Social Issues

The Princeton Review has released its annual rankings of the country's top party schools. The University of Wisconsin-Madison was named number one, despite the fact that school officials have spent over a decade trying to reduce the university's reputation for heavy drinking. Should academic institutions be doing more to stop students from indulging in alcohol?
In speeches on the Justice Sunday II radio and television broadcast over the weekend, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Tex., former Georgia Democratic Sen. Zell Miller and Focus on the Family Founder James Dobson criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for what they see as a secular, liberal bias. And on the other side of the culture war, Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, spoke recently at the Cleveland City Club Forum.
Comedian Bill Cosby created quite a stir back in 2004 with his speech at the NAACP awards ceremonies demanding that poor African-Americans take responsibility for their own problems. Some called Cosby's remarks a breath of fresh air, but others accused him of blaming the victims of an unfair system. Among those in the sencond camp is Michael Eric Dyson, author of "Is Bill Cosby Right, or has the Black Middle Class Lost its Mind?"
American history buffs may remember William Lloyd Garrison, known for his passionate anti-slavery views in the 1800s. Earlier this month, 150 of Garrison's descendants converged on suburban Boston to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth. MPR's Curtis Gilbert gives us a first-hand account.
Buoyed by his supporters and undeterred by his critics, comedian Bill Cosby is sticking by his now famous speech at the 2004 NAACP awards ceremony. In the year since he made his remarks, Cosby has been traveling the country and reiterating his message that poor black parents need to set a better example for their children. He made one such appearance this summer in St. Louis.
The Minnesota Historical Society is observing the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II this weekend. One event features music by World War II veteran Charles Beasley and his big band. Beasley was an Army musician during the war, in an all-black unit. The anniversary gives Beasley a chance to reflect on race relations in this country.
Lutherans expect to debate whether the church should bless same-sex unions. Midmorning looks at how the issue of gay representation has affected many Christian denominations.
One of the perks of being an artist is sometimes you get to name your own show. Painter and sketch artist Donovan Durham called his: "Donovan Durham's Fantastic Print Show." It turns out his life story is just as fantastic as his art.
Whistleblowers are often honored by the media and in the movies. But acting in an ethical way doesn't always have a positive outcome. What price do whistleblowers pay for revealing wrongdoing?
Broadcaster Peter Jennings died of lung cancer on Sunday. His death, as well as the departures of Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather from their evening news slots, could suggest the age of the television anchor is over. Midmorning discusses the role and the future of the network news icon.