Outline – Culture wars 1) Gay marriages2) Evolution3) Abortion4) Affirmative action

Obama‘s position on gay marriage

90‘s – Obama supports gay marriages in 1996 (IL Senate) X undecided in 1998

2004 – Obama supports only civil unions (U.S. Senate campaign)

2008 – Obama supports only civil unions, but also supports extension of gays in Cus

Obama administration: 2011 – repeal of Dont Ask, Dont TellNo repeal of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) 2012 – Obama openly supported gay marriages

Source: Washington Post, NYTimes

Gay Marriage in the U.S.

Source: freedomtomarry.org

Public opinion in the U.S.

Source: Nate Silver, Fivethirtyeight.com

Evolution vs. Intelligent design Intelligent design – science ??? Current situation in states Epperson v. Arkansas Decision belongs to school boards

Evolution vs. Intelligent design state by state

Public opinion in the U.S.

Obama‘s possition on evolution Supports teaching

evolution Against teaching

intelligent design No concrete steps Decided by school

boards. Debate still in

progress

Abortions Roe v. Wade 1973

Right to privacy extended to women‘s decision to have an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy

Pro-Choice × Pro-Life >2% => approx. 1 million/year In 32 states Medicare coverage in cases f

rape, incest or life endangerment In 36 states parental approval for minor

needed

ObamaPro-Choice

„We must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a

women‘s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broad principle: that governmet should not intrude on privat family matters. I remain commited to

protecting a women‘s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right.“

Contraceptives and morning-after pill without prescription

Contraception coveren by health plan

Obamacare (PPACA) -> DISPUTESUnspecified extra payment for elective

abortions in the programSalary lower than 4× poverty level ->

contribution from federal government=> all taxpayers pay for elective abortions

Affirmative action Precedent = Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003

Affirmative action Future of affirmative action programs at public

universities depends on the outcome of Fisher vs. University of Texas case

Opinions University: need to ensure diversity Opponents: violation of 14th amendment Obama: supports University of Texas in the

case X generally rather cautious approach

Supreme Court‘s swing vote = Anthony Kennedy

Affirmative action

Opinion poll on use of affirmative action programms in college admissions:

Sources: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/ http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/

support-for-gay-marriage-outweighs-opposition-in-polls/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/where-obama-and-romney-stand-on-the-issues-from-abortion-and-economy-to-taxes-and-war/2012/11/02/56de6122-2507-11e2-92f8-7f9c4daf276a_story.html

Sources http://www.people-press.org/2003/05/14/

conflicted-views-of-affirmative-action/

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.cz/2011/02/we-cam-assume-affirmative-action-is.html

http://chronicle.com/article/What-You-Need-to-Know-About/134912/