Word: litmus
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...Fallacious). You write, "The fetus itself should not be considered human." The only evidence that you present for this claim is the fact that during the first few months after conception, a fetus cannot survive outside of her mother, with or without the aid of machines. However, this litmus test of "viability" is not a valid one. For example, there are many people with fatal illnesses for whom no machine can do any good. Yet of course these people are just as alive and just as human as the rest of us. Indeed, you acknowledge the failure of your "viability...
...Meanwhile, the political cost to Dole of a pro-choice running mate would appear to be manageable. Despite Buchanan's threats to rock the convention if Dole taps Powell, or any other pro-choice possibility, less than a quarter of Republicans surveyed would make abortion a litmus-test issue for their vice-presidential nominee. Only 12% would be less inclined to vote Republican if Powell, for instance, were No. 2. But 62% of independents and 38% of Democrats said they would be more likely to vote Republican if Powell were on the ticket...
Although working in government is by no means the litmus test of a concerned citizen, a loss of interest in directly serving the nation is problematic. As the quality of individuals serving the government declines and more dissatisfaction with government results, increasing numbers of talented people become turned off to working in the public sector. While many in Washington focus on reducing the size of the federal bureaucracy, few look to improve efficiency and effectiveness by attracting the nation's top minds. This movement away from public service threatens to upset the critical balance of power between the public...
Obviously, there's no litmus test that can be used to determine if a movie is "acceptable", nor should there be. And any form of government censorship of the media is completely unacceptable. But those responsible for producing popular culture need to take a harder and more thoughtful look at what they are saying with their movies, music and art, and learn to recognize when one of their products is so morally bankrupt that it would be irresponsible to foist it upon society. Seven is such a product, and it is by no means the only...
Waxing third-party vitality focuses a penetrating light on the state of our political system, and acts as a litmus test to measure whether the major parties are indeed accurate indicators of citizen demands. The chemistry is simple: If Republicans over-react by precipitously slashing too many popular programs, and if Democrats cannot synthesize ideas more in line with fiscal responsibility, a third party--with mega-funding as a catalyst--will create an entirely new political equation...