Beyond Labels

A 360° Discussion of Foreign, National and Local Policy Issues

Scott Miller

September 15 Topic: The South China Sea

In last week’s discussion of Isolationism (as it relates to US policy), we spent some time comparing the geographic “land grab” of portions of Ukraine by Russia as distinct from the ideologically centered ISIS activities (even though they’re also grabbing some land). In that context, the question arose about whether the geopolitical, Cold War “chessboard” was becoming less of a factor / threat in our foreign relations.

As a possible counterpoint to this theory, we’ll re-visit the recent developments in Southeast Asia next week, in particular, China’s activities in the South China Sea.

Dick Jacoby has offered the following notes:

For the topic “South China Sea” an excellent reference is “Asia’s Cauldron” by Robert Kaplan. Unfortunately, it is not available at the library.  Google “South China Sea Disputes” in Wikipedia and others.

See you on Monday!

 

August 18: Assisted Suicide

Having failed to choose a topic at the end of last week’s session, we can be flexible on Monday.  But, for those of you who like to prepare, let’s plan to “dip our toes” into the subject of assisted suicide. To summarize Dick’s suggested questions:

  • Do I have the right to have you kill me?
  • Do you have the right/obligation to kill me if I ask you?
  • Do you have the right to kill me if you think that is what I would like?
  • Will this become an economics/efficiency decision?
  • What is the current law on the matter?