My main two passions are ancient Greek culture and Russian novelists. I am new to the world of blogging but expect

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Arts & Humanities > Political Philosophy What is wrong with this world?: 2 of 124
What is wrong with the world? An interesting question, but one that is difficult to answer because of its obscure form. When we say world are we referring to the earth itself. if so, then the answer is simple: nothing. If however, as I suspect, the question really is what is wrong with people, then the answer becomes more co... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Bush Administration Why President Bush should resign or be impeached: 1 of 31
Why President Bush Should Resign of be Impeached If recent history is any guide, the impeachment of a President is not an act that ought to be considered lightly or one that ought to be taken for purely partisan reasons. Unfortunately the irresponsibility of the Republican Congress during the Clinton administration and their ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Republican Leaders Assessing Ann Coulter: Poster-woman for the American right: 1 of 31
Ann Coulter is simply the latest in a long line of demagogues who, in the short term, have a modicum of success but in the long term, like her hero Joe McCarthy, crash and burn. To her credit, or discredit depending upon your point of view, she has figured out that there is an audience out there for her particular type of hat... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Religion & Spirituality (Other) Lack of religion in schools and how it has affected children: 1 of 30
Should Religion Be Taught in Our Schools? The question whether or not religion should be taught in our schools is one of those thorny issues where, far to often, emotion over rules reason, ideology trumps independence, and intolerance conquers acceptance. And in most cases these are the sins of both sides of the debate. There... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Bush Administration George W. Bush's legacy: 4 of 84
George W. Bush' Legacy In determining the legacy of anyone, we must first allow for the passage of time and the development of perspective. Therefore, by definition, any attempt to determine George Bush's legacy, while he remains in office, can not be anything more than an intellectual exercise. That is not to say, however, t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > War in Iraq Commentary: US Congress questions General Patraeus about the Iraq War: 1 of 10
I wish to add my voice to those questioning the treatment of General Patraeus, albeit for far different reasons than any of the writers ot date. Our Congressman and Senators certainly did not distinguish themselves. They seemed far more interested in making speeches than asking probing questions. As for those "American patrio... More..
Politics, News & Issues > War in Iraq Reflections: War in Iraq: 2 of 18
Hidden deep within the fog of war, obscured by the accusations and counter accusations about "weapons of mass destruction, the nuclear threat, bringing democracy to the region, and we're fighting them over there so that we don't have to fight them here", one thing is becoming increasingly clear. We went to war, displaced two ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Party Politics & Ideology How the people are lost in the extremes of 'right' and 'left' in politics: Toward a lost 'middle': 6 of 40
Richard Nixon once invoked the spirit of the "silent Majority" in his quest for re-election. In his mind this majority was predominately conservative and thus likely to support his candidacy. He was only partially right. The silent majority does live. They are not, however, conservative or liberal. Rather, the majority of Am... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News New law attempts to abridge the right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech: 1 of 6
Can Hate Crime Laws Abridge the Right to freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech? Specifically, for the purpose of this discussion, the question really is: are hate crime laws, when applied to religious groups vocally protesting a gay pride parade, the appropriate response by authorities? Secondarily, is voicing church doct... More..
Politics, News & Issues > War in Iraq Should the US pull out its troops regardless of whether Iraq is ready to defend its people?: 39 of 214
Should The U.S. Pull Out Its Troops Regardless of Whether Iraq Is Ready To Defend Its People. The question, as posed, is disingenuous. Hidden within its words lurks a rather large straw man. I refer to the notion that Iraq will ever be able to defend its people. It presupposes that Iraq and an Iraqi people now exist that need... More..