In the crucible of our collective consciousness, the issue of drug policy has been forged, shaped, and reshaped. This paper, a testament to this ongoing discourse, advocates for a radical shift in our approach: the decriminalization of all drugs and the reframing of drug use as a healthcare issue rather than a crime. Drawing on a chorus of voices from across the globe, it weaves together a tapestry of evidence, from the experiences of countries that have decriminalized drugs to the potential benefits of a healthcare approach.

This paper critically examines the concept of 'school choice' and its implications for public education. Drawing on the philosophy of utilitarianism, it argues that while school choice may seem appealing on the surface, it ultimately undermines the public education system and exacerbates educational inequities. The paper acknowledges opposing viewpoints, including Republican support for school choice, religious arguments, and anti-public school sentiments. It then highlights the virtues of public education as a social safety net and a promoter of civic and cultural values.

This discourse endeavors to illuminate the pressing issue of immigration reform in the United States. It critically examines the multifaceted problems that plague our current immigration system, from legal complexities and inefficiencies to inhumane policies and political polarization. Acknowledging the concerns of those who oppose reform, it presents a robust counter-argument grounded in the principles of utilitarianism, pragmatism, and compassion.

In this discourse, I undertake a rigorous examination of Texas Senate Bill 1515, a legislative proposal mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public educational institutions. Drawing upon the intellectual contributions of constitutional scholars, authorities on religious freedom, and esteemed philosophers, I present a robust refutation of the bill. I contend that the bill, in its current form, could potentially infringe upon the cherished principles of religious liberty, individual autonomy, and the separation of ecclesiastical and state affairs.

Criminal intent, also known as mens rea, plays a vital role in defining and adjudicating crimes in the US legal system. This paper provides an in-depth examination of the concept of criminal intent, tracing its historical roots in common law to its present-day implications in modern jurisprudence. It explicates the three common-law criminal intents—malice aforethought, specific intent, and general intent—and discusses their relative culpabilities.

Jeremy Bentham, a name that echoes through the annals of philosophy, a beacon of utilitarian thought, a man whose life and work have left an indelible mark on the world. Born in 1748, in the bustling borough of Spitalfields, London, he was a child prodigy, a wunderkind, a boy who read multi-volume histories of England whilst still in his swaddling clothes, a lad who began his study of Latin at the tender age of three. His father, a prosperous attorney, had dreams of his son ascending to the lofty heights of Lord Chancellor. But Bentham, ever the maverick, had other plans.

In the spirit of measured debate and with great effort to not simply dismiss the intellectual dysentery presented by the radical right, we venture into the convoluted world of mifepristone, a drug that has become the epicenter of a tempestuous debate, a battleground of ideologies, a symbol of the struggle for women's reproductive rights.

The discourse on abortion, a convoluted and contentious matter, is a tapestry woven with threads from diverse disciplines, including ethics, philosophy, medicine, and theology. While giving due consideration to the arguments advocating severe abortion restrictions, this essay will present a counter-argument, underscoring the harms inflicted upon individual women, families, and the fabric of society as a whole. The primary line of argumentation will be drawn from the utilitarian perspective, but other potent arguments will also be marshalled.

In 1939, Bill W. wrote the The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is the main doctrine that outlines the philosophies and methods for a path of recovery that is proven to work. My message today is for the orthodox, the unconventional, the recalcitrant, and anyone anywhere along that continuum. There are also those among us who are snuggled up in a shroud of arrogance, from before, during, or post recovery.

Atlas Shrugged, the behemoth magnum opus of Ayn Rand's dubious philosophical entanglement she termed 'Objectivism', sits high atop the edifice of the grand American novel - more as a gargoyle than an angel. This beloved monolith of libertarian thought, this titan of the conservative canon, is, it pains me to report, a literary debacle of the first order. It possesses the dubious quality of being as monochromatic in its characterizations as it is dogmatic in its ideological discourse.

Liberalism is a prominent and multifaceted political ideology that has significantly shaped the sociopolitical dynamics of the modern world. This ideology encompasses a broad spectrum of philosophical perspectives, all sharing a common commitment to individual liberty, but diverging in their understanding of its practical implications. The various branches of liberalism—classical, social, neoliberal, green, cultural, radical, conservative, liberal feminism, liberal socialism, and libertarianism—provide a rich tapestry of thought to explore.

Is the Debt Ceiling, on it's face, unconstitutional? Does Section 4 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States silence the Debt Ceiling debate?

The music of the Constitution's words often reverberates in my mind, each note a promise, each melody an aspiration, and each harmony a testament to our shared commitment to our nation's ideals. The Fourteenth Amendment, with its Section 4, is one such melody, inviting us to reflect upon our nation's debts, their validity, and the question of the debt ceiling.

Polarisation (polarization) is a major challenge facing American society today. Polarisation is the increasing division of society into two or more opposing groups or blocs, each with its own set of beliefs, values, and goals. In the United States, polarisation is most evident in the political arena, where the two major parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, have become increasingly divided on a wide range of issues. This division can make it difficult to find common ground and solve problems.

The relationship between journalism and Trump has been a contentious one since he first entered the political arena. Trump has repeatedly attacked the media, calling it "the enemy of the people" and accusing it of spreading "fake news." He has also refused to cooperate with journalists, often refusing to answer their questions or even acknowledging their presence.

In this tumultuous epoch of political discord, a strange and insidious malady has taken hold of our collective consciousness. It is a spectral shadow, a haunting apparition that lingers in the minds of many. It has been given a name - "Trump Exhaustion." This ominous term is used to describe a peculiar kind of mental fatigue, a weary lassitude induced by the incessant barrage of news, controversies, and vitriolic rhetoric associated with the figure of former President Donald Trump.

When the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court echo not with the sound of justice, but with the whispers of doubt and mistrust, we are all lessened. We are all dimmed when the beacon of our nation's justice system, the esteemed Supreme Court, is tinged with a loss of credibility.

The court that has, for generations, stood as a symbol of fairness, of equality, of justice, cannot afford to lose the trust of the people. For it is not merely the court that stands to lose, it is the very fabric of our democracy.