Summary: Is Italian food all that? Same-sex marriage rights in the US, Independence for Scotland and the Russian invasion of the Crimea. Ukraine/Crimea To directly quote from Politico “The West is blinking in disbelief – Vladimir Putin has invaded The Ukraine. German diplomats, French Eurocrats and American pundits are all stunned.” Does Putin and Russia have any right to “protect” Russians in the Crimea and the position of the Russian Minority in the South and East of the Ukraine? Rob as our resident historian why don’t you give us a brief three minute history of the Crimea to set the background to the conflict. Scottish Independence As the 18th of September referendum date loons ever closer, the debate on whether Scotland should be an independent country and leave the United Kingdom is starting to hot up on both sides of the boarder. Should the Scots vote for independence, should we mourn the death of the United Kingdom? Same Sex Marriage legislation in and liberalisation in the US Some of the US’ most conservative states are proposing and then striking down bans on same-sex marriage through bills that would let religious beliefs be a legal justification for denying service. Judges in Texas, Kentucky New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, Ohio and Virginia have all recently overturned bans on same sex marriage. No state or federal judge has opposed gay marriage since the Supreme Court in June 2013 allowed gay men and lesbians to marry in California. What does the rapid acceptance of Same Sex marriage say about social liberalism, libertarianism and conservatism in America in 2014. Their take aways are: Haiku Deck Eating Bugs The Amen Break
