Columns

American gun culture is based on frontier mythology - but ignores how common gun restrictions were in the Old West

July 1, 2022

Pierre M. Atlas, IUPUI (THE CONVERSATION) — In the wake of the Buffalo and Uvalde mass shootings, 70% of Republicans said it is more important to protect gun rights than to control gun violence, while 92% of Democrats and 54% of independents expressed ...

Look at 3 enduring stories Americans tell about guns to understand debate over them

July 1, 2022

Greg Dickinson, Colorado State University  and Brian L. Ott, Missouri State University (THE CONVERSATION) — The United States has struggled with a spate of horrific mass shootings. As is often the case, people try to make sense of the violence by ...

Case for education tax hike doesn?t add up

July 1, 2022

Ben DeGrow, Mackinac Center for Public Policy A word to the wise: Those who say taxpayers must cough up billions more dollars should first count all of the money that’s already available. In its recent call for a major funding increase, a coalition of ...

Getting therapy when cost is a barrier

July 1, 2022

Sara Rathner, NerdWallet The race to find mental health treatment can feel like a marathon when you may not have the energy or ability to even make it to the starting line. You may be faced with limited affordable options and a lack of available therapists. “Prior ...

Donating to help women get abortions is a First Amendment right - protected by Supreme Court precedents

July 1, 2022

By Lucinda M. Finley University at Buffalo (THE CONVERSATION) — Several Texas abortion funds – which are charities that help people who can’t afford to get an abortion pay for their travel, lodging and medical bills – paused disbursements ...

Why the Supreme Court's football decision is a game-changer on school prayer

July 1, 2022

Charles J. Russo, University of Dayton   (THE CONVERSATION) The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently banned school-sponsored prayer in public schools. At the same time, lower courts have generally forbidden public school employees from openly praying in ...