Turkey has struggled between secularism and religion since the day Ataturk declared the country secular, criminalizing many habits that had their origins in religious activity. This article captures that tension well. While the piece might have provided a more detailed history of these tensions, might have said more about governmental fears of religious societies turning into political cells, it does a good job in short space.

The only 'error' in this article is that it accepts the hype about the apocalyptic dangers of mercury. It does note that the amount of mercury in the CFL bulbs is minuscule and that it evaporates very quickly, though. Yes, mercury has been shown to be seriously damaging for fetuses and small children. It's effect on adults is insignificant.

I think this article puts its finger exactly on the problem. In refusing to make value judgments, multiculturalism runs the risk of standing for nothing. All things are not equal, else we would need no laws. Some may think a homogenized world will be a better place, all of us happily marching to the sound of the same drum. [Note that this dream does not apply when it comes to multi-national corporations, of course!] Immigrants move to new countries because it will offer something that their own country does not. That may be economic freedom, religious freedom, political freedom, or sometimes, just jobs. But the target country is the result of decades or centuries of unique and accumulated religious, cultural, and intellectual ... More »