That says it all about our society's values, doesn't it?

Thank you for resonding. I completely agree.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! This op-ed runs tomorrow in the Austin American Statesman.

Check out this Statesman story today: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-school...

There are stirrings of hope that, even though the school board voted for the cuts, they will move to restore them. Support from people all over the community, and from you all here, gives me faith.

There is so much great, provocative teen lit out there, it's just great. And as with Harry Potter, there's lots of crossover to the adult market. For instance, it all started with Harry Potter. Now all the adults are swooning over the Twilight series. A lot of adults are also in to The Hunger Games (and its sequel, Catching Fire) by Suzanne Collins. Hunger Games is, again, post-apocalyptic, and a cross between reality TV/Survivor and gladiator battles (a fight to the death!) Kid lit is not what it used to be. Lots of action, great characters, and tiered, as we say in education, meaning it can be read on multiple levels.

Well, I guess I by "we," I meant civilization, beginning with the cultures of the ancient world. However, the African slave trade, particularly pernicious since it was based on race, continued for several centuries. Unfortunately, the Catholic
Church was very late in coming out against it. What my brother means is that: the abolition movement won the war against slavery in this country because at some point, all people had to admit that buying and selling another human being was inhumane. The same with Jim Crow laws. So, my brother predicts the same thing for abortion. At some point, people of good will are going to have to concede that it's indefensible, at least in terms of elective or late-term abortions. The fact that I have shifted my views on the issue, and I was extremely stubborn, corroborates my brother's prediction. It's difficult to argue Democratic convictions in the name of the common good and compassion while ignoring abortion.
And you're right. Slavery continues to today, although not in our country.