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'Adrienne Asch, an internationally known bioethicist who opposed the use of prenatal testing and abortion to select children free of disabilities, a stance informed partly by her own experience of blindness, died on Nov. 19 at her home in Manhattan. She was 67. 'In an article in The American Journal of Public Health in 1999, Professor Asch laid out her philosophy in no uncertain terms: "If public health espouses goals of social justice and equality for people with disabilities - as it has worked to improve the status of women, gays and lesbians, and members of racial and ethnic minorities - it should reconsider whether it wishes to continue the technology of prenatal diagnosis," she wrote. 'She added: "My moral opposition to prenatal testing and selective abortion flows from the conviction that life with disability is worthwhile and the belief that a just society must appreciate and nurture the lives of all people, whatever the endowments they receive in the natural lottery." '

'"Being unable to stop filibusters can make the party in power look ineffective," said Julian Zelizer , a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University , who's written extensively on the filibuster. "The Republican goal now is to make Obama look like an ineffective leader." Although minority Democrats used the filibuster extensively from 2006 on, 'Republicans appear to be taking the filibuster to a new level. They've filibustered 15 nominees to mid-level jobs that formerly got routine approval;' all but one ultimately were confirmed.

Given time, American Muslims, like all other religious minorities before them, will adjust their legal and theological traditions, if necessary, to accord with American values. America's exceptionalism has always been its ability to transform itself - economically, culturally and religiously. In the 20th century, we thrived by promoting a Judeo-Christian ethic, respecting differences and accentuating commonalities among Jews, Catholics and Protestants. Today, we need an Abrahamic ethic that welcomes Islam into the religious tapestry of American life. Anti-Shariah legislation fosters a hostile environment that will stymie the growth of America's tolerant strand of Islam. The continuation of America's pluralistic religious tradition depends on the ability to distinguish between punishing groups that support terror and blaming terrorist activities on a faith that represents roughly a quarter of the world's population.

Open Letter to Wheaton Leaders (1) Supporting Dr. Larycia Hawkins in: (a) Her quotation from Pope Francis that Christians and Muslims worship the same God; (b) Her symbolic solidarity with our Muslim kindred. (2) Urging her speedy reinstatement and restoration to her students.

Open Letter to Wheaton Leaders (1) Supporting Dr. Larycia Hawkins in: (a) Her quotation from Pope Francis that Christians and Muslims worship the same God; (b) Her prophetic symbolic identification with our Muslim kindred. (2) Urging her speedy reinstatement and restoration to her students.